RidingAgain

Just to be clear... I didn't create this thread for the purpose of causing contention, throwing stones, dissing any oranization, etc, etc... I simply wanted to find out what the somewhat small group of mtbers that participate on this online forum think about the two organizations I referenced in the OP. But it's kind of leaning to becoming contentious. And I understand that the nature of online forum threads is one where contention often develops. Shoot, it's the nature of the humans who participate on these threads. But for the sake of making progress — in context to my purpose for this thread — for sure please keep they types of comments already given coming, as they contain very useful feedback... Just in the vein of not being contentious. Thanks.

Always come across interesting little doohicky inventions/work-arounds... Thought I'd start a thread for them. Here's one that I thought interesting...

Hey Seth... I had a long talk with cxagent about many things Austin mtb related and one of the matters we spoke about was trail building and how mtb riders may look at it these days. Based on what I'm seeing/understanding, ARR may be viewed in one way, and FR512 (and other mtb initiatives) in another way. This can be a good thing for both, or not so good for one... In terms of support (personnel and monetary)... Which both rely on. Although the two organizations may work together on certain things, what I'm seeing is that FR512 seems to be promoting something that comes across as more current/hip/exciting/fun in the mtb world than ARR, which could be somewhat detrimental to ARR. And yet... It seems that ARR is taking care of the foundational necessities that allow mtbing in Austin to be maintained, and grown, on a wider more general public level. Now the two are different organizations with different missions/objectives (apart from the general thought of developing the sport of mountain biking), but in a small community, this kind of situation can often lead to one syphoning off support for the other... Which can then lead to the demise of the one from losing support. In my view, it should be of concern to the Austin mtb community that ARR's website isn't up and running. But I've seen no one talk about it here, except you bringing up in your above comment. In our phone conversation, I told cxagent that I would be willing to help ARR in whatever way I could. To do this, one of the needs I have is to gain a clear/proper understanding of how the local mtb community views all things to do with mtbing in Austin. I started this thread to help me, and possibly others who are also interested, come to a better understanding regarding this particular aspect of the local mtb community. In my experience, initiatives are started in communities with a view to meeting certain identified needs. Which is wonderful. But sometimes as things progress, some already established undertakings can be impacted (often, negatively) by these new efforts. And in the excitment and forward push of the new initiative, this impact is lost in all the related activity. Which is not to say that it was intended... It's just something that can happen. And I'm trying to understand how the initiaves of FR512 — and any other new mtb initiatives — has/will impact ARR.

Hey Seth... Let me know when is a good time to swing by you up north. Thanks.

Okay... So again there's something of a definite difference being identified here... ARR is about helping with trail access and providing opportunity for people to be a part of a bigger community... Whereas FR512 is not about community outreach or advocating for mountain bikers, but is about making "...progressive riding..." trails (I'm assuming that's what was meant) that makes for riding fun trails.

Me too.

Okay... So you see ARR as representing a type of mtb riding/rider, and FR512 representing another type of mtb riding/rider?

Just considering these two membership organizations and wondered how folks out there in Austin mtb land viewed both?

Above is what a truly sad old troll looks like.

Double post.

Damn... Thanks man... Much appreciated. And while I have your attention I'd like to ask you to comegive me the benefit of your trail building experience. There's a short section of trail I've got the nod to work on down here in SATN... Right near where I live. I think it has good potential for some trail like what you build and ride. If you have time to get down here and give it a look and make suggestions I'd appreciate it.

That's funny. Dorks... What can I say.

Will do... First time in a few months. Been sidelined by rain and injury... Hope the knee and shoulder are good to go as well. Thanks, Tip.

Any updates on trail conditions in SW Austin?

I think I have a fork mount adapter.

Absolutely... As all wonderful wives are. And this is to be truly appreciated... Just celebrated our twenty year anniversary last month. If a husband has a wonderful wife... Along with lots of other excellent inward characteristics, she'll be a patient wife. Maybe one day you'll have the good fortune to meet her out on the trail.

That's why I never argue... Just present stuff... Let others get all huffy about it if they choose to do so.

Yes... I stand corrected. Thank you. I guess mack just thought he need to be obnoxious.

"...It probably started... riding bicycles a hundred years ago when they had nothing but dirt roads to ride on..." In a sense... Mountain biking may just be older than road riding.

Simple old bicycles... Simple fire roads... And lots of huge smiles and fun. Sounds like, at its heart, what mountaining bike should be.

I look forward to meeting with you and helping in whatever way I can. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.

Maybe the fool is the one who thinks they have the ground to judge who is a fool.

LOL... It seems that because of your own myopic condition you've completely missed the value of what I suggested. But that's understandable... There are not many people, who — kind of like what ATXZ did — think to ask about what someone is getting at... Rather than assume they know. For instance... AustinBike says... "It is interesting that RA thinks that somehow having a magazine will help socialize the views of mountain bikers to the rest of society." Thing is... This is dishonest, as I never said nor suggest this approach be taken regarding the magaizine... And if you had read and understood my speaking regarding bottom up marketing, and positional marketing... You would have not made the foolish incorrect assumption you did in your above speaking. In your above speaking you're suggesting that the magazine would be all about presenting the view of mountain bikers to society... But that's not at all what it would be. AustinBike... Bottom up marketing is about meeting the target market where they are... And helping them come to where you want them to be (positional marketing). Further... AustinBike says... "And on this forum, full of mountain bikers, he struggles getting people to agree with his opinions." It would be a struggle if "...getting people to agree with his opinions..." was my purpose for participating on this forum. But again... In your assumption you have only exposed your ineptness at gaining a proper conclusion. I'm not here to get people to agree with my opinions. After some 20+ years of participating on online forums, I'm way past the silliness of that expectation. Some plant, some water, some reap. All I'm doing is either planting... Watering... Or, on the odd occasion, maybe reaping. I present things... It's up to others to choose what to do with what I present. And what they choose is not my responsibility. Further... AustinBike continues... "If he can't win over mountain bikers how can this magazine win over the hearts and minds of others?" But it isn't my intention to "...win mountain bikers...". "...win..." then to what? Become mountain bikers? How silly is that. They already are mountain bikers. "...win..." mountain bikers to the thought that there should be, if possible, alternate routes within trail building? This is already pretty much a standard being applied... Even here in Austin. So, AustinBike... Attempting to draw a comparison between winning pver the hearts of mountain bikers and the hearts and minds of "...others..." is not a valid comparison. It's also quite foolish in its superficiality. I believe you travel all over the world for business, AustinBike... And I don't believe you do so taking the erroneous, superficial way you have in your speaking above, as you wouldn't be travelling the world doing business for long. At least... Not successfully. Finally... AustinBike says... "This thread is a dead horse. Clearly there are multiple groups at odds and continuing to beat on this is not helping either side." Only if folks like you continue to speak the foolishness you just did. Is it not possible for you to move beyond it?

LOL... mack_turtle... Telling me where he is and then saying he might not want to deal with me makes you sound a bit odd. But I guess odd is the norm around these parts. Anywho... Hey, thanks for the info, appreciate it.

I know I recently read that the mechanic Tim is no longer at Progressive,but I can't remember which thread I saw this in. Can someone tell me where he's working now? Thanks.