Has Cycle Chat been a bit flat recently

[ChrisKH]

I'm sure you're right Chuffy. I don't have that much time to spend on the forum so have to dip in and out when I can and lose the threadlines sometimes. I'll pop in one day.

 

[Chuffy]

I'm sure you're right Chuffy.

Feels like I've been around for a long time and take far too much interest in forum politics and goings on....

I don't have that much time to spend on the forum so have to dip in and out when I can and lose the threadlines sometimes. I'll pop in one day.

Do.
Doesn't matter who is around, someone will say hello.

 

[col]

The tea thread is a bit like a forum within a forum so I don't see the point of it. From memory it's very much like the club thread in C+ which spawned acf. To each his own I suppose, but I like the forum to be as catholic as possible (using the literal meaning of the word).

Yes but thats the point,a bunch of people who get on have chosen a thread to chat,and they also post elsewhere too,so why worry,its a good thread.

 

[Crackle]

I would like to see more going on in rides and might even get round to doing a write up myself. Know How and buying tick over well.
I dont think we are in such bad shape as always some new blood would be welcome.

I think that's what I'd like to see, some more ride stuff to inspire.

It's a bit of a phenomena, quite impressive and something for CC to be proud of.

Yes but thats the point,a bunch of people who get on have chosen a thread to chat,and they also post elsewhere too,so why worry,its a good thread.

I think the tea thread is an achievment as well. Well done to LOTTP.

 

[Aperitif]

Not sure about your memory regarding the club thread on C+ Chris. ACF was already created, it just took a screw-up by the C+ management leading to a mass migration to get it running at full steam, in exactly the same way as this place suddenly filled up and took off after BikeRadar managed to alienate loads of people.
Tea seems to have a life of it's own and seems to divide people in a way that should surprise me, but doesn't.
It isn't a threat to the Cafe, the regulars in Tea post elsewhere too.
It's not a clique, anyone can pop in and expect a warm welcome (and a nice hot cuppa).
I can see why people get funny about it, nearly 7000 posts is quite intimidating, but really, there's no need to worry. It's a bit of a phenomena, quite impressive and something for CC to be proud of.

Also agree on the achievement Chuffters - well pointed out.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

The main reason for the flatness is that this place was initially populated by people who frequented the Cakestop and Soapbox sections of C+. We lost most of the racing boys who stayed at Bikeradar, and most of the audaxers went to ACF. This place therefore lacks some of the cycling core of and has more of the fringe perhaps. It did also get more of the nutters unfortunately, as for better or worse, ACF got rid of them (and in the process lots of very nice people too). I've always thought of it as discussions amongst people who cycle rather than it being particularly about cycling. Frankly there's only so much you can say about cycling unless you are the kind of person who enjoys discussing gear ratios...

This however is exactly the time in any forum's life when people need to do positive things and make it work rather than complaining. Self reflection only works if good things come out of it rather than people just being nostalgic.

 

[beanzontoast]

The main reason for the flatness is that this place was initially populated by people who frequented the Cakestop and Soapbox sections of C+. We lost most of the racing boys who stayed at Bikeradar, and most of the audaxers went to ACF. This place therefore lacks some of the cycling core of and has more of the fringe perhaps. It did also get more of the nutters unfortunately, as for better or worse, ACF got rid of them (and in the process lots of very nice people too). I've always thought of it as discussions amongst people who cycle rather than it being particularly about cycling. Frankly there's only so much you can say about cycling unless you are the kind of person who enjoys discussing gear ratios...

This however is exactly the time in any forum's life when people need to do positive things and make it work rather than complaining. Self reflection only works if good things come out of it rather than people just being nostalgic.

I kind of agree, but there's always going to be new things happening to people while cycling, new bikes to be had, new problems to be solved, new (by which I don't mean necessarily cutting-edge) kit to be discussed, new ideas - and new people coming in of course. It's still a cycling forum at the core.

 

[Dave5N]

I never found it flat until very recently, so your theory doesn't hold for me.

 

[Crackle]

So, bearing in mind FM's sound advice about not too much navel gazing.

Beginners - ticks over but some new blood might help
Racing - picking up but there must be more people who could contribute
Road, Rides, Audax & Sportives - Needs a bit of an injection of effort to get people to put the stuff in they do: Lead by example?
Mtbiking & off-road - seems to tick over given the number of specialist sites out there
Commuting - Busy but in my view a bit 'negative', maybe it's the nature
Touring & Expedition - Quite lively but maybe benefit from some reports?
Photo Gallery - Fine
Cyclo Cross - ?
Recumbent & HPV - Fine?
Fixed & Singlespeed - Fine
Special Interests - Fine
Technical Section - Ticks over nicely, personally I'd like to see some more reviews going in there I bet there's loads of people who could do a review
Cafe - I feel it's a tadge flat and as Dave said, edgy after the ACF thing but as Mondo and a few others said it's probably cyclical
Rides, Events, Clubs & Shares - I don't know about this section, any views?
Helmet cams & videos - Fine
Classifieds - Fine
Soapbox - discussed elsewhere, interesting to see what effect the changes have
Campaign - Fine
Stolen Bikes - hopefully will remain very quiet
Board section - Works well thanks to Shaun

My summary says more ride stuff and more reviews. What say you?

 

[Dave5N]

Better banter. The 'cross forum is pointless - only three or four people race. Amalgamate with off-road.

Know-how and Accessories could be combined, too.

 

[longers]

We just need a bit of good weather I think.

I don't contribute to much else on the forum as my experience is limited but I am reading and learning quite a lot.

 

[Keith Oates]

Race has always been my favorite but the political shenanigans of recent months has blunted my enthusiasm somewhat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chuffy]

Better banter. The 'cross forum is pointless - only three or four people race. Amalgamate with off-road.

Know-how and Accessories could be combined, too.

Less is more. Getting people to mingle, rather that huddle in clumps, will help get things going. I'd be happy to see Beginners go too, for much the same reason, there's nothing wrong with people asking simple questions across the forum and it would be a good way of getting new people more involved.

Maybe all of us old lags should take a break for a few months. Might let some new shoots come through...

 

[Noodley]

Race has always been my favorite but the political shenanigans of recent months has blunted my enthusiasm somewhat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your contributions are missed at the Race forum at BR Keith

 

[beanzontoast]

Less is more. Getting people to mingle, rather that huddle in clumps, will help get things going. I'd be happy to see Beginners go too, for much the same reason, there's nothing wrong with people asking simple questions across the forum and it would be a good way of getting new people more involved.

Maybe all of us old lags should take a break for a few months. Might let some new shoots come through...

That's a good point - it would be sensible to encourage beginner commuters to post in Commuting, begginer Roadies in Road etc rather than spreading the advice on one cycling subject area across several 'departments'.