Team of bicyclists races across America to raise awareness

Source: The Frederick News-Post

A 12-year-old boy inspired eight bicyclists to race across America.

Connor Ellison was diagnosed with liver disease about four years ago, and now his family and friends are biking from California to Maryland in support of organ donation.

Ellison is the youngest person ever to compete in the Race Across America, according to friend and teammate Charlie Humphrey.

"He's so strong," said Lorenzo Rossaro, Ellison's physician and team crew member. "It's unbelievable."

On Saturday morning, Rossaro waited at Mount Airey Bicycles, a RAAM pit stop, for the team to pass through.

Riders make a pit stop only if they have been given a penalty, so most of the teams just wave and say hello, said store owner Larry Black.

"I've been a (RAAM) groupie for 30 years," he said, "so it's great to have (the bikers) come through."

Travelling from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, bicyclists get only a few hours of sleep and contend with traffic and Mother Nature.

"That's the inspiration: five hours of sleep and 3,000 miles," Black said. "It's amazing what they do."

Proud crew members of Team 4 Austrian Musketeers chatted with Black as they awaited the arrival of their group.

The four-person team boasts the first female Austrian rider, as well as two members who participated in the race last year.

Crew member Cinderella Kugler carried a video camera, documenting the race and everything in between, including the Traveling Bicycle Museum on display outside the shop.

"I hope we can make a movie," she said.

Almost seven days after the June 12 start, the Team 4 Austrian Musketeers finished second in the RAAM category of four-person mixed, age 50-59.

Team Donate Life finished in six days and 20 hours, ranking seventh in the eight-person open group.

Black hopes the race, and its affiliation with Frederick County, will inspire people to bike more.