[I'll be out of touch for a while. We've got our Harpeth
River Ride tomorrow, but expect to be back online before
Kevin reaches Annapolis.]
Kevin arrived in Ellenboro, WV about 30 minutes ago. He's
riding through the most difficult climbing sections of RAAM,
so we should expect his speed to drop. Fortunately it will
soon be dark, so he won't climbing under the hot sun.
Smithburg, WV to Grafton, WV
- endless rollers
- heavy traffic
Grafton, WV to Gormania, WV
- next to last section of long steep climbing
Gormania, WV to La Vale, MD
- 4 climbs that are steep, but not long
- nice long descent: 5 miles, 9% (and Kevin can coast!)
La Vale, MD to Hancock, MD
- 4 major climbs that are tough
- last climb (Sideling Hill) on this section - last year
advised that we might have to walk: didn't
- Kevin will pass within 2 block of the Potomac River
After Hancock, Kevin has last two serious sustained climbs
just outside of Rouzerville, PA (mile 2890). From there on
he's looking at gently rolling roads with light traffic
until the last 30 miles where congestion increases.
--
Jeff Bauer
Nashville, Tennessee
Thanks for the great insight on the stages, Jeff Sounds like Kevin's in great shape. Good thing, too as Gottwald appears to have closed the gap considerably today.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Kevin. We're pullin' for ya!
Godspeed, Kevin.
ReplyDeleteWe're all pulling for you. You're awesome! All of Augusta is amazed by what you're accomplishing.
Leave the other Yank in the dust!
Sending love,
Donna and Caroline
(Jim Wallace's wife and daughter)
Kev:
ReplyDeleteYou know, the 2 people who would be most proud of you aren't with us anymore, but I gotta believe that they're guiding you through this race. Our parents are definitely watching over you . . . smiling because you're their son!
Lisa
Hancock is a cool place. It is on the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal and goes along the Potomac River. Maryland is about 2 miles wide at that point. I've done the C&O a few times and have always stopped in Hancock at the C&O Bicycle, which is at the south intersection of Pennsylvania and Main Street...they will turn north on Pennsylvania. I'm sure Kevin will do just fine the remainder of the RAAM. Keep pedaling, Kevin!! You are doing something that I have wanted to do since I was a teenager.
ReplyDelete