Four Woman Cycling team from Georgia Prepares for Bicycle Race of a Lifetime—Across the USA

April 6, 2015 - PRLog -- June 20, 2015, hundreds of cyclists will gather in Oceanside, California to embark on an incredible journey testing their physical limits, mental resilience, and commitment to a cause.  Four amazing women from Georgia are among these athletes riding as Team Pedal for Pets in Race Across America (RAAM).  As a RAAM competitor, Team Pedal for Pets will, in relay fashion, traverse the length of the North American Continent, from the Pacific to Atlantic enduring 3000 miles across 12 states and will climb over 170000 vertical feet.

Composed of 5 women from the Atlanta area, Team Pedal for Pets riders include, Martha Gossage Hall, Vicki Kaiser, Dr. Sharrona Williams, Paula Moore, and alternate Sandy Wisenbaker.  In addition to being elite endurance athletes, these women are mothers, doctors, professionals, volunteers, and business owners with varying athletic backgrounds competing to raise awareness and support for Pedal for Pets.

The team chose to ride for Pedal for Pets, a humane, non-profit out of Senoia, Georgia.  Pedal for Pets is a local community-based organization that has helped countless animals.  "We wanted a local charity that means something to us as a team," says Hall.  "Helping Pedal for Pets reduce pet overpopulation and support local animal shelters with food are something we believe in and support."

Accomplished athletes in their own right, the team is relatively new to ultra-endurance cycling.  Martha Gossage Hall, an experience multi-sport coach has defined an intense training schedule to prepare the women for the non-stop race. Training includes three weeks of intensity building and one week of recovery each month, ramping up distance incrementally from 250 miles to 650 miles per week at the peak of their training regimen.  The group will also participate in group simulation rides to acclimate both the team and crew in a smaller yet similar experience.

Motivation is a major factor in completing endurance events such as RAAM.  "I love being on the bike so motivation comes easy," says Paula Moore.  Moore also draws inspiration from the team.  "We have a great group of women willing to sacrifice through all this training and being away from their families to get this done.  The crew, as well have such a tough journey ahead of them."

With so many variables that can impact their performance, the team is both nervous and excited.  "It will be thrilling to see our beautiful country this way," says Kaiser.  "I see it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this amazing land and to test the limits of my body."

Team Pedal for Pets alternate Sandy Wisenbaker is enthusiastic as well.  "I am honored to be an alternate," says Wisenbaker.  "Training as the alternate for RAAM is a phenomenal opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a great organization doing something I love with some amazing ladies."

To follow Team Pedal for Pets' progress in this year's Race Across America, visit RAAM online.

About RAAM

The Race Across America, known as the "world's toughest bicycle race," will see over 200 competitors on a 3000-mile route stretching from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland.  Teams race continuously day and night, with participating athletes going it alone or sharing the challenge as a team, and a crew of 8-15 people following in support vehicles with food and supplies for the race.  The courageous adventurers brave heat, wind, thunderstorms, altitude, the dark of night, fatigue and sleep deprivation, cross several major mountain ranges and raise over one million dollars for charity.  For more info and race updates, see http://www.raceacrossamerica.org.

About Pedal for Pets

Pedal for Pets is a cause that raises money to reduce pet overpopulation through spay and neuter programs.  Founded in 2011, the program has raised over $100,000 and has helped to neuter 1450 pets.  Donate to Team Pedal for Pets at http://www.gofundme.com/o37yyk.