He continued working as a commercial fisherman and carpenter, but it was a time of torment for him. His only mushing outlet was middle-distance races in the Bush. Riley said he never lost faith he would get a second chance, but twice the Iditarod quietly turned down appeals when emissaries made his case. This time he did his own talking. We felt after 10 years there should be some kind of forgiveness.
Murderers get out of prison.
Certainly, the easy decision would have been to say no. Koch said the pivotal moment in ITC deliberations came when the graying, slightly built Riley spoke. It has an affect on you. For most of nine days, Riley hovered just outside the top 10, a phenomenal achievement for an older musher with a kennel of only 18 dogs who has been away from the race so long. Natives in villages along the way cheered him, he said.