The good thing about BWMS here, is finding out at a personal level, a variety of women's perspectives here. But I wouldn't say this group is as diverse as it could be (the potential is great, it just hasn't been realized more broadly compared to other groups that I've participated in), but at least for myself, is to hear from women that I wouldn't, socialize heavily with in real life. I suspect some women have left...simply because they knew this group was not the right "fit" for them.

I would like to be honest here to say that, a gut feeling tells me some of my personal values and significant life experiences are fundamentally different from some members here, that a face-to-face friendship might only be distant, instead of yielding something much closer.

Orchid, you might be surprised when meeting most of us. When some of us finally met who had been posting for awhile it was like we'd been next door neighbors forever. I was amazed at how comfortable we all were together...

That's true...it was like meeting someone you knew already, just in a different setting. There was none of that awkwardness of first-time friends and no lack of conversation.

Them...not me. They talked and talked and talked...I, being the quiet one, just listened. Uh huh. Sure nuff.

Wanna buy a bridge?

So true! I have met countless online friends repeatedly; each meeting is like the first--you are meeting the person you already grew to know and like. We always end up feeling like "sisters" and cannot wait to meet again or talk to each other on the phone.
And of course now there is Facebook.

I haven't met anyone in person from this forum yet.

However I have from other forums..all are female regular cyclists so far. Interestingly I've met 3 different women (out of 10) via an international forum....and later, found that each woman lived within 10 kms. radius from us. Each woman didn't know one another before at all!

Other women I've met, I have met each person, in home city or in their home city: Alberqueque, (New Mexico), Maui (Hawaii), Seattle, Atlanta (Georgia) .and a cyclist from the Netherlands visited us. The majority of these women were over mid-30's to late '50's.

Hello Nora Rose and Everyone...
I also am new here. I'm finding this site so full of good information as I read on. I look forward to bright, enlightening words of wisdom. God Bless communication, how would our grandmothers have reached out to others as we are?

Have a wonderful day with much happiness.

lindasusan, who woulda thunk that our generation would be comunicating online, making friends, meeting spouses, etc.

Hi Nora... Welcome.. I'm new too! This group of ladies are pretty friendly. Take a peek and read their responses and postings to others - you'll be blessed!