Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I think the de-elevate concept has negative connotations.  Move up if things 
are optimal, but don't quit if things aren't going well.  I don't like the 
idea at all.  Just my opinion.

Barbara

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Long" <jlong@xxxxxxxx>
To: <KimFue@xxxxxxx>
Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 6:10 PM
Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] De-Elevate


> On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 13:00:49 EST, KimFue@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > Although I don't agree with those that would like to see a de elevator 
> > ride,
> > I have to say that this has been one of the most civil controversial
> > discussions on ridecamp.  I have learned a lot from reading the comments 
> > on the pro
> > side of the discussion.  But one of the flaws I see in the de elvator 
> > concept is
> > that if a horse is pulled after a certain point because of a lameness or a
> > metabolic problem the rider is still rewarded with some type of 
> > completion. The
> > rider either made a judgement error in how he/she rode the race or he/she 
> > ran
> > into a bit of bad luck.   A de elevator actually takes away the safety net 
> > for
> > the horse because the rider has the added confidence that he will get 
> > credit
> > just in case he makes a judgement error in his horse's ability.
> ...
>
> I think the de-elevator concept for 100-mile rides deserves a try, but 
> with some
> safeguards that would not allow the situations you are concerned about.
>
> The way I would see it work, you could only "de-elevate" at a point that 
> was a
> finish for a shorter ride, such as 50 miles, and then for miles only (no
> points).  If you chose to de-elevate at that  point, you would have to 
> present
> your horse for a standard completion exam where he would have to be fit to
> continue for you to get the mileage credit.  If you decided to go on and 
> not
> de-elevate, you would not be able to "change your mind" later in the 
> day -- if
> you got sick or your horse got lame at 75 miles, for example, it would 
> just be a
> normal pull.
>
> If a ride had a 50, 75, and 100, you would have the option to "de-elevate" 
> at
> either 50 or 75 miles, with the same restrictions -- miles only, and the 
> horse
> would have to pass the "fit to continue" post-ride vet exam.
>
> Personally, I believe it will result in fewer people actually finishing 
> the 100,
> because of the temptation to stop at 50 or 75.  But at least they would 
> have
> paid the full 100-mile entry fee (no refunds for de-elevating) and 
> supported the
> ride in that fashion.  Oh, yes, I would count all riders who start the 100 
> as
> starters (for purposes of calculating points of the finishers), even those 
> who
> de-elevate.  That's no different from someone who starts and pulls, IMO.
>
> --
>
> Joe Long
> jlong@xxxxxxxx
> http://www.rnbw.com
>
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