Congratulations to U.K. rider Alaina Beacall who has shown great resilience and has overcome her serious knee injury to join the start line for the TransAm bike race 2018. Alaina is rider 19 and one of only six female riders to enter the race and the only female from the U.K. Having previously completed a 5137 mile solo ride from the Arctic to the Mediterranean coast Alaina has already proven her ability to cycle 100 miles per day, the TransAm race builds on this and expects her to ride a minimum of 170 miles per day.
The Challenge
The TransAm race begins in Astoria, Oregon and travels 4300 miles to the finish in Yorktown, Virginia. Alaina’s knee injury was so severe and recent (only 7 weeks ago) that despite her attempted recovery it is not expected that she will be able to complete the race – we are just delighted that she has been able to use her training and start the race and we hope she enjoys the challenge for as long as she can without compromising her recovery.
The Frame
Alaina is riding a Vaaru MPA titanium endurance road bike. Titanium is the perfect material for a fast endurance road bike, ours is double butted which makes it super light and has specially formed chainstays and seatstays for added comfort on those long rides. Alaina’s frame has been carefully custom painted in sky blue and fluorescent yellow making her as visible as possible. James from Vaaru spent 30 hours at the FatCreations studio achieving a bespoke design and stunning, glassy finish.
The Finishing Kit
The MPA comes fully compatible with both internal Di2 or mechanical cable options but Alaina will have a mechanical set-up as the logistics of the race mean she won’t have the opportunity to re-charge. The MPA frame has the latest through axle and utillises Shimano flatmount brake technology with enough clearance for 28c tyres and a full mudguard.
A carefully selected finishing kit includes
- Hunt SuperDura Dynamo Disc wheels
- Absolute BLACK oval rings
- Shimano Ultegra groupset
- Syncros handlebars, stem, seat post, bottle cage, tool and pump.
- C-bear ceramic bearing bottom bracket
- Assos technologically advanced clothing
Fundraising
Alaina is raising funds for Asylum Link Merseyside who provide friendship, help and advice to asylum seekers and refugees.