Fifty Plus (50+) - Not sure I have a place here.

I'm beginning to think that I just do not fit in with the bicycling crowd. I only recently started riding again (at 62 years old), got lots of great info from Bike Forums due to google searches.

I also fell into the trap of replying to a few threads on what turned out to be rather controversial topics.

I am a dog owner, a gun owner, my main transportation is a pick up truck, my bibs are denim and made by a company called Liberty, I believe in complying with the rules of the road regardless of the number of wheels under me, I am not impressed by big "talk" from any keyboard and most of all I mourn for the lack of common sense in the world today.

I ride a bicycle for relaxation and am not out to impress anyone. I'm as comfortable on the my old Raleigh wearing shorts and flip flops as I am when wearing overalls and steel toed work boots. If your dog chases me I will stop, pat him on head and and reward his diligence in "protecting you" with a dog biscuit from my pocket. If you flip me off, I will generally smile and wave back.

I am a metal fabricator/woodworker/mechanic and include bicycles in my life, I do not live bicycles. I'm not sure that there is a place here for one who occasionally rides a bicycle among all the "true bicyclists".

There are people here from all walks of life, and many approaches to riding. It's just a question of whether you enjoy the discourse (which general remains pretty civil), and only you can answer that.

And whats the problem... WELCOME.. now its off for a week to ride with my wife who is a new rider and friends.

Now i'm not 50+, but I will share what i've noticed...

By allowing people to post stories and share opinions outside of the Advocacy section, you get what seems to be wildfire and shear ignorance a lot of times. The people (seemingly) who typically run on and on about "i'll just shoot the bastard" when in response to animals in public places, are the same who are die-hard VC advocates. People that fight any and all negative aspect towards cyclists.

As far as the recent dog thread, I believe you mean the St. Bernard occurrence, i'm with you. If you see the dog, he is headed towards you, WHY would you continue at 20mph heading in to a sure collision? Slow, stop, stay mounted on the bike in some fashion and assess the situation. More times than not dogs are simply wanting to play or gain your attention. If you stop and asses the situation..if the dog IS violent, you now have a foot to potentially kick the ever living hell out of the dog and a chance to arm yourself with pepper spray before any action even occurs.

Cyclists CAN be outright ridiculous in some instances. Holier than though types seem to be more common than I expected as well. Luckily, we both enjoy our bikes it seems. Good luck and keep pedaling!

As was said, lots of different people here and I am careful which threads to post in. I usually avoid the hot button threads where emotions take over.
There are some good stories to read and they sometimes come from unlikely sources.

Welcome to 50+:)

We really don't care what you ride or what you wear. We only care that you ride and enjoy eating pie on your rides;)

I don't believe there are any requirements about having to post, or having to read "x" number of posts to be part of the forum. People come and go. People participate at different levels. Some have been around longer than others. Some post then disappear for a while and show up again later. Some who post do so to be helpful. Others post to make points. Yet others post to simply share experiences. I guess there are as many reasons for being here and posting as there are people. I would suspect, however, that for many of us cycling is a large part of our lives. There are those of us who have other interests equal to or greater than cycling. In my view, there are times when it is tempting to try and bring those other interests into the forum. Generally, I don't think that works all that well if it becomes the primary focus of a discussion. It is probably better to take a strong interest in motorcycles, guns, dogs, cats, photography, farming, cars, sailboats, politics, religion, hiking, cooking, weight lifting, painting, teaching, etc. and post on forums dedicated to them. With that said, I sometimes worry about how welcoming we are here at 50+ (I won't even try to figure that out for some of the other forums on Bike Forums). Generally, I think we attempt to be inclusive. I would have hoped you wouldn't have felt this way. But, if it's not the right place, it's not the right place. You're the only one who can determine that. Fitting into the bicycling crowd, IMO, is more about figuring out which segment of the bicycling crowd is best suited to your own interest, personality, etc.

You are welcome here, as you can see there are many people with many opinions. I, like you, work for a living, Cycle because I want the enjoyment of being outside and exercise provided from the ride. I have 4 dogs, They are outside with me anytime I am in the yard. I live on an active bike route and none of these 4 have ever chased a cyclist. I ride where there are many dogs. even when chased I have never been bitten or knocked from the bike, we just have to learn how best to deal with the obstructions that do occur when we are riding. I hope you stay, I am sure all of us would welcome your input into any of the threads.

I'm with you on all that, larwin. I guess everyone has to blow off steam sometimes and that's how I take it on these forums.

I hope you will stay around. I enjoy reading about other perspectives and approaches to cycling. We all come in with different experiences and preferences. No reason to expect we will all want the same thing from bicycling. I have read some of your posts and appreciate your level-headed approach to things. I don't have to do the same things you do and make the same choices to enjoy reading about your riding experiences.

Things usually stay pretty tolerant and respectful around here, although certain topics can create a fuss, especially when they draw in people who like to fight about them in different forums. I sometimes get drawn into the fray when someone, instead of telling what they do and why, start telling others what they should do or that the choices they make are wrong. The argumentative threads often go on for several pages, but usually nothing new comes into them after the go off the rail. I just stop reading them after a while.

Hope to hear more from you.

The only thing is that you're out riding. All the BS talk, "I'm faster than you," "I have a better bike than you," and "I'm cooler than you because I shave my legs", is mostly online. When you get out and ride, most folks are actually very friendly out on the road. Have fun and be safe!

I'm beginning to think that I just do not fit in with the bicycling crowd. I only recently started riding again (at 62 years old), got lots of great info from Bike Forums due to google searches.

I also fell into the trap of replying to a few threads on what turned out to be rather controversial topics.

I am a dog owner, a gun owner, my main transportation is a pick up truck, my bibs are denim and made by a company called Liberty, I believe in complying with the rules of the road regardless of the number of wheels under me, I am not impressed by big "talk" from any keyboard and most of all I mourn for the lack of common sense in the world today.

I ride a bicycle for relaxation and am not out to impress anyone. I'm as comfortable on the my old Raleigh wearing shorts and flip flops as I am when wearing overalls and steel toed work boots. If your dog chases me I will stop, pat him on head and and reward his diligence in "protecting you" with a dog biscuit from my pocket. If you flip me off, I will generally smile and wave back.

I am a metal fabricator/woodworker/mechanic and include bicycles in my life, I do not live bicycles. I'm not sure that there is a place here for one who occasionally rides a bicycle among all the "true bicyclists".

I don't know what brought all this about, but from what I've read you sound like about 90% of the people out riding bicycles that I come across when I'm out riding. Most people that I know that ride bicycles for fun, or to just go some place have never even heard of, a carbon frame bike, bicycle specific clothing (that's just stuff those racer types wear), or Bike Forums, let alone posted here. VC type riding to them is just trying not to get ran over by cars... :)

Whatever you decide, don't forget the pie ride next weekend.

From what I gather, you ride fifteen miles (more or less) then eat some pie.

Go here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/767414-Pie-Ride-2011) for more details.

I'm beginning to think that I just do not fit in with the bicycling crowd. I only recently started riding again (at 62 years old), got lots of great info from Bike Forums due to google searches.

I also fell into the trap of replying to a few threads on what turned out to be rather controversial topics.

I am a dog owner, a gun owner, my main transportation is a pick up truck, my bibs are denim and made by a company called Liberty, I believe in complying with the rules of the road regardless of the number of wheels under me, I am not impressed by big "talk" from any keyboard and most of all I mourn for the lack of common sense in the world today.

I ride a bicycle for relaxation and am not out to impress anyone. I'm as comfortable on the my old Raleigh wearing shorts and flip flops as I am when wearing overalls and steel toed work boots. If your dog chases me I will stop, pat him on head and and reward his diligence in "protecting you" with a dog biscuit from my pocket. If you flip me off, I will generally smile and wave back.

I am a metal fabricator/woodworker/mechanic and include bicycles in my life, I do not live bicycles. I'm not sure that there is a place here for one who occasionally rides a bicycle among all the "true bicyclists".

I think you are wrong.

My stats.

I started roadracing motorcycles at 67 years old.

http://www.cehoward.net/fl1.jpg

I started back to riding bicycles at 69 years old.

http://www.cehoward.net/3bikes1.jpg

I am NRA master in 2700 point 3-gun matches, and hunted deer and small game with pistols.

http://www.cehoward.net/skrange2.jpg

I drive a Ford F150

http://www.cehoward.net/653.jpg

I ride old Raleighs, Schwinns and Centurions.



All I wear is Levis/Wranglers and Cowboy Boots.
BTW, my Cowboy boots are made by a company called Liberty too..

Liberty Boots put a pic of me and my wife on their website. I was sporting a pair of their Lefty Handmade Cowboy Boots, they are killers too..;)

http://www.libertybootco.com/hey-cool-boots.aspx?ItemID=68

This is the internet, all subjects are controversional, take it with a grain of salt.

IMO, the internet, just like everything else, has its GOOD POINTS, and its BAD POINTS. I treat it like I do everything in life. Grasp on to the Good Points, and leave the BAD POINTS alone.

I ain't out to impress anybody either, what I do is for ME, ME AND MORE ME!!! :D

Welcome to the Club, you are not ALONE!! :beer:

The only thing is that you're out riding. All the BS talk, "I'm faster than you," "I have a better bike than you," and "I'm cooler than you because I shave my legs", is mostly online. When you get out and ride, most folks are actually very friendly out on the road. Have fun and be safe!

Can't be said any better!! :thumb: :thumb:

You have a place as long as YOU want it! :thumb:

I think you are wrong.

My stats.

I started roadracing motorcycles at 67 years old.

http://www.cehoward.net/fl1.jpg

I started back to riding bicycles at 69 years old.

http://www.cehoward.net/3bikes1.jpg

I am NRA master in 2700 point 3-gun matches, and hunted deer and small game with pistols.

http://www.cehoward.net/skrange2.jpg

I drive a Ford F150

http://www.cehoward.net/653.jpg

I ride old Raleighs, Schwinns and Centurions.



All I wear is Levis/Wranglers and Cowboy Boots.
BTW, my Cowboy boots are made by a company called Liberty too..

Liberty Boots put a pic of me and my wife on their website. I was sporting a pair of their Lefty Handmade Cowboy Boots, they are killers too..;)

http://www.libertybootco.com/hey-cool-boots.aspx?ItemID=68

This is the internet, all subjects are controversional, take it with a grain of salt.

IMO, the internet, just like everything else, has its GOOD POINTS, and its BAD POINTS. I treat it like I do everything in life. Grasp on to the Good Points, and leave the BAD POINTS alone.

I ain't out to impress anybody either, what I do is for ME, ME AND MORE ME!!! :D

Welcome to the Club, you are not ALONE!! :beer:

You sir are an inspiration. I rode a ton as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's. Got sidetracked bigtime but finally got serious again about 4 years ago. I will be 58 in October and have gotten younger over the last 3 of those 4 years.

Good luck with the racing and take care, Greg

Larwyn,

I like everyone else on this forum have been in the same situation that you are talking about. I find it to be worse on the Road Bike Forum. When I do a post and start getting bashed for something they don't agree with, I just don't bother responding and getting down to their level. Many of the people here like to antagonize and get heated threads started. I don't know why they get their kicks off that way, but that doesn't happen too often in the 50+ forum. I hope that you will give it another try before you decide to quit coming to BF and when you see something that doesn't appeal to you, shut the thread down and read another one.

I'm beginning to think that I just do not fit in with the bicycling crowd. I only recently started riding again (at 62 years old), got lots of great info from Bike Forums due to google searches.

I also fell into the trap of replying to a few threads on what turned out to be rather controversial topics.

It think it's simple. When we are riding we are all cyclists. When we are typing we are just typing.

You sir are an inspiration. I rode a ton as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's. Got sidetracked bigtime but finally got serious again about 4 years ago. I will be 58 in October and have gotten younger over the last 3 of those 4 years.

Good luck with the racing and take care, Greg

That's the way it works. If you are YOUNG AT HEART, you get younger as the years go by!! ;)

Enjoy, be safe, and please keep getting younger!! :beer:

Larwyn,

I like everyone else on this forum have been in the same situation that you are talking about. I find it to be worse on the Road Bike Forum. When I do a post and start getting bashed for something they don't agree with, I just don't bother responding and getting down to their level. Many of the people here like to antagonize and get heated threads started. I don't know why they get their kicks off that way, but that doesn't happen too often in the 50+ forum. I hope that you will give it another try before you decide to quit coming to BF and when you see something that doesn't appeal to you, shut the thread down and read another one.

And to ADD to your very good reply, there is the IGNORE BUTTON. Somebody irks you, or just seem to want to get on your nerves, hit the ignore button, it is over with after that. :) Couple people got on my case when I first came on board. They still on ignore, and I always enjoy my visits to BF..;)

Larwyn,

I like everyone else on this forum have been in the same situation that you are talking about. I find it to be worse on the Road Bike Forum. When I do a post and start getting bashed for something they don't agree with, I just don't bother responding and getting down to their level. Many of the people here like to antagonize and get heated threads started. I don't know why they get their kicks off that way, but that doesn't happen too often in the 50+ forum...

But that IS the roadie Forum.
A mix of tweens thru olde pharts... actually kinda fun.
sometimes we all get sucked into the argument vortex, but mostly it can be easy to ignore...

aside from being sucked into politics, cycling, whether online or in meatspace, is a good starting point to find additional common ground.

and as with the overall population, there are gonna be BFers you'd rather not associate with, and others which might seem kin, and the vast expanse between.

of course the internet is a notorious time waster - one's got know one's limits...

I like your welding designs.
Everyone has something unique to contribute.

So, if you don't feel like you belong, then go... it's not really for us to say, it's for YOU to decide what value any of this holds for you.

Honestly, I don't hold a high opinion for gun owners, as a whole, and I could care less about what you drive or what you wear. In fact, in kind of smells of reverse elitism to me, though I do swear by my 'Merkin Levis. What does matter is that you ride a bike for whatever reason you do and you seem to enjoy it. That's all you need.

While I am majorly impressed by what many here can do I don't really see where anyone is *trying* impress, they just share and we take inspiration where we can. I don't know.... it seems there have a quite a few newcomers here of late who have been all too willing to point out what this forum is all about after being here for a week or two. We're all moving along in age and have a lot of experiences and life that we've lived. Somehow, I don't think we're as simple as that. Have a another cup of coffee and a smoke, sit back and just read for a while...

I'm beginning to think that I just do not fit in with the bicycling crowd. I only recently started riding again (at 62 years old), got lots of great info from Bike Forums due to google searches.

I also fell into the trap of replying to a few threads on what turned out to be rather controversial topics.

I am a dog owner, a gun owner, my main transportation is a pick up truck, my bibs are denim and made by a company called Liberty, I believe in complying with the rules of the road regardless of the number of wheels under me, I am not impressed by big "talk" from any keyboard and most of all I mourn for the lack of common sense in the world today.

I ride a bicycle for relaxation and am not out to impress anyone. I'm as comfortable on the my old Raleigh wearing shorts and flip flops as I am when wearing overalls and steel toed work boots. If your dog chases me I will stop, pat him on head and and reward his diligence in "protecting you" with a dog biscuit from my pocket. If you flip me off, I will generally smile and wave back.

I am a metal fabricator/woodworker/mechanic and include bicycles in my life, I do not live bicycles. I'm not sure that there is a place here for one who occasionally rides a bicycle among all the "true bicyclists".

There are no true cyclists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman)...just cyclists that like to find ways to somehow feel superior to others. Have fun and don't worry about them. ;)

Thanks for all the positive replies. I reckon I just had to rant a bit. I'm not really new to internet forums, just bicycle forums, but, thinking about it most of the discussion groups in which I participate are made of skilled craftsmen discussing their particular crafts. Welders in particular can be very blunt and to the point, but when they are they are at least usually on the right track. I think that there is a better chance here for a newcomer such as myself to read a reply that was made by child and not take source into consideration. Come to think of it I have found mechanics forum here on BF to be mostly lacking in bickering and it is the most similar the type of group that I am used to. I just have more in common with mechanics than riders but then I should have plenty in common with other "old folks" too.:lol::lol:

I plan to hang around and read more, maybe reply less and try to get a feel for the different personalities here. And I will try to remember that childish responses are probably coming from childish minds.:thumb:

I turned 70 this summer, bought a new hybrid in March, for which the research turned up these forums. I signed up but have maintained a very light presence here (talking all of BF, not just 50+). There are lots of knowledgeable and friendly people here, but also some I would never miss. So I pick and choose my participation. If I see something where I think I can make a useful contribution, I probably will. I have been on a couple of other specialty forums for quite a few years (am slightly Internet addicted!) and I offer an observation. When you just read for a while, certain personality types begin to take shape. With time, one begins to recognize there are some people who are just looking for confrontation or enjoy condescending tirades. When those names are involved in a thread, I mostly click "next!"

So I'd say "welcome" and bear with it, there does not appear to be any requirements for degree of participation (or I'm in trouble myself :D).

DaveT

I'm not sure where your question comes from. Others before me have made assumptions and have given good answers that may, or may not, be on point for you. I'm going to make a different assumption and give a slightly different answer.

Don't make Bike Forums or this section of it more than it is. It is a commercial enterprise that brings income to its' owners and gives us a chance to interact. Nothing more and nothing less.

The people who interact do so with their own motives. Those range the gamut from technical stuff to just creating chaos for the 'entertainment" value. How each uses this business is up to each person.

In my case I have met physically and virtually some pretty nice people who are just the kind I want for long term friendship. Whenever I am in the community where these people live I make it a point to physically meet and enrich my life by their association. I hope to meet more.

At the same time I've seen posts on this and other sections of Bike Forums that convince me I really don't want to ever, ever meet that person. There are also others that are patently just for the pot stirring entertainment of the poster. I sometimes get sucked in to those but try not to.

It is all up to you. My only caution is to not make this web site more than it is. It may lead to something more. But, in itself it is just a business that makes money off us while we have fun and swap info on their nickel.

You have joined at the wrong time of year- Next week would have been fine but you now have to get a years training done in one week. Just hope you can take the calories. Not many things we worry about but Pics and Pie are things that must not be taken lightly. We like pics of where you ride- the type of ride you have and we don't care if you only have one bike as we know that will change.

But the Annual Pie ride is the one thing we depend on to make us different to the other groups on BF. No other group ghas anything like it and I have heard of relative youngsters growing beards to try and convince us that they can participate. Doesn't work and they soon get found out and then get sent to Mc. D's as punishment.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/767414-Pie-Ride-2011

Lifestyles, opinions, philosophies, interests....
As long as you ride, all are welcome here. My preference is to converse with others respectfully and to treat all with dignity. I'm a dog lover, wish no one had guns, don't care how fast someone rides and not nearly as knowledgeable about bikes as many who post here. I do enjoy engaging with others on many topics discussed here. Most of the folks seem like really good people. I wouldn't mind really getting to know them. I guess I don't worry about belonging here. It's fun just to check in when I can. Hope you stick around.

Thanks for all the positive replies. I reckon I just had to rant a bit. I'm not really new to internet forums, just bicycle forums, but, thinking about it most of the discussion groups in which I participate are made of skilled craftsmen discussing their particular crafts. Welders in particular can be very blunt and to the point, but when they are they are at least usually on the right track. I think that there is a better chance here for a newcomer such as myself to read a reply that was made by child and not take source into consideration. Come to think of it I have found mechanics forum here on BF to be mostly lacking in bickering and it is the most similar the type of group that I am used to. I just have more in common with mechanics than riders but then I should have plenty in common with other "old folks" too.:lol::lol:

I plan to hang around and read more, maybe reply less and try to get a feel for the different personalities here. And I will try to remember that childish responses are probably coming from childish minds.:thumb:

Welcome.

And if you like the mechanics forum, visit the framebuilders forum once in a while.

You definitely have a place here and in this world. You might ask, "Do they have a place here?" Meaning those who seem unable to co-exist with other human beings. My riding apparel is camo cap and work pants. I stick my pants cuffs in my socks to avoid lube and cogs. Simple, works better than leg bands. I also try to remember that I am the visitor in rural areas, whereas the local inhabitants go back several generations. Remembering that helps keep things in perspective. I think you might be a candidate for vintage bicycle restoration. See "Hugh's Bike Blog" for another gentle soul who treasures simple things in life.

52. Own a buncha guns,motorcycles and a Jeep. Also have a big Belgian Shepherd who loves to chase things. He bites the tires while vehicles roll by. He ain't right. Still race motocross and hold/held (haven't checked in awhile) a few landpeed records too. I'm as politically correct as an oil spill at a seal clubbing. Stopped seeking acceptance a long time ago but that doesn't mean I won't carry a conversation with ya either. Don't sweat it and enjoy.

In fact, in kind of smells of reverse elitism to me,

What is that? Delitism?.:lol::lol:

Welcome to 50+ :thumb:

Nothing wrong with anything you wrote sir, you fit in here just fine.

52. Own a buncha guns,motorcycles and a Jeep. Also have a big Belgian Shepherd who loves to chase things. He bites the tires while vehicles roll by. He ain't right. Still race motocross and hold/held (haven't checked in awhile) a few landpeed records too. I'm as politically correct as an oil spill at a seal clubbing. Stopped seeking acceptance a long time ago but that doesn't mean I won't carry a conversation with ya either. Don't sweat it and enjoy.

Another gun lover! Howdy ;)

I sense a little prejudice against guns and gun owners in this thread!! ;)

Not fair... ;)



My babies..

http://www.cehoward.net/gun1.jpg

Aww, stick around. I'm at least as much of an outsider with this crowd as you are, but a few of them still talk to me once in a while.
You ride a bike, that's the only qualification ya need here.

The people (seemingly) who typically run on and on about "i'll just shoot the bastard" when in response to animals in public places, are the same who are die-hard VC advocates. People that fight any and all negative aspect towards cyclists. Did not take long for a little flame throwing, did it. And from someone not even certified 50+.

And I will try to remember that childish responses are probably coming from childish minds.:thumb:

Hey! I represent that remark!

Let's go ride our bikes................................

Did not take long for a little flame throwing, did it. And from someone not even certified 50+.

Ha, you called it.. :)

Hey Larwyn, Stick around please... us over 60's have to have somethin' to stew about! The only thing that holds us together is we all like to bike.

ps I sure do hope you folks in TX get some rain!!! It hurts just to think about all the smallholders being driven out of business, all the houses going up in flames, and the number of good people in Texas brought so low.

Be well!

They are alphabet letters on a screen written in cyberspace by - mostly - unknown persons, all of whom have their own agenda (and need) for participating.

One thing I have learned (am learning) is to not take anything too seriously. I attempt to never get in an argument, but sometimes I screw up and do that, and I am always sorry later. Every now and then I speak too strongly, and I always regret that too.

I also try to, sometimes even successfully, inject a bit of humor into some discussions.

For some reason, the generally more placid, accepting atmosphere and tone of the 50+ has changed a bit. But, it has always changed from time-to-time.

Stick around if you like. You are welcome. There are ALL types of bicyclists here, but you would find in a poll that the vast majority are more like you than anyone else. They just don't speak out much, and come and go.

Stick around, just be careful which pond you dip your toes in.
I'm 62, and retired early. I rode a POS Peugeot in the 70's, til I threw it in the river. Had a couple of different bikes in the 80's when I went back to school. I've been putzing around on 3 or 4 different bikes since 2004. Built up a rigid mtb on a Mongoose frame when I could'nt find exactly what I was looking for.
I have been a Millwright, Machinist/CNC machine programmer(old school G-codes), Machine Builder/Repairman and a Gunsmith. I've done a lot of welding, but I can't TIG, so I'll never claim to be a Welder.
I've got 2 Journeyman's cards and I've still learned a few things about how bicycles work(or don't) since joining BF.
So come on in, the waters fine.218510

larwyn I'm only 47 (still a young man by gawd) but I can relate. I'm an ex mechanic, experienced at most construction trades, I call myself a high class redneck. It seems like there might be quite a variety of people that ride bikes.

What is that? Delitism?.:lol::lol:

Good question. Delitism? Unelitism? Antideunelitism?

What can I say? e am a native San Franciscan and goodness only knows what most of the country thinks of us.
I was an auto mechanic with my Dad for most of my teens and twenties. Was a fair arc (220v) and gas welder, too.
Now, I am an unabashedly and most unashamedly white collar, liberal. So what?
Leave the politics out and stick to bikes and the joy you get from them and no one will bother you.
Read or don't read. Post or don't post it's all the same.
At least I didn't see a deliberate attempt to provoke in your post so you have my respect there.
But excuse me, I do have someone else to add to my Ignore list

Just keep riding, no matter your distance or style.... you're doing more than 90% of the 50+ world.

I plan to hang around and read more, maybe reply less and try to get a feel for the different personalities here. And I will try to remember that childish responses are probably coming from childish minds.:thumb:
What I've learned over the years on various different forums is that many posters are just "taking the mick", they aren't expecting to be taken entirely seriously - it's a form of entertainment for some people. They get bored reading and posting the same stuff again and again. This is understandable - been there myself.

I've found that there's a lot of wit on this forum, more than many others I spend times on (e.g. golf, general aviation). Don't ask me why that is ......
Just ignore what you don't like or find silly/tiresome/etc. What I've found in my short time on this forum is that there are some people here who obviously know one heck of a lot about cycling - all the different forms that modern cycling takes. So I just try to learn from their experience and insight.

So just take what you want and reject the rest.
\lecture

p.s. I'll be 60 in a couple weeks and I'm just grateful to still be able to keep the rubber side down on two wheels. It's all good .......

Just returned home from a trip 60 miles up the road to get a 12.50 burger and fries at a hot spring complex before the snow comes in a week or two. In the 120 mile round trip saw literally square miles of Fall birch and aspen with golden colors and a few white spruce sticking out to give a very nice color contrast and not a house in sight. Interesting that there were signs up warning people there had been bear in the area. We looked at each other and wondered who could possibly be surprised at a bear being there.

Then we thought about riding our bikes there and how without a mass of riders to catch driver's attention the road with no shoulders and very little traffic could be a fatal experience. Much better to ride with the annual bike club ride.

As we came back I thought of a person with whom I've spoken and exchanged BF messages with but have never met. The plan now is to get me some experience riding in the snow once we both have enough and it is warm enough. Hope the plan becomes reality.

Point to all this? The 50+ Forum is populated by a wide variety of people with a wide variety of interests. Some know other folks and others don't know anyone. By the posts I sometimes wonder if some user names actually represent a real person. But, with a bit of maturity and civility we all can have fun and maybe, just maybe, learn something along the way.


By the way; are there still several 80+ year old folks on the forum?

I'm beginning to think that I just do not fit in with the bicycling crowd. I only recently started riding again (at 62 years old), got lots of great info from Bike Forums due to google searches.

I also fell into the trap of replying to a few threads on what turned out to be rather controversial topics.

I am a dog owner, a gun owner, my main transportation is a pick up truck, my bibs are denim and made by a company called Liberty, I believe in complying with the rules of the road regardless of the number of wheels under me, I am not impressed by big "talk" from any keyboard and most of all I mourn for the lack of common sense in the world today.

I ride a bicycle for relaxation and am not out to impress anyone. I'm as comfortable on the my old Raleigh wearing shorts and flip flops as I am when wearing overalls and steel toed work boots. If your dog chases me I will stop, pat him on head and and reward his diligence in "protecting you" with a dog biscuit from my pocket. If you flip me off, I will generally smile and wave back.

I am a metal fabricator/woodworker/mechanic and include bicycles in my life, I do not live bicycles. I'm not sure that there is a place here for one who occasionally rides a bicycle among all the "true bicyclists".

What do you care what other people think? For God's sake, you're a Texan. I always thought "you people" were the last rugged individualists, not giving a good GD about what otehr people thought.

Get on your bike, enjoy the ride and stop worrying about what others think. I am not your age yet (but getting there); I have long stop worrying about what others think (or don't think).

Have fun dude.

Hey Larwyn, you just jumped into 50+ during a couple threads that are not normally place here because the topics are so heated. Hang around long enough to give a pie ride story (unless of course, you do not understand that blueberry is the best).

I'm beginning to think that I just do not fit in with the bicycling crowd. I only recently started riding again (at 62 years old), got lots of great info from Bike Forums due to google searches.

I also fell into the trap of replying to a few threads on what turned out to be rather controversial topics.

I am a dog owner, a gun owner, my main transportation is a pick up truck, my bibs are denim and made by a company called Liberty, I believe in complying with the rules of the road regardless of the number of wheels under me, I am not impressed by big "talk" from any keyboard and most of all I mourn for the lack of common sense in the world today.

I ride a bicycle for relaxation and am not out to impress anyone. I'm as comfortable on the my old Raleigh wearing shorts and flip flops as I am when wearing overalls and steel toed work boots. If your dog chases me I will stop, pat him on head and and reward his diligence in "protecting you" with a dog biscuit from my pocket. If you flip me off, I will generally smile and wave back.

I am a metal fabricator/woodworker/mechanic and include bicycles in my life, I do not live bicycles. I'm not sure that there is a place here for one who occasionally rides a bicycle among all the "true bicyclists".

I drive a diesel pick up, been a machinist many years, carry everywhere, did 2 tours in Vietnam, and ride my silly bicycle every chance I get. I ignore controversial topics everywhere.
Stick around. If nobody came, there would be nobody here.