Fontucky DH Practice Fee

[Winston]

FYI

According to a race recap on MBA...

"No more poaching: Starting with Winter Series race #6 everyone will pay to practice on race weekend. It's $5 for registered riders and $8 for non-racers."

I guess we will find out Saturday if it is true or not.

[FyrFytrRyn]

huh. wonder what brought that on.

[2wheel_lee]

I think I heard officials trying to enforce this to poachers on the course at #5.

BTW, I don't think the way MBA posted the results could be any more confusing (worthless).

[roadkillross]

dude taht is dumb.

[allison]

Eh, I don't really blame them. There are people paying to practice and maybe they feel they're taking up time? That, or they want the money to do the courses.

BTW, where is everyone going to be staged this weekend? Seems like we didn't get to meet a lot of STR folks last time.

[FyrFytrRyn]

i didnt know people paid to practice, i just thought people paid to shuttle ( i only shuttle for the race run, thus me not paying on saturdays)... on saturdays i park in the cul-de-sac, it makes it easier to take a little break and get water or fix something since its closer.

[2wheel_lee]

I don't know how they are truly going to enforce this. If you pay to practice, will you have to sign a waiver? If you pay, will their insurance cover you if you crash? Who owns the property? Next, will they charge spectators? What about a spectator who hiked up with his/her bike and wants to ride part of the course down?

[LBmtb]

Maybe if they provided shuttles it'd be cool to pay?

[tkblazer]

there already is a shuttle service for those that pay, but some choose to not use the shuttle.

[jfromlv]

The way I understand it is that they have had some issues with people crashing/getting hurt who have never signed a waiver of any kind on race weekends. Basically, if you don't have a wristband or number plate, they don't want you to practice.

[bluefirepictures]

This is bad news for me. I always ride the course once in the morning then ride the old courses before I start taking pictures.

But they have no real way of enforcing it.

I guess ill just have to put on one of my brother’s old number plates so they don’t yell at me.

The way I figure it, I'm up there riding downhill, if I crash it’s my fault. I wouldn't sue them because I was too dumb to wear the right gear.

[tkblazer]

i'm sure we can just email donny, but i wonder if this "rule" only applies to their set DH practice times and not if you decide to come out earlier.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by bluefirepictures

The way I figure it, I'm up there riding downhill, if I crash it’s my fault. I wouldn't sue them because I was too dumb to wear the right gear.

You're not from around here, are you? Most people around these parts don't accept responsibility for their actions. I wish everyone could see things the way you do.

[Wrecker]

I think most people think that way, it's just that those that decide to sue are the ones getting publicity. I mean, all you have to do is check out the carnage section to see that we've all had falls. Yet, I bet no one has filed suite to a riding venue.

You guys should check on the time they're enforcing this; it would seem that if you get there before practice, you should be able to ride it?!?!

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

I mean, all you have to do is check out the carnage section to see that we've all had falls. Yet, I bet no one has filed suite to a riding venue.

Uh...Rach, the lawsuits are what basically shut down DH at Big Bear.

What's up with the new name?

[FyrFytrRyn]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

there already is a shuttle service for those that pay, but some choose to not use the shuttle.

yup, i dont shuttle. even if it was free. i cant believe how many people i still hear @ the top complaining that the truck doesnt take them to the start line.. haha! well i always practice with the number plate, if i have to pay ill pay.

[jfromlv]

To me it seems that Donny needs to cover his butt for insurance purposes. The number of racers out there has nearly tripled since the closure of Big Bear, and I would sure hate to lose another race venue due to people not wanting to pay 5-8 bucks for practice.

[Lor]

I second JfromLV. If we lose this course where are we? We are w/o a place to ride/race DH. It would be good to find out from Donny what the specifics are and proceed from there. I am all for free practice as I have a family and money is toight!!! If it means losing a race place then pay the $ and please don't ruin it for the rest. Think ahead, work at this together.

[Wrecker]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Lee, it was only one lawsuit that shut down big bear. Limited liability is what we need; one lawsuit shouldn't shut down any company/land/etc. The problem isn't the number of suites, but the damage ONE suite can cause. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]For Big Bear, the suite price, just in fighting it, was more than what they made. It's not necessarily that people are litigious, but that our system benefits those that are.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The only thing we can do, as mtn bikers is stand by and support our local riding areas; pay the fees so they may prospher and tend to their insurance needs, cutting down on potential losses prior to the events.[/SIZE][/FONT]

And, the new name is compliments of Crash Maxwell and Lacey--cause crash was already taken by so many

[tkblazer]

the problem i see is that a lot of people preride/practice the course before paying since they don't want to race a boring course. guess people will just have to walk the course, which everyone should be doing anyway.