Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Age Distribution for AERC Members and Riders Revised

----- Original Message ---
> > Any thoughts as to why endurance doesn't seem to appeal to people in
their
> 20s?> > College, starting families....?
>
> I don't think it is fair to say that it doesn't appeal to people in that
age
> range.  It is simply a matter of financial reality.  You have some of the
> causitive reasons right--college, meeting mates, starting families,
starting
> careers, etc.  But the bottom line is money.  Prior to 18, mom and dad are
> paying the bills, so they can ride as much as they want, with the

time and money /  priorities.

It hasn't been a lack of interest or desire that kept me from more then a
few rides some years, but the great Balancing act of Life.  I don't expect
I'm unusual in that regard

I started riding endurance in '87, in my early 20s and was surprised to find
myself and immediate friends about the only ones in our age group...  you
would expect an active outdoor sport like this to attract lots of athletic
young people.  There are more now, but I expect the percentages are about
the same.

after 15 years, I've only accumulated about 1500 miles, and I see many
people rack up that many in a few years.. but in that time I've also married
and delivered two kids, set-up house- and horse-keeping on a moderate sized
acreage and generally done a lot of living, a large portion of which isn't
endurance related.  I'm getting to a point, as I near 40, where I can see
more resources (time and money) that will be available to funnel back into
riding and competing and I'm really looking forward to it.

Becky Huffman, Cleburne, Texas
www.TheOriginalSeries.com
www.BlueArabianHorseCatalog.org

"Good and Ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing
among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. "
-Aragorn, son of Arathorn





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