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Re: [RC] 100's - elevators/de-elevators - Joe LongOn Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:52:18 -0700, "Steph Teeter" <stephteeter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: ... Tom suggested that we might consider a 100/50 'de-elevator' ride. Sign up for the 100 (e.g.) and if you finish, great, full points. However if at 50 miles (e.g.) you or your horse have had enough, you have the option (once) of stopping and keeping miles/completion only for a 50 mile ride. Honestly I think this idea is worth considering. It doesn't take any of the glory and satisfaction out of finishing a 100 (no more than if other riders were DQ'd at 50), it gives a little safety net for those that would like to try a 100, but are nervous for whatever reason. And I personally HATE TO PULL, I just hate it and feel crappy for weeks. If I were entered in a 100, and halfway through felt that my horse was not up to the game that day (travelled poorly, dehydrated, tack problems, rubbing boots, bad shoe job, etc etc) and I had the option of stopping at 50, save the big effort for another day, but not have to be DQ'd, I would love it! Maybe I'm weak and lacking in higher human qualities, but I really really hate a PULL. So for civil discussion - pros/cons of Elevator rides? pros/cons of De-Elevator rides? When elevator rides were banned in 1980 (due to some abuses that I believe had already been corrected by other rule changes), I worked hard to get them reinstated. I believed they would help riders move up to 100's. Once they were legal again, I found out that they did the opposite -- they hurt attendance in 100's. People who would otherwise have entered the 100 entered the 50 intending to elevate, and then for various reasons often did not. I think the same thing would happen with a "de-elevator," the temptation to stop at 50 would take its toll. I believe that when you start a 100 mile ride you need to focus on the whole distance to be successful. If you are looking at 50 miles as a "decision point" or a place where you can "get off the elevator," well, that's as far as you're going to get. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxx http://www.rnbw.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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