RAAM Update – 6/21 – Goodbye Country Roads….

What type of race saves the hardest part until the end?At least in the the final day of Tour de France the riders arrive in Paris at a relatively easy and relaxed pace until the sprinters get the opportunity for their last shot at a stage win. Team Beat Cancer just rolled through Time Station #50 in La Vale, Maryland after completing the stage with the most climbing so far.That’s right, forget the climb over Monarch Pass in Colorado, don’t try to compare the ‘hills’ around Flagstaff, Arizona – its the hills in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania that offer the highest elevation gain per section in RAAM!George and Rick just came through 4,500+ feet of climbing to leave the country roads of West Virginia behind.But like a bad Ginsu knife commercial – Wait! – There’s more!They still face sections with 3,000+, 4,300+ and 3,200+ across the next three time stations through Maryland and Pennsylvania.That’s enough for almost anyone to wish that they were back in Kansas – especially after 2,500+ miles of cycling.BUT…They’re not done yet! Time Station #54 to Georgetown, PA features almost a vertical mile of climbing (4,910 feet if you’re scoring at home!) – The most climbing of any section of RAAM.Follow along with Rick and George’s RAAM adventure!