txvintage

Well, I've stayed out of both thread for awhile. I simply don't like where they have gone and I'm not so sure we are being the best ambassadors for cycling.

I know Joshua, who joined him in Austin, on a social level. We are in the beginning stages of starting a bike co-op in the Dallas area. He lives but a few miles from me and when he gets home I plan to buy him dinner, hopefully hear some tales from the road, and shake his hand. He's a good guy.

I've spoken with Ryan a few times. I sent some supplies and helped arrange some repairs for him when he reached Austin. I have also tried to have some emergency contacts for them as go along. I think for me, at the end of the day when it boils down to the bike, I would give anything to be him right now rather than sitting here typing. I dunno, maybe I spend much more time around 18-25 year olds than some and have a different perspective. I know I certainly made a few mistakes when I was that age.

BengeBoy 

+1

Well said.

The snarkiness here, and grinding away at the same criticisms, seems unwarranted to me.

robow

Sorry, but they're nuts alright, but thank God for them. We need those individuals as they are what make the human race so beautifully unique.

staehpj1

No one said he had accumulated more miles than most of us here. The quote was "He already has more miles under his belt than many of us here". I have no doubt that is probably accurate even if you don't count only touring miles, but it is certainly true if you don't count non touring miles. As one who has racked up big mileage in training (20K one year) and also one who has ridden across the US I can say the the two are quite different things. Anyone who has ridden coast to coast or done a similar tour will have at least a little respect for what Ryan did. Anyone who hasn't done one definitely should have a little respect for the accomplishment

What do you base this doubt on? I can't see any more reason to doubt what he has said than what anyone else has said. It is possible that you are right, but I really doubt that he hasn't been pretty upfront about everything.

Again what Ryan is doing isn't superhuman, but it is worthy of some respect. He made a lot of mistakes and I can think of some things that I could criticise for various reasons, but I don't get the need to paint him in such a negative light.

staehpj1

I would much rather see it just get toned down a notch and stay here, but that is just one opinion.

10 Wheels

Hvav some Fun In Your Lives.
Ryan likes to smile.

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/496889-ride-ryan-day-22-part-one.html

axolotl

Sure, he insults folks while getting them to plan his vacation, get equipment for his vacation, and pay for his vacation, while he's doing shameless self-promotion as he carefully avoids telling media types that he likes to jump into cars when the going gets tough. I'm sure he's smiling a lot!

foamy

It makes me wonder.

10 Wheels

Show us a pic of your Smile while riding a bike.
Thanks

Tom Stormcrowe

OK, folks, let's try to stay on topic here.....

No further political stuff, and no further references to the past posts in this thread about statements made and withdrawn. I'd really like to see this thread play out peacefully....

axolotl

Pay for my next trip and I'll send you an autographed copy.

10 Wheels

Smiling Ryan.

10 Wheels

Smiling Ryan.

10 Wheels

Ryan has never said that.

Your Turn. Post your smile while on a bike.

Waiting.

Thanks

10 Wheels

No Tattoos needed with 211 friends.
Thanks, anyway.
Might look good on you?

Neil_B

staehpj1

We don't know what he was asked or what he told them. Only what they chose to print or air.

Fair enough, but he sees this as a cause more than a bike tour. I think that is probably at least part of what his critics don't like about him.

I have been critical of Ryan on various points. I don't think much of the charity angle. His list of stuff he said he needed when begging for contributions was appalling. I was very disappointed with the ride to Phoenix. That stuff has been said enough now and I don't feel the need to bring it up constantly. He surprised us by showing more grit than most of us expected. I was just a little surprised by that.

My read of the "Newbie- Things I have learned" thread is that the OP pretends to be naive and intentionally asks provocative questions and makes snarky comments on subjects that he has to know are kind of hot button topics with some here. My read of him may be off in which case he is just merely clueless. I think my read is right though based on several (most of?) the threads he started. "LHT- How do I know when I am ready? ", "You guys like to tinker", and "New Air valvle question" all set off my troll meter. I could be wrong though.

East Hill

I know Tom Stormcrowe weighed in a few pages back, so I will simply add my voice to his.

Could the snarky comments please be toned WAY down?

East Hill
Forum Moderator

rhm

+1! I wrote a post yesterday, and my system crashed before I posted it, and it was lost. And... you know, it was no loss!

10 Wheels

Sure Will.
Still Waiting for your pic.
Thanks.

CardiacKid

I will try, but first I need to know what "snarky" means.

staehpj1

According to Merriam Webster
snarky 1 : crotchety , snappish 2 : sarcastic, impertinent, or irreverent in tone or manner

Fits a lot of what has been posted here pretty well, no?

10 Wheels

Was that enought pics?

I ride a road bike.

foamy

Yeah. You got some pics! Sadly, all of my photos of years gone by have been lost or misplaced. Alas. Had some funny ones, but then again, most pics of me are "funny."

And yeah, you do have better legs. #$%&@!

Cheers!
Steve

Tom Stormcrowe

OK, this is the last time I'm going to say this. The thread was pulled for a bit of cleanup. How Ryan does his tour is how he does his tour. keep the sniping to yourselves. If you want to wish him luck, that's fine. If you would like to help him out, that's fine. if you have real information that will actually help him, also fine.

Politically charged, or insulting comments, or snipes, or ripping on him if he dares to grab a ride for a period? Not gonna fly. It's HIS tour. Let him achieve it however he does it. if you don't want to help him, that's also cool, just try not to hinder him or beat up on him. That's a complete and total lack of respect, so review the guidelines about respect, all of you.

Thanks

Tom
Administrator