As a Ride manager I realize the need for freedom in planning a ride.
Unfortunatly the rides I have been to with cut-offs required the first loop
or 2 to be ridden faster than 4 mph. Then 3-6hrs was allowed for the last
10 miles or less. There are many reasons to start slow besides waiting for
a Jr. in another distance. What about broken equipment, lost shoes, getting
lost, or stopping to help another rider? And I'm not talking about
negligence. Even new tack can get stepped on & new shoes pulled off at the
start of a race. The pre-ride meeting is too late to find out there's a
cut-off after I've driven hundreds of miles. Championship Rides/Races
ESPECIALLY should allow people to set there own pace. A lot can happen in
100 miles. And bad luck at the start shouldn't prevent someone from
finishing just because they can't catch the frontrunners. Maybe cut-offs
should have to be approved by the sanctioning director when the ride is
first sent in. That way the director familiar with terrain/conditions could
make an informed decision on it's necessity & riders could see the info
listed in the EN ride calender.
Nancy Mitts