Evan Plews

Here is Joe's (secretary of BRMBA) repsonse to my letter regarding the
Firecracker event. Draw your own conclusions...

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Joe Rykowski"
To: "Evan Plews" , "Kevin Thompson"

CC: Chris , "Troy Munsell"
, richb@brmba.org
Subject: Re: BRMBA/Firecracker mudslinging
Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 08:53:50 -0700

I was also surprised to see what appeared to be a threat to "shut down" the
race Sunday.

>>Not sure where that comes from. Rich and Kevin are going to Black Rock
>>today to scout an appropriate course. BRMBA is suggesting that the race
>>use the fireroad, lower Banzai Downhill (not upper or middle), and parts
>>of Sickter Gnar. There's been demonstrated damage caused to the trails
>>after the event, which later has to be repaired by trail build volunteers
>>(and every year that is supposed to be a group consisting of volunteers
>>that Kevin Thompson bring in, but that has never happened... Black Rock
>>trail builders have to fix every year).

I know about some of the friction between Mr. Thompson and
BRMBA

>>The friction is mostly brought on by Kevin's lack of communication upfront
>>and in timely manner. This same sentiment is being expressed by Camp
>>Tapawingo and Oregon Department of Forestry managers as well.

, but to get into a personal power struggle a week before an important
regional event? It sounds like the UCI, WADA and the Grand Tour
organizers...

>>There's no power struggle here. We're geniuenly concerned that the race
>>is being routed on trails not intended for the style of race he's
>>advertising. If it we an "all-mountain" race, we'd gladly assist (and
>>many BRMBA members would participate), but as a cross-country focused race
>>the proposed course was not appropriate.

Banzai downhill is hardly a technical trail by XC race
standards (I should know after 12 years of racing). Anyone who rides or has
raced there will see through this to a simple pissing match between Kevin
and BRMBA.

>>We understand that the advanced/expert riders have no difficulty with the
>>features of Banzai Downhill. But it's the other classes of riders which
>>cause damage (not to mention the liability risks involved with course with
>>technical features designed for downhill/freeride).

All at the expense of our regional athletes less than a week before the
event?

>>This is primary concern of BRMBA. We want to see the Firecracker event
>>continue - for the good of the sport. But we (and Camp Tapawingo and ODF)
>>are disappointed in the organization demonstrated on part of Kevin. This
>>has consistently been the general commentary from these land managers.

BRMBA is volunteer trail build group caught in the middle of this.

BTW- Capitol Subaru/Santiam team planned to attend this race in force. Seems
like quite a conflict to put the shop in the middle of that has been so good
to both organizations.

>>Both Troy and Graham were at the ODF/BRMBA summit meeting when this was
>>publically discussed. Kevin also was aware of this summit meeting, and
>>the fact that as the single event hosted at Black Rock is on the table for
>>discussion (every year!).

Troy was also in the loop about consideration last week about contacting
Kevin to suggest an alternate route.

So, yeah, we are in support of racers. We would like to help Kevin continue
having this event, but there's much that he continues to fall short on.

joe

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