My actual “moving” average speed on the Tevis was 6.07 mph. During the 24 hours of the Tevis Cup there were 2 one-hour holds (vet checks), and eight vet checks total. The majority of the vet checks do not have hold times so you have to ride so that you have time to allow for the time spent in those checks.
My ride numbers: 5:15 start, 3:33 finish. That left me with 1:42 time remaining. Which works out to a 22:18 total elapsed time. If I subtract 2 hours for hold times that leaves me with = 20.18 total ride time. My overall average time for 100 miles, less mandatory hold times = 4.94 mph.
If I figure that I spent 16:24 hours actually moving and subtract the difference – I spent 3:54 doing stuff other than moving down the trail or in the two one hour vet holds. It’s interesting when you look at it like that. I was always out on time, the horse was always down the first time he was checked and we did that as fast as was possible at every check.
That probably explains why Bo had some of the best gut sounds on the ride, and CRI’s that dropped 4 beats each time (at RF and FH). I knew I would spend at least two additional hours getting through the other no-hold vet checks but the reality is that I need to count on it being double that if I really want to get an accurate number on what my real moving average needs to be. Which I already knew/know what it is for both horses. Not moving includes time spent drinking, letting the horse eat, sponging…basically stopping for any reason.
This is why the GPS is more valuable to me than a watch. Because it is figuring out what is really going on based on actual distance on rides. You simply cannot calculate your speed average on most rides as none of them are alike. I also know that the time spent doing stuff like drinking and cooling off before climbing up Devil’s Thumb eats into the ride time. However, by keeping the horse moving at an overall average moving speed of 6 mph, I now know I have time to take care of my horse. I knew throughout the ride that I could be going faster but felt more comfortable using the time I had to take care of Bo. I think it paid off, he came home looking really great!
Congratulations, Karen, you rode a great ride with a great result! Give Bo an extra hug and kiss from me, ok?
Karen,
Do you have your times it took you between VC’s ? Like 1 1/2 hours from Robie to High Camp/ 1 hr from HC to Cougar Rock , etc; I am just curious.
Drin
Hi Drin – look at a previous blog post and it shows my progress at each check with times throughout the entire ride. The only thing to keep in mind is that includes time spent vetting, sponging, eating, etc.
Hi Carla – Thank you! I’m so sorry it wasn’t your day. Will you try again?
I agree it’s very interesting. I wish the WSTF would give us electronic versions of the times each rider went into checks instead of it on paper so I could look for interesting trends better. I did a lot of analysis on my 2009 times and it really helped my 2010 ride. I was veyr very pleased with my ride time up to Robinson, but did the section from robinson to Foresthill to fast, so I specifically slowed down in 2010 by – not trotting the wide, loose rock roads, spending more time at Devil’s thumb cooling off (especially because I was the only one there!), hand wlaking to deadwood, aking more time at michigan bluff, and tkaing it easy between michigan bluff and chicken hawk. I don’t think I could have asked for a better paced ride. Farley continued to pulse down immediately at each check, had great CRI’s throughout the ride, her scores improved throughout the day, didn’t look gaunt after the ride.
Sorry for hijacking your blog! LOL. It’s just so hard to let go of that first tevis completion….Did I tell you that my crew pitched in and bought me my buckle for my completion??????
oK really – I need to stop talking about Farley. LOL.
congrats to you and Bo. It was great seeing you on the trail. Are you done for a while or will you try again next year?????
Hey Mel – sounds like you did your homework! It’s great that you made it this time around, congratulations! I didn’t make it my first time either, but have the last three times in a row. Next year I’ll be on the long XP ride so will miss Tevis alltogether. I’m sure I’ll be back after that either to volunteer or to ride. I like doing both and am not entirely sure which is harder! I think riding is more fun!!
very happy dance that you done did it and a happy horse to boot
yay
happy trails
gp
Congratulations to you and Bo. Your posts, photos and videos are awesome as expected! I look forward to more Tevis tidbits about tack, boots or whatever you can share.
Thanks so much!
Diane
Yes, “tevis tidbits” sounds great….