CSU Grad Student Prepares to Race Across Russia in 5,800 Mile Ride
If you think the cyclists taking on the twists and turns of Horsetooth are brave, you'll be blown away by what CSU grad student and avid biker, Matt Carnal, plans to attempt on his two-wheels this summer.
Carnal has been selected to compete in the Red Bull Trans-Siberian Race, and he's the only American, male cyclist that's been invited to do so. The 5,800 mile race begins in Moscow on July 18 and takes daring riders across the Russian tundra for 24 days until reaching the final destination in Vladivostok on August 10. 2017 marks the third year that this extreme, 14-stage endurance bicycle race will be taking place.
Carnal is a graduate student in the Exercise Physiology Department at Colorado State University. He's close to finishing a masters in exercise science, which will be his fourth degree, but has also faced some tough, personal obstacles throughout his life – only pushing him harder to reach his current goals. Carnal obviously hopes to win the Red Bull Trans-Siberian Race, but says that just finishing would be such a major accomplishment for him. His past cycling adventures include riding across the United States in 2010 with a budget of only $600, and also covering 4,563 miles in 31 days across the southern tier of the U.S. in 2014. Carnal is hoping to raise $20K for his upcoming race in Russia and money can be donated through his GoFundMe page. After he's raised enough money for the Trans-Siberian Race, all remaining funds will go towards purchasing bikes for kids in the local Northern Colorado community.
Good luck Matt!