Over 1,200 Miles of New Route for 2008!
For the past 5 years the RAAM route has
remained largely the same with only minor
changes. With the help of lots of maps,
local knowledge, and already a first drive
of the 2008 route by Route Designer,
Peter Moffett, we have over 1200 miles
of new
roads in 2008!
The changes start with skirting south
around the Salton area saving everyone from
riding on the interstate. The next
change also reduces 40 miles of
interstate in
Arizona as we skip Williams and
instead head straight from Prescott, AZ,
to Flagstaff,
AZ, via Cottonwood and Sedona and some
beautiful climbs and descents.
The biggest change is an updated route
from Pagosa Springs, CO, to near Pratt, KS.
The route will dip south taking in Chama
before heading over Cumbres Pass and La
Manga Pass on the way to Taos, NM.
Racers will encounter half of the beautiful
Enchanted Circle and Red River Pass
before heading east across New Mexico. After
a very brief touch in Texas, the route
angles across the panhandle of Oklahoma
and into Kansas.
The route and Time Stations from Pratt,
KS, to Effingham, IL, remain unchanged.
For the past several years, racers have
had incredible support from Time Station
Staff in this stretch and we hope that
continues!
The second major change is shifting the
route between Effingham, IL, and Athens,
OH. Instead of heading up to
Indianapolis, the route will pass
through Indiana
University and the infamous Little 500
Stadium in Bloomington. If you're not
familiar
with the cycling lore of this region,
please go rent the movie "Breaking Away!"
In Ohio the route passes between Dayton
and Cincinnati through some very bike
friendly
areas.
The final change is the finish. We will
hit Hanover, PA, and unfortunately miss
Time Station 54 in Georgetown, PA. From
Hanover we head south to Mt Airy, MD, and
then squeeze between Baltimore and DC on
the way to the finish.
We are excited to announce that
Annapolis, MD, will host the Finish for
the 2008
race. RAAM will be racing into history
as Annapolis celebrates its 300th
anniversary
in 2008.
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My comment is the reason they had lots
of Interstate riding in the California,
Arizona, and New Mexico is because it
was the easiest way. By taking the
scenic roads through those states, it
will be MUCH harder, and a lot TIGHTER
with traffic. Especially that Sedona,
Cottonwood area in Arizona that I'm
familiar with, unless they go through
there at 2-6 am. Have never ridden east
of New Mexico, so anyone know what an
Annapolis finish will be like? Will it
be a gauntlet? And for reliving the
movie "Breaking Away", it really shows
how cycling has been cheated by
Hollywood, to have that as our only good
cycling movie.
comments?