2016 New Expert List

[Matthew Palmore]

WOOOOO!

pumped to only get faster!
thank you CMRA for the opportunity and for putting on the best racing org. around the world!

[Dennis King]

Congratulations to everyone, especially those who felt the need to bump themselves.

[Nancy Selleck]

Updated again...congrats to Kyle Fox for bumping up!

[Josh Henke]

Put two stars on people who resist the bump and win. Three stars on those who lose :D

[Rab McNaught]

I think that people that request to be bumped should have a special decal to put on their bike beside the number and a different decal for people that protest promotion.

[Brandon Orr]

Put two stars on people who resist the bump and win. Three stars on those who lose :D

[Kyle Fox]

OK, since Nancy called me out by name, and there's a lot of focus on the people with stars by their names, I'll try to give the alternative view.

I'll begin as every good rebuttal should start - "Jane you ignorant ****..."

I asked to be bumped for two reasons. First, I was literally the next person on the rider index. Every person above me, and some below me, got bumped. So I figured I wouldn't be a danger to anyone or get in anyone's way in the expert field. (In fact, I think Walter made the cut-off at a .66 rating - and my rating of .659 rounds up to .66.) I made sure Walter thought the same, or I wouldn't have wanted to get bumped.

Second, I would rather ride at the back of a great group of riders. For me, it's not about having a white plate, bragging or whether I deserve to be an expert (but see #1 - I at least need to deserve it in the sense that I won't cause problems for others). It's not about pride or ego. I want to continue to improve, and I think that I learn more by trying to hang with better riders. (Yes, I can do that in Novice also, since I'm not the best there, but I've learned so much more in the mixed races when I chase or swap places with an expert.)

But for those of you whose egos are bruised by having "undeserving" folks like me in the expert class, I'm more than willing to publicly shame myself by having half white / half yellow plates (or something like that). Just get the board to approve it, and I'll do it. Or better yet, if you see me on the track next year - kick my ***. That way we'll both get what we want: you'll be able to prove to the world that your a better rider; and I'll get to learn from someone who's faster and more skilled.

OK - so now I'm officially the target! All you haters, start hating...

[Dennis King]

I think you misunderstand what most are saying. There is nothing wrong with bumping yourself, you know your riding better than most and if the board didn't bump you they had their reason. It could have been as simple as 'Kyle is right on the edge, he could do well as an expert or benefit another year as novice. We'll keep him novice.' And then here's Kyle "well most everyone above me got promoted and some below. I could use another year as novice and get some experience Or I could bump myself to expert and get faster and better that way. I think I'll bump myself'

[Kyle Fox]

I think you misunderstand what most are saying. There is nothing wrong with bumping yourself, you know your riding better than most and if the board didn't bump you they had their reason. It could have been as simple as 'Kyle is right on the edge, he could do well as an expert or benefit another year as novice. We'll keep him novice.' And then here's Kyle "well most everyone above me got promoted and some below. I could use another year as novice and get some experience Or I could bump myself to expert and get faster and better that way. I think I'll bump myself'

Thanks, Dennis. Understood. I had thought people were saying we should put stars on our numbers (or a special decal) as public shaming - maybe not, though. My bad...

[Tommy Hendricks]

Kyle, you're plenty quick/consistent enough to be in expert. People above are just joking around with the special stars/decals on their bike (note that Rab requested to be bumped/is obviously joking).