Ah, it's go-ride.com, you need the hyphon. 
For those interested.
- Thread starter James | Go-Ride
- Start date
Stik, you wanted people to jump on your bandwagon and offer prize money, but when someone does it's beating a dead horse? Say what?
You've been there and done that and we should all recognize your pioneering efforts, is that what you're saying? Well props to you - seriously. But why be negative about go-ride doing the same thing?
I recognize your experience (and said so) but I am neither young nor naive. In fact with all of your experience I'm sure you've got some helpful thoughts and it would have been better if you had spelled out how you feel. No time to explain? Then save your little graphic and don't bother posting at all.
Glad to hear things might be a lot better after 2006. With go-ride helping out in their small way, things might be a little better this year.
You've been there and done that and we should all recognize your pioneering efforts, is that what you're saying? Well props to you - seriously. But why be negative about go-ride doing the same thing?
I recognize your experience (and said so) but I am neither young nor naive. In fact with all of your experience I'm sure you've got some helpful thoughts and it would have been better if you had spelled out how you feel. No time to explain? Then save your little graphic and don't bother posting at all.
Glad to hear things might be a lot better after 2006. With go-ride helping out in their small way, things might be a little better this year.
jesus christ dude, it was a pic of a guy beating a dead horse...was not like I said "F Go-ride.com they suck"
Quit reading into it so much.
Let me put it to you this way, since you cant understand...fixing the NCS or making it better is like putting a new FOX DH fork, Saint cranks, set of super tackys on a pro-dynamix bike-its just not gonna work!
GO-RIDE.com
Quit reading into it so much.
Let me put it to you this way, since you cant understand...fixing the NCS or making it better is like putting a new FOX DH fork, Saint cranks, set of super tackys on a pro-dynamix bike-its just not gonna work!
GO-RIDE.com
stiksandstones said:jesus christ dude, it was a pic of a guy beating a dead horse...was not like I said "F Go-ride.com they suck"
Quit reading into it so much.
Let me put it to you this way, since you cant understand...fixing the NCS or making it better is like putting a new FOX DH fork, Saint cranks, set of super tackys on a pro-dynamix bike-its just not gonna work!
GO-RIDE.com
BEST POST EVER. Admit it, you loved that bike, and loved seeing me on it drinking budweiser with a zzyzx (or maybe it was Niki we ALL loved to see..who knows)
neaky:Also - I applaud Go-ride's dedication, but see it as a last grasp at the sinking ship. I my opinion, just let the NCS die. Something new will come about out of it's ashes, but it needs to be recreated, not fixed.
The world cup is going to EXPLODE this year, and I for one, look forward to being along for the ride.
I thought the prize money was just something for racers. I'd like to think that if norba shriveled up and died the Go-Ride purse would benefit whatever organization replaces it. Maybe I'm getting the wrong idea here, but I see Go-Ride as a third party offering a prize to racers at a national level, norba just happens to be the only race organizer promoting a national series. I understood the explanation provided by Go-Ride to be a prize to encourage and promote american races at a national level and make american riders more competitive against racers from around the world. Again, maybe I'm just missunderstanding the whole intent but I see it as a program to benefit riders much more than a program to benefit a race organization.
Someone needs to get Donnie to take the southridge scene nation wide...i'd bet he could get a killer series up and running...look at what he's doing with a tiny little hill.
Whatever Stik. Your thoughtless post was hard to ignore precisely because of your experience and the fact that I would normally pay attention to what you have to say. Next time you won't be so hard to ignore.
I think Korn is on the right track but maybe the go-ride crew can say more about the intent. It's not going to turn the whole thing around but it just might keep a few racers involved that would otherwise quit. (And let's be honest, it's also good advertising for go-ride too - it's not entirely altruistic.) In any event I think it would be a good idea to support american racers in this way even if there was a good national series.
I think Korn is on the right track but maybe the go-ride crew can say more about the intent. It's not going to turn the whole thing around but it just might keep a few racers involved that would otherwise quit. (And let's be honest, it's also good advertising for go-ride too - it's not entirely altruistic.) In any event I think it would be a good idea to support american racers in this way even if there was a good national series.
Stik does make some good points. From what i've heard there really isne't any urgence to fix the NCS.....why? Cause why dig up prize money when everyone is still coming at the same rate as the did before? USAC as a whole has problems...look at the whole worlds selection process......sometimes it's better to let things die....it's kinda like the government pumping all that money into the airline that's a bad business model and is failing...it's just a band-aid...when you need to amputate.......I do wanna give props to the Go-Ride guys for ponying up, and trying to help the guys out, since alot of the pros aren't making a whole lot of $ for taking the chances they do.
Im thinking of buying that shirt!! That is great
Well now we're getting into a proper debate. You're right, but I'm not sure this is about fixing the system, it seems more like a way of keeping things kind of interesting in the short term and setting an example for other support. Hell I don't know if it will have any effect at all unless others follow Go-ride's (Stik's?) lead, but digging up a little prize money will at least do something to keep attendance from dropping further and may convince a few people to stick around until things get better. Plus if the sport loses outside sponsors as a result of low participation they might not come back no matter how much better things might be in '06. Maybe I'm just naive but if everyone gives up on domestic racing there won't be much incentive for people to take the time, money, and effort to get it back on track.
Okay, here's the latest. Luckily Scott did not punch me in the face when he found out that I posted this a bit before everything was finalized. I am overwhelmed at the positive response, so far everybody who has responded on here, PM'd, or emailed me has been super stoked that we're willing to help out American racers outside of our immediate team and whatnot.
That said, I want to remind you guys that these numbers are not set in stone yet. Go-Ride will be putting in at least a grand of our own money to get this thing off the ground. Our vision for this is to have you guys, the people who look up to the Bosches, the Van Dines, and the David Klaasenvonhardtospells, give back to them for what they're doing. If there's no strong pull for pros to show up at the Nationals, then there's not going to be much pull for ameteurs to show up either. This isn't about trying to make NORBA run a better operation, obviously they have other priorities and they can sork a cork for all I care at this point. However, we're still stoked on racing and want the sportsmanship and competition to continue at the pro level rather than have people start splitting off and lose the across-the-board draw that you see at nationals. One of our guys, Matt Johnston, told me while driving back from riding the other day that he's losing interest in going to the Nationals since nobody seems to want them to be there. I want them to be there, Kris and Scott want them to be there, and I think most of the people who buy from us want them to be there.
Somebody asked what we're going to do if we raise more money than we have budgeted to spend. I thought I covered that on the website, but I'll reiterate here: every dollar that comes in via this Bounty thing is going straight back to racers, no ifs, ands, or buts. The only amount that isn't going into checks for racers is a few dollars from t-shirt sales to pay to have them made. Everything else is going into the pockets of racers. Everything.
Stick, I know you've been in the game for a long time and you're pissed about NORBA blowing. We're not doing this to try to wake NORBA up. Frankly I'm surprised that you would, of all people, the guy who was doing the EXACT SAME THING last year, start out with a post illustrating your complete apathy towards pros and the fact that most of them don't make any money doing this. I've read all your arguments regarding how the series sucks, and racers hate the courses, blah blah blah. You know what? Do something about it. I guess you haven't realized this yet but internet messages boards aren't exactly the optimal place to start a revolution. For the most part, we board-goers are glorified D&D nerds with some extra time on our hands and internet access. If you think NORBA should pony up, maybe you should put your money where your mouth is and start looking for outside sponsors instead of bitching about Carter racing four cross in his undies in protest. Bottom line, you and Carter got paychecks for going to races for your whole career. Guys like JP Lutterloh do not. But this isn't about who was in the game when there was money in the sport, and if Carter's the top American at the races on any given weekend, we'll happily sign a check with his name on it.
Anyway, I'll hopefully have finalized numbers up on the webpage regarding how the money will be divvied up and where exactly we're going to be regarding the whole process. Somebody said that this isn't totally innocent, and that it's free advertising for us. There's some truth to that, you're not going to see a small business doing something with no immediate returns like this for no reason other than philanthropy. But I think there's plenty of good intentions here, and most guys that pay attention to racing already have our name down in their contact books.
In short, you guys are awesome, I should buy you all a beer. Except those under 21. Please don't actually expect to cash in on the beer offer while you're in town at the DV National.
That said, I want to remind you guys that these numbers are not set in stone yet. Go-Ride will be putting in at least a grand of our own money to get this thing off the ground. Our vision for this is to have you guys, the people who look up to the Bosches, the Van Dines, and the David Klaasenvonhardtospells, give back to them for what they're doing. If there's no strong pull for pros to show up at the Nationals, then there's not going to be much pull for ameteurs to show up either. This isn't about trying to make NORBA run a better operation, obviously they have other priorities and they can sork a cork for all I care at this point. However, we're still stoked on racing and want the sportsmanship and competition to continue at the pro level rather than have people start splitting off and lose the across-the-board draw that you see at nationals. One of our guys, Matt Johnston, told me while driving back from riding the other day that he's losing interest in going to the Nationals since nobody seems to want them to be there. I want them to be there, Kris and Scott want them to be there, and I think most of the people who buy from us want them to be there.
Somebody asked what we're going to do if we raise more money than we have budgeted to spend. I thought I covered that on the website, but I'll reiterate here: every dollar that comes in via this Bounty thing is going straight back to racers, no ifs, ands, or buts. The only amount that isn't going into checks for racers is a few dollars from t-shirt sales to pay to have them made. Everything else is going into the pockets of racers. Everything.
Stick, I know you've been in the game for a long time and you're pissed about NORBA blowing. We're not doing this to try to wake NORBA up. Frankly I'm surprised that you would, of all people, the guy who was doing the EXACT SAME THING last year, start out with a post illustrating your complete apathy towards pros and the fact that most of them don't make any money doing this. I've read all your arguments regarding how the series sucks, and racers hate the courses, blah blah blah. You know what? Do something about it. I guess you haven't realized this yet but internet messages boards aren't exactly the optimal place to start a revolution. For the most part, we board-goers are glorified D&D nerds with some extra time on our hands and internet access. If you think NORBA should pony up, maybe you should put your money where your mouth is and start looking for outside sponsors instead of bitching about Carter racing four cross in his undies in protest. Bottom line, you and Carter got paychecks for going to races for your whole career. Guys like JP Lutterloh do not. But this isn't about who was in the game when there was money in the sport, and if Carter's the top American at the races on any given weekend, we'll happily sign a check with his name on it.
Anyway, I'll hopefully have finalized numbers up on the webpage regarding how the money will be divvied up and where exactly we're going to be regarding the whole process. Somebody said that this isn't totally innocent, and that it's free advertising for us. There's some truth to that, you're not going to see a small business doing something with no immediate returns like this for no reason other than philanthropy. But I think there's plenty of good intentions here, and most guys that pay attention to racing already have our name down in their contact books.
In short, you guys are awesome, I should buy you all a beer. Except those under 21. Please don't actually expect to cash in on the beer offer while you're in town at the DV National.
James | Go-Ride said:Please don't actually expect to cash in on the beer offer while you're in town at the DV National.
You bet yer ass im gonna freeload
Nice job getting quoted again!
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I've been out of town the last 3 days and did not know James was going to post the US Bounty idea. There are a few points I want to get across.
1. I love DH racing; whether it is watching the top Pros or competing myself. Because of my passion for racing we have been working hard over the last 3 years to grow the Go-ride Pro Team. We don't spend money racing because it brings great exposure; we do it because we want to see top American talent on the podium at both our National series and the World Cup series.
2. I think its great that so many top foreign Pros are competing in our race series. This really adds a lot of prestige and gives upcoming American Pros a chance to see how fast you need to go to be competitive in the World Cup series. At the same time it seems that most of the top spots on American race teams are going to foreign riders. This is why the US Bounty program is for the top American finishers.
3. Unfortunately, over the last few years Norba/Team Big Bear have lost some key sponsors and had to eliminate cash prizes for Pros. I closely estimated the total entry fees that were generated at Nationals from all classes of DH racers, and there really isn't money to have cash prizes without sponsors. However, it is Norba/Team Big Bear's job to get sponsors, so I'm not letting them off the hook.
4. There are about 10 pages of stuff I could write about whats going wrong with American Downhilling, but thats not what this is about. Its about trying to start something new.
5. Dont think I didnt notice how great Kathy Pruitt raced last season. For that matter; American Women have been top competitors for as long as there has been DH racing. The US Bounty program applies to the women in hopes they will continue to kick booty.
1. I love DH racing; whether it is watching the top Pros or competing myself. Because of my passion for racing we have been working hard over the last 3 years to grow the Go-ride Pro Team. We don't spend money racing because it brings great exposure; we do it because we want to see top American talent on the podium at both our National series and the World Cup series.
2. I think its great that so many top foreign Pros are competing in our race series. This really adds a lot of prestige and gives upcoming American Pros a chance to see how fast you need to go to be competitive in the World Cup series. At the same time it seems that most of the top spots on American race teams are going to foreign riders. This is why the US Bounty program is for the top American finishers.
3. Unfortunately, over the last few years Norba/Team Big Bear have lost some key sponsors and had to eliminate cash prizes for Pros. I closely estimated the total entry fees that were generated at Nationals from all classes of DH racers, and there really isn't money to have cash prizes without sponsors. However, it is Norba/Team Big Bear's job to get sponsors, so I'm not letting them off the hook.
4. There are about 10 pages of stuff I could write about whats going wrong with American Downhilling, but thats not what this is about. Its about trying to start something new.
5. Dont think I didnt notice how great Kathy Pruitt raced last season. For that matter; American Women have been top competitors for as long as there has been DH racing. The US Bounty program applies to the women in hopes they will continue to kick booty.
Another person who only reads, hears, remembers the entertainment based rants I have given over the years. WTF are you talking about "bitching about Carter racing" in his underwear, I thought it was really, really gay, thats it!??? Dont think it is bitching.James | Go-Ride said:
But anyway go ahead and assume I have never tried to help make change, never tried (or got!) outside sponsors...just continue to be uninformed, you are doing a good job. I do not need to "work" anymore on this, MTBing is not what puts food on my table, I am just a spectator now, I leave the battles to you-oh thats right, I never did sh!t.
Amazes me all this banter from one silly cartoon I put up.
ARE WE GOING TO DIE OF POVERTY!!!!! NOOOO i hate hearing that Mountain biking is losing money and sponsorers are leaving us. What else is there to do? You dont think they will shut down Monte Ste Anne? If they shut down Mount St. Anne than they'll shut down Mount Snow than the Scottish will think they'll be cool if they close Fort Bill!!!! I will donate $50
What we need is...THAT DAMN FRICKEN BUZZING FLY.....What we need is for someone to do something outragously stupid and get a lot of media which will get sponsorers. I want one of you guys to take a step up for our sport and jump over a 4 lane highway..................yes i am very serious..........
Yup, and be sure you don't pay ANY attention to any fools in this thread that say ANYTHING different.go-ride.com said:
Awesome Go-ride.com !
Don't flatter yourself Stik, it's not all about you.stiksandstones said:
I continue to be impressed with the Go-ride crew. Whether you're addressing component issues (hello 888) or doing something to try to make racing a little better, you guys rock, and you stand out from the pack by taking action instead of just engaging in theoretical discussions. Ok, now that my nose is brown I'm done...but still, keep it up.
My take on this.... Go-ride is looking to help out some guys by getting a little purse money. Cool. Stik's point seems to be that this doesn't fix the problem. I agree... If Go-ride gets some purse money together, do you think that will motivate NORBA to do something? Doubtful. They are probably happy that they don't have to deal with that now..
Scott and crew are good guys, but they are trying to help a company that doesn't seem very willing to help itself. Hell, we can donate to the bounty or just go up to our favorite pro at the next race and hand him a dollar... Or ten packets of Ramen..
Brian
Scott and crew are good guys, but they are trying to help a company that doesn't seem very willing to help itself. Hell, we can donate to the bounty or just go up to our favorite pro at the next race and hand him a dollar... Or ten packets of Ramen..
Brian
Okay guys, the Paypal button is up (you'll have to call in to get a t-shirt, though). Git 'er done.
Yeah but Brian they have said they are not trying to help Norba, only some of the racers. Spreading a little love to american racers will not mean that suddenly all of Norba's problems will be resolved, nor should it hamper efforts to replace the existing system. The only alternative is to do nothing and race anyway, or take it a step further and boycott NORBA racing altogether like DHTahoe has advocated in the past, and wait for things to turn around. Well for most of my racer friends, not racing is not an acceptable alternative.
Yes and No.Brian Peterson said:
We aren't trying to send a message to Norba or TBB. We are trying to send a message to American Dhers. We want them to know we appreciate all the sacrifices they make to compete in the Norba circuit. And, when I say we I mean all the fans of DH racing, not just Go-ride.com.
Most amateur riders would be surprised to find out how little support the majority of pro racers get. Most Pros work all winter to save enough to pay their own way through the season and then end up in dept. Most of them are putting off education, relationships, and job opportunities to pay to race.
bizutch said:
I don't think anybody here knows how deeply that particular picture offends me. Less than two months ago my wife and I lost a child who among other birth defects had Down Syndrome, after going through the ordeal of loosing an unborn child I'd be happy to have a living "retarded" child. That picture is about the most insensitive and thoughtless picture I've ever seen on the internet. Please, to those who may see this, don't encourage posting of that particular picture, don't even make mention of it, save it for one of the forums I don't visit.
Scott hit it on the head I think. If you want to find out more about the working in the winter...read April's report on the Maxxis site...several of the major guys on the norba circuit have winter jobs. It's great Scott and the Go-Ride guy got this together, but it's really sad they have to do it. I never fails to amaze me ever time i turn on the TV what sports can get on TV and offer prize money...Pro Putt-putt golf? I mean come on..there were eating donuts and drinking beer while playing....................go-ride.com said:
I have seen what most of those guys go through first hand... I am sure they would love to at least get a little something out of being a pro. They could have stayed expert to race for medals...go-ride.com said:
Brian
