sugarwood

I went on a 5-6 hour hike today.
There were several other groups heading on the same route.

I have never done the following on a hike in my life, but I did today.
I noticed I wanted some space for myself, the solitude, and not to be walking too close to other groups.
So, I would get ahead and maintain a space between us. I would also notice if hikers behind us were gaining on us.

If someone faster than me passed, I would try to keep up and gain tiny efficiencies.
They crossed the river at X, so I will cross upstream so I can walk on land for a few extra steps, gaining a few seconds on them.
When they'd traverse the non-optimal path, I'd cut a better path and gain a few steps.

If I stopped to tie my shoe, I was cognizant of losing time, and losing my lead (pitstop)
Stop to eat something? Goodbye !! See ya!!! But wait, we'll need to eat at some point also.

I loved noticing their tactical miscues and seeing their gain decrease.
They cross the river in the deep, and I cross in the shallow rapids. Always the rapids.
Constantly scanning the terrain to see the smoothest fastest path (the line)

Sometimes, they were in slow terrain (turn), while I had reached clear land (straight), and would increase my lead distance.
I made sure the remember I am not really gaining since they would be on fast land in a few seconds, so don't get complacent.

Sometimes, I would get passed, and then get stuck behind a slower hiker.
This kicked up the urgency since I knew the leader was gaining space while I was slowed by the slow hiker
and knew I needed to pass the obstacle ASAP.

Yes, I was playing a little game with myself, and did this all morning and loved the long term sustained tactical optimization.
I am sure someone will respond with "That's not what hiking is about!" but that is missing the entire point.

I realized all this is exactly what sailboat racing is like.
And maybe even car racing.

Capitalizing on little errors, and playing a game of seconds (over the course of several hours)
It is thrilling in the juxtaposition of constant minute adjustments towards a long-term outcome.

I can now see that there is no comparison with DE and actual timed racing.
The novelty of DE has begun to wear off, and I have lost interest.
I talk myself into going 2x a year, and enjoy opening up the car to its limits.
I never get better since I forget anything I learned from last year.
It is barely worth the hassles of tech, driving, hotel, money, etc
just for a few 20 min. sessions to drive with some guy constantly telling me about the line.
So, DE has gotten stale for me, and I may never go again.
I get it, that's the foundation, and that's fine.
But, to experience actual racing, I am simply not willing to make the massive time/money investment to make that happen.
C'est la vie.

BUT....this hike was so exciting. I loved every minute of it. It was like a constant chess game.
This type of long-term tactical positional racing must be a blast. (car racing, sailboat racing, endurance bike racing, etc)
I think this grueling 6 hour hike was a taste of why people must love racing so much.
Little games of cat and mouse, and sustained tactical decisions and adjustments for a long-term outcome.
So cool.

LuigiVampa

I hike frequently, drive DEs, and race. I don't think the three have anything to do with each other but to each his own.

Since racing I enjoy DE even more as it is driving for the pure joy of driving. Also easier to be social when compared to a race weekend where there is a goal.

I hope you won your hike!

sugarwood

More importantly, some people will appreciate the parallels,
while others will be unable to, and can only think literally.

badabing

Did any of the other hikers know they were 'competing' ?

DTMiller

Nothing you do here today will make your hiking boots more valuable.

sugarwood

It's sad that what could have been a great discussion about the essence of racing (and insightful parallels to other sports)
has instantly been derailed into the same tired cliches about "winning the DE event".
At least you got to show the forum how incredibly clever and witty you are!

sugarwood

LOL!
Well done.

"This hike would be great, if not for the lunchbox"
"In a turn, don't trip"
"Lord Vader your Merrell's await"

DTMiller

Not to be too ****ty here, but have you considered whether you need to be the hero that beings a discussion to the racing and DE subforum on the essence of racing?

LuigiVampa

Dude! Take a breath for a minute.

You shared your thoughts and I explained my thoughts as well. Because I didn't agree with your insight you feel attacked?

The last little bit about "winning your hike" was a joke. If you can't take a joke I can't help you.

Let me just add that I found the comparison absurd but thought to myself "to each his own." Sorry I couldn't validate your feelings.

sugarwood

Don't bother, this thread is already ruined.

The reflection was about recognizing the parallels of tactical positioning against another dynamically positioned entity
The very essence of "racing". (racing boats, racing cars, racing bikes, racing people)

If someone else enjoyed it, that's cool too.

Now, excuse me, I have a yoga class that I need to win.

gbuff

Ummmmm, bye.

PorscheAddict

Can't say I have ever felt any similarity between hiking and driving fast on track, but both are fun. Going to a big point in your OP, though, you have already gotten stale with DE but appear to still be in novice (instructor telling you the line, etc.)? I think DE is a lot more fun once you get decent at it and can at least be within a few seconds a lap of the car's abilities, if you have interest in knocking some of the staleness off. If it's boring, you're going too slow.

txhokie4life

Do I have to hand out a 13/13 to you gents :-)

LuigiVampa

People had the temerity to disagree with him, and engage in a little gentle ribbing, and his reply is that his thread is ruined and pout that we are unable to understand.

You don't hand out a 13/13 when the guy puts himself into the armco! ;-)

badabing

I wasn't ribbing or attacking. Personally I think hiking is boring as **** but my gf likes it so if you can help make it more interesting for me I'm all about it.

However, my point is that "Tactical miscues" and little "errors" aren't such if the other person isn't also competing.

Crossing at the deep part might just be cooling off with a nice dip in the water.