Nursery for New Members

youll do just fine then!
Remember, this is a car appreciation Forum - we only expect things on cars.

Hello everyone!

Nursery for New Members

So  you've just joined and you're wondering what the hell this nursery thing is all about and why this site  has it when few to no other sites you've visited have such a thing.

Please read all of this post!

We had a few problems in the past with things like:

• **Spammers **signing up and posting adverts

• What makes a spammer a spammer when there's a classifieds section? The difference is whether those posting items for sale take part in the wider community... if they are doing that and the majority of their posts are not spam, then they're not a spammer... if all they do is sell stuff and have no interest in the community, then they're a spammer.

• **Spammers **signing up and **sending PMs **to 60 or so people

• Invasions from other forums, so basically mass trolling

• Individual trolls

• New people asking **questions that have been asked and answered **what feels like a hundred times already

• New people starting little flame wars against themselves by asking such **stupid questions **that a quick search would've saved them embarrassment and spared their reputation

Those are a wide and varied set of problems, and we worked out that nearly all of them could be stemmed by just putting up an artificial obstacle for those joining the forums.

Effectively there is a cooling-off period in which new members should get acclimatised to the forum and get to see how it works, and the forum should get a moment to become familiar with the new person. We are basically forcing you to ease yourself in gently... but honestly, doing so is better for you, this place can be harsh so just go with it.

The name for this artificial period is "the nursery". Until you learn to walk here, you can't run.

And what does being in the nursery actually amount to?

Well members in the nursery can:

• Search the forums
  
• Reply to existing threads
  
• Upload a profile picture (non-animated)
  
• Join an existing social group
  
  

What nursery members can't do is:

• Start new threads
  
• Use Private Messaging
  
• Have a custom avatar
  
• Upload a animated profile picture
  
• Edit their posts (they can't undo what they say)
  
• Rate threads
  
• Give reputation
  
• Post on polls
  
• Leave messages on profile pages
  
• Anything else not explicitly granted to them above
  
  

What defines a "nursery member"?

It's pretty simple, you are no longer in the nursery when you have both:

• Posted 3 times
  
• Been on the site for 24 hours
  
  

And this is an automatic thing, as soon as that threshold is passed the system will promote you to full membership within an hour or two.

Now, a lot of people don't like the nursery. And that's very understandable, but let me just underline some qualities of this site that don't really exist elsewhere.

First up, moderators... we have none... not one, none. Other sites pride themselves on having 20 or 30 moderators, we just don't bother. We have an administrator, that's me VelocityBoy... but really I do the technical stuff like run the software and server and ensure that the place functions well and doesn't get blacklisted. What I don't do is to subjectively police the place. Point is, if we have no moderators we really do need a system that from the outset reduces the kind of work that leads to the creation of moderators... basically to reduce spam and trolling from the instant that a new member signs up.

Next up, jostling. Every forum has it's fair share of new members being initiated by the old timers by some friendly ribbing. But sometimes this can go too far, especially if (without searching first) you ask an oft-repeated, tired, or dumb question in your first post. It's not pleasant to watch new members get ripped to shreds, and really I'm doing you the biggest favour by forcing you to search first and look around before you ask... the guys here can be merciless towards the new, so say hello first and search thoroughly before you ask stuff. The result, yeah there's still some jostling, but not much, and the place is a hell of a lot friendlier for it and that is priceless.

** Can you evade the nursery period?**

Don't try. Really. It's a public forum which means everyone can see you do it, and if you post 5 meaningless posts in an attempt to sidestep the nursery chances are that someone will report you... when that happens, I will ban that account permanently. You're free to register again, but then you start the nursery again too. So don't try, we're not that dumb and as this is our one piece of moderation it's purposefully harsh, really, don't try.

But what if you're not a spammer, not a troll, not a internet and cycling newbie, you aren't going to ask a dumb question, and you have experience of other fixed gear forums. Well, why didn't you say? If all of this is true, then you can contact me (the administrator) using the Contact Us form at the bottom of the page and outline why you need to be out of the nursery. If you can persuade me with a paragraph that you need to start a new thread, or send a PM, or something... then I will get you out of the nursery as soon as I can (i.e. when I've checked my email and seen your message). I do this a lot, it's cool. So do just ask, I'm not that scary really.

I think that covers all of the basics about the nursery... key thing, just say hi, chat to us... the nursery period will fly by before you know it. It's the best way, and it's the one that works best for everyone.

hi hippy, I'm new, how do I set my chain tension, how do I skid and does anyone have a 531 fixie for sale?

I do. £6000 for you. But it's the best skidder in town fo sho!

seems sensible in the circs

given it's a self monitoring site

47 years since my last visit to a nursery and I shat myself. These days I'm a bit more in control.

Did the Norwich 100 a few weeks ago. The first 50 was fantastic. 70-90 was the worst I've ever felt in my whole life. As I was coming in to Coltishall (home) my kids were on the footpath waving and I started to cry. That was also like nursery.

Won a TI Raleigh team professional on ebay three weeks ago as a present to self for completing the 100 (above) on an ebay 501 beauty. Paid £370 for the TI. Vendor was gutted at low price and asked if I still wanted it. So I cancelled the transaction. Does that mean I should never leave the nursery?

ha!

Very subtle way of getting 3 posts done.. err.. not.

Let me guess, you will be selling some crap on here within the hour?

Nope Mr. Hippy! I only BUY crap. My dream bike is a Raleigh Record Sprint. Bought two in the last three months, got out the Oxalic acid and buffed 'em up to a sparkle. Drank the remaining Oxalic acid - and felt much better. How subtle is that!

Have a read.

...had a read, and ok, and this falls under the bracket of a pointless post...I guess it would have been better to introduce myself...

I've been running about on a Kona, built up as a SS, white brothers carbon forks, rear hope mini, slicks, retro syncross stem, and some nice short raceface straight bars- easiest and best way to go in my opinion, especially for city riding, nice and simple. I'm soon to be bringing a nice old Italian steed back from Milan which will be getting an overhaul and a vintage build, seeing as its from late 60s early 70s I believe to keep it 'period' (at least aesthetically) to be entirely appropriate! (I'm not a hipster and new to this I may add!)...my main reason for joining was to possibly source parts for the vintage build, and to make use of the area forums, so I can get in touch with the local riders about maybe a bit of polo and some rides/ social events.

Hello, hope this counts as a post.

Still riding fixed with cottered chainwheels.

hurray. cool. i know this comes up a lot, but can we also sort out a faq?

"fag?"
Perleese, explain!

"fag?"
Perleese, explain!

Oops! Sorry.
Should have read it correct! "faq" as in frequently asked question!
I am a billy sugger!

You can stop posting random shite, you should be out of the nursery.

I like the nursery. It's the one place where I don't have to wipe myself. I envy those guys who post random shite; it took me ages to think of this one.

well feels good to be here, so far. eager to start posting.

hello

has anyone here had a broken scaphoid? if so, how long until you were fully recovered and back on your bike? also was impact a challenge when you first got back on?

look forward to getting some feedback.

Hey Mr. Bones, Broken scaphoid is a bad business (potentially). The blood vessel that keeps the scaphoid bone alive may be torn in this injury. This can lead to failure of the two bits to unite if you don't keep your wrist immobilised for long enough. If there is non-union you can get severe arthritis. Do what you're told by the Doctor (Orthopaedic surgeon?) looking after you - even if it means 12 weeks off heavy wrist use - er... if you know what I mean.

...even if it means 12 weeks off heavy wrist use - er... if you know what I mean.
HAHAHA
Funny stuff!

Am I there yet?

You'd have to own a lo-pro to justify writing drivel.

hell no!
Please dont tell me that was a serious post...

Haha! Thanks for the laugh and response.
I am having my final MRI tonight but it seems that it has for the most part healed, just plenty of wasted muscle. I'm keen to get back on the bike. I'm very hyperactive and travel cost are ridiculous. Anyway, just wanted to know if anyone out there/on here had been in this situation.

Heavy wrist use? Is the comment based on the assumption I am a MR. Bones? ;)

So does anyone know anyone who wants to teach me bike mechanics? Or a place where I can shadow a mechanic?
I am based in east London. I know a bit and have put my bike together but with assistance from a mate. I'd like to be able to do all maintenance and put a bike together myself.
Reasons; I've taken a liking to bike mechanics (what I know of it) and it is useful for working on projects with young people (those between 16-25. no idea what the f@*k that makes the rest of us but anyway)

Look forward to feedback.

but I'd like to be able to do it all and confidently on my own in time. I'd also like to be able to pass skills on to young people

Haha! Thanks for the laugh and response.
I am having my final MRI tonight but it seems that it has for the most part healed, just plenty of wasted muscle. I'm keen to get back on the bike. I'm very hyperactive and travel cost are ridiculous. Anyway, just wanted to know if anyone out there/on here had been in this situation.

Heavy wrist use? Is the comment based on the assumption I am a MR. Bones? ;)

I'm East London and currently in recovery from a completely different injury but thought I would say Hi. I'd say my biggest challenge, aside from my injury, after not being on the road for 4-5 years is my lack of confidence. But that is coming back, very slowly.

So does anyone know anyone who wants to teach me bike mechanics? Or a place where I can shadow a mechanic?
I am based in east London. I know a bit and have put my bike together but with assistance from a mate. I'd like to be able to do all maintenance and put a bike together myself.
Reasons; I've taken a liking to bike mechanics (what I know of it) and it is useful for working on projects with young people (those between 16-25. no idea what the f@*k that makes the rest of us but anyway)

Look forward to feedback.

but I'd like to be able to do it all and confidently on my own in time. I'd also like to be able to pass skills on to young people

You could try this:

http://www.hackney-cyclists.org.uk/workshop.htm