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 RAAM Weather Forecastby Dave Speelman, Meteorologist KAMR NBC Channel 4, Amarillo TX It will be pleasantly "cool" in the Arizona deserts, with highs of 100-105 on Friday. The air will be uncharacteristically humid, with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. As riders move into the mountains in southeastern AZ, they will find delightfully cooler temperatures.
 The Ensure Race Across AMerica started today in Irvine CA, with 22 solo riders, two 4-man teams of 70-plus riders, and a two-man team from Brazil hitting the pavement at 12 noon EDT. Weather conditions were pleasant with the temperature at 70, and the usual marine layer of clouds blanketing to coastal area.
    RAAM started with a combination of pomp and circumstance, as well as the normal pre-race jitters that riders and crew alike have to deal with no matter how many times they've done the race. Team 70+ (top left) was anxious to hit the road, but paused for a lot of photos before doing so. They and Team Secure Horizons/SCOR (as featured on the NBC Nightly News this evening) are duking it out in a never-before seen RAAM battle. A Dixieland band (top right) entertained everyone as last-minute adjustments and rider introductions were made. Tom Buckley (bottom left) is back for his second RAAM. Here, he checks out the equipment in his pace van, and ponders the immensity of the task before him. Everyone was in the Ensure RAAM spirit, even those of the canine persuasion (Kibbles, bottom right). As usual, the lead changed hands numerous times throughout the first 130 miles. Rookie Bob Kimber took command early, leading the pack into Beaumont and Time Station #1, but was soon overtaken by a half-dozen riders who took advantage of the afternoon tailwind into Palm Springs. Gerry Tatrai stayed closed to the front, as did rookies Tomas Celta and Andreas Clavedetscher. Most of the veterans (who know all too well that the race doesn't end at the Arizona state line) kept things in check, using caution as the air warmed into the desert. Wolfgang Fasching, Danny Chew, Rob Kish, Seana Hogan, Steve Born, and others took it easy, even though it wasn't nearly as hot as it has been in past RAAMs, with only 91 at Beaumont, and 100 at Palm Springs. By 7:24 pm EDT, The Brazilian two-man team was in first position (Time Station #2, Indio CA), with Fasching right on their wheel. Close behind were Tatrai, Kish, Chew, Hogan, and Born, with Celta, Clavedetscher, and Kimber fading back a few positions. A hodgepodge of rookies and veterans were within about another hour of the leaders. While the desert was surprisingly "cool," the air was humid. In fact, dark clouds greeted riders as they descended into Palm Springs, with a hint that it might even rain. Luck would not have it, so riders had to just deal with the humidity, and only imagine what a nice cool rain shower would feel like. Below are some action photos from the first 130 miles:
 Mark Patten (left) and Andreas Clavedetscher grunt up the first hill of RAAM, just after the start on Green River Road. The hill is surprisingly steep, and usually gets the riders spread out quickly.
 Austria's Wolfgang Fasching is back for his third RAAM, and to defend his 1997 title. He took the road confidently, and led the solo division as evening came along.
 Tomas Celta, of the Czech Republic, rode well on the first day of his first RAAM. Near the front for the first 90 miles, he dropped back a few notches as the day wore on.
 Bob Kimber had planned on riding RAAM on a tandem with his wife, but illness forced her out of the race. Undaunted, Bob packed up his single bikes, and set out to do RAAM anyway. A seasoned triathlete, Kimber rode strongly to Time Station #1, and then fell back a few places.
 Australia's Gerry Tatrai is back for another RAAM. He rode much of the day with a face mask on, to keep air impurities out. RAAM's "clown prince" is always jovial and ready to crack a joke, but his riding is anything but funny.
 Pittsburgh's Danny Chew is in his fifth RAAM, and looking for his second victory. By Time Station #2, he was rapidly moving up through the ranks.
 RAAM's most seasoned veteran is Rob Kish, of Port Orange FL. This is his 13th RAAM. If anyone know how to do RAAM, it is Kish. He rides intelligently, and inconspicuously. He can never be counted out of a race.
 The most celebrated woman in the history of RAAM is Seana Hogan, who is in her 7th RAAM, and in quest of her 6th victory. Hogan nearly always rides up at the front of the pack, and shows the men that they should never count out the women in this sport.
 Legendary Steve Born ("The Biggest Legs in RAAM") is in his fifth RAAM, and seeking his third official finish. Born looks to be in incredible shape, and was advancing steadily through the field as the day wore on.
 Italy's Fabio Biasiolo is back for his third RAAM, but is still seeking his first finish. He is more determined than ever to make it to Savannah, having dropped from 97's race just a mere 200 miles from Savannah. And finally...  Be sure to check the RAAM 98 Data Bank for all of the day's stats, and check back tomorrow for more pictures and stories!
Use the menu below to check the updates posted each night during the race!
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