Beginner Cyclists Forum

Effective Date: February 5, 2026

BeginnerCyclists.com ("we," "us," or "our") operates an online discussion forum (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and what choices you have.

By using this Site, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

1) Who This Site Is For (18+ Only)

This Site is intended for adults 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided personal information, contact us, and we will take steps to remove it.

2) Information We Collect
A) Information You Provide

When you create an account or participate, you may provide:

Username/display name

Email address

Password (stored in a hashed/encrypted form, not readable as plain text)

Profile information you choose to add (bio, location, website, etc.)

Posts, replies, private messages, and any content you submit

B ) Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Site, we (and our service providers) may automatically collect:

IP address

Browser type and device information

Pages viewed and actions taken on the Site

Date/time of visits

Referring/exit pages
This data is typically collected through server logs and cookies (see Section 6).

C) Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Keep you logged in

Remember preferences (theme, language, etc.)

Provide basic Site functionality and security
Some cookies are essential for the forum to work.

3) How We Use Information

We use the collected information to:

Create and manage user accounts

Provide forum features (posting, messaging, notifications)

Maintain security and prevent spam, fraud, and abuse

Moderate content and enforce rules

Improve site performance and user experience

Communicate important admin messages (policy updates, security notices)

4) Legal Bases (General)

Depending on your location, we process personal data based on:

Your consent (e.g., optional profile info)

Contract/legitimate interest (e.g., operating the forum, security, moderation)

Legal obligations (e.g., responding to lawful requests)

5) When We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share information in limited cases:

Service providers (hosting, email delivery, spam prevention, backups) who help run the site

Legal compliance when required by law or valid legal process

Protection and safety to investigate and prevent fraud, abuse, or security threats

Business changes if the site is transferred or merged (data may be transferred as part of the transaction)

6) Cookies: Your Choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Block cookies or delete existing cookies

Note: blocking essential cookies may break login or forum features.

7) Data Retention

We keep information as long as needed to operate the forum and meet legal or security obligations. For example:

Account data is retained while your account is active

Posts may remain visible to preserve discussion continuity

Logs and security data may be retained for a limited period for abuse prevention

8 ) Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

Request access to the personal data we have about you

Request correction of inaccurate data

Request deletion of certain data (with limits—see below)

Object to or restrict certain processing

Account Deletion / Content Removal

You can request account deletion. Some content (like posts) may remain visible but be anonymized (e.g., attributed to "Guest" or a deleted user) to keep threads readable. We may retain certain information for security, legal, or record-keeping purposes.

9) Security

We use reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect your data (such as encryption/hashing for passwords and access controls). No method of storage or transmission is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10) Third-Party Links

The forum may contain links to third-party sites (YouTube, retailers, cycling sites, etc.). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. Please review their policies separately.

11) International Visitors

If you access the site from outside the country where our servers are located, your information may be processed and stored there. By using the Site, you consent to this processing.

12) Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Effective Date" above. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13) Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to make a privacy request, contact:

BeginnerCyclists.com Admin
Contact form or admin email: @Shawn