I remember when I first really decided that I wanted to get involved in mountain biking. Back in the day on the East Coast, circa 1999 or so, there was a pretty strong race series called Trail 66. There was a circuit of 6 or so mountains and a turnout of a somewhere closer to 200 people to race gravity per event. I met some people at those races that are now some of my closest friends. One of the things that always stuck out to me, and made me really fall in love with the sport was how riders treated each other. Guys like Lars Tribus would finish their race run, take the lead or a podium spot, then sprint up the mountain immediately just to cheer on their friends, who very well may take away the lead.
It was an awesome environment, and it translated to other parts of mountian biking life.
About that same time a whole load of us were pretty active on the old MTBR DH forum. You guys know who you are, Acadian, MMike, SkaTodd, the Trumpores, Chris Carleton, John P, Seth Lolli, Alex Dunstan, JM, and a bunch of other guys (Where's Pex and Mutiger?). There was definitely a core group and things were good, lots of positive and funny conversations. Most of that core group made the migration to Ridemonkey when it started up and our boy Jason invited us over. (At the time, the format of the forum was pretty far ahead of the old mtbr and that drove most of us to move).
Times were good and good times were had. There was definitely a positive environment that nurtured getting newcomers excited about riding and pumped up to be on their bikes.
Fast forward today and it's all about hating. I have a hard time even going onto the mtbr DH forum and this forum because of the negativity. It's just sad! I know that others have been driven away by this same thing.
Maybe it was the financial crash of 2008, maybe it's TV programming for kids in the 90's to blame, I don't know what' s got bikers all down on things these days but we can change this.
I want to put out a public challenge. Let's make this place fun to come to again.
Ignore the negative guys, don't provoke them! Let's try to get the good times back. If we all work to keep things in check I think that just might work.
Who's in?
Dave
It was an awesome environment, and it translated to other parts of mountian biking life.
About that same time a whole load of us were pretty active on the old MTBR DH forum. You guys know who you are, Acadian, MMike, SkaTodd, the Trumpores, Chris Carleton, John P, Seth Lolli, Alex Dunstan, JM, and a bunch of other guys (Where's Pex and Mutiger?). There was definitely a core group and things were good, lots of positive and funny conversations. Most of that core group made the migration to Ridemonkey when it started up and our boy Jason invited us over. (At the time, the format of the forum was pretty far ahead of the old mtbr and that drove most of us to move).
Times were good and good times were had. There was definitely a positive environment that nurtured getting newcomers excited about riding and pumped up to be on their bikes.
Fast forward today and it's all about hating. I have a hard time even going onto the mtbr DH forum and this forum because of the negativity. It's just sad! I know that others have been driven away by this same thing.
Maybe it was the financial crash of 2008, maybe it's TV programming for kids in the 90's to blame, I don't know what' s got bikers all down on things these days but we can change this.
I want to put out a public challenge. Let's make this place fun to come to again.
Ignore the negative guys, don't provoke them! Let's try to get the good times back. If we all work to keep things in check I think that just might work.
Who's in?
Dave