Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

 Before we start inundating the WSTF with protests, let's back up a 
bit. First of all, there were only two "pens" this year. The first pen 
is allowed to leave Robie  several
minutes before the second pen on its way to the starting line, which is 
a little over a half mile down the road, and is held there. Then, 15 
minutes or so before the starting time of 5:15, the second
pen leaves Robie to head to the starting line. Both groups are released 
within a minute or two of each other, with the second pen a couple of 
hundred yards behind.
 The WSTF officials work very hard to make Tevis an enjoyable, safe and 
fair experience for everyone. There is more than a little bit of 
survivalism
necessary to just get through the ride. Any time differential at the 
start would be infinitesimal, and easily mitigated (or even improved 
upon with efficient time management )
throughout the day by other delays that aren't the riders fault either, 
but would be impossible to legislate, such as: slow PR people, vet 
lines, limited water tanks,
getting trapped in conga lines at certain points along the trail, trail 
sabotage, far-flung parking spaces that require more walking to get to, 
not enough
hoses at Bath Road, vehicle traffic on some of the trail, etc., all of 
which could slow the rider down against his will and not through any 
fault of his own. Not
to mention the fact that the WSTF always makes it clear in print that 
though they are sanctioned, they may enforce rules other than those of 
AERC. Their BC
judging is a good example of that.
 I have this humorous cartoon in my head with the 2nd place rider 
losing by 200 yards and protesting:  "It's  not fair!
He had a 200 yard head start 100 miles and ten vet checks ago!"  :))   
  I understand the spirit of the concern here, but it's just part of 
the whole Tevis experience. It is still one hell of a ride.   Bruce Weary

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