tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post4975834914868483055..comments2024-03-28T08:40:23.164-05:00Comments on Guitar Ted Productions: The State Of The Gravel Scene: 2019- Part 3Guitar Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-26432986097162509822019-01-07T23:07:15.742-05:002019-01-07T23:07:15.742-05:00@teamdarb- I think you have some valid points- tha...@teamdarb- I think you have some valid points- that benefits coming from race hosting isn't often helping the poorest people/parts of town. Perhaps this is true, but isn't it also true that some benefit is better than none? We can discuss where and who should benefit all day, but without the resource, it is all just hot air.<br /><br />So, the fact is that gravel events have been a positive influence. Now what can be done with that? Okay, there is a discussion worth having, very true. <br /><br />I would also point out that it is local small villages like Cherry Grove (community center), Malcom, (municipal baseball/softball diamonds), and Valpraiso, (local Boy Scout Troop), that are getting the benefits, not some businessman/business that doesn't affect the entire community. I would point out that the Dirty Kanza 200 has brought a health benefit, in that it has spurred action and thought in regard to local's health, that would not have occurred without the DK200. I know this from speaking with individuals there.<br /><br />So, while nothing is perfect, and certainly, gravel events and their influences are not, there is a huge benefit happening for everyone in some places, not just a fortunate few, (fire departments, town center squares), and I am not just guessing. I know it is fact. Guitar Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-77573257202206647572019-01-04T15:27:54.903-05:002019-01-04T15:27:54.903-05:00I have noticed through the comtinuous span of my t...I have noticed through the comtinuous span of my travels around America the small "odd" events watering down to include the word gravel in the title or description, as well. They were already that. The courses have not changed. Same routes, but more interests coming from local government officials, couch heros, and neighboring folk. Is good, is not good- no clue. Despite these word and particpation changes, joblessness, chemical abuse, small business high rent and tax continues, If this trend is grassroots.... how can it be that only the town center square or local fire department is the only thing prospering. I roll into these locations where events happen, but just a block later from the areas I find people and business struggling. To everyone out there growing mass participation in events I say " Stop putting the money into buying benches or plants for the garden club. Instead, toss it into a que for local business to take advantage of come tax season or revitalizing the town starting at the town line- not from the center. I may have gotten off topic. Yeah gravel bikes and gravel event trends are lowering the prices of tradition race (not TCR ones though, odd) bikes and making traditional touring bikes extinct.teamdarbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10730985048207207697noreply@blogger.com