I quite agree. Compulsively responding to posts that get us worked up can lead to ugliness.

(But, isn't downhill a good thing, this being a cycling forum?)

Like George, I too have limited my posts and stayed out of threads that are not worth the time to respond. I can't say things have gotten contentous, as I said, I stay out of those threads now, there is no value there.

I agree with the original post, and thank you, Cranky.

Where did the fun go?? It has never been fun!
From the earliest days of my youth there have been cars to contend with. It has only been fun in the deepest of winter, when the ride is only a fantasy, where cars are not a part of the dream.

Anyone wishing to find the fun again, needs to push away from the jelly donuts and the bike. Give it a good rest, but don't seduce yourself. It isn't fun, it has never been fun.

The good stuff is still here. It's just that as the number of people posting has grown, there is more of the not so good more often. There has always been some of that in varying degrees. New people come in, some rub people the wrong way. Some adapt to the more congenial atmosphere, some don't. Some get bored and leave, others hang around and ruffle feathers. The biggest difference I see is that there are more threads that I ignore altogether because I know they are heading for trouble. But then, there are so many threads nowadays that there is no time to participate in all of them anyway. I guess we have outgrown some of what was great about 50+, but it is still one of my favorite stops on the interwebs.

I wish people would take more risk when starting new threads... It seems to be the same topics over and over again.

Maybe it's because I don't read every thread here, but I hadn't noticed any significant falling off of civility. This thread, however, suggests I'm wrong. Or else I haven't noticed because I'm the offender.

Yeah, I think that's a good point. It does bother me that the threads about the simple fun of riding seem to die out so quickly, while the arguments seem to go on and on. All too often people go to the trouble to post a nice ride picture (or etc.) and hardly anyone seems to pay attention.

I have tried to get better at staying out of the arguments and contentious subplots that sometimes pop up inside of threads. But I can't tell which treads are headed for trouble until they suddenly seem to get there.

This pretty much sums it up. Like the half-naked fella' in a diaper said a coupla' decades ago, we gotta' "become the change we want to see".

Check out the Road Cycling forum for a short while, see how easily some "slam" others; you might change your mind about 50+ I have no problem w/ opposing views/opinions, AS LONG AS THE DISAGREEMENT IS CONVEYED RESPECTFULLY.

^this^

Harumph. I see you are using recumbents as an example. Well, I never . . .!!

Cranky,

I agree. People that yell at me only spoil my enjoyment.

I have a brother who will take either side of an argument just to have an argument. He considers it “a mental exercise”. It is one thing he does to amuse himself. The only way I have found to deal with him is either not answer him or just not talk with him. I won’t play his game.

Other people feel it is their responsibility to straighten everyone else out. Again, it is their game.

As a fall back my mother used to quote a line from Bambi. Thumper’s father said “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.” My wife still has to remind me of this from time to time.

I try not to let anyone spoil my enjoyment just to make themselves happy.

Keep reading, posting and hopefully enjoying.

P.S. We still enjoy your sunrise pictures. Thanks.

Sure there are, but they are all on my bike.


Oh, I feel like a 20-something hipster! I might even buy a fixie and then ride it across some cranky old geezer's lawn!

GET OFF my lawn !!

Exactly. I haven't noticed any great lack of civility around here, but I guess I grew up in a tougher internet neighborhood. I'm feelin' like a big-city cop patrolling the mean streeets of Mayberry with Andy and Barney. It's not bad around here, really.

With you Cranky

Best I can figure from some conversations Bike Forums isn't what it used to be. Guess it used to be a little friendly sharing among friends kind of thing. Of course I could be wrong about that since I wasn't there. Now it is but one web site among many owned by a company whose business is web marketing. At the same time there has been a change in our society. As was posted above there are people who will argue just for the personal entertainment value. In short, life moves on. I do my best to not stress unless the subject is near and dear to my heart.

One thing I don't understand. Well, lots of things but this is one of them. Why "block" a poster? It never occured to me to shut the door to someone just because they were obnoxious or had a viewpoint different than mine.

I'm sure that little saying makes all the newbies feel warm and cozy...

Problem is some people can't laugh at themselves...

Always look at the bright side of life....
Monty Python...The Life of Brian

Video link below
WARNING: If you are easily offended by Monty Python's humor(or irreverence) or simply do not like them, do NOT click the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ

It was in response to the following and meant in jest. I apologize if it was taken differently. Perhaps I should have added a

I agree with AZTR. I like the racing sticky and the racing sub forum (33). They stick to cycling. IMO, the biggest change in this forum is lack of cycling content and poor to no moderation to close or move P&R, A&S and other off topic content threads.

Cranky, I like your posts!

Yes, a would have been a tremendous help right there. Isn't that covered in Forum Writing 101 ?

Fixed