Lambert and RAAM

For our non USA members, RAAM aka Race Across America is a legendary cross country bike race which began back in the the early '80's. I remember well reading about the sleep deprivation tales of endurance of those early pioneers. The race continues to this day. What came as a big surprise to me was that the race might never have been founded be it not for one Paul Cornish who set the cross country solo ride back in 1973 on a Lambert! I started to unravel this unlikely connection from a little blurb on the last page of an old Lambert brochure originally posted by jhefner which noted that a Lambert had been ridden to a cross country record in 1973.
www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/19583-My-own-time-machine-(Lambert-Viscount-bicycle)

So who was this intrepid rider who chose a Lambert for such an undertaking and was it real or just advertising BS???. Here's the proof.
www.ultracycling.com/cross-country-2/

So who is this Paul Cornish? Just a guy who loved to bike and took a crack at a record. It so inspired his neighbor, John Marino to challenge his record and create the first and now ongoing RAAM. Sadly Paul recently passed after being struck by a car while doing what he loved. By all accounts, he never stopped riding and was quite a legend. And to think it started on a Lambert.

www.paulcornish.life
durangoherald.com/articles/25182?wallit_nosession=1