Patrick Autissier
Boston College Biologist Getting Ready for a Long (3,000 Miles) Haul
Patrick Autissier, a researcher in the Biology Department, will compete next month among an elite group of ultra cyclists in Race Across America
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Exhaustion. Dehydration. Hallucinations. Such signs at the end of the academic year might suggest the need for a vacation.Unless you’re Patrick Autissier, a researcher in the Biology Department. In that case, these conditions are on the list of what to expect while on vacation.
The 46-year-old biologist and flow cytometry specialist will compete next month among an elite group of ultra cyclists engaged in one of the world’s most grueling athletic contests: the Race Across America, or RAAM, a 3,000-mile test of preparation, endurance and pain tolerance that starts June 17 in Oceanside, Calif., and ends in Annapolis, Md.
The race is about 30 percent longer than the Tour de France, which takes place in 21 stages separated by the creature comforts of hot showers, hotel beds and meals. There’s only one stage to the RAAM, from start to finish. Autissier hopes to finish in 10 days. The cut-off is 12 and a half.
The simple question is, why would anyone subject themselves to the dangers of cycling 22-23 hours a day? The answer, of course, is not so simple.
“It is a challenge to see how far you can go physically and mentally,” says Autissier, a native of France who manages the Cell Sorting Facility in the lab of Assoc. Prof. Ken Williams (Biology). “It is also a chance to see this country, which is so different from my own. I was fascinated to be able to ride across a continent. And it is an opportunity to raise funds for charities I support.”
Autissier rides to benefit two Massachusetts charities, Partners in Health, which works with poor communities around the world to combat disease and poverty, and Nashoba Learning Group, which provides education and intervention services to children with autism and related developmental disabilities. All donations go to the charities as Autissier and his sponsors meet the $10,000 to $20,000 costs of crew, supplies and vehicles.
A researcher who spends much of his time dissecting the cells, genes and molecules of HIV/AIDS, this year Autissier will use himself as a research subject during the ride. He will have blood drawn daily and later analyzed by his colleagues to study how the immune system functions under intense stress. He will also be monitored daily by a psychology researcher probing the effects of exhaustion.
“I am a scientist, so I decided to do something nobody has done before because RAAM is so unique,” he said. “You’re cycling for 10 days, about 23 hours a day. You really push the body to its extremes and beyond.”
This will be Autissier’s third and final solo race. His first in 2005 ended in exhaustion about half-way across the country. He bounced back to complete RAAM as part of a four-man team in 2006. In 2007, he successfully completed RAAM solo, in 12 days, 5 hours and 34 minutes – good enough for 19th place as the last surviving rider out of an original field of about 30 cyclists.
An experienced swimmer, triathlete and cyclist, Autissier knows the grueling nature of the race can wreak havoc on his body and his mind. He attributes survival to his support crews. This year he’s aided by Robert Miller, MD, crew chief and physician, Gregory Planchon, videographer, Maite Balda, a BC exchange student in psychology, and Jerome Pruneau, chief navigator, masseur, cook and motivational speaker.
He also credits the support of his family, his wife Anne-Cecile, daughter Estelle, 14, and son Damien, 8. Because of the training demands, Autissier says this will be his last RAAM – for now.
He admits that the fear of not finishing is part of the challenge that drives him as an ultra-distance athlete.
“That is the beauty of this race: You start something you don’t know if you will be able to finish. Whether you’re a world champion or an amateur like me, that’s a very interesting challenge.”
For more information or to make a donation in support of Autissier’s charities, see his Web site: www.patrickautissier.org.
Ed Hayward can be reached at ed.hayward@bc.edu.