Since I am the primary source of controversy here, I'll weigh in a bit...again. I really appreciate that lph is posing this question in the positive sense of the discussion; that is, why are YOU here?

For me, the primary issue is safety...not in the physical sense though. Safety in that this is a well moderated forum where one isn't exposed to the nastiness that exists on others. While I've tried others, they lack the general sense of productive collaboration and commaraderie that you find here.

Second, I've made many friends here. As recently as yesterday, I rode with Indysteel and her husband. A couple weeks ago, I had a fun breakfast with Melavai and three generations of her family (including her father who proudly displayed his cycling jersey tan line). While I've riden with many of you, I consider many more of you to be "online friends". I frankly bristle at the characterization that my presence would be voyeuristic or unwholesome...there are many threads that I don't go to because I know I'll have nothing to offer

Third, the members of this group are generally well educated, intelligent, thought provoking, from many different backgrounds and with a broad diversity of perspectives to offer.

So, although I am male (and gender access has been a point of controversy ever since the supreme court ruled on the issue decades ago), and I have been attacked and called many names, I remain here because it is safe, generally friendly, and populated by intelligent members from multiple places and disciplines...in short, this is a good place.