My son Mitch had some questions about restart format events, and how it would relate to the upcoming FES event in Harrison. I am not that familiar with restart format events, and really was not able to answer his question. Hopefully one of you guys can help Mitch out.
Mitch’s questions were to the effect of: “is there really any meaning to the 12 mph average for the first loop?” and “if lots of the older , faster riders can all do 12 or faster, they all zero the first loop – with no advantage to being faster than 12, right?” followed with “sounds like only the second loop will end up really mattering?”.
I was not sure I could give him any correct answers, so I actually called one of the contact numbers on the flyer and spoke to Jamie Lipovski’s wife. She verified that it was indeed laid out such the little guys can ride it. (it sounds like they basically use their new rider 7 year old as their yardstick of how reasonable the trail is). If this is the case, I cant imagine it being much, if anything, of a challenge for a decent , older rider to average 12mph or better in.
If that is the case, as this is a restart format, there is no penalty for arriving early at a checkpoint. So it seems the end result is many of the older/better skilled kids will simply zero the first loop, and basically all the real test for them is in the second, 18 mph loop.
Or am I missing something here? With the restart format, can there be tie breaker checks? It seems that might be the only way for taking points from the older kids on the first loop. The only other option (which is what I assume we will see on Sunday), is to have sections difficult enough riders simply can not maintain the posted average…but that seems contrary to making it rideable for the really little kids.
Please help me enlighten Mitch!
Mitch’s questions were to the effect of: “is there really any meaning to the 12 mph average for the first loop?” and “if lots of the older , faster riders can all do 12 or faster, they all zero the first loop – with no advantage to being faster than 12, right?” followed with “sounds like only the second loop will end up really mattering?”.
I was not sure I could give him any correct answers, so I actually called one of the contact numbers on the flyer and spoke to Jamie Lipovski’s wife. She verified that it was indeed laid out such the little guys can ride it. (it sounds like they basically use their new rider 7 year old as their yardstick of how reasonable the trail is). If this is the case, I cant imagine it being much, if anything, of a challenge for a decent , older rider to average 12mph or better in.
If that is the case, as this is a restart format, there is no penalty for arriving early at a checkpoint. So it seems the end result is many of the older/better skilled kids will simply zero the first loop, and basically all the real test for them is in the second, 18 mph loop.
Or am I missing something here? With the restart format, can there be tie breaker checks? It seems that might be the only way for taking points from the older kids on the first loop. The only other option (which is what I assume we will see on Sunday), is to have sections difficult enough riders simply can not maintain the posted average…but that seems contrary to making it rideable for the really little kids.
Please help me enlighten Mitch!