cyclinfool

In reading through the posts this spring and spending a few moments to reflect - the tenor of this group has dramaticly changed since when I started participating 2 summers ago.

1) There seems to be less pariticipation from them ladies
2) More hard core roadie talk
3) Less weight loss talk

Some things remain the same
1) Lots of new bike and bike envy talk

Would be interested in the perspective from the long time core contributors. It will also be interesting to see what the influx of new people (which always happens over the summer months) will bring.

Every time I come to this forum I ask myself whether or not I have something better to do or am I just faffing - killing time rather than doing the laundry...

No comment here on whether or not things are better or worse - just different.

bcoppola

It started going downhill when the Diegos were banned.

But seriously: I hand't noticed; but then, my participation is on again, off again and has more to do with my mood & what else I have to do than anything here.

cyclinfool

Ah - so thats when we jumped the shark.

The Weak Link

Rare posts from Beverly, Solvang, Yen and the like. Don't know why.

10 Wheels

Beverly retired, Solvang had a few medical problems last year.

Red Rider

My business picked up and I've not ridden outside much. Don't see much point in posting my trainer rides unless they're amazing, and they haven't been.

Thus I'm here less than I used to be, or want to be, but OTOH, my business is going great guns, so it's hard to complain.

Louis

In my case, since I've been here all along, any change was gradual enough to go unnoticed.

It is obvious, however, that some of the women members are not posting as often.

The Weak Link

I've pondered this.

There definitely a life cycle a n00b experiences here. There are about 40 questions we all want to know, starting with "What bike should I buy?" to "Should I really shave my legs?" (it's irrelevant whether you actually shave your legs, its enough just to wonder if it would make you faster).

When you ask that final question you have moved from n00b status to that of a fully-addicted cyclist.

After that you're either hard-core, or a shutterbug, or are fortunate to take exotic and/or beautiful rides that make good copy.

If none of the above apply, you tend to stop posting.

For example, I generally go on 2-3 hour rides that average 13-14 MPH.

What makes me hard-core is that I'm thinking about shaving my legs and racing, either of which would get me in deep doo-doo with my wife.

Speaking of which, I'm out to practice ridiculous superstitious ceremonies to honor the mother of my children and the mothers of my grand-children.

Y'all have a Happy Mothers Day!

bcoppola

Are you hiring?

stapfam

Chancing it aren't you?

No way would I work for anyone that can kick butt as hard as Red does.

And I have noticed that things are different to a few years ago BUT I think it is me that has changed.

My riding no longer takes in the adrenalyn rush of Mountain biking- The tandem hasn't seen a bit of mud all winter and even my road milage is going down. Things evolve- but I think I am beginning to stagnate- get caught in a rut- take the easy line on rides. Mentally I don't think it has affected me but physically- it has.

Digital Gee

I'll tell you what's changed. I've looked at some bikes and admired them deeply, and they weren't even white. Can't explain that one, just reporting it.

Longfemur

My impression is that the vast majority of new and some returning cyclists transpose all their car owner attitudes onto the bike. It has changed a lot over the past decade or two because everyone has one of those damned cyclocomputers. It becomes all about speed and mileage rather than about riding.

maddmaxx 

We always seem to have an annual cycle here. In the fall, there are more posters, we begin to have more time to post. Then comes the winter training cycle followed by the gradual lengthening of days and the "I wonder what's new at the LBS" phase. Then we get back to riding, racing or picture taking. Vacation and ride reports haven't peaked yet.

Some of our more active posters from years past have slowed down a bit, but there are many new posters becoming more comfortable about posting, questioning and expressing their own attitudes. When I check to see who is logged on, I sadly admit that I don't recognize some of the names...........my bad. Let's go new members, post at will. One of the things that we brag about here is the kinder more gentle attitude of your fellow members............we won't bite. By the way, Tom...........how's the eye...........

BluesDawg

Along with more hard core roadie talk, I've noticed a trend toward more high dollar bikes and upgrades.

Retro Grouch 

Not everybody.

My wife asked how many miles we rode today. I told her "I don't know because I didn't start the computer." I find that I ride much farther and faster when I estimate rather than use a computer for keeping track.

DnvrFox

Someone needs to write a poll!!

bjjoondo 

Being a newb, I do see your point, although I use my computer for compairson factors in my riding, I don't SET Goals though. I've been driven out of Motorcycle Sport Touring by the "cost of the machines", the HUGE cost of maintaning a motorcycle and the cost of on the road housing for touring. I still have a NEED to be "In Motion", LOL, I can't stand to say, go FISHING, boring to the max. I needed something that Moved my physcial and spirt.

Even though it would take me 10-20 times longer to get to the places I've seen by motorcycle on a bicycle, I can actually SEE myself working toward that goal because I'm still amazed how far my FAT, beat up, getting older body can get me on a bicycle. So ya I like the computer but it's nothing like trying to make my bicycle into a car

BengeBoy 

+1

I also find I weigh less if I never step on the bathroom scale.

I-Like-To-Bike

No, the Jump the Shark Moment occurred when the Diegos Club started taking their shuckin' and jiven' seriously and thought their silly jabbering was clever, amusing and/or cute. The downhill slide gained momentum when they cried like babies after being told to stop by the Mods and came up with even more mindless patter (Pie anyone/ Should I or Shouldn't I buy this or that gizmo?) without the Diego alter egos.

That's my 60+ observation.

The Weak Link

I came here as the Diegos were on the outs. I just pulled up some of their old threads. I thought they were pretty funny.

Very seriously undermedicated, but funny.

cyclinfool

And here I thought it was when Pcad got booted last year. He now has his own Q&A routine on the FOO channel

I-Like-To-Bike

Actually the average quality of the posts on the 50+ list has improved since it has become less dominated by posters who want it to be an annex of Foo, filled with cliquish, Fooish chatter. At least bike envy, silly as it is, is bike related.

Tom Bombadil

The Diegos were banned about 2 years ago. Most of the changes noted by the OP occurred well after that. I think people, for whatever their reasons, are attributing way too much to the Diego situation.

NOS88

When I think about how much the world has changed in the last 24 months, the changes here pale in comparison.

Digital Gee

Can someone explain the Diego thing? I don't understand.