Not into racing as much as I thought . . .

[Nick]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad to hear you enjoyed the racing part!

[Veronica]

I don't "get" the smack talk. That's just poor sportsmanship. Go ahead and crush the competition on the field, but keep your comments ahead of time to yourself.


Veronica

[limewave]

I don't "get" the smack talk. That's just poor sportsmanship. Go ahead and crush the competition on the field, but keep your comments ahead of time to yourself.


Veronica

hehehehe. I did I got second. I demoralized the woman that squawked the loudest.

[Veronica]

hehehehe. I did I got second. I demoralized the woman that squawked the loudest.

Nice!

And congratulations!

Veronica

[Biciclista]

good story, congrats on the 2nd place WOW.

[Artista]

hehehehe. I did I got second. I demoralized the woman that squawked the loudest.

You go girl! They can talk all they want but the proof was in the pudding!

[bmccasland]

I kind of get the smack talk, so long as you know those you're talking smack to, i.e. friendly trashing among buddies. But among strangers, you better be prepared to follow all that smack with a win! And if you're so good that you can win, then the smack seems to be arrogant.

So Veronica, congratulations on the 2nd place, especially beating the loudest mouth. I don't get the lack of good sportmanship either - what will the kids learn? Seems to me that the kiddies will notice the mixed message if they're told to congratulate others after their race but the adults don't bother.

[Aggie_Ama]

You would love the Texas race scene. It is like a big old family. I ride with girls I race against, my husband rides weekly with his closest competition. We congratulate the person that handed our arse to us.

When I wrecked hard at my last race I had about half a dozen people I race with (various age groups) start taking me to find my "mojo" and get my confidence on the 29er. Because of them I am excited to race this Sunday and the best rider I have ever been.

After the races we stay for hours, one of our friends brings his little grill and we all bring stuff to throw on it or share. We have a beer or two, there will be some smack talking to each others face but it is more just ribbing our friends. BUT the road scene in Austin is how you described, very catty. Bizarre really when this should be for fun. It isn't like any of us our paying our bills this way.

Congrats on the second place!

[SheFly]

I have the same experience as Aggie - we are all riding buddies off the bike as well as on, and while there may be some friendly smack talk, that's all it is. We welcome ALL newcomers to the sport, and everyone is included. Sounds like you aren't as lucky, Limewave. Sorry to hear it.

The social aspect for me is what makes the racing fun.

SheFly

p.s.
Good on you for taking 2nd after all that smack! You certainly showed them!