atourgates

Has GG ever talked about what's keeping from using carbon seat stays on the Gnarvana? Is it just a case of "we haven't quite figured these out yet", or is there some performance benefit to aluminum? I know the full rear triangle is carbon on the Trail Pistol, so my assumption is that it's a durability issue.

The other missing perspective is: what are the rules of the race? What are riders told in the pre-race briefing? In the backcountry races I've ridden like the BCBR and Trans-Cascadia, we were told, "You're all our first response team." The rules were, if you come across another rider down, ask if they need help, and stop if they do (or obviously if they can't respond). At other shorter-track and more accessible races, I've been told to continue on to alert the first course marshal you see. So what were Megavalanche riders told? Stop immediately and help any downed riders? Keep riding and alert a course marshal/medical staff? Something else? In any case, this is a shitty take. Is it possible some of those riders saw Tracey, went past and thought, "that person needs help, but I want to winnn!!!!!!" Sure. Are there many other and better explanations for what happened in this case? Absolutely. In my experience with mountain bikers, pros and amateurs alike are more than willing to help out other riders when it's obvious they need help. The time I was part of a group helping an injured rider on the BCBR, we had to keep waiving other racers through with a, "No, we've got plenty of people helping, keep going." At last years Trans-Cascadia, I watched Geoff Kabush pack an injured rider's wheelset back UP Angel's Staircase so race staff could get the rider's bike back to civilization while the rider was evacuated on a helicopter. In my experience, that's how racers at all levels behave, when it's clear there's someone who needs help. I don't expect these racers were any different. Tracy's video is a good reminder to all of us to watch out for injured riders who might need help, even in chaotic situations. But it doesn't show a bunch of assholes. This is a weak take that unfairly applies the worst-possible motivations and context to a group of riders in a chaotic situation. Do better.