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What happened to the positivity??!

BrianMac

Chimp
Sep 10, 2001
29
0
Toronto, Canada
I remember when I first really decided that I wanted to get involved in mountain biking.

(Where's Pex and Mutiger?). There was definitely a core group and things

Dave
As in Jon Mutiger? If it's the same dude, I'm pretty sure he got big time into enduro racing/trials moto. Still in the suspension biz, though I think he moved out west.

The scene couldn't be stronger here up north of the border. The third lift accessed hill is about to open. Indoor park got opened this year. Dirt jumping is off the mat and local racing is going strong with tons of youngsters fighting it out to go with the folks that have been around for awhile. 200+ seems to be pretty standard. Even some toonie races bubbling around.

No need for negativity for sure.

Brian
 

Uncle Cliffy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 28, 2008
4,490
42
Southern Oregon
As a newer member here, I guess I've noticed it's easier to flame or front. I like to joke around a bit, but I always try and lend out my opinion in a positive way. I read almost every thread that pops up in this group, but if I don't have anything to offer, I keep my trap shut!

I've been riding since 96. I remember getting my first "big bike" in 2001. Rocky RM7. After one season, the bike got beefed up with a Shiver and 26/24 Double Wides! Also did my first downhill race, and got scarred for life...

But what great times!!! Since then I've been to Whistler almost every summer, went through at least 5 DH bikes, and had the best times in my life. The last couple years haven't been as fun, but for me it boils down to family time and working two part time jobs to support them. I've moved more towards advocacy for my local trails... Either way, I try to stay in the game cause bikes are my life now.

To DW: I've watched all the Chain Reaction movies countless times. Your description of that vibe from back then reminded me of all the Tribus shenanigans from those films. They got me pumped to ride! Thanks for reminding me...
 

boogenman

Turbo Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
4,314
987
BUFFALO
I drastically cut back on how often I post on here from all the dumb stuff.

Not sure what caused everything but it sure has changed. So has the MTB scene.

I miss the good old days of the late 90's early 2000's at the NORBA races. Huge crowds, big pit set ups, naked crits, snowshoe mud, hot tubs.....:rolleyes:
 

dagmz6s

Monkey
Jan 12, 2008
200
0
Merion, PA
I came back to the sport just about 2.5 years ago after last racing in 2001. raced my first DH race today since Collegiate Nationals in Helen, GA in 1999. I would agree with Dave that the attitude and sense of community seems different then it did back then, online. I think everyone like to hate from time to time, and let's face it the forums have way more people on them then used to back in the day. More people, more personalities.

the race I was at today was at the Vertical Earth Gravity Park in PA. The scene and attitude to fellow racers, both old and young, was pretty much what I remembered it being a decade ago. It was great to see.
 

RD

Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
688
0
Boston, MA
I'm going to ride bikes on rocks in the rain tomorrow and I'm stoked.

Bring back NRJP.
AND... DJBB

WOOOHOOOO!

All I remember is seeing Dinsdale eating **** on a skateboard at the Wakefield BMX track parking lot while Ken Avery and $eth said I was riding like I had a color TV in my back pocket. Too many laughs for one boy I say!

:)
 

FlipFantasia

Turbo Monkey
Oct 4, 2001
1,663
499
Sea to Sky BC
As in Jon Mutiger? If it's the same dude, I'm pretty sure he got big time into enduro racing/trials moto. Still in the suspension biz, though I think he moved out west.

Brian
Jon's down east of Vancouver these days, have seen him a couple of times up here in whistler, but he's mostly on the throttle these days! man that dude was/is hilarious!

edit....and imho there's too much arguing about techno-geekery and not enough talking about riding bikes on here....
 

Hesh To Steel

Monkey
Dec 12, 2007
661
1
Hell's Kitchen
I starting riding DH in late 2007, so I'm pretty new to the sport and the "community" such as it is. I've gotta say that despite the asshattery that takes place online, my experience at the lift parks I've been to has been 99% positive. I can't count the number of times I've been riding by myself somewhere and just made a new friend by letting someone hop on the lift with me.

One of the things that makes this sport so awesome for me is the fact that by and large, everyone is friendly and easy to talk to. Of course, the riding bikes over big rocks part is the BEST part, but the fact that almost every single other rider I've met has been a legit dude makes days at the park that much more fun.


I think it's just a simple fact of life in the present day that people are going to act like morons on the internet. Don't let it color your perception of what happens in the real world. There's plenty of hobbies out there where the other participants are legitimately unpleasant to be around.
 

fluider

Monkey
Jun 25, 2008
440
9
Bratislava, Slovakia
Very interesting reading for me as I am here a new-comer (compared to some of you). I started riding MTB just 5 years ago after I couldn't ever find a joy from riding a roadbike. I started with my sister's ooooooold steel HT bike. After university and paying off all my debt I was saving several months to buy my 1st big-bike. The joy has been dramatic and I remember myself wondering why didn't I try it earlier?!
Now, I've been saving almost 2 years for my 1st full-suspension bike and I can tell you this is going to be hot season!:weee: Built with low-priced but durable components it'll provide as much of enjoyment as those blinky latest-fashion pricey beauties.

I am very thankful to many people on here who contributed to educate me on suspension stuff and to all of you for sharing your riding pics/vids/reports etc as I've been always interested in how MTB looks like on the other sides of globe.
 

NCSUwolf

Chimp
May 10, 2010
4
0
Raleigh, NC
Just throwing in my two cents and representing the newbs on here, it does make it a lot easier for the new guys to get involved when there is more positivity. I love mountain biking but I will be the first to admit that I don't know HALF of what most of the advanced guys know on here, but I am eager to learn and its a lot easier to learn with positive motivation and mentors. Basically, be easy on us guys, we are not worthy!! haha
 

Pslide

Turbo Monkey
All for positivity. Only way to be.

Also all for introspection. We've all heard the old "kids these days..." line, and when the research is done, it usually reveals it's not the "kids" that have changed, but the perception of the person commenting... Of course this is not always the case, and I'm certainly not pointing fingers. I've not been around long enough to know what RM used to be like, but I do know that the only person I can change is myself, not others.

Besides, without all the haters we wouldn't have any excuse to post animals doin' the hate walk...

 

klunky

Turbo Monkey
Oct 17, 2003
1,078
6
Scotland
I miss the posts about people home building frames.
Some step by step guides on how to build a carbon frame etc. I would never actually do it my self but was fun to read.

What ever happend to Zedro?
 

seth505

Monkey
Jun 9, 2006
519
0
CA
Aha man I can't believe I was brought up. Stick- I do admit I made random comments about you guys but it was stuff that I thought was lame and decided to bring it up on the internet (could have kept it to myself) but I was younger and into ruffling feathers myself. The NRJP has not always played nice:rofl:

Anyhow, I agree things should be more positive...it is the same with mx these days. A bunch of internet junkies sit there and talk crap if a guy who is top 20 in the world doesn't place top 5 one weekend.

Back in the day, I did get to meet Stickman face to face and found him to be a good guy for sure...
I am back to racing mx these days but like DW I really miss those years when I first got into dh/ds and everyone was so psyched on everything. If you think back (see Carltons post), we still had a ton of stuff to goof/hate on but it wasn't to be taken so serious.
 

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar.
One says, “I think I’ve lost an electron.”
The other says, “Are you sure?”
The first replies, “Yes, I’m positive…”
 

Jon Mutiger

Chimp
Mar 23, 2010
2
0
Maple Ridge, BC
I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm alive and well.. I've got a fake hip in me on my left side, and I'm currently riding trials motorbikes and timbersled snowbikes out west near Vancouver.

Dave, I miss ya! If your ever out west please take the time to give me a heads up.

Going back to those Plattekill days, I remember there was one race where they were giving out RedBull before anyone knew what it was. I had probably 6 of 7 of them since I'm a cheap bastard and unable to refuse free ****. Anyway, during my race run I was so friggen jacked up on Redbull that I literally could hear DW with his wiffle ball and manical laugh during the whole race. I just tried finding the results of that particular day, but wasn't able to find it. In my head I finished 4th in pro that day, beating out Lars. The night before I had broken one of Aarons bikes in the parking lot trying to pedal it hard. If I remember correctly that was also the weekend I was piecing together someones rear shock in the parking lot with whatever I could find that would fit. Oh, how racing makes you really shine eh?
 
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