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mtnbikej

I found this ont he Warrior's Society website. Thought it was appropriate:

"Please remember one thing; the Vision Quest would not be the Vision Quest if it was easy; if you expect perfect conditions you should not have entered this event. We can guarantee you food and water, but we cannot guarantee that nature and fate will have mercy on you and allow you to finish.

This advice should be heeded by participants in the Counting Coup too; a Vision Quest is not about the distance, it is about the experience and your skill. For those just testing the waters of endurance you may find the Counting Coup Event to be your Vision Quest; if that is indeed the case you have our deep respect.

Your only salvation is that you are prepared both physically, mentally and spiritually to confront the course, and by default nature herself, on their terms.

It is our hope that in the Vision Quest and Counting Coup the journey you experience is a Vision Quest; and no journey begins without the courage of taking that first step…"

Looks like the mother nature is going to co-operate again this year. No rain forcast all week and highs in the mid 70's....lows in the high 40'/low 50's. Most all the wet from this weekend should be dried up.

bighit8

I have a vision for next year!

sdyeti

We should all take the VQ/CC seriously (i.e. not for noobs and the generally under- or un-prepared) but after reading this I feel like I should be writing my will...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Your only salvation is that you are prepared both physically, mentally and spiritually to confront the course, and by default nature herself, on their terms.

Jordansrealm

I think more people need to stop being super serious and try to picture it as a long day on the bike with friends and nature. You already know you are going to work your ass off, drink plenty of fluids, eat, rest when you can, etc... No need to put extra "race" type stress on yourself. There is no first or last place here its about being on the bike and putting out your best effort. You have plenty of help out there in case you cant finish and even if you dont make the cut offs you know what, you are still out riding your bike as hard as you can and you know thats better than any day behind a desk.

Everyone have a GOOD TIME saturday!

sdyeti

We did several very hard, 40+ mile training rides with at least 9000ft of climbing. I'm as ready as I'm gonna be and I'm not stressing at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

I think more people need to stop being super serious and try to picture it as a long day on the bike with friends and nature. You already know you are going to work your ass off, drink plenty of fluids, eat, rest when you can, etc... No need to put extra "race" type stress on yourself. There is no first or last place here its about being on the bike and putting out your best effort. You have plenty of help out there in case you cant finish and even if you dont make the cut offs you know what, you are still out riding your bike as hard as you can and you know thats better than any day behind a desk.

Everyone have a GOOD TIME saturday!

un-kola

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdyeti

We should all take the VQ/CC seriously (i.e. not for noobs and the generally under- or un-prepared) but after reading this I feel like I should be writing my will...

I think you'll do well.

Good luck to you,the Manns and everybody else who's doing this ride.

My wife and I will be in San Luis Obispo,Morro Bay and Cambria all this week so I will not be able to come out to watch,but when we get back,I can't wait to read the R.Rs.Should provide a few days good reading!Again Good Luck to everybody.

- Lloyd

sdyeti

Let me re-state:

I meant that with sarcasm...I think that the author was being a little bit melodramatic when he/she wrote it (with all due respect).

Quote:

Originally Posted by un-kola

I think you'll do well.

Good luck to you,the Manns and everybody else who's doing this ride.

My wife and I will be in San Luis Obispo,Morro Bay and Cambria all this week so I will not be able to come out to watch,but when we get back,I can't wait to read the R.Rs.Should provide a few days good reading!Again Good Luck to everybody.

- Lloyd

Waldo

I am totally under-prepared, physically and mentally.
Thanks for the reminder about preparing a will.

mtnbikej

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Let me re-state:

I meant that with sarcasm...I think that the author was being a little bit melodramatic when he/she wrote it (with all due respect).

I would not be so sure. I have done the VQ twice, and worked 2 of them....this will be the 3rd time I have worked the event. When you see the riders come through the finish line, looking like they just went through hell, it is not so melodramatic. I am not talking about the guys that can do VQ in 5-7 hrs or CC in 4-6 hours. I am talking about the riders that take up to 10 hrs for VQ and 7-9 hrs for CC.

Rivet

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdyeti

We should all take the VQ/CC seriously (i.e. not for noobs and the generally under- or un-prepared) but after reading this I feel like I should be writing my will...

The key is to just keep pedaling/moving. I know it sounds obvious, but the more you stop the more it gets progressively harder to get going again and stay motivated.

OMR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo

I am totally under-prepared, physically and mentally.
Thanks for the reminder about preparing a will.

I'm sweeping....where do you want the body sent???

sdyeti

Yep, I totally feel you. I'm in no way thinking that I will feel good coming through the finish line. I have experienced much, much pain on our training rides. I expect to need the full amount of time. I'm sure there will be many like me, too.

It's just that the prose the passage was written in was a little heavy, so to say..."salvation, mercy", etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

I would not be so sure. I have done the VQ twice, and worked 2 of them....this will be the 3rd time I have worked the event. When you see the riders come through the finish line, looking like they just went through hell, it is not so melodramatic. I am not talking about the guys that can to VQ in 5-7 hrs or CC in 4-6 hours. I am talking about the riders that take up to 10 hrs for VQ and 7-9 hrs for CC.

ThinkFast

Here is a link that gives one persons perspective on the VQ. The 3rd paragraph reads:

What makes the event even more difficult are cut-off times that force the rider to go faster than normal. There are strict cut-off times at different points on the course with a finish line cut-off of 11 hours, just before sunset. The June 1999 Competitor Magazine rated the Vision Quest "off the charts" in an article on the 10 toughest athletic events in California. Ouch.

http://www.ocmetro.com/archives/ocme...rts022003.html

Good luck everyone. Don't forget the Advil

sdyeti

I've experienced that too, and I know better from having gone through it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivet

The key is to just keep pedaling/moving. I know it sounds obvious, but the more you stop the more it gets progressively harder to get going again and stay motivated.

mtnbikej

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinkFast

Here is a link that gives one persons perspective on the VQ. The 3rd paragraph reads:

What makes the event even more difficult are cut-off times that force the rider to go faster than normal. There are strict cut-off times at different points on the course with a finish line cut-off of 11 hours, just before sunset. The June 1999 Competitor Magazine rated the Vision Quest "off the charts" in an article on the 10 toughest athletic events in California. Ouch.

http://www.ocmetro.com/archives/ocme...rts022003.html

Good luck everyone. Don't forget the Advil

And that was before we added upper Holy Jim and the 4.5 miles of crappy fire road to the finish.

KeepsWhatHappens

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinkFast

Here is a link that gives one persons perspective on the VQ. The 3rd paragraph reads:

What makes the event even more difficult are cut-off times that force the rider to go faster than normal. There are strict cut-off times at different points on the course with a finish line cut-off of 11 hours, just before sunset. The June 1999 Competitor Magazine rated the Vision Quest "off the charts" in an article on the 10 toughest athletic events in California. Ouch.

http://www.ocmetro.com/archives/ocme...rts022003.html

Good luck everyone. Don't forget the Advil

I can't remmeber who stated it this way but it sounds true...The VQ is like running the New York City Marathon with your bike and then carrying it up the entire Empire State Building on your back and then riding down.

More power to you all and I'll see you at the finish line with my camera ready to document your achievement.

bighit8

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

I would not be so sure. I have done the VQ twice, and worked 2 of them....this will be the 3rd time I have worked the event. When you see the riders come through the finish line, looking like they just went through hell, it is not so melodramatic. I am not talking about the guys that can to VQ in 5-7 hrs or CC in 4-6 hours. I am talking about the riders that take up to 10 hrs for VQ and 7-9 hrs for CC.

Damn you.Now I have changed my mind. No for real I will accomplish at the very l


mtnbikej Warrior Society Member	For the VQ/CC Riders......... I found this ont he Warrior's Society website. Thought it was appropriate: "Please remember one thing; the Vision Quest would not be the Vision Quest if it was easy; if you expect perfect conditions you should not have entered this event. We can guarantee you food and water, but we cannot guarantee that nature and fate will have mercy on you and allow you to finish. This advice should be heeded by participants in the Counting Coup too; a Vision Quest is not about the distance, it is about the experience and your skill. For those just testing the waters of endurance you may find the Counting Coup Event to be your Vision Quest; if that is indeed the case you have our deep respect. Your only salvation is that you are prepared both physically, mentally and spiritually to confront the course, and by default nature herself, on their terms. It is our hope that in the Vision Quest and Counting Coup the journey you experience is a Vision Quest; and no journey begins without the courage of taking that first step…" Looks like the mother nature is going to co-operate again this year. No rain forcast all week and highs in the mid 70's....lows in the high 40'/low 50's. Most all the wet from this weekend should be dried up. __________________ http://www.switchbackcyclery.com http://warriorssociety.org


bighit8 STR Veteran	I have a vision for next year! __________________ DINO BROWN:I am a BIG fan of the G-Spot! You can quote me on that! ELSHIVA:Hey, what can a girl say? Trust me, that much vibration was NOT enjoyable......


Jordansrealm Im lost	I think more people need to stop being super serious and try to picture it as a long day on the bike with friends and nature. You already know you are going to work your ass off, drink plenty of fluids, eat, rest when you can, etc... No need to put extra "race" type stress on yourself. There is no first or last place here its about being on the bike and putting out your best effort. You have plenty of help out there in case you cant finish and even if you dont make the cut offs you know what, you are still out riding your bike as hard as you can and you know thats better than any day behind a desk. Everyone have a GOOD TIME saturday! __________________ "Gene, let me hold on to your nuts for you" - CC "You think you're smart cuz you know words" - Benchwarmers


Waldo Lebowski Urban Achiever	I am totally under-prepared, physically and mentally. Thanks for the reminder about preparing a will. __________________ Just because the bike can do it doesn't mean the rider can!


ThinkFast STR Veteran	Here is a link that gives one persons perspective on the VQ. The 3rd paragraph reads: What makes the event even more difficult are cut-off times that force the rider to go faster than normal. There are strict cut-off times at different points on the course with a finish line cut-off of 11 hours, just before sunset. The June 1999 Competitor Magazine rated the Vision Quest "off the charts" in an article on the 10 toughest athletic events in California. Ouch. http://www.ocmetro.com/archives/ocme...rts022003.html Good luck everyone. Don't forget the Advil __________________ "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". - African Proverb

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