hi-tech support

[mmmcrae@juno.com (Marie M McRae)]

Truman wrote:
>>  Solution close the trial [sic] to all preriding.
>> The solution is to
>>force everyone to ride without a crew.
>>
>> solution is that these devices [HRM] should not be allowed.

While  acknowledging  that this was said with tongue in cheek, I still
wonder if there isn't a point to be made here.
Unless I am mistaken (quickly revealing my non-expert status < :O)  )
there already is a category for those who choose to ride without a crew.
How about a non-hi-tech category?

I have a good friend who rides bicycle, both commuter and long distance. 
When I used to ride bicycles I would check the air in the tires, put on
my helmet and go.  When my friend goes out, even for a short ride, it
takes him 15 minutes to put all the hi-tech gear and gadgets onto himself
and his bike - radios and monitors and a computer to tell how fast and
how far, etc.  That's his idea of fun.  He's not competing, except in the
 *he who dies with the most toys wins* .category.

When I ride horse I check the girth, put on my helmet and go.  That's my
fun.  Just me and a horse.  When I compete that's how I want to go.  Just
me and a horse. 
Although I devour the information which some of the hi-tech gadgetry has
given us,  I don't want technology to come between me and that  feeling
of having a second heart and four extra legs when I'm riding.

 Don't get me wrong.  I'm very competitive and I set high personal
standards.   Every moment I'm out there I'm working for my absolute best.
 And while working for personal best, competition can be a yardstick on
which to guage how well I am doing.  I'd like to think  that I would have
an equal chance at a top ten award when I choose to  compete.  However,
the hi-tech gadgets on the trail change the playing field to the point of
 making the race a different sort of competition.  I would like to
compete with riders of my ilk.   I fervently hope  there is still a
niche, or a category if you will,  in endurace riding for me and those
like me



Marie McRae
with not too many AERC rides here in upstate NY

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