Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - It's December 1, and it's time for Posters of the Year......

The Clyde and Athena poster of the Year submissions!

I'm going to run categories this year:

Clyde poster of the year
Athena Poster of the Year
Funniest and best Clyde or Athena Thread (Get searching)
Clyde and Athena New Poster of the year


Let's get those names submitted here. The prizes will be, of course, the certificates I love to give out, and the recognition of our little side of Bike Forums.

The Clyde and Athena poster of the Year submissions!

I'm going to run categories this year:

Clyde poster of the year
Athena Poster of the Year
Funniest and best Clyde or Athena Thread (Get searching)
Clyde and Athena New Poster of the year


Let's get those names submitted here. The prizes will be, of course, the certificates I love to give out, and the recognition of our little side of Bike Forums.

What are the rules, Tom? Are moderators eligible to win? If I recall last year, you allowed one nominee and one alternate in each category. Is that so this year?

One nominee, and one alternate for each category, and the same rules are in effect....I have to judge the entries and present the awards, so I'm not really eligible. ;) Other Mods are eligible though, this year. :D

Hmm, who to nominate? Our Genial Admin hasn't posted criteria for selecting the Clyde and Athena of the Year, and that's probably a wise decision. Just what do you consider when nominating someone? Is it just miles ridden? Number of posts? Quality of posts? Expense of bike? Frequency of riding? Longest ride? Most hill climbing? Greatest aid to the Clyde/Athena 'community'? And on and on....

That said, here are my choices, and here's why I chose them.

Clyde of the Year: This was tough. There were a lot of choices. Ten Wheels for sheer miles, Neilfein for his century ride in June, bautieri and vXhanz for their century ride, bdinger for his gravel epic in September, and Mr. Beanz for being Mr. Beanz. That said, the race isn't always to the swiftest, even if the smart money bets that way. I've chosen a primary and alternate both because these guys have worked very hard to improve themselves and their riding, and because their infectious enthusiasm helps keep me motivated even during the dark times I've had this year.

Nominee: Racethenation. His avatar says "never again" with his starting weight of 329 crossed out. He rode the heck out of a Huffy before getting a road bike. He's got the determination every Clyde should have, and almost every Clyde wants.

Alternate: TechKnowGN. This was a tough call. I could have reversed the order of alternate and nominee, but Race shows a little more confidence than TKGN, and that decided things for me. I'm sure TKGN is going to overcome his tentativeness with the willpower he's using to overcome obesity.

Athena of the Year: There was only one clear choice for this. MissBumble. Listing the reasons for nominating her are pointless, and I'll leave it to other posters to describe them.

Funniest Thread: Having started a lot of them, I respectfully decline to nominate one.

Rookie of the Year: MissBumble again. Alternate: TechKnowGN.

Wow! This is so democratic and PUBLIC:twitchy:

I am throwing my Clyde support to the Historian. I don't take life very serious, so I gravitate to his posts. The Historian balances topic content with levity and he also has the ability to "poke the bear" without crossing over the line (too far;) I have enjoyed his posts very much this season.

My alternate Clyde goes to Mr. Beanz. When I first started reading him, he irritated the hell out me, but my first impression was not lasting. Over time, he grew on me and I realized that he was in this pot for the FUN OF IT, and that was were I felt the kinship.

The Athena goes to MissBumble. Not unlike Beanz, I was taken aback at first with the explosion of posts that she was placing, then I really started reading them and discovered that her heart was really in this game. I admire her determination. Since I take very little very serious, I could learn a bit from her drive. And I think she is pretty cool lady:)

My Alternate for Athena goes to GINA:thumb: Beanz doesn't deserve such a hot :o (er?? I mean) dedicated riding partner. If she was a constant poster, I may have slated her in the top spot.

I am going to have to hold off on Funniest until I do some research. More to come.

Jay

My Clyde vote goes to Mr. Beans!!!

And Miss Bumble get the Athena.

Miss Bumble for ROTY also.

No votes for the rest of the stuff.

COTY: The Historian or Mr. Beanz
Athena: MissBumble
Best Thread: The one that sticks in my mind is the recent one by VBClown. Very inspirational and he gave a lot of good advice about how he managed to lose quite a bit of weight! I know The Historian has published some great tour/ride threads but I'd have to use the Search function to dig them up and I'm feeling lazy...
ROTY: MissBumble

Hmm, this is a tough call. There are so many folks who have provided me with inspiration in their own ways.

Gonna have to dwell on this one a bit.

Hmm, this is a tough call. There are so many folks who have provided me with inspiration in their own ways.

Gonna have to dwell on this one a bit.

Tom Stormcrowe, when is the cut-off for nominations?

COTY: The Historian. For every reason he has not to ride, he still does it anyways
Athena: MissBumble
Best Thread: Not sure here
ROTY: I'm nominated for this, so I'm not sure i can vote for it.

December 31st, then I'll take a week, set up a spread sheet to tally nominations, etc, and in the case of a tie, I'll post a runoff thread with a poll for the final votes to break the tie for each category.


Tom Stormcrowe, when is the cut-off for nominations?

ROTY: I'm nominated for this, so I'm not sure i can vote for it.

Tom S. allowed self-voting and nomination last year. I don't see why you can't this year.

After much thought I have come to the following nominees.

Clyde of the Year: The Historian, motivation and most thought provoking threads (and purty pictures).
Alternate: bdinger, just can't deny this fellow and credit where it is defiantly due.

Athena of the Year: Lil Brown Bat, If you don't take her personally (and when she's not blatantly trolling) her posts are spot on.
Alternate: East Hill even though I don't see her all that much here.

Best Thread: I vote for the entire Clydesdale and Athena forum :D
Alternate: Foo

New Poster of the Year: vXhanz, from 0 to century rider in 5 months (even if he doesn't post all that much)
Alternate: txvintage, he has no problem sharing his knowledge and experience, good on him!

Oh I totally had no idea tx was in the rookie of the year capacity. Now this is tough.

Yup, it's a toughie. I'll be pondering for a while.

While I guess it's good be fair, at the same time it would be silly not to vote for myself if someone else has considered voting for me, so I'll vote for me for ROY.

I can't really make a determination on the rest of the categories yet, but I have to emphatically agree with MissBumble for Athena/Rookie OTY. Her biggest loser threads alone are a huge help to me in my road to wellness, and this is my way of saying thanks.

Beanz doesn't deserve such a hot :o (er?? I mean) dedicated riding partner. If she was a constant poster, I may have slated her in the top spot.

Jay

Hey, thanks! I can't disagree!:p....But to be fair to other Athenas, Gina's just my ride model and not a poster or I'd vote for her too!:D

No competition, MissB and Jtgyk for the guys cause of his great dispo and sense of humor. Wish I was more like that!:p

After a lil more thinking, yeah, could go with Historian with all the adventures and rides. Or TenWheels cause he does a whole lotta riding and I like pictures!:D

I'm sticking this til Dec 31.

Oh my stars!!! The Bee is getting misty!! Ya'll are so sweet. I know I can be a little over the top... ya think!?! But thank you!!

OK I am relatively new to biking and new to the forum so it's hard to pick!! All of you guys have been so helpful to me!! Some post a ton -and some just a few times..I will have to go back thru...and do some serious reading.

One of the best posts I read was the non-Clyde post with the guys whose girlfriend told him he looked horrible in the riding outfit. It was very interesting to read what everyone said about marriage and relationships.

And who can forget the Neils on Wheels story - it was a great read...sorry Neil I know it was a tough ride for you with your rib and all but it was a good story.

Oh ther were tons of great reports and stories...It would be neat if we can post links to the best threads of the year - the nominees so we can read up. Imagine there were a ton before I found ya'll in May/June.

OK - Will do some research...

Its clear MissBumble is going to win, but coming in second behind someone like her is the same as winning. As usual, I'm running for #2!

After much thought I have come to the following nominees.

Clyde of the Year: The Historian, motivation and most thought provoking threads (and purty pictures).
Alternate: bdinger, just can't deny this fellow and credit where it is defiantly due.

Athena of the Year: Lil Brown Bat, If you don't take her personally (and when she's not blatantly trolling) her posts are spot on.
Alternate: East Hill even though I don't see her all that much here.

Best Thread: I vote for the entire Clydesdale and Athena forum :D
Alternate: Foo

New Poster of the Year: vXhanz, from 0 to century rider in 5 months (even if he doesn't post all that much)
Alternate: txvintage, he has no problem sharing his knowledge and experience, good on him!

I second that nomination!

:thumb:


.

One of the best posts I read was the non-Clyde post with the guys whose girlfriend told him he looked horrible in the riding outfit. It was very interesting to read what everyone said about marriage and relationships.


Ah, yes, the thread in the Road Forum about the guy who argued with his girlfriend - she wanted him to drive to return a movie, he insisted on riding, and she later objected to his leaving the house in tight fitting kit. I think it topped out at 14 pages before the laughing stopped. Best post was the comparison of the couple's obscenity-larded text messages to the correspondence of Robert and Elizabeth Browning.

Ah, yes, the thread in the Road Forum about the guy who argued with his girlfriend - she wanted him to drive to return a movie, he insisted on riding, and she later objected to his leaving the house in tight fitting kit. I think it topped out at 14 pages before the laughing stopped. Best post was the comparison of the couple's obscenity-larded text messages to the correspondence of Robert and Elizabeth Browning.

A true classic of a thread.

A true classic of a thread.

Since so few people read James Boswell's Life of Johnson anymore, I took the liberty of paying homage and having a little fun with that thread at the same time:

"On November 17, we supped at Mr. Dilly's, along with Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Garrick, Mr. Wilkes, and Mr. TheHistorian. The latter gentleman introduced the topic of a correspondence between two young persons that had recently been published. Not being familiar with the journal that printed the correspondence, I asked for some information regarding these curious documents. The exchanges were between a pair of young persons, and laid out in public details of their intimacy, and the lost bonds of affection between them, in an extraordinary manner. I ventured, after Mr. TheHistorian was finished his recitation, a recitation that Mr. Garrick thought well-done for an amateur, that such public disclosure of their private letters could only help the young people in their reconciliation, and perhaps aid others in a like plight. Dr. Johnson did not agree. BOSWELL: But sirs, didn't you find the young lady's statement "It was disgusting! DISTURBING EVEN! Why would I want anyone else to see my guy in those tight ass pants?! " a moving cri du coeur? JOHNSON: This is miserable stuff, sir."

Ya know, this is seriously more difficlt than I had imagined it would be, lol.

Ya know, this is seriously more difficlt than I had imagined it would be, lol.

Yes, I found I was thinking long and hard over possible choices. Which strikes me as good - I recall achievements others have made, which spurs me to greater effort on my part.

Since so few people read James Boswell's Life of Johnson anymore, I took the liberty of paying homage and having a little fun with that thread at the same time:

"On November 17, we supped at Mr. Dilly's, along with Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Garrick, Mr. Wilkes, and Mr. TheHistorian. The latter gentleman introduced the topic of a correspondence between two young persons that had recently been published. Not being familiar with the journal that printed the correspondence, I asked for some information regarding these curious documents. The exchanges were between a pair of young persons, and laid out in public details of their intimacy, and the lost bonds of affection between them, in an extraordinary manner. I ventured, after Mr. TheHistorian was finished his recitation, a recitation that Mr. Garrick thought well-done for an amateur, that such public disclosure of their private letters could only help the young people in their reconciliation, and perhaps aid others in a like plight. Dr. Johnson did not agree. BOSWELL: But sirs, didn't you find the young lady's statement "It was disgusting! DISTURBING EVEN! Why would I want anyone else to see my guy in those tight ass pants?! " a moving cri du coeur? JOHNSON: This is miserable stuff, sir."



Though the Bee is quite horrifired to know that the gentleman, MrHistorian knows the meaning of "cri du coeur" for which the Bee has no understanding, she is quite aptly in awe of the fine Mr Historian's literary talents. The piece of literature is quite moving and an apt play on the original story she suspects. Miss Bumble as she is often called, though some do infact call her the Bee, wishes to thank MrHistorian for his quite moving tale of the tale.


With sincerest regards,
Miss Bee

Though the Bee is quite horrifired to know that the gentleman, MrHistorian knows the meaning of "cri du coeur" for which the Bee has no understanding, she is quite aptly in awe of the fine Mr Historian's literary talents. The piece of literature is quite moving and an apt play on the original story she suspects. Miss Bumble as she is often called, though some do infact call her the Bee, wishes to thank MrHistorian for his quite moving tale of the tale.


With sincerest regards,
Miss Bee

Cri du coeur is Cry of out heart. It's a tear jerker, in effect.

Though the Bee is quite horrifired to know that the gentleman, MrHistorian knows the meaning of "cri du coeur" for which the Bee has no understanding, she is quite aptly in awe of the fine Mr Historian's literary talents. The piece of literature is quite moving and an apt play on the original story she suspects. Miss Bumble as she is often called, though some do infact call her the Bee, wishes to thank MrHistorian for his quite moving tale of the tale.


With sincerest regards,
Miss Bee

For a follow up, I should write The Bridges of Chester County.
It's about an overweight scoliotic middle-aged cyclist-photographer, and his encounter with a bored sex-starved farm housewife during a bike tour to photograph covered bridges. I strongly deny the story is autobiographical.

The Clyde and Athena poster of the Year submissions!

I'm going to run categories this year:

Clyde poster of the year
Athena Poster of the Year
Funniest and best Clyde or Athena Thread (Get searching)
Clyde and Athena New Poster of the year


Let's get those names submitted here. The prizes will be, of course, the certificates I love to give out, and the recognition of our little side of Bike Forums.

Here's my list.. kind of sort of.. :)

Clyde Poster of the year: Hands down to The Historian. Second up 10wheels, because he's a maniac. Second is closely tied with MrBeanz

Athena Poster of the Year: First, Missbumble, second LilBrownBat. Both are excellent posters, and very deserving.

Clyde and Athena New Poster of the year: MissBumble, second Racethenation (I *think* he's a newbie?)

Clyde poster of the year 10 Wheels--he just checks in with pics and descriptions of his latest unsupported century--humble but hard core.

Athena poster of the year Gina, via Mr. Beanz--the perfect woman: she never speaks, just rides.

Clyde and Athena New Poster of the year Jerry in So. Ill.--nice story, getting started and getting his Dad out riding, and all the responses he got were supportive.

Well, this is just not very easy at all. There are so many outstanding memebers that it's near impossible to narrow the categories down to just a couple of names.

COY - Historian. The ride reports, the thought provoking topics, and the inability to give up stand out.

Alternate - 10 wheels. The man just rides. The term "maniac" is quite appropriate.

I have to throw out an Honorable mention, who I could very easily put in 1st or 2nd without a second thought. Bdinger has provided so much inspiration to so many people. His input and interaction when needed for our "Uber" brothers and Sisters is hands down one of the pillars of this forum. The 145 mile mile gravel road run was one of the best rides of the year in any forum on BF as well. My hat is off to you Ben. It's been a pleasure.

AOY - Hard to go against the Bee. Her full fledged head first dive into the cycling world has been a treat to follow.

Alternate - Lil Brown Bat. Every one needs a dissenting point of view to make them think. She's always thought provoking, and sometimes just down right provoking, but she makes ya think.

ROY - TechKnowGN. The guy just keeps finding a way to get it done.

Alternate - BadKarma62. He doesn't post much, but where he's comoing from and where he wants to be show's the measure of a good man. Nice guy too.

Funniest Thread - Still deciding on this, and the voting booth closes soon:twitchy:

Polls are up, folks. See the stickies at the top of the page.

Thanks, Tom S, for organizing the awards.

Polls are up, folks. See the stickies at the top of the page.

Thanks, Tom S, for organizing the awards.

Bump!