tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post6033056918450552788..comments2024-03-28T08:40:23.164-05:00Comments on Guitar Ted Productions: GW '21: Final Comments And ThoughtsGuitar Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-68260907041810086092021-08-29T17:50:23.282-05:002021-08-29T17:50:23.282-05:00As has been stated numerous times, vote with your ...As has been stated numerous times, vote with your presence, your dollars, and your desires. As I age the adventure of endurance and exploration are still present. I mainly train by myself as I have the freedom of time. So being in a large event, dealing with the logistics, and not interested in prizes or placement means I will not attend. All events serve a purpose. I am glad the effort and energy is laid out to make them a reality. I choose my own roads and reality to explore. Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05433420901997880377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-15519249798476627232021-08-29T12:20:16.600-05:002021-08-29T12:20:16.600-05:00@teamdarb - Thank you very much for these comments...@teamdarb - Thank you very much for these comments. There is a lot to think about here and I know some of those things are difficult for all of us to look at in the mirror, but we must. <br /><br />And I am leaning more and more towards the sort of cycling you describe as well. Less events- more solo or small group rides for adventure. Guitar Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-53253986104610953842021-08-29T10:52:37.473-05:002021-08-29T10:52:37.473-05:00I am going to say you opinion/assesment is one I c...I am going to say you opinion/assesment is one I can agree on. I have been to GW twice. I have participated in a number of events prior to their growth in size and cost. The only thing that stood out to me among them, even with the inclusivity push is this: in the grassroots/affordable days- it only meant a small group of people shunned me cause I arrived and looked different but afterwards one or two would come over and say hello, now- even if I can afford it, the group of people who shun me is even more and afterwards no one comes over. This year I looked at the cost to participate in a number of events- still worry of COVID restrictions/politics- and just could not see the fun in scrounging pennies and working odd jobs to only be feeling more like an outcast. This year I decided to just take the routes of many events and ride them at my own calender. Probably stick with that through 2022, I am not competitive. I just enjoy riding my bike in unfamiliar place and paths. I really am impressed by the many cyclist who choose ITT format, especially when reality hits that it is time to hang it up as the route or health are not safe. <br /><br />I am impressed at you, GT, for struggling with the day to day balances of all this. This is a good tale.teamdarbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10730985048207207697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-19068183568837337412021-08-28T10:13:54.729-05:002021-08-28T10:13:54.729-05:00I always liked the analogy someone told me about t...I always liked the analogy someone told me about the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. No band ever sets out to say lets just keep it small (yes some do, but go with me), Every teenage or early 20's band wants to make it big. So in the early day they had their faithful, then they make that transition album that takes them up to a notch to a bigger swath of folks. Those faithful remember putting in hours searching for their material, they were there early on, now when an album comes out they have to wait in line with others. In their mind they are part of the band, they grew with the band, if it were not for their help, that band would not exist. A weird ownership comes with it. An when Royal Oil came out for the Bosstones, I knew it was time to walk away. That is also how I feel about Salsa Cycles, got too big and common.NY Rollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09894292869281781075noreply@blogger.com