Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Last weekend I hauled out to Wisconsin
to the Endless Valley ride.  The people, ride management, trail, trail
markings were all first class.  Peggy Brush, Roberta Harms, and Linda
Jacobson really worked hard for everyone to have a nice weekend.  The
weather for July in the midwest was also uncharacteristically nice. So
here's the thing.  I had a really nice weekend, and my own ride just
sucked.  1 bad step, one big ditch, ride over!  The vets (Dr
Tracy P-something, and Dr Gamm) cleaned him up and put in a couple stitches
while Peggy Brush kept my spirits up that we might be able to get back
out, but it was not to be.  I think she felt worse than I did &
it was only my 2nd pull.  So 550 miles away from home whats a guy
to do?  Grab a clipboard and scribe for the vets, help the others
try to get thru by offering my hay, water, and shade, catch a loose horse
galloping down the trail, clinch a few shoes, put on an easy boot, bundle
up and cheer the lone remaining 100 miler into camp at 2 am. and enjoy
the experience.  I've never had that "competitive" game
face since I came to distance riding from human endurance sports but the
weekend really reinforced having a good time regardless of the ride outcome.
  I uncharacterisitcally wore a helmet and spared ride management
from hauling my shattered brain pan to the hospital.  Thanks to all
the recent nagging I listened to the voices in my head before jumping on
my horse.  More and more I get fed up with the "me" junk
on ride camp & at rides since I usually am part of ride management
at 2 rides/year.  Heck I paid more to do that ride than most if not
anyone.  Did I blister the ride management with accusations of dangerous
trail or blame them.  Heck no.  My number was up that day but
I didn't have to let it ruin my day, and more importantly ruin others...........not
only is their no "I" in team, there no "I" in endurance!