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Re: [RC] 100 mile rides, their future, and the fuure of AERC - Joe LongOn Sun, 24 Jul 2005 20:45:43 GMT, Ridecamp Guest <guest-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: ... The publications I have read on endurance riding suggest anywhere up to 2 years of legging up, and a season of LDs before doing a 50, then at least a full season of 50s before attempting a 100. What I would like to get accross here is that for a newbie, looking at 100s as the only real goal is overwhelming and offputting. I don't have 4 years to give before I think I am having fun. *ok, I do realize that these are extemes of taking it slow to get there, but still...* Yes, the publications tend to be pretty conservative, and have good reasons for that. I believe that if you have a horse suited to distance riding, one year of foundation (legging up) is plenty to start riding LD's (in most cases, a lot less), and one or two LD's is plenty before riding a 50 at a slow pace. It is important to not go FAST on 50's until the horse has had a couple of years of LD/endurance rides behind him. I didn't enter the LD to get a Tshirt, or points, or recognition. It was my feeling that few folks did, and it was pretty clear who they were. And I guese they probably enter alot of LDs that way. And that is fine. They are probably the best at 25 mile rides. When I was young I was a swimmer. I excelled in longer races, but was horrible at sprints. The fact that sprints were offered did not make me want to do them. The fact that some people really compete hard at the LD level has no effect on my perspective as a newbie. It does not make me want to "sprint" a 25 mile ride. The folks who really are competitive at 25 miles probably don't want to do 50s. You know, I've ridden in almost every Region of the AERC, some 30 States, and I've yet to find one of those rides or Regions where they "disrespect" LD riders. I have to say, I stopped and watched with reverence as the 50 mile frontrunner passed me on her way to the finish, and I felt humbled by that moment. She and her horse were where I only hope to go. That part was not lost on me. A year ago, I just saw a 25 ahead of me, Now, starting a new green 5 year old, and having not yet done an LD on him, I still see 50s in the future. God knows what level of insanity I will arrive at next year. I posted on one of these forums a day or two ago about my first LD, where after finishing I watched in awe as the front-running 50 milers raced in. My thoughts at that time were "Wow, I'll never be able to do that." But it gets in your blood, and we never stop learning what we can do. However, if LDs were not offered, I would probably never make it to 50's. and if 50s become the stepchild, well 100s become completely out of the question. I can't yet speak to 75s, but I have a feeling they will sound more do-able than 100s at some point. Also, I love the idea of elevator rides. Maybe there is room here for all of us, after all. The greatest strength of the AERC is that we have always accomodated and recognized that we all ride for our own personal goals, and that those goals are not the same for everyone. Hell, they don't stay the same for most of us as we gain experience in the rides! I wish you the very best in wherever your future takes you. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxx http://www.rnbw.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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