George Thomas

George Thomas

George Thomas loves ultra marathon cycling, and especially the Race Across AMerica. When he is not on his bike, George travels the United States to speak to various organizations. This year marked the publication of his debut book, “Going the Distance,” co-authored with Team VeloWEAR media person, Jeff Welsch. With race partner Terri Gooch, George also directs cycling events and races, such as The Race Across Oregon and the Northwest Time Trail Series.

George’s Resume

1998 Founded Race Across Oregon

RAAM Experience:

  • 2004 Two-person team with Terri Gooch – 1st place of 2
  • 2002 Tandem with Terri Gooch – 1st place of 1
  • 2000 Tandem with Katie Lindquist – 1st place of 1
  • 1995 Solo – 8th
  • 1994 Team – 5th
  • 1993 Team – 1st

Other Race Results:

  • 2002 UMCA 24 Hr Championships – 1st place, Tandem, 426 miles
  • 2001 UMCA 24 Hr Championships – 2nd place, Tandem, 444 miles
  • 1999 UMCA 24 Hr Championships – 1st place, Tandem 426 miles
  • 1997 Bicycle Across Missouri – 1st place, Solo, 33 hours 58 minutes
  • 1997 Midnight Sun 600k – 1st place, Solo, 19 hours 15 minutes
  • 1996 24 Hours of Adrenaline – 3rd place, MTB, Solo
  • 1996 Oregon Dist. 40k TT Championships – 1st place, Tandem 52:04 (First ever tandem ride :)
  • 1996 Midnight Sun 600k – 2nd place, Solo, 20 hours 19 minutes
  • 1994 Furnace Creek 508 – 3rd place, Solo, 31 hours 52 minutes

Casual Stats

Best racing experience:
1997 Midnight Sun 600k – 375 miles, 20 mph, 6 minutes off the bike, totally focused crew, topped off with a strawberry pie at the Northern Most Denny’s in the World. The perfect race.

2nd best racing experience:
2002 Co-Motion Classic Stage Race-24 tandems in a pace-line …Wheeeeeeeeeee!

Best ever ride:
2001 15-hour training ride with Terri Gooch on the tandem. Columbia River Gorge to
Timberline Lodge – all up. Timberline Lodge to Columbia River Gorge – all down
(well…almost). Hot day, snow on the side of the road, spectacular views, effortless climbs, screaming descents, no traffic, winding forest roads and the perfect partner.

Ultimate 2004 RAAM Goal:
Linking together a week’s worth RAAM days all of which will replace the ‘97 Midnight Sun as my best ever race experience. And, while my foremost goals are always to remain friends with my crew, have a safe ride and an official finish, we’re here to win.

Biggest obstacle:
Shermer Neck.

The most inspiring person in my life:
Terri Gooch. 2002 RAAM – when she climbed on the bike with bleeding saddle sores yet rode like a maniac. You work your tail off for a person like that.

Favorite Quotes:
“Mr. Thomas, you’ve just won $10,000,000.” (not spoken yet)

“It is no new discovery that a lost opportunity never returns, and we had to learn this ancient truth by bitter experience.”—General Aleksei Brusilov.

“Some day after we have mastered the winds, the waves and gravity, we will harness for God the energies of love; and then for a second time in the history of the world, humans will have discovered fire.”—Teilhard de Chardin