MTB SingleSpeed and Clydesdale Categories...TEAMS TOO!

[smartcycles]

Just want to start getting the word out that the 2004 Cablevision North Atlantic MTB Challenge, also known as the "SmartCycles Series is going to add 3 fun and challenging events to the program....

A Sport Singlespeed Race, an Expert SingleSpeed Race and a 220+ Clydesdale Race to every event in the program...our venues make for AWESOME singlespeed races...if you are familiar with our courses...we think you will agree...same goes for Clydesdales! More happy news: all 3 of these categories will be included in our overall RANKINGS SYSTEM where 9 racers (3 beginner, 3 sport, and 3 expert/pro riders) will receive significant overall CASH prizes.


Right now we have 12 separate events in the series, and hopefully will be announcing a DRAMATIC...yes, DRAMATIC addition in a few days!

AND TEAMS....don't forget we have a VERY HIP TEAM SERIES...all the details are at www.smartcycles.com/racing.htm

You want new and exciting...you got it!

[sizlinseagulsoup]

"our venues make for AWESOME singlespeed races"

That's because they aren't Mountain Bike Races.

[charlieb]

Kevin
why do you consider single speed racers non MTB'ers?

I watched a guy in last year's race in the 30-39 sport class ride a single speed and he placed about in the middle of the pack and he beat one of my team mates.. bet he would be surprised to learn that he wasn't in a mountain bike race <G>

charlie

[fasterthankevin]

I believe kevin was reffering to the courses charlie.
You see he will bash anything related to smartcycles.First its Alex who sucks,now the courses suck.In all reaility its kevin who sucks!He obviously isn't the racer he'd hoped to be and blames it on everything else.He's very amped for the new series,but lets give it a year or two,and i'm sure he'll be bashing them too!I mean afterall some of the races they're having were once smartcycles races.Did they suck then,but are ok now?
Kevin as a moderator i would think you would keep your opinions to yourself.Let me just give you some advice,never,ever miss an oportunity to shut the f%&k up.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Kevin
why do you consider single speed racers non MTB'ers?


Oh yeah, I must have forgot to mention that I singlespeed often.

[charlieb]

Kevin

this forum is supposed to be fun... don't see the need to flame anyone or any venue. Your comments do see out of place, especially for a moderator.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Charlie, my post was nothing personal on Alex. Do I dislike him because of personal interaction? Yes. Do I have a right to say that his courses are not very challenging? I think so.

You and your Mike buddy attempted to make this personal. Why did you need to do this? You are being a hypocrite by saying that I make these forums not fun.

However, you are right, they are not fun. Probably because any criticism of Smartcycles results in a bombardment of posts from Alex's minions who cannot except the fact that you cannot make everyone happy. Franky, I grew up in the Berkshires where the trails are difficult; do you really expect me to find JRR a difficult course? No. When I said in a thread started by Big Game that "people don't go to JRR because the race isn't tough/costs too much," you guys jumped on me. Think about it, I ride tough trails and make 8 bucks an hour. Do you really think $35 dollars is easy for me to afford? Try to think of the racer and WHY he is upset. This will allow you to create a better series. If you attack the people who are not pleased, nothing will ever be fixed and the malady will always be present. I support the new series because they are fixing the ills of cross-country racing that I see present and they are a cool bunch of guys and gals.

I'll come out and appologize for my words our little tiff. I hope that we can all come out and race in a civil enviroment and act like adults.

[charlieb]

I'll come out and appologize for our little tiff. I hope that we can all come out and race in a civil enviroment and act like adults.


Kevin .. I'm new to this racing forum .. i usually frequent a few of the other forums.

Certainly You should be able to criticize.. but criticize constructively .. I do think your comments were not constructive and that is why i piped in.

If all are willing, we should be able to get this back on track.

I raced for the very first time last year in the CT series and I thought the courses were very varied and very challenging .. but i'm 67 years old and maybe challenging for me is different than for you. <G>

[fasterthankevin]

well said charlie! I to apologize for being harsh kevin. There is no reason that we all can't work together.
The more races the better. The more races the more exposer our sport gets. Since both series are NORBA some races could be dual series races. No? Waht do you folks from the nerac think?

[sizlinseagulsoup]

That would cost too much. Smartcycles charges promotors A LOT of money (nevermind that they would have to pay two promotors). Our categories are slightly different and the cost of the races are different. It just makes more sense to have different series.

I'm glad we can get along now :-0

[fasterthankevin]

isn't there one race that wanted to do both ,but was given an ultimatum? what are the classes for the 66 aren't they NORBA classes?

[jmurray04]

No ultimatum. What you may have heard was incorrect.

[fasterthankevin]

Why don't you enlighten us with the truth Jeff?

[jmurray04]

I'm not in the position to speak for anyone. If you really want to know, I suggest you contact the race promoter.

[fasterthankevin]

where do you think i heard about the ultimatum?

[sizlinseagulsoup]

There were no ultimatums, everyone who wanted to do the series did it on their own will because they wanted to be part of it.

[fasterthankevin]

but isn't it true that one race wanted to be in both? and was told he had to choose? Tell the truth boys!All this side stepping isn't make you look very good.

[Frutta729]

Kevin,
8 bucks an hour but you can afford a Santa Cruz?

I had to get one shot in. :)
Now for a civil conversation.. you say the Smart Cycle races aren't "mtn bike races"? hmm. Especially Jack rabbit. So your one of the few who is able to ride the log, smoke through the rock gardens ,not slow down for the fallen trees and keep the power down over the roots? And with all that skill, your best finish is ?? I'll be the first to say I don't like the course, but it is alot harder than most people give it credit. I know of a CAT 1 roadracer who raced 2 years ago( thinking the same as you) and finished 10th...in the SPORT CLASS!!
Channel 3, not technically challenging, but still fun.
Nutmeg games? wheres the tech? still a good course
Not sure of the Plymouth race, but I do know there are some local guys up there that know mtn biking!!Great trail builders and incredibly talented riders/racers.
Farmington is prob the least technical course ever made, BUT I think I'm correct in saying they draw the most number of racers? Why do you suppose that is?
If your looking to show off your mtn biking talents either go free riding or use those skills to maintain your speed throughout the course.
If you think about it, the climbing is what makes MT Snow difficult. The downhill isn't even too difficult, until you attack it lap afer lap, trying to go faster and stay mentally focused after all that uphill suffering.
If you made a mtn bike course that was technically challenging, the fast guys would run over or around the obstacles. Its the fastest way through. This is coming from someone who refuse to run, attempting almost every obstacle., even if it is slower or more risky.

I'm curious a to the feedback from others on this topic.

[biffster]

I'm happy to see some civil and thought provoking conversation going on.

I really can't see what all the fighting and crap posted in the last week are good for. The way I see it, there are two NORBA series and they have different race dates. You either do one, both or some of each.

I just want to race and have some fun this year. Let's talk about racing, not who did what to whom.

[fasterthankevin]

what thought is he provoking,that kevin isn't fast?or that kevin is wrong about the courses? or that kevin can't ride?
what are you getting at?

I don't race. In fact i promote exactly the opposite.

The only reason i stopped by here is i heard there was some flaming going on.

i like flames


bill

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Kevin,
8 bucks an hour but you can afford a Santa Cruz?


I'm sponsored by Santa Cruz bikes and work in a shop.

I wicked cheap bikes and gear, but still have to pay full price for races.

[Frutta729]

Kevin, your pretty good at avoiding questions. Still curious about how you did on the obstacles at Norwalk? How did you finish there? Is short track racing really mtn bike racing?
From what I remember about Northfield, the long finishing downhill is mainly a dirt road? Still a great course. Still a fun downhill.
My point to you is everyone has different tastes. There is a course out there for everyone. As long as its on dirt and there is competition, its a mtn bike race.

Even being sponsored, that Santa Cruz is still a lofty purchase.

[mattymueller]

Boys boys boys. Settle down. No matter how "shitty" the race; Your still gonna get your heart rate over 150. You'll still sweat. You choose to pay 35$. Race courses can only be what the site can offer. They have to appeal to a broad spectrum of racers. I see a lot of folks show up.
I agree with Kevin, most of the courses are moderately challenging,(TO US) but the riding in C.T. is tough. As is the riding in the Berks. Most pro courses are groomed dirt roads.

This is why the new SS class is a great idea.
I rode My non suspended SS at Winding Trails. Clearly a venue friendly to SS. Guess what? It was Hard. Race pace is another level of riding a SS. For such a FAST track, I placed 18 out of maybe 40. Only a mechanical kept me out of top 10.

This year I may use a SS for every race I ride. Every thing is new again.

Kevin, to make C.T. racing more challenging for You . I suggest getting Your body up to 220 lbs. (just kidding).

Positive Thoughts To All.

[Dino Sore]

Race courses can only be what the site can offer. They have to appeal to a broad spectrum of racers.


Also, a race venue has to be able to survive a couple of hundred racers in a single day. Alot of the challenging trails we ride for fun would get destroyed if raced on.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
http://kosumo.faereal.net/random/kitty_kill.jpg

[mattymueller]

Man that is one bad ass cat.
Kevin , I still hope to see You out at the races.
Peace.