Carrie Cleeton
Well said Evan. What really matters is that we all ride, and we can all
help support each other to continue to develope our riding areas. Our
voices are going to be much loader if we all stick together. Thanks for
the update as well.
-C
> I just got off the phone after a lengthy conversation with the BRMBA
> president. He assured me that the race was "on" and a course had been
> agreed
> on with Kevin Thompson. I do not have the course map or exact details only
> a
> rough description. It sounds like it may be significantly different that
> years past so be prepared and know the course!
>
> The good thing is that if you arrive early, you will have time to get a
> lap
> in. Hopefully Kevin can comment on this before race day.
>
> Please come out and support mountain bike racing this weekend. This venue
> has a lot of potential and it will only be realized with better
> communication, planning and an effort to get along with other riders of
> different disiplines. If not we all lose!
>
> Good luck out there and try to avoid confrontation with the big-bike
> crowd.
> There are losers that ride bikes--doesn't matter the type or clothing. We
> have to deal with them in all aspects of life. Some mistakes were made
> this
> week in the public forum, but we need to get beyond that for the sake of
> the
> sport.
>
> BR,
>
> Evan
>
>
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: "Carrie Cleeton"
> To: "Evan Plews" , obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] FYI Firecracker XC race?
> Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 12:45:37 -0700 (PDT)
>
> I rode up there a lot last summer. Half the time on my trail/freeride
> bike and half the time on a hardtail XC bike. I definetely felt that when
> I was on my trail bike, people were more friendly and welcoming. When I
> was on my XC bike, people I encountered were less willing to engage in
> conversation and had a certain attitude. I know that type of attitude
> because little do most of those people know who I encountered while on my
> hardtail xc bike is that I am a retired DH racer. While I never
> subscribed to commen us vs. them ideology because I participate in all
> forms of cycling, I have been around it. Freeriders and downhillers tend
> to be very territorial about their riding areas and this is often apparent
> in how they treat other "types" of riders in their area. It's usually
> with sarcastic comments about spandex and snickers about why anyone would
> waste their time pedalling up hill all day. The stereotypes go both ways.
> A lot of XC riders see freeriders and downhillers as andrenaline junky
> meat heads, who do nothing but huck off ladders. Both both types of
> cycling, for obviously different reason, are incredibly difficult and take
> a certain skill set. But when it comes down to it, riding is riding. I
> don't understand why there can't be more mutual respect amongst cyclist,
> and why an area can't support both groups.
>
> As far as trail damage goes, I have seen a lot of grom (beginner)
> freeriders with big bikes and big tires skidding their brakes down bonzai
> downhill too. Damage in that area results for a lot of reasons on that
> particular trail, not just the XC race. It's a beginner DH trail,
> therefor you have beginner dh and freeriders learning on it. This results
> in breaking bumps, ruts, ect. The XC race is not the only source of
> damage to the trail. If BRMBA wants to build XC trails, and this intent
> was advertised to the trails target group, for example the OBRA message
> board, I feel that they would get a lot more community interest in
> building such trails and getting the help they are asking for.
>
> -C
>
>
>
>
>
> > Good call, Carrie. You have voiced my concerns better than I. It isn't
> > about
> > the trails but more an undertone of an exclusive attitude forming
> within
> > BRMBA's ranks. I ride everything from a 'cross bike with road tires to
> an
> > eight inch travel huckbike on those trails. There is no way trail
> damage
> > has
> > anything to do with this...
> >
> > Seems like good old fashion personal dispute to me. Unfortunately, the
> > internet makes it a public forum and this can be very damaging to all
> > parties--involved or not!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Evan
> >
> >
> >
> > ----Original Message Follows----
> > From: "Carrie Cleeton"
> > To: obra@list.obra.org
> > Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] FYI Firecracker XC race?
> > Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 09:35:46 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> > Rick,
> >
> > You may not know this but the person who posted that that the XC race
> is
> > no longer allowed on "their" downhill trail because it causes too much
> > damage is on of BRMBA's leaders. It is a public forum, but many of the
> > "board members" if you will, post there. It's his opinion that XC
> causes
> > damage and the trail is too hard. He's entitled to his opinion, but I
> > have personally seen a lot more damage coming from spring fundraisers
> up
> > there where they shuttle freeriders all day, while the trails are still
> > somewhat wet. I started riding up at blackrock months before the XC
> race
> > last year and there were dried ruts still on some trails from shuttle
> > days.
> >
> > The other, more negative comments are not something he can help, but
> it's
> > indicative of the attitude you sometimes encounter up there. Some
> people
> > are really nice, others act like you didn't even just say hi. It's
> > unfortunate, because we're all on two wheels. We just do things a
> little
> > differently.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > If anyone is interested I believe this is the thread that prompted
> the
> > > question:
> > > http://brmba.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=714
> > >
> > > I don't see any indication this is the opinion or policy of BRMBA,
> it
> > > appears much like our own forum - anyone is free to sign up and
> > > participate.
> > >
> > > Rick
> > >
> > > Evan Plews wrote:
> > >
> > >> I was out riding the Falls City trails on Monday. There have been
> no
> > >> changes since last year that would make the trail system more
> > >> challenging, less rideable or more fragile. After all, BRMBA prides
> > >> themselves on building sustainable trails. Furthermore, the trails
> are
> > >> currently completely dry and hard packed.
> > >>
> > >> In fact we met up with some "XC" riders who described themselves as
> > >> out for their "first mountain bike ride". Amazingly after pushing
> > >> their way through some of the climb we ran into them again on the
> one
> > >> of the downhills. They seemed to be riding well and enjoying
> > >> themselves so much so that we marveled at their enthusiasm. Great
> to
> > >> see folks trying out our sport for the first time in such a great
> > >> location!
> > >>
> > >> We have ridden the main trail system (used for the race more or
> less)
> > >> long before the stunts or any trail modification was organized by
> > >> BRMBA. I know many members of that organization and I am quite
> > >> surprised by the postings on their website.
> > >>
> > >> It would appear that BRMBA believes their alteration of the
> existing
> > >> trail system is an entitlement for controlling access. Hardly a
> > >> logical conclusion since BRMBA was given the opportunity to do this
> > >> work by the land owners--the residents of the State of Oregon
> through
> > >> ODF!
> > >>
> > >> Especially confounding is the fact that BRMBA seems to be trying to
> > >> stereotype a certain variety of rider that is an acceptable user of
> > >> these trails. I will have to consult my IMBA membership to better
> > >> understand the criterion for who a real moutain biker is!
> > >>
> > >> I have personally emailed a board member and asked for an
> explanation
> > >> of the statements found on the BRMBA message board. It will be
> > >> interesting to better understand the definition of "allowable"
> riders
> > >> and/or riding styles. I find it amazing that these statements were
> > >> made in a public forum in such a haphazard manner by one of the
> board
> > >> members. It would appear that BRMBA has lost remembrance of both
> its
> > >> roots (XC riding) and its supporters (folks like you and me).
> > >>
> > >> I personally have donated hundreds of $$$ to their cause. Hopefully
> > >> this is a case of sour grapes or some kind of personal conflict and
> > >> cooler heads/clear thinking will prevail over emotion. I am also
> > >> trying my best to give them the benefit of the doubt rather than
> both
> > >> barrels regarding this last minute pre-race fiasco.
> > >>
> > >> In the meantime how about we take the high road until some official
> > >> statement regarding the event this weekend is made?
> > >>
> > >> I will keep you posted if I receive any response from my inquiry to
> > >> the BRMBA "brass".
> > >>
> > >> Thanks,
> > >>
> > >> Evan Plews
> > >> Capitol Subaru Cycling
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> ----Original Message Follows----
> > >> From: "Ron and Dorothy Strasser"
> > >> To: , "Carrie Cleeton"
> > >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Firecracker XC race?
> > >> Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 20:54:44 -0700
> > >>
> > >> I find the concept of freeriders suggesting that XC riders are too
> > >> hard on
> > >> trails a sick joke...I hope!!!!
> > >> ----- Original Message -----
> > >> From: "Carrie Cleeton"
> > >> To:
> > >> Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 11:51 AM
> > >> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Firecracker XC race?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> >I just read on the brmba.org web page (the group that manages the
> > >> > fall city riding area where the firecracker was to be held) that
> > they
> > >> > and the ODF have decided to not allow the promoter to use the
> trail
> > >> > the race is normally run on, because according to them it is too
> > hard
> > >> > for XC riders and we cause too much trail damage. Has anyone
> heard
> > >> > if this is official or if this is a bunch of angry freeriders
> > blowing
> > >> > smoke? Is the race still happening? If it is, will there be any
> > >> > single track or will it be all gravel roads?
> > >> >
> > >> > Carrie
> > >> >
> > >> > Here is the link to the specific thread where this is
> "announced."
> > >> >
> > >> > http://brmba.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=714
> > >> > _______________________________________________
> > >> > OBRA mailing list
> > >> > obra@list.obra.org
> > >> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > >> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
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> > >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> > >>
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