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In 1988, El Tour was dedicated to my friend Elaine Mariolle.
Her father, Ray, came along for the ride as it were.
Ray was 60+ years old and hadn't been riding much.
He rode on a borrowed bike.
Elaine and I rode with him.
At about the 75 mile point, at the river crossing,
we were joined by Andy Hampsten.
He was a hero of mine.
The only American to win the Tour of Italy (still true).
He had finished the ride and ridden back to the river crossing.
We clued Andy in to our objective which was to get Ray to the finish.
The four of us set out to ride the last 36 miles.
Ray was . . . suffering.
I started pushing him up the slight inclines.
Andy pitched in on Ray's other side.
It was something I will always remember -
me and Andy Hampsten pushing Ray.
Oh yes - Ray did finish the 111 miles.