Some commentary about the race, taken from the net.  None to be found in TU,
DG, TR, NYTimes, USA-Today, Chan 13 BigBdSprts, Sprt Illus  or anywhere else!
Forwarded to BIKENET & SPORTS from ROBERT BUMP:
From: RICKEYWRAY@aol.com
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 1996 18:36:53 -0400
Subject: Rickey Wray's RAAM Review #5
Just some thoughts.
Latest RAAM update reveals the following.  As it now stands, 10 men have
officially finished.  Rather than spend time in the analysis of the winners
and leaders, I would like to say a few words about those still out there on
the course.  Many of us will spend time over the next few weeks studying the
results, replaying the drama, and for those of us not out there, wishing we
had been.
One remaining competitor stands very close to the brink for an official
finish.  Peter Pop, has 46 minutes of buffer time with 65 miles remaining,
assuming he has no penalties to pay.  It is doubtful if the remaining 3 can
pull off an "official finish."  The next rider, Tom Buckley, is projected in
at 4 hours beyond the cutoff time.  This is not an impossible deficit, but
extremely difficult to make up.  It can be done.  My brother, Terry, is in
first attempt, was many hours beyond the official finishing time based upon
his current pace.  The only way that he could make it was to push him faster
and longer than he had been doing.  For 48 hours, he was pushed without rest,
without sleep, and he officially finished the race.  Of course, when he
reached Georgia, he was unaware of where he was, who he was, and why he was
there.  I was so damn proud of him, that it made me want to do it.  I did,
but for my first time, I had a tandem partner (Clare Rietman), figuring we
could keep each other awake.
Assuming for the moment, that Peter makes it, and Buckely does not (and I
hope that he DOES!), official finish rate will be 55% in the men's division,
and if you add in the women's and tandem divisions (all DNF's), you have a
46% official finish rate overall.  For awhile, it looked like we were going
to have a record number of official finishes.  Final results show about
average.  Normally, you have a 50% official finish rate for veterans and a
35% rate for rookies.  On the rookie side, it looks like we will have 5 men,
out of 11,  make an official finish, or 45%, slightly higher than usual.
 This is very significant, considering that last year, you had 12 more hours
in which to finish.  They did say that the weather was somewhat better (at
times!)
My hope is that the remaining two (Rudiger Dittmann and John Hughes) will
continue riding and finish regardless of the time.  It has always been my
belief that finishing should come ahead of everything else.  No matter what
the cost (money, etc.), what the sacrifice, indeed, whatever it takes, make
it to the finish line.  When pain and agony exceed tolerance, and medical
problems prevail, then it may be necessary to "throw in the towel."
The goal, obviously, is to earn an official finish and the coveted RAAM ring.
 When that falls out of reach, it takes every bit of intestinal fortitude and
keep riding.  I know from first hand experience.  They have ridden a great
race, and deserve our admiration no matter what happens, for they are now in
what I call "Wilsonland," a very lonely place to be (except for your terrific
support crew, who has stayed with you long after what they signed up for.)
Bye for now.  Rickey Wray Wilson
 * SLMR 2.1a * Bicycle RACERS are the ENGINEs TOO!
 * SLMR 2.1a * What's IN the head more important than ON the head!
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