Fifty Plus (50+) - Called a Silly Old Coot here on BF

A funny thing happened this past weekend on the way to the forum (old joke - showing my age). I tried to help someone in the General Cycling page confused by bike gearing and & the amount of gear overlap. I offered a fairly detailed explaination, sighting numeric values of an example gearset. For my trouble, I got called "a silly old coot" by some snotnosed kid because he didn't like the gearset I chose for the example. That was after his insults towards those that might be interested in riding a 10 speed bike.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=340793

Well, at first I was insulted, but then had a good laugh. Yep, I'm over fifty with grey beard and thinning hair, but I'm in pretty good shape, active, and consider myself still young. This was the first time in my life that I have been actually called out as OLD (other than by my kids....). So now it is official - I'm OLD and proud of it.

Guys like that should come over to the Fifty Plus and the Classic & Vintage page to really meet knowledgeable old geeks, some of whom actually like old iron! Followed, perhaps, by a good butt kicking. Gotta teach these kids some respect!

A For my trouble, I got called "a silly old coot" by some snotnosed kid because he didn't like the gearset I chose for the example. That was after his insults towards those that might be interested in riding a 10 speed bike.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=340793

Well, at first I was insulted, but then had a good laugh. Yep, I'm over fifty with grey beard and thinning hair, but I'm in pretty good shape, active, and consider myself still young. This was the first time in my life that I have been actually called out as OLD (other than by my kids....). So now it is official - I'm OLD and proud of it.


!


hahah.....as my mom always used to say, getting old is better than the alternative. None of us are getting any younger

I knew I'd reached a milestone in adulthood when I first uttered the words, "kids today......"

Want me to take an extra dose of centrum silver, my glucosamine and chondroitin, blood pressure meds, and a couple of ibuprofen and come on over there and help you kick somebody's ass?

I just can't stand those snot nose kids.;) What is a coot anyway?

My MTB has a 7 cog cassette and the 700c wheelset I took off a Marin Hybrid has a 7 cog cassette (very nice too). Does that make me a "coot"? Not to mention the 7 speed shimano freewheel I have in reserve for the Dawes (very smooth).

Wikipedia: Coot - Main definition is a species of medium sized water bird.

Secondary definitions include a particular class of 4WD all terrain vehicles, or a derogatory term for an old man. I don't think he was calling me a bird or an ATV, so it must be the old man thing. Imagine that!

So are you saying you're not a coot?

So I dug into that guy's other posts, .. what a total a**hole. You should see some of the other things he says to people. Mostly content free insult posts. I feel sorry for his family.

I think I'll have some prunes and go to bed.
Mud

At least at our age we have the self-control to not respond to an airhead's insulting post. But if you do need a few snappy comebacks, try these...

"I know you are but what am I?":rolleyes:
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!":p
"I'm rubber and you're glue. Everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you!" :D

Do we need a fifty plus posse to show up and take this whipper-snapper down? :) I remember the first time I was called an "old geezer" by a smart mouthed ten year old.

Steven

Want me to take an extra dose of centrum silver, my glucosamine and chondroitin, blood pressure meds, and a couple of ibuprofen and come on over there and help you kick somebody's ass?

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

That would be funnier if it weren't so true. :(

Well, Fibber IMO he did just make a simple comment about mtb gearing and you criticized him for his post. So he replied with a flaming post. Why did your criticize his comment, why not just point out that many mtb do have 7 spd or that this was not really the point of your post. Most of the time Newton applies in verbal communication, for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction.

You could always use the phrase " I've got Bicycles older than you!" That might work! I know I have a few old ones around!

There are some areas in these forums that I've found out that I just stay out of.

Chris

"You are a silly old coot"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

He could respond

"You are"

You could say

"Am not"

That would resolve the issue!:D

My paternal grandfather gave me the best response I've ever heard to being called "an old fool". He was called this by a grocery store clerk when I was about 12 years old. He responded by saying: "I'm sorry, but I believe you're mistaken. Fools don't live to be my age, but I guess you'll never know that first hand."

My paternal grandfather gave me the best response I've ever heard to being called "an old fool". He was called this by a grocery store clerk when I was about 12 years old. He responded by saying: "I'm sorry, but I believe you're mistaken. Fools don't live to be my age, but I guess you'll never know that first hand."

Burn! Great comeback, gonna file that. Trouble is, I won't be able to find it when i need it :D

I tried to help someone in the General Cycling page confused by bike gearing and & the amount of gear overlap. I offered a fairly detailed explaination, sighting numeric values of an example gearset. For my trouble, I got called "a silly old coot" [/QUOTE]


Yup - no good deed ever goes unpunished! Glad you can smile about it!

Well, Fibber IMO he did just make a simple comment about mtb gearing and you criticized him for his post. So he replied with a flaming post. Why did your criticize his comment, why not just point out that many mtb do have 7 spd or that this was not really the point of your post. Most of the time Newton applies in verbal communication, for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction.


I cannot argue with you on that. All you say is true. It was not the first time that I had seen him stab someone for a legitimate post or question. Note his comment to the thread starter. But it was the first time he took a shot at me, and I (in a moment of weakness) stooped low enough to shoot back. My bad.... I tried to do along the lines of what you suggest on the second round, but I don't think he was much interested in a discussion. Note that I chose to cut it off rather than fuel the fire.

People like this contribute little to nothing. They come here to get their rocks off torturing others. It is kind of sad, really.

I'll venture over into the bicycle mechanics area or road cycling on occasion, and it never seems to amaze me at some of the very basic mechanical questions which are asked. Sometimes I wonder if they are asked just so someone has something to post. Not mocking those who don't have the experience with the workings of derailleurs, greasing hubs, etc, but seems the 50+ forum is much more civil and helpful with questions than other forums. So if we're "old coots", then I'm glad to be part of the club! I'm sure your willingness to help would have been met with appreciation here.

He is a complete ass. There's never anything of substance to go along with his comments. I called him on it a while back. His reaction was the same. He apparently spends all his time with a thesaurus and dictionary. :rolleyes:

There is plenty of this on BF. The P&R forum lately is just a wasteland of name calling. There seems to be a lot of people who just want to push their personal agenda or troll rather than have a discussions. It turns me off, I use to find P&R somewhat interesting in an amusing way, now I don't go there much. It is the nature of the interweb I am afraid.

The BM forum like here is generally pretty devoid of this and helpful, so I hope it is not degrading.

Geeze, what does that make me, with my steel fame, brooks saddle, downtube shifters, 9 speed mountain bike gearing? As my dad used to say, make me comfortable. But, In some eyes I guess I am a silly old coot!

edit I forgot to add I also have a large Caradice saddle bag in which I carry all kinds of stuff on my longer rides, like tubes, patches, a pump, water and a few sadwhiches. Racer chic is lost on me

Met one like that on a ride earlier in the Summer- Offroad and I shouldn't be out ruining all the other riders Rides by going slow up the hills. We met the group he was with later on in the day down at the cafe- and apparantly they were planning a long offroad ride in the summer and were just out Trying out the last leg of the ride. Now there can only be one long ride in this area-The South Downs Way. They were planning to do it over 3 days as they had a couple of Older riders with them.

I did not say a word- but just pulled out my Water bottle that I had that day- A momento of my 97 ride and all it says on it is SDW- 100 miles- 10,000ft of climbing-In one day. They went quiet then- Their older riders were in their 30's. I did apoligise as I have only done it 3 times since then- But I did cheat and did it on the tandem in 03,04and failed at 65 miles in 06

In cycling only one thing matters- and that is the riding- Not the mouth saying what it can do.

It's citing, not "sighting". You silly old coot. :)

Flames aside it looks like a pretty good thread on gearing - have to read it more closely.

"Road Bikes" and even "General Cycling" are full of guys who pretend to RACE bikes. They claim to do all of their riding at gears between 80 inches (hills) and 130 inches (cruising at their claimed cruising speed of 35 mph).

So, if someone were to praise a bike that came with gearing suitable for loaded touring (say, 30 inches to 90 inches) they would have a great time joking about the problems of the elderly and infirm.

But, I never see any of these pretend races in my neighborhood. Although they are "tough" enough for their claimed "macho" gearing, it is always "too hot", "too cold", "too wet" for these guys to ride. Real tough guys.

A friend of mine who is nearing age 60 rides about 340 days a year, rain or shine. He ain't tough though, because his bikes are firmly set to a 70 inch gear.

So are you saying you're not a coot?

Nah...he's no coot.

Just a garden variety curmudgeon...:D

He is a complete ass. There's never anything of substance to go along with his comments. I called him on it a while back. His reaction was the same. He apparently spends all his time with a thesaurus and dictionary. :rolleyes:

I agree +1....my only questions is what makes you think he has the brains to use either one of those books? :D

Mmmmmm I guess only "old coots" could go on 2 pages about someone calling them "old coots".

Funny reading though. I used to cringe about my age (between 40 and 50) but now I embrace my years and the knowledge and wisdom that comes with it. I never argue with old(er) people because I know they have been there done that and always have something to say about there and that. Of course. another nice thing about getting older, I can't hear or read half of what you old coots say anyway. So chat away!

Pam aka "old cootette!"

I got called "a silly old coot" by some snotnosed kid

Yeah, it's just a Crime Against Humanity that we in the "coot" and related categories have the time to devote to fitness activities and the disposable income to afford top-of-the-line stuff. My heart's breaking at the injustice of it all.

Fi you think that guy was bad, go over to the Daily Peloton racing forum to see some real mudslinging.

I think that you should be embarassed too, but for another reason.

Getting too involved in a discussion of gear overlap is one of the ways that we show people that we have no life. Now before you get insulted by that statement, keep in mind that I've got a post or two in that thread too.

Thoughtful, intelligent, and occasionally insightful and funny posts are what I like about this place. People who get their yuks calling people names in blogs are not worth your time.

Well, there are jerks on just about every forum. When it comes to the younger folk, let's say college age, I find the people who spend their time on old bikes (60's, 70's, 80's) have a different attitude toward those of us with some gray on top (or no hair whatever works). Last year while flipping an old Schwinn frame I ran across a couple of guys from NC State who were into old steel. I had a blast sharing stories with them. I landed up giving the some old parts I was ready to trash, but they wanted to rebuild.
There are a few younger folks over on the C&V forum who really appreciate older bikes and ..... older people.
I guess I'm saying all this to just say, there are too many good folks on each forum to let the jerks get you down. I know its hard when you get flamed by a jerk, but I like to just focus on those that are reasonable.

Coots (and cootettes) of the world unite!

It's citing, not "sighting". You silly old coot.

Yea, yea... Lucky for the world that I chose to go into engineering, rather than try and become an English major!

I come on here and to some of the automotive forums to 'give back'. Figure I've learned so much from others over the years, that I don't mind getting caught up in a detailed answer if someone asks a decent question.

I agree +1....my only questions is what makes you think he has the brains to use either one of those books? :D

I doubt it's a question of brains. Rather how much time his mom has. :p:D

Mmmmmm I guess only "old coots" could go on 2 pages about someone calling them "old coots".

Funny reading though. I used to cringe about my age (between 40 and 50) but now I embrace my years and the knowledge and wisdom that comes with it. I never argue with old(er) people because I know they have been there done that and always have something to say about there and that. Of course. another nice thing about getting older, I can't hear or read half of what you old coots say anyway. So chat away!

Pam aka "old cootette!"

I work with a lot of younger people. They don't tell me I'm an old fart anymore because of the cutting comback I use. "Yup, and I made it this far. You haven't, and still might not."

There is plenty of this on BF.

Most recently on the Clydesdale forum. "Old coot" is mild compared to what I had tossed at me.

I think the guy who called you a coot is a clown; I mean this in a literal sense. If you check out his profile it lists his web site and on it he identifies himself as a clown. The guys' a clown! Now don't you feel a bit better about the whole exchange.

A nasty clown. One I wouldn't invite to my little daughter's birthday party!

Historian: Sorry to hear that. Nobody should or deserves to be treated badly.

[QUOTE=Fibber;5251959
I come on here and to some of the automotive forums to 'give back'. Figure I've learned so much from others over the years, that I don't mind getting caught up in a detailed answer if someone asks a decent question.[/QUOTE]

Careful not to cast ye pearls before swine. This IS the internet...:D A nice reply sometimes is...

"Really? What makes you say that?"

as in:

A seven speed cassette is not a typical mtb setup.

"Really? What makes you say that?

A nasty clown. One I wouldn't invite to my little daughter's birthday party!

Historian: Sorry to hear that. Nobody should or deserves to be treated badly.

Well, I hadn't expected to be called an "an*l sph*nctor" or to be mocked for my weight on a forum for larger riders. Such is life.

Well, I hadn't expected to be called an "an*l sph*nctor" or to be mocked for my weight on a forum for larger riders. Such is life.


Do you report the posts to a Mod?

He's just a troll. Don't feed him.

I think, its a small minds, small people kind of thing mostly. The Internet and forums for some people provide a setting to be as nasty as they want to be without consequence, If people treated each other in person the way they do on the 'net there would be an epidemic of broken noses.

Then again others of us look at the other posters like friends, and try to treat them as such. We have the better way.

Don't feed him.

Yes, I might gain weight! :-)

Looks like the moderators must have stepped in. Peter Fagerlin's posts on a number of treads are missing, along with his name. Same avatar picture, but now named Zumba.

His first shot about noobs and 10 speeds is there, but his follow-up comments to me are history.

I must say I tangled with pete a few times and I'm not proud of it but I didn't like the way he picked on people. I think one time he thought I was the historian and busted on me with a lot of fat insults. The clown website is a red herring his real site link was the picture in his signature area.

I must say I tangled with pete a few times and I'm not proud of it but I didn't like the way he picked on people. I think one time he thought I was the historian and busted on me with a lot of fat insults. The clown website is a red herring his real site link was the picture in his signature area.

I don't recall ever entering an exchange with the fellow. All my 'problem' exchanges on Bike Forums have been in the Clydesdale forum. I had to start throwing ad hom 'specialists' onto the Ignore list. "Zumba" looks like a good candidate for said list.

From what the Mods tell me if anyone logs a significant enough number of complaints they WILL be bounced from BF....

So maybe it's good to click on (Report this post to a mod) rather than just put them on ignore.