@Phil- I would agree fully that sending a package can create stress...which is why sending to a business that is open 24 hours a day would eliminate that.  Again, my reason would strictly be for dietary/nutrition concerns.  Many small convenience stores and even grocery stores do not have much in the way of carbs that don't contain wheat. 

So is Matthew Lee still the man as far as making this race happen?  Decision making on reroutes, etc..?

Thanks for the response Big Poppa.

Here's an email response from Three Bears Motel in Lincoln, MT.


Yes I accept and will hold packages. There is no minimum stay requirement and there is availability around those dates. When it gets closer just let me know. Thank you for inquiring.
 
Sincerely,
Louanne Minear
Three Bears Motel

Mind you I'm not arguing with you Big Poppa, but still the rule in question- but here's a way of looking at it and I'll refer to some of your answer.

The race is self supported, but anyone that is doing it knows where the route leads.  A little research starting with the maps from ACA and then google and anyone can be 'in the know' as they need to be to get by.  I fully agree with the rule that there should be no private 'outside assistance', i.e. friends/family along the way, meeting up with someone in a support vehicle, etc...

As far as the overtaxing goes with the number of cyclists: Again, I need to point to the AT.  From March 1st to the end of April anywhere from 10 to 50 people start hiking the Appalachian Trail EVERYDAY with the intent of going the whole way.  Not to mention many others who are out for the weekend or a section hike.  Yes, these businesses are 'taxed' but they are also happy to have the business.  And if they don't like it, they stop doing it.  Which is fine and their choice. Back to 'over taxing' or abuse, IF 50 TD racers all sent packages to a small PO along the way that would clearly 'over tax' that PO which would not be used to the high volume.  And probably isn't even opened every day. So adding in the option of hotels, motels or other small businesses would help eliminate the danger of overwhelming any one establishment.  Not to mention, that most racers probably would be sending very few packages because they would be happy to eat anything and everything that they could get their hands on at the local convenience store...which by the way could well also be overtaxed.  But if they like to make money, which they do, then they probably are happy to be 'overwhelmed' for a few days. 

Reading over the rules, I can't say I disagree with anything else.  And on one hand, a rule is rule so maybe no one should question it and just live with it.  But I'm fairly certain this is a highly questioned 'rule' that evidently comes from 1 person.  Nothing against Matthew Lee here. I'm sure he has put in countless hours to make this a great race, but that doesn't make him 'right' 100% of the time.  Honestly though, I would have to say that maybe ALL prearranged resupply should be eliminated.  That would definitely keep everything equal.  Mind you, I'm not for that. 

[i]Generally speaking, sure, commercial addresses on route are equally available to all challengers, however, pre-race caching of supplies to just any commercial address (ex: diner or motel) is an 'unintended use' of that commercial service. Unintended use (abuse) over time will strain the system designed to serve hundreds of GDMBR thru-riders annually. Therefore shipping to commercial addresses is only allowed in the event of an emergency (once the race has started). Past examples of emergency shipping: toasted derailleur, destroyed wheel/tire, broken pedal, seized BB, lost glove, hat, armwarmer, leg transplant, etc.[/i]

So I found this 'answer' in the FAQ on the TD website.

'Unintended use' (abuse) over time will strain the system...SERIOUSLY?  If the commercial service doesn't mind how is this 'abuse'? 

Ok, I have a couple questions.  First, the following is quoted from the TD website

"Shipping/receiving supplies (to the course): In the name of equal opportunity for international riders and to minimize the TD 'footprint', challengers are encouraged to race as reliant as possible on commercial services along the route. However, in advance of a start, a competitor may cache food or equipment resupply at US Post Offices only, care of general delivery[/i]" 

Why is shipping to a hotel not allowed?  Some of these places do this all the time for CDT hikers.  Hotels and outfitters do this all the time on the Appalachian Trail.  It's the 'commercial services' choice if they want to do this or not.  They can even charge a fee if they like.  So why is it 'illegal'?  and What does if have to do with the 'footprint' of the TD? 

For that matter, who made the TD 'rules'?  Is there some sort of 'board' that makes these decisions?  For the record, I would be happy to help out the 'rule makers'. 

I'm all for self-supported racing.  I'm all for policing yourself.  But people that have specific dietary restrictions (e.g. Gluten free) would have a terrible time finding enough quality food without shipping it to themselves.  Limiting resupply to only the PO's along the way is so limiting.  Many of the places have severely limited hours.  At least hotels are available all (or most) hours.  So again, I ask who made these rules?  From reading the FAQ's on the TD website it looks like others have issues with this rule.