One More eBike Debate

Mikie said:
Love. Grace.
I personally fail in it every day.
It's something this world is losing. It's slipping away.
I do my damnest to moderate this site with Love and Grace.
I think because of my conviction to love and grace, we have a pretty good site.

Lately, I have been struggling, as it seems, for whatever reason, there has been a lot of tension through a series of subjects. There have been people leaving, behind the scenes. There have been people leaving in a blaze of gunfire.
I can see why moderators burn out.

When I first started this site @mtnbikej was one of the early adopters. Like a jackwad I was bagging on the owner of that other now defunked site. Talked about him letting people down, and how he was being so, irresponsible.

Jay responded, and it rings in my head every day, "Let's see how well you are doing after 10 years".

Apparently that really sunk in as I remember it like it was yesterday.

A guy shares a great story that moved me, and moved a bunch of us. Every important element was in it. Apprehension before, during, and after, even debated posting it. But his excitement was so that he wanted to share it with his family. Us... We raise him up as a hero son. Then it slowly migrates to divisive Sh!t talk. Where is the love for our fellow imtbro? Why did he have to begin to have to defend himself? We ALL know the act in black and white was outside the grey. Where is the grace? Especially when he is sharing a part of his life... with his Father. With us.

I go out last Monday and I hop 7 illegal gates and trespass on other peoples property and I am raised up as the comeback kid. I broke the law. Thanks for the love! I mean that, but...

Another person here admitted they ride illegal trails and no one says a word.

Humans are THE ONLY creature that rationalize. If we all lived in an objective world, you would not have to lock your doors at night, but because we live in a "Subjective" world there are those that have no problem breaking into your house, or killing us.

Love and Grace. For each other. Let's use it.
If I'm failing at my own rules, call me out on it. I will apologize, I'm the last to be perfect. The very last.

Carry on.
Click to expand...

@Mikie don't despair. Those who know how to deal with reality will stick. Will it be enough to make this site viable? Only time will tell.

@Ebruner 's story was moving. It was telling. It was from the heart, and I think it was a wonderful and compelling thing, the sort of thing I wish I could have shared with my father. The fact that we acknowledge that is what's important; the fact that we digress and bring up other, tangential discussions along with it is a good thing.

Let's not forget the venue. This site is in the ether; to many it is therefore not reality. They may say things here they would never say in person. It's not the same.

At the same time, let's try to remember that it is in the ether. What is said here really isn't going to change the world; it's not going to change anyone's life; it's for sure not going to get anyone killed. If we disagree, it's completely expected. We're individuals. It's how we react to that disagreement that almost matters.

I'm one of those who is comfortable in his own skin. I really don't care whether other people agree with me. If others can meet me halfway, and enjoy the discussion for what it is, fine. If not, well, no skin off my nose. I'm good with that too.

What we do here is exchange stories, views, passions, and sometimes expose our inner demons and bigotry. So be it. Let the other guy be who he is. If you (any of you) can't accept that, ignore it. It's way more productive to ignore it than to fight it.
 
Last edited:
Faust29 said:
There are no single speeders here. :stop: :cautious:

But if there were... They might think that what you call an advance in gearing is really a performance hobbling crutch. I... uh not me really, but if I knew any of those single speeders, they might say that they love to hear the sound of shifting on a climb. It means the rabbit is running out of steam and slowing down. Much easier to catch after the "click, click, click."
Click to expand...
You, I mean they, are sick.
 
Faust29 said:
There are no single speeders here. :stop: :cautious:

But if there were... They might think that what you call an advance in gearing is really a performance hobbling crutch. I... uh not me really, but if I knew any of those single speeders, they might say that they love to hear the sound of shifting on a climb. It means the rabbit is running out of steam and slowing down. Much easier to catch after the "click, click, click."
Click to expand...

That may be the case , but then I guess it can all even out on the down hill, when you know that guy is still behind you somewhere, but you can’t feel or hear him anymore? And he might be on a 26” bike?
 
Runs with Scissors said:
@Mikie don't despair. Those who know how to deal with reality will stick. Will it be enough to make this site viable? Only time will tell.

@Ebruner 's story was moving. It was telling. It was from the heart, and I think it was a wonderful and compelling thing, the sort of thing I wish I could have shared with my father. The fact that we acknowledge that is what's important; the fact that we digress and bring up other, tangential discussions along with it is a good thing.

Let's not forget the venue. This site is in the ether; to many it is therefore not reality. They may say things here they would never say in person. It's not the same.

At the same time, let's try to remember that it is in the ether. What is said here really isn't going to change the world; it's not going to change anyone's life; it's for sure not going to get anyone killed. If we disagree, it's completely expected. We're individuals. It's how we react to that disagreement that almost matters.

I'm one of those who is comfortable in his own skin. I really don't care whether other people agree with me. If others can meet me halfway, and enjoy the discussion for what it is, fine. If not, well, no skin off my nose. I'm good with that too.

What we do here is exchange stories, views, passions, and sometimes expose our inner demons and bigotry. So be it. Let the other guy be who he is. If you (any of you) can't accept that, ignore it. It's way more productive to ignore it than to fight it.
Click to expand...
Until the site momentum is driving mountain bikers away. That's when I step in... :sneaky:
 
Runs with Scissors said:
Consider: If there is tension in you, it is of your own making. This is the interwebs. No one is in your face and forcing you to conform to their view at the point of a gun, no matter how "heated" it may get. Never take anything said (typed) here personally and you are well on your way to a yoga-free - wait, make that tension-free :p - life. People come from vastly different backgrounds, upbringings, religions, non-religions, natures, nurtures, mental states, et cetera, ad nauseam. Be sure of your own beliefs, confirm them with facts, and nothing else can really bother you.

Unless, of course, you let it. You, not others, are in control of your emotions and states of being.
Click to expand...


I agree with you 100%! For me personally..hearing, reading, watching people argue just brings up a little anxiety so I steer clear. That’s just me.. and to each his own:thumbsup: But I will fight for what I strongly believe in if necessary, so don't think of me as a wuss.;)
 
Mikie said:
Until the site momentum is driving mountain bikers away. That's when I step in... :sneaky:
Click to expand...

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if reality is driving people away then this venue is not viable to begin with.

If the majority really cannot discuss and discourse with those with whom they may disagree, the yes, it's doomed. Do the majority of folks here really go there? They leave because their sensibilities are offended?

I'm having a hard time understanding how anyone who can ride a bike can be this shallow.
 
Runs with Scissors said:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if reality is driving people away then this venue is not viable to begin with.

If the majority really cannot discuss and discourse with those with whom they may disagree, the yes, it's doomed. Do the majority of folks here really go there? They leave because their sensibilities are offended?

I'm having a hard time understanding how anyone who can ride a bike can be this shallow.
Click to expand...

I suggest you subscribe to Tommy's YouTube channel for concrete examples.
 
Runs with Scissors said:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if reality is driving people away then this venue is not viable to begin with.

If the majority really cannot discuss and discourse with those with whom they may disagree, the yes, it's doomed. Do the majority of folks here really go there? They leave because their sensibilities are offended?

I'm having a hard time understanding how anyone who can ride a bike can be this shallow.
Click to expand...
Some are just sensitive and may not be able to control those feelings. Even if its just a conversation.
Debate is to close to heated argument for me. I still struggle to stay out of it even though it brings anxiety to me also. Grew up with constant argueing, no likie. Want people to be able to express themselves but our need to be right causes friction in many cases.
Keeping away from heated subjects on this sight would be beneficial. There are plenty of places to play those games.
 
LLPoolJ said:
Some are just sensitive and may not be able to control those feelings. Even if its just a conversation.
Debate is to close to heated argument for me. I still struggle to stay out of it even though it brings anxiety to me also. Grew up with constant argueing, no likie. Want people to be able to express themselves but our need to be right causes friction in many cases.
Keeping away from heated subjects on this sight would be beneficial. There are plenty of places to play those games.
Click to expand...
My sentiments exactly! Or maybe we can set up an argument/ debate thread and we sensitive souls can stay fa fa away!
 
Runs with Scissors said:
Sorry. I don't do social media. Unless this counts as such and then this is the limit of it.
Click to expand...

Exactly, this is my one and only social media outlet. And it's seems to be less and less an enjoyable outlet and more confrontational and divisive.

I hate to say this, but it might be a good idea for me to step away until the fun returns. I'll decide on how I feel over the next few days .

Now carry on y'all.
 
Danimal said:
Exactly, this is my one and only social media outlet. And it's seems to be less and less an enjoyable outlet and more confrontational and divisive.

I hate to say this, but it might be a good idea for me to step away until the fun returns. I'll decide on how I feel over the next few days .

Now carry on y'all.
Click to expand...

Okay, now wait a minute...:)
Now you know I ain’t picking on you Dan-O...

But that brings up a point.
We have had good threads and not so good threads. I don’t like the not so good threads just as much as anyone else. But pretty confident we have had WAYYYY more good threads than bad.

But there are a lot more good options here than one thread going astray or having a tough or heated debate. One can always choose to not engage or even click on the thread.

I agree we have had our share of tough threads lately, but c’ mon, for the most part this typically is a happy place.

Since when are we going to start censoring what anyone says. I mean, sometimes heated debates happen. I would prefer it to be an intelligent unemotional discussion. And I only mean unemotional in relation to name calling, I guess yelling would mean all caps and lots of exclamation points...;)

Once again as some recall we are arguing over eBikes for the most part. And what did we have to end up doing the last time we had the eBike wars? That’s right, we banned the discussions.

Do what I do all. When you want or got to have a tough conversation with someone here on imtbtrails... PM them!

It’s not all going to be rainbows and unicorns here (that’s your cue @doublewide )
and there will be more tough discussions in the future as well.

But I really think it’s time to get back to serious imtbusiness!

So can we let this fashizzle go for a while and go ride our bikes?
And focus on important things like Taco Tuesday, the Derailed Thread, life behind bars, you know... the important stuff! o_O:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top