I think the only way to do this would be to issue different membership
cards, similar to what the Aussies do. Just joined AERC? You're a
newbie. Any prior ride as a nonmember does not count. And, if you
show up to a ride, pay the ten bucks non-member fee, you're a newbie.
Make is so you have to earn the right to be a member of AERC and the right
to be called an endurance rider. And, don't forget, have a Pacer/Mentor,
who gets credit for miles ridden, go with those newbies. What would give
an endurance rider the incentive to want to be a Pacer/Mentor? Free
registration for that ride, of course. Plus, a captive audience for 50
miles. Sing me up for Pacer duties. I love that job already! I
bet there's a long list of volunteers for that one if it ever comes to
pass.
Whose job would it be to determine whether or not
somebody was a new rider and subject to that criteria? The office,
after the ride results are submitted? What is the penalty? No
completion credit?
Not the ride manager, I hope--having to research who
is <4 rides and who isn't and whether or not they met the criteria, in
and around the furor of calculating ride results before the awards--were
all checkpoints met, number checker sheets, etc.
I still think
you'd get people waiting out on the trail for their minimum time to be
up.
Must meet criteria within 30 minutes at the finish "sounds" like a
good idea, but how would that be conducted--does that mean the need for
extra pulse checker help at the completion checkpoint, or are you
postulating that all completion checks happen in 30 minutes
too? Finishes aren't always in camp, in fact they're safer
when somewhat out of camp. Could be a logistical nightmare
hassle.
I hope whatever is proposed is completely detailed, with no
loopholes or vague language and penalties that can and will be
enforced.
