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[RC] re: BH 100 - Cindy CollinsObviously, there are so many things I'd like to say that luckily for all of ridecamp, I have been shocked and frozen as I've read some of these threads. So, I'll keep my few comments, that I just can't swallow, brief as possible: During the 35 years of the Big Horn 100, there was NEVER a horse death until this year. It is horrible that this happened. But a few non-endurance riders out there with a little knowledge do not need to make sweeping statements about a history of horse deaths in our "old fashioned rides." With a few exceptions, the nastiest comments have come from people who haven't even done an endurance ride, much less a 100 miler. I try to consider that while I'm reading. A beginning horse and a rider who had never completed a 100 miler finished the ride easily. Much like the Tevis, there have been many horses and riders over the years who have successfully completed the 100 miler here without ever having done a 100, or maybe even a 50! Shocking to the newer generation, I know. I do believe that the new section made the trail VERY tough. Combining that with the heat and drying up of creeks...Imade this one of the hardest BHs ever. If someone can prove to me on a real topo map with facts, that this ride is 14 miles long, I would really appreciate it. Otherwise, I feel it is inappropriate to discuss mileage through innuendo and guess work. I would give anything if the Adelaide trail through the wilderness hadn't been lost. As far as I can tell, ride management did the very best they could to accurately lay out a new section (there aren't a lot of choices here, folks) measuring it with both a four wheeler and a GPS. There was NEVER a drag rider for the section of trail from Antelope Butte (not alpine, Steph) to Jack Creek. There was a drag rider on a 4 wheeler set to go down from Jack Creek to the finish line. That was all. You cannot drive a vehicle on Shag Nasty. I, personally, don't believe there is any thing sentimental about Shag Nasty. I think Ride Management believed they needed those miles for the ride to be 100 miles long. I believe they were right. What they didn't know was how difficult this new piece made the section. Some of you recall the ROC where the mileage was correct, but the trail was too difficult for most to complete. I think something similar, and totally unintentional, happened here. Very few rides have drag riders...even Ft. Howe as an FEI ride did not have drag riders. Also, on a personal note, I have always tried to be very honest about the difficulty of this trail and the need for independence and a pioneer spirit. I have always said that people should never come without a crew. I have always said that if you were one of those people who likes loop rides into camp and all the fancy amenities that newer style rides have, you shouldn't be here. I have always said there are problems with private land owners, USFS, BLM, vandalism, elk/deer/cattle eating ribbons, lack of volunteers, etc. I have been honest with any one and readily shared my feelings. I have also begged people to come early and help mark trail/pre-ride trail. I have offered topo maps of the trail and detailed directions for crews. These are just my personal things that I'm willing to share. I am not ride management. I have always been honest about the short comings of the ride. However, I have always said I believe it is one of the most beautiful trails in the world and that I love it. So, jump in Ridecamp and tell me what a dinosaur I am! Cindy =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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