Smithers MINNEAPOLIS - Old HALOSCAN comments, please discontinue the use of these comments.
I loved your recap of the evening, but you left out who actually won the training session......
holy crap, that's obnoxious. This dude should definitely lighten up...!Maybe you should have forced him to go around you ? I wonder if he would have, or if he just wanted to draft for a couple more laps? did he close the gap, or try?
To quote the late, great Allen Iverson:
"Man...it's practice! We talkin' 'bout practice! Practice!"
Good thing there is no yelling on the Urthel rides...
So someone yells, instead you blog?
I fail to see which situation is better than the other...
I fail to see which situation is better than the other...
Reading this blog is optional.
listening to the yelling is optional also, you can be the bigger man and take it for what its worth...
I didn't see the incident because I was with the 2nd group. I agree with the National Champion though, the sessions need to be harder...
Reading this blog is optional.
I understand that, I've read it in the disclaimer. I think you're well aware of what your readership is, though.
I just fail to see why you wouldn't just take the high road on this one and leave well enough alone. You make a mistake, rider in question made a mistake by getting testy, and now more mistakes are being made by going public with it...
A. Kruse, I assume you're taking the high road here? It seems to me you had the same opportunity yesterday and many other days to take the high road in the comments sections and you have chosen not to.
It's personal opinion. As Smithers says, get over it.
I'm not taking anyone's side here. I sat and watched the whole thing happen from three wheels back, it was a specific drill and WE, AS A GROUP, screwed it up.
I just know that the other rider doesn't run a blog and is one of the most well-intentioned guys I've ever come across on a bike. he made a mistake by losing his cool but I don't know why it needs to be broadcasted to the world. I was "over" it two minutes after it happened. anyway, I'm done.
It's personal opinion. As Smithers says, get over it.
Mrs. Smithers | 05.11.07 - 8:48 am | #
Perfect point.
I just know that the other rider doesn't run a blog...
Smithers-quit blogging because the rest of the world doesn't have one and it just isn't fair for you to express your opinions on a public blog.
AKruse. With all due respect, go and become a cop. You are trying to be the Police on everything. The MPD is hiring and I will hapilly write a letter of recommendation for you(but you will have to forgive the spelling errors).
Well, like I said, I apologized immediately upon making my mistake. I also acknowledge that people lose their cool in the heat of the moment which this rider did on the track. I understand and it’s not a problem.
But to ride up to me on the infield 5 minutes later and berate me about it is totally lame. He had a chance to regain his composure and talk to me about calmly but instead made a decision to go the other direction. So don’t lay this on me.
Skibby, I’m a bit surprised at your “listening is optional” attitude since you seemed to take a different position last year when Kruser and Super Rookie were having their yelling match on the track.
I was disturbed by what happened last night so I chose to write about it. That is what I use this site for. I know that you don’t blog anymore Andy and so you think that this gives you the right to be some kind of arbiter regarding what others put on their blogs.
I did not call anyone by name so only those who were there and saw it know who I was writing about. I have never had any problem with this rider in the past and had a lot of respect for him and they way he conducted himself, no longer.
If you guys are ok with the idea that we should be able to make a scene about every stupid transgression that takes place on the surface of the track then it’s going to be a long and unpleasant season.
hello? last year it was during a RACE when hayes dropped in and yelled at Kruse, I didn't want to go down at 30 mph!
I didn't blog about it the next day either...
I liked it better in the old days when I would get into a fight with someone then the next day we'd be friends. Now-a-days, you have an altercation with someone, they blog about it and it becomes public discourse and just escalates...
damn boys... lighten up... training race or practice, whatever you want to call it. if you get dropped or can't close the gap, then that's your fault. I'd like guys to open gaps on me in a training situation, it only makes me stronger cause I have to close them. we had a training crit on Tuesday and our team had the most guys in it, a couple of our guys got into a break and a couple time our own team chased down our own guys.. nobody said anything because it was a training crit i knew there was a reason I quit racing on the track
This doesn't just apply to the track: people need to chill the fuck out, period.
Who cares if someone had to work a little harder to close a gap? Who cares if some guy was in a pissy mood and misdirected his anger? That's life, and if we dwell on shit like this it does no good for anyone.
liked it better in the old days when I would get into a fight with someone then the next day we'd be friends.
I think the purpose of the post is to consider your reason for getting in a fight in the first place. If chicks get into a fight then they're most likely enemies for life. Maybe that's why you don't see many (if any) chick smackdowns on the road or track.
i appologized to you skibby right after I dropped in and got upset.
in the long run i was upset that it bothered me so much. yet, that doesn't mean someone doesn't have the right to express their feelings.
...
no one got hurt last night on the track. that is a good thing.
i just disagree with people trying to play the blog-police. it gets old.
...
a wise man once said 'don't get in fights with a man that buy ink by the barrel.' i think that can of worms has been opened and i am done.
Tell it, Mrs. Smithers!
I’m still struggling to figure out what was wrong with Smither’s post. No names were mentioned and the only people that seem offended were there and know what went down.
The rest of us are in the dark and can take from this experience that we all need to chill out and get some perspective when it comes to our little hobby.
I know some people take this more seriously than others, but let’s face it – I doubt anyone will be turning up on the UCI circuit any time soon. So until then it’s fantasy racing - dungeons and dragons in spandex (to quote Plan B).
I ditto T3 and Mrs Smithers. Reading a bog is a spectator sport so get off your 'high horse'.
I liked it better in the old days when I would get into a fight with someone then the next day we'd be friends.
Look, if someone is going to get into a public confrontation me with about something as stupid as a training ride then they deserve to be called out as a jackass and I ain't interested in being friendly.
You guys are free to tolerate this kind of bullshit behavior all you want.
I was really surprised and disturbed by what happened last night. I thought we were a community and all friends up there. I was disappointed to discover otherwise but now I know I guess.
Meeeoooowww!
I guess the Euro-pros don't have a lock on two-wheeled soap operas!
Meanwhile, back at the laboratory...USADA is trying to get Landis to give them the inside dope on Armstrong.
My brother tells me stories all the time about the Palm Springs group rides. He's seen a half dozen fist fights on these things. Time to start pumping the Prozac into the drinking water.
I'm with Smithers on this one. It is one thing to blow up in the moment when the adrenaline flashes but we all know how quickly that passes. But when several minutes pass by anad the guy, still seething, comes in search of the perp. he immediately loses any argument he may have had in the first place.
Smithers, was DK at the track last night? It sounds like something he would do.
getting popped ain't making a mistake.
it's getting popped.
if the guy couldn't close the gap, too bad, waah for him - it's just gawdamn training.
what a douche.
GD'it (sorry Mrs Smithers) but who's the National Champion for us poor dumb bastards who don't know everything about the track. Just ride your bikes and cut the bullshit. Oh, by the way...I wouldn't raise my voice to the new track whip.
getting popped ain't making a mistake. it's getting popped.
Yea, but it was a structured workout and I was not really following the rules. I was kind of faking it until I blew and then I screwed up one of the sessions. I acknowledge that.
For the all complaints about the yelling on the Urthel ride (and I have never took part in any yelling on the Urthel ride btw), the only dudes that get yelled at are those who don't follow along with the structure of the ride.
Never-the-less, yelling in most any form is totally lame and I am developing zero tolerance for it.
GD'it (sorry Mrs Smithers) but who's the National Champion
You need a program Ray!
for those who weren't there, it was structured training in an 84 inch gear, if you're going 30 mph, 120 rpm, if someone all of a sudden leaves, and there's two bike lengths too close? It pisses you off... especially if you're in the middle of a 4k effort...
Smithers
What's your blog's record for number of comments to a single post? What's the world record?
Don't know, I don't keep track. Probably around 30 comments.
World record? Don't know that either. Atrios can get over 1000.
I think Mrs. Smithers hit over 50 with her Duck, Duck, Grey Duck post. No one yelled at her either so that helped.
Fitz!
Duck, Duck, Grey Duck
you are lucky you didn't say Goose.
oh my god, don't start that up again...
Don't know, I don't keep track. Probably around 30 comments.
You guys don't remember Global Warming?
51 Comments. I think that is the record.
'I was really surprised and disturbed by what happened last night. I thought we were a community and all friends up there. I was disappointed to discover otherwise but now I know I guess.'
Smither's experience is not that uncommon... and until the @ssholes are told by the ENTIRE community to straighten up or get lost, how many new people do you think will be attracted to the track????
JB
JB
Anybody who wants to know the real story, email me and I'll set you straight....
schaefku2@comcast.net
I'll have you guys all know that a$$hole was up at the track helping on Saturday...
personally i don't care if new people are coming to the track. because if they can't handle how awesome I am than they aren't goign to have fun anyway 
Hey Alberto G, no I mean Skippy....I need some help.
on 5/11/07 @ 8:34am Skibby wrote:
I didn't see the incident because I was with the 2nd group.
today @ 10:59am Skibby wrote:
Anybody who wants to know the real story, email me and I'll set you straight....
The straight story from someone who did not even see the incident or the
aftermath?
Just who's straight story are you pushing today?
Why are we so vehemently defending this person who was so out of line in the first place?
hey ped, I *was* there, *was* in the group and watched the whole thing happen and Skibby does indeed have his story straight, so just put your bullshit to bed.
I didn't see the incident itself, but I know the circumstances. The a-hole rider was wrong to continue to yell at smithers. We had been doing structured flying 4k's for 3 weeks previously. We had been doing them in 84 inch gears, trying to maintain a fast, hard, SMOOTH pace. Last Thursday night, a bunch of people who hadn't been there previously showed up. We tried to accomodate everyone, I tried breaking up the riders into 2 groups, and experienced and inexperienced group. The Non-Ahole rider was not part of this, he chose to ride in the experienced group, in a different gear, pushing a different pace. He left a gap that is hard to close at 120 rpm, 30 mph. The A-Hole rider unfortunately yelled at him, and after the non Ahole rider apologized the A-hole rider continued. That's it, end of story. However, the perception that is if you go up to the track you're going to get yelled at, which is BS. I've been going up there for years and have never been yelled at. The point is that there should be rider etiquette, respect for training groups, AND respect for others if they mess up. I agree NO Yelling, unlike the Tuesday night Urkel rides...
I think the problem has more to do with the idea that someone can actually close that gap in an 84inch gear.
I had already dropped out at that point and created a gap for smithers to close. Smithers didn't yell at me.
The yelling is over and we all get to race on Thursday.
I am most excited to the Pederson/Kruse showdown in the Cat3s.
That is going to be awesome.
Who will win?
I am most excited to the Pederson/Kruse showdown in the Cat3s.
Hey SR, Ped is a 2 now.
ha.
next thing you know kruse will be claiming he's a 2 as well...
it'll never end!
next thing you know kruse will be claiming he's a 2 as well...
and (dis) will be claiming he's vegan....
wait.
dis is a vegan.
...
i thought pederson was a cat3.
good for him on the upgrade!
good for dis with the veggies!
Andy: I was not talking to you or about you. Please don't make Mrs. Smithers come out and smack you down again.....
I was simply pointing out a differnece in Skibby's story. I was not there and try not pass judgement on things I did not experience.
I find it funny, that you guys continue to flog this when few others care and have moved on. I am simply commenting for the sport of it; to watch the quick and energetic rebuttals from the defneders of Mr Yellers....
I was simply pointing out a differnece in Skibby's story
And I'm simply pointing out that while you may think (or be insinuating) that he doesn't know what's going on, I am verifying to you that he does.
And if he doesn't know, I do.
You are/were continuing to rake the coals about an incident I was present for/witnessed so I have every right to speak up. You're furthering the commenting on this topic just as much as Skibby, Agent Smith, myself, or anyone else, so if I deserve a bitchslap from Mrs Smithers (which is likely), you do too, Peter Pan.
can ped downgrade for a one night showdown?
will the USCF allow such a downgrade?
'However, the perception that is if you go up to the track you're going to get yelled at, which is BS. I've been going up there for years and have never been yelled at.'
If you have been riding at the track as long as you would like people to believe, then you know what you just posted is not entirely accurate. The vast majority of trackies are good-guys. However, there is also the @sshole element that shows up at there much toooo often.
It takes a commitment to ride/race at the track on a regular basis. That commitment is made easier when there is a true sense of 'community'... people knowing each other to some degree and that the track is a 'welcoming' place. All that ends when an @sshole acts likes like an @sshole and the community doesn't say anything. How is that etiquette?? How is that being respectful?? A person doesn't have to be yelled at themselves in order it to have the same negative experience.
Like I said earlier, the majority of people at the track are very good guys. Some aren't nearly as 'good'.
JB
JB
Andy
I need to make this post to break the record for comments, otherwise I would not respond. Again, you have verified that you have verified that you can vouch for Skibby's version of the event that Skibby has previously said he couldn't see. from my first metaphor, I guess that makes you Monica Goodling to Skibby's Aberto..........
it's a party!
we broke the record!
whooooo
As the foremost export on all matters of conflict, I'm slightly taken aback that nobody has consulted with me on this issue:
* Mr. Smithers should be forced to close a 2.1 length gap at 31MPH using an 83 inch gear.
* Mr. Asshole should have to endure a verbal assult from Mrs. Smithers (Mr. Smither's proxy (he's a little too soft spoken to do it proper)) in front of the entire raging, fanatical, foaming at the mouth trackie community.
Ped received his bitch slap long ago. Congratulations on the record Smithers! My work is done here, I'll be waiting for my bonus check.
I'm a cat 4/5 on the track.. i promise i won't yell at anyone but if i have to have slivers pulled out of me bum i might yell a little.. see you thursday.. who's bringing the suds?
Maybe everyone who reads this site should bring a 6 pack of something. I don't drink beer but I would be happy to contribute to see Timmer fall down drunk.
As opposed to his normal behavior...
Ped received his bitch slap long ago.
Mrs. Smithers!
Meeee-owwww!
You're the stuff!
I am most excited to the Pederson/Kruse showdown in the Cat3s.
I am most excited to be a part of the Kruse/Steel showdown in the Cat3s.
I originially was not going to post on this topic, but after the heated debate, I should set things straight.
While some of the facts are here, some are absent, which makes it difficult to judge.
I was not angry by Smithers pulling off the wheel and making me close the gap. People drop off of wheels all the time and it's something you have to live with. What I was angry with was the lack of courtesy earlier on and happened to vent it at the wrong time.
As a group, we have been doing these for about a month now, with mainly the same people doing them every week. We were rolling around high on the track getting ready to go when Smithers was riding alongside us and I don't believe anyone could tell if he was going to be doing this one with us or not. Common courtesy and track etiquette would be to let everyone know that you are going to be joining them prior to getting on the track with the group and everyone would get on the track at the same time to establish an order. This was not done and I did not say anything and thought "oh well".
When we were going, Smithers pulled off of the wheel like he stated, and I yelled out of frustration, which I probably should have not done. The interval was comprimised and fell apart with 6 or 8 laps left out of a 16 lap interval - far from acceptable. Not only was I affected, but everyone else who was doing them with us. Some consideration for others should be taken into account as well.
When we were riding on the inside oval, I wanted to let Smithers know to decide to do the intervals before and let everyone know. However, he became rather defensive, yelled at me for yelling and I yelled back, which was both our faults.
When I was getting yelled at Smithers also informed me that it was his first night at the track this year. Now, if it's my first night at the track, I know for sure that I would not be trying to do back to back intervals, especially with a faster group like we had. The first night at the track on a new bike is not the time to be trying to do back to back intervals. I believe that most others would agree with me on this point.
Now I believe that someone who has been riding at the track as long as Smithers should have the knowledge and respect to inform the other riders of their intentions and this was not done.
Now, like I have said, I have no issues with people dropping (it happens) or people joining us (the more the merrier). I do have an issue with lack of respect and courtesy for other riders.
Hopefully this will help bury the hatchet, and even though Smithers says he has no respect for me anymore, I still respect him. Also, I find it crazy that I have been referred to as a douche, asshole, and jackass when most people have not heard the full story or even know me. Once again, I have no animosity around this incident, it would be nice for everyone to move on and put their energy into going faster on the track.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for writing BD.
I think we can close out these comments now, unless you guys feel the need to set the blog record even higher...if so feel free to continue.
If not, Go here and read.
62 comments and love all around
not anymore!
It was just a training race. It sounds like it got way toooo serious.
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