Montana Accident

["Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

I find the accident in Montana this past weekend regretful but I have some
very serious questions about the final results of this occurrence.

First question that comes to mind is; did the ride management comply with
Rule 5.4 by providing a pre-designated marked finish line perpendicular
across the trail?

Second, was the finish area delineated so spectators would be aware of the
area?

Third, under what AERC Rule did the Ride Manager penalize the riders (giving
completion only). As a member of the Rules Committee and with more than a
decade of experience with our rules I find no precedent for this.

It would be best if Ride Campers realized that the Competitors were not the
proximate cause of this accident. While it is regretful, a large portion of
the blame is due to Ride Management. ( OK flame me) It is a responsibility
for management to provide a reasonably safe environment for racing to the
finish in an endurance ride. It is the responsibility for ride management to
caution all spectators of the possibility of competitors racing in at the
finish.

I am, of course, writing this from the aspect of the competitor, not the
spectator. If the competitor had been injured would every one just mark it
up to the risks of the sport???

Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID


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