Epic transcontinental bicycle race set to pass through Parkersburg June 15
PARKERSBURG, WV -- More than 215 courageous athletes are attempting to complete a non-stop, coast-to-coast race called Race Across America, that passes over two major mountain ranges, through the desert and across the American plains, and into the face of the severest weather patterns on the North American continent, before finishing in Annapolis, Maryland.
Cyclists are expected to reach the Parkersburg area Sunday, June 15 and continue through the area Monday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 17 having covered over 2,600 miles since departing from Oceanside, California on Saturday, June 7.
The race route passes through the area along Route 50/Route 47, with riders pausing at Time Stations in Athens, Ohio and Parkersburg, West Virginia. For the fifth consecutive year, Parkersburg will host a designated time station located near the KOMPAK store on Rt. 47 and Knot Just Stitches Embroidery Shop.
“In years past we have experienced a fair amount of participants stopping at the time station. This year’s station should prove to attract even more teams due to CAS cable providing technical expertise in wireless internet services for the racers and their crews.” Dick Bonnet, local time station coordinator, said. “In addition, we are looking for volunteers to help man the time station over the three day period that riders will be transiting West Virginia.”
Now in its 27th year, the legendary event, known as the "world's toughest endurance race," inspires men and women of all ages, who spend a year out of their mostly ordinary lives training for the monumental challenge of pedaling across the United States to test the utmost limits of their physical strength, mental spirit, resilience and commitment.
Time stations spaced every 50 miles along the 3,043-mile route offer a spot for racers to check in, teams to switch riders on the road, support crews to regroup, members of the media to gather interviews, and spectators to cheer on these incredible athletes.
RAAM is made possible by hundreds of volunteers around the country who staff time stations and work on racer support crews. Each support crew includes 8-12 people and two vehicles, one to follow the rider on the road and the other to check the route, track the competition, run errands, and provide sleeping quarters.
Follow the route and the action on the RAAM website's "live coverage.” This online report will be updated every 30 minutes -- 24 hours per day -- with news and photos: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org
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CONTACT: Dick Bonnet, dickbonnet@hotmail.com
Posted on: June 9, 2008
