As of late Tuesday afternoon, a dozen cyclists had passed through south Warren County as part of a rigorous 3,000-mile journey. About a dozen more were traversing their way through Southern Missouri. Each June at this time, the world’s most acclaimed bicyclists tackle the challenge of a grueling ride across America. Warren County serves as a reassuring juncture, over halfway from the beginning point in Oceanside, Calif., to the finish line in Annapolis, Md. Cyclists have the option of stopping at Revolution Cycles in Washington, which is Time Station No. 34. It offers the chance to refresh after riding from the previous time station in Jefferson City along Highway 100. Once cyclists leave Washington, they head north across the Missouri River bridge before turning onto Highway T and passing through Dutzow. The route takes them from Highway D to Highway Z, which provides a hilly path to Wentzville. On Tuesday, Christoph Strasser had a 240-mile lead over the field, with just 300 miles remaining. The Austrian was on pace to win his second RAAM, possibly in record time after traveling at a rate of 16.48 miles per hour. Dani Wyss and Reto Scoch were battling closely for second in southern Ohio. The RAAM is in its 10th year of passing through Warren County and is considered to “The World’s Toughest Bike Race.” The most treacherous stretch is through the Appalachian Mountains, through which Strasser has passed and Wyss and Scoch are approaching.