Re: The Way We Win: Change the "Pay Scale" for Endurance?

[Roberta Jo Lieberman <woik@home.com>]

Bob...
Neat exercise...now you've got me thinking...

Obviously ride conditions throughout North America are far from
homogeneous. We have fast, flat rides; mountainous, rocky rides; deep,
sandy rides and all manner of combination in between, not to mention the
full gamut of weather conditions, from hot and humid to cool and dry. It
may not be possible to employ a single standard when it comes to
finishing times. Even on racetracks, times reflect variable ambient
conditions and track biases: six furlongs in 1:10 is considered zippy in
Maryland but relatively slow in California. Handicapper Andy Beyer
developed his Beyer Speed Figures over a decade ago to help equalize
(and universalize) race times for handicappers studying past performance
charts in The Daily Racing Form.

Perhaps a similar model could be developed for our sport. We could start
by establishing national averages for time, total elevation change, heat
and humidity, then add or subtract points/minutes for each ride based on
these variables along with miles above or below 50/100. New rides could
come up with their "best guess" based on the model, cross-referencing
known rides of similar conditions/terrain.

Final adjustments could be made after the ride, if necessary, in the
event of unforseen events (downed trees/flash floods blocking the trail,
landing space stations, etc.).

To get the ball rolling, we'd need the average of *all* 50- (and/or
100-) mile ride times contested in 1999 (and soon, 2000) from the
yearbook. 

If any ride managers (or computer wizards) want to play with developing
a working model, we could try it out as an overlay on some demonstration
rides this year. For a few rides, it could even be a voluntary
"value-added" feature, with team competition and Gold/Silver/Bronze
designations noted alongside traditional completion awards.

Fire away... 

Regards,
Bobbie


Bob Morris wrote:
> 
> Bobbie:
> 
> let us take this a bit further and apply the concept to some rides that have
> been done in the past. i.e. records of time available. Gold time is 7.5 mph
> or about 6 hours and 40 minutes to complete a fifty mile ride. Silver is
> about 7 hours and 45 minutes and bronze is 8 hours and 20 minutes. Using the
> 1999 year book, the latest I have, let's select a few rides to check:
> 
> Montell Cliff Hanger 29 finishers 16 did it in gold time 4 more in silver
> and five in bronze with 3 getting completion
> 
> Indian Springs 10 finishers 5 gold 5 silver
> 
> Gambler's Special 30 finishers 13 gold 6 silver six bronze five completion
> 
> Home on the Range 62 finishing 46 gold 11 silver and 5 completions
> 
> Biltmore 50 75 finishing 29 gold 20 silver 11 bronze and the rest completion
> 
> OK that is five rides with a total of 206 riders. these rides were chosen
> randomly. We have 53% of the riders riding gold time and 28% riding silver
> time. This indicates to me that either the category ranges are not
> competitive or the rides are to easy. When over 50% of the riders are in the
> top category it is not rewarding competition for those doing very well. Gold
> would be simple to attain, much easier than just top ten (24%).
> 
> I am afraid some other grading system would be called for.
> 
> Your comments would be appreciated.
> 
> Bob Morris
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roberta Jo Lieberman [mailto:woik@home.com]
> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 5:10 PM
> To: Bob Morris; ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: Re: The Way We Win: Change the "Pay Scale" for Endurance?
> 
> Thanks for your thoughtful response, Bob. Your comments are well taken.
> With this system, I believe that the cream will still rise to the top,
> but without the need to risk it all in that sprint to the finish line.
> Basically, your top ten and maybe your top 15 to 20 will end up being in
> the "Gold" medal group. The Silver and Bronze groups would see greater
> acknowledgement for their efforts, thereby spreading the riches around
> without diminishing the accomplishments of the elite performers.
> Recently, an endurance rider friend who often finishes top ten finished
> something like 27th -- and she apologized to me for her performance! In
> truth, she rode smart, knowing her horse wasn't quite up to his usual
> level of fitness. Her finish was nothing to be ashamed of -- she would
> have earned a solid Silver to add to her string of Gold finishes.
> Another friend, whose horse has finished top ten (Gold) something like
> 12 times out of his last 15 rides, told me that she wasn't willing to
> ask her horse for more than he was willing to give in order to be first
> across the line. A system such as this would encourage others to also
> put the horse first...with no loss of glory and ultimately, perhaps even
> greater rewards.
> Thanks for your offer to continue the dialogue.
> Regards,
> Bobbie
> 
> Bob Morris wrote:
> >
> > Bobbie:
> >
> > I think Matthew's concept is good. He can live with it and so could I but
> > there is another element in this game. Those who have not had their "place
> > in the sun".
> >
> > Please read the attached file, it is Matthew's concept with parts in BOLD
> > with my following comments in italics. I would be very willing to continue
> > this dialogue to explore the concept further if you so desire.
> >
> > Bob Morris
> > Morris endurance Enterprises
> > Boise, ID
> >
> > i