Magazines give pretty much all bikes favourable reviews these days, after all the manufacturers fund the magazine through advertising so the magazine can’t really bite the hand that feeds it. Almost no bike scores any less than 7 out of 10 these days for anything (which sounds great) so I’d now assume that a 7 out of 10 bike is a below average machine, whereas a 9 or 10 out of 10 review is bike that would be a pretty great ride.

Demo day is a must though as sometimes I’ve read great reviews of a bike and had my heart set on a particular machine, only to then be disappointed on a test ride. I tend to narrow down my bike choice using magazine or online reviews, and then go to actually ride the shortlisted bikes at a demo day for the final shakedown.

Your superviser sounds like a right ****

Only one choice and a very good choice at that. Exclusivity, power, character, Italian styling, gorgeous interior, 28mpg, cheap at the moment but values starting to rise now, far more reliable than anyone would have you believe (FIAT are actually ahead of all German manufacturers for reliability yet still dogged by their 70’s/80’s reputation), won all the group tests when it came out, lovely 5 cylinder engine sound.

Okay, another choice then, second choice would be a VW Corrado but not quite as capable as the FIAT and quite a bit more thirsty.

Try Interparcel – I’ve used them to send snowboards etc, very good.

Checked on Mouseprice and the vendors paid £230k for it back in 2006 when it was a new build. Cant see them wanting to accept less than this can you?

Suppose it won’t hurt to go in with a lower offer to see what happens.

Wonder whether it would be best to go in first in the region of £220-225k, knowing that’s going to probably be rejected at this early stage and then give some negotiation room upwards if needed, or just not mess around and go right in at the £230k but state that that’s a final offer, take it or leave it?

Might also mention in passing to the vendor when I go to view that I’m also looking at a couple of other properties later that week.

What’s £10k – nothing the way house prices are rising currently. It’ll be £350/400k in a few years and you’ll wonder why you were quibbling over such a small amount. If it’s the place you want it’s worth paying the extra.

Good point but the indices are all over the place. There’s plenty of reasons pointing to the fact the market could have peaked again. No one knows really I guess.

In the grand scheme of things and spread over many years £10k is not a lot of money, but right now it’s the difference in being able to afford to renovate as we’d like it, or not.

Apart from being first time buyers with no chain, any other good reasons why we can justify a lower offer, or why the vendor should take ours over other bids?

The vendors are showing us round on Monday – do you think we’d be best discussing this directly with them, rather than with the agent (who’s a trained negotiator at this sort of thing)?

Also concerned we don’t have that much levarage at present if it’s only just come on the market.

£10k to decorate??

Anyway, are you in a position to move now?
You need leverage

For what we’d need to do to it/replace/improve then £10k probably realistic, although yes, agree it does sound a lot.

Currently renting so could move right away.

But if they have an accident the chances are all that will be hurt are there pride and their insurance premium.

Really, have you ever seen how much damage can be caused by a car traveling at just 40mph? Vehicle accident survivability decreases hugely at any speed past around 40mph, so when driving on NSL roads, whether a head on at say 50mph, or a head on at 70mph, the outcome is likely to be the exactly the same – people killed.

The other down side of the campaign making speeding ‘public evil number 1’ is that I now see so many drivers out there who simply sit at or quite a bit below the limit seemingly in a complete daze, plodding along and almost unaware of whats going on infront or behind them. Unfortunately like so many on here they seem to think that sticking to the speed limit is the primary way to keep safe on the road when it actually couldn’t be further from the truth.

Figures for KSI for 1990 were 5217 killed and 60,000 seriously injured.

1998 – 3421 killed and 41,000 seriously injured.

Now I don’t believe it’s all to do with reducing speeds in accident blackspots but I reckon speed cameras will have contributed greatly.

If you look at the quantum leap in vehicle safety due to Euro NCAP that’s happened during that time, the massive improvement in vehicle braking, tyres and road engineering etc. then I’d say that has far more to do with it to be honest. You’ll notice that for other road users, particularly motorbikes that the casualty rates are still very high despite speed cameras.

I bet far bigger gains could have been made without the cameras focusing on speed, but having more police on the road prosecuting simple ‘bad driving’ – that and regular retesting or compulsory additional training for drivers throughout their driving lives.

Phunkmaster I’m sorry for your accident but the fact was if you crashed on the ice that even though you were below the speed limit, you were almost certainly driving too fast, or not being observant enough for the conditions. Perhaps some extra training would have taught you to recognise during which conditions and where this type of ice frequently forms and enabled you to have driven accordingly?

Appreciate that what I’ve written may come across as patronising – it’s really not meant to be though, that’s not my intention. Just saying that extra training can benefit everyone and would hopefully mean that we can all drive at the most appropriate speed for the conditions, with consideration and posing little risk to others, whether that’s well below the posted limit, or a little bit above this.

People driving for thrills on public roads is not due to poor driver training , in fact people taking advanced driving courses then given free reign of the roads without speed limits may even encourage thrill seeking drivers.

Would be interesting to see the stats on this. Can’t find any but the fact that most insurance companies offer you an extra discount on your car insurance premium if you’ve passed an advanced driving test would imply (from whatever stats the insurance companies have) that you’re a lower risk and safer driver than someone whose not had the extra training.

That bad judgement won’t be removed by lowering the speed limit, only by making sure that drivers are better trained in the first place.

removed from the decision making process.

Exactly, but having that decision making process, however fallible, is what makes it nice to be alive as a human. Remove that and we’ll all become vegetables? We can’t engineer all risk out of life, if we’re all wrapped up in cotton wool for fear of an accident then life will simply become not worth living.

Maxtorque, completely agree with you. What’s needed is a complete revamp of driver education and training, not lower speed limits. I’d say that a good, well trained and observant driver is safer driving at above the limit than a poorly trained driver driving at well below the limit. Sure a crash at a higher speed could have a worse result than a crash at a lower speed, but surely the emphasis should be more on not having that crash in the first place.

The other thing that’s needed is more police patrol cars on the road targeting bad driving and inapropriate speed for the conditions, rather than just enforcing a blanket limit. Clearly 100mph on an empty motorway (given the right conditions) is perfectly safe, but 35-40mph down a high street would be idiotic, yet the police have no discresion here and the driver on the motorway could easily end up loosing his licence.

A guy I had the misfortune of knowing once used to regularly drink and drive. His misguided theory was that the police were so obsessed with speeders and relying on speed cameras these days that provided he didn’t exceed the speed limit then he’d not get caught. Crazy, guy was an idiot, but so far as I’m aware during the time I knew him, he didn’t get caught. Was seriously tempted to dob him in though.

I heard a theory once that if the limit on motorways and NSL roads was removed, empowering drivers to select their own speed according to conditions, but that all drivers had to undertake further training, and perhaps re-sit a test every 10 years or so then despite higher speeds of some vehicles, road safety as a whole would be much improved. Would that work? Sounds reasonable to me.

Clearly in this case both parties are at fault. The car driver didn’t look, but the speed of the motorbike passing a busy junction was very reckless. So very bad judgement from both sides I’d say. That bad judgement won’t be removed by lowering the speed limit, only by making sure that drivers are better trained in the first place.

Mr Farage is dead keen to strip away much of Scotland’s share of the UK govt’s expenditure. That of course, will only be possible if we vote No.

As apposed to if you vote YES, you’ll be stripped of 100% of the UK govt’s expenditure?

I think the problem with ‘interesting’ buildings in terms of housing stock is that it adds cost, so no one does it.

Not necessarily, in fact good design using prefabricated elements can actually cut build costs and site time pretty drastically.

I think the real issue is the lazy, conservative and unadventurous nature of the UK builders and UK housebuyers in general. People value an extra (but tiny) bedroom over light and space for example. And with a supposed shortage of housing in the UK, all the s**t that the big builders turn out ends up selling – so where’s the incentive to change?

There’s also an aversion to pre-fabricated construction in the UK. I think it stems from after the war when lots of cheap, poorly build pre-fabs were thrown up quickly and didn’t last well. Mortgage companies and builders seem to prefer houses built from brick, but the latest developments in housing design stemming from Germany use timber and modern materials with great success.

The planners and tight UK building regulations normally make it very difficult for people to do anything different or something that the army of NIMBY’s believe is out of character with the area. The reality though is that these NIMBY’s are preventing the construction of tomorrows listed buildings.

Because of this the UK is just stuck in a rut (positively in the dark ages) when it comes to housebuilding, whilst the rest of Northern Europe surges forward and embraces new technology in this area.

It’s great in Birmingham, the only place you could find a brutalist building replaced with something worse…..

I know brummies like to whinge but you are kidding right? The old library building was a concrete monstrosity. The new building is bright, vibrant and energetic. Very impressed when I visited, especially with the multilevel roof garden with views over the city.

No need to be terrified of 60’s and 70’s architecture, hope is not lost. Amazing what a good architect can do with even the worst of the tower blocks – a bit of a transformation here for Sheffield:

THEY ARE DISGUSTING! In 10 years people will see them as an eyesore, I guarantee it.

Really, so you don’t think big window’s, lots of natural light, well thought out layouts etc will catch on? Here’s a shot from inside:

Still think that’s disgusting or would you still prefer fake leaded windows for that authentic dark interior, mock Georgian columns, and tiny pokey bedrooms (lots of them to increase the selling value)?

Can’t understand why people would want modern homes to be old fashioned in style?

Muppetwrangler, I’ll see your soulless house and I’ll raise you the latest unimaginative pastiche development from Redrow homes:

Now what we should be building is new homes that actually look new, something like this:

Whilst I don’t like this trail sanitisation (and the more it goes on, the more footpath riding I do), I still can’t understand how people can call these sanitised trails dangerous?

Surely it’s up to you as a rider to plan ahead and ride at a speed where you can stop safely regardless of whatever the surface of the trail is? If like the OP you nearly hit a wall or a gate, then that’s simply down to your own poor skills/judgement surely? You can’t blame the trail!

show us a 15-20k ‘natural’ ride with lots of not-too-hard swoopy singletrack, with little or no time spent on roads, and we’ll be there in a shot.

How about any of the natural singletrack in Grizedale Forest away from TNF Trail?

(We do try, but it’s not quite as easy as just getting a map and going for it; we tried that…)

Just buy this: Lakes Guide

Really pleased that MTB is growing, but I’d say that’s solely down to the number of people who ride trail centres and never venture out with an OS map onto some of the more technical and natural terrain. That’s great for those that do though as it keeps the trails nice and quiet.

Whilst I’ve ridden TNF trail at Grizedale and the 3 x trails at Whinlatter and enjoyed them all, 90% of my time in the Lakes I’d far rather ride the unbelievably good natural trails or off-piste out there.

I bet there’s a whole world of mountain bikers out there who’ve only ever ridden trail centres. Some of my friends do 90% + of their riding on trail centre stuff. They wouldn’t even consider going anywhere else most of the time.

On the odd occasion I can convince them to try a more natural ride they seem to love it, but I do wonder why I’m always by default the person who does all of the map reading (perhaps because I’m normally the only person who owns and has turned up with an OS map)!

Very happy with my Links, 2 years old now and still going strong. Never felt like I’ve needed more grip on the pedal even with the pedal studs set on the shortest setting.

Newborough forest is worth a blast – plenty of fireroad and some cheeky singletrack in between if you’re observant. Mostly flattish but some good technical ups and downs in places. Lots of sand though so your components probably won’t like it very much and beware the sand traps.

Other than that maybe Parys Mountain perhaps?

Do not, I repeat DO NOT use GOLDCAR. They are rip off merchants of the highest order and will sting you for a full tank of fuel, extra insurance and any damage whether your fault or not. Google ‘Goldcar review’ to see what I mean.

Don’t book through an agent either (many of whom you’ll find book you a GOLDCAR vehicle) – book directly with the company you want to hire from – saves a lot of hastle.

Autoreisen have always been great for us, insurance waiver included, not always the newest cars out there but efficient, friendly and the only time we accidentally put a couple of dents in the car they were not even bothered.

Ha, very good, would be worried if there wern’t. Anyone else?

If rick decides to tell all then it’s upto him

Would be nice if he could, seeing as he’s asked us lot for help in tracking down the said bikes and all that :)

Since a few of us ride Macc Forest on a regular basis if you could please let us know how they were taken and how you found them again then that would be great? Were they left in a car on view and unattended or perhaps outside the Leather Smithy?

quite a lot of people win their appeals.

and spend a vast sum of money, stress and workload in the process.

If it’s against local development policy then (unless you’re Tesco’s or a developer with lots of funds and a whole department of planning experts to throw at the problem) then forget it – planning officers are normally proper jobsworths and won’t bend the rules.

Cut Gate is a supurb bit of trail, and best ridden in both directions to appreciate it fully. Why not start Saturday at Langsett, over Cut Gate in the morning and then there’s plenty to link to around Ladybower (Derwent Moor, The Beast, Hagg Farm, Hope Cross etc, etc) before the return leg back over Cut Gate? Sun you could do Mam Tor, Rushup edge, Hayfield and Jacobs Ladder.

Wouldn’t bother with Doctors Gate. Slogged up the A57 once to ride it and was quite dissapointed. Photo’s in the guide looked promising but in reality it felt quite broken and just didn’t seem to flow as a trail at all.

If you’re anywhere on the North West then Prof Funk (see link in the post above) is the man to see for shoulder problems. You can ask your doctor to refer specifically to him.

Sorted my dislocated and then frozen shoulder and held off on the surgery to let Hydrodilatation and physio do the work. He was 100% correct and I’m now back to full function with zero pain or restriction. Other key to your full recovery is getting a good physio. Not all are good so try a few and when you find a good one, stick with them.

Can I be the first to suggest this:

Everything you need and 4×4 thrown in as well

Don’t touch the Insignia with a sh**ty stick – Mondeo or BMW better in every respect.

interesting info agent007, can you point me towards anything to read on the subject?

There’s hundreds of indicators, interest rates soon rising, restrictions on loan to income, tighter affordability criteria just introduced, shares in the big housebuilders starting to fall, building more homes (increasing supply) becoming a hot political topic, etc, etc.

The government & BOE has thrown everything it can at the housing market to protect prices over the last few years to protect votes and protect the banks. Seems to be a real change in sentiment over the last couple of months though.

This is my opinion of course but I could be completely wrong. However can’t honestly see many valid indices that show how prices can keep on rising but I’d be interested to hear if anyone has anything?

Renting it out sounds like a good option if you want to keep it long term, but if you’re going to want to sell it at some point in the next few years to release equity to buy again then I’d sell it soon if I were you and get a good price for it now.

All the important indices pointing to the fact that the market has well and truly peaked and the bubble is about to burst, or at least deflate somewhat.

I’d jump at the chance of an S4/S5/S6, but the after market warranties are silly money compared to the 335/535.

Why bother with an after market warranty then. They are a load of money, rarely pay out in any case, and if you look after your car and maintain it properly (a big % of people don’t) then why should you have problems? Modern cars rarely break for no reason.

FFS just get the Golf, the A6 is an old mans car and there’s plenty of chance to be sensible later in life.

£300 per month on a lease car, then at the end of the lease you get nothing. £300 per month on a car loan to buy a £10k car then at the end of it you get a car worth £6k at the end of 3 years.