Negativity? no…
December 19th, 2007 |There was some brief discussion at the recent NSC Velodrome track meeting regarding the tone of local blogs being such that it intimidates some riders from coming out the track to give it a try. The perception may be that the track community is too close knit and would not welcome someone new showing up. Funny that the opposite is true.
There is a lot of down time in between races at the track and this ends up encouraging a lot of chatter amongst those racers who are not currently racing. It seems like most track racers are really curious when someone new shows up. It’s really one of the most welcoming environment in cycling that I have ever experienced.
Compare that to your average criterium or road race. You show up for the race, get ready to race, line up for the race, start the race, race the race, finish the race, clean up, pack up and hit the road. Unless there is an established group that hangs out after the race concludes (like Black Dog) it’s not likely that you are going to say much of anything to anyone during the entire experience. Sure, you could strike up a conversation during the race but the moment the race heats up your conversation ends.
From my experience, if you want to get into racing, the velodrome is the perfect venue. There are classes available to teach you how to ride and race. There are lot of opportunities to race in the same environment and under the same conditions for weeks on end. There are lots of people hanging around that you can talk to, that want to talk to you, in between events. It’s prefect. So why would the track be more intimidating than the road? Bloggers? I don’t buy it.
So what’s the deal? Is some stupid trash talk on the internet making some too nervous to give the velodrome a try?
59 Responses to “Negativity? no…”
I started racing at the track late last season and found the experience very welcoming. I too saw many of the posts about track drama and was in no way deterred from trying it out. I found the online discussions, fake drama, and rare real drama to be intriguing. Heck, it spurred my interest. When I started racing I had plenty of people helping me out – loaning me tools, loaning me chainrings, giving me tips and advice, encouragement, beer, and good conversation. Sure there are some prickly folks out there but hey’re everywhere. I am pretty new to the MN cycling scene and have had no troubles getting to know my fellow cyclists, finding a team, finding events to compete in. The only thing intimidating about the track was the track itself and the fact that I never rode a fixie. Twenty minutes into the track class I was wanting to let’r rip and start racing!
Location.
Location.
I have a question for you guys that complain about location: Do you race at Dakota Tech?
People who complain about the ‘drama’ and blogs are just looking for another fucking excuse. They will find an excuse about anything.
The Location people have a valid point about it being far away, but so is Kenosha from Milwaukee and Chicago…so, it is how it is and if you want to complain about location that is fine, but just realize that you suck hairy donkey balls.
Two words cause fear among track newbies 1) BikeThrow 2) Timmer
I dislike the location and I’ve raced only once at Dakota Tech sometime in 2003 or 2004.
I ride up to Blaine from the University and as Big Ben says it’s a perfect warmup. It’s perfect–16+ miles. Riding home is a pain. It’s more than 20 miles.
The ideal location for the track would be in the Armory. It’s GeneO’s preferred spot and mine. It ain’t gonna happen but it would be the best spot: easy to ride to, easy to drive to, easy to light-rail to.
Track racers are welcoming but I think the lurid stories are intimidating. For example, I was taking my pull at the front this summer when Franz was taken out by a lapped rider. I don’t know how eager I’d be to get out on the track after reading the blogs entries about that.
Oh, and by the way the Super Rookie probably won’t admit to this but he did a similar thing at the first day of the two day track class several years ago. Once again I was on the measurement line pacing several people. There was a great clatter at the rail as we went through turn two. As we transitioned through turn three into turn four most of us looked back to see the Super Rookie on the infield. He was unhurt except for his pride.
He was unhurt except for his pride.
What on earth would Super Rookie have to ever be proud of?
I would say that he was totally unhurt.
so do i need a njs(japanese standard) track bike to get on the ncs velodrome? i’ll give it a try maybe…
I’d love to give it a try. Attitude and trash talk from the regulars makes it even more appealing, if you ask me.
Sadly, with a 100 mile drive each way, it’s probably not going to happen – at least regularly.
(Build a track at Dakota Tech and it’s feasible.)
One of the main men at Interpol said that the internet is a direct reflection of what is going on in our society. He was talking about child pornography at the time. Blogging also reflects society. But, I can’t see where anybody wouldn’t try the track because of some half-witted bloggers.
sorry about that crash (1st of 2 that i did!)
a symptom of the infection is the blog, the virus is in the comment section. the disease… ah screw the disease, it won’t kill ya real fast
ped are you serious? i strike fear in the non-newbies pal. i’m a cat 3 and actually took the classes and from what i’ve heard you need a refresher. you’re one of the over categorized riders that make the 1/2 racing dangerous. your turn putz
Burnt, Have you never crashed on the road? If you’re afraid of crashing you shouldn’t be racing anything. It’s pretty much a fact of life in cycling.
andrew – no, to answer your question – the only standards your bike has to meet are:
1. no brakes
2. adequate BB height
w.r.t. #2, ideally your bike would have 165-170mm cranks in combination with a 50-60mm bb drop.
NJS stamping is meaningful only in japan, for japanese keirin racers. I don’t think anyone at Blaine rides a fully NJS compliant bike… NJS is mostly a fashion thing….
I would like to get on the track more than I have in the past, but there are a couple things that hold me back. The first is that there is alot of etiquette and trackies that can get very particular. Secondly, its alot of equipment, wheel stuff, gear ratios, all that stuff is pretty intimidating for me. I like to be self-reliant, change my cassettes, be able to work on my own bike a little, but at the track I am worried I am going to fiddle and then my rear wheel is going to fall off and I am going to look like a complete idiot. I would say that track blogs are better motivator to get to the track than they are a deterent.
People race at the track?
I don’t really have much to say, but I feel like I should post a comment.
I did talk to skibby and dave g on a ride. and yep, as an outsider looking in, it (blogs) does play a part in keeping me away from blaine.
This is merely my opinion.
yea? and i hope skibby’s is on top of the list
I’d be interested in hearing more daveb.
To each there own, I guess. I don’t want to be completely oblivious to other people’s feelings, but crimony, do we have to walk this world on egg shells in hopes that we don’t scare anybody from the track?
Let me give some advice – cuz that’s my expertise. If you want to race the track, do it, otherwise, don’t. Any questions?
Any questions?
But what about my feelings?
I don’t like to be yelled at.
yea, i’m wondering why this topic even exists. it’s counter productive in itself
Well…
Worst racing day of my life was when I caught a pedal, slid down the track and took out Franz and two others.
Gwen, Cruiser, and SuperRookie came up to me post crash and talked to me about it. SR told me a similiar thing happened to him. (So BURNT, he did admit it, except he said he took out Ferris.) I probably wouldn’t have come back if not for these three. Of course I talked to Bob about it too. I stayed at it the next four weeks until a back injury I suffered in the crash forced me to stop racing in late July.
Most bloggers assumed I was a newbie and being a CAT4 on the track, to most I was. But I had been racing at the track the year before and actually brought Phil and Tuffy up there for the first time. My first time riding the track was in a class 13 years ago.
So anyway, it was tough reading in blogs what was being assumed. I saw a similiar crash in the 1,2’s when a rider caught a pedal, slid down and took out one of the Dubay brothers. So crashing happens in racing at any level.
So if the question is can some of the blogging keep newcomers away from the track? Maybe. No one wants to be ridiculed and pointed out in a public forum that they fucked up or suck (espicially when they’re just getting started or going again.) But face to face, the track community is pretty fun. That’s all I have to say
smithers, smithers, smithers…
only people doing bone head moves that endanger others will be ‘verbally addressed’ – and its done for EVERYONE’S safety. Ride with half a brain and you’ll be fine. do something bonehead in a road race, people will say something. do something bonehead in a crit, people will say something. do something bone head in a mt. bike race, people will say something. its no different on the track.
now, how about a big group hug?
Gwen, Cruiser, and SuperRookie came up to me post crash and talked to me about it.
I refused to talk to you…
there are two types of cycling blog/bloggers: the personal blog (mine, homme, snide, h-wood, cullen, strats, ray etc.. occasionally SR’s) then there are the antagonist blogs (skibby, smithers, occasionally SR’s, donimator etc..).. if a personal blogger posts something that’s a little too self glorifying (eg SR’s strib deal which is fine by me) the antagonists attack it. when there’s nothing to attack they randomly post albeit subtle but antagonizing shit that creates a negative atmosphere. if an antagonist calls someone out (eg me) then i’m not going to sit there and let some fuck head randomly spew shit. it’s bull shit that skibby has closed his comment section on his own blog but maintains an attagonistic and negative approach with it (not in reference to black dog deal.. funny) and someone confided in skibby about negative blogging with regards to the track?
I have the perfect solution on how to deal with “antagonist blogs”.
Stop reading them.
There’s lots of stuff in the world that can be perceived as negative. That does not mean that you have to look at it all.
Timmer, you slapped me down pretty well when I posted what I assumed everyone would realize was a joke on Jimmer’s site earlier this year. Fine, no problem. I’ve stayed off his comments section. Not everyone gets my sense of humor. However, despite being labeled “negative” or a “antagonist blog” this site is a personal blog and I write all this stuff for my own entertainment.
I am continually amazed that anyone actually gives a flying crap about anything I write on this site.
Man don’t take it so seriously. It’s not like anyone created a “smither’s Bites” websi…oh wait
better one: stop posting them. and i’m not saying that your site is negative but it creates a venue for negative posts. and the whole point to this topic is how negative blogging may impact track participation. you bring up topics that can be argued reasonably.. but obviously when the opportunity presents itself to slap someone down the ball starts rolling. and we’re all guilty then. you’re right that the on-site atmoshpere is generally welcoming.. but when something happens up there it spreads through blog ville like wildfire and the people posting are the ones creating this negative and sometimes hostile environment.
I can’t figure out what Smithers hates more, America, “antagonist blogs”, or cashews…
the whole point to this topic is how negative blogging may impact track participation
Not how, why. Why would anyone’s decision to ride at the track or not be based on what I write? What if I wrote the exact same material about road races or cross races? Is it just the fact that everyone is already more familiar with these aspects of cycling that make posts about road racing or cross racing much less intimidating?
I am not trying to solve the problem yet, I am just trying to understand the problem because I question how serious an issue this all really is.
i’m not saying that your site is negative but it creates a venue for negative posts
So I have a few options:
- close comments section, which it sounds like you are against.
- stop making provocative posts, which I am against.
- shut down this blog
Should we hold a vote on this?
Smithers hates cashews?!?!? That’s un-American! Oh, wait, I guess if he hates America, then that makes sense.
I can’t figure out what Smithers hates more, America, “antagonist blogs”, or cashews…
Well, let’s just say that I don’t get antagonist blog butt.
And I still refuse to talk to you Little D.
Actually I really like cashews. Too much. That’s how I get into trouble.
you antagonist bloggers wanna create a positive track post? post pictures and not a god damn word.
unaltered pictures
“And I still refuse to talk to you” Smithers now you just sound like my wife.
IAS: I really don’t think you should change anything about your blog and I don’t think anyone else should change either.
You have a sense of humor?
how or why doesn’t matter.. it obviously does.. it is a smaller group than road or cross but the drama is ten fold. i’m not saying you should change your blog or skibby’s or don’s.. whomever. just be aware that it has an impact on how people percieve the track and its riders..
you antagonist bloggers wanna create a positive track post? post pictures and not a god damn word.
http://smithersmpls.com/2007/05/31/track-night-pho tos/
http://smithersmpls.com/2007/05/31/womens-field/
http://smithersmpls.com/2007/05/17/back-da-track/
http://smithersmpls.com/2007/06/14/cat-3-scratch-r ace/
http://smithersmpls.com/2007/09/13/looking-good-2/
http://smithersmpls.com/2007/09/09/radius-3-3/
http://smithersmpls.com/2007/09/06/race-on/
There may be a few words in there someplace.
Homme chanting
SHUT DOWN THE BLOG!
SHUT DOWN THE BLOG!
SHUT DOWN THE BLOG!
[COMMENT REDACTED BY AUTHOR REQUEST]
not negative, antagonizing.. which leads to negativity. and it wasn’t intended to be an insult. sorry if it was. just wanna make the track a more inviting and safer place.
The only question I have is how would someone who isn’t a trackie know that smithers exists? My point is most people who post and read this site have known smithers for years and know him as a person. There’s not much to be scared of unless you have pumpkin loaf in you pocket.
The same is true for other blogers as well. It would seem you have to know someone, or at least of them, to know they have a blog. You cant really say the blog is keeping you away because you either already know the people and have made up your mind about the track or you don’t and you walk into it open minded.
You’re all just being keyboard warriors. I doubt many people in this thread would be willing to stand in front of everyone else and fling shit at like this.
Here’s a general guideline: if you don’t have the balls to take it up with someone in person, you probably shouldn’t be doing it here.
i thought it was a reasonable argumant myself. i’m calm.. but skibby is being very un-dude
Was it All the Way Ray or Zuzu who said: “Every time a bell rings, some asshole starts a blog” ?
I love the off-season blogging! Everyone’s serotonin levels drop and the drop and people get all goofy. It is what it is. I just wish Tuffy wasn’t so quiet these days.
if you don’t have the balls to take it up with someone in person, you probably shouldn’t be doing it here
Dude, I better not see you in person because…I don’t like personal confrontations…
Hey T3, that was me that said it. Ray is all funny and stuff, but give credit where credit is due. To me.
oops, sorry!
Yes bwana, it was your line and a damn good one.
J.H.C! It’s the holiday season. Imbibe in some spiked ‘nog during the day.
arriving at the party late…after being there early. the man w/ balls enough to race fixed gear on the cx course…..do you really want to know what i have to say? and what i can it up with….read my blog, no negative or positive just 99% crap….
negative nancys….
http://wcco.com/video/?id=34647@wcco.dayport.com
this has a little more detail and some slow mo..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnlbPdiKFiY
jezuz they were flyin.. teenagers!
just noticed that in ‘related vids’ there the KOS sprint crash posted by none other than donimator.. world wide press there.. 12,000 views
I started my first full year track racing last year. I met more people at the track in 1 year than 4 years riding mountain and road. The track racers as a whole are great.
Little D I actually think you feel worse about the crash last summer than I do. If other racers learned something from what happened and the officials then in my mind all is good.
The trash talking sometimes goes too far when they make it personal. But the subtle jabs people like Timmer makes, just gives me motivation to train even more bonzi this winter and kick his @#$. Even though I am over catted.
It would seem you have to know someone, or at least of them, to know they have a blog.
Not always true!
I think I’m developing a cyber man-crush on Timmer. You want a positive track post? Here you go – Velo Meeting