Good morning riders
We trust you are looking forward to tomorrow’s big day.
This is the 2nd important update, if you haven’t already, please read the first on the website here:
http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=377
We are in for hot weather – 88F and with an elevation of between 7,000 and 9,000 ft for this event we ask that you look after yourselves and your horses throughout the day with hydration and sunscreen protection.
As this is our inaugural event and first time ride directing an event with HORSES we respectively ask for your patience as we manage this. We have tried to consider every eventuality but as a first time, that’s more difficult!
VOLUNTEERS
Please give a broad smile of thanks to our 40+ volunteer team for this event – all helping out for the first time too. Without them it wouldn’t be possible to stage an event such as this. Dr Dwight Hooten, Dr Jim Baldwin and Dr Greggory Bell (Greg is from Centennial Equine in Pagosa Springs) are our accomplished VET team, and the San Juan Back Country Horsemen and Parelli Natural Horsemanship have both assisted with the majority of volunteers.
AERC ONE DAY LICENSES
Further to this – we apologize for the late notice of the fee for AERC one day licenses of $15.00 for those of you who don’t have annual memberships with the AERC.
BROWN BAG LUNCHES FOR VOLUNTEERS & RIDERS
Please collect this at the Ride Camp. Unfortunately this doesn’t extend to Crew and Spectators but it is a15-20 minute drive to most shops and restaurants in down town Pagosa Springs for them.
DIRECTIONS TO VET CHECKS
VET CHECK #1 “Ride Camp” - Dr Dwight Hooten
(75 milers through and the finish line)
The Ride Camp (start/finish line and parking) is located at
a gravel pit in National Forest approximately 8 miles east of Hwy 84, along
county road 302 (Mill Creek Road). Follow the Google maps link below. There
will be sign-posts for the ride along the road. Head east on Mill Creek
Rd. Continue onto Fr 662 for 3.0 mi. Continue onto Fr 665. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.2662033,-106.9920263/37.2700233,-106.8816228/@37.2683378,-106.9348201,13z This will be the communications hub.
VET CHECK #2 “Blue Lake”- Dr Jim Baldwin
15 mile and 30 mile (50 & 75 milers through here)
From the junction of HWY84 and HWY160 travel south on HWY 84
for 8.1 miles. Turn left onto Blanco Basin Road (CR 326). Travel 2.3 miles and
then take a right onto Blue Creek Road (USFS 12). Travel 0.7 miles, then keep
left at the fork for another 1.9 miles to the vet check. This route is
preferable for high clearance vehicles.
VET CHECK #3 “Fawn
Gulch” – Dr Greggory Bell
13 miles/64 miles (25 and 75 milers through here)
From the junction of HWY 160 and HWY 84, travel east 3.4
miles to Fawn Gulch Road (Country Road 113). Travel 1.4 miles to reach the vet
check on the right-hand-side.
TRAILER FOR DROP BAGS
There will be two trailers for drop bags going to the two vet checks. They will be at the Ride Camp tonight to pack in and early Saturday morning. Clearly mark your items with your name and when you arrive at the vet check you will see the trailer there with everything.
UPDATE: RES HILL GRILL
Unfortunately Res Hill Grill will not be open this weekend as previously noted. Downtown you will find many lovely shops and restaurants. http://pagosaspringsdining.com/ will give you a list of the best. The Pagosa Baking Company and Kips Grill & Cantina are two close to the Ride Camp, and support GECKO regularly.
We update our Facebook daily with event information, event photos, latest news etc – so definitely find us on Facebook here <https://www.facebook.com/pages/GECKO/324829909101> and get your updates first!
REMINDER: BRIEFINGS
There will be a mandatory rider briefing (race director on course and head Vet on horse safety and vet checks) for the 50-mile and 75-mile at 7pm tonight, Friday June 19th at Ride Camp. 25 milers are welcome to attend and all questions will be answered for all the distances but the mandatory ride briefing for 25 mile is at 750am on Saturday.
GECKO Ride Director – Mike Le Roux (970 398 0613)
GECKO Base Camp Communications – Kirsten Le Roux (970 398 0612)
Cheers,
Mike Le Roux
Ride Director
970-398-0612