|
Post by BOS on Feb 5, 2009 13:19:34 GMT
Hey has anyone heard off Ding-a-ling yet as to when the first 2009 gurston is??
Keep it real BOS
|
|
|
Post by Graeme on Feb 12, 2009 9:25:23 GMT
It sounds as though it was this coming Sunday (I hadn't heard), but it's cancelled:
SSSprint Gravity Sports Meeting - proposed for Sunday 15th February 2009 at Gurston Down The meeting is cancelled. This is partly due to the weather forecast for this weekend, but also on account of unresolved issues relating to a small number of riders and their recent attitude at, and to, my events.
|
|
|
Post by will on Feb 13, 2009 7:35:54 GMT
yer but gutted about that, been itching to ride for weeks now as cadwell got cancled and now Gurston
|
|
|
Post by TomW on Feb 17, 2009 12:28:53 GMT
"....unresolved issues relating to a small number of riders and their recent attitude at, and to, my events. "
Who's been giving Ding bad Joo-Joo then?
|
|
|
Post by JasonA on Feb 23, 2009 23:51:40 GMT
There's a page on Facebook ("Gurston Riders Association") moaning about Ding and slagging him off. Here's his response:
"From: sssprint@yahoogroups.com [mailto:sssprint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ding Boston Sent: 23 February 2009 18:05 To: sssprint Subject: [sssprint] Gurston Meetings in 2009
Gurston Meetings in 2009 After running my events here for 14 years - and riding too until 2001 - I feel I have always listened to the views of riders, even if I have not always been able to accommodate every individual wish. However, the attitudes of some riders who are relatively new to Gurston - demonstrated by their behaviour on the Hill and recent postings on Facebook - mean the time is well overdue for me to make it crystal clear about the way I run my meetings, and for me to make some long overdue changes. All who might wish to be invited to any future events must understand the following: FIRST AID There are - and always have been - two First Aid boxes on the Hill; a green one in the largest white trunk at the top of the Hill, and a blue one under the seat in the van. Also, the biggest and best hospital in Wiltshire is 8-10 minutes away. On the one occasion it has been called, an Air Ambulance arrived within 15 minutes. The fact that so many riders appear ignorant of the First Aid kits is testament to how infrequently they have been required on this famously forgiving hill. (Most sensible car drivers I know - never mind gravity riders - have their own anyway). (I am disappointed to see comments posted about the safety of the Hill. Obviously, some weird comments like "Lack of any protection at all, anywhere." are deliberately mischievous and can be ignored. But I do find it odd that riders who are quite prepared to ride outlaw on public roads and spaces, also expect to be viewed as credible critics of the relative merit and statistical safety of this private, closed and controlled hill, where full safety gear is mandatory for riders.) However, if you are unhappy about the location or these arrangements, please don't ask to attend. Ride elsewhere. (Maybe a hospital car park?) INSURANCE There is no Public Liability insurance - as all announcements about meetings clearly state. Contrary to what some people seem to believe there is no legal requirement for it. These are private - not public - meetings, held on a good friend's private hill, on private land, on a controlled course, with no public spectating. However, those who I invite or choose to have ride at Gurston are perfectly at liberty to take out their own Personal Injury insurance (about £80 annually). Up to now, riders at Gurston have been the kind of people who view the 'blame/claim culture' with contempt it deserves, and take a pride in being responsible for their own actions and the results of their risk choices. If you don't like this arrangement, ride elsewhere. Please note. Should this sensible and long prevailing attitude change any further in the 'wrong direction', I will consider making Personal Injury cover obligatory, and add the full expense and cost of administration of individual daily insurance to everyone's daily Hill Charge. This will result in an increase of at least £10 per person per day - so I hope it will not be necessary. TIMING My meetings are primarily relaxed, fun events; a facility for riders to try out the sport or hone their skills through practice. The timing on the Hill is as accurate as it is, and as it needs to be for the great majority of riders. Those presently complaining will not know that I spent a great deal of time and money some years ago on putting together a laser timing system. It involved laying cable from top to bottom of the Hill, and a great deal of time spent adjusting the laser beams and cleaning reflecting mirrors - to the extent that many more times were lost than by the radio. In the end everyone got fed up with the high maintenance, it was abandoned, and we reverted back to the present radio system. It's simple to use and - as some Oxford physicist riders' calculated several years ago - is generally accurate to within 0.05 - 0.10 second. Anyway, those timing do their best, and at the end of the day, it's the same accuracy / error for everyone. If this isn't accurate enough - because you are now a 'world ranked rider' or whatever - go and ride elsewhere. CHARGES Remember fees relate to my organisation, maintenance and storage of all that these events involve, for 12 months a year - not just the 7-8 months of the race season. Anyone who thinks I do this for the money, get real. The sum of the riders' contributions on an average day is simply the minimum for which I am prepared to stage my events. These were increased slightly last year - after five years - and even then, mainly for Taster Days (whose contributions have always subsidised regular riders, and without whom the events are not viable). In 1995, petrol was under .50p a litre, Annual Membership was £25 and the Hill was £10 - for everyone. Petrol and many other costs have doubled 14 years later...but SSSprint Annual Membership is £35 for adults - and is still £25 for youngsters. The Hill Charge is £20 and £15 respectively. So, if you're under 16 only the Hill Charge has risen, and by just £5 - in your lifetime. (I seem to recall the UKGSA fees are/were more expensive for far fewer meetings). If this is unacceptable, don't bother to petition me - go ride elsewhere. My 14 years of pilgrimage to Gurston are about a passion for a sport that I love, that I introduced into this country and that I have promoted ever since - and certainly not about getting rich (as must be all too obvious). I try to make - and keep - the meetings good fun. I believe they represent extremely good value for what they are - and I am pleased to say that others who have written to me in the last few days agree. The discounts I offer youngsters are between 25% and 35% of adult fees. At the risk of sounding mean, I am not your dad. If you feel this isn't generous enough, look to your parents, get a paper round, or get sponsored. Sadly, there are many things in this life that we cannot afford. Fortunately, if you can't afford to come to my events, you have the choice of many thousands of other hills all over the UK on which to practice until you can. Alternatively, maybe some of the older members with jobs and savings and who apparently feel very strongly about encouraging the young more than I do already, would like to put their hands in their own pockets - rather than mine - and help youngsters out with bursaries or similar? (Having spent the last 20 years doing mainly unpaid voluntary work and teaching of the young, I really feel I've done my bit in this direction and that I don't need lectures from others about what more I should give for free.) Like I said, it's your choice. THE HILL The Hill is the Hill. I have hosted hundreds of meetings and thousands of runs at Gurston over the past 14 years. All those on the Hill have learned lessons in the light of the very rare incidents that have occurred, and the most obvious and apparent dangers have been addressed appropriately with bales, etc. However, until recently, riders understood that this sport is potentially dangerous, that they were responsible for their own safety, and that they accepted the obvious risks of riding at or beyond the limits of their capability. But now it seems some relative newcomers on the Hill would apparently like to see the Hill modified to suit their riding (with more bales, etc.) - rather than modifying their riding to suit the Hill. If you feel you may be lacking in the area of risk assessment, self-assessment, self-restraint, or self-responsibility, please go and ride elsewhere - or consider stopping altogether. You are certainly a danger to yourself - and possibly others too. LENGTH OF MEETINGS I aim to arrive at between 9:30 and 10am, and runs usually start between 12 and 12:30. I rarely leave the Hill before 6pm (and later in summer). If it's busy, I spend the entire day driving, and often there is little or no break for lunch either. Remember, for me the meeting days involve the day before - preparing and packing the van - and the day afterwards too, unpacking it into storage and checking and mending kit. It's a very rare day when everyone doesn't get at least their 8 runs in - and as many as 15 in summer. However, while this system is never going to please everyone - but if people help at the beginning and the end, there is always going to be more time in the middle. So, if the days are not long enough for you, or you don't feel you get enough runs in, or you get fed up with new riders holding you up (and can't remember ever being one yourself) - it's an easy decision - ride elsewhere. You don't have to come. NATURE OF MEETINGS From 1995 up until fairly recently, everyone who came helped prepare and sweep the Hill at the start, and put things away and pack up afterwards. The days were a chance for Street Lugers to practice and for those who wanted to try the 'extreme sport' out to do so and have a 'Taster Day' - on an old friend of mine's private land, on a closed hill, with a fantastic surface, no kerbs and good run off areas. I built many luges to accommodate them. As the years went by I was asked by Gravity Bike riders if they could join in, and then later by a couple of Stand Ups if they could come along too. I was happy to allow them to do so - providing they did not disrupt the core activity. 14 years later, most of today's 'regulars' (and of course there are very noble exceptions) appear to think that lending a hand is beneath them. Many seem to expect, for around £15 or £20 a day, that everything should be laid out, swept, cleared up, and put away for them; then they either leave early or go hide in their cars up the track while others help - and then complain when the process takes longer. Some riders have begun to turn up - and invite others too - without asking in advance. Others don't show up at all (and don't even ring to explain or apologise) having asked for one of the limited number of slots. Others ride the Hill without proper protective gear and before radio control is in place. Some seem to feel that in spite of my careful monitoring of various weather sites before confirming each event, I should be held accountable for any wet weather if it interrupts a meeting. On some occasions last year, in attempting not to disappoint even those arriving unannounced, the numbers got way out of hand and a damaging amount of strain was put on both the van and the trailer in trying to cope. I know perfectly well I shall be expected to find the £1-2000 to replace the next engine and/or gearbox myself when they inevitably break again due to all the overloading and abuse - and that I can expect no help from those riders presently whingeing about the costs when they do... The levels of cooperation and courtesy have certainly dropped, but the saddest indication of the decline in standards on the Hill was the loss of one of the expensive, modified Motorola radios that was used at the first corner at one of the meetings. Afterwards, in spite of an exhaustive search, it was never seen again. It is ironic that this should be the result of trying out a new safety measure, and it is the first time in 14 years that anything like this has occurred. Another first this season was my being ripped off for contributions by a well-known Stand Up rider who's word I was asked to trust. So from now on, no one takes part on the Hill without paying what they owe, in full, in advance. CHANGES AT GURSTON FOR 2009 Contrary to what some appear to understand, I am not looking for more, or loads of regular riders. Firstly, I am duty bound by the landowner to keep the meetings private and low key, with small numbers of no more than 20-25 or so on the Hill (which is why any spectators are not encouraged and have to book). Secondly, the more riders there are, the more expensive the abuse the van and the trailer receive. Thirdly, the more riders there are, the less rides people get. Fourthly, there are local restrictions on the number and size of events that can be held at such venues each year (to say nothing of the bureaucratic nightmare and huge extra expense of running a public event). Lastly, while the land belongs to the farmer, the track surface and environs are installed and maintained - at great expense - by the motor racing hillclimb club. They countenance my events precisely because they are infrequent, involve few people and light use, and after many years they know that they can trust me to look after their interests. In view of all the above, I would prefer - and intend - to direct my time towards organising practice and timed events for smaller groups of riders. These include both those new to the sport, and those others who regularly ride - all of whom accept the limitations and the costs of riding this delightful venue, and appreciate my efforts and all those who also help on the Hill at Gurston and elsewhere on their behalf. I will also be concentrating more on what I enjoy - introducing ever more riders to Street Luging through my Taster Day's - rather than acting as a glorified lift attendant and dogsbody to an increasingly number of arrogant, selfish, self-important, rude and ungrateful whingers. Accordingly, this season my meetings at Gurston will revert to being strictly by invitation only. This is not - as has been suggested by some - an attempt to deprive anyone of their right to speak out or complain. It is simply the most straightforward way of setting out the costs and manner in which these events are to be run this season to the riders. (This - as several of you have properly pointed out - is my right as the provider and outright owner of all meeting related kit brought to the Hill, and organiser of these private events for 14 years). They can mull these terms over, complain bitterly (as some have), agree wholeheartedly (as others have) or otherwise. Then they can exercise their rights and choose: to come and ride on those terms...or not to come at all. • So for the time being, and the foreseeable future, only members on the Guest List will be welcome at my events through my explicit, personal invitation. • They will cater primarily for Street Lugers, with Turtles, Gravity Bikes, and Stand Ups as space allows. • I am pleased to announce that there will be prizes this year. The winners in each SSSprint championship discipline will be presented with a fully functional 'Golden Stretcher' - as a permanent trophy. • Riders will book and pay in advance of each meeting unless they have made alternative, prior arrangements with me. • The numbers involved may be smaller, and so those invited should therefore get more runs. I have done this so that everyone knows exactly where they stand before a meeting. Those who now find the terms (which have remained virtually identical for 14 years) unacceptable - too expensive, too short, or whatever - can vote with their feet/stay away/organise their own events more to their own satisfaction; those who still find them acceptable can get on and enjoy riding the Hill without further fruitless argument and disturbance. Their rights to choose to ride here are just as legitimate as those who choose not to. I am not sure what effect those making more belligerent suggestions might expect to have - except annoying other riders who are just as aware of all the issues but don't happen to agree with them, and just want to ride the Hill. I am aware and have read complaints posted. Some of them I have addressed, some I have rebutted, some are legitimate gripes which have given me pause for thought. Some are personal preferences which cannot be accommodated without unacceptable increases in costs, or otherwise compromising the safety or pleasure of other riders on the hill. Others indulge in formulaic divisive rabble rousing. Some are contemptible humbug - with mendacious self-justification dressed as 'concerns'. Each to their own. However the insulting, bullying, and threatening nature of postings on the internet - particularly by some of those relatively new to these meetings - is totally unacceptable to me and to many others who ride and help out on the Hill. If you are unhappy about me personally or the way in which I wish to run my own meetings, then exercise your rights - and choose not to attend them. Luging is what Gurston has primarily been about, and those in this and other disciplines have been tolerated at Gurston only for as long as I have been happy about the behaviour of the riders. I am now deeply unhappy about the attitude of some of these riders, and their animosity towards me as the organiser. They poison the atmosphere for me and everyone else on - and off - the Hill. It's a private party and they are no longer welcome to attend. (It would appear that few of them would want to anyway - which provides a mutually satisfactory result for all concerned.) Lastly, but very importantly, I would like to give my very grateful thanks to all those who have offered their support to me over the past days - of which this email extract is a representative sample: "...I think you have got just the right balance of chill/safe and RUSH. I have been doing risk sports for a very long time and my experience is that those who criticise (as opposed to giving constructive feedback) earn the right to do so only by running the events for a while themselves rather than just expecting others to organise it for them to their own liking. As far as I'm concerned, I'm grateful that you can organise a whole day of adrenaline sport so cheaply and safely." Sometimes it is only at times like this that one learns how many people appreciate and how much they enjoy what one provides. Thanks too for the suggested changes as to how my meetings are run (especially to prevent the tail ever wagging the dog again), and which have helped me to reach these decisions about the future. If you haven't contacted me already to confirm that you are happy with the way I run events and with the contributions required, and you wish to express an interest in being on the Guest List for future events at Gurston, please do so. (This is especially important if you haven't ridden the Hill for a while.) To those who are agreeable, I will be posting news of the next meeting shortly, and I look forward to a much happier season ahead. Best regards, Ding"
|
|
|
Post by boneless on Feb 26, 2009 11:00:53 GMT
Blimey!
Anyhow me/we are hoping to get to a few more Gurstons this year...
Anyone else thinking of heading down there - it'd be good to catch up with y'all...
takk
Boney N
|
|
|
Post by BOS on Feb 26, 2009 20:05:09 GMT
Yep! Im defo up for donning me leathers and getting back at it!
BOS
|
|
|
Post by windy on Feb 26, 2009 23:13:35 GMT
This i gotta see.. BOS on the tarmac again, the prayers to the gods of speed are answered, if i have enough notice i may be able to make the pilgrimage down there....
|
|
|
Post by BOS on Feb 27, 2009 18:08:27 GMT
Yep me ploughing into the bank at the first corner cos ive forgotten how to ride a luge is a must see. Ill be good to see yo windy....ive still got your cushion and an ever depleeting roll of gaffer tape of yours!
Keep it real BOS
|
|
|
Post by JasonA on Feb 27, 2009 23:51:07 GMT
I'll totally be there on Turtles for almost every round. Hope to see some beloved and familiar faces!
|
|
|
Post by boneless on Mar 10, 2009 9:29:28 GMT
good stuff! Fraid we can't make the first meeting - but will DEFFO be at number two... Hope y'all have a good'un And seee ya soon...
|
|
|
Post by Graeme on Mar 11, 2009 8:40:43 GMT
I'm testing out my new soapbox racer at the one at the end of the March
|
|
|
Post by will on Mar 11, 2009 15:12:37 GMT
I'm testing out my new soapbox racer at the one at the end of the March I'm going along just for this!!
|
|
|
Post by Muzzo on Mar 11, 2009 20:27:04 GMT
I would also like to make it to number 2
When is it?
|
|
|
Post by oligreen on Mar 23, 2009 18:33:16 GMT
any chance of a lift muzzo?
|
|
|
Post by Muzzo on Mar 25, 2009 8:37:39 GMT
Hi Oli. no probs on the lift to Gurston, I am not sure when it is .
|
|
|
Post by BOS on Mar 25, 2009 19:24:00 GMT
Ding is trying to get april26th as a date. dont know if this will be round two or one before that date. Its hard getting info off ding! Weather for round one looks good at the moment!
BOS
|
|
|
Post by will on Mar 27, 2009 11:17:57 GMT
29th of March, this sunday!
|
|
|
Post by BOS on Apr 8, 2009 20:37:54 GMT
|
|
|
Post by boneless on May 4, 2009 10:25:13 GMT
coool! hey we're going to the one on the 17th - anyone else? be good to catch up with folks! Gwwwwaaaaaaaan!!
|
|