Big Horn 100 2012 75 mile completion

Had my second crack at the Big Horn 100 this week-end and once again ran into a glitch which prevented me from riding the 100 mile loop gallantly into base camp in the wee hours of the morning. Instead, due to circumstance and kind managerial decision, i was awarded a completion for 75 miles of some of the toughest endurance trail in the country. Yours truly and five other riders got off trail between Antelope Butte and Battle creek doing 31 instead of 16 miles. We missed a ribbon and follow the ribbons for the LD's 15 mile loop. By the time we got to the Battle Creek Vet Check, it was sort of late, our horses were tired and we were cautioned to go no further. It wasn't that the trail was badly marked: it was actually very well marked thanks to Tim French and all the other trail marker extraordinaires. Thanks Lyle, Kathy, Cindy, Tom and anyone else who worked hard at this. What a task!
Kipling rocked! His pulse wouldn't come down for a while at Battle Creek, but he was eating like a madman and drinking like a fish. It came down in about 40 minutes. Management put criteria at one hour although Irene Weiss (Vet) and i thought it was 30 minutes so we both assumed i was pulled. You can imagine my surprise when i was awarded a 75 mile completion at the breakfast presentation the next morning. All's well that ends well.
It doesn't seemed to matter what happens on this ride, good or bad, the friendliness, warmth and helpfulness of everyone makes up for all those trials and frustrations. This is an extremely difficult ride to put on and the Tolman's ,Van Gelders  Vets and volunteers bend over backwards to help you get through it AND manage to stay cheerful in the process! I guess that's why I'll can't wait to give it a go again next year! Third time's a charm so they say! R
Photo by Ross Tolman. Click on image to enlarge