Climbing out of the Raccoon Creek Valley, Hawk Station Hill is not the steepest hill around but it is a climb that makes the muscles in your legs cry for mercy (especially after 60 miles of hard racing).  The ascent starts out mellow enough at 4% and goes down hill.  Then the pitch goes up to 11% and goes down hill.  Next you make a sharp right turn and you head into a 13% grade and up to a 16% grade.  Then when most hills in this neck of the wood level out, Hawk Station throws .5 miles of up hill rollers to gain 50 ft. more elevation.  This makes for a hill that first gives you no chance to set a rhythm and then it unrelentingly takes away a chance at a speedy recovery.  This is why this hill has been used frequently as the finale to several road races in Southeastern Ohio by Team Columbus.