Any one on two wheels is a friend

... I generally feel those that think the forum is unfriendly are the ones who aren't based in london, who never get the chance to meet up personally, or be included in the rides, events, that we organise as this seems to mitigate the harshness of the banter on here.
...

I think you have got it there - if people were to come along to rides and meet up etc then the posts have more perspective and seem less harsh. Obviously with the forum having grown so much there are an awful lot of non-Londoners who can't easily come along to drinks etc..

However I would wager that those posts are probably also putting people off from attending events - thinking along the lines of "argh what if they are like that in real life, no way I am going to go and meet up with those weirdos" which is a real shame.

I just hope that it doesn't get to the point where it is self fulfilling