TYLER'S TIRADES

    THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY TYLER DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF TRIBE503.COM      E-MAIL TYLER  BY CLICKING ON HIS PUBLICITY PHOTO ABOVE.

NEW BLOOD

     My unannounced almost one year early retirement is over I need to get paid.  Oh yeah I forgot I do this crappy  tirade for free. Alright Maybe I am finally ready to say something, or maybe I have decided to get off of my lazy lycra clad ass.  Either way here is something new.   

     I have a core group of people that I ride with.  I have rode with one or more of these people for the last sixteen years.  Not to many new people have come into to this group for at least five or six years.  Pretty much the same group week after week.  Once in awhile a “guest” rider, but mostly the same people.  For the most part I enjoy riding with all of these people, but lately something is different.  I need new blood to ride with.  Nothing against the people I ride with.  Almost all of them are dedicated to the bicycle lifestyle.  I just need something new.  Something that can change the vibe that has been stagnant for to long.  Dr. Gonzzo who I have talked about in the past has brought some good vibes to the bike group.  He is probably the most recent addition to the group (Two or three years ago).  The problem is one person isn’t enough.  So I have actively started to try to recruit new people to ride.  I have been trying to find people that just want to ride for the fun of riding.  In the past I think my group has scared off people because they are to hard core , and are not merciful at all to new riders.  Therefore nobody wants to start or continue to ride with us because of the level of riding.  I want to change that vibe.  Cycling to me is about community, and I don’t think some off my group promotes any kind of community in our riding.  If we want our group to continue, and the culture of cycling to grow we need to be accommodating to new riders.  By accommodating I don’t mean just inviting people on our rides.  I mean actually taking the time to get to know the new rider and helping them enjoy the experience of cycling.  Cycling has given me many new and rewarding experiences.  I think that we cyclist should try hard to give those same experiences to others.

                                                                             -TYLER 

P.S.  Sorry for no paragraphs I am to lazy to push the return key more then three times today.

SLOW DOWN AND SCREW OFF ENJOY THE RIDE THE SOUL THE BIKE

I am back.  I had a long time with not much inspiration.  Every time I got inspired it was lost shortly after.  That was until I went on a few rides with some of my friends.  It took a few weekends of being around different groups of riders to find out they all had one thing in common.  The one rider who seems to ride just to race.  So with that here is my next tirade.

What ever happened to riding because it is fun?  I have friends that do nothing but race or when they aren't racing they think that the "fun" group ride is a race.  I understand being competitive I enjoy it at times, but enough is enough.  Once in a while it would be cool to go out and just screw off when I go on a group ride.  The vibe I am talking about is the kind you get when you see the people riding at Post Canyon or Whistler.  The laid back screw off vibe that was there when you where a kid.  I think I am moving away from some members of my bike posse when it comes to riding.  I no longer seem to have the same values as them when it comes to riding.  To me riding is a lifestyle like the skater or surfer.  I like the new crop of bikes and gadgets yet I would ride whether on my new Specialized Demo 9 or my old school Dyno Detour freestyle bike.  Some of my friends I doubt would still ride if you took the technology away.  To them biking isn't about the soul.  It's about the gadgets and the technology of "today" that keeps them in the sport.  Notice I said sport not lifestyle.  Therefore I have a hard time understanding why they bike at all.  Technology comes and goes.  What is good today sucks tomorrow.  In order to keep going you have to be into the soul the heart the life of biking, not the latest marketing ploy to get you to spend more money.  Buying into the hype dilutes the core of biking and makes you spend money on unneeded crap (oval chain rings or 9 and 10 Speed Shimano anyone) that will be outdated or incompatible in a year or two.  The need to have an outlet to get rid of the weekly stressors that are my job is one of the reasons that I bike.  I race on race courses and BMX tracks to do that occasionally yet don't want to do that on the "everyday" ride.  I want to relax.  I want to relax, slow down ,and screw off. I want to enjoy the ride, the soul the bike.

                                                                                         - TYLER

04/10/2006

Today I am going to take the day off, and let my good friend Dr. Gonzzo Watson give you a recent experience he had at the Syncline trail in Bingen, WA.

BIKE LESSONS

By day, I’m a mild mannered chiropractor.  Others often refer to my job as “making a difference” and how it must be satisfying.  I say, “Yea, it’s great”.  And mostly it is.  I’m a pretty disciplined guy.  I’ve been in practice for many years, am a solid businessperson, and I think of myself as a good thing for the community.  I have a family and am, in general, responsible to a lot of people.

When I need a break from the responsibility, I go mountain biking.  I went yesterday and saw a bald eagle pass over me on the way to the ride.  I knew it was going to be a special day.  Last year I took up mountain biking again after about ten years away from it.   I got a downhill bike and, ever since, I have been getting braver on the trail.  I jump farther, go a little faster, and take bigger drops.  I do not throw caution to the wind, but I’m pushing it a little more every time.  I’m really enjoying it.

I was riding yesterday with my friends who have bikes like mine.  We were all geared up with pads and some of us, including me, had on a lot of protective gear.  We looked more like motocross riders and nothing like Lance Armstrong.   We usually drive a truck full of bikes to the top of a big hill and ride down.  As we were riding along, I came across a pelvis of a critter.  It was all dried up and the meat was all gone.  It might have been a fox.  I took a moment, blessed the animal who lived in the bone, and attached it to my chest protector.  Good mojo I thought.  No particular religion, just a spiritual thing for me.  I thought maybe, the spirit of the animal blessed my run, protected me somehow, and got to run wild and free one last time.  I thought of the Johnny Cash song, Highwayman, and for a brief moment smiled thinking that little critter’s spirit was going to have one hell of a good time.  I was bombing downhill, in a trance like state; grooving; letting it all vibe and meld into a great spiritual place that I feel only momentarily, and occasionally.  When all the sudden…

Up the hill, coming towards me were a couple of cross-country riders, pedaling along.  They were wearing lightweight, colorful spandex and fancy light helmets with all the air vents.  They had just enough water and gear so as not to be too heavy.

As dreary and drudgerous as anything ever could be, I thought.   I wondered why the heck people do this.  What is it with going up-hill?

Trail etiquette calls for yielding to the uphill rider.  Bikes yield to people, horses, and the uphill rider.  Basically if you are a downhill rider you yield to everything.  And stay on the trail to lessen ecological impact.  It all makes sense.

Getting back to the other bikers.  It was a guy out with his gal.  From my perspective, I was grooving downhill with a spirit bone on my chest protector.  Zoned into my inner quite spiritual place.   From their perspective, I wore black pads and a black helmet without fancy air holes.  My chest protector looks like something from the movie Alien.  I have a Bigfoot doll zip tied onto my front forks.  Rocks and debris were flying out from both of my oversized tires as I was putting on the brakes heavily to stop.   After what happened next, I realize I must have looked like a demon bearing down on one of them, tearing up and uprooting earth in a flying mess of debris.

I pulled to a stop, yielded, and let the guy go right by me.  “Two behind me” I said.  It was uneventful.  The girl in the back was about 50 feet further down.  It was going to take a while, so I put one foot on the pedal and started coasting her way.  I did not even take one crank.  She was looping around this little corner and I took, maybe, a five-foot break off the trail around a tree to give her right of way.

To my total and complete surprise she flipped out and started chasing me down the trail yelling in a garbled-scratchy smoker or asthmatic type voice.  “Donnn’t you do thhhat”, donnnn’t go off the trrrrail”.  It kind of reminded me of “Herrre’s Johnnny” in a Jack Nicholson kind of way.  I’m glad she did not have an axe.  I took no more off the trail than I do on corners that I overshoot, when I take it a little too fast.  At the same time she was yelling, I was politely mentioning there were two more bikers behind me.  Good etiquette.  She freaked out and was really upset with me.  I just kept going; there was no point in stopping.  I thought about the encounter as I rolled another mile or two.

For the rest of the day I looked around at the other cross-country riders and downhill bikers.  The cross-country riders would pedal up the hills with their lightweight stuff just to reach the top, panting all the way, trying not to stop on the way up.  You couldn’t give them a ride to the top in your truck if you paid them.  All the while us down-hillers would take a car to the top and ride down as fast as we could.

In a moment of clarity, I realized the situation playing out.  The people going uphill were trying to learn discipline, vigilance, fortification, and completion.  The people going downhill were trying to learn to how let-go, be-free, and relax.  Totally opposed to each other.  I could see the yin and yang at work.

I realized the lady had issues when she overacted and chased me down the hill.  I think maybe she was frightened by the whole downhill biker experience.  It had to be scary for her to be peacefully and quietly pedaling uphill, and all the sudden her whole world was shaken up by a seemingly run away freight train. 

Breaking away from the trail is what down-hillers, and free-riders do, figuratively and literally.  So to the cross-country rider who flipper her lid yesterday; watch out for us down-hillers, were out there, we are scary, and we have lessons to learn… just like you.

                             - Gonzzo  

ONE MOMENT PLEASE I WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU

This last weekend I went to the ABA Great Northwest National.  I really enjoyed the event, and would recommend it to anyone inquiring about it.  I noticed that a lot of kids and adults where asking pros for autographs. I was wondering when is the appropriate time to ask for a autograph.  I saw DY Darrell Young fixing his bent up sprocket after a crash with Todd Parry.  While he was doing this, and in a hurry to get it done before his next moto, a man wanted autographs and pictures with the NW BMX legend.  Appropriate probably not.  Wait until the man is done fixing his bike.  To DY's credit he obliged, smiled, posed, then went back to work on his bike.  Same thing with some kids during pro practice.  They would stop a rider during practice and try to get autographs.  Why not wait until after practice, and they run motos.  Again to all the pros credit they obliged without complaining.  Some seemed annoyed yet did it anyway.  I give props to the pros for being polite.  I believe that giving autographs are part of a pros job.  Yet the practice and racing are also.  I would say let the pros do their first job racing.  Then after they are done let them do their second job the P.R. work.  I was there for almost 10 hours daily.  I think there is enough time to get autographs when the pros aren't racing, practicing, and working.

                                                                                             -TYLER

Darrell Young bio - click here                        ABA Darrell Young hall of fame bio - click here

www.ababmx.com

HEY A-HOLE.  I AM TALKING TO YOU AND YOU AND YOU.

     Some of this was in my first tirade.  Sometimes things need to be repeated to be remembered properly.  I was wondering the other day why BMX race bikes make up such a low percentage of bicycle sales.  Why dirt/street bikes dominate the BMX sales numbers.  Also why have some manufacturers dumped race bikes all together.  The reason came to me a few weeks back at the SCR race in Eugene.  RUDE DICKHEAD PARENTS!!  If a child loves to ride a bike, he eventually gets to chose his preferred style of riding.  So he gets to chose low stress and fun progression on the dirt/street bike, or alternative B.  High stress dickhead parents at the BMX track.  Family sport?  I see almost as many examples of bad sport with the parents as I do good.  Maybe more.  Ok maybe I am exaggerating a little bit, but these A-hole parents just seem to piss me off.  I hate to see one of the sports I love be eroded by some insecure dick who is trying to live through his child.  Science tells us that energy takes the path of least resistance.  So do human beings since we are made of energy.  Why would a kid want to compete in BMX racing if they can still ride their bike and get less shit at the skate park.  I have discussed this with people and they almost always have some excuse for the dick.  They even have excuses for them while they are saying the guy is wrong.  I think it is because we all see some of the dickhead in ourselves and are afraid that I may be talking about you.  Maybe I am.  Look yourself in the mirror and ask if you are that guy.  If you are change your habits.  You not only embarrass your kid but yourself also.  Also do you really think myself or others want to here your BS.  So this gets me back to bike sales.  Why are BMX race bikes sales lower?  My opinion is because if racing isn't fun there are alternatives.  I think the majority of the population has chosen sides.  If you're that dad stop the abuse or go away.  I would like to enjoy the races with a little less drama.  Have some self respect and respect for your child.

                                                      - TYLER

01/03/2006

CHILDREN AND BIKES

     Have you ever saw those parents that refuse to spend the time to ride bicycles with their children.  The ones that somehow find plenty of time to ride with their friends.  Pathetic. They are missing out on some of the greatest times of their lives, because one the greatest things in life is seeing your child learn to ride a bike, and experience the newness that left you a long time ago.  It takes you back to a time when riding was just riding.  Not a means of exercise or tool to get to work.  A time when the bike was your first experience of freedom away from your parents.  Even if it was only a few hundred yards from the house.  A time when lifting your front tire of the ground for half a second felt like you just manualed for a mile.  A time when jumping the curb felt like the 15 foot double at the BMX track.

     As a parent it gives you the joy of spreading the love that is biking to your child.  A moment when you form a bond that is forever with said child.  The look on your kids face when they realize that you finally let go of the seat and they are doing it on their own.  Then they crash and you both start over.  This time with more confidence because they can now do it on their own (As long as dad is still somewhat close).  It gives you someone to pass your skills or lack of down too.  Someone that isn't your friend but closer.  Someone to experience your passion with that will be with you long after your friends have left.

     So get outside and ride with your child on the street, singletrack, BMX track or wherever.  These are the days that as a parent you will cherish for the rest of your life.  Days that are much more important then riding with your friends.  The days that form everlasting bonds and create the passion for cycling in our future cyclist.

                                                             -TYLER

GREAT BIKES FOR KIDS:

Redline Bicycles

Specialized Bicycles

Raleigh Bicycles

CHECK OUT THIS COOL ARTICLE:

A Well Spent, Misspent Youth  by Kevin Scott @ Discover Bicycles.com

12/16/2005

COLD

     I hate the cold.  Sometimes I wonder why I live in the Northwest.  Then I remember how great the summers are and bear the winters.  I have been trying to ride my bike lately, and have been succeeding, but realize that right now it flat ass sucks.  As I write this it is 30 degrees outside.  I went to ride yesterday and it was 25 degrees.  I said screw it and went to the gym.  I dream of summer trips to Lake Tahoe or Moab.  Anything but this damn cold.  Last Saturday we went for a ride and within 10 minutes it was so cold we stopped at McMennamins had a bowl of soup and a Terminator.  Even the indoor BMX track is cold.  At least there when you do a few laps it is bearable since there isn't a wind chill. 

     To put up with the cold I decided to go snowboarding, but my heart is with my bike.  I can't wait for the snow to melt in the mountains.  I think we are going to go ride Falls City  or Syncline this weekend.  At least there is no rain with the cold.  So I can put up with it.  I actually heard one of my friends who never turns down a ride say maybe because of the cold.

    Reading back what I just wrote I am inclined to say, damn I am a miserable bitch right now.  So I am going to shut up and go for a ride.  Indoors on my windtrainer.

                                                              -TYLER (The Cold Whiner)

On a unrelated note.  Join the International Mountain Bike Association or the Blue Ribbon Coalition. Help to keep our trails open and have an active voice in forming the land use rules and regulations that our country adopts.  Don't let other user groups or politicians who never see your land dictate everything you can do on it. 

11/29/2005

TRAINING

     "Unlike Radar at DLMNW.com I will try to update my page weekly".

     I wrote that on my first tirade.  Where does time go?  It has been over a month since the last time a wrote anything.  I guess it is harder and more time consuming to mess with this site then I originally thought.  Sorry Radar. Oh well doesn't matter now here is something new.

     I was reading OregonBMX.com the other day and read a rumor about Oregon Vet Pro Eric    "E-MO" Miller.  Something about training.  I then began to think about how training does or does not help us the average/occasional racer.  Does it hurt or help us.

     A few years ago I trained and found massive benefits in doing so.  I hired a trainer and developed the correct workout for a cyclist.  Yet I hurt myself in the long run because I didn't go about it right.  I over trained and burned myself out.  No fault of the workout.  I should have taken more breaks when my body told me to.  Rest is one of the major cogs in the cycling workout.  Instead I worked out with very little rest and regretted the eventual outcome.

     Well yesterday I started a cycling specific workout again.  Hopefully I can learn from the mistakes I made the first time.  Mainly rest.  If training is not done right you may as well not have done it at all.  So I look forward to next race season BMX, MTB, & possibly some road or track racing.

     So I thought I would give you an example of my cycling workout.  I got this from a trainer and didn't just pull it out of my ass.  This workout is based off of three days in the gym.  IT is a whole body workout.  It is made to develop lean muscle mass, and drop weight.  The key is to develop a good power to body weight ratio.

                                               -TYLER

     This workout is a three day a week workout.  Say Monday, Wednesday, & Friday or what ever works for you. On three of the remaining four days you are on the bike.  Do one day of interval training (or gate practice) and two days of endurance training on the road.  Each exercise is done in one set then move on to the next exercise. The workout is low weight high reps.  Repeat this workout in order 2 times in one session. Be sure to do the 10 Min. warm up in between each completed round of lifting. This is your cardio.  When done with set two do 25 min. cardio med intensity to cool down then stretch.   

     Include a high protein and vegetable diet.  Five meals a day.  Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, & Dinner.

Tribe503.com or Tyler take no personal responsibility for the outcome of this workout.  It is an example of what I am doing for a workout.  It is an example only and may not be suitable for everyone. Don't be a dumbass and hurt yourself. Before starting any workout program consult your physician or health professional.  A session with a certified personal trainer would be beneficial also. Take personal responsibilty for yourself.  

10/27/2005

MASKS

     I am sitting at my computer listening to i-Tunes ChroniX Aggression, trying to  release my inner demons to rage on the next bike topic.  I couldn't come up with a bike topic, so I thought I would do like any crazy person would do and rage on myself & people like me.  I guess it is kind of bike related.  The people I am talking about are the people that hide behind masks and titles to get out the opinions that they/me are to afraid to voice in public.  The definition of a mask is:

A covering worn on the face to conceal one's identity.

     In my case the mask is the picture of Brad Pitt from Twelve Monkey's used in place of my own.  Other examples are Radar @ DLMNW.com and the anonymous blogger on countless BMX and MTB web sites as well as those people who write in to complain to all the magazines.

     I would like to know are we cowards because we don't make these complaints and opinions known to the masses, without the protection of our anonymous forums.  Maybe we are polite and respectful because we make them in an appropriate controlled environment/forum.  I don't know what the correct answer is.  Maybe the answer changes from day to day on whether the person we rail against is you or not.

     I do know that in my forum that I have no intention of hurting anyone, yet a few people have took issue with a few things I have said.  Luckily most people have agreed with me and said good job.   That in mind why do we as people then not be more vocal.  More vocal in the way our Tracks and race series conduct business.  I here bitching from everyone and myself on why did the organizers do this or that.  I hear the track/course is great or it sucks.  I think that the organizers of the events if it is done properly would like to here constructive criticism.  They do in fact work for us the participants/buyer of the product they are selling.

     I think the reason we use these forums are because we can do two things.

(1) We can hide behind internet screen names and be somewhat  anonymous because we are scared to voice the truth of a given situation and,

(2) We can get our opinions out to a larger more attentive audience.  They did come to the forum or read the magazine because they are interested in whatever the forum is.

     All of this is great and a new way of doing business in the information age.  I just believe that we need to take these opinions and represent them in more ways then just on the net.  Mainly at the track and the trail.  As long as you are presenting your opinions appropriately.

     Speak up it is our right as citizens of this country, and buyers of the products of our sport.  Don't just hide on the net like me.

                                                       -TYLER

Check out RADAR @ DLWNW.com

09/29/2005

OBESITY

     People by my definition are inherently lazy.  I was looking out the window today getting ready for a rain soaked bike ride and then it hit me.  Most people will quit riding, running or any type of physical activity until April or May of next year.  Maybe longer.  Check out these statistics.

• 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
• Eight out of 10 over 25's Overweight
• 78% of American's not meeting basic activity level recommendations
• 25% completely Sedentary
• 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990

          Childhood obesity

• 4% overweight 1982 | 16% overweight 1994
• 25% of all white children overweight 2001
• 33% African American and Hispanic children overweight 2001
• Hospital costs associated with childhood obesity rising from $35 Million (1979) to $127 Million (1999)

     How can this be when we live in a country that has so many opportunities for us to stay fit.  One answer laziness.  I must admit that I have been and at times I still am physically lazy also, but I try really hard not to be so.  Unlike most I don't come up with excuses why I can't lose a few pounds.  I know I must eat a little less and exercise more.  I also know to not be overweight or obese it doesn't mean switching from Coke to Diet Coke.  It means cutting the Coke out completely or moderation.  Moderation is the key word to success.  We Americans seem to be a country of excess not moderation.  We either eat to much or don't eat at all.  How about we eat in again moderation.

     Exercise is also the key.  You don't need a gym membership.  Go walk.  Oh it is raining in Oregon I know there is $20.00 rain gear at the local Fred Meyer or something.  Buy it once it last for years.  Twenty dollars is a cheap investment for your long term health.  Oh I don't have time my spouse and kid need me to spend time with them.  Buy a stroller throw the kid in it walk down the street and bring your husband/wife and have a conversation.  It is easy doesn't take much effort and you and your family benefit.

     I think it is time that we as a nation start to erase the statistics above.  We need to make sure that obesity is no longer the second leading cause of preventable disease. Now go for a ride and celebrate another day that you are alive.

                                                                                                                 - TYLER

P.S.   One last thing off subject where is Radar at DLMNW.com.

09/14/2005

Sandbagging

Definition:

 1. Generally, any bike racer who misleads others about his ability level, claiming to be worse than he actually is at cycling.     

2. More specifically, a biker who artificially under inflates his riding in order to better his chances of winning races or bets.

A sandbagger is considered by many to be the lowest form of life on a race course.

Sandbaggers are, at base, cheaters and hustlers. Racers who are found out to be sandbaggers are often ostracized and always berated and looked down upon.

Winning a race or bet in this fashion is called "sandbagging." A racer who has won by sandbagging is said to have "sandbagged" his opponents.

         This is what I am going to talk about today.  Sandbaggers. Scum. Bottom feeders. Bile. Dog excrement.  The sandbagger is someone who cheats other worthy competitors out of their chance in the limelight, just to further protect their insecurities.  Let me give you an example. 

Rider (A) is a beginner BMX racer. So is Rider (SOB).  In the ABA if you win three beginner races you have to move up to intermediate.  So let's say rider (SOB) has no beginners in his area but he keeps placing third in the intermediate or expert class.  Rider (SOB) should move up to at least intermediate because his skills warrant that he could be competitive.  The problem is Rider (SOB) hasn't won any beginner races because there are no beginners in his area.  Mr. (SOB) then uses this as an excuse to rob beginners out of medal contention at three National races because he would rather win trophies then be honest about his riding ability.  Shame on you Mr. (SOB) Rider (A) deserves a chance to try to race against other racers that are truly at his ability level.  You basically stole the glory and accomplishments away form Rider (A) because of your petty insecurities.

Another example would be a mountain biker who truly has the ability to compete with sport or maybe expert class racers, yet stays in the beginner class so he/her can tell his/her family about there gold medal or trophy they have won.  He/her has won beginner class races in the past , but because of the frequency of his/her racing  slips through the cracks and is not forced to move up.  What ever happened to integrity.  Mr./Mrs. mountain biker already has respect from his/her friends for his/her ability.  Sandbagging only erodes the respect that this mountain biker has earned over the years.  It is like the school yard bully beating up on the smallest kid on the playground.  It is not fair, it is not right and lustily it is immoral.

As you can see I have no respect for Sandbaggers.  So from here on out I am going to call out all sandbaggers and expose them for the scum they are. 

                                                                            -Tyler

08/24/2005

OLD FOLKS

             Age.  It is something we all have to deal with.  It is inevitable that we are going to get old.  My parents and other family  whenever I get hurt always ask the same question when are you going to grow up.  The thing is should I.  I am in better shape then most of my family, even the one's my age.  I have seen parts of this country and people from many different place all because of biking.  I know people in all aspects of competitive cycling that are at least double my age.  I am in my low thirties.  These people are not just men/women holding on to the youth they once had.  These people are competitive accomplished cyclist.  I have friends that are pushing forty that can do things on bicycles that leave most people in awe and amazed at the ability of said person.  If I had to chose I would rather be in shape and enjoying life, then at home watching Friends, and getting fat waiting to die.  Oh I forgot Friends is over I was out riding my damn bike.  In a nation that is increasingly becoming more and more obese it amazes me that people can't understand how I/We competitive cyclist keep it up.  I think that if everyone adopted our philosophy this nation of obese people would be a thing of the past.  I got this from a web site "There is also growing evidence that suggests that those who take care to maintain their fitness will not only reduce some of the physical declines of age, but also protect their memories and other intellectual capacities from age-related decline."  I think we would be happier also because we would have outlets for our daily stress.  I am realistic in the fact I may have to change my cycling habits to suit my changing and aging body. But the thought of quitting because of age will never be a factor.  Also, You don't have to bike just get outside and do something physical.  Never grow old. 

                                                                       -TYLER

check out the links below on exercise and age:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/olderathletes/a/082404.htm

http://www.wacotrib.com/health/content/shared/health/weightloss/race0630.html

08/04/2005

TO MANY TRACKS

                 It has been awhile since I updated this column.  You all probably thought Radar from DLMNW had taken over this column.  Come on Radar I can't wait to read a new posting.  Ok on to me.   The other day I got an e-mail from WVBMX saying that CVBMX would not be running for the weekend because Roger Linder was out of town.  His wife Barb could only run one track for the weekend and because CVBMX's participant numbers where down they would only be running WVBMX that weekend.  Did anyone ever take the time to wonder out loud that maybe the reason the numbers are down is because we have three BMX tracks running one after another every day all weekend.  I have heard this from many riders on many different occasions.  I was also wondering would it improve the skill of our riders if we had one or two good quality tracks to practice and race on instead of all the many tracks through out certain areas.  I do see certain problems arising if we closed let's say WVBMX.  No place to ride in the winter.  I do believe it helped me when the early season races came around.  Yet do we keep one track and bring down the numbers of others.  I think we (participants & sanctioning bodies) need to analyze how the amount of tracks affect rider turn out at each track and the future implications it has on the healthiness and long term stability of our sport.  Should the ABA or NBL limit the amount of tracks they sanction in a so many mile radius.  I believe so but that is just my opinion.  I don't think that any track operator is trying to hurt the sport.  I believe in fact just the opposite.  I also believe that just because you have good intentions it doesn't always turn out that way.  All I can say is I like this sport and we need to figure out how to sustain and keep it healthy for the years to come.

                                                     - TYLER

07/15/2005

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG

I was reading Decline Magazine the other day and they where talking about wheel size in competition.  Should 24 inch wheels be able to compete in MTB dirt jumping contest, or should it be 26 inch only.  Should MTB’s be able to compete in BMX dirt jumping contests.  If you ride skate parks or street should you ride BMX bikes or MTB’s.  My opinion is who the hell cares.  I seem to notice people are worried about who rides what instead of hey this person is at least riding.  I know people who could shred bmxer’s at the skate park on their MTB and vice versa.  Same goes for the BMX track.  I have known BMXer’s their first time on a downhill bike kick a seasoned downhiller’s ass.  So who really cares what you ride.  It is the journey on the bike that counts.  If I enjoy riding whatever on whatever bike I am on, that should be the point of the ride.  In order to keep people in to biking and progress the sport I think we should not dog each other out.  The next trick you learn or your next riding partner may just be that dude on the wrong bike. 

 ONE LOVE. PEACE OUT.                                       

                                                        -TYLER

06/26/2005

Welcome to my second tirade.  This one is going to be on the mountain bike front.  You have to spread the love around when you complain.

Wannabe Racers on Multiuse Trails

 Multiuse trails are a constant struggle for mountain bikers in the USA.  With the advent of suspension mt. bikes are carrying more speed through trails then ever before.  With this comes conflict with hikers and equestrians.  If there are 100 bikers on a trail and 99 of them are polite and share the trails respectfully, and one causes trouble.  The hikers will not think of the 99, they will associate biking with that one disrespectfully fool of a bike rider.  Multiuse trails are not race courses.  That’s what Skibowl, Post Canyon, Willamette Pass, & Whistler are for.  There is legislation on the table that would effectively ban bikes from a large portion of the Mt. Hood National forest. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=108052  Don’t be the reason for these closures if they happen.  IMBA & DECLINE magazine both have comprehensive list for places that are acceptable to ride fast and aggressive.  The point is to be responsible and respect others, and you will do wonders for our sport.  If not don’t complain when the trails are closed.  It is your fault.  You have the power to keep the trails open.  They call it your brain and your brakes.

- TYLER

RESOURCES FOR TRAIL ACCESS:

•  INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION http://www.imba.com/

•  CENTRAL OREGON TRAIL ALLIANCE http://www.cotamtb.org/faq.php

•  BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE http://www.bta4bikes.org/

•  GORGE FREERIDE ASSOCIATION http://gfra.org/

06/19/05

    Unlike Radar at DLMNW.com I will try to update my page weekly.  Bring it on Radar I'm crazy like that.  Update your page it has been over two months brother.  The purpose of this column is to give my opinion on cycling issues.  Maybe give some gossip.  The most important part is my opinion.  The topics will be BMX, MTB, Road, or any other form of cycling.  Most opinions will be my own.  Some of them will be things that I echo back from the cycling community.  Don't take it to seriously.  If you want to complain go ahead and complain to your significant other.    If I am wrong in my opinion then I will offer a retraction.  MAYBE.  Time for my first Tirade let's get it on.

INAPPROPRIATE PARENTS AT THE BMX TRACK

    Have you ever went to the BMX track and saw a kid not pedal all the way around the track and lose a race.  When the kid crosses the finish line, dad instead of talking to his child about the need to pedal all the way around the track berates his child.  He scolds him/her in front of friends, family, strangers, & fellow racers and generally degrades his child.  I understand the need to teach your child the proper aspects of racing.  Yet I also see a parent that lives vicariously through their child and loses that race also.  It also seems that a lot of these parents don't race themselves.  Probably afraid their child would kick their ass around the track.  Maybe these low class dudes could check their egos at the parking lot.  When your kids mess up you could talk to them peacefully, not like a child yourself.  They just lost a race they don't need dad to be a prick.  IF dad was a little more calm maybe the kid would stick with it a little longer.  It may not be something he/she just did as a "kid".  I understand if you don't point out mistakes your kid may not get better.  I also understand if you don't make BMX something your kid enjoys, he may just go play football, or worse sit around and do nothing.  Lighten up.  If not I am sure there are plenty of people who could school you around the track, and give you a little dose of humility.  We could then get them, if you want to yell at you when they beat you and tell you how bad you suck. Nobody wants to be degraded.  Treat the GROMS good they are the future of our sport.     

                                      - TYLER