The Language of .... "Newb"

Mikie

Mikie

Admin/iMTB Hooligan
Hey YALL!
I would like to address the use of the word Newb.
A contraction of New B, or Newbie, or in other words, someone new to either our sport or new to imtbtrails.

I have used it.
Heck I think it is still included in the title of someone new to the site.
In the big Mountain Bike Galaxy picture, we are a tiny forum. Probably will always stay a tiny forum. We are a meat and potatoes type of mountain bike forum which some may consider hardcore mountain biking or may more objectively see as a narrow minded mountain bike forum. We seem to ride bigger rides and discredit eBikes for the right reasons and I think that our somewhat narrow perspective and love for our sport may shy many away.

So when folks do come along and decide to join the site, we should do what we always do, give them a great welcome, like we do.

But remember, when we talk about riding bikes and including others, let's remember OUR first rides, being apprehensive, wondering if we are going to do something that appears foolish, fear of not being able to keep up.

I had someone take me under their wing and show me the ropes of this mountain bike stuff, and we do an amazing job of responding with great info in Shop Talk. Let's just make sure we stay encouraging to our new mountain bike buddies and especially to the ones who have been apprehensive in joining the site and still lurk. We want them to hit "ENTER" when they fill out the form to join.

Thanks!

;)Mikie
Hooligan at Best!
 
Good counsel Mikie. I have found that most in the mountain biking community in general , and here on imtbtrails particularly, are supportive and enjoy helping new folks.

If you are lurking join in!

I, like you, had people who invited me to ride with them and they taught me the ropes. I still ride with them now.

Last night during our ride we met up with a guy who is new to mtbing and was looking for some trails to ride. He recently bought a bike but didn’t know anyone to ride with him. He was invited to ride along with us and get a guided tour. He received a lot of good advice and encouragement as we rode.

The crew dropped a fun trail and everyone waited for the new guy at the bottom. He hit the last section with a big grin on his face and promptly biffed in the sand. No harm done and he was still smiling.
Then he realized that he dropped his phone somewhere. It wasn’t where he crashed so the group set off to help him look for it. Instead of continuing the planned route the guys back tracked for a couple of miles searching for the phone. With the help of “find my phone” and some bush whacking the phone was found after about half an hour.
No one complained about missing out on some fun trails and they were happy to help a brother out.
The guy was so stoked to be out there riding that it was contagious. He could hardly contain himself. He was invited to ride with the group again.
Love this sport.
 
When I started, I rode alone. Mostly because I was a really fat rider who couldn't make it up a hill. But also because of the way newb..., uh, newer riders to the sport were treated on STR. I thought the posters were all a bunch of assholes. Most were...

Damn. This is one of those self reflection moments, where I'm supposed to grow as a human being and all around Mensch, and not perpetuate the behaviors that alienated me. :poop: :cautious:
 
CBone said:
Good counsel Mikie. I have found that most in the mountain biking community in general , and here on imtbtrails particularly, are supportive and enjoy helping new folks.

If you are lurking join in!

I, like you, had people who invited me to ride with them and they taught me the ropes. I still ride with them now.

Last night during our ride we met up with a guy who is new to mtbing and was looking for some trails to ride. He recently bought a bike but didn’t know anyone to ride with him. He was invited to ride along with us and get a guided tour. He received a lot of good advice and encouragement as we rode.

The crew dropped a fun trail and everyone waited for the new guy at the bottom. He hit the last section with a big grin on his face and promptly biffed in the sand. No harm done and he was still smiling.
Then he realized that he dropped his phone somewhere. It wasn’t where he crashed so the group set off to help him look for it. Instead of continuing the planned route the guys back tracked for a couple of miles searching for the phone. With the help of “find my phone” and some bush whacking the phone was found after about half an hour.
No one complained about missing out on some fun trails and they were happy to help a brother out.
The guy was so stoked to be out there riding that it was contagious. He could hardly contain himself. He was invited to ride with the group again.
Love this sport.
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Exactly! Way to go. Class act. He will be back!
People don't know us, until they know us. I remember joining STR. I remember posting that I was new and I must have checked that post like 70 times to see if I was going to be welcomed. When they poured in as they always did over on STR, I gained some posting confidence. I was real hesitant to post my thoughts, how to arrange my words. I saw how some flamed on others. When I met folks on the trail, heck they were not at all what I pictured based on how they posted.

I always noticed how much "kinder" people were in person. I can only imagine when you are new and reaching out on some Forum for some friendship or advice it can/could be intimidating. Everyone here is amazing on the trail. I just want to make sure potential new people figure it out here on the site first...
 
Heck, if you cant beat ‘em join ‘em! I am so out of shape and ride so few miles that I am actually in perfect shape to ride with noobs. Have been riding with a friend lately who just got a bike this spring and I enjoy “coaching” him. My biggest hurdle right now is motivation and schedule. I am beyond unmotivated to ride due to a few factors but buying a house and moving in less than 30 days unexpectedly really threw a wrench in my life. My garage is still a complete chaotic mess so just getting my stuff together for a ride is a chore and doing maintenance on my bike hasn’t happened since I moved (sealant has to be completely dried in my tires, lost part of my sealant syringe and don’t have my air compressor here).

In short, maybe I need to ride with more noobs and motivate myself in other ways outside of “how I used to ride.”
 
N00b, newb, greenhorn...it's all the same. Nothing bad about the terms as they stand – they just describe duration of involvement. We all were or are there, no harm or foul.

Now, if someone tells (insert crusty mountain biker name) he's riding like a noob, that could be cause for consternation. Or an Indian burn.

I've risked my safety with noobs for decades. Why would I do that? Because a crusty can just as easily make a stupid mistake as a noob. An old dog growls more about being told how to do something. Old dog is more set in his ways, and may be more complacent thus more likely to make a mistake to begin with. So much of it boils back to attitude. And often, noobs have it all over the crusties in that way.

So, if you happen to have relatively little time in the sport, relish the infancy of your stoke and embrace being a noob while you can. Freaking noob. :D:thumbsup:
 
mike said:
N00b, newb, greenhorn...it's all the same. Nothing bad about the terms as they stand – they just describe duration of involvement. We all were or are there, no harm or foul.

Now, if someone tells (insert crusty mountain biker name) he's riding like a noob, that could be cause for consternation. Or an Indian burn.

I've risked my safety with noobs for decades. Why would I do that? Because a crusty can just as easily make a stupid mistake as a noob. An old dog growls more about being told how to do something. Old dog is more set in his ways, and may be more complacent thus more likely to make a mistake to begin with. So much of it boils back to attitude. And often, noobs have it all over the crusties in that way.

So, if you happen to have relatively little time in the sport, relish the infancy of your stoke and embrace being a noob while you can. Freaking noob. :D:thumbsup:
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This forum is definitely something special. I was "that guy" just under a year ago, and was very much a newb to MTB, not just the board. Everybody was super welcoming right away, but that extended well beyond those initial "welcome to the board" posts. @mike graciously shepherded me through the building/buying process of my first GG. Once I was able to ride again after surgery @SnakeCharmer invited me to ride some new dirt with him, has continued to show me around, and has become a great riding partner. If you think the vibe is friendly here on the board, just try attending one of the group rides. It's nothing but pure stoke and camaraderie. Long way of saying this forum is full of great ambassadors, not just to the forum, but to MTB as a whole. Based on my experience as the newb we're already doing a very good job of this, but a reminder such as this from @Mikie to keep our eyes on the prize is always prudent.
 
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Nothing brings me greater joy than watching someone stoked on a sport they just discovered, or a successful run down a trail that made them pucker. That huge smile, the fist bumps, that excited chatter...

Bikes are fun! Newbs are fun!Stoke is fun!
 
herzalot said:
Nothing brings me greater joy than watching someone stoked on a sport they just discovered, or a successful run down a trail that made them pucker. That huge smile, the fist bumps, that excited chatter...

Bikes are fun! Newbs are fun!Stoke is fun!
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You said it Herz! I also get that same joy from sharing fishing experiences and knowledge with those who I have done so with.
 
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I find Newb, Newbie, Newbster, FNG....all terms of endearment.

By all means, they have earned that title by being, you know....new riders.

Yes, we could call them Beginners, Inexperienced Beginners, Lack of Experience Riders, Novice Riders....but all that is is fluffed up Newb status.

You gotta admit, if someone gets their panties all bunched up because we call them a title that this site gives them:....perhaps the internet is not the place for them.

A lot of the Newb references are tongue in cheek.....and I’d imagine that most could see that.

I don’t find it derogatory....but I don’t easily get offended.

I’ll play by the rules here....and start referring to Newbs as Fresh Meat. :D
 
Faust29 said:
Guys... I think I found the biggest offender in N*** roasting. It's Xenforo.

View attachment 56290
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Xenforo can't spell for shyt. It's correctly done with zeros, not ohs. Damn n00b platform. :cool:



Danimal said:
His posts are difficult to read/follow, drunk posting possibly.....
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Power down a couple toddies and try again? I didn't have an issue, as long as thread titles are ignored. :p 'Sup, @chimpanzee! Post on, monkeyman. :thumbsup:
 
Mikie said:
let's remember OUR first rides
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I can barely remember it. My mom was pushing me back and forth on the sidewalk. Then one moment... she wasn't pushing me any more and away I went. I think I was 5(?)

But on my wall of shame... the first time I took my daughter out for a ride, she crashed into a rock and got a nasty double break in her arm. You wouldn't think it would be possible on Aliso Creek (a paved trail) but I kick myself to this day. So the newb isn't always the one learning how to ride :)
 
Much like Mikie mentioned, I was taken under the wing of someone who knew the sport and despite my "newbie-ness" was still cool enough to teach me the ropes, educate me on bikes, components and riding and never turned down an opportunity to invite me to ride with him and his crew, when most wouldn't have wanted to even extend an invitation. He subtly chuckled (and most likely still does to this day) when he discovered I was carrying a chain wrench in my pack (I wasn't even sure of what tools to even take on my first couple rides) however, after many years...and me even moving to work in the industry, I still remember his words and guidance and most of all, him just being cool enough to bring someone in that knew absolute zilch at the time. That same dude also shot down the trail on my first crash, after shattering my radius as his crew walked me out to make sure he came back with his car to drive me to mine. That was 10 years ago and I am a better rider and because of all of it.

From a one time Newbie....thanks Herz.

PBR
 
TheOriginalPBR said:
Much like Mikie mentioned, I was taken under the wing of someone who knew the sport and despite my "newbie-ness" was still cool enough to teach me the ropes, educate me on bikes, components and riding and never turned down an opportunity to invite me to ride with him and his crew, when most wouldn't have wanted to even extend an invitation. He subtly chuckled (and most likely still does to this day) when he discovered I was carrying a chain wrench in my pack (I wasn't even sure of what tools to even take on my first couple rides) however, after many years...and me even moving to work in the industry, I still remember his words and guidance and most of all, him just being cool enough to bring someone in that knew absolute zilch at the time. That same dude also shot down the trail on my first crash, after shattering my radius as his crew walked me out to make sure he came back with his car to drive me to mine. That was 10 years ago and I am a better rider and because of all of it.

From a one time Newbie....thanks Herz.

PBR
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You LIVE!!!

Glad to hear from you Paul, and stoked to hear that you have been riding.:cool::cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Long live the chain whip in the hydration pack!!!!! :facepalm:

And let's not forget "burying" the offending Sun Tour fork (to which we attributed your broken radius) on the side of the trail in Whiting!

What you all don't know, and have been deprived of, is that PBS is one of the funniest story tellers I've ever read. His ride reports on STR were masterpieces.
 
herzalot said:
You LIVE!!!

Glad to hear from you Paul, and stoked to hear that you have been riding.:cool::cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Long live the chain whip in the hydration pack!!!!! :facepalm:

And let's not forget "burying" the offending Sun Tour fork (to which we attributed your broken radius) on the side of the trail in Whiting!

What you all don't know, and have been deprived of, is that PBS is one of the funniest story tellers I've ever read. His ride reports on STR were masterpieces.
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Well the ride reports are much less exciting these days, but hopefully, more to come. Ah, the famous Sun Tour fork burial...it became similar in history to the Nazca lines after we planted it. STR was filled with endless "WTF's?" the following weekend. It was gold.

I try not to recall the chain whip too often. If at all.

And yes, back on the bike, back on the trails, but much more subtle these days. Just some Aliso, Whiting, jaunts with my better half. So the ride reports don't quite have the same zip as the days of creating powerpoints for T-Wrecks.

Let's try and get out soon old friend.
 
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