A steady stream of bicyclists coming through Iola this week are partaking in the annual Race Across America, a 3,000-mile journey from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md.
Some are doing it for the athletic challenge of completing one of the toughest cycling events in the world a race longer than the Tour de France, and done in less than half the time. (Thats because riders dont stop for rest days.)
Tulsas Bob McKenzie and his teammates are among those doing so for a cause.
McKenzie rolled through Iola shortly after sunup this morning as part of the Team Rotary RAAMs Polio crew.
The team was greeted in Iola by Ellis Potter and Bob Hawk, who donated $300 on behalf of the Iola Rotary Club.
This is the third year McKenzie has partaken in RAAM. Its been by far the most successful in terms of donations.
The team has garnered more than $1 million in pledges, a number that will balloon to more than $3 million courtesy of a 2-to-1 pledge from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
McKenzies squad also has been successful in terms of performance.
Passing through Iola shortly after 6 a.m. puts this years team about 5 hours ahead of its 2017 pace, McKenzie noted.
If you see Markus riding, youll see why, he said modestly.
Markus Mayr, of Austria, is McKenzies riding partner, a newcomer to the 2018 squad.
With legs churning like pistons, Mayr zipped by McKenzies group parked at Daylight Donuts at a brisk cruising speed of nearly 20 mph.
Mayr and McKenzie take turns riding in their 10-hour shift before handing the reins to teammates Kurt Matzler of Italy and Ruth Brandstaetter of Austria for their 10-hour shift.
Theyre just over halfway today, and expect to roll into Annapolis by Saturday, seven days after their start.
We have nine days to finish, McKenzie said, but we want to do it in seven.
So far, so good.
With mild temperatures and calm weather conditions, the pace has been brisk, with one notable exception.
