Today is the start of the “Race Across America” (RAAM). And the New York Times Blog has a story entitled, “Cyclists with Type I Diabetes Race Across America.”

This weekend, cycling teams from around the world will begin the frenzied Race Across America, a grueling tag-team competition that traverses 3,000 miles from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., in about five days.

I love this race because it features the remarkable talents of Team Type 1, an elite cycling team whose members all have Type 1 diabetes. Racing across the country on a bike is an amazing feat under any circumstances, but athletes with Type 1 face special challenges because exercise can cause blood-sugar levels to drop precipitously.

You can follow their progress on the “Team Type 1 Blog.”

Photo copyright of the New York Times.