Jun 19, 2013

Christoph Strasser, of Austria, earned his 2nd Race Across America solo win Wednesday, reaching Annapolis in a record time of 7 days, 22 hours and 11 minutes. His average speed for the 2989-mile bicycle race from Oceanside, California, was 15.56 mph, besting the 27-year-old record set by Pete Penseyres.

: Austrian Christoph Strasser rides a rural road in Montgomery County on the final day of his record setting Race Across America. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Austrian Christoph Strasser rides a rural road in Montgomery County on the final day of his record setting Race Across America. Strasser won the bicycle race from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, completing the 2989 mile distance in 7 days, 22 hours, and 11 minutes. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Austrian Christoph Strasser rides a rural road in Montgomery County on the final day of his record setting Race Across America. Strasser won the bicycle race from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, completing the 2989 mile distance in 7 days, 22 hours, and 11 minutes. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Austrian Christoph Strasser navigates a traffic circle in Scaggsville on the final day of his record setting Race Across America. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Christoph Strasser jokes with his team while waiting at a red light in Laurel as he rides on the final day of his record setting Race Across America. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Christoph Strasser gets a drink while with his team while waiting at a red light in Laurel as he rides on the final day of his record setting Race Across America. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Austrian Christoph Strasser celebrates with his crew as he crosses the finish line in Annapolis in his record setting Race Across America. Strasser won the bicycle race from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD, completing the 2989 mile distance in 7 days, 22 hours, and 11 minutes. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Austrian Christoph Strasser celebrates with his crew as he crosses the finish line in Annapolis in his record setting Race Across America. Strasser won the bicycle race from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD, completing the 2989 mile distance in 7 days, 22 hours, and 11 minutes. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Christoph Strasser gets a champagne shower from his crew after finishing the Race Across America in record time. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Christoph Strasser jokes with his team after completing the Race Across America. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: Christoph Strasser hoists his bike in triumph after completing his record setting Race Across America. Strasser won the bicycle race from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, completing the 2989 mile distance in 7 days, 22 hours, and 11 minutes. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore)

: The route of the 2013 Race Across America is displayed on a map at the finish line in Annapolis. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore)

: Austrian flags in champagne bottles sit at the finish line in Annapolis after Christoph Strasser completed his record setting Race Across America. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore)

: Christoph Strasser shows of his RAAM finisher’s medal after his record setting Race Across America. All finisher receive the same medal. The only prize for finishing first is bragging rights. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

After nearly 3,000 miles, record-breaking bike ride ends in Annapolis
By Jonathan Pitts, The Baltimore Sun
8:53 p.m. EDT, June 19, 2013

Somewhere on a lonely road in Kansas, about halfway through his 2,989.5-mile bicycle trek across the United States, Christoph Strasser, a 30-year-old former bike messenger, made a decision.

He wouldn’t simply win the Race Across America, the famously grueling coast-to-coast ultra-marathon cycling competition now in its 32nd year. He would break its long-standing record for speed.

When he crossed the finish line Wednesday at Annapolis City Dock, grimacing and holding high the red-and-white flag of his native Austria, Strasser achieved both goals.

Austrian Christoph Strasser wins the Race Across America

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