S
S o r n i
Guest
Dan Volker wrote:
> Maybe I'm getting old from all this argueing, but I don't remember
> ever claiming that the riders out West, or the NG members
> specifically had poor skills or fitness---I'd normally be inclined to
> expect their fitness to be higher, and their skills somewhat better
> than riders in less vertically challenged areas ;-)
> As I recall, I got my head handed to me by many of the NG regulars,
> who were shocked that I could suggest that a Florida trail could be
> technical, or that a Florida rider could have technical skills or
> fitness. The distinction could be a little blurred from all the SS
> **** buried within the same discussions, but since you were there
> from the start, you tell me---Wasn't it a case of me "defending" my
> riding places and skills after getting slammed ? That would mean the
> MTB skill/fitness standard originated with you guys, and not with me.
Jeez, I already hate my own guts for even entering this debacle, but here
goes.
The way I remember things is you appeared in AM-B asking questions about
your girlfriend's riding -- namely, she took a while to warm up to technical
sections, and so fell behind early in rides (or something like that). You
also made it clear that both you and she were quite accomplished roadies,
but *fairly* new to mountain biking.
A number of people (me included) suggested letting her find her own
way/comfort level, as it seemed (to us at least) that you were trying to
manage her experience for her.
Then in other threads you offered advice based on heart-rate zones and
fitness levels, and got somewhat blasted for it (as in, who the hell is this
guy and who appointed him expert status?!?). Now granted, when JD gets a
bug up his...ear...for someone, he can be relentless; and yes, he (and
others) baited you a bit. (Google Barry Sanders for your most recent
predecessor in this vein.) But you came off as some techno-trained
know-it-all, and this rubbed many people the wrong way.
(Notice that the subject of SS-ing hasn't even appeared yet. Nor Florida,
for that matter.)
Then IIRC you posted a question about chain slap issues, and our resident
nut Bill Wheeler said get a SS. Instead of just ignoring that, you got all
defensive/offensive and it was on. (IOW, you were trolled and are still
digesting the hook.)
In *this* thread you posted a perfectly legitimate opinion of tires, and JD
took the opportunity to flame you. Again, instead of simply IGNORING it,
you got your back up and some rather entertaining hilarity ensued.
My guess is that you're probably a very fit bike rider who has control
issues/tendencies. (Many "serious" riders -- both roadie AND mountain --
are like that.) The irony in all this pissing contest stuff is that JD
isn't a racer at all; he rides for enjoyment, period. (Which isn't to say
he's not fast, because he is; he also can clear some sick **** that I
wouldn't try for a million bucks.)
What happened to you happens in newsgroups and other venues all the time:
some new person shows up and starts dispensing "wisdom", and regular members
question/resent it. Period. Sometimes they get a little humility and
eventually fit in; sometimes they just keep getting "outcaster and
outcaster".
My advice (worth exactly what you're paying for it): go ride your bikes;
have fun; enjoy your local trails; ride with your gf as often as possible;
have fun; try new places as opportunities allow; have fun; work on skills
and techniques and buy lots of stuff (techno AND just plain useful), and --
most of all -- HAVE FUN.
(Oh, and if you keep reading/posting to AM-B, resist the urge to reply to
every troll attempt and/or flame bait. How do you feel about changing your
name and starting over?!?
Bill "already noticed 'less' silly quotation marks!" S.
(Should I take a shower after this???)
> Maybe I'm getting old from all this argueing, but I don't remember
> ever claiming that the riders out West, or the NG members
> specifically had poor skills or fitness---I'd normally be inclined to
> expect their fitness to be higher, and their skills somewhat better
> than riders in less vertically challenged areas ;-)
> As I recall, I got my head handed to me by many of the NG regulars,
> who were shocked that I could suggest that a Florida trail could be
> technical, or that a Florida rider could have technical skills or
> fitness. The distinction could be a little blurred from all the SS
> **** buried within the same discussions, but since you were there
> from the start, you tell me---Wasn't it a case of me "defending" my
> riding places and skills after getting slammed ? That would mean the
> MTB skill/fitness standard originated with you guys, and not with me.
Jeez, I already hate my own guts for even entering this debacle, but here
goes.
The way I remember things is you appeared in AM-B asking questions about
your girlfriend's riding -- namely, she took a while to warm up to technical
sections, and so fell behind early in rides (or something like that). You
also made it clear that both you and she were quite accomplished roadies,
but *fairly* new to mountain biking.
A number of people (me included) suggested letting her find her own
way/comfort level, as it seemed (to us at least) that you were trying to
manage her experience for her.
Then in other threads you offered advice based on heart-rate zones and
fitness levels, and got somewhat blasted for it (as in, who the hell is this
guy and who appointed him expert status?!?). Now granted, when JD gets a
bug up his...ear...for someone, he can be relentless; and yes, he (and
others) baited you a bit. (Google Barry Sanders for your most recent
predecessor in this vein.) But you came off as some techno-trained
know-it-all, and this rubbed many people the wrong way.
(Notice that the subject of SS-ing hasn't even appeared yet. Nor Florida,
for that matter.)
Then IIRC you posted a question about chain slap issues, and our resident
nut Bill Wheeler said get a SS. Instead of just ignoring that, you got all
defensive/offensive and it was on. (IOW, you were trolled and are still
digesting the hook.)
In *this* thread you posted a perfectly legitimate opinion of tires, and JD
took the opportunity to flame you. Again, instead of simply IGNORING it,
you got your back up and some rather entertaining hilarity ensued.
My guess is that you're probably a very fit bike rider who has control
issues/tendencies. (Many "serious" riders -- both roadie AND mountain --
are like that.) The irony in all this pissing contest stuff is that JD
isn't a racer at all; he rides for enjoyment, period. (Which isn't to say
he's not fast, because he is; he also can clear some sick **** that I
wouldn't try for a million bucks.)
What happened to you happens in newsgroups and other venues all the time:
some new person shows up and starts dispensing "wisdom", and regular members
question/resent it. Period. Sometimes they get a little humility and
eventually fit in; sometimes they just keep getting "outcaster and
outcaster".
My advice (worth exactly what you're paying for it): go ride your bikes;
have fun; enjoy your local trails; ride with your gf as often as possible;
have fun; try new places as opportunities allow; have fun; work on skills
and techniques and buy lots of stuff (techno AND just plain useful), and --
most of all -- HAVE FUN.
(Oh, and if you keep reading/posting to AM-B, resist the urge to reply to
every troll attempt and/or flame bait. How do you feel about changing your
name and starting over?!?
Bill "already noticed 'less' silly quotation marks!" S.
(Should I take a shower after this???)
