ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Killer Roc, Er, Castle Rock (long)

Re: Killer Roc, Er, Castle Rock (long)

garyfend@pacbell.net
Mon, 19 May 1997 15:35:08 -0800

Thanks, Nick, for the great report on Castle Rock. Thought I would add my
comments without repeating too much of the ride description.
I had signed up for the 70. As I was sweating all day Friday, the
thought of switching to the 50 was running through my head up until the
time to pick up my rider packet. Laura finally said that if Cinnabar was
going to do the tevis this year she darn well better be able to do 70
miles in a little heat. What could I say? (Other than "yes dear")
I showed up at the starting line at 5:30 to find out that the 70 was
cancelled. I wasn't TOO disappointed.
Laura, Cathy Campbell and I started out together until the first fire
road along the ridge where Cathy and Maraffa ditched us. Cinnabar was
torn between keeping up with her filly friend or staying back with her
brother, Whiz Kid. We wound up riding with wife and brother.
The first 33 miles were great. The only thing I missed from previous
years was the river crossing about a mile before the first vet check. It
wasn't 5 feet deep this year. :(
Got into lunch at 11:15 and asked the in timer if the 1 hour hold begins
with your in time or when the horse meets criteria. They told us that it
began with the in time so we began walking out horses back to camp.
Luckily, Diane Lutenour told us it began with the P&R so we went back to
the vet area and only lost about 15 minutes in the process.
I was concerned that Cinnabar might be tying up as her urine was getting
darker. She had peed about three times during the ride (its that time of
the month) and each time it looked worse. I told the Vet of my concern
but he could find nothing wrong and she felt stronger than ever. Maybe I
was just looking for an excuse to sit under a tree and drink beer for the
rest of the day.
Left lunch about 15 minutes late (as usual) and headed out with 11 miles
to go to the next vet check. Three and a half hours later, where's the
vet check? I think the mileage might have been off a bit. When we
finally arrived we were told that the original cut off was 4:15 but they
extended it to 4:30 and there were only about 30 riders ahead of us.
Cinnabar's pee was starting to clear up so we hurried back and did the
last 6 miles in about 35 minutes to finish with "plenty" of time.
Cinnabar had enough energy at the end to spook at the finish line with me
almost going over the handle bars and allowing Laura and Whiz to finish
ahead of me. We'll have to practice that one!

Gary (Oakland Hills manager's work horse)
Walnut Creek

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