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Post by smithy on Jun 24, 2017 17:27:02 GMT
Well don't know really where to start, been a member on this forum for many years, and have some Great memories..
A few years ago this was the place to be and to be seen on, Biking Weekends away more or less every month, spoil for
choice of Rides every weekend, bike related chit chat and Lots of Banter.. Just carn't understand what as gone wrong,
i know folk get older and move on to different things in life, also a large number of people have joined the Dark side,
but for it to end up like this = no posts, no ride invites, no banter or even chit chat, its a Big shame!!!
Does anybody have any answers or comments or even any Solutions on how to get this site back to where it use to be 
Thanks for reading..
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Post by rallybiker on Jun 24, 2017 20:52:12 GMT
I blame Faceache! Also I don't understand how to put photos up so I can't share ride photos. All the old gang seems to have disappeared to do running, swimming,road riding and other things. Maybe forums are a thing of the past with the explosion in different social media platforms, I don't know. Strava for me is a vital way of keeping in touch with old friends and acquaintances and this has probably taken over from forums to a great extent. I just ride my various bikes every weekend either in the mountains or on the roads. I can't see the old days returning with the 25-40 rider forum rides and trips to Brechfa, Inners and the Lakes-- they are gone into the mists of nostalgia, never to return!  Might be a good idea to get a reunion ride organised to do the Alwen/Brenig loop with a good cafe end in the Brenig cafe to have jangle as Smithy planned previously, spread the work by various means and see who turns up?! |
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Post by summittoppler on Jun 25, 2017 8:17:19 GMT
True words by both of you there lads. Unfortunately the site has been in decline for 2-3 years now. I do still post in the Rides section and I'd hate to see the site go but it looks like its on deaths door. Like you Al I put the 'reason' on Facebook. Probably because its so easy.
Yes we've had an absolute ball here on MBNW and we have made friends for life but shite happens!
Smithy's 'reunion' ride is a great idea and should be a success if enough notice is given. We can just meet up for a BBQ, beer, walk, run, swim, hell we could even rides bikes!
I'll continue to post in the Rides section until the nails are hammered in the coffin and I'll still wear the MBNW jersey knowing that I was part of something awesome!
Keep riding....
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Post by rallybiker on Jun 25, 2017 18:04:15 GMT
Well put Jeff! Let's get the Brenig thing sorted!!
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Tony
Have-a-go Hero
why take the easy route, when there is a harder one available
Posts: 188
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Post by Tony on Jun 26, 2017 6:32:11 GMT
My MBNW top doesn't fit any more, but I still get out a bit.
Guess we have to use it or loose it.
I'd be up for a catch up.
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andybz
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 128
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Post by andybz on Jun 26, 2017 12:52:11 GMT
I think there are lots of reasons for the decline - many of which have already been mentioned. I feel I can't complain too much because I was one the people who took far more than I put in to the group - turned up to rides when it suited me but didn't organised many (if any).
In many ways I think the group has been a victim of its own success. I bought my MTB then started riding with the group. This led to me trying an open water swim for charity, which led to triathlon, which led to me buying a road bike which meant I did less MTB. I know a lot of people have done the same.
Also, there is so much going on in North Wales now. Triathlon is one clear example. Things like Parkrun mean more people are running, which leads to signing up for events, which need to be trained for etc.
Unpredictability may have been a contributor. Parkrun relies on volunteers, like the group does, but it happens every week, on Saturday at 9am in the same place. That could work for MTB at a trail centre, but that was never what the group wanted.
Another slightly perverse thing may be because the group was free. People can be more committed if they have had to pay to join. Gyms are a good example of that.
It is a shame that the group is in decline, and I don't know if it will revive. But I really think it has happened because people are doing other things, and so overall it has been a great success. I will try to join in on the 9th, but can't commit at the moment (typical example of me being part of the problem and not the solution).
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Post by James on Jun 26, 2017 19:27:56 GMT
Agree with all the above. Its sad the way its gone but thankful for the people I have met. Looks like am going to have to rejoin Facebook, so look out for the friends reqeusts coming your way soon and lets get riding.
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Post by gixer1981 on Jun 27, 2017 17:33:22 GMT
I agree too, ok I've been on a handful of forum rides, but also do lots of solo rides, but as someone said, it's so hard to put the pictures in the site that we just end up sharing on Facebook etc.. I hope the forum doesn't disappear as you guys have so much knowledge of wales and all the epic adventures that are to be had..
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Post by Dan B on Jun 28, 2017 8:18:37 GMT
I feel somewhat responsible! But just don't have the time I once had to arrange rides, find new routes, train for events. Juggling two jobs one of which being a start up business has completely dominated my time for the past year, Nate is also at the age now where he wants to go out and ride and with training there simply are not enough hours in the day.
I agree that the Forum is clunky and difficult to update and use. To be honest the forums pretty much had its day! The facebook page can still flourish though as there are a number of successful groups Cyclo Cymru etc that arrange their rides on there, easy to post photos and rides.
If there is a responsible person who has some time and would like to become admin of the facebook page and try to arrange and support the MBNW tradition. The simply DM me on facebook and I will get you setup, I will still be able to assist with forum rides now and again but cannot commit to every month.
It would be a shame to see it consigned to the history books, but it needs some fresh blood to be injected as both myself and Tarbo are struggling to find the time the site needs.
I will also try and get my ass to the reunion ride on July 9th and can have a chat with people to gauge interest.
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Post by jon_2_flats on Jun 28, 2017 8:22:55 GMT
As already stated, Facebook has a lot to do with it. However, that doesn't mean mbnw has to go. Yes lots have moved on to different things, had children, changed jobs and moved ECT ECT. BUT there is still plenty of people in the area biking. I think to truly revive it means moving over to Facebook, I know there's is an mbnw page but I don't think it is a community page? That's what it takes as most people have Facebook so it easy for people to stay up to date and connected, it does take a fair bit of effort especially early on to get it going and to get people interested again. I myself have not ridden an awful lot since having kids but am trying to tide alot more now, I tend to use a couple of Facebook groups because they are active and easy to see what's happening.
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Post by rallybiker on Jun 28, 2017 17:28:31 GMT
Lot's of people aren't fans of Facebook, me included. I assume if it's Facebook only it's adios then!  |
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Post by Dan B on Jun 28, 2017 19:55:23 GMT
Lot's of people aren't fans of Facebook, me included. I assume if it's Facebook only it's adios then! Thats not quite what I meant! The bottom line for me is I simply haven't the time and neither has Tarbo by the looks of things. If someone wants to take on the admin role and try to re kindle the forum them be my guest, but after 8 years I feel that the forum format no longer works for people...I maybe wrong! If there are any interested parties wishing to try and generate interest again then let me know and I will make you admin.... prime candidate Aled  |
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Post by rallybiker on Jun 29, 2017 14:48:29 GMT
Lot's of people aren't fans of Facebook, me included. I assume if it's Facebook only it's adios then! Thats not quite what I meant! The bottom line for me is I simply haven't the time and neither has Tarbo by the looks of things. If someone wants to take on the admin role and try to re kindle the forum them be my guest, but after 8 years I feel that the forum format no longer works for people...I maybe wrong! If there are any interested parties wishing to try and generate interest again then let me know and I will make you admin.... prime candidate Aled As you say,it's probably the format that has been left behind by the other forms of social media available more than any admin time limitations. Frankly I think it's probably a dead duck looking at the amount of members still contributing, namely Summittoppler, Freakychurchill and occasionally myself.  |
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Post by Ken on Jul 1, 2017 19:53:10 GMT
Have to agree that perhaps the Facebook route is maybe the way to go, sorry Aled (you could sign up and have only biker friends ) but it's so much easier to check in or post stuff up ,hope somebody pushes that forward .But also can't help but feel if all the work for Forum rides is down to one or two people it's likely to be almost impossible for them to be available every month without being obsessive or putting the forum ahead of their normal life, BIG THANKS to those that have you can't be expected to do more . As to it being quite you can have loads of members but only so many are active or truly interested in whats going on ,in the early days everyone was new to each other and there was lots of banter back and forth but as time goes on this is bound to wain and smaller groups of people get used to riding together at locations and pace that suits them best. People like me don't help I spend most of my time happily riding on my own and rarely put my name down for a forum ride but turn up like a bad penny every now and again .Maybe in time new members may become additive posters like some in the past and things will pick up who knows .
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Post by Rupert on Jul 7, 2017 20:03:43 GMT
Yes I'd have to agree that a Facebook group is the way forward. I think part of the problem is that (I think) nearly everyone would rather use a smartphone to view the forum nowadays rather than a laptop and the forum is actually a real challenge to setup with the Tapatalk app now that the Proboards app is no longer available. You have to know the secret forum name to even find it. In general Tapatalk is a nasty spammy app anyway. The advantage of FB is it also prompts you to look at a thread when something new is posted if you've already liked it, and almost everyone (sorry Aled) is already on it. I think there is a natural turnover of people as we get new interests and more family commitments as we get older, and to bring the young blood in FB would really help. Unfortunately my own life is beyond busy at the moment with very little time to go riding, so can't really put in the necessary time for being an admin unfortunately. [Puts soap box away]
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