I am curious not trying to stir the pot. Are the rides in the West region suffering because of the way RMs run the LD? Are entries so low in the LDs that W ride managers are willing to lose money at their rides because they aren't pleasing the majority of LD riders? Are LD riders not attending W region rides because of the way the LD is recognized? At this point, I suggest that if you don't like how a ride manager runs his/her ride don't go. I don't know where you live but I can tell you that the majority of LD rides in the PS do award an AERC BC and do list placing. Stop supporting something you don't feel is fair and support RMs that view LDs the same way that you do. If you want there to be changes at the National level get involved to make that happen don't just talk about on ridecamp.
If the rules change at the National level those same ride managers have the option of following the new rules or dropping the LD distance. If they need LD entries for revenue they will adopt the new LD rules.....if they can make it without the LD then that region may have lost a 25 mile ride depending how strongly the RM/Vet feels about this and how willing they are to make less money. It's actually pretty simple when you think about it.
I don't know if the rules were broken at the ride being discussed. If they were broken did anyone file a protest? If they were not broken don't support the ride if you don't like how the RM runs it. If the rules were broken and everyone knew it at the ride, why wasn't a protest filed?
This LD discussion keeps going round and round. But as long as RMs are following the rules and are still getting entries to their LD in numbers that satisfy their effort and their balance sheet nothing is going to change. Either get involved to change the rules for all LDs or support only ride managers that have your vision of the LD. It's pretty clear that more discussion isn't changing minds.
