The final leg of the Race Across America (RAAM) is a journey of pure willpower and survival. Having crossed the Mississippi River, riders traverse Illinois and Indiana before colliding with their final major obstacle: the Appalachian Mountains. This concluding sector, covering Time Stations 35 to 54, tests the absolute limits of human endurance with steep pitches, heavy traffic, and the accumulated fatigue of over 2,500 miles of non-stop riding.
1. Illinois & Indiana: The Calm Before the Storm
Riding through Illinois (Greenville TS 36, Effingham TS 37) and Indiana (Sullivan TS 38, Bloomington TS 39, Greensburg TS 40) features rolling terrain through agricultural and industrial heartlands.
In this section, speeds remain high, but the crew must be alert to increased truck traffic and complex intersections. This is the last chance for the rider to make good time before hitting the rugged topography of Ohio and West Virginia.
Old industrial towns in Illinois and Indiana feature low railroad overpasses (like the 11-foot clearance near Effingham TS 37). The Crew Chief must monitor overhead clearances constantly to protect bikes mounted on vehicle roofs and avoid backing up RVs.
2. West Virginia & Maryland: The Wall of the Appalachians
After passing Oxford (TS 41) and crossing the Ohio River at Parkersburg (TS 45), the route enters West Virginia and climbs into the Appalachian Mountains. Unlike the long, gradual climbs of the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachians feature brutally steep ramps, often exceeding 15% to 20% gradient, on narrow roads without switchbacks.
Climbing toward McHenry, Maryland (TS 48) and crossing Cumberland (TS 49) represents one of the hardest segments of the entire race. The cyclist must use extremely low gearing to protect their knees, and the follow vehicle must provide tight support to prevent traffic hazards on narrow, twisting climbs.
3. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Flat Run to the Atlantic
After passing the historic battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (TS 51) and Mount Joy (TS 52), the terrain finally levels out. The route crosses into New Jersey at Hammonton (TS 53), entering the flat, sandy pine forests of the Pine Barrens.
Here, the final sprint begins. The adrenaline of the finish line overcomes physical pain. The crew must execute precise navigation to avoid wrong turns in the busy coastal traffic heading toward Atlantic City (TS 54).
4. Finisher Line on the Atlantic City Boardwalk
The official finish line of RAAM on the Atlantic City Boardwalk welcomes the finishers after 3,000 miles of extraordinary effort. Dipping your wheel into the Atlantic Ocean is the traditional gesture that completes the coast-to-coast crossing.
Reaching the Boardwalk is the ultimate celebration of teamwork. Because completing RAAM is never the achievement of a single rider—it is the victory of a dedicated crew that guided, protected, and powered their athlete across the continent.