Put up or . . .

Note to self: never act when angry. Take a step back, relax, think, and when you think you're OK, step back and think again.

Something I need to remember in general and especially, when I'm talking Trikke. I was trained in the kitchen. A sense of urgency was bred into me. If there's an issue or problem, focus on the fix! We can point fingers later and make sure it don't happen again. Well, At the beginning of the month, I woke to find a thread complaining how Trikke Tech hadn't shared private information of it's customers. They had just discovered that there were two avid carvers living in the same city. Without going into the details, It's stupid to think any company would share private information, no matter how little or how much info you request. The Conversation got heated for me. Not only were they bad mouthing a company I love and appreciate without any base, My passion was called in question.

Here's the part where I should have stepped backed. I didn't. I went into fix it mode. Knowing that the complaint involved a project I had been working on with Ann Pirone, the "Go to Gal" of Trikke Academy, bothered me. I had put it on a back burner due to some personal issues and time. I didn't look for the Company to do this. I felt it would be better served if the effort included the community I desired to grow. Rather than wait for someone to provide what I thought was good for us, Why not go get it ourselves?! It was time for us as a community to put up or shut up!

There were efforts before and are now gone. I know a couple of individuals including myself, who took on the task and tried to connect carvers with other carvers. Efforts before this failed for different reasons, mainly because it was left in someone Else's hands. Eventually, those hands were removed or taken away. This is ours! The Community's! Though we are currently a team of four, We will look to others for help and step up! For now, we are working on a "Trikke Community Locator" Map. This map is to help serve the Carving Community. Whether it be to search for others in our areas, to join in on a group ride, for help in learning how to carve, or help buying and repairing our carving vehicles. This is a map of a passion of the Carve!

The ground work that the team has put in so far has been tireless. They each deserve our thanks. Ann Pirone has laid in the base for which we are developing. Bruce Weston aka "Trikke Key" of the Michigan Carvers has done all of the technical applications. Chad Guillory of MyTrikke.com is instrumental in getting us started. As for me, Double Dub of So Cal Carvers. Well, I consider this my baby. I just had to put my two cents in. Collectively, we have thought and re-thought what our goals and objectives are with this project. Trying to find the best ways for this to work for the Community. Our work to date is far from over.

There are a couple of key elements, in my opinion, that must take place for this to be successful. In a word it's Participation. We would like to think that the community will want be included and use the map we are about to create. It will contain carvers (trikkers), Certified Trikke Trainers, and Dealers. We will leave up to each individual what they choose to include in their profiles, their experience, Carving group affiliations, special skills (i.e. training, mechanic work/repairs, etc.). We look forward to the moment when we are ready to present this to everybody. I think the Map is going to be awesome!

There are, however, some precautions I would like to share. Safety is above all else a priority! Participation is voluntary. It is of your choosing and free will. So is the information you choose to share. If you do make connections, we strongly suggest that you take every precaution you deem necessary. We suggest meeting populated public meet spots. I would not meet at an empty trail you know about due to it's carvability for the first meeting, for example. Please be safe!
Please understand that we are doing this out of Passion. Our busy lives may not allow us the time to complete this as timely as we all would like. Thank you!
Carve On!!!