Report
filed by Alien Klatu (photographed with his Lizadee)Intergalactic Single Speed Championships 2002: Division in the Rebellion
Report
filed by Alien Klatu (photographed with his Lizadee)
Click here for IGSSC 2002 Slideshow Lone Star 1st Event
Click here for IGSSC 2002 Slideshow 2nd Event
2002 was a dark period in the intergalactic single speed saga. Division among the ranks actually led to two separate Intergalactic Single Speed Championships, and many different meeting places. As such, the mission suffered in 2002 from infighting and confusion among the pilots. Indeed, it was reported that even a few geared full suspension craft were present at the '02 IGSSC, certainly evil spies from the Death Star.
The initial '02 IGSSC, held sometime in late September had the potential to be something phenomenal. Indeed, when more than 30 pilots awoke bright and early to follow a rave style riddle to the Lone Star Mine on the flanks of Tennessee Mountain, the mission indeed had the makings of the greatest IGSSC ever. There were many veterans, including Meriweather, the Rollinsville Rednecks and a strong contingency from the Colorado Springs galaxy. Unfortunately, many a pilot was missing, including most of the Boulder Galaxy Jedis. This was an ominous omen.
Despite the lack of regular Jedi Knights, there were many fresh faces, and not all of whom would be called super honch pilots. Unfortunately, at early Galactic Senate commission hearing a number of pilots complained that the riddle was "too challenging," and hence would deter pilots, especially of the female nature, from flying in the mission. This turned out to not be true, as there were a number of princess types who met at the mine, and a few pilots who had just made the conversion to 1x1 and indeed were quite inexperienced, but very enthusiastic.
Undeterred, Meriweather led the crew into the Tennessee Galaxy, down the New Freeway Trail, where pilots encountered a group of space elk dancing through the woods. The vibe was the strongest indeed that the pilots had felt since the initial IGSSC during the infamous '99 snowstorm. After playing in singletrack for a few hours, the group decided to do the good thing and meet the main crew in Nederland and proceed on the mission.
In retrospect, this was the major error of the '02 IGSSC. The Lone Star crew would have been better served diverting their attack into the Rollinsville Galaxy, and let the later crew embark on their own mission. Indeed, the soul of the early mission was quickly eliminated and assimilated by a herd of 50 plus mountain bikers. They new group flew in an unorganized mission for a bit, did a little rally, and then headed back to the Nederland Galaxy. A number of pilots actually abandoned mission at this point, and decided to fly in the woods on their own trying to find some peace and salvation after this enormous throng of confusion.
Rumors of the rest of the event told tales of tortured galactic snakes, confused route finding and other impacts that fall short of the credo of Intergalactic Single Speed Space Federation. While the Intergalactic Federation agrees the IGSSC should be fun, most pilots also crave a bit of adventure and challenge. It should be a special event, memorable because of camaraderie and challenge, like singlespeeding itself. Yet in '02 it seemed to have become the McIGSSC, quick easy and appealing to the masses.
Many pilots had a sour taste after this initial mission, and decided to try and recapture the feel of the first ever IGSSC and schedule a ride for the first Saturday after the first snowfall of the year. Again a riddle meeting place, and about a dozen pilots, mostly from the Nederland Galaxy, attended. Nonetheless, while this event was memorable, it seemed a bit forced, made more so by foot deep snow that required a fair share of postholing. Yet more troubling was the division in the galactic ranks that led to the 2nd event in the first place.
As planning begins for the 2003 IGSSC it's important that the pilots do not forget the lessons taught in last years event. To successfully defend against the evil geared empire, we must be united in our fight. The IGSSC should have the following components: fun, camaraderie, adventure and challenge. It should be spontaneous and creative, not simply another Nederland bus ride. Only then will the pilots successfully defeat the evil empire of the Death Star geared quasar.