I hear a lot of talk about how getting lost (or staying found) is part of the game. Being a rider with M.S., getting lost could turn into a game of life and death for me. I take the course marking issues very seriously and agree that Bob and Gina are great hosts, something has to change.

Bob, Gina, Guy, et al., thanks again for such a great race!

Also was upset to hear that the course markings were repeatedly getting vandalized up until the 11th hour...what an odd, common theme for endurance racing in Montana. Apologies to those who took the brunt of this misguidedness.

For next year you are welcome to my gpx file for purposes of mapping, keeping people on course, etc... Seems like this race is really taking off, and likely bigger next year, there's gotta be some ideas for keeping people on track without relying 100% on markings. Giving people the course electronically so they can follow their gps might be part of that?

Also, to anyone who might have borrowed a set of knee warmers and/or a XL rainjacket (black, WL Gore) out of the box at Aid Station 2, no worries about borrowing it, would you mind getting it back to Bob? Thanks in advance!
mike b.

i can't believe there were people getting lost last year too, and still the problem was not solved....wow. i am curious to see the results and see how many DNFs there were in the 50 as a percentage of previous year
i don't know what the staffing structure was for this race, but i would suggest one person gets each of the job of
Course Chief. in charge of everything course related: clearing, scouting, the map, directions, and COURSE MARKINGS. THey don't get any other job than that, and they would need a good number of guys on dirtbikes/quads to help with pre race marking and race day marshalling.

i posted earlier about this but i still believe a huge problem was not having ANY DISTANCES correlated with the directions and the poor quality of the race directions.

I got lost on the 50 with the first group. However, after awhile, you could just follow the trail of trash that several assholes were kind enough to leave all over the ground. There were plenty of Gu packets, plastic water bottles and honey stinger wrappers all over the trail. I felt like Hansel wandering through the forest. We always wonder why hikers hate us so much-it's stupid ass shit like this that pisses them off and closes off trails. Tom Rau

After a goodnights sleep (my first in 4 days) and reading what arguments that are out there, I do apologize for critizing your complaints.. they are legitimate...and I will sleep before writing next time.
Nick from salt lake

This was my second year riding the race, so I had an advantage and did not get lost. However, I did get lost last year and I remember my frustration at the poor markings and lack of course marshaling; and I empathize with the riders who trained hard for this race, drove long distances, and then got lost, especially that large group of 50-mile riders. I don't think it's fair for others to scold those who are complaining; every rider has the right to express his/her opinion, even if it is negative. Last year I got lost, and I was pissed. A course marshal had left his post and there was no marking. I think Triple Ring has a long way to go before this race is at the caliber of many other endurance races, and if they want to get there, they need to know what riders think.

Last year the excuse used for lost riders was that ATV riders had pulled down markers. How, honestly, does anyone know this? Were they seen taking the tape down? If it happened last year, race organizers should have had an alternate solution this year, such as more course marshals or chalk or better mileage maps for people to use. I have done numerous 100 milers, and I disagree with those writing in that getting lost is part of the game. Not true. Riders getting lost should be an anomaly. When you are delirious after riding 70 miles, you shouldn't have to worry about missing one small piece of tape in the middle of nowhere. I have never been to another race where so many riders have gotten lost. This is two years in a row, and this year was worse than last. Obviously there is a problem, and no matter how much we all like Bob and Gina (because they are super nice, good people), it's not going to help to simply say, Hey great job, getting lost is just part of it.

My suggestions are as follows: 1) Get a web site professional to help you better organize and edit; as it is now, finding information is haphazard and not intuitive, and much of the writing is confusing. 2) Find another solution for course marking, such as more course marshals, chalk, mileage maps, or all of the above. Another person wrote to suggest networking with local ATV groups--great idea.

However you do it, you've got to change something, because this many people getting lost is not acceptable, and the race is going to suffer as a result. It's important to thank the organizers and the many volunteers, but also to be open to feedback so that the race will be better in the long run. Hopefully this forum will help Triple Ring continue to improve the race and bring in riders from all over the country. Best wishes.