'World's Toughest Bicycle Race' Coming to Oceanside

Editor’s Note: The following is a release from Visit Oceanside:

Race Across America (RAAM) - The World's Toughest Bicycle Race - is celebrating its 31^st year and, once again, Oceanside, Calif. has the honor of kicking off the event on June 12, 2012. This year 340 cyclists will race coast-to-coast 3,000 miles non-stop across the USA, beginning at the pier in Oceanside, Calif. and ending in Annapolis, MD.

"As San Diego's only designated bike friendly community, Race Across America is a natural fit for Oceanside," said Leslee Gaul, CEO of Visit Oceanside. "We are delighted to have had the privilege of hosting the event for the past eight years as it continues to reaffirm that Oceanside is one of Southern California's top destinations for elite athletic events."

The 2012 race begins in Oceanside, Calif. with start days on June 12 (solo women), June 13 (solo men) and June 16 (teams) and finishes in Annapolis, MD June 21-25. The race clock does not stop - first to Annapolis, MD wins. There are no "stages" - no defined stopping points.

The 2012 course will begin at the Oceanside Pier and take the racers over the Coast Range into the searing desert heat. After crossing the desert they climb into the cool Rocky Mountain air reaching 10,856 feet on Wolf Creek Pass, CO. After descending the mountain passes racers cross Great Plains, the Mississippi River and the relentless rolling hills of the Midwest. They must conquer the humidity and steep climbs of the Appalachian Mountains before they reach Annapolis, MD and the cool water of the Chesapeake Bay. 

The fastest solo racers will cover the 3000 miles in just over 8-days and the teams will do the same in just over 5-days.

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