Jboz
- Active 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
Jboz started the topic Smaller rides and competitive forces. in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 day, 6 hours ago
Something occurred to me as I have been debating which ride across Iowa I will do in 2020. IF I do Iowa’s Ride, it won’t be because of any loyalty to TJ or animus toward the DMR, but because I’ve done RAGBRAI several times and I might want to try a smaller, more intimate ride (which let’s face it, IR will probably be).
Then I started…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Amiable Split Option? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 weeks, 3 days ago
I agree 100% on a loop route! That would seal it for me. Another benefit is it would be a completely different ride, distinct from RAGBRAI, and definitely would appeal to many. Honestly, I grapple with start town end town logistics every year and it’s always a challenge. By the time I make it to western Iowa on Saturday, I’m exhausted!
Jboz replied to the topic TIme to Make Peace and Come Back Together as 1 Ride in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 weeks, 4 days ago
“Tired of labeling”…but not until vomiting out a whole bunch of labels.
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Nobody knows what the conversations between TJ and the DMR were like except for the folks directly involved. I will make no assumptions other that people don’t leave 16 year jobs unless they are unhappy. I’ve done the mental math on Iowa’s Ride and TJ isn’t doing this for the money. So without knowledge of all the details, I’m inclined to give T…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Ken, I respect your opinions but TJ isn’t tying to “steal RAGBRAI”. He sensed a shift in what many (but admittedly not all) riders are looking for, and he’s starting up a competing product to fill that need. There are scores of highly successful companies that were started up by former employees who took the leap to go head to head with their…[Read more]
Jboz started the topic Iowa's Ride could be a different vibe in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 weeks, 5 days ago
I hope this takes a break from the DMR/King drama, and avoids the “TJ is a good guy vs TJ is a monster” debate. This is me just pondering what the ride vibe will be for Iowa’s Ride, and how it could be unique from RAGBRAI. I already know what the RAGBRAI vibe is like. I like it a lot otherwise I wouldn’t be posting here. But there are also…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 weeks, 5 days ago
1) The RAGBRAI community hasn’t been “destroyed”. Hyperbole. If RAGBRAI has been damaged, you can’t lay this at TJ’s feet. The DMR’s actions are certainly subject to examination as a contributing factor…maybe the primary factor.
2) The original intent the DMR had by disclosing the old tweets was not honest journalism, but instead it was an…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 weeks, 6 days ago
I don’t understand the stress some folks are feeling about this. I think it’s going to be interesting to just watch it play out. Competition drives innovation and improvement. Let’s see what TJ does to build a better mousetrap. Could be awesome. I already like some of the concepts TJ has in store, like keeping the proceeds in Iowa. I bet…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic TIme to Make Peace and Come Back Together as 1 Ride in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks ago
For those who feel that TJ’s decision to schedule Iowa’s Ride at the same time as RAGBRAI was bad form and spiteful, here is a consideration. Most of the RAGBRAI community plans a year in advance around the last week in July. Weddings are scheduled away from this time, vacation time is secured well in advance, conferences are juggled, family…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks ago
Sheldon, I don’t see any of this as political. True, the original outing of Carson King may have had some loose underlying political motivation by the writer and editor, but nobody knows King’s politics, or TJ’s for that matter. TJ’s departure was not related to what they did to King, but rather the way the DMR muzzled him and took away his…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Can the DMR replace the RAGBRAI staff in time? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks ago
Re: employment contract, I wondered the same thing. But I am under an employment contract which I was required to sign, and am required to do so each year. When you are subject to one, you are well aware of it. I assume that if TJ was subject to one, he would know it. I also assume that he consulted with an attorney before he made this move.…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Can the DMR replace the RAGBRAI staff in time? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks ago
In any event, the DMR’s Kevin Bacon-esque “Remain calm…all is well” assurances that RAGBRAI will proceed without a hitch just isn’t enough. Most of the RAGBRAI riders community plans their vacation time a year in advance around this. The DMR owes it to this community to outline a workable plan ASAP to outline us exactly what they are doing to…[Read more]
Jboz started the topic Can the DMR replace the RAGBRAI staff in time? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks ago
Normally, the Director’s right hand person would be the natural successor. But in this case, the entire full-time staff walked en mass. There are so many moving pieces that make RAGBRAI go smoothly and there are so many questions yet to be answered.
* Is it even realistic to complete a candidate search and hire a new Director, who then needs…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic My Proposal of Reconciliation in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks ago
I’m envisioning the iconic scene from Braveheart where the Irish and the Scottish meet at Falkirik.
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks ago
Question: So let’s say that the 2 rides proceed for the next few years concurrently, and each one takes approximately 50% of the original RAGBRAI rider base. I’m assuming TJ has done the math and figures that he can make the finances work with far fewer riders…and if he can, then the Register should be able to as well. So, on their own with…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks, 1 day ago
One other observation I want to make is this. While most comments on social media have been positive about TJ’s decision, others have been critical. I’ve met TJ and find him to be a straight-up guy, no drama, no games, just solid. For him to have made this move, I’m sure it was MUCH more than the Carson King story. That might have been the…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 weeks, 1 day ago
I’m leaning toward Iowa’s Ride, and my reasons really have nothing to do with animosity towards the DMR over the Carson King story. Here they are:
Reason #1) It’s a northern route, and I simply like those better. If RAGBRAI selects an even better ride, I might do that.
Reason #2) TJ and the full-time staff that went with him are masters of the…[Read more]
Jboz started the topic RAGBRAI L? (aka the 50th anniversary ride) in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 month ago
Not to get too far out in front of my handlebars…and I know, I know, we have 2 more RAGBRAIs between now and 2022, the big FIVE OHH. But the cold weather is setting in and I know I will soon move into dreaded “winter mode” with my only cycling activity being the indoor trainer and my imagination…so I guess I’m thinking ahead a bit.
Do you…[Read more]
Jboz started the topic What prevents you from riding RAGBRAI every year? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 month ago
OK, fully understanding that the forum is kind of dead now especially as we head into cold weather and the holidays. So this might be a slow topic and the only readers here now are super avid RAGBRAI’ers…but:
For those who are able to ride it every year, I envy you, but unfortunately not everyone can pull that off. For those of us who are NOT…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Please fire Aaron Calvin in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Most agree that a poor teenage social media decision years ago should be forgiven and chalked up to bad judgment in light of changed adult behavior and good works. I’m inclined to afford the Des Moines Register the same courtesy. Thankfully, the journalist involved is gone now, and the debate continues as to whether the editor should follow him.…[Read more]