Pinkbike.com
Powered by Outside
packfill
- Member since Aug 6, 2008
- Male / 52
-
Boulder , Colorado - 3 Followers
- 0 Trailforks Points
Recent
packfill TEBP's article
Sep 15, 2026 at 9:29
2 days
Final Randoms - Bespoked Show Dresden 2026
Do the adjustable cranks take what's cool into consideration?
packfill seb-stott's article
Sep 9, 2026 at 8:12
Sep 9, 2026
First Look: Yeti ASR Lunch Ride
It's like one of those pictures that you used to see at the mall. if you stare at it long enough, a bike will appear.
packfill Dario-DiGiulio's article
Aug 25, 2026 at 7:11
Aug 25, 2026
Randoms Round 3: Made Bike Show 2026
i must have scrolled through the article three times, thinking that i missed it.
packfill mikekazimer's article
Aug 20, 2026 at 9:02
Aug 20, 2026
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Pinkbike Editors' Favorite Mountain Bike Helmets
Will you please get an editor with a large egg-shaped head? Thanks in advance
packfill sarahmoore's article
Aug 18, 2026 at 12:41
Aug 18, 2026
Mathieu van der Poel Confirmed to Race Les Gets World Cup XC This Weekend
i hope he wears two helmets. he can't be too careful.
packfill edspratt's article
Jul 31, 2026 at 12:32
Jul 31, 2026
Samara Maxwell Announces Her Return to XC Racing
I wish my legs looked like that
packfill edspratt's article
Jul 21, 2026 at 12:12
Jul 21, 2026
Results: 2026 USA XC National Championships
@pmhobson:
1. Mountain biking was originally governed by the National Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA), which had its own culture and leadership. After NORBA became part of USA Cycling, mountain biking became just another discipline inside an organization historically focused on road cycling. Critics argue that the sport lost advocates dedicated solely to off-road racing.
2. USA Cycling's mission increasingly emphasized international success and Olympic medals. Since cross-country (XCO) is the Olympic discipline, resources tended to flow toward elite development, national teams, and Olympic qualification.
The funny thing is that i saw this from the inside and they didn't offer much of any support to the riders who were forced for fly around the world to gain points toward making the Olympic teams. Their entire Olympic emphasis was a joke.
3. USA Cycling attempted to enforce a UCI rule limiting participation in unsanctioned events. This threatened races like Epic Rides and other popular independent events.
Promoters and sponsors pushed back, arguing these independent races were healthier than the official series. USA Cycling ultimately delayed and softened enforcement after widespread criticism.
4. USA Cycling never replaced NORBA with an equally compelling national championship series.
5. Putting on sanctioned races became increasingly expensive due to insurance, officials, permitting, and logistics. At the same time, municipalities became less willing to subsidize events.
Many promoters concluded that independent races—or leaving racing entirely—made more financial sense.
In addition having to buy a license to race in a mountain bike race once a year is a joke and pushed people away from the sport. See the Iceman Cometh in Michigan.
packfill edspratt's article
Jul 20, 2026 at 13:31
Jul 20, 2026
Results: 2026 USA XC National Championships
I remember the before times, when the national championship fields were huge. That's before the USAC ruined everything. Did anyone even know where and when they were before they saw results?
2,825 views



