After having so much fun at the Grand
Canyon and completing the 3 of 5 days that
we attempted, I got thinking that it really might be reasonable for us to think
about doing a 100. Initially I was
thinking for next year, but then I got thinking that maybe the horses are ready
for one now.Does that seem
reasonable, that doing a 50 every other day, with the horses willing and still
pulling at the end of the third day, that they could now do a 100?We ranged 7-8 mph at GC, really only
slowing on rocky roads and they had no issues at all during the rides.
So I am thinking that we should take advantage of their
current conditioning and since ride season is over in the Mountain region, am
looking at Randy Eiland’s Paso del Norte.It
will depend upon some things falling into place, and the weather cooperating,
but it’s not a terrible drive (9-10 hours).
I would appreciate some advice – does it seem like we’re
pushing too far here?We only did a
couple other 50’s this season.We will only have one conditioning day between GC and Paso del Norte (probably try a flat, somewhat fast 25 miles
around 8mph). Is this a good first
100?I talked to Randy and he said
not having crew wouldn’t be terribly difficult here (at least we have 2
of us, one to hold horses, one to fetch stuff!)
At first I was only joking about doing this, but my husband
took me seriously and so we are trying to plan as if it can actually happen and
hope to give Randy enough advance warning about us coming!Any advice to add to our last minute
plan would be very much appreciated. I’ve been soaking up so much
discussion about doing 100’s recently that I feel like I am actually
prepared – and that has me worried that I’ve really not been
thinking clearly!But it seems that
other than having the horses ready, the biggest part of the plan will be
preparing crew bags properly and then just riding each loop as it comes –
and carrying a flashlight since there will be no moonlight.
So please let me know if I sound like I’m completely
in left field or if this seems like a reasonable plan!And I’d love to chat with someone
who’s done this ride and would be doing it this year!
