ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] In defense of the "Thaw"

[endurance] In defense of the "Thaw"

Stephen Rojek (dinah@vermontel.com)
Thu, 7 Dec 1995 23:13:14 -0500

Now before you think that we thaw riders belong at the funny farm, let me
say that there are those of us who have done it every year and love it --
well, like it a lot. We don't have idyllic seasonless weather, so we make
do.
IMHO there probably no trickier ride, in terms of after care, anywhere. I
have more trouble maintaining proper body temperature on this 25 than I do
on 100s. I mean its COLD here. We did cancel one year when it was -5F at
9am. We only have a few hours daylight you know ;). It got up to -1F at
noon and we bagged it and had the post-ride banquet anyway (with awards for
all who showed up).
Anyway bring plenty of horse clothing and most importantly people
clothing--you are uselss if you get frostbitten, and nothing is worse than
frozen sweat.. Think about relaxing as you ride. We all tend to get the
pull-the- neck-into-the-parka look if we aren't careful. There are drivers
(horse and carriage) with us so some exposure to driving vehicles is a good
plan. Oh, and make sure to have winter treads on your mount and truck. We
have had people show up with barefoot horses and it really doesn't work.
The roads can be icy and as hard as pavement. But not always. The odds are
getting better and better that some year we will actually hit a thaw:).
Never lose sight that the goal of this ride is twofold:
1) To eat
2) To be ready to ride the FL rides

Hey Celeste you will be fine, you are from NH, you're tough!
E-mail me if you want more . . . . 
-- 
Peace, 
Dinah