[Closed] GOOD friendship on here ?

Well, I've met a fair number of people off here, and some have become firm friends. Some of them have gone out of their way to be kind to me, and I'm really glad I've met them. Spent last weekend with WorldClassAccident, who's a top, top bloke and like family to me now. 🙂 Several others have been lovely too, and I'll meet at least one other STWer every couple of weeks or so, just for a pint if not a ride. Got several email 'mates' who I've yet to meet too!

As for changing the World...

Some biking events, such as Hit The North, BigBikeBash and others have come about because groups of people have come together and made it happen. Petesgaff's charity ride got great support due in part to the coverage on her, and the selflessness of loads of STWers.

So, yes, I think we can make a difference, on a small scale at least.

And from small acorns, great oak trees grow...

Ah what? Someone posts something positve for a change, yet it gets ignored?

Come on people, share the love.

BUMP (in a peaceful and non-agressive manner)

I agree all the folks I've met of forums have been sound dudes long may it continue

I've come to consider you all as people who post on a forum

I've met and become firm friends with loads of riders on here.

I also know of one relationship that has blossomed between 2 inhabitants of this here forum.

What a nice thread. I've come over all ready brek.

I've come over all ready brek.

Cheaper than milk.

I can only agree, from many days of taking many stw'rs around the Quantocks and from the amazing hospitality i've got whilst up 'ere n Scotland. Same can be said about the guys at mlehworld mind you, rode with many of them and in real life they're awesome.

With forums, cut out and ignore all the petty misunderstandings, don't make assumptions on personality based on persona's. Meet people.

I guess from having a shared passion we have something in common, which makes getting along easier. Riding can be very social and during such times we get to know a little about each other in a way you'd not experience in other hobbies/sports.

Mountain biking is a way of life for many, this creates a sense of community made through web based interaction.

We all enjoy riding, during these rides we are most happy, the banter, cheer and laughs shared are good times. We relate many good times a those spent with mates, therefore good times+other riders=other good mates.

I've just re-read all that and it makes no sense to me really, Hey ho, that's my input on this thread.

I've come to regard you as ... people I've met. </Rimmer>

Never met anyone off here yet; you all seem lovely though, come riding with us.

They call me gold top you know.....

I tend to take forum snippiness with a pinch of salt. I've been on the Internet since before the web, and if there's one thing I've learned is that online personas don't equal 'real life' personalities. Well, not always. Some of the nicest people I know are the biggest bell-ends online.

Fred - you're in with a chance!

😆

i've met and ridden with quite a few, some i'm in touch with, others i'd go out of my way to avoid....just like life really

I suppose the great thing about living in Dumfries is that not only are there great people up here to go riding with, but every so often you meet people up here for the riding. Yep - some fabulous peeps out there who are on here. As for sharing the love, I try my best. I think all my best rides have been with people off here 🙂

I agree with elf.

Some of our closest friends are from meeting up with STWers many years ago now.

Today about 20 odd of us all met in a carpark and went for a ride, some people I knew well, some I've ridden with a few times and some were new. It was a fantastic day and I hope they'll be many more in the future.

Sharkie - I understood every word that you wrote.

Some keep deleting me on FB 😡

Oh and What Sharki said

Some keep deleting me on FB

shocking! playing devils advocate i'd only do that if you had friends adding to your FB posts that i'd want to avoid/find as tedious now as i did in the past

just a thought, like

Rocketdog deleted me from facebook 😳

Haven't met any stw-ers whilst out and about (apart from the one that I knew before I started on here...), although I am hoping to get on a ride with you lot at some point!

There's people on here that, despite never meeting, I'd consider to be a friend though.

Good bunch of people (even with all the arguing! 😛 )

edit: I tell a lie...I met an stw-er when picking uo my new turbo trainer...and a top chap he was 🙂

Aw shucks... 😥

I've met some top folks from this jolly good collection of bike geeks and malcontents that makes up the STW forum.

I've also met some ****in knobends (mainly from classifieds, but that's a whole expletive infested rant all to itself) but I've no doubt that people I've met think that of me as well, so just like real life really.

What did surprise me was the few lovely people who emailed me to make sure I was ok off forum when my mind fell out recently. big snogs in non-bumsex way to them.XX

Much like real life, there are good people and bad people. There are some people I'd like to meet, and others I'm not too fussed about. Generally the banter is good and the bad eggs are quickly brought to order.
Overall a good place to be. 😀

Welcome back tazzymtb.

thanks bunnyhop, nice floral design bags 🙂

I once gave a guy a double bed on here. He was a really nice bloke

I once gave a guy a double bed on here. He was a really nice bloke

bed sharing may be taking things a Tad too far imho

Thanks tazzy.

Zedsdead - were you the spooner or the spoonee?

P.S I sleep with a chap from off STW every night 8)

lol

yeah - sopunds well suspect eh!

not like thast at all though. He was a Skoda driver too so defo one of you....

He was a Skoda driver too

you do realise that the skoda logo is flying willy don't you? it's used by expert doggers to advertise. You didn't meet him in a secluded car park did you?

What always pleases me, is that in spite of the bitching and arguing that goes on on here, whenever someone has genuine problems they want to share with people, most folk are really decent and supportive. I know that can make a difference to someone. When I posted last week about being hit by a car, several folk emailed me to make sure I was ok. It's nice to feel part of a 'community'.

I enjoy a good argue as much as anyone, but at the end of the day, I'm prepared to meet just about anyone for a ride/pint etc. I think if you really harbour ill-feeling towards others, speshly those you've never met, you're limiting yourself in terms of opportunities to make new friends.

Fred - you're in with a chance!

Ooh! Is she pretty? I do like pretty ladies... 😀

Yep, can only echo what many others have said. There are some truly lovely people on here, some of whom have become good friends.

Even the 'shouty' ones are actually far far nicer in real life, especially that Elfin. 🙂

😀

whenever someone has genuine problems they want to share with people, most folk are really decent and supportive

you have no idea! The company I worked for tried to take me for a mug. If it wasn't for this site then I would have been in some seriously deep crap.

And for that I do one day plan to have a BBQ to stick it to them.Thanks STW - you really did make the difference. And I seriously owe you one.

I've met and become firm friends with loads of riders on here.

I also know of one relationship that has blossomed between 2 inhabitants of this here forum

Bunnyhop

P.S I sleep with a chap from off STW every night

The same one?

Email in profile on the off chance 😉

The only person on here that I've met (and there's a few) and have real doubts about is me - but we're working it out.

Met some good people from this forum and Lowey

Poor Lowey. 🙁

Must admit; when I first joined this forum, I was a bit jealous of those who seemed to know each other well, go riding and that. Din't have hardly anyone to go for rides with really.

Now, I have plenty of choice yet don't get out enough for rides. For shame. 😳

There are murmurings of a WorldClassAccident and Elfinsafety 'Soft Southern Shandy Drinkers Tour of Britain' next summer.

Be afraid.

Be very, very afraid.... 😯

Woody - it is indeed the same one. However if he ever dumps me, you're next on the list 😉

I've met loads from here but obviously once they've met me thats the last I see of them, fair enough. But all my good riding friends I've met on the internet. I met my longest term riding friend through a chance encounter on alt.mtb, I've known him 15 years now.

Like wise have a big network of friends who I met through here. Riding with some of them next weekend.

However if he ever dumps me, you're next on the list

I'll have my Botanics mens anti-ageing moisturiser with SPF15 and ginko at the ready!

Met some top people that I've been glad to meet and ride with, some of them have become friends. Have also met some total d*cks that I'd not miss if I never saw them again...

Bit like normal life!

Should state though, on the whole, I've met a lot more people I've been glad to meet and ride with than those I'd not miss if I never saw them again... Maybe a shared interest really helps?

What really sticks out is that mtb'ers just accept you for what you are ... and I always used to be really self-conscious due to being female and considerably older than most.

Mountain biking is a broad church and that's cool. 😀

[i]Mountain biking is a broad church and that's cool[/i]

For freaking sure, but yes. Cocks exist in all walks of life.

Yup they do but luckily few and far between.

I hate you all. Do I get a prize? xxx

I only come on here to practice grooming.
Have met a few off here, but usually to buy/sell, & all have been sound chaps. Was surprised how many people are local to me.
Would love to join a group ride but always seem to be busy. Anyone fancy an off-piste Cannock Chase day ?

I have really enjoyed all the stw rides I have attended. You people are good people. Friendships take a bit more time and effort though.

Anyone fancy an off-piste Cannock Chase day ?

that's at least 3 times a week for me, It's fun to see if other folks know of different bits of "special secret singletrack" though 🙂

Friendships take a bit more time and effort though.

This is true, and friendships probbly won't be formed just over a ride or two. Which is why I think it's important to have post-ride drinks etc. Nowt to do with liking beer or anything, you understand...

It's funny how certain friendships develop. Most of the folk I've ridden with come from very different walks of life to myself, and I'd probbly not meet them if it weren't for something like mountain biking. At first some of my 'non-forum' friends thought I was a bit odd to go and meet strangers off an internet forum (and then go into the woods and come home with a sore bottom 😯 ), but most now think it's pretty 'normal'; I think the idea of using the internet to network is gaining acceptability. I probbly enjoy a wider social circle than many of my friends who don't do a similar activity.

I am occasionally concerned with the fact that some of my mtb mates are a bit 'odd', mind. Do I attract the weirdos??? 😀

The more the merrier I say.

I still hate you all, particularly you Elfin 😉 xxx

😥

I like most people I meet in real life even if they are not from STW - is that normal?

I have met the most wonderful reprobates, clever people and 'kin ace mtbers through here, male and female. Although Cameron'll never know or understand it, THIS is an example of 'big society'.

[i]Most of the folk I've ridden with come from very different walks of life to myself,[/i]

This is very true. I've spent time with plenty of people through bikes that I would never normally rub shoulders with. From large company directors to actual famous people to actual important people. It's nice that cycling brings so many different people together but I guess that's no different from any other sport/pastime.

Samuri; I dunno; certain sports/activities seem to attract certain people, mainly, and I'm not sure if mtbing is all-inclusive really but maybe more than others.

But like Islam, it's a great equaliser.

Yay! MTBing is the new Islam! We can all grow beards! Or something. 🙂

Full-face helmets for the ladies, to preserve their modesty?

Although having seen the 'Sexy Blokes' thread, maybe a few of the men could do with being burka'ed up.... 😯

That's why I hate you Elfin 😀 x

Oh Gary; how can I win your affection? 🙁

You already have. 😆

well I'm treating cycling as the sport in question. MTBing certainly attracts a more specific group of individuals whereas road riding I've found has a wider audience. But then, lets see.....

These are big name cyclists off the top of my head....

George Bush
Alan Sugar
Robin Williams
Robbie Williams
David Coulthard
Boris
Chipps
Jon Snow
Orlando Bloom
matt.........................................damon
etc, etc.

Yes, but you have used the word cyclist there. No one who rides a mountain bike calls themselves a cyclist.

I do and they are all terrain bikes! None of your new fangled johnny come lately bikey speak here young man

8)

There is no doubt that most here are pretty sound apart from Effinchafing, who is a complete cock whose door I'd never darken. And he knows it. 🙂

[img] [/img]

Well I think the STW goes in circles, you get people come & go, some fit in & some don't.
Some brave it & mature on STW due to the maturity & wisdom of others, some get banned for being a c0ck & choose a new user name to try & hide behind it, but still remain the same angry pr!ck they always were, some angry pr1cks realise that the only way they can fit in is to conform.
Welcome to the forum elfin 😉

I've met many people on here and have made a handful of great friends from it......you know who you are 😀

[i]Well I think the STW goes in circles[/i]

Well that is my plan and I hope to meet as many friendly STWers as possible.

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cycling-around-england-help-me-plan#post-1885593

I haven't met anyone from here but I've ridden quite a few times with people from MTB Britain and I even have a couple added on facebook, so they must be real friends! 😛 Everyone's always friendly and accepting of us slower riders.

I've met you WCA, but not in your marketing guise 😉

No-one from STW likes me, but then I'm shy and awkward and have trouble making friends.. I wonder why? 🙂

I've ridden with a few people from STW, but never more than once!

Cougar - I too have been 'on' the internet since the days of Mosaic and Gopher.. I used to use telnet based talkers.

well, this is a good thread!

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

Cheers Pete. See you Wednesday PM