Ask Ping!
Friday, May 13, 2011 | 12:30 PM
ODI dates back to the 1980’s as the leader in grip manufacturing. Focusing primarily on the bmx and mountain bike industries through the 90’s and early 2000’s, ODI re-entered the motocross scene when they developed the patented lock-on grip system that eliminates wire and glue. Continuing to advance the way riders hold on to their bikes, ODI has worked closely with the teams they support such as Troy Lee Designs to create the product that is now being used by some of the top teams in the industry.
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Ping,
Can you tell me why James Stewart had Steve Erkel stand in for him for the podium interviews at Vegas? "Sorry K-Dub... Did I do that???"
You know, I thought the exact same thing when I saw him throw on those glasses. I couldn’t tell if he looked more like Steve Erkel or a black version of Buddy Holly, but it smelled of an Oakley marketing ploy. What self-respecting rider would put glasses on for a podium interview? Does Erin spit when she talks? Were they prescription? The only thing I know for sure is that somewhere, in some trigonometry think tank in a well-lit study hall, a nerd is missing his glasses.
PING
Hello Ping,
As a teacher of all things moto-related (evidenced by your successful 'Motocross 101' series), I had to ask you about something I've noticed lately. While watching, among others this season, when Chad Reed and James Stewart pick their bikes off the ground I noticed how they grabbed the handlebars cross-armed. Obviously I never made it big in MX, but when I was tearing up my local tracks and wadded, I always grabbed the clutch side with my left, and the throttle side with my right hand. That way once the bike is up, you could get it moving quickly and hop on faster than John Wayne on a horse in a western movie. Specifically, in ATL when Reed got up it took him a few extra seconds to get switched and moving. I can't help but wonder if he could have stayed in front of Dungey, or passed him back, if had he gotten moving quicker. Have you noticed this? Thanks for reading. You know how us moto fans over-analyze everything. Perhaps you can address this in your next installment, 'Motocross 101, 2.0'.
Jake in Atlanta
-
Maybe his eyes were just crossed after getting slammed like this?
I couldn’t find any pictures to support this cross-armed pickup theory of yours, but in my head I can picture it happening. I’m with you: When I get flicked off the first thing I do is reach for the clutch. I’m probably already tired and the beating that the ground just gave me definitely isn’t helping things. The last thing I want to do is sit there and kick a hot four stroke for five minutes. This leads me to the only conclusion I could come to and that is that the guys were reaching for the clutch with their right hands. Maybe the bike was on the ground in such a way that it was easier and quicker to get to the clutch with their right hand? After all, pulling the clutch in is priority one when trying to keep the motor running in a crash. If that isn’t it then I have no idea what was going on. I’ll keep an eye on the situation though.
PING
Hi Ping,
I’m hoping you could weigh in on several questions/thoughts I have:
- · Next time you are at the races could you ask Erin to hold the microphone a little closer to her mouth when she’s doing a piece trackside? I can barely hear her let alone the people she’s actually interviewing. I’m sure with some practice, like several years covering Supercross, she could figure out that there are loud bikes in the background.
- · If your theory that all people with tattoos are not hookers but all hookers have tattoos is true, could the same apply to Bubba? If not all crashes are James’ fault but all crashes involve James, doesn’t it make sense that James is the common denominator? If you look at the last several races, most game-changing crashes have involved the “Fastest Man On The Planet™”. Maybe it’s time James chilled out a little? I’m cool with a guy hammering down to get it done, but when you’re so out of control that you clean out the top guys and several not top guys in the process don’t you think that’s a little over the top?
- · Ralph Sheheen, gold chain?
- · Barcia. Can he make a pass without making contact with someone? If your name is Bam Bam and you are a dirt bike racer, something’s wrong. With a name like that, you either need to be a cartoon or Macho Man Randy Savage’s kid. Maybe in Bam’s next interview he could get his neck all veiny (macho stripes) and through clenched teeth grind out a “Bone Saw™”.
- · Barcia. Broken wrist, I don’t think so. Maybe a hairline fracture that can only be seen from the Hubble? Maybe it’s sprained, yes, but broken, no. I’ve broken several bones and I think Barcia is just hunting some media attention. Maybe he wants to show Erin how to use the mic?
Thanks. I’m gonna go dress up like the Ultimate Warrior and wrestle with my kids while I await your response.
Nate
That's right, Bishes, I roll a gold chain. Take that
First point: I’ll give Erin the memo for you. In her defense, she is usually wearing a snug-fitting set of helicopter pilot headphones and she could be listening to some soothing jazz tunes in there and not even hear the bikes in the background. Suggestion for you: turn the volume up on your TV.
Second point: Let’s check in with Kevin Windham about that theory, shall we?
Third point: Hey, pimps gotta pimp. Ralph can’t help himself.
Fourth point: Damn teenage testosterone. Let’s all remember what it was like to be 17 and pimpled up and so full of that sweet man hormone that your aggression overrode your common sense. Justin will chill out in time.
Fifth: It’s completely possible to have a small fracture and continue competing. I really don’t think he was looking for media attention and if he was he could have simply grown back that hilarious split-chin beard that he had at the opener. He would have been a regular on this column anyway.
Thanks for all the questions, Nate. I don’t really get all the wrestling references but try not to damage your children emotionally with the costume and bizarre role-play.
PING
Got a question for Ping? Email him at [email protected].
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Maybe the glasses will help lil'Stew see where he going and stop crashing into obstacles and other riders in the future.
...Arthur Ashe
I figured Stewart's eye glass situation was some kind of inside joke that is going to be unveiled on his TV show. They are going to have to change the intro though, I don't think "The fastestest man on the planet" applies anymore.
Those glasses were prescription. No doubt. You could see through the sides and the back drop was warped to a different size. This could explain allot! James has probably been riding with less than perfect eyesight! *eye roll*
James Stewart: Fastest Man, on The Ground
Hahaa. Nice one playridr.
6th place start... got some work to do.
Wonder IF James did have an eyesight issue, correcting the vision problem might make matters worse... Didn't something similar happen to Fro back in 99' or so???
I think we should all commend Stewart for his groundbreaking work in gravitational physics! How else would we know what goes up must come down and what comes down must take other things down with it? This man has contributed greatly to my understanding of physics and therefore the world around me.
Barcia. Can he make a pass without making contact with someone? Lots of people have asked that.
James, you betta give my glasses back!
Mars Blackmon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhHONpmlxPc
"Best player in the universe" to "Fastest man on the planet"
I smell a conspiracy. Is it the shoes?
Stewart is a douche, he takes out more riders than collar bone injuries to amatuers. James is really fast and finds amazing lines, but the juice is not worth the squeaze, he is a danger to others on the track, a poor sport loser & has zero respect for his fellow competitors. I feel bad for Kyle Regal, got picked up by L&M - San Manuel, then i 1/3 of the way into the series, cry baby James "spoiled" Stewart buys the team, drops L&M and now Regal is stuck on a team that barley knows what a moose the. Somebody please retire this moron so we can go back to having respectable rolemodel champions in this once great sport
I laughed to hard when I Stewie wearing the glasses. My kids that I had lost it. Maybe he is trying out for the Lakers later and wanted to have the NBA look. Ha. still laughing my ass off.
After seeing Erin Bates in the Hard Rock all dolled up- I don't care if she does interviews Telemundo style with an imaginary mic. Wow.
Fastest man on the ground, or any variation = Not Funny
Stewart's new "did I do that?" catchphrase = Really Funny
@Jake - Pics? I really can't imagine more makeup being the solution.
Where's my love for the pic Ping?! Not even a name reference!!! JK. Thanks for posting it!!! Anthony w/ PMX (@pinstripeMX)
Who said anything about makeup?
Fastest Man in the Bi-Focals Line in Walmart
Who shot that pic of Reed going down at Southwick? This guy. :)
I like Erin Bates and think she does a fine job, but she had me cracking up twice. Once was the "Steve Urkel" comment...kind of accidently racist and didn't look like James was too stoked on it and/or didn't think it was funny. The second was before the start of one of the races (sorry can't remember, but I think it was the lites shootout) when she says something like "Here you are all geared up for the start on the...starting line, what's going through your mind?" Total shades of Austin Powers and just a funny question....I yelled a the TV, "The START!". Too funny. I think she was just super excited, like a good fan would be.
2nd on the pics @ the Hard Rock, let's see the frock!
I thought james had lost a bet or something. No Way those were serious. either way, I don't think I'll buy a pair from Oakley when I can get a nice pair of reading glasses with the same frames off the shelf at Walmart for 10 bucks.
How about Fastest Man to Hit the Planet.
Thanks to PinstripeMX for the JBS photo magic.
Most of the comments are about Stewart. Is it because he brings excitement to moto or is it because when we go to the races he is the one most watch. Or is because moto fans are a bunch of haters. Stewart gets the fans out and is fantastic to watch. Stewart is just doing what every other rider is doing and thats trying to win races. Why do the other riders get behind him and try to do what he does? quads ect.because he put all he has into it.
In regards to Stewart, what's the use of being fast if you can't stay on 2 wheels long enough to win a race. He's just wreckless. And as far as pulling that quad section, K-dub did it right behind Stewart the following lap. If James wouldn't have taken him out, Kevin had it won.
After the first 2 or 3 races I saw Barcia make a ton of passes and never touched anyone. And he destryed the ERast Coast, a 18 point lead or something like that after 7 races, its a butt-whooping.
Im no diehard JS fan or Kdub hater, but it wasn't JS's fault. KW was trying to keep pace (even laying a faster lap than JS) and he got bit when he followed too closely. It was a racing incident.
That's it! JS should be known as James “racing incident” Stewart from here forth!
naw...not as catchy
"Jlail wrote: Didn't something similar happen to Fro back in 99' or so??? "
Yeah. He stopped wearing Arnettes & replaced them with Beer Goggles after his championship season...
Red_38 - you forgot one of the fundamental laws of physics.
2 objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time
This always leads to Newton's First Law - for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Which leads to one or more riders on the ground due to gravity.
And the story repeats...
" sweet man hormone "complete homo statement
Nike should sponser James Stewart since he is doing all that walking back to the pits....
I love the "Ask Ping" from Nate. It's so true about Barcia. Him and Hansen are jokes. They can't pass anyone without a take out move. Ping has no balls to tell you how he really feels. As far as Erin goes. I have met her twice and she is the awesome. She stops and talks to everyone that wants to and she is georgous. TV doesn't do her any justice at all.
c'mon Prime.... racin's rubbin...you gotta love the way Barcia attacks the track and riders. He's not gonna back down from anyone. Do you hate Hannah from way back? He was kicka$$ too. Got the job done. As for Erin Bates, some of the comments crack me up bigtime. You have to admit, she asks STUPID questions alot. And, leave PING outta this, I'm sure he has a pair, 'tho I aint gonna tell you how I know LOL!!
Barcia does ride very aggressive, but with exception of the first race where he and Wilson were banging into each other in every turn I think he rode pretty clean this season. Hansen on the other hand, not so much. Justice was served though as Hanny's lame take-out passes ended up costing him the championship in the end.
"Fastest man to hit the planet," is funny...David "only man to snap a bike in half and live to tell the tale" Pingree!
James has way too much going on off the track to really focus on racing. Not to mention, he doesn't have anyone telling him what to do like on the factory teams he used to be on...just a bunch of "yes" men catering to his every move.
TAKE CONTROL BIG JAMES!!! He's true to racing.
...and yeah, Erin Bates is way hotter in person than on TV for some reason. Go see for yourself.
Milk, Milk, Lemonade...
"Crasher's World", is that scripted garbage still on the air? Stewart is absolutely fast and has to work for wins just like any other top pro. However, is the off track nonsense actually needed? It certainly has not been good for him. Big James is not going to "get control" of his oldest son either. JBS brings in many millions and pays the bills so guess who is boss? As far as Erin Bates goes... those bolt-on's she has are huge and what guy among us would not like to umm, get to know her better?
Erin Bates is a VERY nice lady, it makes no sense that some people put her down. Maybe you could do her job better?
Gotta agree about Erin looking better in person than on TV. She's one he** of a lot of woman! And a great personality. Now, if only I was 30 or so years younger :-(
Moto : Testosterone
The Erkel comment was racist? Really? How in the heck do you make that stretch? Just because Erkel was black and so is Bubba? WTF? What if Erin had said he looked like Martin Luther King with the glasses on? Would that have been racist too? My God some people look to find any reason to point fingers and call someone a racist for anything. That makes me sick.
Also calling someone a HATER just because they don't like Bubba for taking out other riders, crashing into the back or RC, or Partridge, is another "code word" for calling them a racist. I know tons of people that hate Bubba and not one of them is a racist. They all hate him for the same reasons I do: No respect for other riders, crashing into other riders, talking smack, throwing down another riders bike in the pits, getting arrested for impersonating a police officer, his idiotic TV show, etc....The stupid glasses at Vegas were just another idiotic reason to think he is a chump.
So now, someone please tell me where I was being a racist?
He is fast. No doubt about it. But being fast is totally secondary to all of the other BS with Stewart.
Actually, now that I think about it. I have also seen morons on this board calling people that bag on Stewie a "Redneck" which is another "code word" for racist.
All of you race baiters out there need to drop the race issue all together, put down your own bias, and look at the actual reasons people are turning on Bubba. It is not because he is black. For the years he has been racing pro , nobody has cared at all about anyones skin color, and that still has not changed. Bubba even said himself "we all look the same with our gear on" and he is right. People are turning on him for his own stupidity. Pure and simple.
Now, tell me where I was being a racist......
Beano....tell me a race where you saw Barcia set someone up from turn to turn to make a pass without running straight up into the corner with no attempt to turn. You can't. I'm not saying he's not fast and doesn't have any skill...but he's no where near the skill level of the other top riders.
Most of these comments are as if James had a bad season ....Five Wins ...Multiple Podiums .. 14 Heat race wins , and an amazing comeback at Daytona... Who else had a better year ... Rv thats it , Reed won Two .Big Deal ...Most of the other riders just rode around trying to stay out of the mix ..Most of the crashes were from the top five going for it ...and thats where James was most of the time ... As far as Racism goes ...It exists for sure , ..Mx just never had anyone ,to weed out the racists , Now it does , and they sure are coming out ...I have read the comments on here , and have been at Supercross , and Nationals , and have heard disgusting things said , from the spectators, Mostly on the east coast ,, Usally if you have to defend yourself about being a racist , you probably are ... Excuses like he is dangerous , or a felon ...LOL come on guys a Felon ...Really .. or His Hat or his Glasses , or any other Excuse is Lame ....He has been working hard all of his life , And the Tv show is great for the Sport , Which is losing money due to Four Strokes ,being so expensive ... Give the Guy a Break man , he has not hurt any one of us at all , and has helped give the sport some new fans .... And if you all listen to the podcasts , you would find out he is well respected , By the other riders mechanics , and people in the industry,
@dont call me a racist... You are for sure a Racist , to the point that you dont even realize it .. Your hate letter is filled with Racial undertones ..Your reason for HATING james is Lame , and is hurting our sport Dude ...switch to NASCAR , I am sure you will be much more comfortable over there... Your pointy hat wont even be notoced ....SEEEYAA
@hep
"I have read the comments on here , and have been at Supercross , and Nationals , and have heard disgusting things said , from the spectators"
Well you have lived a rather sheltered life, you must have never lived with afro-americans, or even walked through one of their communities. You would not imagine what they call each other on an hourly bases and you would shit your pants at what they would call you, not mention do to you, if you walked through one of their communities Washington D.C, Oakland, Detroit, etc. Believe me, these are BAM, and names really have no effect on them. But I'm sure the things you would here from them would change your life.
The fact that you even wrote that comments show you have live in a lily White world and have had very little contact with afro-americans.
Hey chinese guy who doesn't sound at all chinese- Does that mean that all hockey fans are considered to be racist, by the american public? And- there was a black mx racer in the 1980's named Andy Jefferson, who called himself the "BRO SHO", and no one had a problem with it back then. In fact Mitch Payton dubbed him as the next big thing.
Hey chinese guy who doesn't sound at all chinese- FYI- I was nine years old, living at the corner of Fenkell and Meyers in 1967 Detroit, during the second worst race-riot in our nations history (look it up) and I was one of the few white kids left in school- my parents pulled us out of school because the racial tension was so high- I was a victim of racial violence many times, at the age of NINE. And yet somehow- I got over it, and I harbor no resentment towards black people at all - in fact some of my friends are black- so what exactly happened to YOU that was so bad, that you and jairtime have to act like this?? Maybe talking about it instead, will help you to get over it, before you get yourselves into real trouble with your unbridled hatred.
@WFO_UFO
What is Chinese guy suppose to sound like?
People still use the old "I have a black friends" to prove there not racist? Prove your not racist and move to afro-american hood or send your children to a afro-ameircan school.
One issue that I'm address here is that of lil'Stew fantards calling people "racist" and "hater" and becoming hysterical calling people "redneck", "KKK", etc. What is the point of that?
I will walk though the most racist, hatingest, redneck, KKK town/city in America if you will walk through an afro-america hood. And then lets compare notes about what hate and racism really is and who the racist and haters really are.
I bet even lil'Stew fantards will be much safer in a redneck/KKK town then they would be in afro-american hood.
So, if it is acceptable to generalize and stereotype White people as redneck/KKK/etc why is so wrong to generalize and stereotype afro-americans as gangstas and etc?
All races have a "bad" faction of society- yours included- whichever it is- just get a grip- you are not helping the situation- why cant we all just get along?
@wrote ... You are wrong dude , I work in the film business , And have worked on such shows as Homicide Life On the Streets ...all filmed in Baltimore City , And The Wire , Also filmed In Balto. At least half of the crew is Black , and we go deep into the worst part of town ...Yes I am White , and my son in law is a Black man , My Best friends and co workers are White Black and Bi Racial ... I Know way more than you do about the Black Community for sure .. I am a VET A rider , and a flag man at some of the Nationals... I have been in this sport most of my life , since the 70s . in case you cant add , thats a long time ... soooo STFU Loser
@hep,
The film business is not reality.
And are you calling the "worst part of town" the afro-american parts? Are you trying support my point? You would have a lot more credibility if you lived in one of those parts of town. You are either a hypocrite or a lier.
And your personal experiences and anecdote don't mean anything. If a non-White claims my son in-law in a KKK member, and my friends are rednecks, and I worked deep in neo-nazi part of town, etc. does that prove anything?
And as is typical, your reasoning is so ridicules you have to resort to ad hominem attacks.
@hep,
The film business is not reality.
And are you calling the "worst part of town" the afro-american parts? Are you trying support my point? You would have a lot more credibility if you lived in one of those parts of town. You are either a hypocrite or a lier.
And your personal experiences and anecdote don't mean anything. If a non-White claims my son in-law in a KKK member, and my friends are rednecks, and I worked deep in neo-nazi part of town, etc. does that prove anything?
And as is typical, your reasoning is so ridicules you have to resort to ad hominem attacks.
@hep,
The film business is not reality.
And are you calling the "worst part of town" the afro-american parts? Are you trying support my point? You would have a lot more credibility if you lived in one of those parts of town. You are either a hypocrite or a lier.
And your personal experiences and anecdote don't mean anything. If a non-White claims my son in-law in a KKK member, and my friends are rednecks, and I worked deep in neo-nazi part of town, etc. does that prove anything?
And as is typical, your reasoning is so ridicules you have to resort to ad hominem attacks.
@hep,
The film business is not reality.
And are you calling the "worst part of town" the afro-american parts? Are you trying support my point? You would have a lot more credibility if you lived in one of those parts of town. You are either a hypocrite or a lier.
And your personal experiences and anecdote don't mean anything. If a non-White claims my son in-law in a KKK member, and my friends are rednecks, and I worked deep in neo-nazi part of town, etc. does that prove anything?
And as is typical, your reasoning is so ridicules you have to resort to ad hominem attacks.
next year he will be winning big and shut you haters up or youll all be saying stewarts awesome losers
@wrote ...
My response to your comment was honest and made sense , Your comment back , makes no sense at all ...What are you even talking about ??? Oh well ,should have known better , than to try and deal with a Racist like you , That trys to justify his hate toward the black community ...Go ahead get the last word in ...Do as I say and respond with more retoric ..
Prime is an idiot. Barcia is not at the same skill level as the other riders????!!! What color is the sky in your world?