I have a couple of questions for all of you about awards. Answer any or all, as you please - but please do answer!
1. Do awards make a difference as to whether you'd go to a ride or not? If so, what's the minimum type of award that makes the difference?
Not at all, the ride's the prize (though we all love awards:) It would not be "why" I attend. The trail and the people managing and the vets have the most impact for me.
2. Rides used to give out buckles for awards, but don't any more. Is it because they're too expensive and add a cost to the ride that riders won't bear? Or is it because riders don't care about buckles?
I love my buckles and have a really neat buckle hanger I use for display. My favorites are my seven BH 100 buckles, of course :) One of my goals in life is to get that 10th one.
3. What about T-shirts? Jackets?
Always wonderful...as several have said, sizing is tough. Would love to get more long sleeved t-shirts. Jackets for multidays rides are very meaningful.
4. What's the best completion or other award you've ever gotten? And would you want to always be able to get an award like that?
Top Ten blankets for the BH 100, my XP Jackets from 01 and 04. BTW, the awards at Longstreet's Charge this year were amazing. I was impressed.
5. What's the lousiest completion award you've ever gotten? And if you feel it was lousy, why?
A cheap pocket knife with "Qualifier 100" and the date scratched on it by hand :) However, it is now a prized possession for its very horribleness :)
6. What's your recommendation for a perfect completion award?
Blankets and rump rugs with date and ride logo are great and all the ones I talked about above. I love wine glasses and coffee mugs!