I was getting ready to post the same thing. The deege has a way of bringing up topics that a lot of us identify with.

But what about those of us who really don't understand cycling and all that goes with it? A lot of people on this forum seem like friends; granted, friends I've never met which in itself is kinda weird, but the human interaction that is generated in this forum has been very helpful in cultivating a better understanding of cycling on my behalf.

If you see a thread getting out of hand, please use the report post button (exclamation point in a triangle at the bottom left) and let the moderators know. Sometimes a thread will have several pages of arguing before we are notified. You can also send a PM to a moderator (one blue star by username) or administrator (3 blue stars) if you need to report something.

A lot of unpleasantness can be avoided if we catch it early on, and the moderators depend on members to report problems because we can't read every thread in the forum.

If you do not know anything about cycling then you read and learn more than you post. And cycling related questions are generated. Many people on this forum have met. I have met several and they have turned into relationships. But the common issue was cycling. We share a passion for riding our bikes.

Oh, I see... I thought it was all about getting your post count up! Just pulling your leg Hermes... I share the passion, but you have to remember everyone learns in different ways, some are scientific learners, others are artistic learners and many are a combination of the two.

I agree with this. There are subjects that naturally lend themselves to debate, and some forums - especially P&R and A&S - that cater specifically to those subjects. It would be better were people to move between forums to discuss those subjects, rather than raise them all in the forum they happen to post in most frequently. Then those who find conflicting opinions uncongenial would not be disturbed.

Stated 50+ forum purpose:

"Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling."

I wrote those words many years ago. I hope they still apply. It was meant to be a support forum with an emphasis on assisting folks into bicycling who had left and were returning or had never entered, and who could learn from, and get encouragement from, those participating in the forum. The assumption also was that some folks might join other forums, such as the road or racing forums, as they advanced in their skills and confidence.

And your point is?

I got a kick out of it! *I thought it had some wit to it. *

Well, I got a laugh out of the irony of someone griping here that there was too much griping here

And my original comment was meant in jest. Staying off the grass, however...

I wholeheartedly agree. I think it would be good to venture out into other areas of this site. But when we move threads to their respective topic forums, some people did not like it.

We're old. We could click on a link and never make it back here. Probably end up being robbed by punks in the single speed forum.

I agree 100%, I don't race, but I like reading about you seniors that do. A lot of things posted here, should be in foo.

Well I think it would be good for everyone's brains. Think of it as a kind of memory exercise.

Agreed!!

Okay tell you what. If you guys ever see something that you think needs to be moved, report it by clicking on the little triangle on the bottom left of the post and the mod team will discuss the issue and move it should need be.

Deal?

I resemble this remark. Thats funny right there, I don't care who you are.

I'm not old. I'm fermenting to perfection.

With a few notable exceptions it appears that quite a few folks agree, at least to some extent, with my original post.

It’s common knowledge that all things evolve and it’s also common knowledge that change can be positive or negative, all depending on an individual’s viewpoint. For me it has been a slowly evolving negative change. It used to be a rare event to have a thread in 50+ locked, and even then it was often at the OP’s request. Now we just had two locked in the same week.

Discussion and opinion sharing is entertaining and educational unless the opinions are doled out as absolute facts by self-appointed know-it-alls who never climb down from the pulpit. As I mentioned in my opening post, I’m not awfully bright. Often I miss many of the meanings and directions that some threads take. I’ve started threads that were not worded so as to be ‘political argument proof’ and wondered for a time how things got so out of control. Eventually I figured it out.

As I originally stated, I’ll not report any cycling incidents that I encounter for fear of firing up all the experts resulting in another locked thread. I could just resort to posting ride reports, but I usually ride the same area all the time and everyone’s getting bored of that stuff. Oh wait, I posted a ride report last year with a couple of pics and accidentally started another flame war. At times, posting here almost gives me a feeling of being a piece of chum in a shark tank.

For a while, I think this will be a good place to read when I’m bored and to do research when I’m stumped or to request an answer if my research comes up empty.

Thank you all for taking the time to reflect and respond in this thread. Your thoughtfully worded posts have allowed me to realize the changes I’ve seen are at least partially real and not just a warped observation of an aging old cyclist who wacked his head once too often.

Gee, you leave the place for a couple of weeks and (apparently) all heck breaks out. I'm sorry/glad I missed whatever the heck you all are talking about. If/when it stops being fun for me, I'll move on as well.

On another/different note, why am I suddenly/currently writing sentences with one/two words separated/divided by slash marks?

Don't think/know if it has anything/something to do with your age/maturity or your keyboard/mind.

This post literally made me laugh out loud!

COD - you are one of the smartest "not awfully bright" persons I know and I cherish your contributions and posts. I am continually amazed at your (and your wife and children's) accomplishments.

While I have enjoyed the forum for many years, I will likely follow your lead as it seems to be going places I am not comfortable with nor do I enjoy. I will still be around, but less visible, which will likely make at lease a couple of folks happy!! I really miss folks like tsl and others who are no longer posting. I guess it just comes with the territory.