About me

Michael C. Nehls, M.D., Ph.D.

Born, October 20, 1962

Married, three children

Entrepreneur, advisor, author and ultracyclist

The first time I heard about the Race Across America was about twenty years ago. I had just ended my six-year career as a marathon runner in high school and medical school – due to developing knee arthrosis – with a victory at a Freiburg marathon (my hometown in Germany). I was truly fascinated by the RAAM documentary, but knew nothing more about it. I was never really into bicycle riding, except for occasional rides with friends or riding to school.

Towards the end of medical school, Sabine and I got married, soon our three children followed. My career as a molecular geneticist led me to two longer stays in the USA (San Diego and Houston). I became manager in a US biotech company and later Chief Scientist and Chief Executive of a Munich biopharmaceutical company.

Success in my jobs left its marks on my body: a sedentary lifestyle combined with many business dinners consequently led to a steep weight gain. The constant psychological pressure added up. I needed a safety valve to reduce the pressure – I bought my first racing bike in 2001 at age 39.

The first thirty miles were an immense challenge. But with every week, the distances became longer and what started as a self-prescribed medical treatment developed into a fascinating pastime. Before long, the classical bicycle marathons became too short to be a real challenge for me.

 
Year Weight in Summer in pounds Miles per year*
2001 209 1250
2002 189 5775
2003 187 7789
2004 187 9889
2005 187 15579
2006 173 15823
2007 169 18590
2008 167 18702
2009 164 19222

*Distances on a stationary bike were calculated by the workload: 700 kilojoules were equaled with 18.85 miles, which corresponds well with an outdoor bike riding on a slightly undulating course and energy expenditure again measured with a power meter.

 
The first long-distance travel has been a crossing of the Pyrenees together with Sabine from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean in the hot summer of 2003. Two years later, in 2005, we crossed the Alps together with our three kids. That same year I also qualified in Wiedlisbach, Switzerland, for RAAM at a 445 mile time trial. In 2008 I participated in my first RAAM. After less than 11 days, just 4 minutes before the self-projected time, I reached the finish line – without sleep deprivation: My strategy was a full success.
 
The road to the RAAM 2010:
  • 6/2005:6/2005: Qualification in Wiedlisbach/CH - 734 km and 6,000 m accumulated climb in 26 h 34 m.
  • 9/2005: 12 hour time trial on the Hockenheim race track – 400.5 km
  • 6/2007: Race Across The Alps (RATA) - 525 km and 13,600 m accumulated climb in 28 h 35 m.
  • 8/2007: 24 hour time trial Nürburg race track - 588 km und 12,500 m accumulated climb. 1st place in master class (80 competitors).
  • 6/2008:RAAM 2008 - 4830 km and 30,000 m accumulated climb in 10 d 22 h und 56 m. 7th place overall.
  • 6/2009:European ultra cycling championship in Switzerland: 716 km and 6,000 m accumulated climb in 23 h 56 m. 4th place (73 competitors).European ultra cycling championship in Switzerland: 716 km and 6,000 m accumulated climb in 23 h 56 m. 4th place (73 competitors).
  • 4/2010: 4/2010: European ultra cycling championship in Montello/Italy, 24 hour time trail – to be determined.