Not sure what really happened to the
Outcast Magazine lately. But it almost looks like a forum or a a chatroom. Chances are I caused some of that by ranting about the way SSWC host countries are selected. Sometimes I just feel the urge to stirr the shit a little, prevents us from falling asleep. Issue #17 had a answer to my rant from a guy called Nick that reminded me that I should not do that too much in a foreign language, as I had to agree to most of the stuff he said. My favorite part was when he suggested to run SSWC at some blokes local race which made me wonder if the German National Team (30 - 50 people) could have some floor space in Nick's place.
And as far as I understand he doesn't like Punkrock - which is okay, way too many people already do.
Now if you are a frequent reader of the Outcast you have seen me in there photoshopped into Adolf Hitler, taking beer showers, wearing kilts and camo (Do I look fat in that? FUCK YES!) and I even made the stunt cock comic in which that little bugger found a lot of Classic bikes in my ass (sorry: ARSE!). One could think that I am not too touchy when it comes to turning myself into a complete idiot.
Someone who talks/walks/writes like me has to live with critisism or pure hate. I still prefer a face-to-face conversation when it comes to that but not too many people seem to have the balls for that. Anyway I was wondering what #18 had to offer for me. And it started pretty promissing. Mister Singlespeeding himself Chipps "I was there back then" Chippendale wrote an article called "A German killed my Singlespeeding will of live."
The German would be me and the place that happened was SSWC2004 in Berlin. Now just the idea of me having the powers to make someone like Chipps not liking Singlespeeding anymore really made me proud - I didn't know that I am already that big by now. And just that one statement from him is worth a sticker. So if I did the same to you you can write me and I send you one - where ever you are on this planet!
So okay the headline was funny - but what was it that pissed me off so bad? Just in case you didn't realize yet I am REALLY pissed off.
Well, Mr. C. had a very specific problem with that one race.
It is not that he disliked the riding, or the party or anything that happened on this weekend in Berlin. It was the way we organized it. That again wouldn't get me too excited, because it was my SSWC and I put it up the way I wanted it to be. If it sucks tell me if you like it tell me. Both happened. Chipps article made it look like we made a profit with SSWC by ripping the competitors off with guided city tours and charging them for transports to the course. We all have our triggers - that is mine. If I had made a profit, I would have told the world. But it was not just me losing money at that event it was about five other people, who never complained or bitched about. I did some bitching about those real cool people who entered the race and didn't show up - also a lot of that bunch that were around "back then". Comments like "since when do we have to register", "since when did SSWC became ... " blah blah blah ... Since the the rest of the World found out that Singlespeeding is really fun you MORONS!!! Nobody can just promote the race that will easily attract 300 to 600 people [depending in which country it will be held in] by saying "Well what the heck just show up like we always did it - back then!". You told everybody how cool it is - and now they all want to come and play. Which I think might be the real problem for those from "back then". "I want you to adore me for being so cool but I totally don't want you to be like that as well ..." Yeah right! You can call me anything you want and I will probably have a laugh about it but I will not let anyone get away with bashing the work that was done by so many people who helped to put up one of the best Singlespeed events there ever was. Between all of us we "lost" about 2.000€ in Berlin. Mostly because we overdid it and tried to get too much going. So there is no blaming and there is no need to be sorry - we wouldn't want to have it any other way, as we had the time of our lives.
Appearently the biggest deal for Mister Chippendale was the fact that he had to pay 10€ for a 220 km bus ride to the race course! SO??? What do you expect? Me paying for it? As journalists make very little up to no money at all I made a collection and sent the 10€ to the Singletrackworld Headquarters. I really don't want anyone to die of hunger because of something I did.
The whole story about us making a profit came up in a Dirt Rag Forum discussion about SSWC when someone accused me of having paid the stripper from the entry fee - which we didn't do, a sponsor paid for her! The stripper was a b-day "present" for Jessica from Spot. She didn't like it that much so that girl ended up in my lap! Overrated by the way. Back then [there you go!] we told them sure we paid her from your money and hell yes we made a profit ... ! Jokes in a US singlespeed forum? Bad idea ...
I am very happy to report that I found picture evidence of the suffering of Mister C.
One might think that is the exact moment the Singlespeeder inside the man lost his will of live?
The man himself wearing a pink helmet with his then girlfriend who was also very unhappy (and way more vocal) about the 10€ bus ride.
Also earlier in the race - he doesn't look too happy there at the hecklers hill
but maybe it was just the strap of his helmet sitting too tight?
Okay and later that night he sure looks like one unhappy camper at the after show party in the hostel with Rudi Nadler on his back
Life can be such a bitch sometimes!
So speaking of money and SSWC. The first riders are back from Sweden and again there is some complaining. "I wonder what I paid 36€ for?" Oh so you wonder? Well maybe for being in the SSWC which is supposed to be the highlight of every Singlespeed year? I have no clue what they offered and how much they did put into it - god forbidd they made a profit?? - it just doesn't matter. SSWC is put up by some regular people and not by race promoters. You fucking pay them for setting up a race you want to be in and a party you want to attend. Most likely they spent half a year of working their asses of, fighting with local authorities and calling everybody and his brother all over the planet? What you get out of it? Well hopefully a fucking great time and some good memories! You sit on a bloody 4000 US$ custom titanium frame and you wonder what you get back from SSWC for your 36€? Well probably nothing because you don't deserve it!
Oh and Chipps - thanks a lot! A Brit made me want to be a Singlespeed race promoter again!
