It's coming to that time again when I ask what you, the reader, thinks about Bike, should it continue are you happy with the storyline and so forth. I'm disappointed that the number of reads is down as is the number of comments and kudos, but I accept some of that might be due to the recent hiccups with the site.
Personally, I feel there is still a point in writing and posting it, because it's become so long and is more or less daily it has become something of a soap, which means it can sometimes deal with issues other stories can't or in ways other things don't. I accept it will always be likely to contain my take on things, but mostly I feel that's fairly broadminded due to being so old I don't have the energy to pick fights, plus I've seen it all before etc. etc.
So what d'you think? Do we continue in the future riding in tandem (assuming Auntie Erin has room on her server)...?
Comments
Yes to Bike
As long as you keep writing,I'll keep reading.
I've been following the adventures of the gang since it started
and really look forward to my daily dose of Bike.
Huggs,
Glenda
Keep on riding
Definitely keep going. I tend to 'save' 4-5 episodes before I sit with a cup of coffee and catch up. Could be longer if the server is down (Cathy's Dormouse survey reminds me that I have to really get a move on with my doctoral study data collection).
Yes to Bike!
The recent server issues gave me a taste of a world without Bike and it was... dreary.
I will read it as long as you write it!
Abby
Yes to bike
Please keep writing Bike. It's become an essential part of my life. I'd really miss not being able to get new episodes.
As long as you want to keep writing it, I'll come here to read it...
Yes to Bike - Plus!
I think perhaps it's time during the summer they take a vacation across the pond? or maybe to mainland Europe? Something different for them all to do and new situations to explore? Maybe even SE Asia :) (If they visited Thailand, such as some of the better clinics in and around Bangkok and Chon Buri, that could provide an excellent chance for Danni and Julie to meet other girls from all around the world and to discuss surgeries and see the results.)
Sephrena
Need You Really Ask?
Yes
And don't let the fewer comments faze you. The website has been killing people's attempts at posting comments left and right and it is very discouraging to spend minutes thinking something salient to say and then have to come back fifteen minutes later to repeat something that was carefully crafted and pithy but now lost.
I love Bike some parts more
I love Bike some parts more than others. I was devastated when Billie died and now with Danni having to accept his/her new role and I am still trying to figure if she is transgendered or not. I think the main point of continuing it is if you still want to write it. It sounds like you do and that should be the main thing. As long as you get the enjoyment out of writing then please do continue it.
Bike to the Future
With all the problems we've been having on the site, it's no wonder that reads are down - I'm sure it's the same all across the board, people are waiting for things to calm down and stabilize, rather than overloading the servers. Same goes for comments, with people thinking themselves lucky if the next click doesn't result in >Server Down<. Add the usual passivity. Then add that no-one wants to come across as a twit, so just writing a few lines means that we have to kick the 2 remaining brain-cells into action as we write. All this takes time (hooboy!), but we finally finish. The result: >Web Site Down<, then everything starts all over again. Not too motivating....
But not too motivating, either, when you're writing daily or trying to keep the site going (ask Erin, Piper and crew), and nothing comes back! Permit me my collective chagrin if I stand here for all BCTS fans. . .
Your "Soap", as you put it? Totally addicted, please keep on, Angharad!
Soooo, "On yer Bike, Love!" :-)
"Bike to the Future"? Hollywood loves it! So do we!!!
Hugs,
Miriam
Riding a tandem ...
... is always a good thing to do, though ours hasn't been out of the shed for a few months. Like racing sailing dinghies together it's a severe test of a relationship which, so far, we've succeeded in surviving. So lay on McAngharad as far as I'm concerned.
If recent experience is anything to go by there's only a 50:50 chance of this comment reaching the web site so your recent lack of comments may have something to do with that. The two step posting process doubles the chance of its disappearing. I've also noticed the number of kudos doesn't appear for reader at the top of a story though it may well score for the writer.
regards
Robi
Please continue
Ang,
It has come to the point where I really need my daily "Bike" fix. I like the way you have introduced and often resolved issues that are of importance and rarely dealt with. As long as you keep writing, I shall keep reading and 'Kudo-ing'.
Thanks for asking. As we said in the 60's, "Write on!"
Joani
Continue please.
I always drop everything for bike.
Pedal on!
With this crazy family, there is always something new bound to happen.
Best,
DJ
Yes, Angharad, please do
Yes, Angharad, please do continue. I still love Bike and look forward to reading it each day. As you said, it's very much like a soap and gives you the freedom to wend your way through many and varied story lines that might not otherwise see the light of day. Let's continue the ride!
I hope your two furry co-authors are doing well.
Kris
{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}
Bike Future
With all the server problems has had effect on your readership being down. But if you write it we will be there to read it!! Thanks Angy!
Richard
Bike, Bike and more Bike
Keep on writing as long as you feel up to it. It is a great storyline that never gets old. As far as comments and kudos go I admit to not doing it as often as I should; I keep forgetting to log in so I can.
When life throws tomatoes at you, make spaghetti sauce.
YES !!!
There are only a few authors I bother with any more and you are one of the most important to me. After all there is more to life than the first bra and all that. You and your story have at times been a blessing in my life.
Gwendolyn
Current Conditions
Reads, comments and kudos are not great indicators right now. While the site has gotten better since when it first came back, there is a pretty good wait time for most screen changes (especially the main page), and I'm still getting the historical front page a few times every day often making in difficult to give kudos and leave comments.
Re: Bike
Hello Angharad,
As long as you wish to write your daily soap, I will keep both reading and keeping my dead tree copy going.
Yes I am as mad as a box of frogs
Love to all
Anne G.
Miss it
I miss bike whenever it's not available due to the site being down or you decide not to post due to the real life . I was always wondering well the site was down what was going to happen next when it came back up on bike and other stories that I am reading. I tried to post this once today and again the site went offline so this isn't always that the people aren't posting comments it could be that type up the comment and tried to send it and then lost it due to the site going down temporarily.
Thank you for writing this compelling story and I will read and leave kudos and comments when I can
Randi
Hurrah for Bike!
Angharad, keep on writing Bike. I become despondent without my fix of Daily Dormouse.
I'd be more responsive, except BC/TS is sooooooo spotty that I can only be on line a few minutes at a time.
I Love Bike!
Red MacDonald
If you're still motivated...
...then please continue :)
I'll catch up eventually - I've just got to psych myself up to it as when I resume reading, I'll also be resuming updating the summaries and accompanying wiki. Needless to say, if anyone's reading (or re-reading) the section between about 1270 and 1800 and doesn't mind writing a couple of sentences summarising what's happened in the episode, then I can work on getting the gap filled :)
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Even with computer probs I have been following Bike
By any and all means necessary continue it.
Beg, borrow, steal, kill... okay maybe not kill... unless they are politicians ... But do continue.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Spike & Meems The September song
Since I'm in my eighth decade (God that seems ancient) I am reminded of the September song & its marvelous verses"and the day dwindle down to a precious few" AND "These few precious days I'll spend with you"; these precious days I still prefer to spend with you. However the creativity of this story is yours & it is not our direction which is important but rather yours As a final after thought you are a major source in Canada for the expressions unique to my Cornish grand parents, plus an interesting revelation of the evolution of the Engilsh language outside of Canada. God bless, with love Another Brian
Nary a gainsayer
Yes, please
More Bike
And, dare I say it:
"You'd look sweet, upon the seat, of a bicycle made for two"
Hugs
Julia
Still loving it Angharad!
I look forward to my evening dose of bike and the continuing saga of Cathy and her family. Sure, it's become something of a soap opera but you build in these gems of feelings and personality that really do touch my heart and head. I don't always like what the characters do but I certainly enjoy the story.
Please keep going as long as you can. I have no idea at all what a conclusion to the tale might even look like. (and I really don't want to know :-)
Withdrawal symptoms,must have dose of Bike
If you keep writing we will keep reading.The odd time Bike has not appeared it has left a large hole in my day.Thank you for Bike and the developing story of the Cameron family, yes it is like a soap but so much better than the television rubbish.I am one of those who do not always comment and I am sorry and will try to do better.Again ,thank you and carry on writing your wonderful story of everyday country folk.
devonmalc
Keep riding girl.
You keep writing girl, we'll keep reading. I've missed a few comment slots recently for a couple of reasons. One the site going down and two my own situation at hope. Hugs. Beverly.
Look afteryourself girl and take a break.
xx
Carry On Cycling!
I echo the sentiments of everyone who has posted so far.
Please keep the wheels turning!
Definitely keep posting.
Definitely keep posting.
I'll admit that I haven't kudoed as much lately, but a big part of that is the site hiccups. I've seen the kudos button greyed out on a number of the stories, and the reads counter could even be buggered up a bit as well.
I wonder what a 'Bike: The Book' might be like. It wouldn't be the same as the serialised story, that's for sure. Maybe I'll play with that in my copious (*cough*) free time.
BW
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
I just realised.
The title of this comment should be:
"Bike! - To the Future!"
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
Yes! Stick with it
Ang,
As a reader since episode 1 I need my daily dose of Bike. I am not good at remembering to add kudos and rarely stick my head far enough out of the closet to comment so please don't take a lack of either as an indication that the bike chain is bust. I think we all understand how much work it must be for you and the constraints it can place on you and your other activities to keep it nearly daily but please stick with it.
nightjar
If you had to ask
Just see how many replies there are here.
You keep a-steering, we'll keep a-pedalling. It did frustrate sometimes recently when a comment went straight to "website not available" but we know that was temporary as the site crew ran around with buckets under the leaks.
So, as long as you find the need to let out more of the craziness at Watts Towers, I for one will be here.
Right now, I think the rain has stopped, the back roads are calling, catch you when I get back.
Teri Ann
"Reach for the sun."
The everlasting bike
I am sorry to say that I am enjoying this story less these days.
I find the Danni storyline a bit skew and disjointed. Then there are actually so many other storylines which come and go at irregular times - dormouse, Danni, Trish, Sammi and the other children whose names do not come to mind, Goddess, Healing, David, Julie, Bank-director, Stella, Simon and on and on. It has all become a bit too disjointed for me to enjoy as much as I used to.
I do enjoy your writing but, for me, there would be more enjoyment in some of your shorter works being given a longer run.
Like others
Like others, if you write it I will read it. If you write something else, I will also read that too.
However, I to wonder if the plot of Bike is getting a little too wide. The need to regularly introduce a new transition element - Julie, Samantha, Danni and the younger children in their turn.
Maybe it is time for an Knots Landing offshoot, drawing back to a smaller number of characters and tighter defined plot.
I'm not sure if it is due to the server issues, but there haven't been many cliff hangers recently!
At least you only have one serial. I've practically given up reading another author, because I can't keep the plot of 17 different serials in my head at the same time.
It is possible that I don't know what I'm talking about.
Audrey
Not entirely relevant but...
I stumbled across this site a few months ago and since then I have being gradually working my way through the early pages of EAFOB. From what I have read, it is an absolutely fantastic story. Thanks Angharad.