MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Not a troll; a genuine question.
I haven't heard a bad thing said about the BBB in all the time I've been on STW. Folk have raved about the friendliness, the camaraderie and general spirit of it, and as a model for 'family-oriented cycling fun' I can't seem to find anything else remotely similar. Granted, I'm a lucky fella with a vested interest; Nick (WCA) has sorted a Bullheart Ale from which all the profits go to the Sarcoma UK research fund, but aside from plugging the event, it really seems to be the best thing out there.
Am I wrong?
What makes the Big Bike Bash different to other bike events?
the other events don't get acres of free advertising on STW?
😉
it is a fun event, i did the first one. there seemed to be more emphasis on fun,riding a bike and eating malt loaf rather than head down racing and energy bars
So - not a troll, but you have a vested interest and are plugging the event?
🙄
I'm off there, not competing, just hanging around..
COuld be "riotus"... JOKE....!!
I'm not going... should make it even better.
What makes it different? Its a party first a race second. Every other event is Race first party second.
Never been - has it happened? Tell me about it - is it a race? (No not a troll)
The Southern Yeti - MemberI'm not going... should make it even better.
That surprises me, I thought you'd be there in your wannabe mod role ejecting people!
What makes the Big Bike Bash different to other bike events?
insurance*, other events tend to have it
*[i]this could of course be not the case this year unlike in previous years[/i]
I thought you'd be there in your wannabe mod role ejecting people!
There's an idea. When is it?
the other events don't get acres of free advertising on STW?
This is a fair point. Having known Nick for a bit now he could certainly be regarded as 'driven' when it comes to promotion, and I'm led to believe that ST have been more than gracious in turning a blind eye. Having said that, the man is a dynamo is turning every opportunity into something worthwhile. Christ, you only had to look at him at Mayhem and the fact that he ticketed pretty much every car in the camping area for proof.
So - not a troll, but you have a vested interest and are plugging the event?
No, as stated, not a troll. Folk who know me know that I'm more that happy to bite the hand that feeds me if I don't agree or believe in it (or them).
So TooTall - what makes the BBB different to other bike events then?
The difference is obvious isn't it? No other even has Fred crapping himself at it 🙂
elfin's going, that's enough to stop a lot of people turning up. 😆
Unlike all the other MTB events that involve races and stuff I'd be there in a shot as WCA and crew all came to a swinley sexy party and fantastic chaps they are indeed, the way the event is discussed and promot3ed makes it seem like the only mtb event that takes the competitive edge out and fills that gap with cake and beer... i'm busy that weekend though 🙁 would have loved to meet mr bullheart too!
well done WCA if you're reading this, good work!
The difference is obvious isn't it? No other even has Fred crapping himself at it
A USP that they can keep unique thankyouverymuch.
Its not serious. Like me.
What makes it different - Its a family event, not just dad off racing and mum and the kids left in a tent bored shitless.
Even people who have been there were no interest in cycling, have been leant a bike and encouraged to race, well I say race but most of the events arn't overly competitive which is another good point.
When someone injuries themselves it's off to the first aid tent (beer tent) and they have a beer.
The insurance was a one off.
Bombarding stw with forum posts may annoy some, BUT it's a charity event and spending £££;s advertising takes money away from the charity so for a couple of months a year be patient and if you don't want to look don't open the thread.
Last year it rained but that didn't dampen the spirts, people still had fun.
As said before there isn't anything negative posted that i've seen about the event. In fact what other events if you have a query, question or problem do people go out of there way to help?
Come along have fun, ride bikes, drink beer listen to some good bands, it's well worth it, you won't regret it.
Even my wife enjoyed it last year and she's one of the most miserable people I know, after the mother inlaw.
Bombarding stw with forum posts may annoy some, BUT it's a charity event
So is the Clic24, you don't see Neil Wilkens relentlessly plugging it on here, he uses the official route and gets it mentioned on the news page.
Even my wife enjoyed it last year and she's one of the most miserable people I know, after the mother inlaw
That needs to go on the website! 😆
Harry_the_Spider - MemberThe difference is obvious isn't it? No other event has Fred crapping himself at it
A USP that they can keep unique thankyouverymuch.
That was the tipping point for me [i]not[/i] to buy a ticket......
....plus the vague insurance and unspecified bike security arrangements (which may have now been addressed I admit I haven't rechecked the details since they were first up)
Anyway, good luck to WCA and his well intentioned efforts, good to see someone having a go and I hope it turns out splendidly 😀
Kingtut - Clic is a bigger charity and have a decent sized advertising budget as well, by the look of the advertising you see in the mags etc.
But if clic24 have a bigger budget then surely that would be more to go to the charity if they adopted a similar advertising manner
Does BBB do similar on other forums?
Or,
Is it really a way of getting a load of mates together off of here and raise some money for charity in the process?
That's a good question. I'm sure he mentioned that he hits all the forums, but I'm not a regular on them so I'm not that sure.
BUT it's a charity event
So is nearly everything else, but they don't spam this place.
for a couple of months a year be patient
I'd put it closer to 10 months of the year.
what makes the BBB different to other bike events then?
Other than the website not telling me who is behind the event or anything to do with insurance (for anyone, but specifically riders - and I would love to see how the lake jump thing is addressed for liability etc) or on-site facilities like first aid, toilets etc. This is, of course, only going on what I see and perception is reality after all.
I'd put it closer to 10 months of the year.
If I CBA, I'd try and find a month when it hadn't been mentioned. But, generally, +1. This is just another thread promoting it.
why doesnt STW send the BBB some banners to advertise the magazine? Free advertising in return for free advertising. Also if STW did an article on it and advertised it was going to so and took lots of pictures then you might get people from the event buying the magazine for the article. The BBB organisers could provide the write-up and pics.
In the past 24hrs, I have learned that Fred has both tried to sue STW for banning him and crapped himself at some bike thing.
Everyday is a school day.
I crapped myself as a way of protest at being banned.
What makes it different - Its a family event
Thing is, being a 'family event' doesn't reconcile with stories of people getting so pissed up they self soil, then have no recollection of what happened 🙄
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4922223974_657537e340_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/4922223974/ ]BBB 2010 761[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4922283568_7017d61ab8_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/4922283568/ ]BBB 2010 864[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4921483147_30cb3315a8_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/4921483147/ ]BBB 2010 593[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4921988858_82465d6e1a_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/4921988858/ ]BBB 2010 493[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4921217519_89906fb87d_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/4921217519/ ]BBB 2010 360[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4921094857_ea1b3450cb_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/4921094857/ ]BBB 2010 221[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
No other even has Fred crapping himself at it
crapped himself at some bike thing.
Thing is, being a 'family event' doesn't reconcile with stories of people getting so pissed up they self soil, then have no recollection of what happened
The thing is, you are all talking hot air. Only a VERY few people (On here me, DrP and Pete Impretza. Nobody else, I don't even think WCA knows) know the true story and none of us have ever breathed a word of it. Why? Becasue it's funnier that way! 🙂
And I'll tell you now sunshine, you're wide of the mark. 🙂
But carry on believeing that if you want to.... 😛
PeterPoddy - MemberThe thing is, you are all talking hot air. Only a VERY few people (On here me, DrP and Pete Impretza. Nobody else, I don't even think WCA knows) know the true story and none of us have ever breathed a word of it. Why? Becasue it's funnier that way!
And I'll tell you now sunshine, you're wide of the mark.But carry on believeing that if you want to....
It's all very well 'being in the know' about what really happened and I'm sure it makes you feel kind of important but by not confirming what may/may not have gone on, the story of drunken soilage was allowed to stand.
Now in many peoples mind BBB is 'that bike thing where drunken Fred sh@t himself' rather than that 'fun family event that raised money for charidee'
The thing is, you are all talking hot air. Only a VERY few people (On here me, DrP and Pete Impretza. Nobody else, I don't even think WCA knows) know the true story and none of us have ever breathed a word of it. Why? Becasue it's funnier that way!
And I'm well aware of that but it's quite funny to keep the rumour going 🙂
clubber - Member
it's quite funny to keep the rumour going
I'm sure WCA appreciates it 🙄
Considering all the positive he gets from the free advertising here, I very much doubt that the tiny negative that it implies will be keeping him awake 😉
clubber - Member
Considering all the positive he gets from the free advertising here, I very much doubt that the tiny negative that it implies will be keeping him awake
Finding it hard to sell tickets this year isn't he ???
Ah well, no such thing as bad publicity......
…I drafted this a couple of hours ago before we got onto “Things that go trump in the night”. So, going off at a tangent…
These events cost money. Lots of money. Usually paid up front.
Unless you have a cash sponsor or benefactor they have to be paid for by advanced ticket sales. With a tight budget cash for advertising isn’t available. The only way to generate income is therefore to get the word out on the forum.
No threads = no money = no event.
So… without a few threads events like this the BBB and all of the other grass roots events that want to try and stage something with a bit of substance wouldn’t happen.
If you don’t like BBB, HtN, Brownbacks etc threads don’t open them.
The thing is, you are all talking hot air. Only a VERY few people (On here me, DrP and Pete Impretza. Nobody else, I don't even think WCA knows) know the true story and none of us have ever breathed a word of it. Why? Becasue it's funnier that way!
So you are aware there may be misinformation on things going dump in the night, yet you would rather sit in the corner giggling to yourself than straighten it out?
And I'll tell you now sunshine, you're wide of the mark.
Well, if even those who know will not advise as to the truth, then that is hardly surprising now is it?
So you are aware there may be misinformation on things going dump in the night, yet you would rather sit in the corner giggling to yourself than straighten it out?
Yup! 🙂
Sorry. Sworn to secrecy. 8)
And I'm well aware of that but it's quite funny to keep the rumour going
Rumour? We never started a rumour. STW did that. Those that KNOW have never, to my knowlege, fuelled the rumour. STW did that too. 🙂 As close as I have ever come to it is in this thread!
We've just refused to confirm the truth. And will continue to do so........ Becasue it's funnier.... and it keeps you all talking! 🙂
We've just refused to confirm the truth. And will continue to do so........ Becasue it's funnier.... and it keeps you all talking!
that assumes anyone else gives a shit (take or leave pun as you wish)
that assumes anyone else gives a shit
Indeed. Which they obviously do, as they are the ones making the stories up. 😀
For the record, in the 2 years since the first BBB I've seen many, many rumours about Fred etc on STW, and for a while people got luke-warm at times, but since then the rumour mill has slipped futher and further away from the truth. Which is funny. 🙂
We all love the mouthy little git to bits, and he's a lovely chap and a great mate to have around. 🙂
As such, I'm very tempted to set the record straight, but it's not as glamarous as all that, and we all said we wouldn't.
This matter is now closed. 🙂
Honestly, this thread was set up in order to find out why events like BBB, Heaven of the South, HTN, etc, are so well supported by members of the cycling community and their families. It wasn't a troll. It wasn't for publicity. Team Bullheart have been talking about running something similar next year in Kent, and just wanted opinions, that's all.
All people do on here is argue. Or make bitchy remarks. I just don't get it. I have incurable cancer - I'm not bitter about it, and I'm doing my best to beat it, but the way these threads always seem to turn out is starting to wear me down. I'm genuinely fed up with all the negativity. It doesn't seem worth commenting on anything.
I feel fairly low now. This place was always combative, but not as bitter as it's become. I think I might be done here for a bit.
WCA - I'm sorry fella. I never expected this thread to affect the BBB in a negative way.
I think that they succeed because they have a bit of personality about them.
At the risk of sounding negative...
In your first post there was no mention of other events, even to the point of saying:
" I can't seem to find anything else remotely similar."
As such, it was strictly concerning the BBB, and couple with a few other threads recently it could have been seen as promotion, which some feel somewhat adverse to.
Sorry you feel disheartened (not sure if pun intended), but chin up, this place ebbs and flows.
Bullheart, I thought straight away that it was another stealth marketing thread for BBB, but don't have an issue with that, I think the ongoing cheek is admirable.
Just ignore negative posts, it's not like they matter or change anything
Thing is, being a 'family event' doesn't reconcile with stories of people getting so pissed up they self soil, then have no recollection of what happened
'Fredgate' occurred about 50 yards away from where my very young family were sleeping, no families were harmed in the enactment of the 'event', and I'd never have known about it if i hadn't [s]overheard[/s] earwigged Poddy talking discreetly about it the next day.
I am seriously considering leaving my bike at home this year and seeing how much fun we can have as a family without it being complicated by Daddy disappearing all the time to ride his bike.
Well I haven't read all the posts Bullheart but I have been educated and from what I've read and those lovely pictures it looks like a lovely event. Getting families involved and non bikers is a great idea. After all each of us wants to spread the love and get everyone on two wheels don't we.
Shame it's so far away.
WCA and mates hired the venue in the 1st year for their BBB party and raised £2000 for the charity UK Youth, a great result. The charity/venue has always had all risks insurance in place (inc. public liability). By the second year and this year UK Youth are getting more involved with logistics and seeing this as a great regular event for the charity where people have great fun and it raises money that is spent directly on new cycling facilities for the young people the charity works with (last year raised £4000 and was the real lever that helped secure more funding from elsewhere - UK Youth spent £35K on great new track facilities, bikes, equipment,instructor training etc). The feedback from groups has been fantastic. There can't be many charity events you can come back to the following year and see the real difference you made.
This event is insured and risk assessed, and, there are loos and first-aiders on site of course. UK Youth isn't a large charity with massive budgets and really appreciates all the support of WCA, family/friends, the many volunteers and those that buy tickets and attend - this year the Vice President of the charity Magnus Backstedt will be coming along with the CEO and young members to officially open the new facilities and say a big thank you to all those involved in this fantastic event.
cheers
While I can appreciate that the BBB is about raising money for charity and that the STW mods therefore take a light-hearted view of the numerous threads, the forum would soon be over-run with "SPONSOR ME" threads if everyone who organised / participated in any form of charity fundraising was doing the same.
Hi Guys, sorry for being late to the thread but I have been working.
The first year I ran it without any personal liability cover. All riders were covered, I would just lose my house if it went wrong. Every thing is properly insured now.
Positives and negatives in threads on here are expected. I don't think Fred-gate has caused to many people to cancel their tickets. I don't really know what happened but it seems to make people giggle which is fine by me.
I think a few of the posters on here have got the general gist of it and Poddys pictures show it quite well. The event is about getting a bunch of people in a location and having some fun. The general theme is bikes but also water guns, climbing wall, archery, pedalos, zip wire over a lake, malt loaf...
We don't try to control the event to much, we just host it.
*The mods have been good to me and I have agreed to let my BigBikeBash alter ego account be 'banned' after this tears event.
Thanks to everyone for the nice comments and Bullheart better come to next years event!
i think the event does well because whereas most events focus on a race the BBB is focussed on the event where some racing happens to take place. It also has the DIY feel that racing used to have.
thomthumb - it IS very DIY. I am not sure about this year but the first year we forgot to print out the schedule so had to borrow one of the guests copies to run the whole thing from. Also left the stop watches at home so nothing was timed except on peoples watches and phones!
Much more professional now but still as relaxed and fun I hope
Elfingate was all my fault.
I have to put my hand up and admit it.
I'm not proud of what I have done.
However, more Pure Gold will be available at this years BBB.
This event is insured and risk assessed, and, there are loos and first-aiders on site of course.
You say 'of course', but it wasn't on the BBB website. Many thanks for clearing it up tho.
Where on earth did the idea of Fred pooping himself come from??!!!
Now, I'm sure the little rapscallion probable has done a shart once or twice in his life, but not at the Bike Bash Big (scrambled, so as not to offend certain misery guts concerned about advertising...)
DrP
I can't see anything wrong in what Bullheart has posted. So what if it's publicising a local event which is only a week away, that's a good thing surely! I was going to post up a similar Big Dog thread but can't be ar$ed now..
bullheart, keep doing what you're doing and don't get low about this place!!
Respect to you
Big Dog next year then 🙂
Can you get them to move Big Dog back to it's original weekend please.
We chose our weekend because it didn't clash with other bike events and then they go and move Big Dog so it doesn't clash with a Gay Pride event.
😳Also left the stop watches at home
last time i went to gay pride i came home with carpet burns on my face!
WCA - if I had the power I would do that for you! 😉
thomthumb - I've not been to pride so can't comment on your fate, just to say if a wrist watch appears in your toilet bowl the next morning - you need to really worry!
🙂
Why would you need stop watches at a gay pride event? Is it competitive?