I can't believe some of the comments I've read
tonight about LD rides, either, and agree with your thoughts, Jean. The LD
crowd are some of the nicest folks to meet, and the attitude of some of these
high-and-mighty 50 folks (many of whom probably haven't completed a 100)
regarding the presence of LD riders is surprising. As a matter of
fact, the behavior of some of the 50+ mile riders I've encountered on the trail
has done more to steer me away from this sport than a bad day on the horse could
ever do.
We all have to start somewhere, and we all can't
put Endurance in First Place in our lives all the time. Personally,
I have ridden LD up until this year because I haven't had a horse
capable of completing a 50+ mile ride until this year, or have been in graduate
school, or have been helping raise 3 very young children (2 mos, 2, and 5) with
a wife in college full-time. My 27 year-old gelding certainly bested many
a younger horse on the LD rides we did here in the SE several years ago, but I'd
never have asked him to ride a 50.
I suspect that as a mid-30-something, my
perspective is a bit different than that of many riders in this sport; some of
the folks on this board have totally lost touch with the the realities of living
on a limited income, raising children, and trying to make a career while working
for a demanding boss.
I can't believe the LD baloney is coming up
again. Above all this sport is what one makes of it. Period.
I am thrilled that LD is around since I find 50s uncomfortable to do
now. I am thrilled that my friends my age are still doing 50s and
multiple day rides. Go Bill and Earl. They always give me hugs
when they see me and their viewpoint is the same as mine. Get out and
ride and do what one can do. Riding keeps me sane. I may not be as
fast now but I can still varoom around trees, I can still wha-hoo on trails, I
can still mentor juniors, I can still eat ice cream in camp (I got that in
Truman). I have never ever felt like trail trash, I even have 50 milers
come over and trot my horse out for me, it just doesn't get any better than
that. Old timers young timers. What is the big deal? I did my
very first ride in 1970, a 100 which I didn't finish but I learned tons.
Guess what? 37 years later, I am still in ridecamp, I am still riding,
the most important fact of all, I am still riding. YA-HOOOOOO!!
Jeanie
