Post by Admin on Oct 14, 2019 18:18:32 GMT
Here’s a little something I love reading every year.
I just had my buddy Jay Livingston email it over.
Take the time to read it, share it, pass it on.
Thank you
Groundshakers Club President
Dave KornDawg Martin
Why should I join a racing club?
Well, that’s a good question, with several good answers.
First, if you want to continue racing, you need to join a club.
Period. No “ifs’, “ands”, or “buts” about it.
Why?
Well, it takes people to do what we do. Most folks load up on Saturday night, or Sunday morning, and drive right on out to the race site. They have a good time, (at least I know I do), and then go home.
Sounds like a good game plan, right?
Well………….
Did you ever stop to think that a CLUB put that race on? The CLUB MEMBERS scouted out that course during the year, and ran over it several times with a GPS to record the entire course. The CLUB MEMBERS worked with the BLM to get the proper approvals, impact statements, archeological reviews, endangered species approvals, etc., and PAID THE FEES for all of the above government work (oh, you thought the CLUB got to keep all those entry fees did you?).
The CLUB also arraigned for, (and paid for), the Porta-Potties, the food truck, the ambulance and the Paramedics that brought it, the trophies and finisher pins. The CLUB MEMBERS marked the course outline with pink ribbon, and black and pink arrows. They marked all the dangerous points with the pie plates painted pink (and who do you think painted those pie plates?), set up the scoring system, and put out the trash drums in the parking area (you DID throw your trash in the barrels didn’t you?).
After you went home to tell those “glory day” bench racing stories, and have a cold beer or three over a good meal, did you tip one to the CLUB MEMBERS?
Why would you want to?
Well, maybe because the CLUB MEMBERS were still out on the course. Some were cleaning up all the course markings (you can’t just leave them out there!). Some were out making sure the broken bikes and stranded riders got back to the pits. Hopefully, but sometimes it does happen, some of those CLUB MEMBERS were making sure any injured riders got the first aid they needed, got to the Paramedics, ambulance, or helicopter flight, and got the best care they could give.
Sound like a lot of work?
Well……..
It is, but it’s also a lot of fun, and can be very rewarding. It’s a real good feeling when a totally trashed, completely exhausted, staggering racer looks up, smiles like a kid at Christmas, and tells you what a great race you just put on. Wait till the next bench racing session, and all you hear are about are the daring deeds done on YOUR last race course. Wait till you see the mini’s tottering around out there on YOUR COURSE, and how proud the little ones are over what they can do (‘course you know those kids are going to be waxing your ass soon don’t you?).
Second, a CLUB is your family out there. They are your support system. CLUB MEMBERS are there to help you be a better rider, and a better racer. They will be there at the pits to pour your gas, hand you dry gloves and clean goggles. They will help you fix a broken bike or change a flat to get you through to the finish. They will be there to cheer you in at the finish line (even if everyone else has left, like when I finally finish……).
And……..if you don’t show up they will find out why, and be there when the sweeper brings you and your bike back in.
The desert people, (and really ALL racers), are good people at heart. They want to beat you, but beat you right. They will give you their gas, loan you a part, stop their race when you fall to make sure you are all right. THEN go back on trying to beat you the right way…………………..
Just as MRANN says:
Better the Sport; Participate
Join a club, and help us all help each other. We got this passed on to us, let’s try and pass it on too………………..
I just had my buddy Jay Livingston email it over.
Take the time to read it, share it, pass it on.
Thank you
Groundshakers Club President
Dave KornDawg Martin
Why should I join a racing club?
Well, that’s a good question, with several good answers.
First, if you want to continue racing, you need to join a club.
Period. No “ifs’, “ands”, or “buts” about it.
Why?
Well, it takes people to do what we do. Most folks load up on Saturday night, or Sunday morning, and drive right on out to the race site. They have a good time, (at least I know I do), and then go home.
Sounds like a good game plan, right?
Well………….
Did you ever stop to think that a CLUB put that race on? The CLUB MEMBERS scouted out that course during the year, and ran over it several times with a GPS to record the entire course. The CLUB MEMBERS worked with the BLM to get the proper approvals, impact statements, archeological reviews, endangered species approvals, etc., and PAID THE FEES for all of the above government work (oh, you thought the CLUB got to keep all those entry fees did you?).
The CLUB also arraigned for, (and paid for), the Porta-Potties, the food truck, the ambulance and the Paramedics that brought it, the trophies and finisher pins. The CLUB MEMBERS marked the course outline with pink ribbon, and black and pink arrows. They marked all the dangerous points with the pie plates painted pink (and who do you think painted those pie plates?), set up the scoring system, and put out the trash drums in the parking area (you DID throw your trash in the barrels didn’t you?).
After you went home to tell those “glory day” bench racing stories, and have a cold beer or three over a good meal, did you tip one to the CLUB MEMBERS?
Why would you want to?
Well, maybe because the CLUB MEMBERS were still out on the course. Some were cleaning up all the course markings (you can’t just leave them out there!). Some were out making sure the broken bikes and stranded riders got back to the pits. Hopefully, but sometimes it does happen, some of those CLUB MEMBERS were making sure any injured riders got the first aid they needed, got to the Paramedics, ambulance, or helicopter flight, and got the best care they could give.
Sound like a lot of work?
Well……..
It is, but it’s also a lot of fun, and can be very rewarding. It’s a real good feeling when a totally trashed, completely exhausted, staggering racer looks up, smiles like a kid at Christmas, and tells you what a great race you just put on. Wait till the next bench racing session, and all you hear are about are the daring deeds done on YOUR last race course. Wait till you see the mini’s tottering around out there on YOUR COURSE, and how proud the little ones are over what they can do (‘course you know those kids are going to be waxing your ass soon don’t you?).
Second, a CLUB is your family out there. They are your support system. CLUB MEMBERS are there to help you be a better rider, and a better racer. They will be there at the pits to pour your gas, hand you dry gloves and clean goggles. They will help you fix a broken bike or change a flat to get you through to the finish. They will be there to cheer you in at the finish line (even if everyone else has left, like when I finally finish……).
And……..if you don’t show up they will find out why, and be there when the sweeper brings you and your bike back in.
The desert people, (and really ALL racers), are good people at heart. They want to beat you, but beat you right. They will give you their gas, loan you a part, stop their race when you fall to make sure you are all right. THEN go back on trying to beat you the right way…………………..
Just as MRANN says:
Better the Sport; Participate
Join a club, and help us all help each other. We got this passed on to us, let’s try and pass it on too………………..