BOULDER, CO — Bikerumor is world renowned for its ultra-interactive format. While other sites shy away from commenters, sometimes blocking them entirely or burdening them with confirmed identity, the world’s largest cycling tech blog embraces the internet’s champions of criticism by fostering a safe environment where they can freely reign under the protective cloak of anonymity.
To strengthen its commitment to these dedicated individuals, Bikerumor is inviting its finest, most vocal commenters for an all-expenses paid, critical feedback symposium at the new Bikerumor International Headquarters (BRIH) in Boulder, Colorado. The Bikerumor Commenter Symposium will be an opportunity for Bikerumor staff and commenters to engage on deeper, more meaningful levels.
Fifty hand picked individuals from the cream of the commenter crop will be flown in for the five-day symposium. Activities will include one-on-one sessions with the Bikerumor contributors of their choice as well as group sessions on topics ranging from “eBikes” to “Hipsters Nonsense” to “27.5 Plus”.
“A big impetus for moving forward with the Bikerumor Commenter Symposium was the interest from the cycling industry,” said Tyler Benedict, Bikerumor’s founder. “At almost every launch we’ve been to recently, the product managers from companies like SRAM, Specialized, Niner, and Maxxis were all lamenting the lack of fresh ideas coming from within the industry. They all are eager to tap the deep engineering and design expertise offered by our most prolific commenters. That outside point of view often trumps the boxed in perspective they get from working on the same things day in and day out.”
There is also an element of fandom motivating Bikerumor’s approach to the event. Staff appreciation of commenters is a common topic of discussion around Headquarters. “I joined the crew at Bikerumor BECAUSE of the commenters,” said young gun, Anna Schwinn. “They make me work harder, to learn more, and to just generally be better. I can’t wait to thank them in person for their diligence… as well as their dedication to honest, critical feedback.”
Notably lacking from the symposium staff list will be Zach Overholt, who is leaving his position as Managing Editor to pursue the development of MotoRumor.com, a tech blog dedicated to eBike technology (formed due to commenter feedback).
