April 25, 2007 by Scott
Posted in
First, I'm not trying to start anything or piss anyone off here. I just think this is funny and typical KyMBA. On KyMBA.org there is an announcement about an upcoming KyMBA Social which states :
"This social will be informal but will give everyone a chance to meet and greet their fellow riders."
Wow, sounds like fun. Where is it you ask? Some pizza place in New Albany, IN. Note thats Indiana...not Kentucky.
Am I the only one that finds this ridiculous? I have nothing against Indiana or anyone living in Indiana who rides in Kentucky ... but come on. Is every restaurant in Kentucky closed Thursday night on April 26th? That must be some good pizza.
Thats some good arm chair
Thats some good arm chair quarterbacking if you ask me Scott. Try to do something good and it will come back on you everytime. Be nice if folks would cut the people that are trying to make a difference a little slack. Other wise no one will be trying anymore... just my 0.02 cents
Perhaps next time you can help plan the event, sure you know a few places in Lexington where everyone can gather....how bout it?
I go to southern IN all the time to eat. In many cases its closer for me to cross the river than to drive out to the east end. a little know fact....hoosiers don't eat a lot of Sushi ;)
here is a post explaining
Took me just a couple of minutes to visit kymba and actually get the facts. here i a post explaining everything and a link for anyone else. Oh and I didn't even log in to find this info.
"Re: Kymba social for the unwashed masses.
Posted on: 04/25/2007 02:04 PM
Yeah, I was just waiting for someone to bash on this one. I must say it took longer than I thought, though.
It just so happens that the IMBA folks that are in for the Trail Building at Butler this weekend have ties to the folks there at Rich O's and we thought it would be a nice thing for those that could, to go up and greet them when they came in.
No, not a real big statewide KyMBA social event, wasn't really planned that way, just thought we would throw it out there for those that would be interested. "
http://www.kymba.org/kymba/index.php?module=phpwsbb&PHPWSBB_MAN_OP=view&PHPWS_MAN_ITEMS[]=1823
On the fence.
This is an odd situation. I don't want to be seen as taking sides, but I think their time, money, and effort could be used in a much more efficient manner. I do understand the importance of IMBA and being in their good graces, but I don't understand why it was originally announced as a social event. The leaders of kymba definitely need to speak to IMBA about the future of mountain biking in Kentucky and, if nothing else, just to show respect since they're so close. To give them benefit of the doubt maybe their working on trying to form a community and make others feel welcome.
Edit: There's many places where kymba could meet in lexington. How about the food court at the mall, olive garden, ect. I'll stop being silly. The bottom line is I'm not sure why the social event is in IN, but the leaders should be there.
No longer riding the fence
Okay I'm no longer on the fence after putting some more thought into it. I do support them for trying to put together a social event and I do know most of the members are from the "Ville," but if it's an offical kymba event I believe it should be held in Kentucky. If it was held in Kentucky more natives of the Bluegrass state could attend the event. An event in Indiana excludes everyone except people in the Louisville area. I support them in trying to put together a social event, but this is an example of bad leadership.
Kudo's to KyMBA for hosting
Kudo's to KyMBA for hosting an open Social Event for like minded supporters.
Lesson learned may be to post about the connection/reasoning in the original posting to keep people from wondering why an out of state venue was selected.
Also, keep your fingers crossed that there's no accidents on/near the bridges, I've ventured over to So. IN on occasion for lunch, only to get caught up in what seems to be the inevitable traffic tie-up trying to get back to this side.
Just an observation from a
Just an observation from a Western Indiana guy that will not be attending anyway.
Everyone is so caught up in the fact that the social is in a different state. Actually, what is the difference?? I would say that New Albany is closer to Louisville than Lex?? Right?
It is just a place.
Also, I would have to guess that IMBA might be staying in New Albany. It is not very far from Carrolton. On race weekends, I have drove there just to pass some time driving......
I can understand what everyone is complaining about. I agree that if this is just a KYMBA social, it should be in Kentucky. For the simple fact that yes, Indiana is not far, but why travel at all?? If you are going to travel, then travel in the direction to get more of your supporters.
A personal opinion as to the problems of KYMBA is that it has always been more of a Louisville club. They want to grow in too a state group, then they need to be with the state. There are a lot of people that do not want to travel to O'bannon woods to work because it is too far. What does that say for the trail in the rest of Kentucky that is wanting help??
I can tell you that the president of HMBA has drove 3 1/2 hours to work is butt off numerous times to help us out at Ferdinand just because he wants the whole state to do well. There are several trails that need work much closer then us. Look at how much new trail is in the works in Indiana. Maybe that mind set has something to do with it.
Well written
"For the simple fact that yes, Indiana is not far, but why travel at all?? If you are going to travel, then travel in the direction to get more of your supporters.
A personal opinion as to the problems of KYMBA is that it has always been more of a Louisville club"
My thoughts exactly. Why don't they host an event at Morehead. All of the trails haven't been destroyed by horses yet. They could have it at London or something, but why drive away from your supporters.
Out of curosity I asked if Kymba has contacted Chris Hood in the topic on their site. It would be great if we had them in our corner. If they have I'll gladly retract all of my previous statements and admit that I was wrong. Anyways I'll stop harping about the differences and problems with kymba and try to work out some middle ground with them.
I think the IMBA trails care
I think the IMBA trails care crew's family owns the restaurant.
I just logged into the
I just logged into the homepage for this site and the welcome message struck me as interesting.....
Welcome! Bike Kentucky is a website for all cyclists who live or ride in and around the "Bluegrass State". The mission of this site is to bring together cyclists of all styles and provide them a fun place to communicate and share with other cyclists. Together we can continue to grow cycling awareness as well as the number of cyclists in Kentucky. So join us if you haven't already and start sharing your love of cycling with others.
Just thought I'd point that out!
OK Mr. Obvious
Maybe I haven't had enough caffeine this morning, but I can't figure out what you are trying to point out or what is so interesting about the welcome message...is it because we are a Commonwealth and not a State? Is it the fact that they welcome thoughts and opinions from people who don't actually reside in Kentucky?
If you're trying to parallel this mission statement to the complaints of the social event, then again...I'm lost. This is a website for discussions and does not require any money or commitment for being part of it. KyMBA is an organization with dues, elected officials, and a membership base they are attempting to grow.
I think this thread originally began to point out the irony of a KY based club having their social in Indiana. However, with follow-on posts I think it has been clearly rationalized that the tie in with IMBA is driving the location. I think tagging the event as a KyMBA social was misleading to the masses and probably would have been better received had it been titled IMBA social.
Comparing the two is apples and oranges, my friend. But then again, I may have missed your point altogether. That is all...
Its Still Odd
As Fadeto pointed out nothing about IMBA was mentioned in the announcement. It was basically just; KyMBA Social, Thursday Night, Pizza Place in New Albany IN, Meet Your Fellow Riders.
Now if it would have said, we are meeting up with the IMBA gang at a pizza place in New Albany and all KyMBA Members as well as other mountain bikers are invited. Thats completely different. But that isn't what was posted. With KyMBA's track record they should make an effort to do things which don't seem to alienate the rest of the state.
Is this being picky...maybe. But depending on who you are, where you are and if you care this doesn't encourage anyone outside of Louisville to join. With another recent post requesting for people to renew their memberships or join it sounds like the membership numbers are dropping since the fiasco last fall. This sort of thing doesn't help and it seems like it would be obvious that it wouldn't help.
@sean - Arm chair quarterback? I've had my ups and downs but just because I'm not drinking the KyMBA kool-aid doesn't make me an arm chair quarterback. Singletrack.net 1998-2003, KyMBA.org 2002-2006, BikeKentucky.com 2007->, hosting group rides all over the state, supporting/wrenching at races, raising money for trails, countless hours of trail maintenance etc. are some of my many contributions.
OK, the real reason for
OK, the real reason for selecting Rich's (that no one has mentioned) is because they have the biggest and best beer selection around, including some on-site brews!
KYMBA social
I hope KYMBA supporters get fueled up good at their social so that they can be ready to go work on the trails at Butler for me. Those involved with KYMBA work for me on trail work projects. I really want them to use time from their lives, their sweating labor filled efforts and personal money/club money to furnish me trails to ride. Get to work KYMBA members because you work for me and my bike riding fun times. Get busy!!!! Don't let those pulaskis and mccleods be gathering any surface rust in storage.... :)
Well allow me to retort!
Well allow me to retort!
The problem I have is clearly stated in my 2nd post. Why even bother starting a topic thats only goal is to critize fellow riders for doing something, anything to help grow the sport? Sorry if that didn't come across clearly enough. Besides the info about the "social" only took me a couple of seconds to find on kymba and I didn't even have to log in to get it. And to me the answer as to why and where it is being held is perfectly acceptable. Besides how many that have posted opinions about this issue are even dues paying KYMBA members?
Mr Fadeto that one is tricky, the way I read the welcome is the site is for riders that live or ride in and around the bluegrass state. Probably the wording but it looks like Scott was including riders from outside the state. So posting something calling an event in IN ridiculous still seems to go against the welcome message to me. Perhaps I am just reading that wrong.
Bottom line, I am tired of all the kymba bashing, all the Metro parks bashing, all the horse bashing, and so on. People who are putting in the time deserve and have earned my respect! And as such I see no need to run them down for not consulting each and every person that has a mountain bike as to where a social should be held!
To me the definition of arm
To me the definition of arm chair quarterbacking is sitting on the sidelines telling others how you'd make the play. So yes your post is arm chair quarterbacking in my eyes!
Nobody questions your dedication to the sport. But there is a difference between not drinking the kool aid and spitting back in the face of those who worked to make it. And to me thats all this topic is about.
The bottom of this page says the following..... "If you don't have something nice or constructive to say then go ride your bike.
© 2007 Bike Kentucky Perhaps its time for me to follow that advice and leave the forums to those who enjoy the bickering.
I was not criticizing riders
I was not criticizing riders for getting together to help grow the sport. I was criticizing KyMBA for having what sounded like some official event in Indiana! Now that more info has been revealed, its obvious that it should have been posted with more details. If you didn't live in Louisville and you only knew what was posted a lot of questions come to mind. Why in the hell is this in Indiana? Is KyMBA spending membership dues to have an event out of state? This is basically for those in Louisville since they live just across the river and doesn't include me nor is their mention of other future events that will include my area.
How about you take this sort of thing and up the scale. Like, just shut up and don't complain even though our troops are over in Iraq wasting lives, money and time. People won't always agree with KyMBA, especially with the track record it has. Over time this might and hopefully will change but announcements like that need to be handled better if it is. If someone would have said, hey a bunch of us are meeting with the IMBA crew at a pizza joint in New Albany IN and all are welcome to come I wouldn't have had another thought about it. But that isn't what it said.
My feeling and main point is this; if its going to really be KyMBA then it needs to take into account the rest of the state on all matters. KyMBA's officers need to be concerned about and meeting with all areas. Let local clubs/groups handle the local issues etc.
Nice retort...
Sean,
I'm still missing the point of calling the mission statement of this website into question. Nobody has ever said anything about not wanting people from other areas to post content, enjoy the trails or be a part of the cyber community that this site represents. The mission statement clearly states, "The mission of this site is to bring together cyclists of all styles and provide them a fun place to communicate and share with other cyclists." Nothing more, nothing less.
Your attempt to tie the mission of this site with the actions of KyMBA is not valid. Nowhere in that mission does it align itself with KyMBA. BikeKentucky does not equal KyMBA and their purposes are extremely different. This site promotes free and open expression at the expense of some people's feelings and some legitimacy. KyMBA is an "Association" with a membership, ELC, and elected officials that promotes advocacy and has taken a moderated approach to forum posting in order to preserve their legitimacy as an official MTB organization with ties to IMBA.
To answer your question on how it looks to outsiders that may stumble into this thread and see a question regarding the location of a KyMBA social...I don't get it. Other than the name-calling and thin skins of those who are offended by the question, I think this post actually provided some insight that answered the "why"; and this explanation seems to be well received even by all...including the original poster. This has generated some honest discussion among past, current and prospective members of KyMBA without any concerns of moderation or censorship...This site's mission has been accomplished.
As far as how many people are actually dues paying members, I can only speak for myself and say that I am a dues paying member of KyMBA and am part of the web team as well.
I applaud the efforts of KyMBA and all of the things they do to promote the sport and have never called any of the officers' or volunteers' commitment into question. It takes a huge commitment to accept responsibilities in an organization with such dynamics.
If you decide to follow the advice at the bottom of the page, come on over to CVP and I'd be more than happy to share the ride and show you around!
As with anything I post, it is not meant to offend or incite any public or personal outrage...just ideas and observations. If you take my questioning of your logic personal, my apologies...I'm just trying to understand what doesn't make sense to me.
@ FADETO no worries, but I
@ FADETO
no worries, but I think I see the problem the welcome msg was changed. If you read one of the other post by me you will see how it read originally.
I love CV and hope to get up there soon
Welcome Message
Sean, the wording of the welcome message sounded like the site was for riding in areas around Kentucky as well as in Kentucky. The around part was meant for where someone lives. I've shortened it to just riding in Kentucky, regardless of where you live. So, you pointed this issue out and I'm happy to clarify my intention. I pointed out it was odd that KyMBA was having an event in IN and its since been clarified and I don't have a problem. I should have checked my wording to make it more clear and they should have posted more info on the event.
Social
Gonzo who is Cave Run Trails Coordinator has contacted Chris Hood. I was wrong and wanted to clear that up. My apologies.