10/01/2025
I just saw the post about Pro Bike closing, which sucks, and I'd like to comment about some things not directly related to them, but sorta.
During the RDR CeeDees Classic Crankfest - Lake Stanley Draper MTB Trails race there were quite a few people who thought the swag tables were items that were for sale. When I told them, no they weren't for sale, but instead were going to be given away to the podium spots, they were surprised. Most had never seen swag tables offered up, and if they had, they didn't have as much as we had on Sunday. This used to be a thing.
When I first started racing back in 1999/2000, the tables had some good stuff. In fact my first race getting 3rd I was able to grab a tire (just ONE) and thought that was pretty cool, if not better than the trophy. Which I now have no idea what it was, but I remember getting that free tire. It kinda sealed the deal for me that I was going to come back for more suffering and try to collect "free" stuff. It really wasn't free though, right. I mean entry fees, and having to get a top 3 spot and all.
The thing about this is, back then, there was no online shopping, or internet (as it is today) and bike shops were supported very well. So well in fact that they could afford to give out gear and goodies at most every race. The old timers should remember this as well.
The swag that I was able to offer wasn't all from my shop, but a lot was, even if it was older stock and considered outdated. I got a lot of it from a shop that has since closed. I asked the owner if he would be willing to donate those goods and I would not take anything to try to profit from it. (I can hear the other shop owners saying "ohhh what a fool"). But I wanted to give everyone who came to the race a hint of what those days were like.
If the the local independent small shops aren't supported, not only will there be no swag, but there will be no shop to go to.
I'll ask this and be done...How important is to have an item delivered the next day by the big sideways ph***ic symbol, than to maybe wait a week and have your "favorite" shop get it for you?