Posts
4956
Joined
6/26/2009
Location
Boise, ID
US
Edited Date/Time
1/14/2016 6:06pm
For those in the U.S. the $700,000,000 powerball jackpot is all over the news and people are scrambling to buy a ticket with big hopes. If I dropped into money like that I always figured I'd start a downhill race series reminiscent of IROC in auto racing. My plan would include a MASSIVE prize purse ($1mil payout or something) so sponsor obligations would not matter for the world's best riders.
10 races at 10 different venues on 10 different bikes
at each venue, riders are forced to ride identical bikes in terms of frame brand, suspension brand, drivetrain brand, brake brand and tire brand. so venue 1 would be val di sole and everyone would have to ride a v10 on fox suspension w/ shimano goods and maxxis tires. venue 2 would be a demo w/ rockshox/sram stuff and schwalbe. etc. riders could obviously tune and set up the bike as they saw fit and use any cockpit configurations they desired.
how sick would be to see gwin, greg, loic, sam and all the top 20 guys race identical bikes on the same course?? i know it's a pipe dream b/c of sponsorship, but "if i were a rich man", i'd try to make it happen.
edit: they may all have to ride flat pedals too : )
what would you do for MTB if you had $1,300,000,000?
edit - IT'S NOW $1.3 BILLION.
Would probably start my own downhill series with fair prize money, the ones in the World Cup now are a joke.
I would also buy Aaron Gwin's future contract out just because I can.
I'm not implying that the question is "what would you do with all of the money for MTB" No, I'm just making it clear that I would definitely put that money to a whole lot of different stuff.
$350,000,000 medical research, environmental causes, animal preservation and education would be where the main charitable contributions I give would go.
Let's be real, I'd keep 30 million for me and my close friends and family so they never have to worry. 2 million would go strictly go towards investments so that I can continue donating to my choice of charities.
$200,000,000 will be for undecided stuff.
As for MTB, I think the idea of putting bikes into a lot of peoples hands would be beneficial. Sure you'll have those who won't ride it as much or take care of their bikes or maybe they'll just sell it for $$. However, I believe that most would benefit from having a free bike. It would encourage them to ride more. Commute on bike more than just driving all the time. The more people riding the more it will influence the government to make commuting more practical and safe.
If more people had bikes (especially mid level bikes not some cheapo one) they'd feel inclined to spend money. This is where Local Bike shops, online retailers, and component manufacturers would benefit.
Then those companies can sponsor more events, help maintain and build newer and better trails.
So, putting a nice bike into peoples hands will start a ripple effect that would then help our community grow. For the poor they would get commuter/city bikes. For the middle class they would get a choice of Road or MTB. For the wealthy they don't get anything.
And no, i'm not talking about giving every single person in america a new bike. Just what ever $118,000,000...which is a fucking lot.
Founding and building a bike park like Highland (MTB dedicated) would also be amazing and fill my time since normal work/jobs would not be an option. The park would have a brewery, since my friends and I brew beer, and biking and beer go hand in hand (not during of course). The park would offer riding year round and possibly at night with lit trails (endless money, endless possibilities).
Other than that, charity work via MTB related events. Always nice to give back.
2: Hire bike park managers that have a F@#$%ing clue at every mountain on the west coast. They can't seem to manage that on their own.
3: Fest series park in every town.
4: Hookers and blow for best whip.
Keep my investments separate from my leisure.
As for me, I will be traveling the world riding different trails for at least a year.
I would fully fund an endowment that would cover expenses to build asphalt pumptracks, dirt jumps, or freeride parks in any municipality that would agree by contract to provide the resources for long term upkeep and maintenance.
I would also start a fund that would provide financial assistance to any entity or person that is sued because of injuries from cycling activities provided the person/institution carried a minimum insurance requirement. This would offer more piece of mind to the municipality or property owner.
I would put a focus on marketing materials and ease of information so that any average 17yr old kid would have all the info and resources needed to make a legitimate proposal to his/her city/town/county/church/community, etc.
I'd build lots of trails all over the country. Easy ones, hard ones, pump tracks, natural, bike parks. This would be the bulk of the spending. IMO trails are a big gateway to getting people riding.
I'd sponsor local team and shredders with new bikes and parts. And pop for a trip a year to great riding spots.
I like the idea of owning a big plot of my own land somewhere remote. Big hill with a lift, lots of trail bike miles, good food and drink, cabins for people to stay, make it free for people to stay and ride.
"I'm not implying that the question is "what would you do with all of the money for MTB" No, I'm just making it clear that I would definitely put that money to a whole lot of different stuff."
I take it you only read the first sentence. No worries it was a long ass post to read.
...Then other big cities see how much fun we're all having, how good our air quality has gotten, and how healthy the population has become, and it spreads... Eventually, the entire global population will get around using only pumptracks and hyperloops.
Preach.
Call CPA, attorney, advisor, parents. Give them and only them the new number. Go to exotic island.
Let it .......Soak Innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
1. Buy a set of 27.5" wheels for my downhill bike and have 2 wheel sets
2. Purchase the land Carlmont is on
3. Build a residence on the land
4. Install chairlift & lights on 1 or 2 runs
5. Build more trails & pay my friends to help cut them in
6. Fence it off to keep stoners out and still allow everyone with a bike to ride there
7. Build a "Stoner Grotto" outside the fence with a view (the stoners can still have that part of the hill, I don't see any sustainable trails/features going in over there)
I'd buy a life long member pass at Retallack (do they even offer that, everyone has their price).
Sports Mobile... Four of them.... One for each season.
Buy a few houses, profit.
Charity. Sike.
Post a reply to: What Would You Do for MTB if You Won the $1,300,000,000 Powerball Jackpot?