I regret
to inform you the Scottsdale
ride that was to take place on November 1, 2008 has been cancelled. Below you
will find my email to AERC and a small taste of the frustrating process I went
through in trying very hard to get this ride to happen again.
Rusty
Without
Prejudice
Dear
Mike, Susan and Kathleen,
I would
like to express my great dissatisfaction with the entire process of sanctioning
the 2008 Scottsdale McDowell Mountain Endurance Ride (SMM).
I tried
in vain for two months to confirm several proposed dates for SMM, all of which
were refused because they were within two to three weeks of one of Mr.
Eiland’s numerous rides (which appear to take place more or less on a
monthly basis during the southwest ride season). Mr. Eiland’s closest
ride is some 450 miles from SMM. Are there any other regions that use a 450
mile distance as a reason for refusing sanctioning for rides that are at least
two weeks apart?
It gets
better: I was approved sanctioning for a date that turned out to be one week
before Marilyn McCoy’s ride in Sonoita – a distance of 180 miles
from SMM. This seemed not to be an issue for Messrs Eiland or Taylor, but I
chose not to proceed with that date because of the proximity and out of respect
for Ms. McCoy. I was finally approved sanctioning for SMM for 11/1/08 only
after I made it known that I would start proceedings to protest the sanctioning
procedure.
Now,
three weekends after convention, I have now been notified that Moab Canyons
Pioneer, a first year three-day ride, has been sanctioned for the very same
date as SMM. This ride is 470 miles from mine and was, I assume, approved by
Mr. Eiland as a voting member of the Board of AERC in full knowledge that it is
on the same date as SMM. Should I conclude from this that there are two
different rule structures relating to sanctioning?
To say
that I am frustrated by this process would be an understatement. In fact, I am
now insulted. The most significant outcome of the sanctioning shenanigans is
that the AERC members have just lost a ride – a ride that that attracted
more than 115 riders and 30 volunteers last year.
If the
Moab Canyons Pioneer Ride is indeed to take place on 11/1/08, please be advised
that I have decided to cancel SMM and have notified Judy at the AERC office. I
refuse to participate in such a flawed process that does not serve in the best
interests of the rider membership of this organization.
Yours,
disillusioned,
Rusty
Toth
M19810
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