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    [RC] Mariposa 25/50...MUST DO RIDE! - Advantage Saddles


    Yesterday I  pre-rode the second half of the Mariposa 50 that is to be held in a little less than two weeks, and it was absolutely awesome!  The scents of the forest, the views of the valley and surrounding mountains, the amazing wildflowers in bloom...just made the whole loop a wonderful experience.  After pre-riding both halves of the ride, I can assure eveyone that the new Mariposa 50 is both gorgeous and do-able. 
    Years ago when I started riding endurance, there were some great rides that I considered "must-do".  One was Drakes Bay, my first 50 actually, and it was so beautiful...went by the ocean, fabulous trails.  It is long gone now.  Another was Castle Rock 50, so gorgeous with the wild poppy-strewn meadows, ocean views, great forest trails...now gone(yes, there is still the 75 and 100 Swanton Pacific, but not a 50).  I always loved the American River ride, which is still held, but has had urban sprawl making it different than it used to be.  One of my all-time favorites was the Mariposa 50, which was a ride I looked forward to every year.  It was big in the 80's, off for a while, then back recently as a higher mileage ride.  This year's trail and new management promise to make this again the ride I loved so much twenty years ago, except the trails are even better!  They've made two loops with lunch at basecamp, water where you need it, lots of shade in the afternoon loop, the best trails....and I hear that the awards are going to be great!  They include vials of gold for top ten, embroidered coolers for  bc and first place, wine glasses AND coupons for bags of feed for all finishers! 
    The Mariposa ride has had declining attendance over the past few years, likely due to difficulties that this year's ride has addressed.  This ride needs participants so the club can put it on again next year.  It is not too late to get in your entry...please check out the website at  http://free.yosemite.net/~wildcat   or call Joanne at (209)966-5567 and let her know you are coming.  You will be glad you did!
    If you have any concerns or questions about the trail or the ride, you can e-mail me as well.
    (PS)  I will be there with some saddles and accessories, doing saddle fittings and letting people try out  Advantage saddles.  Please feel free to stop by and say "hI". 
    Katee