Ridecamp: [RC] LD Finish Line - I'll be there no matter what

Both sides of the issue have good arguments.  On one
hand I think the term, "if it ain't broke don't fix
it" works.  But on the other hands, what's a little
change to make it more uniform?  

2002 was mine and my girls, Jayda, first season of
AERC rides together.  My wife suggested that Jayda and
I should stick with LDs for the season, have fun and
learn. Together we were able to complete 4 out of 4
with a first season of 105 miles.  Not much compared
to many others, but hey, it's a start.  I remember
when I first started training that 15-20 miles seemed
like a LONG way and I wondered how I was ever going to
do 25-30.  Now 15-20miles is a standard ride and 25-30
feels pretty easy.  My goal is to start 50s in 2003
since I have an idea what it takes.

As far as the finish of the LDs go.  I do like how the
current setup is with meeting criteria pulse being the
actual finish line.  This brings in a whole different
strategy to the "race".  Brings back the post I
believe from Roger about shaving off 30seconds through
the vet check.  Strategy is half the fun of any
competition.  If this change were to take place,
making the finish line the actual point at which the
clock stops on the LD, it would not be a big change
really.  Either way, LD events will be held and people
will compete in them as long as they are AERC
sanctioned.  I'll sure be there, though I'll hopefully
be doing a 50.

Does the pulse down vs. finish line really make a big
difference?  I took a look at a few 25/50 rides here
in the SE and compared the winning times.  Of the ones
I looked at, the 50 mile winner finished in almost
exactly twice the amount of time as the 25mile winner.
 This tells me that the 50milers are moving out/racing
just as fast as those going half the distance.  I'm
not convinced that the pulse-down method slows the LDs
down much at all, if any.  Heh, why change the LDs,
why not make it so the 50s have to pulse down
instead?;) (now there's a bad can of worms I could be
opening)

Bottom line is, if it's an AERC sanctioned ride I'll
be there to have fun and try for a completion whatever
distance I ride.  I get the biggest kick out of seeing
mine and my horses names with miles in the database.

Tim - BTW, Jayda is still available for sale

P.S.  can someone explain what an elevator ride is?

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