MCMBA: Novi

[buster]

It just gets old. It's okay if someone asks for a comparison from time to time, and it's okay to casually mention lap times in passing with a trail report. But this is a trail conditions thread - not a lap time contest. Someone will always be faster than you, and someone slower.

IMHO: If mentioning lap times is so bad why not just create a simply chart for people that shows beginner, intermediate and advance times. For someone who just entered the sport and was nervous about doing a race however wanted to use the race as motivation to train harder I had to ask "What is expected of someone riding this course for a race?" Casually mentioning lap times let you know what type of rider you are and measure if you are improving. I started riding 2 years ago and had no clue if I was a good rider or bad rider. I think *most* people when they ask times are looking for no more than a figure that is plus/minus 5-10 minutes to use as a gauge for self improvement, not ego. Perhaps this is the wrong thread however picking the right thread is also a challenge cause you are bound to upset someone.

[FrankenFuel95]

Parsecs measure distance, not time.

[jwhitey]

I figure lap times are always going to be approximate. I keep track of mine but changing trail conditions and traffic will always add or subtract a couple minutes or so, not to mention reroutes. When someone says they just recorded a personal best or best time of the year I'm curious. That's all.
It doesn't take much to upset some people here.

[EnRaz]

I started riding 2 years ago and had no clue if I was a good rider or bad rider.

I think this embodies the concern that people may have with posting times. If I have this correct, then it's not about posting lap times so much as it is about the perception that unless you achieve *this* lap time you are somehow underperforming and not a "good" rider. My argument would be that if you started riding 2 years ago, and are having fun still doing so now, you are a good rider - regardless of whether you turn 45 minute laps or 1 hour 10 minute laps at the Farm. The point of this thread and others in this subforum is to educate people about trail conditions and hopefully encourage those new to MTB to give it a try. For this particular subforum, lap time posting has been frowned upon in order to reduce the chances of discouraging those new to the sport from sticking with it when they roll off their first-ever lap and are 25 minutes slower than the time they just read about on the MMBA forum.

Further, it seems far better - if you're really interested in comparing lap times - to find a group to ride with (try here: http://www.mmba.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=7) and compare times with people you are actually riding with. That's the best way to improve your riding anyway. I say this from experience too: riding with people faster than you will make you faster, and that will hold true right up to the point where you decide you're "fast enough". Everyone reaches that point differently. Some never reach it.

Regardless, there's no chance of ever coming close to that point if your yard stick is on the internet... now go and ride!

p.s. If you really must have lap times (and I PM'ed you some information a few weeks ago to get you started. Let me know if you need it resent), then you can always post up and ask for ppl to PM you. I'm sure you'll get a good assortment of times to sort through and work from. Also, web sites like Strava allow you to compare yourself to others who have ridden the same course. Until the MMBA forums have a place dedicated to lap time posting, those are your best bets...

[desk_jockey]

What was it?

It was faster than my previous not as fast lap! In all honesty I only posted that I had my 2012 fast lap because the conditions of the trail were perfect for it. Everything was very dry and hardpacked. Not sure how it will be after all this rain . . .

[hugetarget]

Does anyone know the condition of the trail now? Is it OK to ride it tonight before the next storm comes!

[Apps]

The tree farm group is moving their normal ride to Hickory Glen in Commerce as the fear is it's a little too wet...the sun hasn't come out as expected to dry the trail out so better safe then sorry....Hickory Glen takes water a lot better than Novi ....

[AllMountin']

The point of this thread and others in this subforum is to educate people about trail conditions...

I've seen this sentiment before. Note that the title of this subforum indicates that it is *also* the appropriate place for trail specific comments, and not just conditions. This could encompass many things, including lap times.

While I would agree there are better options for such discussions, if we are gonna play forum cop, should not the subforum title be changed to reflect this singular usage?

[Di_bear]

The point of this thread and others in this subforum is to educate people about trail conditions...

I've seen this sentiment before. Note that the title of this subforum indicates that it is *also* the appropriate place for trail specific comments, and not just conditions. This could encompass many things, including lap times.

While I would agree there are better options for such discussions, if we are gonna play forum cop, should not the subforum title be changed to reflect this singular usage?

As a "forum cop," I feel it is my duty to educate you that on the main forum page-- http://www.mmba.org/forum --the description for "Trail Conditions and Comments" is "For posting trail-specific conditions and problems."

There is nothing ambiguous about the intent of this particular forum. While we are going to go off-topic and have fun from time to time, don't give people a hard time when they try to get it back on topic.

[dirt]

The point of this thread and others in this subforum is to educate people about trail conditions...

I've seen this sentiment before. Note that the title of this subforum indicates that it is *also* the appropriate place for trail specific comments, and not just conditions. This could encompass many things, including lap times.

While I would agree there are better options for such discussions, if we are gonna play forum cop, should not the subforum title be changed to reflect this singular usage?

As a "forum cop," I feel it is my duty to educate you that on the main forum page-- http://www.mmba.org/forum --the description for "Trail Conditions and Comments" is "For posting trail-specific conditions and problems."

There is nothing ambiguous about the intent of this particular forum. While we are going to go off-topic and have fun from time to time, don't give people a hard time when they try to get it back on topic.

Of course, telling people to stay on topic, and quoting forum descriptions, are also off topic, and do nothing to bring things back 'on topic'

Only posting trail conditions can truly bring it back on topic.

[AllMountin']

Fair point on the title subtext, though I don't think anyone actually reads it.

BTW, the trail is dirty, and wet.

[IBrake4Squirrels]

Funny how bent out of shape everyone gets over lap times. Mine on my second attempt was 58:45! Suck it, lol.

As far as the trail conditions. It is wet and there are several trees growing leaves.

Being newer to biking I have noticed everyone is super nice on the trails, so why don't we get back to that.

K, I'm done. XOXO



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[mmrobertson69]

Lap time for me at treefarm is irrelevant because I almost always stop and play on one of the features, be it the crater or one of the skinnies, or just stopping to BS with another park user.

[Moto339]

Funny how bent out of shape everyone gets over lap times. Mine on my second attempt was 58:45! Suck it, lol.

As far as the trail conditions. It is wet and there are several trees growing leaves.

Being newer to biking I have noticed everyone is super nice on the trails, so why don't we get back to that.

K, I'm done. XOXO



---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?2jp44v
Sent from my badass iPhone using Tapatalk, Ba Ba BOOYA!

Thanks for the update

Did the trees that are growing these so called leaves slow you down at all? My lap time a couple weeks ago was around 57-58 ish I am curious if I am to expect a slower time so I can brace myself from the depession of being slower then you and selling all my mtb stuff for being so slow and put myself into a Drunkin state and become a professional RollerBlader.

One last question. Is the trail looking good or ok for a ride tomorrow I'm going to have some time on my hands tomorrow and will be in the area but not sure how much rain the trail had received. Looking to get about 4-5 lap's in tomorrow. Ok sorry I really can only do one but don't tell anyone I don't want that to get out.

[EnRaz]

Put in a lap tonight. Trail was wetter than I expected but still rideable with a dozen or so spots of mud and/or standing water. I'm guessing it got hit by rain harder than Farmington did on Monday, otherwise I don't know how to explain the amount of water. Either way, just ride through the center of the soft spots and you'll be alright.

To add to the fun, I came around a turn just after MM9 and happened upon a family of Great Blue Herons on the trail. The biggest one was about 4' tall! It was with another of almost the same size and two babies. The large one turned toward me, started making some God-awful noise and charged! Needless to say, I backed away and waited for them to clear the area. Quite a shock though, as I never realized how large those birds could become !