Like a 24 hour day, I’m done. That shit was blown out worse than Diaz’s dreams and while some may think that horrible things were a result of local opposition to the MBAA race, I believe that much benefit has resulted through this and other discussions. Now it is time to drink and muse. Gold Member has offered up the following Local Peace Summit where a meeting of the minds can commence with proper lubrication:
Enough’s enough! Let’s put the MBAA Fort Valley incident behind us. Enough energy has been wasted on the negative. Reputations have been dragged through the mud, accusations made, there were even threats of violence. As a community we don’t need to be fighting each other. If we can’t play nice with one another in the Coconino, we’re on our way to losing the privilege of the forest. Those who constantly threaten our access can only be laughing as we squabble amongst ourselves.
Contrary to the actions and beliefs of some, it’s not about Local, Phoenix, or Flag, single, fixie, freeride, racer, slacker, stoner, or NO! It’s about bikes, BBQ, Beer and Yes! Lets iron out this misunderstanding, stop the name calling and threats, and get back to what Flagstaff is really about, being on our bikes, and having a good time.
I propose a peace summit @ pay-n-take Friday Night May 22, 7:30 pm. We’ll supply discounted draft beers, free BBQ from bigfoot bbq, and some commemorative bike shwag. More importantly we’ll provide a forum for forest users to discuss in a respectful, civil, fashion the past weekend’s actions. Our objective is to find constructive solutions moving forward; we are all in this together, many of us live in Flagstaff and others visit for the mountain biking alone, we will cross paths again and again. Let’s use this as an opportunity to clear the air, drop the threats, and move on. This isn’t about burning down the outhouse, it’s about installing indoor plumbing. Lets get together and as mountain bikers, use this as an opportunity to make our life in the Coconino a little better.
All you have to do is pledge to discuss your concerns respectfully, no threats or aggression. In fact there is zero tolerance for any inflammatory actions or speech; so be nice or be gone. If you agree to be nice to one another, BIGFOOT will feed you for free and Pay-N-Take will discount your beers. So why not? Lets B.B.Qum Ba Ya!
There are very good reasons why Flagstaff is the shit. I hope to see prominent faces of the racing and the local scene at this shindig. It should make for a productive time for us fellow cyclists.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Maybe The so-called “Dark Lord” would “appear” that would be something.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
So just to clarify, how did the course markings get lost the week leading up to the event?! Then the day of when I’m tryin to wrap up the kids NOVA season?! Thanks for the help on this, cause I’m sure everyone is innocent and it was a JRA incident, happen to be on the course the same day as a race right?! Sorry, but I keep shite in my mind and when I left flagpole in 03 I was on empty, but this is the type of stuff that got me through those long weeks of training…I’m off to ride schneb, anyone wanna watch the t-storms rollin off the rim?!seeya at the take, I’ll call myself on it now, gramps and I will be getting kicked out.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
SATAN SEZ FLAG “IS THE SHIT” SO BE THERE. OR ELSE I’M GOING TO DO WHAT IS ALREADY HAPPENING ALREADY. (THAT MEANS U2 BIG JONNY)
May 19th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Looking at this as a complete outsider who hasn’t pedaled a single mile in the entire state of AZ, it seems to me as if the people who were against the MBAA’s race in the first place screwed up the trail markings prior to the race, and then again during the race, and now they want to sit down at the table as equals and air their points of view as equals. I don’t think it should work like that. If you opposed having a race on those trails, the time to protest was during the permitting period, or if you could trust yourselves to act as adults, speaking with the orgainizers politely and reasonably when they were planning and laying out the course. If the MTB trails are so fantastic all over Flag, and you were that adamantly opposed to the races, why couldn’t you just have chosen another trailhead to ride out of?
The bottom line to me is that the vandals were wrong, and now they want their crimes forgiven and forgotten while they try to add their voices to this meeting at the Pay and Take. I think you’ve lost your voice by screwing with other people’s race. Almost every MTB race I ever did was in a public park. And since there were signs warning the general public that a race was occurring, most of them steered clear of the trails with all the tape and the lunatics on them.
The vandals were looking for trouble, and they found it.
May 19th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Big Jonny, We’ll see you fri at the P+T. Flag forevvr’, Dr. Jon…………………………….utah.
May 19th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
…there are still issues to be dealt w/ but maybe, just maybe, friday nite @ yer pay n’ take, which is basically on somebody else’s dime will get a few more folks on the same page…
…wish i could be there to enjoy & see how it plays out…no pissin’ in other folks beer…
May 19th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
gob,
No one has said that the people who messed with the course markings before the race are the same people as those who this whole controversy has blown up around. Keep the events separate. I’d really doubt they were linked in any way other than the first caused everyone to blow up over the second.
May 20th, 2009 at 6:49 am
What was done to that race was not significantly different than a pissed motorist driving past a course marshal and onto the course because they’re inconvenienced by one of those damned bike races.
When you guys messed with the course you lost any credibility to be able to sit at a table find common ground. The ONLY thing you should be saying is “we were wrong and we’re sorry” instead of these half-assed justifications.
May 20th, 2009 at 6:56 am
To paraphrase, “In lieu of a heartfelt apology for my wrong actions, I’ll get alchohol and meat for you. Then, I’ll tell you why I did what I did. I will placate you with a version of facts that I personally can deal with, without hurting both my reputation and my ego. Once I have mystified you with my version of the truth, you will go away and speak of this no more.” Um… I hope you find yourself at a table alone. A well written apology to the community is the mature and responsible thing to do here. Own up to your actions. There is absolutely NO excuse for ruining a race someone else poured sweat and effort into because of the self agrandising nature of your ego. Table for two, party of Lance and Joe……
May 20th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Based on the preceding logic. BGR and DD should be buying the beers. Just saying…
May 20th, 2009 at 9:12 am
The train wrecked 3 days ago, but the damn railroad keeps adding haz-mat tanker cars to it.
May 20th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
“What was done to that race was not significantly different than a pissed motorist driving past a course marshal and onto the course because they’re inconvenienced by one of those damned bike races.”
Ummm Stan,
I’d say that driving a car through a bike race IS SIGNIFICANTLY different than what happened in this incident! How can you even go there?
And to skbykes,
If you plan on getting kicked out, don’t bother going! These guys are trying to make things better. If you don’t want that, then just stay the fuck away. It’s clearly a condition of the invitation that you have to be nice. So, if you’re going with negative intentions, DON’T GO!
May 20th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
B.B.Q-um BA YA!
This invitation for concerned parties to clear the air on last week’s unfortunate incidents has nothing to do with me making apologies or seeking atonement via BBQ and cheap beer. I wasn’t involved, have no idea what happened, and am merely looking for a peaceful resolution to all this nonsense.
Just like PAY-N-TAKE and BIGFOOT BBQ have attempted to satisfy the need for piles of cheap, tasty food and a cool place to chill with a beer in our community, we have planned this summit to address the need for communication and a forum to air our concerns regarding unmolested use of the forest by all.
Again, the invitation is extended to all concerned who will engage in respectful, constructive dialogue. Planning on showing up with the goal of being thrown out is unhelpful and frankly, common. Flagstaff has plenty of bars and every night at almost any hour someone is being thrown out, it’s no big accomplishment. So, show up and contribute to the solution, not the problem.
GOLDMEMBER
May 20th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
He said member
May 21st, 2009 at 10:21 am
The pay-n-take attitude is a large part of the problem that underlies what happened to the MBAA affair. This “summit” will only glorify the attitude.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
In that many pay n take patrons are cyclists, yes that attitude is relevant.
As far as the significance of the issue, the majority of flagstaff cyclists could care less. It provides a point at which beer may be consumed and shooting the shit over trail use, which has been a contentious issue here for quite some time. Now it’s on the table sa’ll.
Otherwise, yer generalization is only that.
May 21st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Gnome,
Don’t let the hater’s get you down!
May 21st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I believe Joe Murray …and Dan Diaz. BGR, etc did the right thing (all in their own rights). Nice work gentlemen.
Support your local wildlife.
May ya’all be WAY too sensitive.
May 21st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
And I believe Dan Diaz … was dopped to the gills!
May 21st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
and i apparantly am “doped” to the gills too!
May 21st, 2009 at 3:43 pm
The offer to discuss over beers and food in Flag is fine, however it being a holiday weekend and all, many will not be able to attend.
Maybe a simple apology on the part of those that actually were involved and an offer for all parties to work together in the future will create an environment where every one can discuss issues and concerns and come to an agreement to help each other.
May 21st, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I believe someone will get theirs arse kicked at this weekend’s Soirée.
And BTW, my girl and me got nasty chocolate-ass-shits and vomitting last time we ate at Bigfoot Barb(germ)acque…
May 21st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
In the spirit of facilitating understanding and moving beyond this episode, can someone, preferably the accused / offending party, clarify the motivation behind moving the course markers?
Was there a concern about the use of a particular trail? About having a race in Ft. Valley? A problem with the convening body? Clarifying the underlying concerns here, peaceably, would really help to inform this discussion–and hopefully in a constructive way.
And… Easy there Cosmic Charlie, tough guy. Not cool.
May 21st, 2009 at 6:14 pm
high 5 for taylor!! Way to cut though the bullshit and get somewhere.
May 21st, 2009 at 6:30 pm
A good arse kickin will solve all of everyones problems, I’m sure! And there’s definitely no way it could cause any new problems…. After all, we ALL know that 2 wrongs DO make a right….
And Charlie, I’m sorry about your asshole being blown out!
May 21st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
motivation behind the movement of course markings????
FUCKING ANGER and disgust at all the “race” stands for and those who participate in its charade.
anger is a gift and at least dirty dan diaz still has the balls to act on it. there are no times to be politically correct, polite, or to compromise on one’s vital issues.
Arses gonna get broke.
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:35 am
Charlie,
What are these “vital issues” that should not be compromised?
Taylor
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 am
Cosmic Charlie,
What is your fucking angle? Sounds like you’re in desperate need of rectal reconstructive surgery!… Flies around yer rectum?… Call pp-5-1-doodoo!
If you’re so conerned with arses gettin broke, maybe you should be hangin out at the Power Exchange in S.F.???
Some people are trying to make a change for the good. If you don’t want to participate, fuck off! Your negative, fucked up attitude is NOT helpful!
Once again… Sorry about your rectum getting nuked…. I bet your gay lover was extremely dissapointed!
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:22 am
ok, let me get this straight: some dudes got their feelings hurt by some (undisputedly) gay-ass racers (and all they stand for) and had a little temper tantrum in the woods. is that balls or is it childish and pathetic?
way to not compromise vital issues! you go girls!
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:31 am
There are two controversies here.
The first involves the act of moving of the course markers. Most if not all agree that was a bad idea.
The second involves underlying objections to the race. While they don’t justify the action, these are concerns the Flagstaff cycling community needs to dig in to.
So I would still like to hear from the offenders precisely what they were objecting to in moving the course markers.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:51 am
Flanders,
Way to up the level of discourse here with your misguided references to homosexuality…
“Arses being broke” refers to people getting their skulls and fists cracked at the upcoming summit.
And it sounds as if you know quite a lot about the gay community in SF… you go boy.
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
“way to not compromise vital issues! you go girls!”
al-anon- I laughed out loud. Bravo!
PS- That dude Cavendish is just too fast. And that dude Renshaw pulls like a fucking locomotive.
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Mikey.
Shut up; get over it; stop trying to take the high road (which is much easier to do in retrospect, removed from the actual situation when compared to real-time); most importantly, get over your pampered, righteous self!
Work hard, ride hard, play hard, fall hard.
Take care, pencilneck.
PS… al-anon is a stupid f**cking moniker. Have you missed a meeting, chisselchest?
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
you call yourself cosmic charlie
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
“Take care, pencilneck.”
Chuck-
I’m about to throw a leg over the Trophy Bike and go bag a 30-miler on a fucking perfect afternoon. I reckon my day is going better than yours. Sucks to be you, I guess. Keep the rubber side down.
May 25th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Hey Charlie,
I knew what you meant! I was just refering to how stupid and gay it is to talk a bunch of tough guy bull shit in an internet forum. As far as the SF gay seen… I was just suggesting a way for you to make it out of the closet, without feeling ashamed!