Because John Watson Wants an Apology

Posted on by cosmo

Update 16 Sept 2014 – Watson has written up his thoughts on Cross Vegas, in which he wishes he had “handled the situation a lot differently”.

We’ve all done dumb shit before, John—especially me. Especially on the Internet, and especially while having a good party going. It’s not a character flaw. It happens, and when it happens to me, I make amends. That’s why I’m writing this—because you seem to think I’ve done something wrong and I’m addressing that. I’m just…not sure what wrong I did.

First, let’s establish the backstory. I don’t believe any of these are in dispute.

  1. Fans at Cross-Vegas throw beer on Lars van der Haar and other pro riders.
  2. John Watson (that’s you), standing near said fans, takes a photo.
  3. Lars van der Haar comments on a “bunch of assholes” throwing beer on him after his race.
  4. Cosmo Catalano (that’s me!), as Cyclocosm, posts a tweet in support of VDH. He clarifies his intention shortly after.
  5. The next day, Adam Myerson comments that the beer-throwers should be outed.


  6. Myerson then retweets a screenshot from Ryan Knapp, showing the photo Watson took, with a caption enthusiastic about showering racers in beer and “hooker cards”, to Instagram at 12:31pm EDT

This is where our trouble begins. I quote-tweet the image:

John, you’ve seemed skeptical of my intentions here. I felt compelled to share it because, regardless of whether or not you actually participated, it showed you delighting in fan jackassery that made one of the best ‘cross racers in the world publicly question whether he’d ever return to the US.

I at-metioned both you and van der Haar because I wanted the discussion to be out there—so that you’d be forced to confront the reality of what you were celebrating (for the record, the stripper cards weren’t appreciated, either), and so that Lars could see that it’s something US ‘cross fans want to make it right.

If that’s the root of your beef, I’m afraid that’s not something I’m able to apologize for. If you see it differently, we’ll just have to agree to disagree on that point.

Anyway, your response to my RT was to say you’d deleted that photo out of respect, and that I should, too:

You also, almost immediately afterward, accused me of being a mindless instigator, which, y’know, I’m OK with—other than the mindless part. I actually felt a little jilted when Peter Flax patted you on the back for instigation instead of me.

But anyway—I wanted more details on that “respect” part. It seemed (and still seems) to me that trying to hide the photo entirely was pretty disrespectful to the racers who got sprayed.

And apparently you had deleted the original image out of respect…for yourself?

Not really sure why, but after that, you started to say some not-so-nice things that I’m pretty sure were about me.

Crucificion. Witch hunt. Dick. Low intelligence—and frankly, I don’t care. It’s just like, your opinion, man. But I did find the quip about “growing [my] social media” pretty idiotic. I’ve been thoroughly unsuccessful with 8,000 followers. Another 80 ain’t gonna buy me a yacht.

That was sarcastic, by the way. “Internet dollars” especially in all-caps, is a long-standing joke between my friends and I about what a total waste of my time Cyclocosm is. But the tweet was also a misstep on my part. As we saw earlier with my support of VDH, I have a bad habit of leaving room for misinterpretation, and you seemed to think I was serious.

So in the interests of avoiding further miscommunication, I felt compelled to engage you directly. My next tweet still kinda sums up my feelings on the whole thing:

Now again, we disagree. As I spelled out above, I don’t think it was a dick move to hold you accountable for pushing out that photo with that caption.

But you’re also right that I am an adult. And so are you. That’s why I’m here writing a blog post, trying clearly and calmly find the wrongdoing I’m supposed to show accountability for. I haven’t deleted anything and acted like everyone should suddenly forget it ever existed.

By this point, it looked like you were over it.

Not the most graceful apology, but one I’d accept, had I felt especially slighted by the things you said. But then:

Awww man, John. That one hurt. It takes 90 people to produce NBC’s TdF coverage. There’s one of me doing HTRWW. Don’t tell me it’s easy to do all that nothing.

But keeping on topic—what shit, exactly, did I talk? Looking back through the tweets above, there are a few mean words, but they don’t seem to be coming from me.

In fact, you later posted another photo to Instagram, trying to focus on the positive things from Cross-Vegas before ending the caption with “Death to the Trolls”.

stoked

I’m willing to pretend that’s not directed at me, but I can’t say it sounds particularly positive.

And here we are, John—back where I started this post.

You want me to apologize for wrongdoing, and I’m willing, provided you can spell out exactly what wrong I did.

Please keep in mind, though, that I never called you names, or said you were stupid, or leveled any accusations against you—so before you talk about positivity, ask yourself if your behavior toward me could pass any of those same tests.

thoughts on “Because John Watson Wants an Apology”

  1. John Prolly’s whole brand is this kind of stuff. His Instagram etc got old to me for that reason—juvenile bike hipster poseur man-child stuff. Being a juvenile has its charms, till it doesn’t… Not sure if its worth taking him to the mat on this, but the stuff, you, cyclocosm, put out is the real deal. Keep at it and ignore the poseurs.

    Reply

    2. Yup, years ago I saw through his “let’s just ride bikes and have fun!” persona. He’s just a narcissist and will shut down anyone (cough cough, Cosmo!) who challenges him, differs in opinion, or, by god, goes after him.

      The sad thing is he has brainwashed quite a few followers into thinking he’s some good, pure dude. He’s a phony!

      Reply

  2. At the risk of stepping in where I can do no good, this exchange seems to be a mix of fatigue, cynicism and defensiveness. Mostly on John’s part, but regardless. His original post certainly could have been worded more cleanly – I was surprised when I read it as it seemed to indicate involvement, which I thought out of character. Here’s to hoping it blows over and we get back to agreeing that throwing beer on unwilling recipients is lame.

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    1. What you miss when works takes you out of town! 2points.
      Agree with Timojhen, TV and “photo-journalists” renowned for STAGING shots for stories. Implies potent implication if so. OR was it the result of perseverance and timing that allowed John to capture the moment so well and then publicise it so eloquently.

      2nd point. “Silver Spooned Sookie Suit”. COSMO, the Perfect 4th grade reply would have been “DIDDUMS”.

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  3. What I don’t agree with the most is the need to focus at the positives. Why should one? How big a negative is it ok not to focus on? Throwing beer at racers is obviously not big enough. Many people thought that winning 7TdF’s on drugs and being a jerk wasn’t big enough either.
    And for the record – speaking out and saying “not all american cyclocross fans are beer throwing jerks” is not all that negative anyway.

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  5. ohhhhh my gosh, I definitely think this guy is not worth any educational intent I suppose you have on him…..
    you better make one more famous how the race was one edition 🙂

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  6. This dude is amazing! I’ve never seen someone have a public meltdown because someone dared associate their instagram feed with their twitter handle before.

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  7. I used to think you were a whiny little sod, but now I realise this Prolly holds that mantle. He owns it.

    His photos were, well just photos. If he/they were any good he’d be a, well not a blogger.

    He makes you seem less of a whiny beatch if that helps any.

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    1. I have no problem taking that as a compliment. I wouldn’t even say he’s whiny, just…maybe needs to think a little more carefully before he acts and speaks.

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  9. Watson is acting like a spoiled child, but should we be surprised? I mean, he’s just another white dude who cannot believe other people don’t share his views. Not much difference between this dude pouring beer and tossing stripper cards indiscriminately and dudes catcalling women. The rationale is the same, right? I want to have MY good time and you just have to deal with it, you whiners. The fact that he cannot just accept that he was wrong and apologize just displays the depths of his immaturity. He may take good photos, but he clearly doesn’t have an eye for conduct beyond the lens.

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    1. My favorite part is how he turned off comments on his own site, saying he was being ATTACKED SO VICIOUSLY. He’s always trying to bat around people that are “negative” or whatever. Sometimes we don’t agree. Or don’t like what you post. This is real life, and people are pissed about the American Exceptionaldoucheism that was on display.

      He fucked up. Or maybe he didn’t. Either way, he acted like a turd celebrating THE PARTYING PARTYING YEAH! BRO! crap. Then tried to deny it and YOUR FEELINGS GOT HURT! NOT FAIR BRO! NOT COOL!

      Just own it, like the rest of us have to do in the real world with our actual jobs and responsibilities. Even those of us with dozens of tattoos, grey hair, bad teeth, scars, beer stained dickies, love of Paul Components. There’s no place for total gutless/classless idiocy no matter how cool (you think) you are.

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      1. Perfect… You hit the nail on the head.
        Lest we forget this is the same John prolly who photographed an absolutely out of it Tom Boonen a couple of years ago, and published the images, much to the mirth of his team & sponsors… Getting a lot of people into a lot of trouble, for exposing what should have been toms private business at a private industry party.
        I also like how he desperately tweeted how great Katie Compton was despite his original “we made in rain beer and hooker cards on the pros” comment on the origanl instagram pic (now deleted).

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      2. Watson fronts being open and positive but if you dare differ in opinion, he’ll block you or shut you down. A HUGE red flag the guy is a narcissistic phony with no true self-worth or idea of who he is, just a creation though his online persona.

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    2. That’s what gets me.
      What is it with American’s and Strippers. It’s ruined Australia trying to follow the great American dream. When I went over for work, the guys all wanted to go to the S’Bar at the end of the night. No-one just wanted to get hammered then call in some girls to the hotel for a man sandwich like honest men away from their families.

      It sickens me!

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    3. divporter is full of it!!!!!

      You are not the King at all….

      You are an incarnation of the Krisna… gifted to the sport of cycling to save it from fucktardist-exaggerateurs who have ruined cycling coverage and subsequent understanding in the English speaking world!

      Really really impressed with your work…so happy to discover your site.

      The world doesn’t always make sense… and you might not make a fortune from your fine work, but I think you prolly know that if you don’t you’ll be doing something finer!

      A bit shit you spent time writing this blog article,… I’d prefer the tim was spent doing your do!

      (You might be satisfied to know I have no idea who that prolly kant is!)

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      1. Paddy, great comment.
        One of the teachings of Krishna is about PROVISION. Just keep doing right by humanity and your fellow cyclists and you will be provided for.
        COSMO, the deity “Lakshmi” is prayed to for PROVISION. But don’t be fooled by desire for riches. Rather ask to be nurtured and good things will come.
        Forget the BIG BUCKS like Proll-over and just keep persevering. You will be provided for.

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  11. Probably a waste of your already limited time to engage in such a logical (and accurate) dissection of what happened, Cosmo, but I totally get the urge to do so. Anyway, please keep on doing what you’re doing. All of it. Enjoy your tweets and you TWIB’s so darn much.

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  12. When John Watson stood by and not only watched a wrong to another individual but then promoted it as if to say aren’t “we” the cool party party people, then attacked you for pointing out his behavior as wrong and contributing to the act – any reasonable timeline and explanation in regards to him will do no good. He should have had the strength to step in and say “stop” but he didn’t, his natural response in the moment was to promote his own party image. You (Cosmo) did no wrong, you simply tried to point out the hurtful behavior (and van der Haar was clearly hurt) and expect someone to be accountable. When you tweeted early on that someone would out the beer throwing persons, we all knew they would become known, what I didn’t expect was for you to be attacked in the process. Beer doesn’t fly on its own. Hopefully beer won’t fly again, but it takes one voice, then many voices. I say if you can hold your liquor, you can hold your beer.

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    1. Imagine, how can 45 thousand drunk BELGIANS and DUTCH watch a Cross race in the freezing cold arctic conditions and not shower their favourites with beer at each weeks SuperPrestige?
      RESPECT, that’s how.
      Even a knock down drunk, greasy frog eating Belgian has better sense than some of these peroxide Texan skank backwater strippers, offering JW blowies, if he’d publish her photo.

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    2. Watson is 100% about promoting how cool he is and how awesome everything he touches is.

      This whole situation proves WITHOUT A DOUBT that he’s a narcissistic phony.

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  13. now… All we need is someone to analyze the photo, find out if they knew anyone next to him and get them on here to say whether or not he was in fact, throwing beer and cards…. Yeah.. that’s what we should do… Maybe you can get the BTTB archival footage.

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  14. I follow Cyclocosm in various formats and have long appreciated your detailed, insightful, and humorous coverage of the sport. I’ve also been a fan of ProllyIsNotProbably (now The Radavist) for a couple years as well. John Watson does not do what you do. His brand, as I’ve come to understand it, is based around the excitement and the “stoke” of cycling. His comments section explicitly prohibits negativity (or at least it used to; that label seems to be gone now that I’m looking for it). His posts encourage everybody to get out and ride. And the sport needs that sort of enthusiasm. You, on the other hand, are not full-stoke-all-the-time — and the sport needs that too, because your coverage points out that cycling, as an industry and a culture, has some serious underlying problems (gender disparity, mismanagement, etc) that we need to address. So we’ve got ourselves an old-fashioned collision of enthusiasm and realism which, if we’re lucky, could end up being an important moment of reflection for everybody involved. I’m disappointed that John Watson couldn’t live up to the standard he sets for commenters on his website, and stooped to insults and attacks. That said, not all of your tweets were blameless either — especially “if calling me names makes you feel better, go ahead.” My hope is that you can swap some explanations and apologies, and not start a feud, because cycling’s pretty awesome most of the time and both of you have contributed to my enjoyment of the sport and culture in different but equally valid ways.

    Cosmo-Prolly Peace Ride? Cosmo-Prolly Beer Summit? Work this out somehow.

    Reply

    1. I never said that I’m blameless, and I readily admit that it would have been a lot less hassle for both of us if I’d been able to just ignore him. But I can’t look at this photo of Nash getting PBR’d and regret that I couldn’t rise above it.

      That said, I don’t want a feud—that’s why I laid everything out here, as clearly as I could, to show things as I saw them. As the missing tweets indicate, that didn’t defuse the situation. But my words and feelings on the matter are all right here. As far as I’m concerned, the ball is in John’s court.

      I do feel legitimately bad that he’s hurt by this, and I told him as much on a different communication channel. But like you say, we do very different things—he’s stoke, beauty and bourbon, and I’m snark, specifics, and beer. While there wasn’t a rift before, we were certainly on opposite sites of the spectrum, and I think he, I, and cycling will get along just fine regardless.

      Reply
  15. Pingback: CX Shenanigans No. 28 – #CXISHERE 2014 | Texas Cyclocross

  16. So Internet Dollars isn’t a real thing?!?! Damn it!! I was so hoping to leverage my social media followers and get aboard that gravy train.

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  17. Not commenting on the whole he said-she said here, just the race itself but I feel like this is sort of thing is kind of inevitable when you throw a cross race in front of a bunch of people that don’t really give a shit about cross. It’s sort of like putting the luxury boxes in the middle of center field.

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    1. Not sure if you are being ironic here, but the overwhelming majority of the crowd are Interbike attendees, in other words bike industry folk.

      The real irony here is that many of us within the sport and industry note and decry how bush league cycling is compared to other sports, and then we act bush league ourselves at the biggest cross race in the US.

      Beer sometimes gets sprayed at Belgian cross races too; that doesn’t make it acceptable. In Belgium, there are true fans and those looking for a party; I suppose that is valid at CrossVegas too.

      It may be OK to get caught up in the moment, but one shouldn’t “party” at the expense of the host or the entertainment they have brought in.
      If one is a true fan, or is in, or tightly connected to, the bike industry, openly celebrating or condoning such hooliganism is spitting in your own soup.

      Pros act like pros; Bush league is as bush league does…

      Reply

  18. Don’t sweat this Cosmo. It’s considerate that you’ve engaged the parties and tried to clear up any miscommunication. If this drags out for any longer it’ll be just a waste of your time. Keep doing what you’re doing. The site is cool and you have lots of people interested in what you do, including me.

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  19. Cosmo,

    Prolly has had my attention since he “made it.” It has been interesting watching him go full time, etc.

    You are good at what you do. You do more than hype yourself up and recycle content. You create some good stuff. You are a doer. You make something.

    There are people in the world who dont do. They simply ride the waves of hype and cool. They spend time and content perpetuating their own hype ( I honestly think the cross vegas things was an attempt at showing they were the coolest dudes there, but it failed). They are the cool kids lunch table with limited space in high school. Some make a living from it. Because it is all about hype, they are fragile. Having some of the who is who of cyclocross threatened this. If it wasnt Myerson and say a more “bike jock” person that called them out, I am guessing the responses would have been way different.

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    1. Spot on! I’ve seen this guy online for years now and LONG believed he was a fragile phony. He attacks ANYONE with a differing opinion. So much for being open and positive!

      Yup, he thought this was going to prove how awesome he and his doofy sidekick Kyle are, but it backfired BIG TIME and so he had to go on the attack.

      Too bad people with substance and character appreciate Cosmo and can see through Watson’s thin veneer of narcissisim.

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    1. yeah it’s crazy, Sven Nys and Lars van der Haar doing their only race on American soil all season and a bunch of tools are all “taking it seriously” when they should have just been like “yay ironic bike racing, beer me BRO!”

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  21. Prolly made it alright … made it being the biggest nimrod on the internet. Don’t forget, he’s a hardcore mountain biker now … watch out for him on the ENDURO circuit soon. His friends suck just as much as he does. It’s in the company one keeps.

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  22. I’ve never been able to figure out JW. Haven’t met him, but can’t figure him out based on his website (Radavist, really? WTF is that supposed to mean anyway?) or Instagram account. His liberal use of “dick” makes me think he’s heard it in his direction a time or two. I’ve been wondering why I follow him on Instagram, and now I know why I’m not going to any more. Dick.

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    1. He explains that Radavist is a combo of rad and atavism – I personally likes prolly better but Radavist looks better on a shirt and that was prolly a motivation

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  24. Cosmo, never expect people to be accountable for their actions. And remember, no good deed goes unpunished.

    Except here, well done man!

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  25. why even acknowledge that poser as a legit journalist? guy puts out ZERO quality content. its as if the marketing director for macdonalds walked up to George Orwell and started telling him hes a shit writer. you write about bike races, watson is a shill. id just ignore the dude like the rest of the real cycling community does. leave him for the trend-of-the-month kids and dentists.

    as for the incident itself… its laughable. dude gets caught out by saying he did something that later received scorn. he was on the wrong side of what he thought was going to be “cool”. as soon as he sees its perceived as stupid he goes on a mass deletion spree and cover-up. pretty silly.

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    2. Yup, as a passionate cyclist who rides because I love to, not so I can take photos of myself and put them online, I’ve long viewed that dude as a 100% phony.

      Definitely a shill! He doesn’t even run or build his site! He pays someone else to do that. I didn’t have much respect for him to begin with, but I at least thought he was a decent programmer. Nope, he’s just a shill!

      And your analysis of this event is perfect. Thought he’d come off as super cool, but it backfired. His ego is so fragile, he couldn’t stand by, had to go on the attack.

      I’ve been calling him out for years. I’M THRILLED THAT HE HAS FINALLY PROVEN TO EVERYONE HOW SHALLOW and SELF-CENTERED he truly is, awesome!

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    1. I can see where you might get that idea, but I’m under the impression he really does get the miles in. Not a much racing, if any, mostly off-road/gravel/adventure stuff, but riding bikes is awesome no matter how you do it.

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    2. Maybe back in his ffg days. For the past 2 yrs he’s been road / cross / mountain riding everywhere from the west coast to Australia to Europe to China, and some pretty epic adventures at that. I understand that people want to crap on the guy as a bandwagoner/poseur, but he puts in the miles (more than most of us do as not-full-time-bike-bloggers):

      https://www.strava.com/athletes/101665

      https://theradavist.com/2013/09/the-mission-workshop-acre-alps-mtb-tour-day-01/#1

      https://theradavist.com/2014/07/fyxo-presents-back-two-bush-blast-day-01/

      https://theradavist.com/2014/01/recent-roll-epilogue-themes-while-bicycle-touring-through-china/#1

      And it appears he’s written a response (most likely not directly to Cosmo since he’s being a little vague about personal references, but at least it’s an apology) – https://theradavist.com/2014/09/perspective-cross-vegas/

      Reply

      1. You DON’T start any apology by stating that you don’t really think you need to apologize.

        That guy can’t get over himself. Pure narcissistic phony. I’ve been sure of this for years, can’t believe it’s only today, Sept. 17. 2015, that I’m finding out he proved it for everyone to see. Nice job outing yourself, Watson! Sooooo glad it’s out there for everyone to see.

        You definitely spread LOTS of positive energy encouraging people to throw beer on racers…

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    3. You’re thinking of someone else. The prolly I know is skinny, fit and tough, not to mention the dude can ride. And he doesn’t smoke.

      He rode the Oregon outback – 370 miles too. Maybe you missed a few numbers.

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  27. eh, Prolly seems a little sensitive. I follow him on IG and watched him go off on EmpireBMX for making a sort of snide comment re: how he’s just some trust-fund type kid (they said it in some backhand way). Anyway, he ended up deleting it, cause he was called out and it made him look pretty fucking silly. Which is totally his prerogative, he can do that, good thing the internet has a delete button! BUt better to own what you do, cause coming across this just reminded me of that thread, and how butthurt he got. Check out EmpireBMX IG, they rarely censor their shit. Also, this is my first time to yr blog (via BikeSnob hyperlink) so I guess it really did drum up some followers, ay?

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    1. i’m friends with both of those guys – prolly, or john and tom from empire – that whole interaction was a joke, funny guy. tom actually requested john remove his comments and he did the same. prolly has helped empire out over the years and they both respect each other.

      your commentary is pretty lame, imho and since you live in atx, maybe you could try to ride with john. i doubt you could keep up – road, cx or mtb. dude is a shredder.

      cosmo, youre kind of a whiney snot and this whole thread is just suited for you to gain traction and followers. like homeboy said up top, it’s the national enquirer of bike stuff. gross…

      the funniest thing about all this is if any of you guys rode with john, or met him, you’d know hes a fun guy who loves riding and photographing travels. hes helped the industry out and would gladly show you around town during nats – his local club throws cx races and as a joke last night, they threw beer on him mid race.

      he finished top top, with three pros racing. so the ‘fatblogger’ is actually the ‘fastblogger’.

      food for thought

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      1. Forgive me if I have no interest in meeting him or finding out how good of a dude he is. The fact is that he’s clearly a fragile dude and can’t handle criticism. Unless you think he’s super cool, he’s going to try and shut you down or block you from his site.

        Helped the industry out?! What a good guy! We need more shills like him in this world. Without him, I probably wouldn’t even be able to buy a decent bike…

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  29. Imagine caring about this blogger beef bullshit. Imagine wasting any of your time on this shit.

    Think of all the hours you’ve wasted with this crap. The time you took to write all this out and find/embed all the correct tweets. Such wasted effort. Stop giving a shit about trivial nonsense, move on with your life. Go smile at a tree.

    I’m annoyed I’ve even wasted my time to write this comment.

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  30. Not sure why you two wouldn’t just talk or email direct? It appears you are using this piece for personal gain to grow your “brand”. The bike industry is pretty small and publicly crusifying someone who is owning up to a mistake like this is pretty lame. No smart company will want to be affiliated with this shit, maybe thats why you have car insurance adds on your site? I think what both of you are doing is lame/wrong. I use to visit your site but found most content overly analytical and boring (in my opinion) but I really dug watching your race recaps. now that I see this I will probably not be back. All of this annonamous shit talking is a whole different story all together. Grow up dudes.

    My advice…learn to talk to people in real time…IN THE FIRST PERSON & stop being weirdos (also my opinion)

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    1. Hey Sean T, so whose doing the anonymous shit talking now? Kinda looks like you. John wasn’t owning up to anything when Cosmo wrote this post (and even now “isn’t sure he has to apologize for anything”). Not having advertisements from the industry he comments on makes me believe that this site is more than a platform for some marketing shill trying to sell me The Hype (cuz if you don’t believe advertisers effect the content of any kind of publication then I have a nice shiny piece of the Brooklyn bridge here for you). I think that what you are doing Sean T, in trying to shit on this guy who puts time and work into something that (in my opinion) is pretty informative & cool and that no matter how much he “grows his internet brand” he is never likely to make any money from (see the part about not being a shill), is pretty lame/wrong. Also (in my opinion) the fact that you find Cosmo’s content to be overly analytical and boring says more about the shallowness of your thoughts, possibly limited intelligence and dire need to “grow up” (in my opinion) as you don’t seem to be interested in root causes or a deeper understanding of the issues Cosmo comments on (cuz that would be too analytical and boring). So while Cosmo might not be happy that you won’t be back I’m ok with it cuz that means there’ll be more TWIB & HTRWW left for me (sic). But if you do come back and see this maybe you’ll tell me how Cosmo was doing “anonymous shit talking” while putting his name on everything he wrote and “owning it”. Also just wondering if you tried getting in touch with Cosmo “in real time…..IN THE FIRST PERSON” before writing this or if you’re just a hypocrite weirdo (also my opinion, but do you see how putting that in brackets doesn’t really change the message or make your argument seem any more reasonable/well thought out. Of course it’s your opinion, you’re writing it). My opinion is of course totally right, as it is all the time, just check the initials (sic)

      -Cosmo, I really like the site, the commentary and the videos. Please don’t ever stop and the next time I smash the piggy bank I’ll send some real (not INTERNET) dollars your way, and please forgive me for filling up your comment board with this rant, but Sean T was being too much of a DeeBee for me.

      Cheers (just not over the racers),
      J.C.

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      1. JC,

        -I failed to see your full name & contact as well. I was directing my comment to the author. Cosmo has my email.

        -My name is Sean Talkington itsmeseant@gmail.com. Feel free to email me 🙂

        -He’s not selling any hype…just shitty car insurance and anything else that will pay. I would much rather a bike site has bike related adds, but thats just me & probably 99.999% of the planet….no adds at all would be cool too.

        -Not talking any shit, just voicing my opinion & letting the author know that I was a fan of the videos, but not the other stuff.

        -I think trying to build his readership through posts like this & growing through negativity is pretty whack. Most people on the planet fuck up & have disagreements etc. Conducting things in this manner is sort of like reading a National Enquirer…

        -If you want to do something nice like donate to a site, you should probably just do it. It makes you come off like a douche when you talk about “someday payments”…especially in public (my opinion).

        -Next time you’re in LA, hit me up and maybe we can go for a bike ride.

        -I just ride my bike for fun & didn’t go to college…so you might be right about the low level of inteligence…

        Good luck to you dude (i mean it)!

        Reply

          2. Based on the current trend & my interpretation of how things are being run here at cyclocosm.com, I figure if you can’t beat them, then you might as well join them!

            So…Team Dream is have its first annual Secret Troller’s Day Sale! WHAAAAT!

            How does its work? Its easy… Just head to https://teamdreambicyclingteam.bigcartel.com and enter the code IMASECRETTROLLDUDE or IMABIGSTD and save 10% off of your next order.

            A good portion of the proceeds will be donated to John Watson’s new Scrooge McDuck sized money vault 😉

          3. Just FYI, I normally flag product links in the comments. But you’re pretty clearly not a robot, and it’s (kind of) germane to the discussion so I’ve left it in. Please don’t make a habit of it.

        2. Sean T, you’re such a cool new blogger on the block. Does John Prolly pay you well to surf the internet in his defense?

          Reply

          1. Ha! It actually pays pretty fucking good. I’m actually less of a blogger and more of a small business/brand owner, but I still have a real job too. I’m not sure how that’s relevant…but I think you are implying that I’m only sticking up for John because I know him…right? I’m trying to approach this without bias. The best part is that I can be 100% honest with myself & others. If you disagree, that’s ok too. You don’t have to believe me. I don’t agree with everything John does and this incident was one of those times but we are friends so I can tell him in person. Telling Cosmo that I only like certain aspects of his content is me being honest w/ him. I’m not going to lie and say I’m a huge fan, but I’ve posted lots of his videos on my “BLOG” & letting him know that (in my opinion) that post was shallow. Then you have a giant group of people ripping on someone they don’t know…that’s it.

            I have a sneaking suspicion that OneLessBlogger might not be your actual real name, so how about I just call you “secret troll dude” or STD for short. You see, That’s the thing is STD… When you put yourself out there to be judged then people can be pretty harsh & say shitty things vs the real world where peoplee are more cival most times. Trying at something and putting yourself out there can be tougher then you think. Luckily I don’t get bummed or effected by website comments or people who hide behind anonymity. You can always email me to discuss further OR you can just keep googling me because that’s not creepy at all…

          2. Sean, you’re “brand/business” is a really just a recycling factory and barking at anyone that doesn’t side with you and your friends. Enjoy your internet dollars!

        3. Hello Sean,

          I tried both discount codes IMASECRETTROLLDUDE and IMABIGSTD on your BigCartel cart, as you recommended below. Each is “Sorry that discount code is invalid” upon entry. Are they case sensitive? I’ve tried both all caps and lowercase.

          Thanks for any advice,

          Robert Kurtz
          Oakland CA

          Reply

          2. Sean,

            … uh, ok. I’ll just buy a Ritte Women’s Team supporter cap made by your company and support something positive vs. all this back and forth vitriol.

            – rk

  31. John Watson takes pictures and rides bikes. He creates such little content and makes so much cash it’s ridiculous. Cyclocosm actually creates, creates, creates, beautiful, free content. Enough said. Cosmo works it every damn day!

    Reply

    1. I see two or three posts a week here and about 40 at Radavist, 5 of which are photo galleries. I like both sites and have been checking them each out since they began, don’t get swept up in the wave of Cosmonauts who choose to slander john – that guy is one of the hardest working people in the industry. His photography is free, the ads on the site are relevant and he has said before that he pays guest posters.

      He’s boosted numerous builders and small companies into success and it’s inspiring to watch. Yes he put his limited edition giro boots in his mouth on this one, but we all do that – we’re all just not behind a site that gets like a million hits a month.

      Reply

      1. Hardest working in the industry?!? You have to be joking. I’d be willing a European soigneur, or two, would have a thing or two to say about your baseless statement.

        Reply

  34. Well, if you’re going to throw a cyclocross race in Las Vegas, you deserve whatever you get. Including beer and hooker cards. Vegas is a wasteland of absurdity nd a boil on the face of an otherwise beautiful desert. It’s criminal that there’s an overbloated, plastic and totally unsustainable pro cyclocross race there; and even worse that it’s a tack-on to Interbike.

    Reply
  35. Pingback: Heckling! | Team Monster Truck p/b Hub Bicycle Co.

  36. MY LORD! How did I miss this?!!!!!

    I have known Watson via his web presence for years and I’ve always, always thought, “That guy is so full of himself and so unsure of who he actually is.”

    This whole situation sums up and proves all that I’ve believed about him. The guy is a narcissistic asshole who pretends to be all “positive” and “open” and if anyone says something contrary to his worldview, he shuts (attempts to!) them down. This is a perfect example. Dude, Cosmo…show him some respect!

    That dude banned me from his site because I was trying to voice my opinion, one different from his minions. He didn’t like that. His defensiveness is a HUGE shout that he knows some of us know he’s a phony. And, he is, as this demonstrates.

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who loves cycling but realizes this guy is a scumbag leech. He even offered to meet me at the NAHBS to smooth things over between us. Yeah right. This whole situation only proves my assumptions. John Watson is an asshole.

    I LOVE that he used to be Mr. Fixie. Oh, and that he moved from rural NC to ultra cool NYC to do it. As a New Yorker, nothing proves someone is trying to be something they aren’t than moving to NYC and coming up with a whole new persona. Like Watson. Then he’s off to Texas, and now LA. And guess what? Fixies are so yesterday for him. Gravel Grinders and $5000 commuters.

    What an obnoxious asshole. He used to mock roadies, now he wants to be one!

    Good work, Cosmo! Gotta love him calling you out for not doing anything. Ummmm…you put together How the Race Was Won and that guy…that guy pays someone else to develop and build and run his site. Fucking amateur.

    This has made my day. I personally called the guy out as being a self-loving asshole and it turns out, one year ago…he PROVED it himself. Too bad I can’t comment on his site, as he blocked me. Asshole.

    Also love that his dipshit sidekick Kyle was in on commenting on the photo. Yeah, those guys totally love cycling…if it glorifies how fucking cool they are. Everything they write, post, and photograph just oozes narcissism and serious homoeroticism as well.

    Fuck John Watson!

    Great work Cosmo for being dignified, talented, and restrained.

    Reply

  37. The rapidity with which Watson shuts down any differing opinions, goes on the attack, and gets defensive proves:
    a) he’s a wanker without any real substance
    b) he knows many of us out here can see through his veneer of constantly changing looks/styles/pursuits
    c) he acts so open and cool and “positive” but only so far as it suits him.

    He’s just a vain asshole.

    The fact that this whole encounter exists and is documented has proven, in just a few minutes, the assumptions I’ve had about this guy for years now.

    Also, the fact that HE was trying to gain notoriety through the acts of some assholes THROWING BEER ON PROS AT THEIR PLACE OF WORK demonstrates he’s just a fucking leech trying to promote himself.

    Having played DI college sports on a scholarship, I fucking HATE hecklers and assholes. If you were so good…you’d be out here.

    All is right in the world. Yes! John Watson has finally pulled back the curtain on himself with this and everyone can now see for themselves that he’s a narcissistic bastard.

    Reply

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