I definitely have a personal connection, but prior to that I believed Mash to be just as you described it. I was surprised that it's more community oriented than it looks on the internet. I generally avoid even discussing it for the most part on these forums, but I thought it might be nice say something about it. I'm glad we did it civil though. I definitely didn't/don't want to start any beef.

I assumed "TOC was a marketing stunt" meant they did it to sell stuff. Isn't that what marketing is? I may have misunderstood you. I'm not claiming they are badasses for doing it. I just think it should get more rep than just being a marketing stunt. I don't think that's fair.

If my arguments are all over the place I apologize. My last point intended to cut the connection between a 'sneaker culture' and Mash. I think you understood it though.

Lastly, though I think skate culture is probably more accurate than sneaker culture, I guess it would be nice if we could just let Mash be Mash. I really don't think it's doing any tremendous harm on cycling, professional or otherwise, so it seems pointless (and I have exhausted my energy too) to try and say something about it. I don't think any judgments really need to be made.