Wildwood 

Now this topic may have come up in the past, but I’m not the best at the search feature, and I’m definitely not trying to stir anything up, mind you, and apologies in advance for the longishness of this, but maybe it means nothing to someone so…..

My retorte to the question of: “50+ = Too Sedate?” would be that as a well aged (and hopefully somewhat more mature) group, we likely have more rounded our existence than members of other BF groups – and I only mean this in the nicest of ways of course. Please no offence or flames, even still - most of us prefer our own supportive & relaxed sub-Forum.

I don’t see the lack of controversy and aggressiveness as a function of the fact that our physical nature may be declining – although at a slower rate than the general population because we stay cycle and stay fit - and certainly not traceable to the earliest signals of MCI.

Instead, I see that 50+ questions are presented in a civil manner (without bias or the pique that so many of the younger generation seem to hold onto these days), thereby appealing to the “Leave it to Beaver” in all of us old enough to appreciate a fine wine/good whiskey/crafted beer/nasty cigar.

So to prove our robustness as members of (or wannabe members of) what Tom B correctly calls “the Greatest Generation”, I propose that a gay debate could be had and we might step it up a bit occasionally by simply rephrasing our questions.

A few ideas below – and PLEASE this is an invitation to add a few of your own to “spicen up the pot” so to speak. Oh yes, and you may ignore this poast if you object.

A Major Health Question
I am a racer – well, actually I used to race (sorta). But I believe in training hard and keeping up with the A group (on a good day when my arthritis isn’t flaring up). So here’s my question. Recently I underwent a triple bypass/heart valve/colon surgery and was expecting to be back on the bike in a few days, but the Dr. says, “No Zone XYZ training for a month”. That afternoon, I got really mad when my insurance company milked me for the $20 co-pay on the $1/2 million health bill. I sliced the Dr’s MB’s tires and busted his windows? TIA (thanks in advance) for advice on recuperating from heart/bu##hole surgery? Also: Did I over react? If so can anyone recommend a good anti-depressant/psychotherapeutic?


A “Touchy” Subject Question (should be handled in a loving and caring way)
I’m still sprightly enough to skedaddle with the old lady (if ye know what I mean….HeHe). What works best for you - low dose Cialis or mega dose Cialis?
Also, Mrs. wants to know if she might try it, toooo? Finally, Is there a gimmick behind what coach Jimmie is selling these days? – he looks so honest and sincere on the telly. Will these meds be fully covered by Medicare or fall into my donut hole?
PS - And I know about the medical risks, but it don’t last 4 hours no more.
Just to keep this thread bike related – Is a recumbent better for my back after rolling in the hay all night long?

Feel Good Story Question.
I’m blessed with 4 lovely grandchildren and 3 devoted daughters. Not one of the SOB sons-in-law will go for a bike ride, watch football, or drink with me. I spent hundreds of $$$ on weddings and presents. The ex-wives are no help. What should I do?
TakingItEasyBobbyBoy – currently living with my secretary/friend in the Canary Islands. And if anyone’s traveling this way I have a spare villa you can use and a fleet of bikes for you to borrow.

The No Question Question – but I’m Reaching Out (50+ is sooo good at this one)
I’m 123 and returning to cycling after a long absence. I consider myself in relatively good health. I believe in taking it slow? Did I say I’m in good health (for my age) and taking it slow? Thanks for listening.

How do You Keep Up with Technology Question
How do you folks get those smilies at the end of your sentences?
And related to that….it’s important for everyone to know that on the Internet, people’s questions can sometimes be misunderstood or misinterpreted or bended and twisted for someone else’s pleasure or humor. And sometimes at the expense of hurting another’s sensibilities. That’s why I worry about this Facebook and social networking phenomenon.
Discuss.


Rhetorical Question:
What’s wrong with sedated?
As long as it’s…….Dignified and Appropriate, of course.

Sorry if my diction or spelling is less thanperfectIjustdashedit off onadaywhenmyfingersaren’tworkingsowell.
And for the C&V in some of us – my FORK IS NOT BENT

jdon

Listen to your doctors but temper their desires with common sense.

Touchy works for me, no chemical enhancers.

Your SIL's are disrespectful SLOBs.

this : followed by ) =

Or click on "Go Advanced" and you will have a whole bunch to choose from.

Dan Burkhart 

It's a secret. Ya gotta know the password.
(password is "go advanced".)

StephenH

I propose this improvement for discussing embarrassing personal medical/health problems:

Dear Forum Members:
I have an embarrassing personal medical/health problem that is so gross that you probably don't want to hear about it. So I won't discuss it further.
You're Welcome,
Forum Member X

curbtender

So, when a 20 something 3rd baseman comes into me with a shoulder after I gave him homeplate, am I wrong for sliding into him 1 foot from third?

akohekohe

Sedate and polite are not synonyms and neither are rude and active. Is the discourse in this forum generally more polite with fewer rude responses than some other forums? You bet. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so.

BluesDawg

Huh?

Yen

^^^^^

wiredfoxterror

It has a conversational tone in here.

Nightshade

Yes, except for the odd smart a$$ moron this forum is a mature sensible place to converse about all thing bicycle and bicycle related.

Life is to full of drama as it is.........

rydabent

Actually civil is good. Profanity is a tool of the ignorant.

Bare Feet

+2 Very, very true.

PAlt

If I require drama, I'll ask my 15 y.o. twin daughters to oblige, they are fimly capable of providing as much or more than necessary...

hikeandbike

We're older than we used to be and older than the young turks, likely slower, and hopefully can enjoy the ride in the saddle and the journey in life with more emotion and zest than others. If others (in-laws et al) don't want to ride or spend some good time with you, find others who will appreciate the opportunity. As for your health and recovery, you're old and hopefully smart enough to know what's in your best interest.
As for this forum: it truly seems to work for the members. The focus is on the common interest - biking where we're more like little kids, but the depth that comes from other issues (family, health, life, support for friends,....) is different here. I'm OK with the fact that I'm a different person than I was decades ago. I'm happier and more comfortable in my skin. I've always worked with young folks in schools and sports and can appreciate the different stages of life. I like conversations with lots of folks and very much enjoy what takes place here. Keep it coming.

qcpmsame 

This will be longer than most of my posts so ignore me if it is better for you but this topic and the recent thread by Denver on the tone recently struck a chord with me. I joined BF because I read posts in this forum for several days before making the commitment to participate. I had moderated (Senior and Super Moderator) at a dirt bike forum for a few years. The younger members, mainly the 20-35 crowd could push my buttons faster than any group. I tried a sabbatical and then returning but it was worse so I asked to become a simple participating member there and I still am. It is more relaxing that way.

The 50+ Forum is more mature and can handle the give and take, with a few exceptions, very well. I have found more useful information from the participants in this forum than any other message board I participate in regularly. The maturity and the experience has "mellowed" most of us and made us better at the give and take.

Learning that this is just the internet and a message board/forum and, we are by and large not going to meet the bulk of the members with some exceptions, has been my biggest self improvement. Loosing my temper o a web site message board is akin to yelling at a news reporter or a newspaper article if I don't agree with what is said.

After being here since December 2008 I want to make a 50+ ride or 3 and actually meet the people that have provided me so much good information and friendly support in helping me make decisions. The members here actually inspire me to keep on with my bicycling and helped me decide my wife's idea of returning to bicycling would be good.

The caring replies to posts about the travails of aging and health problems is important to me. The cohesion here reminds me of how units in the Marines bonded during my short time of service. When members do post a humorous jibe in a thread it is taken as it is intended by most of us.

Yes we do have little word battles but they are short and pretty much sedate when you look at threads in other forums that the moderators have to get involved in or close. I imagine we are the least of the moderator's worries here at BF. Sorry for the length of my reply but the 50+ forum has become important to me and is one of the only two message boards I visit and is my favorite by far, and I participate much more here than at the other board. I feel good about being accepted here on the 50+ forum and at BF as a whole. Thanks for reading my input and I won't hijack the thread any further. I just felt this was a good topic to discuss and I will be interested in reading other's replies.

Respectfully,
Bill

billydonn

^^^^^^

I like it here.

jppe

Having met a number of 50+ members either through various events or at an organized 50+ ride, I'd highly encourage you to do that one day. I've found the folks to be really enjoyable in person-truly terrific folks.

Velo Dog

I think the whole site is more sedate than I'd like. I came here almost by accident after being banned from another bike site (pretty much innocently--I had originally registered under a screen name, then went back and registered under my real name when I realized there was no reason to use an alias. When I got a short ban for political comment regarding GWB, I logged in under the old name, not realizing that was good for a lifetime ban, no appeal). The bike advice here is fine, of course, but I've been riding since the early '70s--I don't need a lot of bike advice. I sometimes miss the irreverence, humor and wide range of topics on the old site. They're just bikes, and there's a lot more to life than cycling.

trackhub

I like the more civilized tone here, as opposed to the agitated, always-looking-for-a-fight atmosphere of some of the other forums. I'm glad this place is here. When did crude insults and personal attacks become marks of pride? Never mind. Not having kids, I'm not up on the lingo at all. For example, I didn't know that "meme" had replaced "fad" and "craze".

There's nothing wrong with being respectful and civilized, even if you disagree with someone. Alas, in most other forums that is simply not the rule.

Off topic question: As I mentioned, I don't have kids. So, what is it that they are so angry about? It seems to go way beyond the normal issues with hormones being dumped into the bloodstream by the gallon.

XR2

Let's see.

Thank god there's no carbon fiber riding roadie geeks in here. Just good old God Fearin' real steel bike riders.

t4mv

I believe the question was "Are we sedate?..." not "Are we legally blind?...

europa

I like the tone here. I like the fascinating novely of mixing with you American types because you really do have a strange (as in 'different', not 'weird') outlook on the world.

What I really like is the fact that cycling is discussed on this forum whereas most other places I go to have a high incidence of what we call 'pissing contests' (imagine a line of little boys against a wall trying to see who can wee higher). That's not a function of age because with the mid life crisis comes the belief that you have to bang your chest and be the best - the mature age roadie attitude is an example (as opposed to middle aged blokes who have chosen to ride racing bikes).

Anyway, I like it here and while I tend to do more browsing than posting these days (a function of my own demons), you lot are stuck with me.

Richard

Allegheny Jet

In America we have Flomax, just so we can have those pissing contests.

BluesDawg

Go back under your bridge.

Retro Grouch 

Uh - isn't that why they have both chocolate and vanilla? I'd hate it if I thought that all of the forums were the same.