Joe Barr in Rio Grande Hospital in Colorado after being forced out of RAAM (Photo was publicly released by Team Joe Barr)
Former pro cyclist turned endurance rider, Ireland’s Joe Barr has been forced out of the Race Across America (RAAM) with almost one third of the event completed but after being hospitalised in Colorado.
Barr began the men’s solo race last Wednesday in Oceanside, California, with some 3,000 miles ahead of him including 170,000 feet of climbing.
However, four days into the event – and in blisteringly hot conditions – he was forced out and hospitalised. A notice on his website confirms he is being treated in the Rio Grande Hospital in Colorado. His team has also posted a photograph of him in his hospital bed but has assured his followers his condition has been diagnosed and that a quick recovery is anticipated.
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“At the A+E department in the Rio Grande Hospital in Colorado yesterday afternoon, after a thorough examination the condition has been diagnosed as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Hopefully (Joe is) about to be discharged with an O2 canister and instructions to return to 6,000 feet above sea level - we are currently at 7,850 feet. Joe sends thanks for all the good wishes received from followers.”
Barr has always been a popular figure on the Irish cycling scene and while news that his difficulties have forced him out of RAAM will come as a disappointment to himself, his team and his many followers, the quick diagnosis and treatment of his condition will be welcomed.
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High Altitude Pulmonary Edema involves fluid accumulation on the lungs brought about by exposure to high altitude. It is a serious condition that requires urgent treatment, as appears to have occurred in Barr’s case. Before he took ill, a number of RAAM riders had already been hospitalised with heat exhaustion as temperatures rose above 45 degrees in the hottest race for five years.
Announcing news of his forced withdrawal yesterday, Sunday, one of his support team posted a statement saying:
“Due to the high altitude Joe has suffered altitude sickness and on medical grounds had to pull out of the race. Joe climbed 11,000ft mountains and endured searing heat. Joe still wanted to race and he will again. We are now sitting in Rio Grande Hospital and I’ve never seen a man so happy to have a shower. It's impossible to describe what he went through. A documentary will come shortly. Please wish Joe all the best. Racer number 442 - Joe Barr - Timing station 17, miles 960, time 3 days 22h 15mins.”
Barr has been a tireless fundraiser for children’s cancer care in recent years and was riding RAAM for that purpose. People can still donate by texting ‘Joe’ to 70444 and donating £5 to Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.
For more details click here.
From all of us at stickybottle; get well soon Joe. We’d urge people to give £5 if they have it; he’s a man who has put himself through the ringer on more than one occasion to raise money for child cancer sufferers so it would be great to support him this time and it’s also for a great cause.
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