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Play-Doh
Posts:16
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| 06/12/2008 2:27 PM |
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| I just wanted to throw my $0.02 out there. We've been goin to this thing for years. I have seen all kinds of this and that. Here are my takes.
1st : Last year was the best yet, hands down. Really. Here is why :
1.) everyone included !!
when I started going to this, I loved downhill. Loved it ! I raced and all that. But at Pedros, we were like outcasts. It was a 100% XC party, and a roadie XC party at that. I was a ride leader, and while I considered myself an expert rider, the experts there meant "ride really really fast". It was the old mountain bike races are all roadies argument, cause the XC courses aren't really a challenge, just a spining class on dirt.
Last year was totally different. They had something for kids, adults, beginners, experts, hammerfests, downhill !! Jump demos, trials and freeride stuff. Awesome !
2.) Camping !!
new camping area is AWESOME !! Way better than the last few years. That farm years ago was awesome too, but this is just great !
3.) Downhill Clinics !!
Finally we embrace the fact that we are downhillers and freeriders too. It is a fact and there is nothing wrong with it ! Adding Simon and Brian from fluidride was the best idea of all time. They are awesome teachers and really help EVERYONE become a better rider. People showing up in full gear to those on unsuspended bikes ! They teach to all levels and people get to go experience DH for the first time without being afraid for their lives. Wonderful ! Pro racers and beginners can learn in the same class side by side and it is just amazing. I hope they come to the festival forever !! I wish when I started I got an introduction to DH like the people do now !! Bike handling is SOOO important and people come out of that with new confidence they can carry to all riding they do.
4.) Women !!
Embracing the women's movement in cycling is awesome. Years ago the women who came with us would leave and not want to go again. Now, with all level of women's clinics, they come out happy and having learned all kinds of new skills ! Women teach women really well - they understand better how their bodies move on a bike and it makes SUCH A DIFFERENCE !! Boys just don't get it. All the women who came last year I talked to absolutely loved it and raved to other people about it. Seriously, this is a great step in the right direction and I hope we get as good a showing this year. Instead of convincing the girls to come, now they want to come ! Gots to have lots of women's clinics and events and such. I suggest a women's DH clinic too. The EMS pro women could run it !
5.) Organization !!
This year was great. Schedules everywhere, people knew what was going on. When you asked a support person in the past they'd say, "geeeze I dunno, or I think that might be at 4pm, or I only do this function sorry" but last year everyone was well informed. Having schedules posted and available, having people aware of the schedules and camp layout, able to help, makes such a difference. Like the Killington Ambassadors. Great !! The garbage thing was awesome too. Big dumpsters, made that easy to keep clean, and recycling !! Seriously, great job !!
6.) Activities !!
While the band we knew and loved for years wasn't back, the new guys did a good job too ! Really all around fun other activities !! The trials are awesome, and I liked things like trek had a framebuilding class where they talked about the design features of the new bikes. That was really cool. Learning about bikes is cool. Maybe a wrenching class would be cool too, show how to fix some things like a bent frame, mount a fork ? I liked the Iron Horse how to setup your bike. That was cool too. The hard thing was goin downhill all day, you come back and it is all over. Some 5-7pm activities would be cool. Having the tour de france was awesome too. And bike movies are always cool ! The jump/pump track, main area, everything just awesome !!
7.) Trails !!
The trails at the new venue are WAY better. Way more flow to them, more like they make sense as you ride, not disjunct and randomly going this way and that. Along, along, 90 degrees up a rock wall into a log. Now they flow and climb much better. Awesome job trailbuilders !!
7.) Other stuff !!
I saw someone asked if there was races. You know, it would be pretty cool to have some race somehow. Maybe have all the special guests race each other ? It would be cool to see Lawton vs Lopes. Should do kids races for sure. Maybe they race around the campsite or something. Get those younger ones hooked early !!
8.) New Bike !!
I got myself a used demo bike from the Ironhorse tent - the MKIII. I love LOVE LOVE it and ride it almost everyday, it is sitting right next to me in the office right now, we are riding after work. AWESOME BIKE !! Love the dwlink, works great ! I wonder what bike I will buy this year ? Sunday ? 7 point ? :D Thanks Ironhorse !!
9.) Families !!
Last year I saw more families than ever. I think they will be back too because from what I saw there was plenty to do for everyone. It is super cool to see all the groups - families, kids, women, downhillers, everyone all on bikes enjoying ALL the aspects that make up cycling.
So really, for the complaining I read about the noise, there was A LOT that went right, and you people should know that. It is a great event that is now truely for ALL RIDERS and even people who have NEVER RIDDEN !! The point of the festival to me is that people should come away with something... learned how to get over a log, or how to do a drop, or how to climb more efficiently, or how to use the bike at all because they have never even been on one !! You can ride trails at home. A festival should have more than that !! If people go home with that extra something, then it is really getting better !! Me, I met Simon and Brian, and that just sorted out everything for me. They are amazing riders and the best teachers in the world !! Can't wait to see them this year.
Hopefully all the good press will lead to more vendors and such showing up and selling things, letting us try different bikes, etc !!
Personally, I can't freakin wait to get to Kenda Bikefest, it is going to be totally awesome for everyone !! I'm bringing all my friends !! See you at the disco tent !! :D
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sigma1113
Posts:4
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| 06/17/2008 9:53 AM |
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| i like your enthusiasm Mr. Doh |
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