We would like to list the comments we received from you and our responses.  We feel that this way all the participants can have a chance to see what is being suggested and our level of commitment to making this event a success.  Perhaps one of these ideas will spur you to agree or disagree, we cannot "...please everyone all the time", but we'll do our best!  The first five were in suggestion boxes on the day of the run, others came via email.  Check back for updates as more arrive.

 1.  Commemorative patches for the coat. 
    If your coat has holes in it, buy a new coat!!  We will look into the cost; "annual" ride pins were another option we looked at, but what to do with "leftovers"?  Even "year bars" cost the same as a new pin, but it is a better possibility that a limited number of patches could be made with the option of ordering more after the run which could be mailed out.

 2.  Date of ride or "First Annual", Second Annual" etc., on the shirts.
    What?  Tryin' to remember where you were and when?  We have already discussed that.  Watch for new shirts next year!!

 3.  Muscle shirts (tank tops) for men.  This suggestion was submitted twice!! 
    Only if you promise to shave your armpits!  We had discussed that as well.  With more styles and options we would have to order fewer of each, but the ordering option should still be available.  We had already discussed different colors and long sleeves, sound okay?

 4.  Check your mileages.
    They make things that do that?  Will do, we rode it a couple times with a couple different folks, but that doesn't mean each part was checked!  We will try to be as accurate as possible.  Was there a particular part?

 5.  Directions in Large type, all capital letters and double spaced.
    C'mon now, reading glasses are cheap!!  We had type small for sake of a "single page", but there will be large type option available next year.

 6.  (copied and pasted from email) 

I've done this two years in a row and it's been a blast.  (suckin' up don't help)

My only small suggestion is that you begin the raffle prize drawing
promptly at the time it is scheduled.  If folks are busy hanging out at
the bars or saloons, that is their problem.  Don't force the other 90%
of the responsible riders who show up on time to wait for these folks.

The actual drawing itself went much smoother and faster this year with
the "runners" handing out the prizes.  Excellent job. (suckin' up don't help) Just start it on
time next year and it will be perfect. (suckin' up don't help)

Thanks for putting on a very fun event. (suckin' up don't help) (well, okay, it does!  look at length of answer)
     Thank you for a really nice email.  Your "criticism" is constructive in nature and you also let us know what areas we are doing correctly!  We held up the raffle a little more this year because of what appeared to be a lot of riders still out.  We have talked about going with a (maybe) start time of 9:30 to 11 start time, moving card tables (weather permitting) outside, two card tables at each point and a couple other things.  A few of the photos show long lines at check-in and waiting to get into checkpoints, most are smaller restaurants and bars, it's hard to find big buildings!  I think outdoor tables and/or double tables will help.  At check-in, we'll simply have more check in stations; this year there were four, next year we'll have six.  We still put the bulk of 293 registrations through the process in about 45 minutes.  Another option is to have defined opening and closing times for each checkpoint, but we want folks to be able to use a restroom and grab a bite on the road...  This has been one of the toughest obstacles we have faced.  The year we ran "two directions" alleviated the problem of "bottlenecking", but caused confusion on the part of some riders...

Please email Lee Duncan with comments, suggestions or to volunteer on committee or at next year's event.  Thanks again.