Yet another reason why paramedics (and other health professionals) should really be paid *way* more than they are.

FWIW I spent much of my 20’s not knowing where I was or pretty much what my name was, luckily never needed assistance though and always weaved my way home somehow.

Good 😀 I’ll be getting my Boardman Team CX in January on C2W.

A number of other (disc-ed up cx) options if you’re not tied to Halfrauds, but I reckon it’s a good buy with the scheme discount, plus it’s got rave reviews.

takisawa2 – Member
A well specced build based on a well designed 6lb frame can feel better than a poorly specced build on a 3lb Ti frame.

This.

amplebrew – Member
I’m into both motorcycling albeit on a road bike and cycling and I would say that neither could really replace each other as they both provide different types of fun.

This. I love motorbikes, MTBing, and road cycling. All different, all great. Really can’t imagine giving any of them up while I’m physically able to do it.

My Ragley Blue Pig frame weighs 5.5lbs, doesn’t feel it though, climbs well and descends like it’s on rails. Wouldn’t XC race it, but other than that nothing not to like.

swiss01 – Member
gilo, are you perhaps me?

I guess it’s possible…..

Been riding MTBs nearly 20 years.

I was crap 20 years ago.

I was crap 10 years ago.

I’m crap now.

Can’t see myself ever stopping it though, until I’m physically incapable.

North Road, by the entrance to Leigh Woods.

Had a difficult relationship with my dad, or more to the point no real relationship. In 46 years I never had a proper conversation with him.

Reading some of the posts on here makes me realise things could have been a lot worse and my heart goes out to those of you who had seriously abusive parents – can’t imagine what that must be like.

My childhood was happy enough, my parents were “Victorian parents”, didn’t want us around too much, and only then on their terms. Remember thinking as a fairly young kid that they never seemed to get any joy from us.

My mum was lovely, it was dad who accepted no challenge, beat down any hint of confrontation, and was ready to shout and hit (slap, nothing more serious) at the slightest hint of insurrection.

Definitely left it’s mark, though I figure I’ve done ok in my life so far considering. Just know that with more self confidence and without the fear of confrontation life would have been / will be so much easier.

Plus side is it gave me a template of how not to be a parent. I think I have a great relationship with my two girls, we’ve been mates since pretty much the day they were born (though with the teenage years fast approaching this may not last…).

Christ, parents…..

Dunno what to say other than major healing vibes heading your way and stay strong for each other*

* Unnecessary as clearly you both are 🙂

Enjoyed it.

Expected something dark from Brooker and he didn’t disappoint.

Nice!!

Once they’re gone you do miss them. Even if they weren’t the greatest parents.

Speaking from personal experience…..

Elfin – comes across as a total arse a lot of the time but I suspect he’s really a sound bloke.
TJ – as above.
Jedi – I’m a muppet on a mountain bike and I reckon he could help me a lot.

My wife.
My kids laughing.
My bicycles.
My motorbike.
Getting pissed with friends.

Plenty more mind….

Bloody hell – that must have been terrifying!!

For all it’s faults (and there are many) I love this country and I can’t imagine living long-term anywhere else.

Far, far too may whingers out there, where is the land of milk and honey?

So what does this look like?

Contracted / paid for 35 hour week. Usually work 40-45, though that includes working through lunch hour.

Phew!!

I e-mailed C2W who replied quickly asking who I worked for so they could refer my query to the scheme manager. I replied but have heard nothing further 48 hrs later.

e-mailed our outsourced flex benefits provider last night about 6.30 before I left the office. At lunch time I get a reply from them saying they have increased my C2W voucher to £1000, result!!*

(*other than the fact I have to pay an extra £100 for the bike…..)

Less than 12 hours before it goes……

Taff – thanks, PM sent.

Cheers all

Taff – not a bad idea 🙂

The ground drops away under our house (i.e the ground floor as you walk in the front door is the first floor by the time you get to the back of the house). Hence I guess it’s slightly more complex than a bog standard extension. Certainly the guy was very keen to make best use of the elevation changes, plus the far-reaching views we have at the back.

In white they remind me of a Stormtrooper helmet:

I’d consider one.

wrecker – agreed, my back is a bit dodgy anyway, but while I can drive either of our two Fords for hours with no problem, after an hour or two in any of the Vauxhalls I’ve have driven I’m in pain.

First ever car – Ford Sierra Sapphire 1.8L, bought at 2 years old, kept for 8 years.

Next, Seat Ibiza 1.9TDi – bought new, traded in after 3.5 years as we needed a bigger car for the kids.

Next, Citroen Picasso 1.8SX – bought new, kept for 9 years, sold privately.

Next (and current), Ford Galaxy 2.0TDCi, bought 18 months ago at 7 months old, intend to keep it for at least 8 or 9 years.

Don’t see the point in changing cars if they meet your needs and are reliable.

Vauxhall – every one I’ve driven (hire and courtesy cars) has been a hideous plasticy pile of cack. Horrible.

Just hope I can get another £100 sorted with my HR dept as I got the voucher to buy a Boardman team CX specifically – there’s no other bike I want to buy at the moment.

Likewise, the window for my firm’s scheme ended on Wednesday and we get the flex benefits we chose (including cyclescheme vouchers) at the start of January.

beluga – yeah, fair point…..

FFS! I just ordered a £900 voucher, will get it at the start of January.

Guess I’ll have to get on the phone to our HR bods….

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cx_team.html

TJ: Ok, so we agree the superior acceleration a two-wheeler has can get you out of trouble.

You feel it’s only when the rider has ballsed-up.

I agree, but believe, and have experienced, there are times when acceleration can save your arse when you have done nothing wrong.

Guess we’ll have to agree to differ

So you agree it does happen, albeit when you (the rider) has maybe made a slight error of judgement? 🙂

Well we all have different riding styles, I’m not saying it’s a common occurrence, but in my experience there have been times when I’ve accelerated out of trouble, and doubtless there will be more.

I admit a few of them have been out of situations I should not have put myself in in the first place….

TJ – nonsense. On the open road I’d probably agree with you, but in town, no.

molgrips – Member
Anyway, it might be possible to accelerate out of trouble with sufficient power, but I doubt it’s advisable

I’ve ridden motorbikes for 30 years (scarily..).

An example: years ago I was in the local Asda carpark bimbling along the through road on a <I forget what bike>. Suddenly some halfwit in a car appears to my left from one of the parking rows, hasn’t spotted the white lines that signify joining the through road and is about to T bone me. A swift twist of the throttle and I was away out of danger. On a bicycle or in a car (though I’d assume said halfwit may have spotted me then) I’ve have been in trouble.

It is absolutely possible to escape danger using a powered two wheeler’s acceleration.

Solo jaunt on the cx bike. Offroad sections were muddy as hell and I had an over the bars dismount on a rocky descent. Lovely 😀

The females of the house watch such sh!te, I hunch over my laptop and mutter to myself. It’s the only way.