MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Teetosugars. Not seen him posting for a while.
Wasn’t he banned for merely stating a fact?
Awkward facts that shone a light on the wrong places for some...
Does Malvern Rider still post?
Occasionally and he lurks as I met him in the welsh borders
Now called p7eaven
buzzlightyear is a person who seems to have got a life and no longer posts.
It's only the last few years I've regularly visited the forum, missed the early days so don't know half the people mentioned here.
Geex however stuck in my mind. He wound me up several times... He often liked to tell people they were weak. One time it was because I said I didn't think a 5 mile each way commute would be much fun on a BMX 😀
Still, I liked the fact he was always talking about hopping on and off things, doing wheelies, etc.
Also reckoned he could get a podium on the Womens WCDH ‘without even trying’.
Was/is a very handy rider, but liked to tell everyone.
No mention of Surfmatt? Driven out by lesser mortals.
Beer used to have me in stitches, rode with him once or twice too.
Yep, Ride In Peace Treemagnet 😢
No mention of Surfmatt? Driven out by lesser mortals.
recently seen getting angry with lesser surfers on facebook...
What happened to the trolling zoo fighter/glupton/smee?
Met and rode with him and he was a nice bloke in real life.
I think Geex can still be found on the EMTB forum.
Again a nice bloke in real life and very encouraging to Mrsstu when we rode with him. Also a pretty good rider.
What happened to the trolling zoo fighter/glupton/smee?
IIRC, the last I knew he was on a lifetime ban as he proved time and again to be completely incapable of not being a nob.
What happened to the trolling zoo fighter/glupton/smee?
His life is in much better place now. Does stupidly-long running events.
I'll mention Stoner again. Not sure why he left but I am quite selective over what threads I open here now so may have missed some blow up.
His life is in much better place now.
Really glad to hear that.
I could never understand the way he was on here compared to in real life.
I asked him about it and he just said he was bored and did it for something to do.
I’ll mention Stoner again. Not sure why he left .....
Because of a hostile environment for someone with his political views and opinions?
I really liked Stoner, despite our very different backgrounds and political views I got on well with him - I also met him in real life.
IMO he provided an interesting and useful perspective to political debates, and despite his own strongly held views was nevertheless open minded enough to listen to other people's pov.
Kenneth Clark was his political hero and I still think of Stoner when Ken Clark appears on the telly or is mentioned.
Because of a hostile environment for someone with his political views and opinions?
No. He just got bored. Sorry, I realise the quoted part is one of the prongs of your hectoring narratives these days, but in Stoner’s case, I think, like me, though I still read and contribute (though not to the political threads), he just got a bit bored with the circular arguments. Pretty sure he doesn’t even read either. You can find him on Twitter. Generally, by the time I’ve gone through a thread and might have something to say, somebody’s pretty much said it anyway.
EDIT: He and I still go at one another politically but these days it’s over beers in person or over Zoom etc. He’s as sharp as ever but we do have some cracking ding dongs. 😀
No. He just got bored.
Yeah I've heard you make that point before DD, and half expected you to do so again. It's good to hear that he's still up for a good political debate although it it's a shame that it's not on stw, and I somehow doubt that like you he thinks someone else is making the point for him.
As for my hectoring narrative I think it is pretty much proven that over time stw has been politically cleansed, the last openly Tory Party supporter on here to close the door behind him was mefty. It's just that very few people are prepared to admit it, and often it is vehemently denied.
and I somehow doubt that like you he thinks someone else is making the point for him.
😀
Your mate mefty was back the other day by the way. Think he dropped in to insult someone. Can’t remember who. Might have been TJ maybe? He doesn’t hide his ad homs as well as you.
Because of a hostile environment for someone with his political views and opinions?
I can understand that, it does seem that if you don't follow a particular set of left wing ideals you are
1. A Tory (an odd assumption)
2. Due to being labelled a Tory you are also now considered scum. This is then usually followed by people wondering why floating voters who have voted Tory in the past no long want to join their gang. :/
It's sad and as you says stops any alternative view and causes an eco chamber which isn't any good for one's own mind.
I can understand that, it does seem that if you don’t follow a particular set of left wing ideals you are
You must be joking. Those espousing "left wing ideals" can expect to be persistently derided as juvenile and detached from reality.
Bloody centrist dads. They’ve ruined STW now too. 😀
Yeah the echo chamber is narrow as well as hollow these days 😉
It also rarely hears a female voice, compared to a more inclusive time.
What happened to captainflashheart?
I like to think he was a chubby git sitting in his mum's box room wearing his underpants and a Socoby Doo tee shirt. All the while posting on here about first class travel, epicurean delights and career successes.
Well that's nice, captainflashheart came here to specifically wish everyone a Merry Christmas last year, gawd bless im. Perhaps he'll do the same again this year, if he gives himself a Post-it reminder. The stationery business is always busy that time of the year.
I always had CFH as looking and acting like Terry-Thomas.
As for my hectoring narrative I think it is pretty much proven that over time stw has been politically cleansed, the last openly Tory Party supporter on here to close the door behind him was mefty.
"Cleansed," seriously? It's simply the makeup of the forum, not the fourth reich.
Differing views are always welcome, and people have been excised from STW for their views a grand total of never unless they were truly beyond the pale. Some 'opinions' have legal ramifications.
I don't want STW to become an echo chamber, it would be a lesser place if so. But it one holds an unpopular opinion then a wise man would question why that might be the case, no? And it may well be that they're right and everyone else is wrong, but crying 'oppression' simply because people disagree with you is pretty lame. If you want to express your opinion but don't like it being challenged then, well... 🤷♂️
Mefty is still here, far as I know.
One does miss CFH. At least he could take a joke.
It’s all about chilli now for CFH, not shoes
Differing views are always welcome, and people have been excised from STW for their views a grand total of never unless they were truly beyond the pale. Some ‘opinions’ have legal ramifications.
I don’t want STW to become an echo chamber, it would be a lesser place if so. But it one holds an unpopular opinion then a wise man would question why that might be the case, no? And it may well be that they’re right and everyone else is wrong, but crying ‘oppression’ simply because people disagree with you is pretty lame. If you want to express your opinion but don’t like it being challenged then, well… 🤷♂️
I've mentioned this to you before Cougar, you and a few others are quite intolerant and make discussion difficult at times. I know I can't be arsed with most stuff now as I know a few "wise men" will make it clear that dissent is not welcome. I know you are nice bloke with the right intentions but you and others still put me off commenting.
It's hardly an echo chamber (Starmer thread excepted) when you have Ernie and his chums repeatedly looking for a scrap with everyone else, over multiple threads. We quite clearly don't all share the same views.
Ernie and his chums repeatedly looking for a scrap with everyone else
Nice. You can have strong opinions without offending or having a personal dig at someone.
But maybe not you?
As one of the few woman who still post, I definitely don't fit in. Especially in the last few days as I was a huge admirer and have respect for our late Queen. My feelings are that this is history in the making. Yet, I live with an anti Monarchist and we have both listened to the views of each other and except these differing views, whereas most people on this forum don't want to hear anything other than their thoughts and feelings. Just because there are people who are Royalists, doesn't make them raving Tory, non caring lunatics. Yes the Royals have Privilege and wealth, but I've never been jealous or envied them.
I too miss Flashy and Stoner, but mostly all the woman mtbers.
well said Bunnyhop. hope you are both well.
Complaints about the forum being an echo chamber by largely the same people who turn every conversation into some political mini rant...
Maybe the people who left are sick of reading "there's not enough right wing people on this forum" and "blame Starmer" on EVERY ****ING THREAD.
I always find it somewhat strange to open a music thread and not see DezB posting.
My observation is that this forum is mostly made up of medicated affluent middle-class socialists, and then a smattering of a few others.
Whilst it's not an echo chamber it is very much a jar filled with 2/3 water, 1/3 oil, and there ain't no mixing happening anytime soon, no matter how much you shake it.
It’s hardly an echo chamber (Starmer thread excepted) when you have Ernie and his chums repeatedly looking for a scrap with everyone else, over multiple threads. We quite clearly don’t all share the same views.
The problem is, the usual suspects just turn every argument into a pastiche of the last.
I don’t want STW to become an echo chamber, it would be a lesser place if so. But it one holds an unpopular opinion then a wise man would question why that might be the case, no?
A wise man would question why oppinions clearly popular in the country aren't reprisented here?
You don't have to agree with others oppinions but politics threads have descended into Corbynites Vs people advocating Stalineque purges, they're barely worth reading, let alone contributing.
My observation is that this forum is mostly made up of medicated affluent middle-class socialists, and then a smattering of a few others.
Funny you should say that, the thread where I posted a response disagreeing with the suggestion that a household income of £100k could be quite easily achieved completely broke the 2nd page of the thread!
Funny you should say that, the thread where I posted a response disagreeing with the suggestion that a household income of £80000 could be quite easily achieved completely broke the 2nd page of the thread!
I think they Comrade doth protest too much.
Waves at Bunnyhop as occasional other female poster…
Come on here to get away from constant royal news tbh 🙂
but mostly all the woman mtbers.
Yeah, I was thinking about that one in light of Marks comments on the Survey thread(s). Previously, any discussion about the dearth of women posting on the forum would make reference to the laddish culture, the language and the existence of things like the Friday Kylie thread. It appears to me (and I could be wrong) that the forum has moved on a lot since then and with quite a few articles on the site directly relating to women it might have been expected we'd see a bit of an increase in interaction on the forum. However, if anything, it seems to have gone the other way. I'm perfectly happy to admit that I'm not seeing it from the necessary viewpoint but I'd be interested in other views - including yours @bunnyhop and @Clover.
My observation is that this forum is mostly made up of medicated affluent middle-class socialists, and then a smattering of a few others.
Wheras i find its a cosy middleclass right wing viewpoint mainly. Folk who dont understand how right wing their viewpoint is. The consensus on here is not left wing. Some noisy lefties yes but ovetall its far from a leftie consensus
I always find it somewhat strange to open a music thread and not see DezB posting.
Yeah, I miss DebZ. Did he have unpopular opinions on music and get cleansed from the forum too?
Folk who dont understand how right wing their viewpoint is. The consensus on here is not left wing. Some noisy lefties yes but ovetall its far from a leftie consensus
A big part of the reason you think this TJ is your definition of right wing is a whole lot further left than most others think.
A big part of the reason you think this TJ is your definition of right wing is a whole lot further left than most others think.
Tbf the centre ground isn't fixed. My take isn't that folk here are necessarily right wing, it's more that they're (small c) conservative.
Im juat a wishy washy pale pink.liberal according to Ernie.
Imo the issue is that most folk dont realise how rightbwing their views are.
The cosy middle class demographic has no idea what reality is like for vast swathes of the country and thinks being socially liberal means they are left wing. Normal social democratic policy in thebrest of Europe is seen as far left. The fake idea we are a highly taxed country is prevalent on here
Etc etc
The guy who wrote this:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-yogi-footballer/simon-ralli-robinson/9780954242183
Anyone know what happened to him? His username was made up of his first two real names but I can't remember how.
Imo the issue is that most folk dont realise how rightbwing their views are
Or you don't realise how far left you are?😉
I might have once descrìbed this place as a pub full of white blokes....
Thanks sc-xc, he isn't still active though is he? He used to be quite a prolific poster. I always found him interesting. I seem to remember that he had an 'usual' view about something but I can't remember what! Met him at a swinley meetup once, nice guy.
I know you are nice bloke with the right intentions but you and others still put me off commenting.
I'm genuinely sorry to hear that.
A wise man would question why oppinions clearly popular in the country aren’t reprisented here?
Demographics?
Where can I go to find out which way my thoughts go? I've no idea what right or left wing I am...I agree and disagree with lots but have no idea what I actually am...
Feels a relevant question given it appears to help decide a lot of the missing forumites.
Thanks...off to go see if I can understand what it is suggesting my thinking are!
he's still posting regularly in Instagram
Some noisy lefties yes
The problem is many (not all) of the noisy "left wingers" are pretty aggressive and insulting to any one who doesn't agree with them. The discourse on here with any political subject is pretty terrible I read the odd the thread and the massive assumptions, idealisations, refusal to except that just because you have not experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't exist etc is terrible. You get the odd good post (I am not on about who I agree with just well formed points, ernielynch tend to be better than average but I don't agree with all he says) but noise signal ratio is terrible.
I would agree the politics posts have become rubbish
I would agree
thepoliticspostshave become rubbish
😀
Demographics?
Ageing and affluent? Hence my surprise.
Wheras i find its a cosy middleclass right wing viewpoint mainly. Folk who dont understand how right wing their viewpoint is. The consensus on here is not left wing. Some noisy lefties yes but ovetall its far from a leftie consensus
This to an extent too though, the forum is very vocally right-on left wing, until you suggest that owning a van for personal use is a polluting waste of resources and completely goes against any ideas of social responsibility, then all of a sudden you're the one impinging on their personal freedom to do as they want.
Political compass, that was odd.
Amongst my friend circle i'm generally a fairly moderate voice, politically and socially. Definitely left of centre and an anti authoritarian streak, especially when it comes to government over-reach. But not that vigorously bothered. Except where people act like tossers and deliberately cause suffering to others, either through action or policy.
On that chart, i'm slammed hard into the bottom left hand corner.
No idea where some of my more extreme mates would end up.
Probably in a Gulag.
The problem is many (not all) of the noisy
“left wingers” STW posters are pretty aggressive and insulting to any one who doesn’t agree with them.
FTFY 😉
The problem is many (not all) of the noisy “left wingers” are pretty aggressive and insulting to any one who doesn’t agree with them.
Obviously I see the issue from a left-wing perspective but I am not sure that is entirely fair. For me the problem are some centrists who appear to have a remarkable low level of tolerance towards anyone to the right or to the left of them.
As for those who deny that the political threads represent echo chambers I just find that bizarre, the Brexit and Boris Johnson threads could not represent better examples of echo chambers. Only one opinion is tolerated on each thread - Brexit thread = the EU is fantastic and if you don't you agree you are a racist, for obvious reasons I have never felt able to post on that thread. Boris Johnson thread = Johnson is the worse Tory to have ever existed and everything he has ever done has been wrong, I have generally tried to avoid commenting on that thread as on the occasions that I have been sucked into it I have been denounced as a Tory for daring to express even a neutral opinion on an issue - Johnson must always be hated and criticized for everything, if he's done something right it must not be mentioned. There are other examples but those two threads are excellent examples imo.
The other problem imo is that people take political discussions to a weird personal level. I can strongly disagree with someone over politics without thinking that they are necessarily a lesser human being than me, I can accept that their background and experiences in life might have been very different to mine. However some people seem to take things to a very personal level, eg "I hate every single person who votes Tory", and believe me that attitude is widespread - and not necessarily among the lefties. It is hard for people to engage when there is that level of animosity.
I tend not to get involved with the more extreme threads on here, as I just can't really follow what all the experts are banging on about. I do read them sometimes though...
I generally don't like to get involved in political discusions at all, but I'm happy with where that political compass thing put me.
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- 4.38
- 5.18
Probably makes me an intolerant centrist.
Avoiding the political threads is probably wise ads678.
.
I was going to comment of the hypocrisy of Ernie's post above but think I've had enough internet for now.
The guy who wrote this:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-yogi-footballer/simon-ralli-robinson/9780954242183
Anyone know what happened to him? His username was made up of his first two real names but I can’t remember how.
We are FB 'friends' now after meeting a few times for rides when he was studying in Totnes. Really nice guy.
He's in Brazil now, doing very Totnesian things 🙂
This to an extent too though, the forum is very vocally right-on left wing, until you suggest that owning a van for personal use is a polluting waste of resources and completely goes against any ideas of social responsibility, then all of a sudden you’re the one impinging on their personal freedom to do as they want.
I think that's just "people" generally. We all have NIMBYism to a greater or lesser extent.
Playing devil's advocate though, is this not a balancing act? We all have to decide what we deem to be an acceptable compromise, whether that's "I'm a tree-hugging yogurt-knitter but as much as it pains me I need a diesel Mondeo estate for family holidays" or "**** the planet, I've always wanted a V8 Mustang, bwrarr!"
I was going to comment of the hypocrisy of Ernie’s post above but think I’ve had enough internet for now.
But still felt the need to have a personal dig despite not having anything to contribute?
I can see this thread degenerating into another bickering political thread, I tried to bring it back on track with my question about simonralli, that very obviously failed as it went back to recriminations and accusations. I then tried to give my opinion without personally criticising anyone, that apparently failed too.
Anyway as I originally said, I miss thegreatape, he often made me chuckle and when he made a serious comment it always seemed sensible, imo
And another thread derailed, ironically providing the perfect illustration of why there might be missing forumites.
Too quick to judge anything as failed. It's a thread on a forum. Doesn't need to succeed or fail.
Chill out and let other people post.
Avoiding the political threads is probably wise ads678.
If only we could, this thread was reopened because someone had passed, less than half a page later it's an absolute political bicker-fest.
Avoiding the political threads is probably wise ads678.
If only we could
It's easy.
Just don't open anything with more than 40 posts, 20 if you want to play it safe and 1 if you want to be certain.
Valid point. Sorry for my small part in contributing to the all too common derailment.
Trying to get the thread back on topic.
ElShalimo
Full Member
he’s still posting regularly in Instagram
Glad to hear he's still out and about.
Not seen any posts from Richpips in a long time.
Richpips is very active elsewhere… insta, public talks, writing, running, riding…
Richpips is very active elsewhere… insta, public talks, writing, running, riding…
I didn't for one minute think he'd just be sat on his arse doing nothing.😉