I’m not here to crash the party…

[Aint Doody]

I haven't been here in a while either. I just wanna say--YEA, BRUCE!! We (the smart ones here) appreciate you. Stay safe.

[salsabike]

Bruce, you are totally welcome here. Thanks for posting!

Whoever sent you that PM is speaking solely for herself, not for this board.

[Xrayted]

Bruce, I am truly sorry that someone on this forum PM'd something like that to you. I just wanted to say, you are welcome here. As for pics, I thought it was wonderful of you to show us what you look like. It's always nice to put a face with a name. We would love to see some pics of you with the bike, too. (we love bike pics )

We do have a wonderful group of women on here who are (normally) very supportive of each other and any guests that frequent here. Please don't be put off by one azzhole who has a deep seated hatred of men in general. (Whom ever you are, instead of striking out at others for the reason of your lonely existence on this planet, maybe you need to look inside yourself for the cause. Of course, a boot up your arse wouldn't do you any harm either. )

Thank you, Bruce, for serving in our armed forces. I don't believe in the reason we are there, but I do back you soldiers up 100%. Please stay safe and don't forget to post a pic of you on the bike.

~X.

[margo49]

happy birthday, salsa

[uforgot]

Just wanted to add my good wishes to you! My son was over there last Christmas, and he is coming home for Christmas this year! Next year he will be over there again.

Thanks to you and all the others over there. Maybe the TE'er who pm'd you should consider the fact that she can say what she wants because you make our freedom possible!

[Susan Otcenas]

Bruce,

My name is Susan Otcenas, and I am the owner of Team Estrogen, Inc. I'd like to make it VERY clear that you are quite welcome here. I'd also like to add my voice to the chorus that has apologized to you for the inappropriate and quite thoughtless PM you received.

This forum is dedicated to women's cycling. However, that doesn't mean that only women cyclists are welcome here. We have a very small minority of men on these forums who enjoy participating inthe lively discussions we have here. As long as posts are on-topic and not inappropriate, then they are welcome.

Regrettably, a small number of women here feel that men should not be permitted. That men somehow spoil the "girls locker room" feel that tends to develop, especially since many of the conversations are quite frank. This in and of itself tends to weed out most of the men who wander in here Nonetheless, we will not ask men to leave as long as they play nice.

Thank you for your service to the country.

Tailwinds,

Susan

[maillotpois]

That's a great story - except the PM part.

My question is how the heck did you get a bike to IRAQ??? That's truly impressive! Ride safely and be careful over there.

[Duck on Wheels]

Let me state up front that I oppose this war, but not the soldiers fighting it. I feel we were lied into this war. I feel it's not making us safer. But none of that is the soldiers' fault. They're just doing the best they can, serving their country bravely and loyally, even if that courage and loyalty isn't always being shown them in return. Given that assessment of the situation, I hope the bike helps you stay safe and sane over there. I hope you make it safely home, leaving the bike for the next person. Given my views, I hope that next person doesn't have to be a soldier. If only this war can be brought to an end soon, maybe you could leave the bike for an Iraqi kid. But I'll shut up on that issue now. We try to stear clear of politics here. What we share is an interest in biking; on political issues we're a random bunch who don't agree on much.

Meanwhile, I add myself to the list of those who welcome you to post here. Whoever took it upon herself to play "forum police" and tell you off ... well, shame on her. That PM was inappropriate; your post was not.

[Zen]

I don't see what purpose his post has served except as a springboard for (and I detest this word) cattiness, backbiting and insults.

He got his bike, he thanked the parties involved, that should have sufficed. To post the content of a private message is very inappropriate.

From the turn this thread has taken, it would appear that he has indeed crashed the party. That's a shame.

[Veronica]

I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting.

Well I'm glad you posted. It always gladdens my heart to see people being nice to each other and I had no idea that plans were afoot to send a bike to Iraq. Yes, Trek, I do have a life and don't have time to read every post.

I'm pleased and proud that "my gang" did something so generous.

The PMer is entitled to her opinion and shouldn't get trashed on account of it, however.

V.

[Mr. Bloom]

Zen, I think the world of you (even though we disagree on cell phone usage )

The issue to me in this is that a PM attack on anyone...particularly where it seems to presume a consensus of the entire group that doesn't exist...is inappropriate.

If a member has an issue with another person's membership, let's base it on what they do and what they say...and not their gender. If there's a problem, this is a well moderated group...and the moderators will intervene...and PM vigilante-ism is not needed.

Frankly, I hope that the PM in question simply confirmed that this wasn't a dating forum and that Bruce merely understood the meaning differently than intended...but I also know from experience that this may be wishful thinking...

[Veronica]

...this wasn't a dating forum ...

It's not?!? But I tell people that I met SK, Jobob and aka_kim through an online dating service - TE!

V.

[Trek420]

To post the content of a private message is very inappropriate.

Well, granted I have never quoted a PM here or on any board. Nor would I quote an e-mail without permission from the writer (I think I quoted an e-mail once with someone's ok)

But this is not dealing with the fact that if someone here feels that his post was not appropriate we do not "flame" here.

This is a "discussion forum" not a "flame board" or at least has been till now.

There are admins who are highly paid...or maybe not paid but anyway there are admins here. If one feels something is wrong flag the thread or post or person. Don't get a response? Well maybe the Admins feel there is nothin' wrong or maybe they are out on a ride. Meanwhile one is free to ignore the author, the post or even the whole thread.

But I hope it remains the norm here that we are a diverse and global community. We don't agree on much 'cept we loooooove cycling....and beer...and really good chocolate....

And I hope that remains our strength and the character of this board.

Here we find communality with people who in "real life" we would probably never meet whether separated by geography, race, class, politics, religion or simple riding ability and I could go on but here we find we are somehow the same.

As one who's faced discriminaton IRL I'm aware when we start tossing people out "my kind" are often the first to go.

Long live TE!!!

[Veronica]

But I hope it remains the norm here that we are a diverse and global community. We don't agree on much 'cept we loooooove cycling....and beer...and really good chocolate....

Ahem... I don't like beer. Does this mean I have to leave TE?

V.

[Trek420]

It's not?!? But I tell people that I met SK, Jobob and aka_kim through an online dating service - TE!

V.

Well you have been out to drinks and or dinner with many of us And I slept with Bike Goddess for a week Calm down everyone, she was my tentmate on ALC

Ahem... I don't like beer. Does this mean I have to leave TE?

V.

Only if you don't like chocolate. You like chocolate, right? Whew. thought I was going to have to report you.

Yes, Trek, I do have a life and don't have time to read every post.
V.

And you train, oh man you train. If I trained instead of posting .... oh heck, we all know I still couldn't do the CA Triple crown.

This is one of the things I've loved about this board. There are people here who think I ride pretty well or know stuff and we've gotten to ride together and there are people here I'm just in awe of. If I'm out on a ride and see a Triple Crown jersey or Terrible Two I'm "oh, they are in a whole 'nother cycling world from me" But I've never found a more varied yet supportive board.