I've noticed over the last few days a sharp decline in 'users on-line'. Where's everyone gone? Are they all out Christmas shopping? Getting a final trip in or finally had enough and headed for pastures new ... obviously, I'm not expecting any answers because those missing won't see this

Post lockdown trips to Wales

Fermi Paradox?

Working through out weekend no playtime

Work :)

Maybe they’re using their new found freedom to go riding?

I'm on here rather more than is healthy, perhaps that your problem

I've been missing a lot recently Stu, catch up when I can, my Arthritus
Has took a nasty turn so I've been off the pulse as far as bikes are concerned
Blood tests etc inbound, coming through it though and got a few projects on the go....

I'm here, it's the only place I go these days.

Wouldn't go Xmas shopping if you paid me to.

I'm here and have been blatting the forum whilst on a solo work trip and bored. Probably driven them off

Cheeky Monkey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:29 pm Probably driven them off

Au contraire, we're still waiting for the Viet meal pics with macaques in the background .

Escape Goat wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:15 pm I'm here, it's the only place I go these days.

Wouldn't go Xmas shopping if you paid me to.

But would you go Xmas shopping in the shop in This Place . The very definition of confusion .

It may be time for confuse a cat.

Escape Goat wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:00 pm It may be time for confuse a cat.

Consider one duly confused : CONFUSE-A-CAT

RIP wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:57 pm

Cheeky Monkey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:29 pm Probably driven them off

Au contraire, we're still waiting for the Viet meal pics with macaques in the background .

I'd rather starve than take and share pictures of my food. I'm more likely to take one at the other end of the process

Still lurking

Don't panic, I'm here... Still grumpy too

I’m about when I can , going from 4on 4off to a “proper” working week means less time doing everything I used too

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:05 pm I've noticed over the last few days a sharp decline in 'users on-line'. Where's everyone gone? Are they all out Christmas shopping? Getting a final trip in or finally had enough and headed for pastures new ... obviously, I'm not expecting any answers because those missing won't see this

It's the way forums develop I think. They become a clique, and ultimately not that welcoming to new people.

You have over 1/2 of the forum members who haven't posted more than 5 times (1125). Around 100-125 people have posted over 500, about 25 are what you may describe as 'prolific'.

So what happens is that new people join and they are kind of 'shut out' by the established members because they don't know the in-jokes and if they say something controversial then the wagons get circled and they get a hard time (and I speak from experience on that one). Recently I got picked up on one spelling mistake in a thread where I was suggesting a bolt purchase could be done differently. Just about every reply had a spelling mistake, but nothing was mention. You see, I am getting precious, but that is what happens.

I really don't think it's intentional, but it's what happens, like if a new bloke pitches up in the pub.

So people drop off (unless they are quite thick skinned) and forums become stagnant.

Sorry, was that a too serious answer?

Just to add, that isn't a criticism, just an observation. It happens all the time on smaller forums.

I think there may be a cookie thing as well. Not just eating them, as they’re delicious, but I have noticed I seem to be logged out a lot more often than normal.

Chedar Man - That's not what I've observed. BB is a very welcoming forum, similar to YACF for audaxing. I note a few YACF stalwarts have appeared on BB during the past 2-3 years, have thrived and become part of the - ahem - "nuevo-establishment" , possibly just as a natural evolution of their cycling interests.

A community that thrives on access to "the great outdoors" may well see a natural decline in numbers if access to the great outdoors is restricted. Perhaps normal service will resume, when normal service resumes .

And once the Christmas shopping's been completed .

Have a great day and stay FABULOUS, everyone

I think there may be a cookie thing as well. Not just eating them, as they’re delicious, but I have noticed I seem to be logged out a lot more often than normal.

Is that the 'keep me logged in' box ticked?

Sorry, was that a too serious answer?

No, not at all. It was simply something I've noticed over the last week or so. Generally, numbers would be 50+ on-line at any given time (being like that for a few years) but that number appeared to suddenly get cut almost overnight.

Having been guilty of pedantry myself, it's very easy to have words misconstrued. There really should be an easily accessible emoji for "I'm being ironic" and "ignore me I'm being a tw@" in the smilies panel ->