Fifty Plus (50+) - Age changes over 9 years in the 50+ forum - who was there at the start?

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/67743-New-forum-50?highlight=50%2B

Make that 8 years. I posted too early this am.

09/24/2004 - was the first post of the then newly formed 50+ forum.

I find it interesting that those that started are now 8 years older (duh), and I would guess that a graph of the mean age might show an increase, or at least an increased range. We now have guys in their 80's, many in their 70's, and 60-69 is extremely common.

There have been hundreds of folks post and leave - some of us stubborn types have stayed. Attitudes and outlook have changed (at least mine have), injuries and deaths have occurred.

Were you here when the forum started?

Here is the first post by the then owner of BFN, Joe Gardner:

New forum: 50+

Welcome old farts! (kidding Denver!).

If you find any threads that would be better placed in this forum, please let me know by clicking on the "[Report]" link in the thread that should be moved.

Enjoy.

Wasn't there at the very start. Lurked for about a year and then jumped in March of 2006. Yes, there have been many come and go and a few are still around since the first days that I was watching. There have, like with most things, been some highs and some lows. It seems that with some of the lows we lost folks who were contributors with stature because of their knowledge, patience, acceptance and a whole list of other great traits. There was the Koffe Klatch era, where the forum was under attack for not being "serious" enough. Then there was the sexist era where it was pointed out that there were too many negative and demeaning posts related to women. There was of course the Deigo era where folks were eventually banned for being sockpuppets. There have always been the ongoing Brooks, bents and best...(fill in the blank) debates - sometimes friendly, sometimes testy. I and others have taken "breaks" for different reasons over the years. Some who have left are still missed by me. Others, not so much. But that's the way it is with any community. Yet, the thing that keeps me coming back is that there is more of an attempt to keep things positive and civil. I participate in several other discussion borads and even moderate two or three. I must say that over the six plus years I've been involved here, this has been the most forgiving, helpful, sometimes humorous/playful, and generally authentic one in which I've participated.

Heck, I'm still a kid peeking under the edge of the tent. I don't get my official credentials for another month yet.

Somewhere very near the start if not at the start.
Tried to check on the old pages but they only go back to 2011 now.

Speaking as a newbie to all you who started this forum and kept it alive and growing: THANK YOU!

I've only been riding a few short months -- but you guys have added a whole new dimension to my riding.

Oops 8 years

I was hanging around BikeForums and remember the beginning of this forum; so guess I can say I was here from the start.:50:

I have not checked to see when my first post was to the 50 plus group but I was around at the beginning.

The last 8 or 9 years have been kind to me and I feel better and seem to be in better health now. The only problem is I had to use up 9 years just to get here. Its all good.

I was on BF at the start but I don't remember my first 50+ post.

Yep, I was around, and still am, much to DF's chagrin.

Yep, I was around, and still am, much to DF's chagrin.

???

I guess you see a lot more conflict between us then I do - Healthy disagreement, perhaps, but never a bit of chagrin.

I was on BF at the start but I don't remember my first 50+ post.

Well, I am pretty sure - whatever it was - that it was grouchy!! :)

Well, as you can see by my join date, i was certainly not there at the start. But I'm sure it was one of the first places I posted, since I was already qualified.

The most contentious issue with which I had been associated was the old "classicists" vs "romanticists" argument, to paraphrase Robert Pirsig (Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance). Classicists are people who like to do their own maintenance; romanticists just send the bike to the shop to have it done. Not sure why that should raise anyone's ire, but I must have offended people who didn't like the idea of not being "real cyclists" just because they didn't do their own maintenance. Heh, heh.

But I think that for the most part, the members of this forum are mature enough that they can engage in debate "sin rancor." I, for one, love tossing ideas around, even being the devil's advocate on issues with which I'm in total disagreement. Doing stuff like that is what keeps your mind young. Too many people much younger than 50 have had their brains calcified. A real shame, old before their time! But that's mostly on some of the other forums that I avoid. I ride a fixed gear almost all of the time, but I refuse to participate in the Fixed Gear Forum! Yuck!

Luis

I wasn't here in the beginning but am here now. I am here sometimes and gone others.

I was there. :) I was post #4. Look where it got me. :rolleyes:

One does sort of wonder about all those other folks - who no longer post - where are they? Why did they quit posting? etc. It would make an interesting senior paper or MA thesis to follow up and find out why.

WOW, I'm glad that I'm no longer doing stuff like that!!

Oh oh.

I guess I am. Even in my 70's I am doing those things.

Here is a very informal study I just published

http://www.ourwebs.info/intimidation%20survey%20august%202012.pdf

and one I did last year

http://www.ourwebs.info/naturalsupportmain.htm

and one several years ago

http://www.ourwebs.info/PADCOSURVEYFINALALL.pdf

Ijust can't stop doing this stuff!!!

All for free!!

All for free!!

Do you do lawns?

Do you do lawns?

Do what to lawns?

Do you want a study of lawn growth? Yes

Mowing - no way!! :)

Well, as you can see by my join date, I missed the grand opening, but I was qualified to post here as I was a month shy of my 51st birthday at the time I joined. Not sure when it was I chose to mix and mingle with you fine folks, but it has been fun and interesting.

Didn't join BF till a year and a half after the birth of 50+. Have probably posted more deep thoughts (HA!) here than in the other nooks and crannies of BF.

Wow. I didn't realize the forum was only a few weeks old when I joined the fun. And I still have my Red Star too!

Not hear at the start - I've been around about 3 years.

All I can say is that I still miss Weak Link

I was 54 when I joined BikeForums because I was interested in touring but ignored 50+. I thought that's not for me, that's for the old guys. At some point I realized --> I WAS 50+ and IT WAS FOR ME.

Well, I am pretty sure - whatever it was - that it was grouchy!! :)

I certainly hope so. We have standards to live up to.

Not hear at the start - I've been around about 3 years.

All I can say is that I still miss Weak Link
I think we all do, but if this makes you feel any better,
GET OFF MY LAWN

http://i47.tinypic.com/2mmty4y.jpg