Well before, yes, quite a lot had left my own pocket to keep this place running, but when we did the relaunch we sat down thought about it and now we are running things a bit more "proper" and the Ads are paying for the Majority of the costings, which is nice, finally!

Firstly, Google's ads are light to start with, and if they detect you are on a slow connection, you get a different lightweigt ad set anyway.

But, to the point. You say people should have the right not to see ads, but why? Its not their site, they don't have any rights to it. Sure, SDH is its members, but the ads pay for the site, without them, like members, no site. Its a compromise we all live with. Why should some people get to freeload?

No, perhaps we could do a Singletrack cover-a-like. We can easily disable adverts for a paid member group.

Not true. Go read up on AdSense
Do I look that stupid? (Oi! Cheeky! )Yes, code exists that if works such that if an ad is blocked the site will fail to load. It doesn't detect browser (other than to load the right javascript). I think I'd go the other way though, if the ad gets blocked I'd load more adds, in more annoying places, by other methods that AdBlock won't block. Where is that devil smiley?

If they made such little money, then why keep them? Or is it the case of every little bit helps

The adverts on this site are minimal, compared to all the other forums...

A few more couldn't hurt especially if it brings in more cash!

Mr Bigtme!

Oz and Canada ain't gonna' be cheap next summer :'(

Yes ban freeloaders as you call them if you feel so strongly and you only want members that have to view adverts.

As a webdesigner and a manager for a bike shop I can see the use of adverts and the need for them but I totally disagree that a persons choice on the view they use to surf the internet should be forced.

When watching TV i will turn over during the adverts or go make a cup of tea; I will not sit and watch them for fear of being called a "freeloader".
So when I surf the internet as I have for around 20 years (albeit now rather more rapidly) I choose the size of text, the inclusions of adverts and the blocking of pop ups. The internet was born on freedom of information not forced viewing of adverts.

So please if the SDH RULES state you MUST NOT block adverts then go ahead and ban me for breach of rules. On the side of costs.........add the ability to donate via paypal or an address to send cheques and let the members support the place they love.

We would never force anyone to view adverts. We might change what people without adverts see, but then its their choice to see that view.

Got to love the made up figure of 98%... Xiphon adblockers that come freely available with most if not all browsers were developed a long time ago. Mainly used to stop the annoying pop up adverts.

Seriously though if the adverts are there to make money for sdh then please consider adding the ability to donate via paypal.

Pretty sure the adblocker I use via Firefox simply hides them from view thus pleasing me and pleasing those that rely on the ad being loaded into the browsers cache.