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From: blb@cbdkc1.UUCP ( Ben Branch    )
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: RAAM Observations
Message-ID: <1078@cbdkc1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 5-Aug-85 13:27:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: cbdkc1.1078
Posted: Mon Aug  5 13:27:38 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 6-Aug-85 10:29:26 EDT
Reply-To: blb@cbdkc1.UUCP ( Ben Branch    )
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus
Lines: 32


	Boyer's win in RAAM has generated interesting comments. Let me
	throw in my two cents' worth as a three-year RAAM fan.

	Boyer did have a great win, no doubt about it. The road racers
	have a lot to be proud of (if they insist on thinking in those
	terms). But let's also notice that,

		1. Secrest, the 2nd place finisher by 4 hours, was beaten
		   in the last two years by Penseyres and Haldeman by more
		   than 4 hours.

		2. For whatever reason, it seems to have been a fast course.
		   Secrest also broke the old record; Shermer set his best
		   time ever; at least a couple of the women broke the old
		   women's record.

	I, for one, would love to see Boyer ride against Haldeman (who
	caught the flu) or Penseyres (who crewed his brother's effort this
	year.) That would be even more competitive than this year's race.

	RAAM is an evolving event, as the rapid decline in crossing times
	shows. It attracts both dedicated competitors and folks who are
	testing themselves just to finish. Boyer is in an entirely different
	league than the "just-finishers." But so is the top of the RAAM
	field. Of course, I don't know how Haldeman or Penseyres would do
	in the Tour de France -- Boyer has shown his mettle in *both* styles
	of racing, which have different mental demands.

	You can't choose between riding fast ("be an athlete") and skipping
	sleep ("sleep deprivation") in RAAM anymore if you're shooting to
	win. You have to do both.