Now Pedaling Our Way . . .

The grueling Race Across America, which bills itself as the World’s Toughest Bicycle Race, began in Oceanside, California on June 12th, bound for the City Dock in Annapolis.  Leaders have now reached Maryland, the final state in the cross country, single-stage challenge.

That’s the good news for the cyclists.  The bad news is that after pedaling night and day, the course now brings them to one of the toughest terrains — the mountains of Allegany County.

They’ll be entering the state via the National Road in Lavale, outside Cumberland.  They after breezing in and out of West Virginia, they will contend with Polish Mountain and Sideling Hill.  There are some downhill stretches here, but the uphill climbs are going to be a bear for those exhausted cyclists.

They’ll take a time stop in Mount Airy, and then it’s on to Annapolis for the weekend.  (Let’s hope they don’t get caught in beach traffic.)

About 250 hardy riders started this perilous journey.  Check the website to see how they are doing.   One thing we can guarantee — they will get a warm welcome in Annapolis, where competitive cycling is a popular pastime.

Race Across America Spins Through Maryland Again

There is an ultramarathon for competitive cyclists that makes even a 100 mile foot race seem civilized.  It’s called the Race Across America , and for the second year in a row it will end at City Dock in Annapolis after taking competitors through Allegany, Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties.

Look at the bright side — at least it’s all downhill at this point.  After travelling 3,000 miles from Oceanside, California in approximately eight days in June, they can use a little breeze in the home stretch.

I’m mentioning it now because the route has just been finalized.  We still have a few months before this display of endurance rolls past us, but it does show Maryland can handle and enthusiastically support these increasingly popular bicycle events.

(Can you even imagine what the desert must be like in June?  What about the Rockies?  Ouch!)

So visit the website and learn more about the Race Across America.  Their last waystation before Annapolis is Mt. Airy, so that is another place to watch the parade pass by. 

Break out the grenola bars and garden hoses, this sounds like an occasion for Maryland hospitality.