The time has come... Neduro DID Dakar!

Fixed for accuracy.

I agree wholeheartedly.


Desk-bound and powerless to go open up a can of whoop-ass, I typed up a quick nastygram:

They have a FB page.

This was the reply I just got back from Paul:

Seems like he still doesn't get it...eh?

I went straight to the culprits, but if you want to make it public, by all means...

The conversation continues:

Whoopsee, I know it wasn't your intention, but you're making it public now, here...by posting the details.

+1 on that point.

Very weird.
I went to the FB page. I don't think it was a swipe at Ned or the Dakar, just lax editing.

Late to the party but congratulations Ned. What an accomplishment.

Yeah I agree he doesn't get it. Particularly when he asked if you were a friend! And why would he 'get it'? He's from the world where your last lap time is who you are.

Basically, I think he was unimpressed. No doubt he needs a couple season's of fire hose time...

On the other hand, he's trying to save his publication. He's generally a good scribe. We should probably cut him some slack.

If Cycle News had a thread here instead of their own site/forum they would get lots more hits.

Why not start one on their behalf?


... save the 'Off Topic' banter going on here in Neds Thread

I think I know what the problem is here.

Does Ned have big sponsors like some of the top competitors or even some of the other Americans? NO!
Is he famous? NO!
Will the story on Ned draw in revenue for the magazine? Probably not!

What they fail to see is the what it took to make this happen, the people who supported and help him get there, the level headedness to finish and persevere. Ned kept it all very simple to make a dream come true, simple fundraising effort, simple bike and to simply finish.

I think this makes him the fastest American for 2012 Dakar, and I feel proud to know him because he made his dream come true.

In the end, I love reading CN, and was proud to be mentioned.

Besides, Ted and Robb would be quick to point out that I was in last place...

Ned,

Since you now apparently have the time/inclination to sit around and follow this thread, let me add my thanks and praise for taking us along on your incredible journey. Owning/watching your videos and being from your local area (I lived in the Springs before moving to Boulder), it made it much more interesting and intense following the Dakar this year to have you in it and the call ins and other info you provided made it even more real.

I'll never ride as well as you or participate in an event a significant as the Dakar except vicariously, but I did notice one commonality in your last call-in. I have had the opportunity to ride down a closed interstate with with a police escort at WELL over the posted speed limit (on I-70 as MC support for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge) and it was great. I can only imagine how much more awesome that must have been for you at the end of your race.

Also, tell Tim to update his resume (Your Host page) on his website. Supporting you is way more impressive than all the other stuff he has listed there.

Thanks again.

Greg! Maybe this will be the year for WDGAH -- glad to see it's still running! Maybe Ned will come out and join us.

I don't think Ned could get his give:get ratio back to one if he tried.


Was that CN article originally available on that link? If it was, they took it down (or changed the link).

The whole Dakar media thing is an interesting beast. As Ned points out, "any mention is a good mention", at least in the US. I think our perception is skewed due to the passion and depth that we encounter here. But the numbers have to be relatively tiny compared to the "mainstream" motorsports genres.

Even here at ADV, there's been a noticeable fade of "causal observers" when Jonah's gone out of contention during the race this year and in years past. Hope Quinn can pick up the mantle. We need a hook for the casual fans, then need them to be exposed to the deeper facets of the sport.

Or we need Ned to ride again.

It's all good.... after a life of competition and John Q publics raised eyebrow for being a bit different. I always said "It doesn't matter what they're saying about ya... as long as they're talk'n about ya, ya know your doin' something right. Your hav'n lotsa fun and it ain't ordinary."

You could just interpret the Cycle News lead sentence to read...
"There may have been a few American riders more favored to win the Dakar Rally this year than Ned Suesse, but he holds the distinction of being the only one who finished."

That's how I see it it's all good.

Don't let this thread end leaving a bad taste in our mouths. So the CN writer struggles with composition. There are what, 3,000 supportive posts in this thread? Focus on that.

Hey Ned, I shared your great news with your old buddy Walt Wehner. I know him passingly in the pedal bike circles here in Boulder. That guy is a great welder. Perhaps he could fab ups some fantastico for you? He was super stoked to hear you had conquered Dakar. If that news should reignite your old friendship, consider it my contribution to your efforts.

My "boulder papers" restrict my access to the Springs, so I won't be joining the homecoming. They turn me back at the city limits.

-Doug