ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] Los Vaqueros Ride

Re: [endurance] Los Vaqueros Ride

Stacy A Berger (Stacy_A_Berger@ccm.sc.intel.com)
Tue, 10 Oct 95 10:31:00 PDT

It's good to hear that everything went so well at the Los Vaqueros Ride.

Just some friendly feedback to Dom and any other potential ride manager.
Please don't take this as bad critisism, but just something to think
about.

I choose my rides based on the trails and terrain that they cover,
and the drive from where I live. (I am fortunate that there are many
local rides in Northern California). The prizes are a nice bonus - but
not part of my decision in choosing where to go. Because I can only
afford (time and money) to attend 4-5 rides a year I get kind of picky.

I chose not to attend this ride because I was warned by others that had
attended the ride in previous years that there were multiple loops (5) back
into camp. This is not fun for the horse or the rider. Mentally for the
horse it is a excruciating cruel situation.

I realize that it is easier for ride management logistics to have all the
checks in camp. I also recognize that there may not be enough miles for
a 50 mile trail in some parks. I just want to point out that most of the
rides in this area don't go into camp and leave 5 times. The low turn-out
(most rides in this area have 70-80 riders or more in a 50) may have
been a result of the trail chosen. Some riders may go if they are running
for year-end points etc. The mainstream endurance rider that only does
a few rides a year may choose another given the opportunity.

Dom - Please don't stop managing the ride - we need good ride managers
Sounds like you and Donna did an outstanding job!

Stacy Berger
Morgan Hill, CA