Mike Ripley

Hello,

I would like to make a statement on Bear Springs

1. Yes by all accounts not very much snow that I had a report of the monday
before the event was less than 2 ft
2. Too much running....yes, not something anyone wants
3. If Petr could move the race later he would but do to mortorcycles and
other events, he is kinda trapped
4. Calling off the race is the Race Directors decision, and I realize that
it was safe to drive there and Petr worked his ass off to get the event to
that level, hoping it would warm up (just guessing) and shrinking the
course......maybe he could of made the course even smaller, like spring Thaw
in 2008...
5. Holding the event or not holding the event....tough decision.....I know
personally...and for 2010 unless it is nice weather, he will most likely not
have a great turnout after this year unless the snow pack is small from all
of your responses. I was celebrating my daughters B-day....good excuse for
not being there.

All and all, its not desirable to run that much. I have been friends with
Petr for 20 years and and will review what took place and create a set of
weather guidelines to have as guidelines, such as less than 3 inches of
snow, ect, how much of a % of the course is running, like less than 10%.
Bear Springs is responsible to you the racer as far as an accounting of what
to expect for race day conditions and how it will effect the future turnout
of the event, year to year.

put it down to Xterra Training.......

Thanks........Mike Ripley
OBRA MTB rep