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Keep in mind that’s revenue for all Maxxis products and we make waaaaaay more than just bike tires. In the grand scheme of things, bike makes up a small part of that revenue. Believe me, I’m always trying to get my hands on some of that auto marketing budget!

I’ve long argued that unlocking more money in racing depends on bringing in more non-endemic,or at least semi-non-endemic, sponsors. Think Frameworks x WD-40. The challenge is that I cross paths with a lot of marketers, and its incredibly hard to justify putting millions into such a niche sport when that same budget could go into Meta or YouTube ads. With digital, you get instant analytics, optimization tools, and far less career risk. You can still reach the same demographic, but in a way that’s more measurable and scalable...with no tough conversations with the boss (really, ever). At the end of...

I also want to say big respect to Reed Boggs for dealing with a frustrating situation yesterday with wisdom and class. It's got to be tough standing at the top, knowing that you have a good chance of dropping in and potentially winning the whole thing (or at least placing top 3), choosing discretion over valor, and then congratulating the winner as you choose to step away from the start gate.

With all due respect though what are you actually proposing changes outside of cancelling the event? There just doesn't seem to be many valid ways to increase the safety drastically without seriously compromising the event. As I have said I think a fresh venue would help alot but it would still be inherently very dangerously given the level these guys are at now. The guys who surf nazare and mullagmore every year are risking their life yet they continue to do it nevertheless and I think most the rampage athletes are the same.

I disagree. Rampage has been around longer than social media. These guys have been throwing themselves cliffs before social media was a thing, and still be throwing themselves off cliffs even if it hadn't become a thing. Injuries have always been a thing, whether they are small, significant or life altering, but the fact of the matter is there HAVEN'T been any deaths. How many other extreme (or less extreme) competitions can claim a zero fatality rate in 24 years of existence? I'm not saying things can't be made safer, but I'm also not sure what the answer is. If...

I'm locking this thread for a day or two. Not trying to be rude, I'd actually love to jump in myself, but we've gone way off the rails. None of this ties back to the bike or outdoor industry directly. If you want to continue the AI discussion, please start a new thread, take it to X/Twitter, or head over to LinkedIn. Those platforms are built for this kind of speculation (and overflowing with this sort of banter). I want to keep this space focused on industry-specific topics. Nothing personal,I genuinely enjoy these conversations, this is just a "thread hygiene"...

i just wanted to say how much i appreciate the discussion you're all having about this, keeping it thoughtful and caring. whether you're for or against the level of risk, i think it's clear that everyone here cares about the riders first and foremost, and that makes me proud of this community. some care that the riders have the freedom to make their own choices, some care about protecting them from exploitation or going too far. regardless of outlooks, thank you for all the input and experiences and sharing. no matter what, i hope that all the injured riders make...

Sounds a lot like what was said about 20 or so years ago when America started to off-shore a lot of jobs.. Improving the global economy and American will get better jobs..

" So ideally those lost jobs are replaced with other better jobs." Just remember, the car didn't make more better jobs for horses. Call me pessimistic if you'd like, but I'm genuinely unconvinced with people who claim that AI will somehow mean more better jobs for humans. Maybe better jobs for some, but not more of them. For a majority of human labor force, we're approaching the "horse vs. car" moment. On the flip side I could be completely wrong and we'll all work 15 hour work weeks and have SO much more time for riding bikes. I'd be on...

Yes I'm tootin' my horn here but the winning Rampage bike would fit right in here. That's a regular Altitude frame with a few low key mods that anyone can do.

First and above all else, my thoughts are with Adolf and his family. That was the most grotesque crash I have ever seen. Background: I competed on the Freeskiing World Tour from 2001-2009. In the span from ~03 to 2011, three individuals died competing including one person in Alaska at an event that I was at, waiting up top to drop on my run. That experience has had lasting repercussions on my life. There are still big mountain freeskiing contests and people are still risking it all at these events. I still watch them. Rampage Take: There is something fundamentally...

The Monday Morning Quarterback session has become as much a part of Red Bull Rampage as the event itself. It’s the collective catharsis we all need after something that feels less like a sports competition and more like modern-day gladiators in the desert. We’ll justify it, theorize ways to make it safer, and question the ethics, but the event will (probably) keep going. As long as the athletes want to ride, the fans want to watch, and Red Bull is willing to provide the infrastructure/distribution, it’ll continue. And deep down, we all know what’s likely to happen someday. Like @Buckets...

Holy shit the Goldstone's house just burned down. Bailey posted on IG. That's go to be an emotional rollercoaster of a week after Jackson just won the overall. She thankfully wrote that everyone is alright. It still fucking sucks though.

Maybe a bit of gossip, but as an example of how wide ranging the YT fallout is, I was watching Brian Cahal's recap of Rampage and when discussing the YT frame failure he mentioned that YT still owes him a travel invoice which probably comes from when he was invited to test the new decoy at their press camp.

It was the thickest sarcasm I could lay down

Not exactly an innovation per se; but Raaw has started offering the option to rent a toolbox full of all their adjustments included. You get it for two weeks so you can decide if any of those adjustments make sense before you buy. And, get a discount when you do decide to buy something afterwards. Pretty cool idea. https://raawmtb.com/en-us/collections/parts/products/raaw-factory-suppo…

Gt and now Haro. Feel like my childhood is under attack.