imtbtrails Survey: How Do YOU Percieve imtbtrails

Chime in on the banter. It's not all about posting rides, or potential rides, or even where the rides are. It's also about your bike, what you have done/would like to do to your bike, where you'd like to ride if you could, telling @mtnbikej and @Faust29 they're crazy for the rides they do

Just generally chime in. We'd like to hear from you. And all the others who think they don't have anything to contribute. You actually do.

 

It's super easy. You don't even have to have anything meaningful or bike-related to say.

See?!

 

As the poster-child for that, I take a bow!! Thanks for pointing that out.

 

I meant me, but if the foo shits...

 

I'll use this guy @Mtbikept as an example (I always read his sn as "Mt Bike Ept," which is way better than Mt Bike Inept...)

Member since 2014, and hasn't posted once.

Dude, speak up. You have things to contribute.

 

And he even has a cool avatar picture... Looks like it might have been taken in Oregon? I bet there's a story there...

 

Contribute what you can.....if that means ride reports, tech talk, bikes, stoke, passion.....you have a voice, use it.

 

IME, the life blood for the long haul in any cycling group is bringing new riders. If you don't have them, one by one all but a few core members hang on until the bitter end. If you want sustained participation, not to mention growth, you must court the newer riders.

It can be a double edged sword since you have to have rides that attract them to step out of the shadows, and those rides are not always the bread and butter of seasoned riders. The goal of those rides isn't necessarily awesome riding or a shred-fest. The goal is FUN. Period. If you make it fun, people will want to return. Lots of relationships are formed from those rides, and those in turn lead to other riding opportunities.

The Big Bear ride we had a couple years ago is a decent example of that, even though it was a bit of a drive. The turnout was excellent, there were options for different skill and fitness levels and plenty of regroups. That might not be the way everyone wants to ride most of the time, but again, the ride itself is not the primary mission of such rides IMHO.

Sometimes a ride like the 'vintage' rides I have attended a the FLoop have been well attended and a lot of fun when everyone embraces such a theme. Night rides, gravel/all-surface rides, camping trips, and (gasp) even road rides are fun (there's that word again) occasionally too.

I am not implying that there is any real level of snobbery going on here (being quite sincere about that), but this does tend to be a generally more experienced group here, and that might be a tad intimidating for those looking to dab a toe in the water to do a heat check.

Maybe having a Newbie/Beginner forum might be a way to get new members comfortable enough to post up. Experienced forum users know that they are likely to get the same questions about which $600 MTB they should get, but that is where patience and a welcoming vibe eventually pays off.

As always, JMHO.

 

I don't have anything useful to add, but thanks for thinking I do!

I like this site, and should really join more group rides. Used to seek them out and really enjoy it. But life has taken some interesting and dramatic turns in the last few years and my focus has been elsewhere. That's not to say riding 2-4 times a week has changed though. Thats been my therapy.
Once the next 6 weeks are past I'll actually make a effort join some of the posted rides within my comfort zone.
With virtually no exceptions, all the Mtb group rides I've joined have been very welcoming, encouraging and friendly, not only on this forum. Another forum I was on would post road rides I join and within a few miles into the ride they're gone never to be seen again.

iMtbtrails is very welcoming, although might be a little rough on the very beginning newbs. By the time you get here I think you need to have developed the passion and at least a small knowledge of riding.

 

And purty much spot on...

I'm very much one of those who doesn't worry overmuch what others think of him (What???). Many people, though, are hesitant to participate in what looks like a closed, clique-ish tribal unit. I can see how we would seem that way to some.

I know we all think we're welcoming. Maybe we need to think about how we appear to those on the outside looking in. Any one of those who think they're on the outside want to set us straight? Here's the chance, and we honestly won't bite. Really. Tell us what you think.

 

Mikie I like your idea of maybe breaking things down into categories, not as much as MTBR though. For example I don't really care to read(don't take anything personal here) about death marches, or the floop, BUT some people do. With a sub group you could instantly go to everything related to death marches or the floop, without having to click on "I rode my bike today" and passover those things that you don't care to read about. And for those that post alot in one area you can look at their posts in that sub group or category.

 

Do new members get an email when they register? Perhaps a link to "Say Hello" should be included in that email.

 

Well most Death Marches don't end up in "I Rode My Bike".....they usually get their own Ride Report. Easy enough to pass over if you don't wanna read.

MTBR has 10 of 1000's more members and is worldwide....and even that site has way too many sub forums.

I agree....the FLoop doesn't interest me, so I generally just skip that thread. Easy enough to do.

 

The fact that there is a FLoop subforum to ignore should be enough demarcation for anyone.

 

I like this idea. I too have a $600 MTB which I take on 6-mile rides, mostly in Arroyo Trabuco in the OC. And if anybody except me makes fun of the Newbie/Beginner forum, you get sent a photo of me on the beach!

 

I can help make the FLoop forum page more funner?

 

I didn't pick an answer, but 1 would be the closest. Originally I think I was looking for good advice on local riding. I stuck around because there is a sense of community here, that many online forums just don't maintain anymore.

I can resonate with what others have already said as well... As @mtbMike said, riding for fun in the woods or nature is my main draw of the sport, as well as the aspect of keeping fit and healthy. Not about banging out huge climbs, or shredding gnarly downhills... somewhere in between.

As far as group rides, most of my rides I have a general idea of when and where I want to ride.. but timing is harder lately with a young family, so rather than flake or leave someone waiting around I just go solo. This also means I usually stick to the 3 or 4 rides that are close proximity. I can't justify spending part of my relatively small riding window time sitting in the hellacious traffic for an hour.

 

@Sidewalk, wtf, man, blow it off, come back and bring your stoke with you

 

The only thing this forum is missing is E-bikes

 

...and thank goodness for that. By far the most contentious subject on other MTB websites.

 

The results are skewed to the "happy" 40 or so that regularly post here.
For real insight, you'd need the others to vote, dontcha think?
Kinda like preachin' to the choir?

 

Just like the rest of democracy... you don't vote, you don't get to complain.

 

Until there is a radio button for me to vote for the "Pain is Temporary" option, I'm withholding my vote.

 

And this one.

 

Pretty disappointed that the Pain is Temporary post is being rehashed when this is about making this sight better. Not sure how that its going to help the process. My comment earlier was an attempt to open peoples eyes on being negative or piling on. Sometimes its just better to not say anything at all. I am pretty thick skinned but really struggle with the must destroy people attitude this world has at the moment. We all say and do Sh!t in our lives that we regret. Now if that action is repeated then said person or business will do themselves in anyway without the help of the peanut gallery.
Keeping it light and fun makes for a better environment.

 

Everyone take a sedative and go ride your bikes! Remember this is the happy place, ha hah!

I'm not planning on going door to door. I can't count how many times I have opened the door of opportunity for lurkers to chime in.

Note: Just checked. 83 members have logged on in the last 4 hours.

 

I guess I just can't post this enough....

 

A young Robin Williams clip, classic cheesy stuff. May be a little relevant to this thread, or not, depending on your imagination. But if you are as old as I am, and have the attention span... this 8-9 minute clip will put a smile on your face. RIP RW.

 

Which leads to one of my favorite all-time videos: