Race Across America Arriving in Effingham

A familiar event is visiting Effingham over the next few days.

Race Across America (RAAM) is a cross-country bicycle race that begins in Oceanside, California and travels to Atlantic City, New Jersey. It's a 2,195-mile journey with 843 miles to go when the riders reach Effingham.

Riders left California on Tuesday and the first competitors arrived in Effingham Monday morning. RAAM riders arrive on US 40 from Vandalia through Effingham, and leave town on Illinois Route 33 headed to Newton and on to Robinson.

With the Fayette Avenue reconstruction project, there is a different route through Effingham. This year, riders will turn right onto East Grove Avenue at the stop light by Effingham Junior High School, then travel east on Grove to Maple Street, then south on Maple, head over to Wabash Avenue, then east out of town on Route 33 to Dieterich.

Organizers encourage motorists to be mindful of the riders as the shoulder along Route 40 is pretty narrow.

In a change from previous years, the Effingham Time Station will not be staffed this year.