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Re: [RC] Decline of the 100 Mile Ride - Barbara McCraryWe continue to manage Swanton Pacific because of the beauty of the trail, the fact that we see this trail only once a year when we are maintaining and flagging it for the riders, and because of the many wonderful adventures my husband and I shared in 1983 when we first started to lay out the course. "Discover it" might be a more appropriate description, as we hadn't a complete idea of where we had to go to get from point A to point B. During our adventures of discovery, we met some exciting obstacles, and over the following years we had some great times, going back into the wilderness, either the two of us or with friends, with tools to repair winter storm damage. It's still something we look forward to every year. We've hauled timbers on our backs to build bridges and boardwalks to cross creeks or bogs. We've cut out big trees and lots of nuisance brush. We've built new trails and repaired old ones. If we didn't enjoy it, we wouldn't do it, because it's a LOT of hard work. It would be wonderful if more riders came to see this gorgeous area. I can hardly wait until I have a horse that is in shape to do at least the 75! I haven't ridden the trail but once in 20 years, and even then I didn't complete the course. Barbara McCrary Ride manager, Swanton Pacific 75/100 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Heidi Smith" <heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <steph@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, January 20, 2003 10:27 AM Subject: Re: [RC] Decline of the 100 Mile Ride I did learn a valuable lesson last year though - I was asked to manage a late season (November) 100 miler so that folks could have a 100 to qualify horses for the 2003 Pan Ams. I figured that nobody wanted a physical challenge, they just wanted the miles. I made the course flat and easy.Allholds in camp. Lots of dirt/gravel road. Lots of repeat trail. Boringboringboring. And the riders loved it! The times were fast, the slowest riders were just under 15 hours. It was easy on staff and riders with all holdsincamp. I thought everybody would moan and groan about the boring ride, but Iguess boredom is a relative thing...Steph, I would also submit that time of year has something to do with that. Riders appreciate rides such as you describe in spring and fall, but might not appreciate it in, say, August. I agree that 100's can be tough on management--but there is also a lot of fun and challenge in designing a course, etc. I always enjoyed the challenge of it, but would agree that the difference in managing a 50 vs a very technical 100 is likely even more pronounced than the difference in riding them. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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