Re: Last Man Standing - A Grueling Race



> "CrashTestDummy" <f.j.bradfordREMOVE@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:mi1ee115tdtblbd6vs4rmo19hdshrg1c7b@xxxxxxxxxx
> > This sounds very kewl, and I may try to attend, but claiming that
> > Red River offers "the most merciless terrain in North America" is
> > probably a stretch. I personally don't recall seeing many "rocks the
> > size of cars" or "breathtaking descents." The "trees so tight you can
> > barely walk through them" could be accurate, particularly if they're
> > using new or little-used trails.
> >
> > "Steep, rocky uphill climbs" is not only a redundancy, but it's
> > also rather misleading from what I've seen. There are undoubtedly some
> > nice little hill climbs. And yes, many of them are "rocky." But none
> > of them compare to a typical hillclimb on a Tillamook Forest trail.
> > It's almost like saying a SX jump is a "steep hillclimb."
> >
> > Furthermore, "the most merciless terrain in North America" would be
> > something more like that found in the [now-defunct] Blackwater Enduro.
> > Or, from what I've seen, perhaps 5 MOH stuff. I *know* I could stage a
> > race at Brown's Camp in Oregon that would include MUCH more "merciless
> > terrain." Hell, even if it rains at Red River there won't be enormous
> > mud as the soil is very sandy and drains well (though exceptions might
> > be found on tight trails where deep ruts are prone to develop).
> >
> > I'm not saying Red River isn't a great place to ride, it is! And
> > I'm not saying there isn't some tough terrain, there is. I'm just
> > saying that this ad appears to overhype things a little. Still though,
> > it should be an entertaining endeavor.

Allright, I'll whine on this parade too. I saw the press release on
cyclenews yesterday, and this whole last man standing attitude and red
bull*** hype hit me the wrong way. It's this "attitude" thing that bugs
me about some parts of fmx and pop culture right now. Is there any doubt
that Carmichael is the toughest racer out there? Nobody is even close to
him in longevity, number of wins, consecutive wins, whatever. Week after
week he wins, and wins big, in the toughest series out there. But does he
pound his chest, strut around, project some damn tough guy crap?

So they've got some ridiculously impossible course, and somebody's going
to win it, but what does that prove? Somebody got lucky on that one day.
I'll read the results, but I'd rather go riding.

--
Charles
'99 YZ250
.

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