As a first time Rookie I will add to the consensus that Nathan's orientation was absolutely the best and I really appreciate the time and dedication he gives to the class.
Nathan, I do have one observation you may find amusing. You mentioned how you were amazed that some people get in the middle of the course and can't see the finish line, which was clearly visible from the starting line! Happened to me and I can explain what happened. Somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 mile out it was a little bumpy and I missed a shift into high. Then I looked down to see the speed and rpm and figure out if I was already in high (motorcycle, it can happen). When I looked up the finish line had disappeared. It is a phenomenon called 'accommodation'. When you look down at the instruments, your eye focuses on the instruments and when you look back up on a (relatively) featureless horizon, there is no point of focus so your eyes, (well, not yours, but my old eyes) don't accommodate fast enough and finish line is completely invisible.
Your excellent preparation was much appreciated.
My instinct, was, "shit, I missed the finish and I should be stopping" but I could recognize that the single cones meant I wasn't there yet. (As slow as I am I really had a lot of time to think about all this). Looking at the single cones and looking at them progressively farther down the course brought them, and the finish into focus. This all happens really fast, but if you just stared out into the distance, the finish line might be very elusive, especially if you were looked back down to the instruments.
Anyway, I had a great time (and a long time
) and expect to do better next year!
