Discussion: billygoat?
in: Orienteering; General
Sep 10, 2002 7:18 PM
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Anyone know (or heard rumors) of when and where next year's billygoat is?
Sep 11, 2002 10:10 PM
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No. And if anybody would be up on those rumors, it would be me. Any suggestions?
Sep 12, 2002 6:51 PM
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feet:
We of CSU have been thinking that a combination of Boojum Rock and Pine Hill (plus some new mapping of the area that links them and possibly also the area northwest of the Pine Hill map) would make a sweet Billygoat. maybe not 2003, but 2004? any reactions to this plan?
Sep 12, 2002 7:34 PM
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If John is serious about setting it, could the junior team conduct the race as a team fundraiser?
Does that make sense? I've been kicking around the idea of some annual race being a team fundraiser, and it seems easier if that race be some sort of goat, rather than an A meet. Just an idea.
Does that make sense? I've been kicking around the idea of some annual race being a team fundraiser, and it seems easier if that race be some sort of goat, rather than an A meet. Just an idea.
Sep 13, 2002 6:48 AM
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Billygoat has not been conducted to the west of Hudson river (so far), Harriman SP will brake this
tradition. I like Randy's idea.
tradition. I like Randy's idea.
Sep 14, 2002 2:55 AM
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The Billygoat in Harriman is an awesome idea. I have heard the silly rule or excuse of "not west of the Hudson" before. The US has not ulitilized their WOC maps as well as they should. I think it is the best combo of quality maps and terrain in the World. If it goes there it would be well attended. On the entry form have a donation column for the Jr. team. I'll be there and throw in some extra bucks too.
Sep 15, 2002 3:31 PM
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I'd like to volunteer my services as well. Though, since i would like to run in the Goat too, i'd prefer it to be something like being the registrar. Also, if we are serious about this, let's pick a date.
Sep 15, 2002 10:47 PM
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I may be leaving some time around Easter, so it would be great if we could have it earlier in the Spring.
Sep 16, 2002 6:38 PM
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TWO items, don't forget to keep the BG committee in mind, and John you must decide whom you are running the BG as, an HVO member or Jr Team member. Also don;t forget the BG accessories, shirts, food, rec courses, map printing.
Also pick a weekend when lots of juniors can attend to travel to the meet.
It used to be Mothers Day for years.
Also pick a weekend when lots of juniors can attend to travel to the meet.
It used to be Mothers Day for years.
Sep 16, 2002 10:32 PM
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How can we make this official? At the moment it is just talk. Who is on the Billygoat committee?
Sep 17, 2002 9:17 PM
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Three people are on the Divinely Appointed Billygoat Steering Committee (yes, that's its official name): me, Jon Nash, and Paul Bennett. I think the best thing to do if you have a proposal is to send it to Jon, and he'll do triage on it and discuss it with me and Paul.
As far as "west of the Hudson" goes, there was a point when we were trying to keep it in a tighter geographical area than we are now. At that point, I think I probably said that I didn't think it should go west of the Hudson *except* for if it went to Harriman. (And I may have actually said "Silvermine", it might have been that long ago. Or maybe I said "Surebridge".) To some extent, Harriman is now the turf of the Highlander, although there's certainly enough terrain to handle both of them. I think we're more open to a bit wider scope at this point, but I still don't think you're going to be seeing the Billygoat in West Virginia, Mississipi, or Nebraska any time soon. Which doesn't mean there shouldn't be goat races there -- by all means, bring 'em on! It's just that this *particular* goat race has it roots in Western MA/northwest CT, and is in an orbit around that area.
There are a few maps that we have in mind as good Billygoat candidates, by the way, if anyone is interested in putting on a race in CT or western MA. Wolf's Den, and the updated Mt. Norwottuck (debuting at the Troll Cup in a week and a half) would be fine choices, but they aren't the only options by any means. And the updated Brainard, once the logging situation stabilizes.
Pine Hill/Boojum, huh? Have to think about that one. There's a substantial gap between the two that would have to be a road run, of course. And somebody's looking to map the area on the other side of Ravine Rd., huh? That would be a useful piece of map to have in any case... Oh, no, wait, you said NW of Pine Hill. Can the permission issues regarding the reservoirs be overcome? Used to be the MDC cops would ticket people for walking on the dirt roads up there.
As far as "west of the Hudson" goes, there was a point when we were trying to keep it in a tighter geographical area than we are now. At that point, I think I probably said that I didn't think it should go west of the Hudson *except* for if it went to Harriman. (And I may have actually said "Silvermine", it might have been that long ago. Or maybe I said "Surebridge".) To some extent, Harriman is now the turf of the Highlander, although there's certainly enough terrain to handle both of them. I think we're more open to a bit wider scope at this point, but I still don't think you're going to be seeing the Billygoat in West Virginia, Mississipi, or Nebraska any time soon. Which doesn't mean there shouldn't be goat races there -- by all means, bring 'em on! It's just that this *particular* goat race has it roots in Western MA/northwest CT, and is in an orbit around that area.
There are a few maps that we have in mind as good Billygoat candidates, by the way, if anyone is interested in putting on a race in CT or western MA. Wolf's Den, and the updated Mt. Norwottuck (debuting at the Troll Cup in a week and a half) would be fine choices, but they aren't the only options by any means. And the updated Brainard, once the logging situation stabilizes.
Pine Hill/Boojum, huh? Have to think about that one. There's a substantial gap between the two that would have to be a road run, of course. And somebody's looking to map the area on the other side of Ravine Rd., huh? That would be a useful piece of map to have in any case... Oh, no, wait, you said NW of Pine Hill. Can the permission issues regarding the reservoirs be overcome? Used to be the MDC cops would ticket people for walking on the dirt roads up there.
Sep 18, 2002 5:12 AM
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feet:
Pine Hill<->Boojum would not require a road run of more than 100 yards. There is forest between the two maps (west of the MDC ice rink on the SW corner of Boojum and east of the I-93 underpass on Fellsway West, along the south shore of Spot Pond and the cross-fells trail). Check out the sketchy map at http://www.state.ma.us/mdc/maps/fells.gif
to see what I mean. Obviously we'd have to map the middle bit, but it wouldn't be too much work.
Also, in practice the MDC people don't seem to care as much as they once did about people on reservoir land, but I'll check. The area north of Ravine Rd is another option.
to see what I mean. Obviously we'd have to map the middle bit, but it wouldn't be too much work.
Also, in practice the MDC people don't seem to care as much as they once did about people on reservoir land, but I'll check. The area north of Ravine Rd is another option.
Sep 23, 2002 7:31 PM
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What about the US Relay Champs area as an alternative? Haven't seen it but it sounds good..and presumably the Billygoat has never been held in Vermont before?
Sep 23, 2002 9:25 PM
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Okay, yes, if you do some more mapping, then Boojum and Pine Hill can connect. And it's not a huge area to map. The layout of the area makes it tricky, but not impossible to have the Billygoat there.
I can certainly imagine Beaver Brook Farm as a Billygoat site at some point. It seems small (2.5 sq km? Or is it more like 4 sq km -- not sure), but the fact that there was a 9+ km Blue course there Saturday, with terrain held back for the Relay, shows that it could probably be done. The terrain is not fast, with all those little ups and downs, which means you don't need so much. And during Billygoat season, the mud will probably slow runners down as well. I think the Fritzes (and the rest of the GMOC folks) are a bit exhausted right now, but we'll talk to them at some future date.
I can certainly imagine Beaver Brook Farm as a Billygoat site at some point. It seems small (2.5 sq km? Or is it more like 4 sq km -- not sure), but the fact that there was a 9+ km Blue course there Saturday, with terrain held back for the Relay, shows that it could probably be done. The terrain is not fast, with all those little ups and downs, which means you don't need so much. And during Billygoat season, the mud will probably slow runners down as well. I think the Fritzes (and the rest of the GMOC folks) are a bit exhausted right now, but we'll talk to them at some future date.
This discussion thread is closed.