Unwelcoming Attitude

[Squirrel Girl]

I had 94 Trek 930 that I racked up over 14000 miles on in its first two years. I really miss being that fit.

I stumbled on another website of someone who rode their bike across the US. It got me to want to do that, too. Something where you're getting so much exercise that you can go to a buffet and eat all you want, and still not have enough food. Not that I want to eat that much, but I think it would be really good for me to get that much exercise. The western US would be good, but I'd die of boredom east of the 100th meridian, I think. Maybe I should try to ride from Baja California to Juneau. As if I had the free time to do it. If I did, I might pick Africa or somewhere exotic to ride instead.

[Realms]

you could always do the RAAM race (Race Across America) those folks are insane. Something like 5 or 6 days to do it. They ride in shifts and someone is on the road at all times. Not for me but cool non the less. Longest stretch I ever managed in a single day was 175. Rode from North Alabama to the Gulf in 2 days. Lol had a bad episode with the sunblock. The whelps from the jersy bands were awful. Anyhoo it was still a good ride. Funny how folks seem to think it was downhill all the way since I was heading south. (which in a way it kinda was) lol not that you could tell. 900 feet over 350 miles. Good times. Now back to the origional subject

[graveleye]

Good times. Now back to the origional subject

hehe.. i was about to move this over the cycling section..

[Dane]

Sorry for the confusion. I do miss mountain biking though. Gotta get the old girl fixed back up. It's amazing how many miles you can rack up when you don't own a car. I had 94 Trek 930 that I racked up over 14000 miles on in its first two years. I really miss being that fit. Hopefully I will find the time to do it again. The races started getting really political in the mid to late 90's I guess that along with lack of time is what I drifted away from it. Yep Barb I was in the good old IMBA as well. Great organization. NORBA lost it for me when Jeep no longer sponsored it :-( Haven't checked on it in so long. Maybe its cool again.

There does seem to be a tendancy, at least among some folks and in some forums, to be hyper-critical. But to Batrotter's point, I believe Cavechat is generally civil and usually the comments are well-intentioned, if not always well-phrased.
Some forums, such as On Rope!, Rescue, or Speleology for instance, lend themselves to being more precise and technical, so it is to be expected.
Others, such as this one, is much more associated with opinion, and so I don't expect to get a lot of verbal flak over my comments.
SO DON'T GIVE ME ANY OF YOUR CRAP!!!! :)
I may make SIUP my signature line - I love it!!!!

[Dane]

Sorry Realms - did not mean to quote you there - had nothing to do with my post!

[Teresa]

As one of the posters obliquely referenced in the original email, I direct you to the conclusion of the myotis sodalis thread being criticized. There was no 'hyper-criticality' on my part-- I just tend to be more precise in my writing than most people, a tendency which is often mistaken for being critical. If someone asks a question, I naively assume they are looking for an answer. My 'advice' was directed toward keeping the caver out of trouble with enforcement officials of the ESA, if indeed the bats turned out to be sodalis, and was not critical of his caving ability, insulting towards his cave ethics, or anything else. Would it have been kinder to not mention the endangered species harassment issue, (harassment is a legal term in the law, not a moral judgement) and have someone run up against the fine? I'm aware that with the use of pseudonyms, and non-posting of email addresses (and the Internet in general) we never really know to whom we are writing, so I speak as I expect to be spoken to.

So chill... if you ran into me in person, I can assure you I am neither rude, nor insensitive--I'm actually quite a fun character, and go out of my way to be personally nice to people. I just have a personality flaw in that I like to get the facts straight, too. And I don't take it amiss if people point things out to me--I love to learn new things!

Teresa

[Dane]

Sorry - I was speaking in generalities and meant no criticism toward you or any other individual.
Actually Teresa, while that thread was specifically mentioned, I didn't reference it because I saw nothing wrong with your posts. I thought it was clear that you were just trying to share information that was (1) in any caver’s best interest, and (2) perhaps not widely known. I certainly appreciated it in the event that I find myself in a similar situation.
Nonetheless, I thought this subject in general was a good one, as I have run across other posts that did seem to be critical to the point of being rude, or got off on a tangent removed from the original subject matter.
Of course as another caver alluded to, it is often difficult to convey or interpret the finer points of conversation through a medium such as this.

[Ron Fulcher]

I think the long answer would have worked better as a primary response and indeed when attempting correction or direction a self deprecating role seems to impart a clearer image.

Clarification: The use of the personal story makes an excellent point and shows that you are both human. I too suffer from lack of explanation sometimes with short answers and my wife will point it out. Then we go back, I fully explain the situation and the reason for the answer. Yes it would most definitely save time by doing the last part first.

[graveleye]

Text based communications are loaded with emotional pitfalls simply because there is no body language included.

I work at a computer all day long, dealing with people from all over the world via email and other forms of text communication. I almost never speak to any of these people on the phone and never face to face. In some instances, even dialect can be misconstrued as rude or angry. Most of the messages are short and to the point, and are often interpreted as rude or hateful when the person actually typing the message may have had a smile on their face and really meant no harm whatsoever.

I found that I can temper my messages with a smile here and there :) .

This thread may prove to be theraputical. Group hug everyone LOL

[KnottyKnanna]

So chill... if you ran into me in person, I can assure you I am neither rude, nor insensitive--I'm actually quite a fun character, and go out of my way to be personally nice to people. I just have a personality flaw in that I like to get the facts straight, too. And I don't take it amiss if people point things out to me--I love to learn new things!

Teresa[/quote]

Although we have never met, I did want to say I value your knowledge and feel it is a self-less act to share it. And I thank you. I have been reading other threads, and some people are very generous to share and unfortunatly, others take offense. I speak from experience. I have encountered quite a bit of bashing on another site, and it makes one realize that not everybody has the same intentions, not even in caving.
I limit myself on what I post, and realize that not everybody wants to learn and teach. Some are even so offensive, that the thoughts "Anger Management" come into play and pity sets in for those so miserable they must project their misery into a public forum.

Sometimes we tend to forget some people already know everything. And it does take a level of maturity to realize that when somebody shares their knowledge, it is a gift...

And again, Thank You...

Ginger