Robic will be tough to beat, again. But could Tinker, a rookie, but a guy who, like Robic, spends his life riding his bike win it this year? Wouldn't be surprised. Can Boyer win again, about 20 years after he won it? Wouldn''t be surprised. I think the conpetition in the Enduro division should be really excellent this year.

In the Traditional division, I like Haase's odds. It's his third RAAM, and his improvement between No. 1 and No. 2 was excellent.

I know, and have raced against, several riders in both solo divisions. Just when I think I've sworn off doing RAAM for good, I get amped about it again thinking about these guys heading to the starting line!

As for merlin/raleigh/bmx whoever you are: The ultracycling community is very supportive and very friendly; I'm sure this is why you're not a part of it. It's also very small; everyone knows everyone else. No room for the jackasses, unlike the 20,000 or so primadonnas with their USCF Cat. 5 licenses.