TevisCup.orgPosted Tuesday, May 16, 2017 2:05pm
WSTF PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It is now middle of May and I was told that it might snow in the Sierra next week. This is the winter that will not end. I also saw on the forecast that it will be in the 90s next weekend. This is why the Ride Director and Committee are planning for all contingencies based on trail availability.
As I have stated previously, there is a strong possibility that the Tevis will start in Soda Springs in 2017. However, there is still a possibility that the Tevis could start at the traditional start at Robie Equestrian Park. We are also not sure if we can cross the American River. What I do know is that The Ride Director is planning ahead. There was a conference call last week with all the groups necessary to start in Soda Springs so that planning is well underway. The trail to avoid the crossing the American River has been scouted and mapped and we are working on finalizing that contingency.
Parts of the Tevis Cup Ride in 2017 may not be on the traditional trail but Lyon Ridge, Cougar Rock, Robinson Flat, Swinging Bridge, Michigan Bluff, Foresthill, and Franciscos will all be part of the 2017 ride. The start may be different, eliminating Watsons Monument and Granite Chief, and the eight miles after Franciscos could be different eliminating No Hands Bridge. The riders will still experience the canyons and at least 70 miles of the traditional trail.
My point in this message is that if an alternate trail is used in 2017, it will still be to the standards of the traditional ride. The challenge of the ride will be equal to traditional Tevis, and much of the traditional trail will be used. Years from now, riders who rode the Tevis in 2017 will get to say, I rode Tevis the year that it started in Soda Springs and didn't cross the American River. It will be memorable. I enjoy the stories told by the riders who rode the Tevis in 1983 which was the only other time Tevis started in Soda Springs. They tell of crossing snow banks on Lyon Ridge and that the snow reached the eves of the restrooms in Robinson Flat. The trail for the 1983 ride was changed two weeks before the start because they expected to start in Squaw Valley. Late snows after a heavy winter made crossing the Sierra impossible and a different course was laid out at the last minute. The 2017 Ride Committee is planning for alternatives months ahead of race day.
I can't tell you today what trail is going to be used for the Tevis in 2017, but I will tell you that it will be a memorable ride because it will be different.
Tony Benedetti
No comments:
Post a Comment