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January 6th, 2011, Thursday, is THE day.  Yes, it's that time of the year again when I take a step back, wonder why I devote massive time and energy to creating silly, pointless, stupid, sometimes funny blog posts that have managed to largely alienate me from the cycling community.  I am a pariah, a pilgrim wandering in a strange land of annoyed cyclists, one against the wind.....  Well, actually I do this because it is my way of documenting my cycling experiences that I can read some day and prove to my eventual grand kids I was a fairly average endurance athlete.  That is the main reason for this but I do get a kick of poking fun and watching the backlash. I think I am something of a caldron stirrer and the body of evidence is too large to deny it.  Anyway, here's the deal, if 15 of you post (doesn't matter if anonymously or not) that you want me to continue this dumb blog, then I will.  You can take whatever shots you want while endorsing the idea of blog continuation, the net result must obviously be a vote for the blog.  You have until midnight of the 6th to vote and if I fail to get the meager 15 yeahs, then the blog goes dark FOREVER
Update #1: Oh No, we are 53 minutes into the new day and not a single, "Yes please keep the blog going" message.  Does not look good. I'm going to bed and will be interested to see if things change in the morning.  Looks like a sleepless night of tossing and turning.
Update #2: 8:30am, 37 visitors to the site but only 2 votes to keep going.  Hey, I'm not kidding here....
Update #3: 1:30pm, 80 unique visitors and only 5 positive comments.  Looks like I am being relieved of my duties.  I will be true to my word and the blog will die as this vote of no-confidence continues.  Too bad too, I have details of an off-trail hike to post.
Update #4: 5:15pm Gosh, I picked a bad day for the "Keep the Blog Alive Challenge". Traffic is slow with only 114 unique visitors but especially humiliating is out of 114 only 8 freakin yes votes!  Well, the worker visit crowd was low but maybe the responsible people who visit the blog in the evening rather than wasting time at work will flood the site with votes tonight.  Probably good for me to start planning what I am going to do with all the free time...maybe start riding more.

Update #5: 8:50pm, 156 unique hits and 202 total hits so some are coming back to check out the results.  Unfortunately, only 10 somewhat positive comments and I'm running out of time. A 6% conversion on positive comments to unique visits is very, very bad.  I pulled Ben Hogan's book, "Five Lessons, the Modern Fundamentals of Golf" from the shelf to start re-reading about golf swing instruction.  Guess that's what I'll be doing this year with the free time.

Update #6. 11:00PM WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE THINKING? HUH? I'M SERIOUS, WITHOUT A MODICUM SHOW OF SUPPORT I AIN'T KEEPIN THIS THING GOING. 303 HITS TODAY AND 270 UNIQUE VISITS AND ONLY 11 FREAKIN POSITIVE COMMENTS TO KEEP THE BLOG ALIVE? COME ON, I NEED 4 MORE IN THE NEXT 52 MINUTES AND I AM NOT GOING TO POST MY OWN COMMENTS. Wake up, one of the most insignificant sources of information on the internet is going to go dark without your support.

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Update #7: 11:40pm 20 minutes to go and not looking good.  I was overcome with a panic attack a moment ago but I will be true to my word. My chestnuts could be pulled from the fire yet but I am preparing my farewell speech now in anticipation of this humbling defeat of the cycling blog.

 


Comments

Non Cyclist
01/05/2011 19:12

First! If you don't continue, how will I know what's going on with the local cycling community?

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Jeremy
01/06/2011 02:19

The blog must go on! Without it we would have to wait for the rides to poke fun at you

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Da Boss
01/06/2011 03:28

Mark,

WTF, you got nothing better to do... Right??? :-)

If you do keep it, have a contest to suggest changes to the blog, like a ride map repository, a different color background, guest columns, ......

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undercover supporter
01/06/2011 06:46

I secretly check out your blog and really like it. I would never admit to it in public though. So I hope you will continue to keep posting. If you don't keep it going I'll have to turn to some other vice that may be even worse (if that is possible).

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Bikeporn
01/06/2011 08:47

Reading about you makes us all feel better about ourselves. Keep it going

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Ryan
01/06/2011 10:50

The blog works well for ride announcements. Much better than getting a slew of emails. The commentary and poking of fun is just icing on the cake.

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Dave
01/06/2011 13:12

On the one hand if the blog weren't here I'd feel alot better about myself by not knowing how relatively slothfull and out of shape I am.

On the other hand I just can't get enough of those pictures of you holding another mans bike seat.

It's a wash. Might as well vote yea, it don't cost noth'n.

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#8 of 15
01/06/2011 14:08

Keep it going Mark! Lots of us enjoy your entertaining posts.

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Ox
01/06/2011 15:18

Here's my top 3 list

-What will your mom have to read if you stop?

-No one listens to you anywhere else!

- I'm not convinced we've wasted enough time on this!

Keep it going buddy!!!

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dictionary.com
01/06/2011 17:23

We vote yes! Our usage has gone up 400% since the blog started.

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OZ
01/06/2011 20:06

Oh my heavens. Keep the thing going you simpleton. What else will I do every morning between 9:00am-9:05am?

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Pro Mark W mama
01/06/2011 20:52

Mark you'd better keep this going or I will have nothing to compare ride reports with!! Plus who's gonna take pictures of me making fun of Cindy? LOL. Seriously you do a great job. Keep it up. Number 12 and a whole 9 minutes to spare!

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Former Roll: chick
01/06/2011 20:54

I know my fellow cycling women friends would like to see this continue!

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Flyin Tuna
01/06/2011 20:56

We would not be the fun, beer and pancake loving group without this blog. Keep it going!

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Last call
01/06/2011 20:58

Your blog has changed my life. Forever.

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findcounseling.com
01/06/2011 21:21

Our therapists were bombarded this evening with your readers wanting advise. Of course our trained professionals told them not to vote so that they may have a chance to heal their devastated self images. (However, we the management are really pulling for you.)

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