(Photo: Unknown)
A few minutes ago, endurance cyclist and Hillsboro resident John Spurgeon — whose story I shared on Monday — surged into Atlantic City New Jersey and became the first person to ever complete the grueling Race Across America on a singlespeed.
The story on the front page of the RAAM website simply says, “Single Speed History: He freaking did it!!!!!!!!”
Riding on frames built by Portlanders Ira Ryan and Sacha White, Spurgeon completed 3042 miles in 12 days with an average speed of 10.5 miles per hour.
Facing a possibility of not making the cutoff in the final days, Spurgeon went without sleep and rode all night to ensure his historic feat.
Even though he was surely exhausted from his cross-country journey, he actually picked up his pace through his final time station and averaged 16 mph for the final 20 miles.
His supporters are overjoyed, and with good reason. Spurgeon’s unprecedented accomplishment will make him a legend and he has earned a spot in the history books.
Way to go John!