[Full Trucker]

I'm wondering if anyone ever visits sites like this at all? Not a pro rider's bio page on the overall team website, but the rider themselves having a dedicated URL just to them, outside of their respective team. Here's the scoop: I have a good friend that is a bona fide "pro guy", and he and I have talked about putting together a site for him to help land sponsors and such.

First off, a few examples:

http://www.nathanrennie.net/
http://www.brianlopes.com/
http://www.stevepeat.com/
http://www.jefflenosky.com/
http://www.annecaro.com/

It seems to be a pretty prevelant phenomenon in the gravity cycling world, but not as much on the XC side of things. I tried searching for Travis Brown, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Geoff Kabush and Ned Overend, and all I found was bio pages on their team's websites, nothing dedicated to them individually.

So what do you guys think? Cheesy and dumb? Cool and informative? Helpful in the quest for sponsorship? I'd like to set up a sort of "blog" or race journal, that way his sponsors can check in on the site from time to time and see results, musings, photos, that kind of thing. You know, the standard stuff.

Thanks!

 

[splat]

Why Not. I have a web site. I use it for friends and family. and if out siders find it and view it why more props to them.

I say Go for it!

 

[Skookum]

I'd like to set up a sort of "blog" or race journal, that way his sponsors can check in on the site from time to time and see results, musings, photos, that kind of thing. You know, the standard stuff.

Thanks!

i think you're on the right track, just as long as their's more cowbell too.

 

[Echo]

For guys like Lopes and Lenosky who do demos and sell products, it makes perfect sense. For the other guys, why the heck not? If nothing else it keeps net squatters from taking their names.

 

[riderx]

These are the pros I check out

http://www.marlastreb.com
http://www.nikigudex.com

Once you have sponsors, I think it's a great way to help promote them and show them you are doing your part in promoting yourself. Not sure how useful it will be in attracting sponsorship, but it can't hurt.

 

[Full Trucker]

These are the pros I check out

http://www.marlastreb.com
http://www.nikigudex.com

Pervert...



Totally kidding... I've been known to lurk on the Niki Gudex site a time or two my d@mn self. Thanks for all the input guys! I'll get that project rolling here in a few weeks, and let you know how it turns out... And by "let you know how it turns out" I really mean "I'll mercilessly and unabashadly SPAM the RM boards to bolster hits on my friend's site when it's done."

 

[Full Trucker]

let me guess www.rossmilan.com (ie. www.bigpimpinonabike.com)

BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA! That's rad... the 2nd one that is...

 

[SkaredShtles]

<snip>just as long as their's more cowbell too.

Their's?!? 2 minutes in the penalty box for that.............

Definitely more cow bell, though!!

-S.S.-

 

[pixelninja]

I don't see why they shouldn't have their own dedicated sites, but the place that designed the site for Lopes should have all their computers confiscated, bi*chslapped HARD and never be allowed to design another site ever again. That's one of the most hideous sites I've seen in a while...

I have faith that the Trucker will do better.

 

[Skookum]

Their's?!? 2 minutes in the penalty box for that.............

meh..

 

[tmx]

I like checking 'em out. Little bummed when a rider I'm looking for doesn't have one, or one I can easily locate. Kinda bugs me when they aren't updated with some regularity but I imagine most of them are done by the riders themselves or by friends as a favor, so it's sorta understandable. Always return to the slick looking ones. There are a couple blogs I'll read, and others I use as sleeping aids.

No doubt Truckly's friends site will be in good hands.

 

[Damn True]

Depending on who you are talking about
I suggest www.CRUSHER.com or www.superhotgirlfromCOthatTruehasthehotsfor.com

 

[TN]

I don't see why they shouldn't have their own dedicated sites, but the place that designed the site for Lopes should have all their computers confiscated, bi*chslapped HARD and never be allowed to design another site ever again. That's one of the most hideous sites I've seen in a while...

I have faith that the Trucker will do better.

 

[Full Trucker]

funkier than a mosquito's tweeter

dot com?

 

[Repack]

My gf wants a site to show to existing and potential sponsors. We were going to do it last year, but ran out of gas, so to speak. The sponsorship process took so long that we began to cut good ideas that did not need to happen. Hopefully this year will be different.

 

[RhinofromWA]

If it is done cleanly and is a benefit to the racers ability to get sponsorship deals or communicate with fans....I say go for it!

Care should be taken to be relatively PC and talk positively on the site if sponsorship possibilities are going to look at the site as part of the decision process. I would think that talking down or being negative on the site will not assist you in your quest for a hard earned sponsors dollar. Personal opinion and arguements are better left offline and not connected to the site at all.

Treat it as a tool for wich it was intended and all should be well.

Rhino

 

[ÆX]

also if he keeps it uptodate!

 

[indieboy]

I'm wondering if anyone ever visits sites like this at all? Not a pro rider's bio page on the overall team website, but the rider themselves having a dedicated URL just to them, outside of their respective team. Here's the scoop: I have a good friend that is a bona fide "pro guy", and he and I have talked about putting together a site for him to help land sponsors and such.

First off, a few examples:

http://www.nathanrennie.net/
http://www.brianlopes.com/
http://www.stevepeat.com/
http://www.jefflenosky.com/
http://www.annecaro.com/

It seems to be a pretty prevelant phenomenon in the gravity cycling world, but not as much on the XC side of things. I tried searching for Travis Brown, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Geoff Kabush and Ned Overend, and all I found was bio pages on their team's websites, nothing dedicated to them individually.

So what do you guys think? Cheesy and dumb? Cool and informative? Helpful in the quest for sponsorship? I'd like to set up a sort of "blog" or race journal, that way his sponsors can check in on the site from time to time and see results, musings, photos, that kind of thing. You know, the standard stuff.

Thanks!

YO FOOL!!!

a lot of pro's are using the blog system for that exact reason. it's more or less guys who race road though. i know tim johnson has one and magen long does as well. but eric saunders who races for ofoto has a BADDDDDDDDASS website. he basically spends what time he has off the bike on this website, and honest to god it's one of the funniest sites you'll see all year. he takes photos from races and photoshops the shiet out of em.......check it out. www.ericsaunders.com

 

[Damn True]

YO FOOL!!!

a lot of pro's are using the blog system for that exact reason. it's more or less guys who race road though. i know tim johnson has one and magen long does as well. but eric saunders who races for ofoto has a BADDDDDDDDASS website. he basically spends what time he has off the bike on this website, and honest to god it's one of the funniest sites you'll see all year. he takes photos from races and photoshops the shiet out of em.......check it out. www.ericsaunders.com

Dude, that link is to some nature photographers site.

 

[indieboy]

Dude, that link is to some nature photographers site.

oops his name is spelled with a K
www.eriKsaunders.com

 

[NotRyanMorgan]

don't forget www.duncanriffleracing.com

Morgan

 

[dirtandwater]

Bookmark these pro's sites, I check em daily and they are always updated with entertaining info:

www.ridewithnickmartin.com
www.jasonsager.com

 

[Ciaran]

I don't see why they shouldn't have their own dedicated sites, but the place that designed the site for Lopes should have all their computers confiscated, bi*chslapped HARD and never be allowed to design another site ever again. That's one of the most hideous sites I've seen in a while...

I have faith that the Trucker will do better.

I just checked it out... the site could do with an overhaul. I have seen worse though... waaaaaay worse. (Like my own web pages)

Thoughts...
1) Don't use a flash intro page. It's just e-masturbation. "Great, now we know that you own the Flash application!"
2) Don't use a dark background for text. On a personal web page it's cool but not on a professional page. Not everyone has perfect eyesight.
3) On the home page take all that text below and move it to a new page. I would make the home page just that. A HOME page. More than 3 scrolls to get to the bottom = bad
4) Make it fit the width of the page.
I liked the navigation header. Looks good. I would use different fonts as well... just to jazz it up a bit.

Back on topic... I think that everyone should have a web site. They are cheap (often free) and an easy way to disseminate information.

 

[biker3]

As long as the site isnt as cheezy as lopes then Im all for it. Having a pic with you all flexed out with your shirt off on the front page is just plain lame. As long as its not overly serious, has some wit and humor then it seems like a totally legit idea.

 

[sanjuro]

Strictly as a fan, I don't want to go any site if all it is a bio and a few pictures from 1999.

I want to see current blog entries, preferably dishing the dirt. I used to look at Wade Bootes site every month when he was racing in America, because he keeps his journal site up to date. I used to look at Mike Creed's site as well, who b*tched out everyone (should have seen his Redlands post), until he got sick. And I would track down Mark Weir's entries at Santa Cruz because he writes well.

I really don't care about a rider's sponsors. It might be important to the sponsor, but the more experienced fan/rider will buy what he wants, not because so-so rides it. I suppose Trek might disagree with that philosophy, but I don't surf pro rider sites to hear about their opinion about products they get paid to use.

 

[N8 v2.0]

www.n8.com

 

[justsomeguy]

This conversation is SO September 2004.

 

[MOTODH]

I see nothing wrong with it, plus they usually have nice pics

 

[Transcend]

I don't see why they shouldn't have their own dedicated sites, but the place that designed the site for Lopes should have all their computers confiscated, bi*chslapped HARD and never be allowed to design another site ever again. That's one of the most hideous sites I've seen in a while...

I have faith that the Trucker will do better.

new lopes site coming soon to an intarweb near you.

 

[Full Trucker]

new lopes site coming soon to an intarweb near you.

I had nothing to do with it, I swear.

 

[blt2ride]

I think it's cool; it's a great to advertise for their sponsors. However, must of them don't get updated too often...

 

[punkassean]

We recently made one for Carlin Dunne. It's www.carlindunne.com it is simple but clean and effective. It has a slideshow photo gallery, list of upcoming events, contact page and of course a bio. It also has a diary feature that Carln can log in to from anywhere in the world and update in just a few minutes. That's a great feature because not only does it reduce my workload but it also keeps the site fresh and gives it realness.

I think personal websites are a great tool for riders to stoke their sponsors and promote themselves which in the end keeps them sponsored. Without a doubt it can only help.

 

[Transcend]

hey man, what gallery software did you use on that site? I have seen it a couple of places and dig it - especially rights management wise.

 

[-dustin]

pro sites seem rather lame to me. i see them as a person way too stuck on themselves. not always the case, that's just how i see it.

but i'm not a pro trying to push my sponsors.

i like team sites, though, especially ones that are updated often, and have decent pictures/ biographies of the team riders.

 

[DaveW]

Pro cycling is a business.
The riders are essentialy independant contractors to the equipment manufacturers.
And as in any business you need to advertise your wares to get customers and hense income. I would say that their advertiseing is very low key/low saturation, insanely low in comparison to the size of the industry........Or is it any advertising by any business that you are annoyed with?

 

[Full Trucker]

hey man, what gallery software did you use on that site? I have seen it a couple of places and dig it - especially rights management wise.

Slide Show Pro

We recently made one for Carlin Dunne. It's www.carlindunne.com it is simple but clean and effective... <snip>

Very nice site, I dig it. Simple like you said, but effective. I saw something though in the meta tags, looks like theres a description from a different site in there? Super good site though! I especially like the fancy replacement font for all the entry headers... slick!

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

I don't see why they shouldn't have their own dedicated sites, but the place that designed the site for Lopes should have all their computers confiscated, bi*chslapped HARD and never be allowed to design another site ever again. That's one of the most hideous sites I've seen in a while...

I have faith that the Trucker will do better.

everytime i look at it i think the exact same thing...minus the trucker part :evil:

 

[hooples3]

i think its a good way for people to keep track of there favorite riders and see what they have been up too every season. I personally dont see myself frequenting the site but an occasional browse through may occur.
I believe it would be something a teenager may use more

 

[The Toninator]

Bookmark these pro's sites, I check em daily and they are always updated with entertaining info:

www.ridewithnickmartin.com
www.jasonsager.com

i read jason's just about every morning. he's very funny guy.

 

[Ciaran]

We recently made one for Carlin Dunne. It's www.carlindunne.com it is simple but clean and effective. It has a slideshow photo gallery, list of upcoming events, contact page and of course a bio. It also has a diary feature that Carln can log in to from anywhere in the world and update in just a few minutes. That's a great feature because not only does it reduce my workload but it also keeps the site fresh and gives it realness.

I think personal websites are a great tool for riders to stoke their sponsors and promote themselves which in the end keeps them sponsored. Without a doubt it can only help.

The gallery is frikkin nice. To second Transcends question; What software is that?