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Re: [RC] Decline of the 100 Mile Ride - Heidi SmithI did learn a valuable lesson last year though - I was asked to manage a late season (November) 100 miler so that folks could have a 100 to qualify horses for the 2003 Pan Ams. I figured that nobody wanted a physical challenge, they just wanted the miles. I made the course flat and easy. All holds in camp. Lots of dirt/gravel road. Lots of repeat trail. Boring boring boring. And the riders loved it! The times were fast, the slowest riders were just under 15 hours. It was easy on staff and riders with all holds in camp. I thought everybody would moan and groan about the boring ride, but I guess boredom is a relative thing... Steph, I would also submit that time of year has something to do with that. Riders appreciate rides such as you describe in spring and fall, but might not appreciate it in, say, August. I agree that 100's can be tough on management--but there is also a lot of fun and challenge in designing a course, etc. I always enjoyed the challenge of it, but would agree that the difference in managing a 50 vs a very technical 100 is likely even more pronounced than the difference in riding them. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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