Here we are 4 weeks after Tevis 2008 was planned and life goes on. For those who were entered for 2008 the refund checks are in the mail and I venture to say that 2009 will have a waiting list early in the year. I say that because of so many who managed to get qualified by accumulating the 300 miles to quality for 2008 are foaming at the bit for 2009. Add to that list the newcomers that are motivated to get their first buckle and it will be a very interesting year. So I suggest that you acquire your 300 miles as soon as you can so you will not end up on the waiting list. Of course the rest of us should also enter early too.
Consequences of the cancellation;
Many of the entries that had Tevis 2008 so well planned are now moving on to more rides and Strategizing for Tevis 2009. This week-end is the Swanton 100 and it has been declared to be the last time this ride will be held. In addition the Bandit Springs ride held in Oregon had 70% increase in their riders of the 100 most likely because it was the same day as Tevis and they didn't have a forest fire problem. Likewise the Big Horn 100 in Wyoming had a increase of nearly 300% due to Tevis cancellation from 9 riders to 26 is a big difference.
Still the high price of gas has had a negative influence for sure on ride entries. Most rides I know of have fewer riders this year then in the past. However we see the prices dropping on fuel now so perhaps the rest of the year will see a recovery of the diminished level of riders. So saddle-up and ride! Really Ride!
Potato Richardson potato@jps.net
http://www.TevisPost.com
Today the smoke situation here in the Auburn area is as bad or maybe even worse then yesterday. The Western States 100 mile run was scheduled to be held this week-end and it has been cancelled for lots of reasons. Too much smoke and the possibility of more fires as well as the additional traffic that would result because of the run and the list list goers on and on. The weather predicted for this week-end is for even more challenging electrical storms. Next week in this same area the Gold Country 50 mile ride is scheduled. It too could very well be cancelled for the very same reasons. Although there are no fires near the trails for the Gold Country ride, the other situations are still in existence. So keep your eyes and ears close to the information source before you make any decisions to travel anywhere in California in the near future.
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Here it is July 21st, 2008 the first Monday after Tevis 2008 was planned. Talk about the Monday morning blues or the morning after. I am sure there are a few hundred riders who had made plenty of plans for this years Tevis that are still in recovery from the shock of the cancellation of the ride. I certainly include myself in that category. Sunday morning I drove around the west side of the lake towards Squaw Valley and the sky was clear and the weather was beautiful. You certainly could not tell that there was a wild fire still raging in the area of the Tevis trail. Here in Cool, California the air this morning is clear and in spite of the fact that there were dozens of lightening strike over the week-end in the area above Foresthill most of the fires resulting from the lightening were quickly extinguished and the biggest one that caused the cancellation of Tevis 2008 is nearly completely contained. The fire season is not over yet and Tevis 2008 will long be remembered as the year that nobody won! However there are plenty of other great rides still on the calendar so keep riding!
Potato
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It is hard to believe that is has been over a month already since I visited Sliger Mine Ranch on July 18th. The ride was cancelled, but we made the most of our trip from Ohio anyway. Was able to see much of Northern California - ok, I am envious that you all get to live in such a gorgeous place 24/7/365 - and now all I want to do is return next year. Potato's horses are worth seeing. I was especially impressed with Garcon, his stallion - the horse can MOVE. Looks like an awesome ride. And were I closer I would consider bringing Cammie home with me to ride here. She is a beautiful mare, carrying a foal that is sure to be an awesome endurance horse. Thanks for spending your time with my family for our visit. I plan on being there again in 2009 - FIRES, stay away! Renee
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