Video: Outside CEO Robin Thurston Attempts Whistler Bike Park

 can one of you tell the other to stop with the mid-video advertisements?

 I am so annoyed I didn’t ask them to put “be safe be well” into the script.

 @SATN-XC: no, that's how they generate fake views so then can tell companies how many views they will expect on videos and charge more for advertising. They should just outright make the numbers up like x.com its more efficient.

 NotNotNotOutside CEO agrees.

 either their server or my connection can't keep up with the ad either - video streamed completely smoothly, unskippable ad did 2 seconds of content followed by 10 of buffering

 Did they mention that 2/3 of the park is closed? Because Whistler booking conveniently forgot to tell me that.

Dirt Merchant requires a 15 minute cycle back to the base or having a special shuttle (reserved for the bike school only) to take you back up.

 @oscartheballer: They've only mentioned it since this past April or so...

 @wolftwenty1: Phone conversation with Whistler .....
Me: "Hey, is everything going to be open."
Whistler Rep: "Oh yes, all the lifts will be open, it will be fine."
Me:"Great, I've seen a lot of stuff on the internet."
Whistler rep : "No, everything will be open. Don't worry"

 @oscartheballer: Sorry to hear...Creekside is still sick.

 @wolftwenty1: creekside is the bomb. New favourite over dusty, bumpy Fitz zone!

 @oscartheballer: if you called WB’s guest services line you were talking to a call centre in Colorado. Vail has really made a push of outsourcing previously local jobs and ensuring the spread of inaccurate information!

 Very true, but not something that is out of the ordinary in this world we’re helping to create by still watching all this crap…not that i watched the video.

 Yes, but...to be fair, it isn't as bad as I feared ...yet

 Another unpopular opinion: I’m not seeing “significantly and comprehensively worse.” I’ve been reading Pinkbike for a pretty long time. Seems pretty much business as usual.

I’m open to someone showing me how it’s gotten worse. What’s going on now that wasn’t going on before? What was great 5-10 years ago that they are no longer doing because of Outside? And don’t misunderstand me — I’m no fan of Outside, but other than trying to promote the ill-fated Beta and occasional Outside content, they haven’t really affected this site much. All that said, I might be the crazy one here — just tell me what I’m missing.

 @TheR: Have you not noticed the new proliferation of "family friendly" articles better suited to somewhere like GMBN or MBUK?

The entire site is (IMO) noticeably more sterile and less fun.

 @TheR: Good point. People are so cynical and bitter on Pinkbike it's beyond comprehension. I don't get it. MTB is a fun and kick ass hobby, why this constant whining. Not getting it. Prime example: One hell of a Worldcup season, and rather than appreciating that, people are pissed of because of one or the other commentator being shit. Given all the real shit that's going on in the world nowadays, if that's bothering you, I guess you should rather count yourself lucky.

By the way, I'm only here for the comments...

 @gabriel-mission9: What kind of not family friendly, edgy NSFW articles would you say they used to run? Cause I don't remember any.

 I'm not sure pinkbike got worse, I see a lot more videos (which I don't almost ever watch, I'm an article reader), but I think that was trending that direction pre-outside due to revenue models. There may even be the same number of articles and they're just drowned out a little more by the number of videos.

As far as Outside goes, I had a subscription for Beta, and had kept it even though Beta got canned to retain Gaia, etc., but I recently cancelled it due to them publishing an article describing the "most affordable mountain town in the west", written by someone who lives in North Carolina. This parasitic pattern of outdoor websites that preach environmental/social responsibility doing their best to accelerate gentrification of mountain towns and displace historic communities needs to be called out and needs to stop. I'm not gatekeeping or opposed to people actually moving places, but those kinds of articles encourage real estate speculation, AirBNBs, etc., that remove properties from the housing market that could be residences and drives up prices.

 @gabriel-mission9: Can you give me an example of what you mean by family friendly articles? I’m not trying to challenge you — I’m trying to understand. I can’t really say that I noticed it, but if you can show me examples, I’m open to hear what you’re saying.

 I’ve been around with various use names since 2014… it’s always been serving the advertisers. That’s what keeps this place running.

What I would love to see is a dual crown fork shootout including lower service and complete tear down to the itty bitty damper parts with a partner like Steve at Vorsprung utilizing his dyno to show why a specific version feels the way it does. That would be some old school pinkbike with a modern twist.

 Man the folks, OG and recent, at PB have and continue to put out a lot awesome content. After a certain point y’all are just insulting the hard working staff. To quote Micayla Gatto quoting Kendrick Lamar ‘sit down lil, be humble.’

I for one appreciate PB’s work. Keep on keepin on.

 I feel there is just more content. Same articles I used to like, plus now added stuff like the race analysis and then the articles you mentioned. I bit less niche and a bit more for everyone.

 I've been a pinkbike member since 2000. I was on NSMB and HCOR around then as well. Pinkbike has changed - but only in a way and capacity to support the change of the sport itself. It's a lot different in 2023 than it was in 2000 but the bikes are awesome and trail systems are more ubiquitous than ever. I used to complain about the 3ft wide paved trails that started becoming commonplace in the 2010s everywhere but then I found salvation in dirtbike singletrack trails for the spice that the modern MTB trails are missing. Now I enjoy the flow trails on the pedal rig and especially enjoy seeing everyone out enjoying such an awesome and liberating sport. Ride on!

 @TheR: Two things I can think off of the top of my head are no more "top 10 comments" article at the end of the year and no fantasy DH this year.

But yeah hasn't changed as much as I feared.

 Whenever I go check other similar MTB websites, the content is so interspersed with ad content to make the articles almost difficult to follow at times. I don't find much to complain about on pinkbike. Ad revenue to pay the bills is just the internet these days. There is no getting away from it. PB does a decent job of navigating it compared to everyone else, and does a lot of way cooler stuff that other MTB sites (PB racing).

 I’d say the main change is the buy/sell; but that’s not the new management taking content “outside” PB to other locations.

 @TheR: I hear ya, I don't think much has changed. PB was in a period pre-outside where it needed to revamp or elevate its coverage/stories/etc....and I was excited for this infusion of investment. The guys even said on a podcast about they are gonna be doing more features, they talked about test labs they might get, more technical testing of products (think, brake pad tests on a dyno, smashing helmets on an anvil, suspension dynos......) and I am not so sure any of that is happening. So no, not worse, but, not better.

 @TheR: The polls on "which way do you run your shifter?". The beginner articles on "basic tips to set up your forks" or "what seat angle is right for you?". The sudden increase in advertorials and sponsered content. It's not ubiquitous (yet) and it's hard to give absolutely specific examples of why the whole site feels closer to GMBN and further from Dirt rag by the day. It just feels that way to me. The slow creep of slight sterility. The gentle and subtle reduction in punk attitude. It just feels like their aim is moving away from the mtb lifers and towards the average joe who might drive to their local bike park once or twice a year when they have nothing better to do. I'm not even saying I don't get why they might do this or that there is no place for that sort of content. I just feel like GMBN and MBUK have got that covered. Pinkbike moving to take some of that pie is, to me, detrimental to their position as the place to go for serious content.

 @gabriel-mission9, we haven't removed any content, we've just added more. The goal is to make Pinkbike a place for a wide range of riders, from the hardcore to the dabbler.

For the record, we've been running polls for the last nine years, and instructional tech articles began thirteen years ago.

 @gabriel-mission9: I respect that. In my head, the polls are hit or miss — but it’s bubblegum content to start the weekends. I thought the tech thing about setting up suspension was informative and useful, and I’ve been riding for close to 25 years (but suspension has developed and continues to develop a ton).

The way I see it, the one-off articles I don’t like aren’t really because of some wholesale change in content strategy. I just don’t relate to a particular article; it’s not because they lost their way. One of the main differences between now and 10 years ago is that they’re producing a ton of original content. It used to be you’d come here and there would be 5 articles a day, and three of the 5 were promotional content and videos from sponsors, manufacturers and sponsored riders repping for their brand. Now it’s a lot of actual Pinkbike content. Not everything is going to be a home run, but I appreciate the approach. A lot of good stuff has come out of it — field tests, the race team, the Podcast, Pinkbike Academy (Yeah, last season was a little goofy, but it’s innovative, pioneering content for a mountain bike website.)

Things change. The sport changes, the bikes change. It would be a bad thing for a website to stagnate. And yet, somehow, it doesn’t feel like the heart of Pinkbike has changed much. It still seems fundamentally the same. To me, anyway. It shouldn’t be the same as Dirt Rag, nor should it be GMBN. Those already exist. What’s the point? Pinkbike is Pinkbike. I think they’ve carved out a pretty good place for themselves.

 @mikekazimer: sure, but what about the time Outside cancelled Drop-In?

 @TheR: Mike Levy.

 @suspended-flesh: Heh. Yeah. Whatever’s going on with Levy is best left alone at this point until people know the facts. Until then, I’ve got nothing to say about it, because I don’t know anything.

 @locaroka: Indeed, but I would say it's actually a bit more niche. A lot more analysis on timings etc etc. This might well have come about with or without Outside. Anyhow, if someone is that displeased with the site, why keep on visiting and posting? It's like my gran just nagging on and on and on about her bad knee whilst she's running circles. If you want to see what a corporate takeover does in MTB, just have a look at the EWS series. Pinkbike certainly hasn't gone that way.

 @TheR: no thanks I prefer wild, unfounded speculation

 Agreed. This pack of Francises need to lighten up

 @TwoNGlenn: At some point, everyone became so cynical here. I don’t get it. We just don’t like anything. Not just this, but any given post.

I blame it on WAKI leaving.

 @TheR: yeah, he did focus people's negative energy like a lightning rod.

 So the PR people got you to believe that by making him appear a certain way in an ad (that's all this really is). Neat.

 @noapathy: Yeah, mission accomplished, I guess.

 @BenPea: Oh, I saw it coming before I even clicked on the article/video and read any comments. My first thought was, “Oh, this dude’s a glutton for punishment. He’s asking for it.” It’s an OK enough video. Not the greatest. I just don’t think it’s that bad.

 @TheR: Who dares to summon me?!

 "Jumps almost as big as Outside+'s user base." That one make me chuckle.

 @Waki-resurrectal: You messin’ with me? I can see the real Waki creating an account because he was summoned.

 @Waki-resurrectal: About time!

 @TheR: just saying hi

PB is very correct these days. Tailored for middle aged spenders. They succeeded at making this a product release friendly site.

I almost never scroll to comments anymore.

All the best

 @suspended-flesh: Due to Ukraine War I got completely sucked into twitter. Never ending supply of Double Crown Addicts and their ideological counterparts.

I’m just sitting here hoping industry would come up with another stupid… sorry - middle aged base standard, so that I can afford a new (used) bike.

Proposals:
1. New shock eyelet size
2. 32” wheels
3. No mechanical shifting above Deore/ NX.

 @Waki-resurrectal: Always a pleasure, old chap! Beware of X - I work by that Musky HQ and occasionally hit the food court for a slice of mushroom pizza and a pint of Modelo. The aura is bad - the people are sad. Age 42 is a great place to be, however - hope your family is well. \m/ resur-rectal

 @DoubleCrownAddict: You malignant barnacle, you.

 @DoubleCrownAddict: You can find me on twitter under same username. Find out what I like.

 @Waki-resurrectal: Waki and DCA. Two sides of the same toxic coin. May you live forever together in eternal battle!

 @suspended-flesh: leave the barnacles alone man, they don't deserve this.

 @DoubleCrownAddict:

I would never read anything you put your manic misplaced hubris into.

You can't win.

 @suspended-flesh: Do you ever actually use your brain before you post shit that makes it obvious that you are daf?? You read all my posts and probably think about me every night for the last 3 years based upon your obsessive behavior.

 @DoubleCrownAddict: You really are coming off worst in all this. I read your most recent blog in a moment of lunchbreak boredom. Well written, (in that you clearly have a respectable grasp of English) but your copy/pasta'd Waki comment (the one fuelled by vodka and polish fields) actually pretty much hit the nail on the head. He's got you worked out. You might want to re-read his comment and do some self reflection.

 @gabiusmaximus: Waki says horrific things about Asians and other races, says horrific things about people who care about the planet which provides for our existence, and tells people they should commit suicide among many other horrible things he had said on Pinkbike but I look worse because I called out all his awful racism and bigotry. You wanna talk about cherry picking??

 @DoubleCrownAddict: One would assume that the gruesome events of the last 1.5 year, birdering with horrors of World War 2 and 1 combined would adjust vocabulary of your kind like the use of word horrific.

The only places giving justice to your gaslighting are Twitter or 4chan.

 It's for Outside's CEO.

 Overpaid, hated CEOs are people just like you!

 I had a good laugh and enjoyed seeing Matt Beer rip. Not every video has to be serious. This video is just lighthearted fun - we need more of it!

 It's for Levy to watch from the spider hole outside is keeping him in LoL.

 if "you" get first i will give you a high five mark my word

 Nah- there is OBVIOUSLY only one person at PB qualified to do gravel... by the way, what happened to him ... oh never mind!

 @brianpark will you 3d print your gravel bike frame?

 @el-brendo: yes, I need more excuses for my sluggish pace.

 @brianpark: time for steroids

 He really does. The oppo whips are so confusing to see in person.

 Nobody after 40 has reflexes of an athletic youngster like Matt Beer, not even Fabien Barel, not even Peaty.

 I'd bet money it's his "outdoor" rig and dailies a Tesla.

 I'm going to say that X-Terra is Matt's

 Rental car or borrowed from a staffer. This dude is an absolute range rover guy

 Dude, clean xterras have a cult following and will surprise you with what people ask (and get) for them!

 Nah, I originally wanted to do this for April Fools but we couldn't line it up until he was here at Crankworx.

 I envision him as more of a Rivian guy. Because losing 33K per vehicle sold is a metric outside can aspire to.

 @ACree: not sure if that’s better than a Land Rover owner losing 30% in vehicle value when it is driven off the lot and Land Rover eating that much in annual warranty costs!

 @bogey: Doesn't every (new) car loose at least that much off the lot? (Maintenace/warranty costs aside)

 @pmhobson: never that I’ve seen. Traditionally it’s been10% off the lot, 20% in the 1st year. Less now in Covid times.

 @bogey: Gotcha. I've never bought a car that was less than 15 years old.

 @ACree: half what it was the quarter before. Supposedly profitable by Q4 of 2024. Not bad considering how few they sell so far. Same thing that other American electric car company went through…

 no it wouldn't

 Except the Yeah Right thing was cool?

 @BiNARYBiKE: wow

 I’m gutted at your lack of faith.

 Don't worry,,,, i got the fugazi reference.

 Merchandising! Merchandising! Where the real money is made....

 Levy already explained he's taking a break, give it a rest.

 @DoubleCrownAddict: I've searched a few times and didn't see anything.

 Ehhhhhhhh!