Maybe I've already missed a post on this, but has anyone else read the new Dewhine, er Decline in which pretty much everyone *****es about NORBA and everything else, and then they vow not to cover Nationals next year?
Believe me, I understand the complaints about lack of prize money, crappy gated courses and..well I can't really come up with anything else..maybe some scheduling problems here and there. The complaining about feeling like an event afterthought is equal to "Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!" on the Brady Bunch. I just finshed an awesome season of racing DH, but beyond fun events, great people, great races and courses I found that DHers are focking incredible complainers. We're supposed to be the toughguys on mountain bikes, but after reading Decline's editorials, Lopes' column and that other whiny jibber kid's drivel I start to question things. Yeah Lopes, the gated courses suck...maybe you should try racing DH again ya pansy...you seemed to do well at Whistler. And Cam...you think acting like "Jackass" 4 years after that shiz was played on MTV should have sponsors chomping at the bit to give you $$? The reason Schley and the rest of the guys you bag on are making money is because they are great at marketing themselves and their sponsors. That column you had a few months ago about how hard it will be to stay "good" and sponsored and progressive for years when you are blowing your joints out once a year was humble and insightful....I think you've been hangin with the 26" Donkeys too much these days. Being a jackass just isn't that cool anymore. Citation: Viva la Bam. God that **** sucks.
But I digress....My main issue is with Decline: Does deciding not to cover these races help solve anything? The biggest problem is the lack of big time sponsor money. How will shrinking coverage in the only mag with the means and readership to adequately cover gravity racing help gravity racing? How will sponsors feel about supporting their regional racers at Nationals when they know that they won't have any chance of a sick Spomer pan shot or even a mention on a results list? How will this help draw big time sponsors that can help "heal" NORBA racing? These are my biggest questions and I want answers because the tripe in the magazine was not sufficient. HOW WILL NOT COVERING A MAJOR RACE SERIES HELP THAT RACE SERIES IMPROVE? Will they recognize the error of their ways and do eveything they can to attract Scott Hart back to the scene, maybe with nice letter and some FTD flowers? I think not. I think instead that with declining (no pun intended) coverage from people who get their paychecks to care about gravity assisted riding, NORBA will react in-line and devote even fewer resources towards gravity. (Except for Super D..that shiz is gonna blow up next year..mark my words...we might get embarrassed by tough XC guys on 5" bikes). Thats going to hurt the amateurs and growing number of semi pro and pro privateers who are trying to race as much as possible and get good results to make their sponsors happy. Maybe Decline's Socal Pro-dawg clique won't race Nationals, but I have to assume that a couple hundred pros and am will.
I would advocate the opposite. I think Decline should intensify their National race coverage. They should work with NORBA to have someone who knows and cares about gravity racing write copy for their press releases. They should publish results for Experts beyond Jr.s, hell, show top five for sport and beginnner. They aren't doing amateur racers any favors by shunning NORBA. By focusing on Pro dominated events like the US Open and Crankworks (<--with the rest of the bike mag publishing industry..how cutting edge!) they are alienating the roots of the sport. Dedicated midpack Sport and Expert racers focking rule..they are the lifeblood of this sport and deserve some consideration.
I am lucky enough to live in Colorado and I have the most excellent Mountain States Cup Series to race again next summer. I can't wait. I will be psyched to see increased coverage of such a great series of events and give mucho props to Cycle Cyndicate for the vast majority of the coordination of the events. Yet at the same time I think it is dumb and self-destructive to sever ties with NORBA in such a brutal manner, but its not all that suprising considering the bridges burned during the creation of Decline in the first place.
-Rant off.
I know this is a bit heavier than "My new 11.5 foot drop!" but I'd be psyched to hear some thoughts from racers who hit regional and National stuff.
Believe me, I understand the complaints about lack of prize money, crappy gated courses and..well I can't really come up with anything else..maybe some scheduling problems here and there. The complaining about feeling like an event afterthought is equal to "Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!" on the Brady Bunch. I just finshed an awesome season of racing DH, but beyond fun events, great people, great races and courses I found that DHers are focking incredible complainers. We're supposed to be the toughguys on mountain bikes, but after reading Decline's editorials, Lopes' column and that other whiny jibber kid's drivel I start to question things. Yeah Lopes, the gated courses suck...maybe you should try racing DH again ya pansy...you seemed to do well at Whistler. And Cam...you think acting like "Jackass" 4 years after that shiz was played on MTV should have sponsors chomping at the bit to give you $$? The reason Schley and the rest of the guys you bag on are making money is because they are great at marketing themselves and their sponsors. That column you had a few months ago about how hard it will be to stay "good" and sponsored and progressive for years when you are blowing your joints out once a year was humble and insightful....I think you've been hangin with the 26" Donkeys too much these days. Being a jackass just isn't that cool anymore. Citation: Viva la Bam. God that **** sucks.
But I digress....My main issue is with Decline: Does deciding not to cover these races help solve anything? The biggest problem is the lack of big time sponsor money. How will shrinking coverage in the only mag with the means and readership to adequately cover gravity racing help gravity racing? How will sponsors feel about supporting their regional racers at Nationals when they know that they won't have any chance of a sick Spomer pan shot or even a mention on a results list? How will this help draw big time sponsors that can help "heal" NORBA racing? These are my biggest questions and I want answers because the tripe in the magazine was not sufficient. HOW WILL NOT COVERING A MAJOR RACE SERIES HELP THAT RACE SERIES IMPROVE? Will they recognize the error of their ways and do eveything they can to attract Scott Hart back to the scene, maybe with nice letter and some FTD flowers? I think not. I think instead that with declining (no pun intended) coverage from people who get their paychecks to care about gravity assisted riding, NORBA will react in-line and devote even fewer resources towards gravity. (Except for Super D..that shiz is gonna blow up next year..mark my words...we might get embarrassed by tough XC guys on 5" bikes). Thats going to hurt the amateurs and growing number of semi pro and pro privateers who are trying to race as much as possible and get good results to make their sponsors happy. Maybe Decline's Socal Pro-dawg clique won't race Nationals, but I have to assume that a couple hundred pros and am will.
I would advocate the opposite. I think Decline should intensify their National race coverage. They should work with NORBA to have someone who knows and cares about gravity racing write copy for their press releases. They should publish results for Experts beyond Jr.s, hell, show top five for sport and beginnner. They aren't doing amateur racers any favors by shunning NORBA. By focusing on Pro dominated events like the US Open and Crankworks (<--with the rest of the bike mag publishing industry..how cutting edge!) they are alienating the roots of the sport. Dedicated midpack Sport and Expert racers focking rule..they are the lifeblood of this sport and deserve some consideration.
I am lucky enough to live in Colorado and I have the most excellent Mountain States Cup Series to race again next summer. I can't wait. I will be psyched to see increased coverage of such a great series of events and give mucho props to Cycle Cyndicate for the vast majority of the coordination of the events. Yet at the same time I think it is dumb and self-destructive to sever ties with NORBA in such a brutal manner, but its not all that suprising considering the bridges burned during the creation of Decline in the first place.
-Rant off.
I know this is a bit heavier than "My new 11.5 foot drop!" but I'd be psyched to hear some thoughts from racers who hit regional and National stuff.
