Quoting Barbara McCrary
<bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> It sounds like it was a
great event!
>
> While I am not
disparaging this event in particular, I also realize
> that some ride managers
are unable, for one reason or the other, to
> provide such
luxuries. Nowadays, it almost seems like the rides that
> provide more goodies
draw the riders more than the ones with spare
> amenities. I
can't say I blame the riders, but it seems that the
> focus is not on the
trail and the adventure, but on the luxuries that
> are provided. I
hope I'm wrong, because there are a lot of good rides
> offered that do not
have all the frosting. Could this trend also be
> the reason that 100-mile
rides are diminishing? The original idea was
> to endure a tough ride,
discomfort, and challenges. Are we now
> gravitating to rides
that are shorter, and ones that offer
> refreshments at every
corner? Please do not interpret this as
> criticism of the
Patriot Day ride, but as a philosophical discussion.
> I'd like to hear other
opinions on this.
>
> Barbara
As in a business venture, a RM invests seed money, and then hopes
“they will come”.
New rides may (probably will) end up costing the RM money out of their own
pocket (and probably more so on a 100), but if they do most things right, the
riders will return next year, and bring friends. Then, in a few years,
there will be enough rider fees to maybe provide a few amenities. Keep in
mind tho that at some rides the amenities are not provided by RM, rather by the
townspeople who enjoy seeing an endurance event in their town (like at Tevis).
A cure for this would be for riders to be adventurous and do any first time
rides they can – for 2 reasons – 1- to support the RM’s who
we all know put SOOOOO much into a new (and every) ride, and – 2 –
to check out the trails (cuz who knows – it could be the best trail
ever). Don’t wait to hear from a friend or on ridecamp about that
new ride – go experience it yourself. If it sucks, don’t go
back next year. If it’s awesome tell everyone you know.
