Multi day rides often have a whole different "feel"
to them around camp etc. It seems over all, for the most part, it is more
relaxed, and the tension that can hang in some camps is usually not there. And
maybe part of that is, you don't usually have the real new people who are still
learning how to "prep" for the next days ride. Fussing over saddle bags, crew
bags, prepping the horse, making sure everything is ready to go becomes kind of
second nature, you find less stressed riders rushing to get everything done
before it gets dark, or dinner, or the meeting, or when ever they want to have
it all ready to go. Do a couple multi day rides, and it is SO easy to pack
and be ready to go. I found that I could get up 45 min. before the start of the
ride each morning, give the horse is AM mash, get myself fed, dressed, and the
horse saddles, and be ready to go and waiting at the start. Oh, and for
many of them, the start is more riders walking casually out of camp in a group,
then slowly picking up the trot and spreading out, to find the "spot" they
wanted to ride in during the day. Not often to see a group take off to "race".
Many of the riders take the attitude that they want to ride smart, to have
enough horse to ride the next day, and the next. Some bring multiple horses, and
switch off between days, but many come to the ride, planning to ride the same
horse, all of the days.
I also have found that taking a horse that is
conditioned for a 50, and riding it nice and slow, using most of the day, and
then if the horse looks good for the following day,take it again, or, give it a
days rest, then go again, that they seem to learn to eat and drink better than
those who have only done 1 day rides, maybe at a quicker pace. I think it is not
only the fact they are out there all day, going at a slow but steady pace, but
again, the atmosphere on the trail is often more laid back than 1 day rides, and
some horses just relax better, and learn to take care of themselves. Not that it
will happen with all horses, but it is what I have seen with mine, and with the
friends horses I crewed for on the XP2001, from Missouri to Nevada.
Oh, and each day is counted as a separate AERC
ride, you do not HAVE to ride all the days. You can come and ride 1 if you want.
Many do offer LD rides, but some only offer 50 milers.
I was very sad to not have been able to go to Bryce
Canyon XP this last week. A beautiful beautiful ride, with 5 days of riding, and
each day for the most part, different trail than the other days. Maybe again
next year.........
