How many anti-rodeo threads...

[Chuck B.]

are we going to have to avoid between now and September? Are we going to have this agenda crammed down our throats all summer? Will the forum be inundated with such threads, to the exclusion of those threads which might be of more use to those riders who might come to the forum for help with training or other, more cycling-related, issues?

What about once CO starts? It's been less than a week since the kick-off party, and there are two threads started so far, both by the same person. I personally do not feel that the Cycle Oregon forum is the appropriate place for pushing a personal vendetta, whether the ride is linked to a rodeo or not. If a Cycle Oregon participant chooses to go to the rodeo on the layover day in Pendleton, fine. If he or she chooses not to, for whatever reason, that's fine too. I don't care one way or the other. On the other hand...

Cycle Oregon is my vacation, and I don't care to have it disrupted by a crusade of any sort. I ride Cycle Oregon in part to get away from the politics, etc. that we are deluged with in the media every day. Yes, we have the choice not to read any thread whose subject we disagree with. Yes, you have freedom of speech. So do I. As such, freedom of speech also gives me the right to ask you to take your crusade somewhere else. Please do so.

No one forced you to sign up for the ride this year, and no one is forcing you to go to the rodeo, nor to approve of it. Your view of the world is yours, and you are welcome to it. But please leave those of us who did choose to do both alone to enjoy our vacation.

[On Your Left]

Bravo! Personally, I'm looking much forward to the rodeo and the Happy Canyon show. Guess since I grew up on a working Kansas farm I'm partial to enjoying a good rodeo. Great choice by the CO founders to sync. our ride with the 100th Roundup. Yipee kiy-iy-ay, open the gate and don't let 'er shut!

[lynne]

I totally agree. This isn't the place to keep ranting. I didn't sign up for it. Thanks for posting Chuck.

[Force 5 Robert]

What about the Circus... and clowns... scary clowns....





Looking forward to the ride - and the rodeo. I have never been to one. In 2008 I missed the small local one in Halfway because I did the ride to Hells Canyon...

[DebMorey]

yeah. Predictably I hate circuses too... ( the clowns are just the tip of the iceberg there...

When cycle oregon links with a circus, I'll make threads about that then. Now it is about rodeo.

I am a reasonable person with strong feelings about cruelty in the name of fun, regardless of the species involved. I will not be inundating the forum with anti-rodeo threads. You will be able to avoid them easily.

But I guarantee... you will think a little bit when you see the calf or steer hit the ground after being jerked off their feet by the rope. You will think again when you watch the flank strap tightened down around the bull or the broncs belly. You won't be able to avoid the uncomfortable thoughts when you are watching the rodeo this summer. Mark my words.
And when that happens... I have helped change the world a little bit- for the better.

Debbie

[lochmond]

Hey, there are CLOWNS in RODEO!
Talk about a double whammy.

[Force 5 Robert]

Hey, there are CLOWNS in RODEO!
Talk about a double whammy.

Ohhhh Noooooooooooooooooeeeeessssss!!!!!!!!

[woodway]

Here is the Cycle Oregon Mission:

Mission
Cycle Oregon is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through bicycling.

Proceeds from the ride go to the Cycle Oregon Fund, which helps preserve and protect the special places of Oregon and supports community development projects in the regions through which we ride.

I don't see anything in the Mission about pontificating about Healthcare from the stage during the ride, or protesting rodeo in a city in which we will be guests. I signed up for Cycle Oregon to support the mission above and to enjoy an incredible week with my friends. I do not want to be associated in any way with somebody's "cause", no matter how valid they may think that cause is. Thanks for listening and considering.

[johnncarol]

Well said Woodway. Take your special causes to another place and leave me in peace.

johnncarol