RE: AERC completion time rule - feedback

[LRiedel769@aol.com]

I guess it's inevitable that I jump in on this, although I didn't plan to.
 Having been on the AERC board since 1973 (I know it's nuts!) I was able to
access a few facts--Originally there were no references to elapsed time until
1976, when the guidelines said "the maximum  time limit to be determined by
ride management."  (I can speak for rides since 1969, and as I recall the
standard of 12 hours for 50's and 24 for 100's was abided by--this of course
was based on the original Tevis of "100 miles in one day.")  In 1980 the rule
appeared that "the maximum total elapsed time for a 50 mile ride shall be 12
hours, etc."
    Over the years it has been found to be inappropriate to change a whole
rule to accomodate a very small occurrence of deviations, unfortunate as they
may be.  In the early days AERC had the reputation of passing rules hurriedly
and then having to backtrack--we  ended up looking ridiculous and learned to
be a great deal more careful in making changes.
     Someone on the Digest (I forget who) suggested that those who do not
feel capable of completing within the present time requirements should ride
Competitive. HAH!  In the Midwest riders often opt to ride endurance
(especially LD) instead of competitive because they can go SLOWER.  The
 usual mandated OVERALL time for a 25-mile competitive ride is 4 1/2 hours
(sometimes less), and this includes a half-hour break and at least one
10-minute hold on the trail.  It would seem that if competitive "wimps" can
finish 25 miles in an hour and a half LESS than endurance riders, on the same
trails, with no "racing" incentives, our present time frames, (as a whole)
should be adequate.
    Rule 6.1 does allow completion (Just not Top Ten placing) 
in unusual circumstances, and don't forget that COMPLETION includes receiving
 POINTS. (i.e. 150 for a 50 miler with 11 or more entrants).
   Nuff said!  See you in Lexington. Louise Riedel