2025 Inductee
JOE JAMISON
ENDURANCE
Joe Jamison began his cycling career at 47, out of shape from drinking too much coffee, smoking 2 ½ packs of cigarettes daily. The day his heart stopped functioning provided the shock to change his life and start exercising. Bicycling seemed to be the answer, and he bought a mountain bike and began to ride. Cycling led him back to health, discovering more about himself and broadening his cultural awareness of the world around him.
In July of that first year, Joe was at Jerry and Sparky’s bike shop talking to Jerry Sr., when he said Ride Across America (RAAM) was coming through the Quad Cities. Jerry Sr. explain what RAAM was to him. Jerry said they should be crossing the Centennial bridge in about 20 minutes. Joe immediately jumped in my car and raced to the bridge just in time to see Lon Haldeman starting to cross the bridge followed by his support vehicle with spare bikes and wheels mounted on the roof of the vehicle which was covered with sponsorship decals. Joe was curious as to what kind of person could even contemplate racing for 3,200 miles in less than 10 days.
As told by Joe, this is what he discovered, what he learned, and what he treasures most about endurance cycling, and cycling in general.
He learned that we all have limits, both physical and mental. He learned not to disparage a rider who dropped out of an event or was dropped by a group of faster, more experienced riders. There was probably a lesson learned by that rider if he wanted to be taught.
Joe’s lessons began early in 1983 with his first century, soon followed with a sub-24 hour crossing of Iowa under the tutelage of his friend John Thier.
Racing Milestones in Joe’s Career
1985 BAM (Bike Across Missouri – and back) 540 miles in 56 Hrs.
1986 BAM again but dropped out. Mentally freaked out having reached his limit.
1986 Toured from East Moline to Bar Harbor, ME
1987 Toured Fargo, ND to East Moline
1988 Toured Seattle, WA to Fargo, ND
1988 BAM again Redeemed by doing it solo in 45 hrs 44 mins.
1990 BMB (Boston-Montreal-Boston) 750 miles 84 Hrs 49 mins.
1991 PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris) 750 Miles 87 Hrs
1995 PBP again 750 Miles 86 Hrs
1999 RSD (Rubber Side Down) Ontario, Canada 24 Hr Event 339 miles
1999 PBP again DID NOT FINISH Back pain. (Onset of spinal stenosis)
2001 Crew Chief for Bubba Stevens RAAM race
2003 PBP again DID NOT FINISH Again, recurrence of back pain
2004 Tandem Tour w/wife Rosemary from East Moline to Worcester, MA
2010 Crew Chief for Paul Carpenters RAAM race.
2017 His last century and basically his last year of riding due to several health problems complicated by continuing spinal deterioration and balance issues.
Between 1989 and 1995 Joe did countless brevets between 200 and 1000 kilometers as qualifiers for PBP.
Joe has served as President of the Quad Cities Bicycle Club, Vice President and President of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association.
Regional Brevet Administrator for Randonneurs USA (RUSA) for several years.
With wife Rosemary, Dave and Lori Parker organized a small business called Ultra Midwest which featured an annual event consisting of optional 6-12-24-hour races held locally. The races attracted cyclists from both coasts as well as Europe. Also, we organized brevets of 200-300-400- 600 kilometers for RUSA.