ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] tough trail warning
[endurance] tough trail warning
MS LOUISE D BURTON (XXDU78A@prodigy.com)
Thu, 6 Jun 1996 12:52:07, -0500
Tough trails.....
Yes, you are right. You will lose riders. It happened here in Oklahoma
about 8 years ago. We had about 10 endurance rides a year here. The main
trail marker wanted to make the trail "a challenge". It was brushwacking
(but well-marked!). Where you could have gone the easy way, he made us go
the harder way. What happened? No one came anymore. Lameness pulls were
over 30% of the starting riders. We got down to about five 50 mile riders
per ride. The sponsors pulled out because of the terrific monetary loss.
Hence the birth of the Cougar Prowl, when there was not a single ride in
Oklahoma anymore. Cougar Prowl is the easiest, most fun ride! What
happened? 96 riders! 5 rides back in Oklahoma! All the ride managers in
the Central Region cut branches, move deadfall, even the trail...they
really work to have a GOOD TRAIL. It works to the benefit of all, esp our
four legged friends!
Louise Burton