One of the things I've enjoyed most about working in the shop is the opportunity to talk with people on a daily basis. And when community-wide cycling events pop up on the calendar, I love going to them. I feel like it's part of my job.
I'll be the first to admit I haven't gotten to as many events as I'd like, but with the way things work at our house, it's not always easy to get out. Regardless, I try do as much as I can.
Last night's screening of Race Across the Sky brought out the bulk of the Omaha cycling community. And by the bulk, I mean the ones who are at every event, doing all of the dirty work. They're the ones who are making it easier to enjoy the city on a bike. (And you should all thank them for their efforts at every opportunity.)
While our company sponsored the event, in cooperation with THOR, what I didn't see was a lot of people from the other shops in town. There's a very good chance that I didn't see them because of where I was sitting for the movie (waaaay too far up front).
But it was strange that for an organization like THOR and an event like this -- social hour, cool movie, social hour part 2 -- there weren't more representatives from the very businesses who stand to benefit from a more active community.
Again, I could well be wrong. I kind of hope I am. Or maybe everybody else has been to everything and I'm the one who's been missing in action. That's entirely possible.
But knowing how the shops in town work, I doubt it.
So where was everybody?
9 comments:
Don't be naive in thinking that a sponsorship of a good cause isn't business marketing. The other shops are out to survive also. There is a competition. I'm more in favor of "private" donations when it comes to good causes. Maybe the other shops were to busy. When did this start? I wanted to attend but it didn't fit my schedule. There could be a lot of "maybe's" about why other shops didn't attend.
Those are all very valid scenarios, Marc. And it's very likely that others were too busy to attend as well.
I'm not saying it's an unwillingness to support it from a marketing standpoint. This feels more like a "support the cause by being present" sort of thing.
Again, though. Lots of maybes.
There was no reason that all of the LBSs couldn't have had their names for representation. Shoot, Monkey Wrench supported it, and they are not in Omaha and didn't have their employees attending.
I also felt there were a lot of faces missing. Maybe there is a larger amount that also prefer private donations instead of making it a community event and being part of the raffle/ auction. We all ride the trails, and sell the things that go on the trails. Support should be communal and mutual. Being present in some way says a lot.
the real question is,
when are you going to start riding mtbs for real?... everything else will fall in place after that :D
The Bike Way was being represented by Sean because he was the only one that was off work. They close at 8, and the movie started at 7.
Bryan, I agree there are a lot of maybes out there.
As for the shops supporting the event, almost, I repeat almost, every shop in the Omaha and CB area donated items for the auction or raffle. Here is the list posted on THOR's blog:
http://thor-trails.blogspot.com/2010/06/thor-prizes-drool-drool.html
Not pointing fingers at anyone, seriously,just putting out the info, I received the request for donations on the day that they wanted everything to be submitted so on such short notice we did what we could to be supportive.
Seconding what MattN said, I pedaled from 144th and Center all the way out there when I was off at 5:30pm and made it just in time to catch the movie. I would probably be inclined to believe that most people that "work" and not "manage" at a bike shop are not able to take a Friday afternoon off whenever it is convenient for a social event. I was lucky enough to have the evening off.
Personally, I enjoyed the movie and it was cool to see what Leadville was all about, but to be completely honest looking at the movie and the people that are in charge of THOR at this time, as a non-Trek dealer, the event was a giant Trek propaganda event. Again, personally I enjoyed the movie, I like and love to ride with everyone that I have come across that work at the Trek Stores. Hell, I even shop at the Trek stores if I'm riding by and need something. Bryan and Lucas, you know this because I was in the shop a few weeks ago.
I am trying to give a perspective from the other side of the fence as to why other shops might have been reluctant to show up in person along with donations and not trying to light fires.
This is my personal opinion and not a representation of any one specific shop.
good points, good perspectives, everybody.
Sean, I can see how the event could have been viewed as a propaganda ploy. I can see that.
But I've also noted there's a strong inability by shops in Omaha to be able to differentiate between Trek corporate (Waterloo, Wisc.) and Trek Stores, which are locally owned businesses. You (and by you I don't mean you specifically, Sean) may not like Trek the brand, but just because the people who work in the local Trek Stores happen to be active in THOR doesn't make THOR a Trek-fueled entity.
Really, Sean, the only problem I have with your comment is the "manage" vs. "work" bit. I happen to be off at 5 on Thursdays. That's just part of my weekly schedule. I built it that way so I can pick up my son at daycare by 5:30.
I haven't taken a vacation in more than two years. I work my ass off. Sure, I might not be turning wrenches and ripping stuff apart, but "managing" a shop ain't exactly a cakewalk. And I sure can't take an afternoon off if it's convenient.
Let me clarify what I meant by that. I in no way meant that as a stab at you Bryan.
I have been on both sides of the coin when it comes to the two categories that I mentioned, "manage" vs. "work", and I know that there are certain advantages when you (general purpose you) are at a management level of the food chain in any business and that from my discussions with people about the event and their attendance, most people couldn't attend due to some scheduling conflict which primarily was work.
For example, it's the same issue that I have with the Omaha Bikes activist group, which I commend for their work and would love to be a part of, having their meetings in the middle of the day in the middle of the work week. For those of us like you and I who "work" in any since of the word and live from check to check, without the benefits of a big corporation (PTO, sick days, etc.) it makes it very hard to decide whether to take a cut in pay to show face and get more involved or stay at work and pay the bills. Which then limits our voice to the few who have more control of their schedule and set the times for the meetings and then I hear or read things similar to the air of what you wrote about how no one in Omaha except for a few people are the "true" activists. It gets compounded even further by locations of such things, and the limitation of means of travel (I only have a bicycle as a means of reliable and available transportation.)
Again Bryan, I meant that in no way to be a stab at you or anyone, I was only trying to make a distinction in availability of options. I apologize if you took that as a stab, it was not my intention.
Oh, yeah it was on Thursday, huh? Oops.
Bryan, thanks for alerting me to this post, I've spent some time reflecting.
This event was put together in pretty short order, in an attempt to to coincide with Filmstream's playing the movie, etc. Ideal scenario and future plan, local shops know about it 6 mos in advance. Will make it easier to contribute (sorry Sean).
Good news for our town & our scene, many people contribute in the ways that they feel comfortable.
The fundraiser had a "bar scene" feel to it, and there are a handful of trail workers (the backbone of THOR, frankly), to whom that does not appeal.
There are a handful of Bike Masters club riders that are at nearly every trail work day, weed eaters and shovels in hand. I've seen Sean with trail tools more than once.
Some will contribute money, some will contribute sweat equity, some will contribute planning and political advocacy, some will contribute socially, some will contribute in more ways than one. All contributions are welcome & good.
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