Today the team has had to deal with rain which was probably a welcome relief to the oppressive heat of the last few days. The windy, desolate mountain roads of West Virginia were also a challenge as apparently there were times when the riders weren't sure they were still on the route. (Am I the only one that associates West Virginia with the movie Deliverance?). Alcohol is strictly prohibited in the rules of RAAM for the crew and riders but we're told that the chant for a cold, frosty beer is getting louder and louder. I'll buy the first round (and, given the condition of these guys, probably the last). Cathy and I arrived in Atlantic City this morning just in time to see the 2nd place finisher in the Solo division, Wolfgang Fasching, cross the finish line. Very emotional event for a guy who had averaged 22 hrs of pedaling and 2 hrs of rest for the past 8+ days. This was his 8th RAAM and he is a 3 time winner of the event. (A lot of European riders). The finish line is on the historic Atlantic City boardwalk (real wood planks) which we're told is the oldest and longest boardwalk in the country. Reports from the crew of Shannon's Soldiers sounds like they overshot the food requirement for the trip which based on conversations with other teams today sounds pretty common. Local charities and food banks are the big winners here. So we'll be up early tomorrow morning waiting on the Boardwalk for the arrival of Shannon's Soldiers. They'll have a special guest join them on the RAAM photo stand, 10 year old Shannon Mahoney.
Thanks again for your support,
Cathy and Jim
PS: Dan says hi to Lou....what an adventure!
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