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Re: [RC] To Finish is to Win, But So Is to Win - Joe LongOn Tue, 24 Jan 2006 17:02:28 -0800, "Dabney Finch" <dabneyesq@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: I don't see those beliefs as opposed at all. 100s are like ultra-marathons. Geez, anyone who completes one of those is an absolute "winner," in my book--and I'm sure most of them (& most people they know) think of themselves as such. And then, there are a few who actually Top Ten, and then, the "elite" (that was for Jerry) who actually win the damn things! (Maybe it's like I'd feel rich if I had a million dollars, but that's just chump change for Trump?) And, this is a good thing....at least I think so! Abso-posi-lutely. The AERC has always been a "big tent" where people with widely diverse talents, resources, and goals share a common interest. At nearly every ride you have people out on the trail for a myriad of reasons, enjoying the day together. Our strength has been in our mutual respect for our personal goals and triumphs, and commiseration when we fall short. We share with distance runners this diversity in the events. The nature of our longer-distance events (both 100-mile one-day rides and multidays) allows us to drink in the beauty and tranquility of this planet even while racing against a clock or a competitor. The cameraderie that we share even in the "heat of battle" is wonderful. Maybe we and the distance runners share this because so much of the competition, even when racing for first place, is against the trail, the elements, the unknown, fatigue, and our own mistakes, rather than just our competitors. "To Finish is to Win" is a philosophy that helps bring us together, that reminds us of our common challenge -- because no matter what your personal goal, finishing with an unharmed horse is essential to success. Some people feel that there are groups trying to push others out of the "big tent." I have seen no evidence of that at all, and I don't know anyone trying to do that. To what purpose? If we diminish any among us, we diminish us all. -- 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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