Media 1
Effingham, IL

June 16, 2010

As a RAAM reporter I’m supposed to be an impartial journalist. But the very essence of RAAM is its human drama and as we witness it first hand and get to know these riders as we follow them across the country, it is impossible to not develop a connection. So it is with sincere sadness that I report that recumbent rider Sandy Earl withdrew from RAAM at time station 31 in Weaubleau, Missouri.

Her decision to take a “DNF” (Did Not Finish) result came as it was realized that she would likely not make the time cut-off at the Mississippi River, time station 35 in West Alton, Missouri. Earl’s crew chief, Brian Nakagawa related,”I had a sit down with her this morning and looked at the time schedule and it would have taken everything we’ve got to make it to the cut-off. She’s disappointed as we all are and it’s a part of the sport. It’s the toughest bike race in the world. You shouldn’t enter if you’re not prepared to be disappointed.” Perhaps Earl will take solace in knowing that it wasn’t a lack of preparation or any physical ailment that brought her down, “She gave it her all, Nakagawa said, “RAAM just threw it’s toughest at us. The heat and the start of the course, the headwinds and then the torrential rains, it just all beat us down.”

Earl is now in the follow van with her crew and they're currently maintaining their east bound heading. “We’re going to follow the course to Annapolis,” Nakagawa said, “Sandy and crew have lots of friend on teams and friends that at solos and we’re going to show our support for them.” That’s the true spirit of RAAM.

To Sandy from myself and the rest of us in the Mighty RAAM Media 1 Kia, we send you our congratulations on a noble effort, we’ll see you in Annapolis where I’ll ask you one more question, “Bottle or draft?”