UtahBMX.com

Hello everyone,

I'm just brainstorming here. I have notice the ABA hired ISTV to do all of their coverage of the national races. (The SS- ISTV is sinking quickly, and the service really sucked in my opinion- but that's for a different topic!)

ANYWAY- Travis Healey covers a good portion of the main races at our local indoor races. He does a great job doing this, and he provides a great service to all of us who use this tool. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA IF.....

....we made it worth his time and effort to do all of the main events.

Here's a proposition.

I belong to an email list that provides a weekly updated calendar of activities around the city and locally. The email comes with the "recommendation of donating $1" to the person who provides this list.

I'm suggesting we do the same for Travis. He already volunteers countless hours covering our local races. You've seen Travis' work. It's great. Imagine if we each (no obligation of course) donated at least $1 to Travis each time he covers a race like he has.

I don't know if Travis would be up to this, but I'm asking all of you to have an opinion on this. I'd like the UTAH BMX family to hire Travis to tape and post all of the main events for this weekend for a $1 donation to the cause. Travis has already spent a great deal of money and time getting the equiptment and the education to provide this service. Let's recognize this and help him out! It's easier for me to race, come home and watch video than it is to get my races taped by my friends and family. They can be there and enjoy the races, and also go review the races on the websites!

....tell me what you think!

(I may be putting the cart before the horse here- I haven't even talked to Travis about this....)

Jason Stout

I'm not from Utah, but when we race I would be willing to donate a dollar to both Travis and Jason or Curtis (whoever may be taking the pictures) I also do not now Travis but from reading the forum understand he is going to begin college. This would be great in helping him achieve his goals. Utah as a group are very lucky to have people willing to go to this effort. I know many people in Gillette would enjoy looking at there races and pictures on a website after an event. Utah is hands down the best at covering the races and making ALL feel important and welcome at the track.

My only question is who records the races when Travis is in staging for his race? Who takes pictures when Jason or Curtis decide to race? You certainly don't want to end any racing fun for anyone.

I will continue to watch this forum to see what happens.

I originally posted to ask for donation for Curtis and Jason G. However, I thought would be spreading it thin. If this works for Travis, then let's move it through- onto Jason and Curtis...

We really do appreciate all you three to to cover the races. Come on, ya'll, let's all pitch in and help out....

JS

Keep the opinions coming....

I really think this idea is a step in the right direction. Being able to review tape of the races is very valuable, from a training perspective as well as entertainment.

And, the pictures that Gallo and Curtis provide have given me allot of material to play with on photoshop.

I like the way Vintage BMX has a way to donate, and has a donation drive every now and then. It sure would be nice to be able to show my appreciation in some way to the local people too.

Stout,

After reading your post, I have to ask the question;

Are main video's more "valuable" to you than pictures or other forms of coverage?

Just curious.....

The video's are great but I really enjoy the pictures.

From a mom prospective, videos don't go into a scrapbook very well.

Jason, Travis and Curtis keep up the great work. It is very much appreciated and I would be willing to make a donation as well.

See ya tonight,

Darla

I'd be willing to sell homemade bread to raise money to keep the pictures coming...how 'bout a goody sale!

Don't stop the pictures!

Hhmmm,
I wonder if I can get a taste of this? (as Tony Soprano would say).

How soon people forget when your out of the loop for awhile.



b.

I'm going to be frank with everyone. I honestly don't know what I should say. So hopefully in the moments that I write this, I'll figure that out.

First I want to say thanks to Jason Stout, I am glad you enjoy my website and videos enough to want to see more of it!!!

I started racing BMX when I was 6 years old. The last eleven and a half years have been some of the best of my life. I have been given a priceless opportunities that I will never forget.

I started my website when I was 14 (August of 2002). The reason why I do what I do is because I truly love BMX. Infact, I don't know what I would do without BMX. What you put into BMX is what you are going to get out of it. There is no limit to how far you can go. In other words, there is always room to pedal harder, jump higher, and corner faster. I am grateful that I can combine two things that I really like doing; BMX and computer (in general).

And as I pass onto (for myself) the next level in BMX within the coming year(s), I don't see an "End" to my participation BMX. Heck, in the far future, I will be in my parents shoes cheering on my own kids or even riding with them...

"And that's all I have to say about that."

I have a few thoughts, and I hope they come out right:

First off, to be completely honest, Stout, I was a little hurt not to see my name included in your post. I have put a TON of time over the last almost 3 years, so it was a mild shock not to be listed.

That being said, I won't accept any money from anyone.... period. At least as an outright cash donation. I started doing this site and providing coverage because I love our BMX family, and wanted to provide something I saw as a way to GIVE BACK to our community. That's not to say I couldn't use the financial help towards the $180 yearly hard costs of running this site. But I would rather attain help through sales of T-shirts, Calendars, etc.

To me, I'm just a very small part of a TREMENDOUS BMX volunteer community here in Utah. I hope you all appreciate how good we have it, because there is no place in the WORLD with the people, the dedication, the coverage, and the facilities we have here in Utah. I guess in a way, I have the "glamorous" job in all this. I might get the press, or the thanks, but I can't do what I do without the dedication of SOOOOOO many other people.

In my opinion, if we want to donate to people who provide a service, let's do it for the volunteers who give countless hours of their time to provide us the facilities to race. To name a few:

• Jason Melton
• Steve Spencer
• Ian Elliot
• Heather Allred
• Rob & Renee Anderson
• Tracy and Jaunita Giles
• Darla Dale
• Jaki Smith
• Caren Spencer
• Traci Snow
• The Boyd Family
• Cameron Applegate's Mom (sorry, I'm having a brain fade! Barbara Olsen?)
• and sooooooo many more people!

You know, I'm going to forget someone so I'm going to stop this list, because I don't want to offend someone that doesn't get listed. I think you get the point, every volunteer who has spent their free time in every facet of track operation to provide us the opportunity to race. They are the TRUE hero's of Utah BMX, and why we are the ENVY of other states.

I hope I haven't rambled too much. I love this sport, I love our community, and will continue to do as much as I can to help our family for as long as I am able. Which based on my work schedule lately, might not be much longer, but I'll find a way.

One last thought. Travis Healey. You are the man! Both on and off the track. I don't know how you do it all. Not only a FORCE on the track on the National circuit, but still finds time to create and maintain probably the BEST overall site in BMX, and hold clinics, and video races, etc. I wish I had your skills (both web and BMX! ). I probably haven't told you enough how much I for one appreciate all of your efforts over the years! You and your family have been involved in Utah BMX for so long, you are a cornerstone of our community. In fact, I still cherish the picture Pam took of me at Deseret Peak back in 2003. It was the inspiration for the coverage I've tried to provide over the years. To return the favor so to speak. I too have thought of ways to try and create some revenue for Travis, (also through product sales) and hopefully some of those may come to fruition in the future. I wanted to give him all proceeds from a joint Calendar venture, but I failed because I just couldn't find the time to put it together.

Anyway, I've rambled too much, and have taken away from your BMX training time long enough.

Thanks for all your support over the years. It's all the "I loved the picture you took of me/my son/my daughter/my race/etc" comments that make this all worth it!

Word.


b.