The following email came in [note: he said it is cool to post his name]

Hi, my name is Russell I own Durango Cyclery. I just tuned in on your web sight. Around here HB is a true friend and as we see it, somone who spends his time developing products that make riding safer and more fun. I'm not speaking for anyone but me here. I invite you to come to Durango and stop bye the bike shop. Ill let you meet some people that were up there in 90 and set you straight. Then we can all go for a ride. After that you will stop being nasty and wrong.

To which we responded and only posted here because it might answer questions some of you others have.  

Thanks for the email, Russell.

We know your shop and we know of you. We respect both, and judging from your email, you’re a classy guy that wants to make a point. Contrary to popular belief, I get really bummed out, personally, with emails from people who are not into the site. But a lot of people are into the site. We have contributing writers now. People need a place to vent, and some people are really excited about this. It sounds like HB is respected in your eyes. You made your point that he works on product (good part of his legacy) and I made my point that he is a clown that represents a sport that I take seriously. I think both are true. 
 

It’s not as if I wasn’t alive in the 90’s. I’ve met him. I’m not super-impressed, but does that even matter? You have to admit, him cutting the course is not something that was concocted by us. It is a huge rumor and has been for a long time. People in the industry have heard it. We are writing a website for people in the industry.

Which brings me to my next point: social commentary. There are tons of celebrity websites out there that criticize actors and singers, etc...and everyone is totally fine with it. But we post on some things in mountain biking and it is sac-relig. Where, on God’s green earth, does anyone read about Overend, HB, Tomac, Nico...Henrik Djernis for fuck’s sake? It’s all word of mouth now. We are not Aborigines, we don't have to light a fire and sing songs to tell tales of bygone eras. The rumor exists about HB. Some swear by it. Put it on a site. Let people talk about it.

HBCTC