bikejournal premier member fee increase!

[jobob]

Those who don't want to pay $20, no-one's holding a gun to their heads.

But those who think they're entitled to take advantage of slantz' hard work and out-of-pocket expenses without compensating him for his efforts, well, they're freeloaders in my book.

Like Grog says, there's a lot of hassle in maintaining a site like that. Maybe slantz will simply decide that it's not worth the effort to expend so much time and money with little or nothing back in return.

( yes V., I'm feeling snarky today, about this. )

- Jo.

[caligurl]

i agree with SK.... why wouldn't someone pay the $10????

as for the $20... i'll probably end up paying $40 for us next year.. it just irks me that the freeloaders.. (yes.. i agree with that term!!!!) don't pay and get the same things i use it for!

maybe if more people had given up the $10 bucks... those of us willing to pay wouldn't be paying 100% more to keep the site going for both the paying ane non paying members!

as for using the site for motivation... i'm sure a LOT more use it as a motivation tool than don't... just read all the comment on this board and on bikejournal's forums about riding to pass so and so... or to stay ahead of so and so....

i won't even dignify the comment about me not riding the miles i post...

[SadieKate]

i won't even dignify the comment about me not riding the miles i post...

Cali, I have now dug and dug through this thread to try to comprehend your upset. I think I found it but apparently we are supposed to remember each and every word you say on various threads. I still do not see where anyone has identified you as posting phony miles. The point is that you can use BJ for motivation anyway you want but some of us do not compare ourselves to others without personally knowing that person and their credibility. This is not to say that you are not credible, it only says I have not ridden with you and am, therefore, no judge of your credibility.

[caligurl]

Maybe slantz will simply decide that it's not worth the effort to expend so much time and money with little or nothing back in return.

a good reason to go strictly pay... less members.. less hassle!

[SpinSis]

I just joined bikejournal.com after reading about it here on TE. It is really convenient, especially when I'm at BF's house and forget my notebook-log.
And I think BF is more into the "competitive" aspects of the stats than me--though I'll admit that is a fun form of motivation. I haven't gotten to my membership fee yet, but I'd definitely pay $20--especially now that I know it is such a "cottage-project".

I will say, it is disappointing to read that there are folks who mis-use the system--though I'm completely boggled as to why they would do it? But like others have said, the tool works for me because my greatest competitor is myself...

[snapdragen]

I will say, it is disappointing to read that there are folks who mis-use the system--though I'm completely boggled as to why they would do it?

Yes, it is sad that some people exaggerate their stats, there are folks that see life as a competition.

[bikerHen]

I like BJ and will continue to support the site. The entertainment I get is worth another ten bucks. I am in a serious competition with myself. Logging those miles everyday and creeping up the mileage list is what gets me out of bed and on the trainer every morning. I don't care what number I'm at, as long as it's higher than the day before. I figure I've got another month, maybe two to keep my high(er) placing because once spring gets here everyone will be leaving me in the dust. But if I COULD crack the top 1000 this year I would be one happy hen. If not, well at least I have fun trying. BikerHen

[tatormc]

I like BJ and will continue to support the site. The entertainment I get is worth another ten bucks. I am in a serious competition with myself. Logging those miles everyday and creeping up the mileage list is what gets me out of bed and on the trainer every morning. I don't care what number I'm at, as long as it's higher than the day before. I figure I've got another month, maybe two to keep my high(er) placing because once spring gets here everyone will be leaving me in the dust. But if I COULD crack the top 1000 this year I would be one happy hen. If not, well at least I have fun trying. BikerHen

I completely agree with you BikerHen. BJ really helps me get up and on that trainer. My only complaint about BJ is the forum. I don't know if there is a way to find the new posts. Like here at TE I log in click New Posts and then I click the little check box thing next to each thread and it takes me to the first new post. I don't see this feature on BJ and it's too hard to keep up with what I've read. If I'm missing something ladies please let me know.

[Trekhawk]

I completely agree with you BikerHen. BJ really helps me get up and on that trainer. My only complaint about BJ is the forum. I don't know if there is a way to find the new posts. Like here at TE I log in click New Posts and then I click the little check box thing next to each thread and it takes me to the first new post. I don't see this feature on BJ and it's too hard to keep up with what I've read. If I'm missing something ladies please let me know.

Im with you. I glance at the forum sometimes but after using this one (I think we are spoilt here) it all seems a little confusing so I just give it a miss. Probably a good thing really as I would never get anything done if I was to start yacking on another forum.

[mary9761]

I completely agree with you BikerHen. BJ really helps me get up and on that trainer. My only complaint about BJ is the forum. I don't know if there is a way to find the new posts. Like here at TE I log in click New Posts and then I click the little check box thing next to each thread and it takes me to the first new post. I don't see this feature on BJ and it's too hard to keep up with what I've read. If I'm missing something ladies please let me know.

it depends on how long it's been since you read a thread, but if you go in daily, click on the numbers next to the post and it will get you to the closest newest post. If there have been a LOT of posts it may not be that easy, but I do believe you can click on show all posts at the top of the particular thread you're check and scan through like we do here.

[SnappyPix]

I've been reading this thread with some interest.
I originally started using BJ because of the call for TE members to join and boost the mileage for the club.
Apathy initially kept me from becoming a premium member - together with the fact it's not my primary method for logging my stats. Being a complete nerd at heart, I took the time to devise my own spreadsheet, which can give me all the statistical functions I want and it's easier for me to log all the relevant info I want/need.
I was also unemployed for several months on arriving to NZ and had other priorities for my spare cash.
I continued to use BJ to log my mileage, but no other data - and it's been fun to watch my place go up in the list and keep track of the team mileage/goals, but as others have said, it bears no relation to reality because it means nothing by itself. 100km of hills are different from 100km of downhill/flats - and ultimately I only care about my own performance and improvement.
As I understand it, Slantz provides two levels of membership - free and premium. I'm absolutely incensed that I'm being branded as a "freeloader" for using a service that someone is seemingly happy to provide free of charge. I understand the principle that paying for premium membership is supporting development of the site, etc. etc. but if the guy doesn't want people to use his service for free, it's HIS perogative to ask all members to become premium and charge a fee for membership - I don't see why others are taking the moral highground just because premium membership is something they choose to take advantage of.
Because it's not my primary method of logging, I see it as an additional useful feature, but certainly don't feel compelled to pay premium membership - whether $10 or $100 - to simply log my miles.
This is probably coming across as very arrogant and selfish - but the point I'm trying to make is that at the moment there are two levels of membership which he makes available - because I'm using it as a secondary and haphazard tool, I choose the basic free membership. Why does that make me a freeloader? If Slantz were to charge for membership then I would simply revert to using my own spreadsheet.
I salute all those people who take full advantage of the site and are happy to support Slantz, but don't appreciate being lambasted for using a service that is being willingly provided free of charge.
Again, the primary reason I joined was to contribute to the TE miles, goals - if this isn't welcome as a free member, then I'll happily withdraw my contribution.
Obviously I in no way condone abuse of the system, ie duplicate memberships, etc. etc.

[pkq]

Yes, it is sad that some people exaggerate their stats, there are folks that see life as a competition.

You mean it isn't?? Holy cow! I've been wrong 46 years! Guess I'll have to add it to the list.

[SnappyPix]

Chews on one of JoBob's chill pills ...

I would never want to perpetuate a negative thread to this board because that's definitely what TE isn't about. I've always admired the way disagreements are resolved through discussion, rather than argument or flaming.

The ironic thing is, I had been thinking about eventually becoming a premium member, but would do so in a few months' time, when I'm in a better financial position; there are several projects and small fee-paying upgrades that I'd like to contribute to, but don't want to commit myself at this particular moment in time. I do understand the ethos behind supporting development of sites like Bikejournal, but also believe that what one person sees as an intrinsic part of their life, is superfluous to others - or not necessarily such high priority.
I don't know BJ's history, but stab a guess that it started out as an altruistic gesture, and a very basic facility - but as members became more demanding, the time and effort spiralled into making it what it is today.

My initial over-sensitivity about the freeloader thing was because I didn't think I was doing anything wrong by just using the basic membership for the basic use - and I over-reacted because I'm definitely not a "something for nothing person" - I don't use any of the features of BJ such as forums or statistical analysis, but would understand if Slantz did feel he wanted to make the site fee-paying only for all the hard-work he's put in there.

As I said, I don't want to blow this out of proportion and should probably have worded my reply less tersely. I simply wanted to put things from another perspective.

Thanks to JoBob and pkq for throwing the virtual bucket of cold water over me - just what I needed!!

[SadieKate]

But like others have said, the tool works for me because my greatest competitor is myself...

Ditto, ditto, ditto. Did I say ditto?