ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: 25 Mile Rides

Re: 25 Mile Rides

Linda Cowles @ PCB x5624 (linda_cowles@MENTORG.COM)
Tue, 11 Jul 95 11:21:52 -0700

On Jul 10, 4:43pm, Niccolai Murphy wrote:
> Subject: 25 Mile Rides

> You stagger the start (one rider off per minute or two say) then you have
> stage checks at unannounced points along the course. Points are given to the
> rider who manages to hit each point closest to a reasonable average speed.

snip

> In this case you can even have several classes slow, medium and fast say
which
> aim for different times but only the minimum error of all the classes wins
the
> "1st" place for the whole event. That way speed counts for nothing, skill
> is everthing.

This is similar to the way that NATRC competitive trail rides are run,
and it works well, but it's more data to manage. It's been said that people
who start out riding NATRC have excellent Tevis completion rates due to
their focus on pacing and vet scores. NATRC riders wear two watches; one
set to real time, the other set at the start to gauge arrival and departure
at checkpoints. I keep saying that I want to do a NATRC ride, but don't for
a variety of reasons.

Some folks want the LD ride to be an uncomplicated ride, the fewer rules,
the better. Riding a good 50+ mile ride is deceptively complicated though,
and I don't get the feeling that most limited distance rides are organized
specifically to prepare green horse and rider teams for longer distance,
particularly if they don't strongly encourage people to develop a long
distance mindset. They are an opportunity to learn. Should they be more?
They have helped me personally, but only because I made an effort.

If AERC is about long distance, the AERC limited distance rides *could*
be more effective at preparing riders for the next step. I've heard that
the IAHA rides are a good in-between for people who don't want to do NATRC
but want more feedback than AERC limited distance rides.

Out of curiosity, are there other people interested in getting comparitive
feedback from limited distance rides? Would limited distance ranking or
awarding combined-results scores be a management/vet nightmare, or would it
make it easier on managers/vets by changing the mental game involved in
riding distance?

One way or the other I like Truman and Mikes low pulse rate. 56 bpm would
get my vote.

Linda Cowles
Gilroy, California