Like Malliotropolis, I didn't actively involve myself in the thread

However, my thoughts do come down heavily on the "no doscrimination on any grounds" part of the thread.

My partner and I are about 6-7 years from beg empty nesters also, and we spend all time we can together. We do not have girls or boys nights out, we do not go off on hunting or fishing or shopping or whatever trips with our mates -leaving one behind.

My greatest joy last year was a two week holiday we took with the kids where I took no work with me and we only spent 1-2 hours apart from each other at any one time (and this was during the bike race part of the holiday).

Although he rarely reads threads here, and does not post and has not joined, he regularly asks "how the girls are" and helps me formulate both my questions and answers at times, or helps me understand what others have written. He is interested in the women here and is particulalrly thrilled and impressed by women in their middle years who have faced demons or summoned courage or made time to do something for themselves...

This forum has also given the males in this house (my partner and our four sons) the perspective that someone who rides for three hours is just as committed as someone who covers the same distance in half the time. That the women who set cycling goals for themselves can be just as elated or just as devastated when their goals are met or just missed as any testosterone-laden elite male rider.

Its a great forum, and its diversity is its strength and all we should ask is that we are all respectful of each other.