Cycling

Text A

What is Race Across America (RAAM)?

Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD – 3,000 miles coast-to-coast across the USA. RAAM is widely recognised as the world’s toughest endurance bicycle race. Open to solo racers as well as 2, 4 and 8-person teams. Solo racers must qualify by completing one of 30 qualifying events worldwide. No qualification required for teams. RAAM attracts an international field – competitors from 35 countries have participated. The race has become an outstanding platform for raising money for charitable causes – over $2.5 million is raised annually for a wide range of charitable causes. RAAM is an American tradition – 2015 will be its 34th year making it one of America’s longest continuously running cycling events.

The Race Across the West (RAW) is one of the world’s top RAAM Qualifying events. Oceanside, CA to Durango, CO – 860 miles across the rugged American West. Participants cross the Coast Range, Imperial Dunes, Monument Valley and finish in the San Juan Range of SW Colorado. The RAW route follows the RAAM route to Durango. Both the RAAM and RAW racers are on the course at the same time making it a perfect way to see how you might do racing RAAM.

Both RAAM and RAW are life changing experiences. It’s difficult to describe the incredible joy and sense of accomplishment having finished either of these two events. Both Durango, CO and Annapolis, MD are outstanding places to celebrate your finish.

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/raam.php?N_webcat_id=1

[Accessed 26 May 2015]

© Race Across America

Source

Cycling the world’s most dangerous road

By Sean Coughlan Education correspondent

16 May 2010

Cycling the so-called world’s most dangerous road is now one of the most popular activities for backpackers in Bolivia. Last month, shortly after what is thought to be the 18th biker death on its perilous hairpin bends, interest was undiminished. So what’s the attraction?

It’s a bike ride like no other.

No wonder it is known as the world’s most dangerous road, or simply “death road”. On its upper reaches, the clouds hug the cliff edge, obscuring the abyss. To the left, there is an unobstructed 600m drop off a cliff while on the right, a vertical rock-face. And the surface, which is unpaved, resembles a rough, dirt track more than a road.

The scenery, if you dare take your eyes off the road, is breathtaking, with the lush rainforest of the Yungas stretching out before you. But the stone and wooden crosses that line the route are a sombre reminder that not everyone cycles the full 40 miles (64km) safely to its conclusion.

Text B

Some of the drops are hundreds of metres high

Hurtling at 30mph (48km/h) down its dusty track is now a sought-after thrill for about 25,000 backpackers a year.

It has become an extreme sport like bungee jumping and skydiving. The difference here is that there is no expert guide controlling your propulsion. You are on your own.

There are no official figures for the number of deaths but the first tour company to offer the ride, Gravity, says 18 backpackers have been killed since cyclists began tackling its hairpin bends 12 years ago. Other tour companies estimate the figure is slightly lower or higher than that.

The most recent victim was an Israeli backpacker, who died last month after going over the edge. No-one knows how the accident happened, but when cycling the route, the perils are obvious.

It is nearly all downhill, dropping 11,800ft, which means speed increases almost imperceptibly, and your hands are constantly applying the brakes. Then there is the uneven surface, the loose stones that make the ride even more hazardous.

Badge of honour

Although a new road opened in 2006, there are still a few lorries and cars vying for space with the hordes of thrill-seeking cyclists, on a road that is sometimes only a single lane wide.

The highway from La Paz to Coroico was built by Paraguayan prisoners of war in the 1930s when the two countries were at war, and it earned its notoriety in 1995.

The Inter-American Development Bank was conducting a feasibility study for a new road and it estimated that there were between 200 and 300 deaths a year, so it bestowed on it the title of the “world’s most dangerous road”.

Those four words have now become a dubious badge of honour, a slogan seen on backpacker T-shirts and a phrase overheard amid the bravado of youth hostel bars.

Adapted from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8683075.stm

[Accessed 25 May 2015]

© BBC News

Source

Reading Read Text A and answer the following questions.

1. How long is the RAW?

a. 3,000 milesb. 860 miles c. 30 milesd. 3,860 miles

This question tests your ability to retrieve information from the text.

2. Is this statement true or false?

This question tests your ability to retrieve information from the text.

3. What do we learn about the people who take part in this race?

This is a summarising question. You must select information from the text and convey it in your own words. Do not just copy from the text.

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True FalseSolo competitors and teams can participate in the race.

Read Text B and answer the following questions.

4. What is the meaning of the phrase ‘interest was undiminished’ in the following sentence?

‘Last month, shortly after what is thought to be the 18th biker death on its perilous hairpin bends, interest was undiminished.’

This is a context question. You can identify the correct meaning of a phrase by reading and understanding the surrounding text.

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5. What is the meaning of the word ‘perilous’ in the description ‘… its perilous hairpin bends’?

a. scaryb. exciting c. dangerous d. steep

This is a context question. You can identify the correct meaning of a word by reading and understanding the surrounding text.

6. What dangers do cyclists face on ‘the world’s most dangerous road’?

This is a summarising question. You must select information from the text and convey it in your own words. Do not just copy from the text.

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Look at both Text A and Text B.

7. What are the main differences between cycling along these routes?

This is a retrieval question which asks you to find and convey information. You are also asked to evaluate the texts by comparing and contrasting the information given.

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Oracy

8. Group discussion

Children are always encouraged to take part in sports and Eisteddfod competitions. Discuss what skills children develop from these types of activities and decide whether or not you think children should be encouraged to do more/less of these types of activities.

Present your ideas to the class.

Group size: 3-4 Time: 15-20 minutes Decide on ‘success criteria’ for group work.

Writing

9. ‘Competition is healthy and children and teenagers should be encouraged to be competitive. This can apply to all aspects of life, be it sport, education or in their personal lives.’

Write an essay responding to this statement and whether you agree or disagree. Support your

ideas with examples and reasons.

Plan carefully before writing. Write 500-600 words.

10. ‘Some sports and activities are too dangerous and should be banned.’

Write an essay responding to this statement and whether you agree or disagree. Support your ideas with examples and reasons.

Plan carefully before writing. Write 500-600 words.