Day 7, June 17

We would begin our final shift at 6PM.

Remember I mentioned the frogs crossing the road in Missouri? We found evidence on both of my bikes. Dried baby frog legs on rear brake calipers!


RAAM 2010 Day 7: 10 mi past Grafton West Virginia to 25 mi past Cumberland MD

This shift through the mountains of West Virginia are notoriously difficult, with repeating climbs with elevation gains of 1000 - 2000ft. I started the day on a 1500 foot climb about 10 miles past Grafton, WV. I did the first 2/3 and Andrew pushed it over the summit and then down the other side. This one wasn't so bad, with an average of 7% grade.



We arrived in Clarksburg WV in the morning and actually had the whole day to rest.

There would be MANY more climbs like this, through the forests of the appalachian mtns of WV and MD. Most of the climbs averaged 8% grade, but were actually around 9-10% with a small break in the middle.

West Virginia is a very colorful part of the country. Very small towns, and people just seem to do things their own way. It seems to be a very common past-time to mow your lawn after 9PM in these parts, just before dark. As I was coming to the top of one of the climbs I approached a young kid on a beat up bike. He was watching my approach, and as I came up to him he tried to outsprint me...just like a rabid dog chasing me. Totally funny, no shirt, dirty kid, classic. I guess it's summer. I gave him a thumbs up. He had some talent, and certainly some guts.





By the end of our 5 hour shift I had done about 5,500 feet of climbing, and around 55 miles.

Ryan and Tobias met us at the foot of a 900ft climb for the start of their shift.

As we loaded up our car we debated the idea of hanging around and helping Ryan & T on some of the steep climbs early in their shift. We ruled it out since we were pretty well spent.

We jumped in the car and passed Tobias as he was going up the climb. It didn't look like he was having any fun. This made the decision for us to jump back in and lend them a hand.

The next climb on the route was 1,700 feet, with an advertised 8% grade. I would take the

bottom 1,000 feet at full gas, then pass it to Andrew to finish it off. I jumped in and descended down about a half mile, then started the climb. Sure enough it was never less than 8%, with some 9 and 10. I kept the speed between 10 - 12 mph the whole way up to our exchange. Andrew emptied his tank on the last portion. We then handed it back to Ryan and Tobias. Our job was done.

This was our last shift. The third shift of Kevin and Larry would bring it into Annapolis on Friday morning.


Time Station data data:
Andrew and Jeremy Average this shift: 21.63
Team Type 1 Average this shift: 21.36

Interesting fact: 4 RAAMs completed, zero flats on road!