Team Cycle Smart became the first Lancaster-based team to complete the Race Across America this morning. The four-person team crossed the finish line in Annapolis, Md. at 8:31 a.m., completing the non-stop, cross-country race in seven days, 15 minutes, 12 seconds.
The team of Mike Ridgeway, Denise Stone, Bob Ansell and Robin Smith averaged 16.45 mph over the 3,014 miles since the start in Oceanside, Calif. a week ago.
Ansell, shown at right riding through Western Maryland on Wednesday evening, told a RAAM blogger that he was looking forward to getting a crabcake in Annapolis. Ridgeway said they were happy just to finish without injury in less than eight days.
Ridgeway became the first Lancaster rider to finish the Race Across America last year. He, and Ansell, from Greensburg, were on a Harrisburg-based four-man team in 2007. Ridgeway has said that he wants Cycle Smart - a part of his Dream Ride Projects organization - to field a RAAM team every year.
The Race Across America has been called one of the most difficult endurance events in sports.
