How deliberate does a person need to be? The guy says he’s “begging” for something…and not just anything, a downloadable HRM for a kid!!
If he was begging on my behalf for a .50 cal sniper rifle, I would understand the outrage (even though a.50 cal sniper rifle is a legitimate need of mine) because it has nothing to do with triathlons. But why the anger over wanting to help a youngster out? He’s bringing a young kid into the sport.
The more you ask for, the more you get. I hope your young disciple gets what he needs, but I hope he doesn’t see what a bunch of dickheads some people on this forum are.
Hey Avenger–this really isn’t so much a response to your post, but something that is becoming a pet peeve, and I think runs down the forum.
Somebody says “Anybody want to donate a downloadable HRM for a kid?”
And instead of “No” in which case, you would just ignore the post, or “yes” in which case you send a downloadable HRM, or “Sorry, can’t help, but you’re doing a great thing coaching kids and I hope you get the downloadable HRM.”, we get “Whaddayaneed a HRM for? Why’s a kid need a HRM? Why does it have to be downloadable? I ran to school in the snow ten miles up hill both ways? When I was a kid we got our exercise ploughing fields and pumping our muscle?” And then the nastiness starts–and you guys look like little kids. (Not you Armored Avenger–I have seen your motorcycle–and you scare me!) Christ–it happens all the time. Its like drunks in a bar looking to pick a fight.
It seems that asking for a donation is a very good thing…But a HRM that can be downloaded!! Not cheap…If this youngster is serious about getting better have him go out and train and train some more…He’s broke. have him get a job!! We were all there at one time…I came from a family with no money and worked a job washing dishes to get money for entrance fees,shoes, and clothes…I feel for the kid and I am always willing to help kids that are less fortunate than others…How is he to learn the value of working to get the thing’s you want…Fredly you are doing a great thing for the kid and I dont you going away thinking that this post is a reminder of values in our world…but have him get it the old fashion way …
Get your pupil in contact with me, we can make a deal that in exchange for his eternal soul, I will make him have the ability to ride like Lance Armstrong.
here is an interesting story, in light of this truly bizarre thread:
my kid is a middle school age bike racer. we race around locally, and at the state level having fun. she xc skiis on the local trails, and can be seen in our small town riding her bike and whatnot ( uhhhhhh, a close-out steel frame bought at bro-buddy deal from a connection from the races with hand-me-down parts from under dad’s workbench . . . . no SRM or lexus to be found ).
anyway, recently the local high school xc running coach called us up and asked if the kid would like a swank polar HRM, really fancy, downloadable, programmable, probably has a altimeter and cell phone and wireless internet capability for all i know. as fredly noted, the guy had it in drawer and wasn’t using it. he saw a kid who is out there in the cold busting ass when most people are home watching stupid ass reality teevee and he had the thought and took the initiative to see if the kid might want to use it.
he did not offer parenting advice, nor did he go to the i-trained-by-digging-rocks-from-a-quarry-like-fred-flintstone-and-you-can-to card.
he just did something nice for a kid trying hard in a sport or three that is difficult to do, and even more difficult to break into and keep going at.
Let’s make one thing clear jhc, a “registration date” is not a perfect parallel to how long someone has been into the forum. Turns out, I have lurked for over a year; just didn’t post until recently. Either way, maybe I am a newbie and a troll and etc etc etc.
My point is this; did my harsh response benefit the overall discussion? No. Did Fredly’s response to initial alternatives? Not in the least. Regardless of whether people should have said “yes” or “no” to his request as Monk says (and Monk loses all credibility with his snarky remark about how to raise a child), they made thoughtful suggestions. How did he respond? Like a jerk to put it nicely. This forum may be the “Peaceful Tribe,” but I am not. Now, I’m not going to initiate a fight, but if someone steps up, I’m not going to back down and let them walk all over me. Someone begs for an expensive item, then flips out when he isn’t getting it. That angers me and I posted my opinion. So be it. But I’m just a newbie troll as everyone says, not posting 7.2 times a day like yourself. I defend my response and my threat still stands whether you like it or not.
BTW, I drive an '89 Honda Accord to my races and my bike doesn’t have a disc wheel? I am begging for myself, does anyone have a spare Porsche lying around and an extra Zipp disc? Much appreciated, it’s for a good cause…
Yes you did. A guy ask for a HRM and doesnt like the preachy responses and now you’re going to kick his ass? Nothing like anonymous internet tough guys to really define the word pathetic.