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	Photo by Graham Cullen Dani Wyss, winner of the Race Across America, rides along Damascus Road on Thursday as he closes in on the finish of a race that spanned more than 3,000 miles. Purchase this photo

The owner of Mount Airy Bicycles has been a fan of Race Across America for years.

The event has been testing cyclists for 27 years, with a route of more than 3,000 miles that covers 14 states. This year the race began June 16 in Oceanside, Calif. The women took to the streets before the men on June 17 and teams on June 20.

Biking solo or in teams of two, four or eight people, a total of 59 riders entered this year's race. By the time the clock ran out, 52 managed to finish.

"A lot of them aren't taking a rest," Black said. "When they get to Mount Airy , it's down to a battle." The race website states solo racers sleep as little as 90 minutes a day.

Mount Airy Bicycles serves as one of the 53 time stations across the country, where racers must call Race Headquarters to report their location and time.

Additionally, the shop is the only penalty box along the entire route. Bikers who have committed any infraction, including unsportsmanlike conduct or running a stop sign, must spend a specified amount of time, in increments of 15 minutes, off the course at the store.

"They don't have to sit in a box, they just can't leave the area," Black said.

The first rider through Mount Airy was Jure Robic, at 6:23 p.m. Robic served a one-hour penalty at the shop and was passed for first place by Dani Wyss before dropping out of the race.

Wyss arrived in Annapolis at 9:25 p.m. Thursday as the winner in what Black called the closest race in the event's history.

"It's one of the most grueling athletic achievements anywhere," Black said. "This is a race of truth."

In 1991, Black became crew director for an entry in the race. He said he might consider participating in a team of four or eight next year.

Team Adventures for the Cure is biking in support of diabetes awareness. Adam Driscoll, who is living with type 1 diabetes, and teammate Patrick Blair raised money for the cause, which they began in 2006.

The two Baltimore bicyclists, accompanied by a crew team of six, participated in the race last year in a four-man team. Driscoll said he sleeps only about three hours a day in the two-person team as he and Blair biked in shifts.

Austrian biker Gerhard Gulewicz rested at Mount Airy Bicycles on Friday morning while keeping his second-place standing. Rainer Hochgatterer said the four-time RAAM biker hoped to keep his time under nine days.

Virginia's Traveling Bicycle Museum was on display at the shop for riders and spectators to enjoy. They will also be showing last year's race-winning bicycle, Black said.

"The inspiration behind it is the most important part," Black said of the event. "There are people with different messages. This is a big glory race."

The distance from Mount Airy to Annapolis is about 40 miles, and it's all downhill from there, literally, Black said.

"You'll never see a sporting event like this."