RAW 2020 Plan by Segment

Updated with the RAW 2019 experience from Oceanside CA to Salome AZ (342 miles)
All Time Station Reporting is in EDT!
Report my arrival at each time station to Race HQ.  Report every TS.  Report only once.

Segment	Distance	Cumulative Distance	Description	Support Notes
Oceanside to Borrego Springs CA TS01: The Mall, Borrego Springs	88.3 miles ​142.1 km 4h 52m	88.3 miles ​142.1 km	The segment begins with a 8.6 mile neutral start (called a "Parade"), and remains self-supported to mile 24.    Over nearly 90 miles, the route climbs from the pier in Oceanside, through the Coastal Range to Rincon, climbs the San Luis River Valley to Lake Henshaw and descends the famous "Glass Elevator" into Borrego Springs CA. The Glass Elevator drops 3600 ft in 11.9 miles.  We expect the temperature in Borrego Springs to be 100-105 F when we arrive. Unless we have significant delays, we will arrive in Borrego Springs well before sunset.	En Route: FOLLOW queues with Eric at the start, follows for a few blocks, around the Surfrider way corner, then diverts to the first feed via follow alternate route SHADOW remains in Betty's lot, after photos, crew in SHADOW go directly to Borrego Springs via auxiliary vehicle route. At the first feed on Old Castle. In 2019, this was busy but not as chaotic as I was expecting.  Lots of traffic with crews entering and exiting.  Make sure I can find you coming into the feed.  Plan on two bottle handup with two feeders Anticipate starting to use ice packs by Rincon and into the evening. At TS01 (Christmas Tree Circle): LIGHTING: Fresh Vya Tail Light.​ Christmas Tree Circle is the go to support point, crews parked all the way around the circle.  In 2019, many top RAAM racers rode straight through and the local police were directing traffic.  The lots approaching CTC are actually pretty quiet.
Borrego Springs to Brawley CA​ ​TS02: Main and Rio Vista, Brawley	57.0 miles ​91.7 km 3h 5m	145.3 miles ​233.8 km	Leaving Borrego Springs, the next 15 miles are rolling, before starting the gentle descent to the low point on the route near the Salton Sea.  Just outside Borrego, there are interesting steel sculptures in the fields to the left.  Here we will be 190 feet below sea level.  Vegetation becomes increasingly sparse as we descend the Lower Borrego Valley.	En Route: Anticipate transition to direct-follow at 7 pm near Ocotillo Wells. Traffic is likely to be heavy with lots of crew vehicles in close proximity heading to Brawley from TS01.  SHADOW should head on up to Westmorland or Brawley and getting dinner for everyone.​ Expect lots of convoying to be happening through here, try to stay out of it the best we can. ​At TS02 (Brawley Travel Inn): FOLLOW can stop at Travel Inn parking lot, on right just past Rio Vista.  Jack in the Box across the street, McD on down the street--both open 24 hours. ​Last open fast food and ice opportunities for the night.
Brawley to Blythe CA ​TS03: Hobson Way (route) and 7th St	89.7 miles ​144.4 km 4h 50m ​ ​	234.9 miles ​378.0 km	Continuing east from Brawley, the first 14 miles crosses irrigated farmland before crossing the Algodones Dunes, a 45 mile long, 6 mile wide sand dune field with dunes as high as 300'.   We will almost certainly cross the dune field in the dark, passing through the mostly ghost town of Glamis shortly before midnight.    After emerging from the basin, the route climbs steadily for 30 miles and over 1100' into the Chocolate Mountains, and obscure range once known for numerous small gold mines and the Bradshaw Trail, a historic overland stage route from San Bernardino to La Paz, Arizona.  ​ The nighttime descent out of the Chocolate Mountains (190-205 miles) is one of my best memories from RAW 2019.   Our plan is to arrive in Blythe about 3 am, and decide if I'm ready for a sleep break, or if we should push on through the night another 50 miles to Parker.	​En Route: The Shell on the turn leaving town at Intake Rd is open 24 h. Do not stop or wait in Glamis (the store).  In past years, some racers have caused problems here and the owner does not welcome racers stopping here.  RAAM officials will penalize racers and crew stopping here.  In 2019, there was an official warning you not to stop here. Border Patrol Northbound Checkpoint at TS02+44.8 miles.  In 2019, the checkpoint was closed and no one was here. In 2019, there was a lot of convoying through here with teams bunched up on the road.  Try the best we can to stay out of it. The right turn onto Agnes Road at 34.6 miles looks totally featureless and will be easy to miss at night. There is a dedicated right turn lane but no obvious sign. Do not miss LEFT turn onto 2nd Ave, at flashing yellow light. FOLLOW to suspend direct-follow at 7 am, near Parker AZ. At TS03 (Albertsons): The Albertsons in Blythe is the de facto hangout for crews in the early morning, expect several crews and RVs to be resting there.  The Albertsons does not open until 5 am, and has a Starbucks inside. In 2019, we stopped for a couple of hours here, which was a mistake and resulting in more time in the heat of the day after Parker.
Blythe CA to Parker AZ TS04: Parker Circle K	51.4 miles ​82.7 km 2h 50m	286.3 miles 460.6 km	Our desert crossing continues as the route heads north up the Parker Valley.  The first 7 miles heads north across irrigated farmland.  After crossing the Main Canal Levee, we are back into the desert.  To the east is the Colorado River and the irrigated farmland that fills the valley.  Visually from the road, we are still surrounded by desert. ​	At TS04 (Circle K): The less time stopped in Parker the better.  There is basically no shade anywhere in the town.  My "scrawny tree" from 2019 was over on 15th street near the Circle K.   Behind the Circle K is a building with more trees on 16th Street, but no parking except in the dirt lot across from there.  The park at the Library coming into town also offers some shade and nearby parking. Services, including fast food and a Walmart are 0.7 mile off course, on down AZ 95 from the California.
Parker to Salome AZ ​TS05: Salome Shopping Center	56.0 miles ​90.1 km ​3h 6m	342.3 miles ​550.9 km	Leaving Parker and the irrigated farmlands, the next 56 miles is pretty featureless as we climb slowly up the Bouse Wash and Ranegras Plains,   The Arizona and California Railroad follows us from Parker.  There is not much out here.  Between Parker and Hope, there is a 14.5 mile stretch dead-straight road. Traffic on the 15 mile stretch of AZ 95 south of Parker it the worse in all of RAW.  Heavy truck traffic and a come again/go again shoulder the whole way.  Traffic is heavy enough that passing traffic will not give you any space. Traffic improves after the AZ 95/AZ 72 junction as much of the truck traffic continues south on AZ 95. ​ The highlight of the segment will be the "You're Now Beyond Hope" sign as we leave Hope AZ, after 335 miles, with just another 595 miles to go to Durango.	​En Route: Heavy truck traffic and limited pulloff opportunities, especially in the first 15 miles out of Parker. Photo Op at "Beyond Hope" sign, just north of Hope AZ (TS04+49 miles) At TS05 (Salome Shopping Center): Salome Market and gas at TS05 is open 9 am to 6:30 pm.
Salome to Congress AZ ​TS06: Congress Grocery	52.6 miles ​84.7 km ​3h 3m	395.0 miles ​635.7 km	The slow climb through the transitional region between the Sonoran Desert and the Colorado Plateau continue through the McMullen Valley Basic.  We cross a 20 mile stretch of perfectly straight road on US 60 just outside Salome as we approach the Yarnell Grade, the first major climb on the RAW. ​The run from Salome to Congress should be Wednesday afternoon, arriving in Congress about 4 pm	En Route: There is not much out here, except a series of tiny towns, but each has a small market. Wenden ​(TS05+5.0 miles): Saguaro Market Gladden (TS05+19.5 miles): Apparently closed RV Park Aquila (TS05+27.1 miles): Woody's Food Stores At TS06 (Congress Grocery): TS06 is the only manned time station between Oceanside and Flagstaff, although the aid station manned by the Bullshifters Cycling club closed in 2019.  Strangely enough, there is also a book store here.
Congress to Prescott AZ ​TS07: Walmart Supercenter	50.5 miles 81,3 km ​2h 53m	445.4 miles ​716.8 km	The first two major climbs of the RAW, the first is the Yarnell Grade (9 miles @ 5%), an interesting twisty road most notable for "Elephant Curve".  We will not see the Elephant as its on the descent.  We pass through Skull Valley, population 350, and start the second climb to Iron Springs (12 miles @ 3.2%).  Then we descend quickly to Prescott and the time station at the Walmart Supercenter.   ​ We should ascend the Yarnell Grade in daylight, and perhaps top out at Iron Springs right at sunset.  Since sunset is so late in AZ, the crew will be in direct follow starting at 7 pm, shortly after Skull Valley.	En Route: ​From about 12 miles past the summit of the Yarnell Grade, SHADOW  must take alternate route starting at TS06+21.5 miles into Prescott SHADOW stands by near Kirtland Valley Rd/CR15, supporting Eric and FOLLOW until Eric and FOLLOW passes Skull Valley.  If no contact in one hour, SHADOW should proceed to Prescott. and meet us at the Walmart, beating us to Prescott by about 1 hour.  Just enough time for shopping, stocking supplies. FOLLOW should have good cell coverage to Skull Valley, but expect outages between Skull Valley and through Iron Springs.  SHADOW may also have spotty coverage north of Wilhoit en-route to Prescott. ​​ At TS07  (Walmart Supercenter Prescott):​ Walmart Open 24 hours.   Shell Station at Iron Springs and Gail Gardner Way open 24 hours.
Prescott to Camp Verde AZ TS08: AZ 260/I-17	54.5 miles ​87.7 km 2h 49m	499.9 miles ​804.5 km	​​Leaving Prescott the route crosses the broad Lonesome Valley before beginning the 12 mile 3.5% climb to Mingus Summit.  The route descends through Jerome and on down to Clarksdale--probably the only long high speed nighttime descent in RAW.  The last 15 miles are pretty flat on into Camp Verde and the all night Shell Station.  Unfortunately for the crew, the McDs closes at midnight, and the Starbucks even earlier, at 9:30. ​ The descent from Mingus Summit down Hull Canyon and through Jerome, should be most exciting, at night, and high speed.   There are two sets of hairpins, one above and one below Jerome.  Through Jerome there is another interesting hairpin and super narrow streets.  After Jerome, the descent is even steeper, but less technical.   The five mile run from Jerome to Clarksdale should take less than 10 minutes.	En route: SHADOW stands by in Prescott near Fain Road junction until Eric passes Mingus Summit (Mile 471, TS07 + 25 miles) and begins the descent down Hull Canyon and through Jerome, then proceeds to Camp Verde (TS08) via the alternate route.​​  Estimated ride time US89A/Fain to Mingus Summit 1:10. Technical nighttime descent with multiple hazards.  Detailed Jerome Descent cue sheet here. At TS08 (AZ 260 and I-17): ​Shell Station open 24 hours McDonalds closes at midnight. Starbucks closes at 9:30 Multiple hotel opportunities near TS08. SHADOW drives directly to Flagstaff on I-17 and meets us at TS09 (Walmart).  Drive time ~55 minutes should allow SHADOW 6-7 hours of break time.  If SHADOW breaks in Camp Verde, they should depart no later than 5 1/2 hours after Eric and FOLLOW leave Camp Verde.  Cell phone coverage for FOLLOW may be poor and SHADOW should monitor GPS tracking.
Camp Verde to Flagstaff AZ TS09: Walmart Supercenter	102.9 miles ​165.6 km ​5h 49m	602.8 miles ​970.1 km	The longest segment in RAW is the 103 mile dark-of-the-night run into Flagstaff.   To add to the challenge, there is 8400 ft of climbing, most of it in the first 40 miles climbing up to the San Francisco Plateau.   Once on the Plateau, the next 60 miles are surprisingly flat, through Happy Jack and Mormon Lake.	En Route: Other than Happy Jack, there is really nothing out here for 100 miles, especially at night.   Minimal pullouts are available on the climb out of Camp Verde. At TS09 (Walmart Supercenter): We should arrive early morning, with SHADOW already at the TS waiting for us.  Coordinate with SHADOW and make sure they are fueled and do any shopping needed.   Expect SHADOW to take over as FOLLOW.  Next 64 miles to the US89/US160 Junction outside Tuba City is the last segment of RAW that does not required direct follow 24h/day for a while.