MDA forums absolutely gone

[lightspin]

I just tried to get on the MDA forum and was unsuccessful. Did anyone else have the same result. The front and back doors are both closed.

Guess this is the new home.

Spinnerpom, if your are out there lurking, did you happen to get the letter off to MDA before the site went down?

[spinnergirl]

I too tried to go through the back door !! :x

absolutely nothing ! how can they do that ? :shock:

I really can't believe this is happening...

Thanks Billy for giving us something to fall back on so quickly ! :P

[rindin' high]

MDA may have shut us out,,,,but we won't go away! Let's support Billy and this site! Thanks so much

[Innercycling.com]

I too tried to go through the back door !! :x

absolutely nothing ! how can they do that ? :shock:

I really can't believe this is happening...

Thanks Billy for giving us something to fall back on so quickly ! :P

Your so welcome .Thank my partner Tom and my webmasters Webhosting.net for thier specialties and swiftness
I cant believe MDA is so s&%$( sign the petion and spread the word to make more forums available
Billy

[spinnergirl]

I cant believe it either ! dont they realize that by doing that, they give us a reason not to respect them anymore ? :shock:
by shutting the forum down, they have broken our little "community/spinning familly" ! :roll:
isn't that what J wanted us to become, a Team ? well, it seems we are a team anyways, we are total strangers, know each other by our alias names on a forum, and yet, we stand together as one for just one thing, our Spinning Forum !
We have the spirit ... thanks to Tom and the others for this great new home ! :wink:

[WidySpeed]

I don't care, I'll keep on Spinning and help my students to find the champion within them :wink:
Lets mail to every JGSI we know and spread the word, maybe the forum is down but not the philosophy of J.
Free2be

[spinsista]

In case you haven't heard....Madd Dog is getting a new vendor to run the forum. There have been several problems with the current one. Once they get the new vendor set up our forum should be back...don't know when that will be though...

In the meantime, thanks for this one!!!

[lightspin]

Did MDA say how long it would take to get a new vendor?

[spinnergirl]

[quote="spinsista"]In case you haven't heard....Madd Dog is getting a new vendor to run the forum. "
:o thanks for the info spin... how did you get the news ? we were an entire group of people asking for some info and never got any!? :(

[spinsista]

I received an email from someone in one of my cd trees who got an email from mda when she contacted them directly. All is said was they are getting a new vendor because of technical problems with the current one. No indication as to when the new forum will be up and running. I don't know why they just didn't post this information.

So I am going on the email I received....

[spinnerpom]

Hi all, just checking in...yeah, one of us was told by MDA that they're "switching vendors"...I'm waiting to see if that's the case, I don't have much reason to trust them, since they took the forum down without even letting us know what was happening. Kinda typical MDA style of doing business with the folks who pay their bills...US!!!

Oh and Billy, you're a real "mensch" for doing this!!!

mensch n. Yiddish (MENCH) Literally, "person." A caring, decent person--man or woman--who can be trusted. It refers in a much larger sense to acting in an honorable and proper way. The term is bestowed as a compliment on someone who has done the right thing without asking for thanks or credit. For example, "Larry is a real mensch. Before he returned Peter's car, he filled the tank with gas!" [/i}

[gonzosgirl01]

Ya know, maybe it was the whole religion thread thing, but it got me to thinking ...

anyone familiar with the analagy about the ants & the giant, & how the giant stepped all over & killed the ants, never realizing their contribution in the grand scheme of things? That's kind of how I felt MDA (the giant) did everyone (us ants) by pulling the forums. I never posted over there, but I read avidly & learned a LOT.

I'm just thankful that Billy gave all us ants a haven from the giant who would squash us ...

--Mandi

[spinnerpom]

I'm glad we're here in an environment where we won't be censored for "dissing" MDA...

This entire thing left a bad taste in my mouth. I remember when I first joined the Spinning BB in 2001 I think? Anyway, it was right when they suddenly told all of us we were no longer "certified for life", despite the fact that, at that time, we'd all been told just that when we paid for our certifications. There seems to be a history here of MDA going back on its word to us, its ambassadors and customers.

I remember Todd S. and I had a long discussion about this back then; about what a strange business model this whole Spinning thing is.

MDA makes some money off club licensing and selling Spinning bikes. But if you think of it, the real "consumers" of their "products" are us, the instructors. We pay for certification, continuing education, Spin memberships, logo'd clothing...and although we are the frontline of Spinning in terms of how the general populace interacts with MDA (via Spinning) we are not employees and have no real rights in that regard. MDA does not pay us to represent them or to teach classes on their behalf...we in fact pay them.

In some ways it's a little like a multi-level marketing organization like Amway, where the end consumer of the products isn't the customer; the distributor is the customer.

We were all quite vocal about what happened a few years back. They ended up removing posts, and even shutting down the forum at one point. Looking back, I wonder if there wouldn't have been a better way to handle it.

Sara

[marge burns]

Pom,
I couldn't agree with you more! It seems like its become a "Do as I say, not as I do" thing with MDA. If I ran my business the way MDA has been run, I'd consider myself extremely lucky to have ANY clients left! Its unfortunate that somebody over there doesn't have a clue or care as to how loyal and extremely dedicated their JGSIs are/were. As far as I am concerned I'd be hard pressed to support them in the way of any more continuing education, logo wear, etc., even though I think the spin program is a great program. I have my original cert, some continuing ed classes, and hopefully a great instructor resource here.
Saving my recert fees!
mb

[flywheel40]

I have not participated in the Spinning Forum for a long time. But I have lurked here and there so I could keep up to date on what people are doing. I do not believe that MDA is looking for a new forum vendor. Then why did they remove the forum link completely? Why didn't they leave the forum in place until the new vendor was in place? Then they could have announced that maybe the forum would need to be down for a day or two. It sounds way too suspicious to me.

Just a thought, but if MDA was simply swiching vendors should they have not posted this somewhere on their site that this was about to happen? I wouldn't bet a penny on their reply. However, I will remain hopeful.

Z

[zoepup]

wonder why my post showed up as a guest?
hmmm

[hammertime]

I've been around the MDA forum from its inception in 1998. From where I sit behind my computer keyboards, it appears that much of what MDA does is reactionary. Seldom are they proactive, like most successful organizations. And although they continue to mistreat their customers, one thing is clear, they appear to be successful dispite their ill behaviour.
Incredibly, although they treat their most popular customer base with very little respect, these same customers continue to support them and even beg their forgiveness. Case in point, the most recent letter of petition posted on the now defunct instructor forum.
Having worked with battered women for many years, I can, through observation, say that the relationship between MDA and its customers, especially those customers that utlized its forums, had shadows of an abusive relationship. MDA was the abuser and the JGSIs were the abused.
Does any of the following seem familiar?
1) Lots of communication at the start of the relationship. As the relationship grows, communication decreases.
- when the forums first started they were regularly monitored. As time went on, the monitors ceased their participation. :?
2) Your thoughts and ideas, if not agreeable, are discarded.
- posts unfavorable in tone to MDA were frequently removed with no warning. :(
3) Opinions, contradictory to those of your "partner", result in punishment of some sort.
- if the ideas were too many and against the organization the forum was conveniently shut down for maintenance. :x
4) Blatant disregard for anything you have to say.
- how many of you have made calls, sent emails or letters to MDA only to receive NO response? Hmmm. :shock:

Perhaps its just me, but maybe the MDA forums being gone is a good thing. At least we still have a place where we can communicate (a shelter????). :D

[ArcticBiker]

The problem is how new participants will find this forum.

[lightspin]

Word of mouth is a powerful tool.

Just keep telling your fellow instructors and members about it and the word will get out. Everyone knows someone, who knows someone, who knows someone that is connected to indoor cycling.

[spinnerpom]

Hmmmm....it's the proverbial "we need them more than they need us" thing, I think. New JGSIs are born every day. As are suckers, LOL! So as long as the revenue stream of new instructors desirous of Spinning certs continues, why should they care about us?

I still think Spinning is the best indoor cycling program. I'm just very dubious about MDA as an organization at the moment.

Sounds like an American Marriage.
:wink: :wink:

Z
I've been around the MDA forum from its inception in 1998. From where I sit behind my computer keyboards, it appears that much of what MDA does is reactionary. Seldom are they proactive, like most successful organizations. And although they continue to mistreat their customers, one thing is clear, they appear to be successful dispite their ill behaviour.
Incredibly, although they treat their most popular customer base with very little respect, these same customers continue to support them and even beg their forgiveness. Case in point, the most recent letter of petition posted on the now defunct instructor forum.
Having worked with battered women for many years, I can, through observation, say that the relationship between MDA and its customers, especially those customers that utlized its forums, had shadows of an abusive relationship. MDA was the abuser and the JGSIs were the abused.
Does any of the following seem familiar?
1) Lots of communication at the start of the relationship. As the relationship grows, communication decreases.
- when the forums first started they were regularly monitored. As time went on, the monitors ceased their participation. :?
2) Your thoughts and ideas, if not agreeable, are discarded.
- posts unfavorable in tone to MDA were frequently removed with no warning. :(
3) Opinions, contradictory to those of your "partner", result in punishment of some sort.
- if the ideas were too many and against the organization the forum was conveniently shut down for maintenance. :x
4) Blatant disregard for anything you have to say.
- how many of you have made calls, sent emails or letters to MDA only to receive NO response? Hmmm. :shock:

Perhaps its just me, but maybe the MDA forums being gone is a good thing. At least we still have a place where we can communicate (a shelter????). :D

[LikeIseeit]

Hmmmm....it's the proverbial "we need them more than they need us" thing, I think. New JGSIs are born every day. As are suckers, LOL! So as long as the revenue stream of new instructors desirous of Spinning certs continues, why should they care about us?

I still think Spinning is the best indoor cycling program. I'm just very dubious about MDA as an organization at the moment.


They should care about us because we continue to feed their financial pool. We purchase their educational materials, we contribute to the SPIN membership scam to get a crummy newsletter (which should be free and posted on the site for all JGSIs to see), we attend their conferences (which are by far the most expensive in the industry and yet, very one dimensional and lacking in popular presenter presence - Sorry, but if I hear one more of Josh Taylor's story about how he is a professional cyclist I'm gonna puke!) and we do their word of mouth marketing.

If MDA did not have the instructors out there pushing their program they would be dead. Let's face it, as much as we would like to think we are the majority, it just isn't so. Our membership base is the majority... and with the exception of the Freedom to Ride campaign I don't know of anything else that MDA has done for the members in my facility. Quite frankly, I would hazard a guess they make their money from the sale of the bikes and us, the instructor population.

In my area of the country, Schwinn seems to be kicking MDAs butt when it comes to market share. Almost every club has converted to Schwinn bikes...mainly due to price. One of my coordinators told our team the owners decided to switch from Spinning to Schwinn because they were "sick and tired of MDAs lack of service". If the instructor base were to boycott MDA, I would wager a handsome fee that MDA would be in the soup kitchen line in no time.

[lightspin]

So, Like, how do you really feel? I get the sense you are holding back a little... :wink:

[LikeIseeit]

You know, I think I got it all out. But thanks for the concern. It's amazing how good you feel once you purge your system of negativity. :oops:

[like2bike]

Even if MDA does bring the forum back, I won't go. F-em.
:x

[Raptor]

I'm now less likely to pursue my JGSI, ever. The way this experience unfolded, I think MadDogg was just looking for an excuse to eliminate the forum. That they did it without an official explanation or warning is poor customer service. If I apply at a gym that requires Spinning cert., I'll reply that I'm not particularly impressed with the program, though that's not due to the science behind it.

Lynn

[hammertime]

I am so curious...was a response received from MDA to the petition letter that was sent in?

[madcyclist]

What have y'all done!?

C I told u that all that trash about the Passion, Christians, Jews, and Gentiles was goign to cuase trouble ... LMAO!

But I luv y'all man!

BTW, I've been drooling over bike parts - decided to build up a Look frame with Dura-Ace components. Looks like I won't b going to the TdF - OLNTV will do just fine.

BTW, for all of you outdoor folks looking to upgrade your components. Because Shimano came out with their new Dura-Ace 10 speed system, the prices on the Dura-Ace 9 speed components are falling through the floor. You can now get build a bike with Dura-Ace components for just a little bit more than what Ultegra cost. The bike I'm building will end up being about 15.5 lbs (seat included). I'll spend a little over $2000.00. And EVERYTHING is new. Can't beat that at all.

It's a good time to build a bike or upgrade your components.
--

Looks like the forum will not be back until the fall. I had a lengthy conversation with someone from MDA - actually got a phone call response to an email I sent. The forum is down for all the reasons we suspect. I suggested an explanation be posted on the web site - an honest explanation. Hopefully that will be down. The entire web site will be reconstructed but that's not the reason the forum was taken down. content, content, content!

[madcyclist]

Dudes and Dudettes,

I notice that someone who is using the id "johnnyg" signed up 11 Mar 2004 and is on the membership list. This person is not publishing his/her email address either.

Is Johnny G lurking on this board? It would be a good thing that it is him b/c then you can let him know what/how you REALLY feel. It does seems as though you can send this person and email mail.

Interesting...
--

[andy jr]

Hi Mad!

The same day the forum went down I got a mail from someone with address JohnnyG@spinning.com there were no subject and the mail was empty. Could it be the same one?

Anders

[Tibet dreamer]

Hi Mad

guess this will be a cool comunication between JG and us, even
if this name listed is not " him", I`m quite sure he is on board
wth us in this new comunication road.
MDA is an organization, JG is a human being a special one, that
has been teaching us for years, and carries about his JGSI´s,
so why not to tell him about what
have been flying in ours "toughts", "feelings" and "emotions" ?

namaste
Tibet dreamer

[labo]

I think that MDA is full of mindless cowards...I once was a proud JGSI but no more....I will only maintain my certification to teach in certified clubs that I am already afiliated with. I will not be purchasing any Spin merchandise at all nor will I ever set foot at a continuing Ed or conference run by MDA. They can tell us whatever they want but what they did to those forum members, that would be us folks, was rude and disrespectful.
Johnny if you are out there you need to grab your people by the throat. This is no way to build community and respect amongst the troops.....
I hope that noone goes back to the forum and that anyone that does is warned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AC]

Couple of things....

For MDA, it was a service they took down. If they didn't want any discussion regarding certain topics, they should have just took them down, which they did at times. This time it seems they took the whole thing down. It's just a business decision on their part.

I still enjoy taking the rides with the MI's and I have no better source for organized continuing educational, so I will continue to "purchase" their product because it's an accredited body and it's convienent to buy their services.

I am very impressed with the construction of this forum, which seems better than the "Spinning" one and far better than the "Indoor Cycling Forum" with the pop-ups. I'm not sure what business Billy is in, but i will try to buy something as a token of support.

[Tibet dreamer]

Hey Ac
I still enjoy taking a relay ride with Johnny G. Best training ever....
It´s just pedal passion .
When the next one will happen? IHRSA ?

Namaste
TD

[labo]

I'm so impressed with your loyalty.....its amazing how an organization can treat you with such disregard and disrespect and you come back for more!!!!
Hmmm...what did WC Fields say??????????????????????????

[hammertime]

OK, I give. What did WC Fields say?

BTW, I think you mistake an individual for an organization. The two are separate and distinct. MDA has issues, no question about that, but riding with Johnny has nothing to do with MDA's poor treatment of its instructor population.

[24spinngirl]

I'm so glad this forum is here, I can't believe that MDA stopped the Instructor forum. That site had so many GREAT ideas and the Best in put. I'm gad we have this one.. :lol:

[labo]

first of all WC Fields said...there's a sucker born every minute!!!

and I'm sure Johnny is far removed from the workings of MDA! All props to him...hey we all LOVE SPIN...its a great form of exercise and training...I'm all for it.....but frankly my loyalty and enthusiasm has been dampened by the treatment we have received from MDA......I will take what I've learned from the SPin program and be successful in any indoor cycling arena because its good, solid and worthwhile information........its a shame the organization is not as worthwhile and trustworthy as the principles behind Spin .....don't you just hate when 'business' distorts a good thing!!!!!!!

[Tibet dreamer]

well said Hammertime.
There is a huge difference between a business organization
and a unique human being , a master, that has been teaching us and guys worldwide all we know about indoor cycling for 7 years
At least, for me, it´will be always a honor to ride with Johnny G.
Is he going to be at IHRSA / Las Vegas?

TD

[madcyclist]

There is a huge difference between a business organization
and a unique human being , a master, that has been teaching us and guys worldwide all we know about indoor cycling for 7 years

If there is a huge difference then why is "Johnny G" on the SPINNER bikes? Sounds like amarketing strategy that includes the individual and the business to me.

And you really think that Johnny G doesn't have anything to do with MDA, that these two are tied together, that they are NOT dependent upon each other? Then I have a bridge in Harare I want to sell you.

If your that naive (or naif, if your a male) then you desire to be taken to the bank by Johnny G AND MDA.
--

[hammertime]

If there is a huge difference then why is "Johnny G" on the SPINNER bikes? Sounds like amarketing strategy that includes the individual and the business to me.


Hmmm...sorta like why is LeMond's name on a RevMaster? That sounds like a marketing strategy that includes the individual and the business to me too.

[AC]

BTW, it was PT Barnum who said there was a sucker born every minute. W.C. Fields appeared in a movie called, "Never give a sucker an even break".

I don't think Mel Gibson directed it.

[labo]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: me thinks I have my quote masters confused....sorry.....

[murphs]

OK, I give. What did WC Fields say?

I've always liked this one: "I'd rather have two girls of 21 than one of 42."

[zoepup]

OK, I give. What did WC Fields say?

I've always liked this one: "I'd rather have two girls of 21 than one of 42."

:lol:

very.. very funny. I think I should live by that too!!!

[McRide]

I'm with Sara and AC. I'm glad I have the JGSI certification and training amongst my experiences, but MDA's credibility as an organization is a little questionable to me at this point.

(Glad I have a few other certifications, too, since every club has their own set of requirements .... however, that's an entirely different thread .....).

:lol: