Industry Stupidity

Wasn’t sure if there was already a topic for this, but figured we could use one. Anybody go to the Chris King Industry Panel that was 9 cis het dudes?

I saw the photo on twitter with all the white guys and was going to post something (but I got distracted by work). Really, really typical, I’m afraid.

Not defending it but it’s a pretty accurate representation of their core customer base.

Was there something beyond the actual demographic of the panel that was problematic (or moreso than their baseline issues at King)?

We all know that the demographics are changing rapidly on the ground in cycling, but even a perfect world it’s going to take time for more women and minorities to ascend the industry ranks organically.

I’ve actively tried to recruit women in my shops over the years and the biggest hurdle I have found has been lack of interest. I’m sure in the larger markets this issue seems smaller.

Part of it seems to be that most of the women that would potentially qualify have too much common sense to be much more than a tourist in a dying industry.

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Its partially that it was hosted in Portland, where white men aren’t representative of the cycling industry. You’ve got at least 2 shops headed by women (Gladys & Golden Plyers), along with Molly Cameron (trans cx racer and shop owner), and a few folks who work at other places.

He acknowledged that he should’ve worked harder to get a wider swath of industry representation. Just seems like a huge oversight in 2018.

I wish the broader cycling industry better resembled the north west for a whole lot of reasons.

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I wish the cycling industry would make a concerted effort to move away from the whole cycling-as-competition (real or imagined) narrative. I have no desire to “conquer” anything or anyone, but I guess it’s hard to sell multi-bong road bikes to middle-age/class white guys without resorting to excessive dick-waving.

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This list shows 66 shops.

Does molly still have a brick and mortar?

Ooh, I found a thread in which to put this:

…is good. He’s being “sued” by Open Cycles, which is hilarious. Turns out, he’s just gotten a couple of lawyer letters.

I think it speaks to who the people are that run that company.

I worked for a company that he has “roasted”. I can say with near certainty no one there gives a shit what he says.

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…and they shouldn’t. He’s made a few reasonable points, but mostly he’s trying to be a comedian.

He’s a misogynist asshole.

Yup, I don’t think they should either.

I’ve never watched one of his videos before today. I think I made through 15 seconds before closing the tab and muttering, “fuck this guy.”

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What I think is funny is that he appeared on GCN (I think?) and was informative, knowledgeable, and respectful for the entire time I watched it. I don’t know if he’s trying to be a comedian, but he definitely leans into some sort of reddit edgelord persona that is really grating if you aren’t immersed in that “community”. I feel the same way about that Rich Rebuilds guy - he’s doing some cool stuff, but his catering to a reddit car guy audience is depressing.

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This. So, so much fuck that guy.

made it 5 seconds

Among other things.

this. I saw the GCN stuff he was on and was like ok cool. Then I went and watched maybe one of his videos and then decided to watch Look frame factory tours.

Made it until he explained that AG stood for “Are Gay” as an insult. Wow, insufferable

I guess I did pretty well at ignoring that stuff. Maybe try 2x.