| EDT Location Time Elapsed 15:32 Blanchester, OH 8 days 00:11 19:13 Chillicothe, OH 8 days 03:52 23:32 Athens, OH 8 days 08:11 03:37 Parkersburg, WV 8 days 12:16 08:04 Smithburg, WV 8 days 16:43 11:10 Grafton, WV 8 days 19:49 15:12 Gormania, WV 8 days 23:51 2,743.8 miles covered
Only 270.6 miles to the Finish
Hamilton, OH to Blanchester, OH This 34 mile section passed quickly. While near Cincinnati and Dayton, it uses rural roads. The RV did a quick food drop to Rob in the Follow Vehicle just outside of Hamilton and then decided to stay in South Lebanon for a couple of hours to update and rest. Mark looked strong as he continued.
At the end of the section, Mark had cycled 2,450 miles. The elevation over the 34 miles was 600 - 800 ft with an upswing to 1,000 ft near Blanchester.
Laundry.. Trying to do laundry when one is on the move can be a challenge. On a trip of this nature, usually it is 'by hand', an old-fashioned bespoke service, either in the motel room or at any available spigot. Very, very occasionally are a machine and time available together.
Batesville Laundromat!
Blanchester, OH to Chillicothe, H This section was a wonderful drive! My Dad would have loved it as it had that 'old road' feel - lots of things to see - corn fields with the corn already well advanced, fields edged by 30-40 foot high trees, neat fences, wheat blowing gently along with us, ponds, typical wood and brick architecture of the area, woods, greenery. This is a road to relax and enjoy its twists and turns in the early evening light.
Mark's journey was not quite as relaxed but there was a light tailwind. There was also a detour off SR 28 that added a couple of extra miles. Some of the climbs were fairly steep but the down hills even and fast. The RV did a detour on the detour and enjoyed swooping lightly down a road winding through a long valley following a stream. Quite a magical route up to Time Station 42 for both rider and RV, although for Mark, a little more hectically paced than for the RV.
On leaving Chillicothe, Mark had completed 2,508 miles. Elevations along this section were 1,000 to 1,100 feet with a dip to 600 at the Time Station.
Chillicothe, OH to Athens, OH This section was magic of a different sort! Lots of fog closed in and out, at times dense and clinging, as Mark ascended the several challenging climbs. The road itself in the first 20 miles or so of climbing out of the Time Station was bumpy and uneven. The evening cool was damply settling in, but not at the level of raw cold of the earlier high altitude days.
Mark was making very good time and cycling strongly. He has had a little problem with one knee, but Jon is relieving it through regular massage.
Coming into Athens, the route passes through centre town along streets paved with red brick and through the University area. The RV bounced and jounced and Mark's path would have been equally uncomfortable.
Mark decided on a brief sleep and massage at the Time Station prior to heading off to Parkersburg, WV. He has crossed two states today and is in line for reaching the third.
Ready to Roll in Athens
Other riders are doing well. David Haase is cycling ahead of Mark. Franz Priehs, who broke his collar bone in Kansas, is still riding and advancing up the standings. He and Martin Jakob are now ahead of Julian Sanz Garcia with Scott McIntosh and Michael Nehls close behind . Both women, Janet Christiansen and Caroline Van den Bulk are progressing steadily. Gran Fondo Fixies have already arrived in Annapolis and Jure Robic is set to arrive first for the single men.
Leaving Athens Time Station 43, Mark has cycled 2,567 miles. Elevations for this stretch range from 600 to 1,000 ft.
Athens, OH to Parkersburg, WV This part of the route is a major highway - two lanes plus wide shoulder one way and the same the other way, so we are glad to be doing it during the night with minimal traffic. At mile 34 of the route, Mark passed into West Virginia.
The Follow Vehicle and RV crews, like Mark, are feeling the pull of the Atlantic Ocean, less than 500 miles away. Night driving is now a habit, and quick naps for each crew member to maintain alertness part of the routine. Music, chatter, coffee and anticipation keep the mind alert, although the body at times struggles.
On leaving Parkersburg Time Station 44 (only 10 more of the 54 to complete), Mark has pedaled 2,604 miles. Elevations in this section vary little at about 600ft.
Parkersburg, WV to Smithburg, WV East of Parkersburg, the pavement and shoulder of US50 show a marked improvement. The entire distance is four-lane divided highway and so is well graded. It rolls up and down a couple of hundred feet at a time. With more total feet of climbing and over 163 feet of climbing per mile, this is the most challenging section of RAAM 2008. The next two sections are not much easier, making these three the most difficult sections. And of course they come at the end of the Race. There is a two mile climb the top of the first ridge, then a 200ft descent, a one mile climb to the top of the second climb then a 200ft descent, then a ridge and a 470ft descent, then a series of climbs and descents to the last major climb. Morning was dawning clear during this stretch, although the full moon earlier offered Mark a bright sky for the night riding.
Mark climbs well and showed his usual good form on the hills. Scott Luikart from the Elite Tour drove down 100 miles from his home in New Philadelphia to cheer Mark on. He felt that even if he could not stand and talk to Mark and Charlie, he wanted to be there for Mark. He, Eileen, Franz and Eleonore stood together on the edge of road on the first climb and cheered as Mark passed lit by the lights of the Follow Vehicle.
Scott with Eleonore and Franz waiting to cheer Mark on!
Mark stopped for a short nap as the sun rose and then continued cycling strongly toward Smithburg. Climbing hills of WV early Tuesday Morning
By Time Station 45 in Smithburg, he had completed 2,653 miles. Elevations were from 600 - 1,200 ft.
Smithburg, WV to Grafton, WV The route book says this section is endless rollers. The first climb starts immediately after Time Station 45 in Smithburg. Traffic started getting heavier as 4:00am and we are now in the fast morning rush hour traffic to Clarksburg. The scenery is spectacular in the mountains with densely wooded hillsides, houses and little cemeteries tucked along the roads ducking off and down from the main highway.
We saw a couple of the team contestants, vehicles along the road and watched one group ready itself for a change on the shoulder.
Mark had a tough job ahead of him through this section. However, after a rest and a drink, he looked amazingly fresh as he reached Bridgeport just after Clarksburg (see photo). More to come!
Bridgeport, WV
We are playing some of Mark's favorite song tracks over the follow
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