Brent, great post... I think if you take a step back and look at the Alberta races they are a high caliber difficulty wise. And I mean on a world scale. When you take into consideration the old Livingston races, the RMDRA races, and even Porkies (we always remember the great flowing singletrack, but there is always technical stuff there too) there are some tough races on the programme. I know you have a passion for the extreme stuff, but I honestly think there is only a hamdful of riders in the world that are as good at it or enjoy it as much as the likes of you, shreder, wildman etc. In short I think that our races offer a great level of technical challenge when compared to other provincial, or state series. Even us amatures out west are getting a reputation for enjoying harsh, technical riding, so I think we are striking a great balance and providing courses that are honing the skills of the next Thomas, Schrage, kroeker etc... Last Yr young Miss Turner blazed by me in the 2nd test at Blairmore and I had a huge grin on my face as she left me in the dust!!!
Goose.... I'm sorry in advance if this sound harsh. I don't even know what race you are referring too, I'm guessing it was a CMA H/S (coincidently my 1st race was a H/S at F/T, thought I got hit by a truck!) believe me, whatever the race was, if they put beginners on the loop, they thought they could do it... No organizer or sweeper wants to be faced with the proposition of getting you, or your bike out. In the same vein no organizer has the time or resources to make a special "Goose loop". With the terrain we have to work with and the high caliber expectations, asking for anything than what you got is a bit like asking for a Big Mac at Starbucks, ain't gonna happen. Racing here is a daunting task, the first race I did at Livingston, all I could think about was my now long time racing bud (787) telling me the story of his first race there.... 8+ hrs it took him!!!!!! Any complaints? No. Just a recognition that wow, this offroad racing I'n Alberta is on another level! (see remarks above for Brent) And a determination to amp up his skills on steep grades, logs and nastiness.
Also know that you are not the only one... Every race sees someone show up, usually they are "highly skilled", only to get completely corn holed by what is expected of them, and they either leave in a fit or do just what 787 did take it as a wakeup call and gain some proficiency at what these "natural terrain" courses offer in our province, shear nastiness!