I'm so glad that there are ambitious folks out there who want to undertake
this endeavor. I've managed rides, directly or on committee, since 1983.
I've finally burnt-out and handed over the reins to younger and fresher
folks.
Here are a couple thoughts to make your life easier re: your question
below:
>2. For ride managers - what was the best thing you ever did at your ride
to make it easier for you?>
Have and early entry deadline and a minimum number of entries. This may
not apply in the more populated regions, but here in the Mountain Region it
eliminates the problem of a negative checkbook balance at the end of the
ride. It also helps you plan meals and space for the folks to camp. One
additional problem we have here is that the Forest Service will only allow
70 riders on their trails. So, if that might be a problem, early entry
will prevent overfilling the ride.
If you are planning to run your course as a "point-to-point", make sure you
have a person capable of being a "manager" at each Vet-check. That is
someone who knows the rules and can make sure the check is run smoothly.
Also, if the ride is a "point-to-point" understand that you will need to
hire ATLEAST one more Vet than when all checks are in base camp. Because
Vets will need to travel to the outlying checks and be at the finish. So,
remember if the projected "break-even" number of riders for all checks at
basecamp is 20 then you'll need about 10 more riders to break even on a
point-to-point or you'll need to raise the entry fee.
Good Luck?
Where is your ride?
Linda Van Ceylon
lvanceylon@vines.colostate.edu