[Franco]

Hello UKB,

I was on a bored little narcissistic outing and came across this topic when googling my own name. I realise it's quite an old topic and reviving such things may be ill-advised, but there are some pretty strong opinions about me on here which seem like they need a reply.

I think the first thing that needs to be addressed is the idea that I somehow don't understand why drytooling at Millstone or pegging or whatever is wrong. Obviously I do. I think the best way to convince newbies though isn't to just say 'this is wrong', but to explain why it's wrong. That's what all that devil's advocate bollocks was about.

The second point I'd like to address is the accusation that I am a self publicist. It may surprise you to learn that I have only ever sent one thing into UKC and that was an article about the Whitestone traverse, that Jack turned into a news item. I didn't send details about the Hypocrisy of Moose in- jack saw a picture on my facebook and asked me for details. The tintwistle video was put on without my permission and I wasn't consulted. UKC have their small print sorted and will just use any info you put on their site without asking for permission. I don't mind; it's funny and it annoyed people- which I enjoyed doing at the time. I was involved in the recent april fools thing obviously, but that was only self-depreciating anyway. We've spent the last year putting up routes in the North York Moors and haven't sent anything to UKC- contrast that to the peak lot, who's new E5s are the latest issue of Climb all the time- I think it's good they send them in, but I'm just using that as proof I'm not out to try and get popular.

so basically... I spent many-a-bored hour trolling around on UKC and a few/ a lot of people (often those with egos) got annoyed.  I'm not obsessed with being a big cheese (with climbing anyway) and have deliberately gone out of my way to be untouchable by sponsors. I really dislike the sponsored side of the sport, it leads to an impersonal relationship with routes, using words like 'send' etc. That really grates on me. Decided that a while ago.

If you meet me at the crag (you wont, cause I don't leave the moors), you'd see a quiet, friendly youth who wasn't particularly gifted. A lot of you will still think I'm a dick now, but I really don't mind- the climbing world is more fun with a bit of abuse. Perhaps over the next few years you'll forget who I am and then you're bubbling hatred will cool.

I do hope some of you get up to the moors sometime to try my routes like, or established routes we've re-opened. There's a lot of shit, but some real gems too!

Franco (now back to the Austrian training room....)

[clm]

Your bubbling hatred

[Franco]

sorry yeh.

[slackline]

You've hit your own nail on its head with...

so basically... I spent many-a-bored hour trolling around on UKC

In general people don't like trolls and they then become easy targets for hatred.

Sounds like its perhaps a thing of the past now though.

[fried]

Still reckon I was right, you need to take more drugs....destroy the ego and all that.

[Johnny Brown]

I'm not obsessed with being a big cheese (with climbing anyway) and have deliberately gone out of my way to be untouchable by sponsors. I really dislike the sponsored side of the sport, it leads to an impersonal relationship with routes, using words like 'send' etc.

Hmmm. I've never been sponsored, but I know a few who are. Trust me, being impersonal towards routes or using words like 'send' has absolutely nothing to do with sponsorship. It may have something to do with being the kind of self-publicist who might seek out sponsorship, but that's not the same thing. Its a real shame people can't make this distinction, as there's nothing more disappointing than a real talent shunning publicity because they think the 'name' climbers are dicks... it only exacerbates the situation.

[Franco]

I reckon you're right, but reading things like this just makes me want to run a mile from gear companies (if I ever got good enough*):

http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/news.php?id=4465

Numbers, cliches and BS. Makes me want to cry.

[Bonjoy]

If you meet me at the crag (you wont, cause I don't leave the moors), you'd see a quiet, friendly youth who wasn't particularly gifted.

With the obvious exception of when you nip up to Wimberry to piss up Danger Mouse, obviously. I haven't forgot. I'll be very disappointed if you don't, that hat of mine looks very appetizing after all.

[mrjonathanr]

Hello UKB,

 A lot of you will still think I'm a dick....

...but I've just reared my head to make a relentlessly self-referential post about me,me,me. 

At least 'narcissistic' was correctly spelled. 

[Drew]

Ok, if this thread is gonna go off on a tangent, can a mod please split it?

FWIW, I know a few people who do have a few sponsors. They couldn't do some of the awesome trips they do without them. They wouldn't be able to tick many of their hardest routes without the support their sponsors offer. Obviously having an understanding employer can be just as important, but let's not underestimate the amount that their sponsors assist in them achieving what they do.

I mean they're not as well supported as in America, but it helps, and it's worth it. Especially if it pushes the standard of climbing within Britain.

[Franco]

It's quite hard to defend ones self without referring to yourself. I'd happily not talk about me, if UKB doesn't think it necessary to accuse me of certain, pretty damning character traits.


In reply to the sponsorship thing. Yeh, I have friends who couldn't have achieved their trips to the greater ranges without sponsorship. There are also people who get the odd bit of free stuff and just climb like they always have done.  The thing I really dislike is the attitude of the gear companies which affects the people who are sponsored a lot. They seem to have to become likeable and just speak in platitudes. I know some people think gear companies only do good, but I disagree. I'm not particularly interested in discussing it on the internet as it will just turn into a fight, but I felt it necessary to mention to back up the point.

[tomtom]

Can we have a log pile for the log pile please?

[rich d]

"It's quite hard to defend ones self without referring to yourself. I'd happily not talk about me, if UKB doesn't think it necessary to accuse me of certain, pretty damning character traits."
I don't think UKB had ever accused you of such, as a UKB member I certainly never had, surely bringing this back up after this amount of time adds evidence to these character traits.
Hard to believe you're not just trolling again.
Post something useful, positive and not just relating to yourself. (If you met me at the crag - you'd think I was a fat useless punter and you'd be right!)

[tomtom]

I had curry for dinner. Very nice too. Chicken methi.

[clm]

Hello UKB,

 A lot of you will still think I'm a dick....

...but I've just reared my head to make a relentlessly self-referential post about me,me,me. 

At least 'narcissistic' was correctly spelled. 

After googling himself, don't forget that.

[SA Chris]

Franco, do you honestly think you are doing yourself any favours posting drivel like this? I would have taken the sleeping dogs approach if I was you.

[dave]

Who is this guy and why does anyone give a shit?

[Jaspersharpe]

Yawn.

Tell you what though, he's right about that Wild Country team promo thing. It's fucking cringeworthy!

Who wrote it?

[Oldmanmatt]

Who is this guy and why does anyone give a shit?

I believe he was responsible for the deaths of several hundred thousand Spaniards....
 

[dave]

Ahh, the guernica dude.

[lagerstarfish]

I thought it was Franco Columbu

[clm]

Though I think this guy knows more about the ethics of grad climbing.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Luambo_Makiadi

[Serpico]

I thought it was Franco Columbu

Everything about that video is awesome

[Drewski Rootbitch]

so basically... I spent many-a-bored hour trolling around on UKC

In general people don't like trolls and they then become easy targets for hatred.

Sounds like its perhaps a thing of the past now though.

Looks like it's not a thing of the past just yet...I'm assuming (ahem ) this tool is Franco (they share the same...characteristics e.g. both...well, tools)

[Franco]

Jurgen isn't a tool though.