Re: [RC] What is Real Endurance!! - Barbara McCrary
We've had a similar situation on our 100
mile Swanton Pacific ride. It is on some very difficult terrain. We
had a few complaints about a couple of hills in the last 10-12 miles. We
took out a good part of one of them, but there was still a complaint about the
other one. Trouble is, if the ride is too hard, people don't
come.
In a message dated 11/2/2003 12:08:50 PM Central Standard
Time, Lyoness@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
writes:
Endurance was not just a distance,
it was also a trail! Have you heard of the number of ride managers who
have cut out a difficult part of the 50 mile course because 50 milers were
"whining" about it and would not come back if that part of the course was in
the ride.
Beautifully said!!! This is exactly what killed
my favorite ride in Texas - Montell Cliff Hanger. It was rugged,
challenging, tough, and beautiful. And the people used to winning or
completing 50s in around 4-5 hours in Texas (yes, we have fair number of rides
that are mostly flat racing) complained each year till trail sections were
dropped, etc. They just couldn't handle having to slow down and work
with their horse to negotiate tough, tricky trails sections and complete in 7+
hours. (gasp!) I personally see nothing wrong with dismounting and
leading one's horse up a 150 yard long steep slope full of loose rocks...or
slowing down to pick one's way over sheets of flat slick rock. That's
endurance riding. Participation was low the last year of the ride (which
I attended as crew, since I was 10 days post-surgery for rotator cuff
repair). Now the ride is gone. Don't get me wrong, we have some
really fun rides in Texas, but I loved Montell for its technical trail and
beauty.
Dawn in East Texas...I'll stop *my* whining now.
;)
