Cyclists will be heading through Borrego Springs today from 4.00 to 8.00p.m as competitors take part in RAAM's Race Across the West (RAW).

It is the second longest RAAM qualifier in the USA and draws racers and media crews from around the world. Although it has developed into a race in its own right, RAW was original started in in 2008 to offer a race longer than 500 miles and to help bridge the mileage gap to RAAM.

RAW follows the first 860 miles of the RAAM course, from Oceanside, CA to Durango, CO and starts alongside the RAAM solo racers. Traversing some of the most beautiful country in the west, RAW leaves the beach in Oceanside, climbs the Coastal Range and the drops into the scorching desert. After crossing the deserts of California and Arizona, racers begin a gradual climb into the mountains surrounding Flagstaff, AZ and eventually into the Rocky Mountains. The race finishes on the Animas River in the cycling mecca of Durango, CO.

There is no other qualifier that crosses four states, offers the diversity in terrain and climate and races alongside the Solo RAAM racers.

Live tracking to follow the competitors is available at http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/live-tracking.html but why not come out to Christmas Circle and give them a cheer on this afternoon.