Dear friends,

I would like to introduce everyone to Randy. Randy is racing in a 24 hour World Solo mountain bike race in July. He has decided to dedicate this race to Raisin Hope and is actively seeking pledges for each lap he completes (he would like to do 6 + laps). Randy said he would love to be able to give Raisin Hope a nice check when the race is over. Randy is truly amazing and if you would like to help Randy help the Foundation, his email address is .  You can follow Randy on the Raisin Hope Blog or on his own blog spot located at http://rp24hours‑8908.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Saul

Randy Profeta

Randy started racing bikes at the “young” age of 46.  An East Coast native, Randy and his family relocated from Northern New Jersey to Southern California in 1998.  Randy and his three sons are very active sportsmen and participate in several outdoor activities.  They quickly discovered that Orange County has some of the most coveted single-track mountain bike trail networks in the country and that these trails were within minutes of their home.

Randy and his sons started racing together in 2002 as five-person team with a friend.  In their first race, they placed 34^th out of 50 teams. Two years and many training miles later, they visited the top step of the podium, placing first while competing as a four‑person team.

Randy has been passionate about endurance mountain bike and road racing ever since.  As Randy says, “As I got older, I found that I could not go toe-to-toe with the fastest guys, but I had a knack for out-lasting many of them.  The same guys that would whip me in a 24-mile cross country race had never ridden over 100 miles off-road.  Endurance racing is physical, mental, and spiritual in a way.  It requires attention to detail, planning, preparation, and serious training.  I love it.”

Randy made a promise to himself that he would compete in his first 24-hour solo mountain bike race by the time he was 50.  As fate would have it, his first 24-hour race would be on the weekend of his 50^th birthday in 2004.  His top-ten finish earned him a spot in the 2005 World 24-Hour Solo Championships where he would go on to win his age class.

Since 2005, he has qualified for and raced at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Championships every year.  In 2006, he finished 6^th at Conyers GA, the site of the 1996 Olympic Mountain Bike race.  A third place in 2007 and second place last year in 2008 would follow.  “I am very proud of my performance at the Worlds at Canmore in 2008”, says Profeta.  “I started in 8^th place out of a field of nine racers.  I steadily moved up in the standings through several downpours and a muddy course.” 

His life would change in the weeks following his best race.  While doing a training ride to prepare for another 24-hour race last August, Randy was apparently struck by a passing truck as he rode in a marked bike lane that connected the two trails he was riding that day.  Three days later he awoke in the Neurological Intensive Care unit of Western Medical Center.  No one had witnessed the incident.

Randy had suffered some broken fingers, some “road rash”, and a traumatic brain injury.  Until he gained consciousness, no one knew if he would walk or talk again.  Or ride a bike.  His competition and racing days were most likely over.

The doctors were amazed that at 53, Randy was in such great shape and in such excellent health.  He had never been hospitalized before this injury.

His physical condition, positive spirit, and willingness to do whatever it took to recover have no doubt played a role in Randy’s rapid recovery.  In December, he got back on a bike and has started easing back into his training regimen.  Shortly thereafter, he was given the green light and returned to work.  Randy is an automotive consultant.  His clients still value his suggestions and input.

Randy has been a regular contributor on the Raisin Hope website.  “The friends that I have made here and the support I have received from Saul and others has definitely aided in my recovery.  It is easy to get down on yourself after an injury like this.  Everyone here keeps things positive.  Now, it is my turn to help.”

Randy wants to show that living through injuries like this does not mean that you cannot live a normal life and resume competitive activities.  Randy will be competing in his fifth straight 24-Hour World Solo Mountain Biking Championship in July.  He will ride with a purpose; Randy will be raising funds for the Raisin Hope Foundation.

Randy lives in Southern California with his wife, Mary Ann.  They have three sons and three grandchildren.