Re: AERC completion time rule - feedback wanted

["Linda Van Ceylon" <equine_athletes@hotmail.com>]

Bob & All,

>Reply-To: <bobmorris@rmci.net>
>From: "Robert J. Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>
>To: "Linda Van Ceylon" <equine_athletes@hotmail.com>, 
<ridecamp@endurance.net>
>Subject: Re: AERC completion time rule - feedback wanted
>Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 22:00:08 -0700
>
>Linda and Ride Camp:
>
>I very definitely disagree with Ramey. He fails to state the entire 
rule
>61.1 This rule pertains only to those finishing in the TOP TEN, not 
those
>finishing in over 12 hours in a fifty!!!  Ramey , you should know 
better!!
>
><<The problem I have with the overtime situation is the diversity of 
>courses we have>> 
>
>This is the name of the game, meet the challenge and endure. No one 
said
>the bear in the cave you enter would be in a good mood!!!>

Bob, I'm well aware of the name of the game.  And, believe it or not, 
I'm trying to keep it that way.  What RM's try to deal with, on a ride 
by ride basis, is offering the riders (customers) a FAIR challenge.  
However, RM's will not get lot's of repeat customers, if they come to a 
challenging ride and are DQ'd for over-time when the problems were due 
to extenuating circumstances and are not fault of the RM or the rider.  
It is much harder to put on a ride these days, than it was 10-15 years 
ago, at least in this area it is.


>
><<Then  if you have a tough 50, with two holds, or the weather gets 
really
>bad,  etc...., you have more time to finish without an *exception* to 
the 
>rule.>>
>
>This is ENDURANCE RIDING, not a therapy session to make every one feel
>good. Adversity builds character and personal strength. These excuses, 
and
>they are really excuses, would be a crutch for those with out strength,
>with out the ability to take things as they occur. If I do not finish a
>ride it is MY fault, not the fact there was not enough time, the trail 
was
>mismarked, the weather was bad etc. IT WAS MY FAULT AND I DO NOT NEED 
AN
>EXCUSE!!!>

I must say that having you at a ride must be a ride manager's dream.  
You are definitely, one in a million (or at least 1,000).


>
><<> I think something needs to change & I'm open to lots more
>discussion.>>>
>
>Yes, Yes, something needs to change. Most particularly ATTITUDE!!  This 
is
>ENDURANCE RIDING not a Sunday picnic in the park. If you want to have 
every
>thing easy and sure then go ride on a merry-go-round (even then the 
thing
>may break down). Why can we not live with the thought endurance riding 
was
>not intended to be easy??? It once was "to finish is to win" Now it is 
"if
>I don't finish I will complain".>

I agree, the riders do need a new attitude, for the most part.  They are 
spoiled.  Why should they go to a ride that is really 50 miles of rugged 
trail, and finish in 12.5 hours, for no completion.   When they can go 
to another ride that is just maybe, but not really 50 miles, and finish 
easily in 5.5 hours.  Personally, I'd prefer to go do nothing but the 
tougher rides.  But, there must be a balance.  We need the flexibility 
of ride management discretion on completion time.  We need the repeat 
customers if we are to continue to put on rides.  I think it would be a 
shame to loose the few tough rides we have left!    
>
>Guess being a Marine spoiled me.>

I think the Marine Corps must have softened up a bit since your time, 
Bob.  Two of the biggest whiners I know are middle-aged ex-Marines.  
Now, I'm not saying all Marines complain.  Just the ones I know;-)

Lindavan, Buhni, Sunny, Fiddler, Rabbit & Rain Maker
Equine Athletes <equine_athletes@hotmail.com>
2921 Moore Lane, Fort Collins, CO  80526
970-226-1099


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