Ian Mastenbrook

Great video! Haha, wow.

"Challenge myself, is that like the HTFU"
"HTFU?"
"Yeah I see super fast dudes say that all the time on Twitter, like "hey,
it's cold as balls outside and I don't want to ride, but I need to HTFU""
"Yes, exactly. Harden the F up"

On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 9:38 PM, J Ballantine wrote:

> I would like to thanks all of those that responded. I got nearly 50 replies
> and I regret that will not be able to reply to each of you individually. I
> was not called a sandbagger even once, which surprised me a bit, but then
> maybe I am more cynical than is good for me.
>
> Basically it came down to this: about half said Upgrade, with some
> variation of "it will make you faster."
>
> About 20 percent stay in the in Bs until getting the a big win.
>
> The remaining 30 percent were somewhere in between, focusing on the goals
> that one has for the sport. The general consensus in this group was that if
> I have a goal to win and get top 5 results, I should stay. If I want to go
> race with people that are faster than me and attempt to be faster as well, I
> should upgrade.
>
> There were a few that emailed me with a similar dilemma between other
> categories and in other disciplines. I don't really have too much to say
> regarding these situations other than what it above. I was forwarded this
> video though regarding upgrading in cross:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_xrLTs6Z1Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player
>
> As it is, I am leaning toward the "it will make you faster" bunch. It
> remains to be seen whether I will have the nerve on race day.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Jeff
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:49:46 -0700
> From: jeff.ballantine@gmail.com
>
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Should I upgrade?
>
>
> The time has come for me to decide whether I should upgrade in cyclocross
> from Bs to major leagues (As). Personally, I am think that I am on the
> bubble. However, I would like to crowd source (in current Internet speak)
> this decision. By sending this email, I may have already sealed my fate in
> the eyes of those that control such things, but so be it. Here are the links
> for 2010. You can also look at my (slightly better) 2009 results as well if
> you think they might be help, though my current fitness is more similar
> to 2010.
>
> http://obra.org/people/738/2010
> http://obra.org/events/16592/results#race_284493
>
> I would like to know whether you think that I should make the (big) jump to
> As; if you are feeling long winded, why you do think that I should? Thanks
> for your help. (My apologies in advance to those who believe that I have
> wasted your time.)
>
> Jeff Ballantine
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________ OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra Unsubscribe:
> obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

--
*-Ian Mastenbrook*

J Ballantine

I would like to thanks all of those that responded. I got nearly 50
replies and I regret that will not be able to reply to each of you
individually. I was not called a sandbagger even once, which
surprised me a bit, but then maybe I am more cynical than is good for
me.

Basically it came down to this: about half said Upgrade, with some
variation of "it will make you faster."

About 20 percent stay in the in Bs until getting the a big win.

The remaining 30 percent were somewhere in between, focusing on the
goals that one has for the sport. The general consensus in this group
was that if I have a goal to win and get top 5 results, I should
stay. If I want to go race with people that are faster than me and
attempt to be faster as well, I should upgrade.

There were a few that emailed me with a similar dilemma between other
categories and in other disciplines. I don't really have too much to
say regarding these situations other than what it above. I was
forwarded this video though regarding upgrading in cross:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_xrLTs6Z1Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

As it is, I am leaning toward the "it will make you faster" bunch. It
remains to be seen whether I will have the nerve on race day.

Thanks again,

Jeff

> Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:49:46 -0700
> From: jeff.ballantine@gmail.com
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Should I upgrade?
>
> The time has come for me to decide whether I should upgrade in
> cyclocross from Bs to major leagues (As). Personally, I am think
> that I am on the bubble. However, I would like to crowd source (in
> current Internet speak) this decision. By sending this email, I may
> have already sealed my fate in the eyes of those that control such
> things, but so be it. Here are the links for 2010. You can also
> look at my (slightly better) 2009 results as well if you think they
> might be help, though my current fitness is more similar to 2010.
>
> http://obra.org/people/738/2010
> http://obra.org/events/16592/results#race_284493
>
> I would like to know whether you think that I should make the (big)
> jump to As; if you are feeling long winded, why you do think that I
> should? Thanks for your help. (My apologies in advance to those who
> believe that I have wasted your time.)
>
> Jeff Ballantine
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________ OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

don Joling

Coming from a guy who currently sucks, but was OK back in the day: do it. The first couple races will leave you 'wanting', but it'll make you way faster. Getting to know the fast folk is priceless.

BTW, still have your water bottle Mark..........

jboquiren@comcast.net

Cobra Kai needs his own army of Twitter followers ^_^

jb

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cobra Kai"
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 4:43:13 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Should I upgrade?

While not at the caliber of top 7 B Class rider Jeff Ballsantium, Kai knows that making a leap (or a crane technique leap) takes the momentum of thousands such as found on OBRA list server. Kai is for once distraught over this agonizing decision. Cobra knows that Jeff Ballsantium is a great threat during Cross Crusades with top ten placings, and this year with fitness levels at 2010, an imposing force. Kai wonders if Ballsmantine has somehow stopped the aging process..

Cobra Kai is asking the obra community for an answer on what to recommend to Ballerantine. Should Cobra recommend an upgrade? Perhaps Kai has “sealed his fate” by even writing to the OBRAites.

OMG, KAI JUST NOTICED THAT BALLERANTIM POSTED 2009 RESULTS AS WELL??? This is too much for poor Kai’s soul to bear. Kai pleads with OBRA to aid him in his decision. Perhaps Kai will consult the Casa Diablo priestesses for assistance.

--
YES, SENSEI

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Erik Voldengen

Just do it.

On Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:49 PM, Jeff Ballantine wrote:

> The time has come for me to decide whether I should upgrade in cyclocross
> from Bs to major leagues (As). Personally, I am think that I am on the
> bubble. However, I would like to crowd source (in current Internet speak)
> this decision. By sending this email, I may have already sealed my fate in
> the eyes of those that control such things, but so be it. Here are the links
> for 2010. You can also look at my (slightly better) 2009 results as well if
> you think they might be help, though my current fitness is more similar
> to 2010.
>
> http://obra.org/people/738/2010
> http://obra.org/events/16592/results#race_284493
>
> I would like to know whether you think that I should make the (big) jump to
> As; if you are feeling long winded, why you do think that I should? Thanks
> for your help. (My apologies in advance to those who believe that I have
> wasted your time.)
>
> Jeff Ballantine
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

Jeff Ballantine

The time has come for me to decide whether I should upgrade in cyclocross
from Bs to major leagues (As). Personally, I am think that I am on the
bubble. However, I would like to crowd source (in current Internet speak)
this decision. By sending this email, I may have already sealed my fate in
the eyes of those that control such things, but so be it. Here are the links
for 2010. You can also look at my (slightly better) 2009 results as well if
you think they might be help, though my current fitness is more similar
to 2010.

http://obra.org/people/738/2010
http://obra.org/events/16592/results#race_284493

I would like to know whether you think that I should make the (big) jump to
As; if you are feeling long winded, why you do think that I should? Thanks
for your help. (My apologies in advance to those who believe that I have
wasted your time.)

Jeff Ballantine