Can't see the pics at work (blocked) if someone thinks it's a Trojan does it have a crane on it? In which case it'll be a 434 😉

Sandy coloured or green, on the M5 near Gloucester? Off to / from Ashchurch probably.

Could be, what sort of riding you hoping for?

We're 'social XC' probably with tea stop.

Long time no see llama, see you at Tasso's HoSC hopefully.

Will they charge us more if we tell them you sent us Andy?

Commission. Now there's an idea!

Yep. Just tell them "Andy said charge me 10% extra and credit his account"

Free tea and cake as well..

..if you'd called in Saturday 😉

Sounds like i need to check out Cadence as well!

I hope everyone remembers to tell Will and Johnny that I sent them 😉

By work area, I guess you mean work shop? What kind of work are you looking to have done?

John's do have a dedicated work shop in Walcot Street.

Can I be the first to plug our newest though, opened on Saturday:

Cadence

If that don't work, take your advanced test

£139 all in IAM

Then get preferential rates here IAM Surety[/url]

Chase – Member

Barb wire

Guess what – the police advised against it – I could be left liable if one of the little f***ers hurt themselves on it. What rights do decent citizens actually have left these days?

As TJ said, bull$h!t, as long as it's not hanging over next door or into public space where someone who has reason to be there might be injured by it, you're fine using barbed wire – there's miles of the blimmin stuff in the countryside.

Electrified windows, 6 ft deep pointy stick bottomed man traps another issue 😉

Confirmation.
http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/garden2.htm
As they say plants are more effective.

This today

Chew Lips

Thanks all.

Some great tips. 😀

I should have mentioned she's currently on a Giant OCR small mens frame and fits that fine, and she's got clip on guards on it (the SKS ones?) but has seen the benefit of full length guards on my Ribble.

Plus eyelets for a rack might be good too.

Depends what she looks like in them..

The centrepiece of his plan revolves around tempting militant foot soldiers to switch sides by offering them land, money, jobs and opportunities as an alternative to war.

That might be how Sky news sees it but the reality is its slightly more complext than that 😉

MoD report

it's probably cheaper to employ those men ourselves, than to pay for all the hassle of trying to fight them…

Exactly right, at the moment were putting too much money into the kinetic effect (bombs and bullets) and not enough into winning hearts and minds.

Talking to a Major who's just returned last week, he was able to call in air support to drop a Hellfire (missile) costing $000s on a couple of Taleban but would much rather have spent that money sorting out the local water supply, re-building the local school, police station, medical facilites etc. Don't suppose the arms manufacturers would see it that way though..

The ANA are paid a pittance, most of them can't read and will swop sides readily, some join up just to get hold of the M16 and then disappear only to re-appear on the other side!

http://www.stolenbristolbikes.com/

Will keep a look out too

No pics on the bike I'm afraid but I bought a meter of yellow and blue for the commuter (Ribble Audax) last year. Couple of sections on top tube to cover scratches and long length on back of mudguard.

I've had lots of comments about how effective it is, especially in blue / yellow standing out from the normal white in day and night

Ebay linky

DezB – Member
Deepish Mood

?? A Depeche Mode tribute band??

Sorry, Alison Moyet called them that and it kind of stuck 😉

Saw them Birmingham NEC before Christmas, standing down the front, off to see them again at the O2 in a couple of weeks – this time we're sat up in the Gods (Block Q or something).

One of the few bands I know that can really work a stadium.

Support is Nitzer Ebb too.

+ 1 Delphic – Acolyte

Saw them live again last week, could well be gig of 2010

+ 1 Fourtet – There Is Love In You

Off to see him in a few weeks also

Deepish Mood too, and Hot Chip and Orbital, 2010 should be a good year

but the official secrets act is used to cover up loads of bollox like ufo sightings etc isnt it?

Indeed. The Official Secrets Act is used far more to keep things from the British public than it is to protect 'secrets' that might be of use to our supposed 'enemies'

Hi Tasso,

Fantastic idea. Mind if I invite the rest of 'The Others'?

And let me know if you need a hand with route planning

Andy

From the Guardian:

"Supposedly all evidence relevant to the cause of death has been heard in public at the time of Lord Hutton's inquiry. If these secret reports support the suicide finding, what could they contain that could be so sensitive?"

Exactly, I don't believe some of these conspiracy theories but something dodgy is clearly being hidden.

Anyone one remember the Independent's 'Whitewash' front page the day Hutton published his report?

Thom Yorke "Harrowdown Hill"

Don't walk the plank like I did
You will be dispensed with
When you've become inconvenient
Upon Harrowdown Hill
Where you used to go to school
That's where I am
That's where I'm lying down

Did I fall or was I pushed?
And where's the blood?

I'm coming home
To make it all right
So dry your eyes

We think the same things at the same time
We just cant do anything about it

So don't ask me
Ask the Ministry

We think the same things at the same time
There are so many of us
So you can't count

Can you see me when I'm running?
Away from them

I can't take their pressure
No one cares if you live or die
They just want me gone
They want me gone

I'm coming home
To make it all right
So dry your eyes

We think the same things at the same time
We just cant do anything about it

We think the same things at the same time
There are too many of us
So you can't count

It was a slippery slippery slippery slope
I feel me slipping in and out of consciousness

if it proves one thing it is that our secret agent chaps are not as good as the people on Spooks.

And nor the met as good as The Bill 😉

Currently about 17 miles Bath-Bristol via the wonderful Railway Path (although it gets a bit of a drag in the depths of winter and I vary the route).

Often takes longer in the car. 1'40 last week.

Longest commute was daily into London (from Bath) only did it for 6 months. That was long enough.

Nice song, particularly production values (self produced in a basement hovel apparently) and they made the vid for £15

Strangely enough I was wondering if it was a reference to the original 'Wonderful Life' by Black – talks about "no need to run and hide" and here we have the bloke have run to hide (and jump) being saved?

Some good stuff coming out of Manchester at the moment. Have you heard Delphic?

Hurts = PSB
La Roux = Early Depeche / Blancmange with female vocals
Delphic = New Order

😉

<i>I Have a wide range of music tastes so don't just want a beep maker, don't need anything too professional, as i mainly intend just to play around to start with, but the other half is in a band so potential to guest on some tracks?
Can read music so not a complete beginner. </i>

Makes a change 😉 These days it's mostly 'yoofs' who fancy themselves as DJ producers and can't actually 'play' for love nor money 🙂

More info would still be useful though, you say you read, have you any keyboard skills? If yes you might want to think about something with a weighted touch sensitive full-size keyboard.

Your other halfs band, do they use any software / a Mac? What kind of music, will you be playing live or putting down tracks on the Mac etc.?

Are you interested in programming your own sounds? If so I'd ditto grums comment about getting something with knobs and sliders on.

Finally, what's your budget?

Is it OK / legal to park my car at the park and ride and then jump on a bike for the rest of the communte?

Strictly speaking no. They all stipulate parking is only free provided you use and pay for the bus.

I've never heard of anyone being ticketed at any of the Bath or Bristol sites though.

not being daft but what are you intending to do with it?

1989 here. Thinking about organising a 21st year ride locally (Bath).

Muddy Fox Courier (nicked not insured)
Giant something (when Giant were bottom of the range and Muddy Fox top – how things change) (swapped for first road bike)
Marin Pine Mountain (nicked)
Kona Explosif (nicked)
Trek 8000 (still got the frame)
Trek ? (The one with the carbon tubes into ally lugs)
Trek Fuel (forget which model)
Spesh Stumpjumper (the last Tange Prestige one)
Another Trek Fuel
Spesh Stumpjumper M2 (warranty for above – bust seat stay)
Kona Kula

Still a fair few of the original guys riding round here – including Justin Loretz.

Those were the days, if you spotted someone on another MTB you had to stop them and chat / sort out a ride.

First race? Blandford Forum? Anyone remember it? Used to be the traditionally National Series 1st Round.

I think the majority (all?) of police forces apply the 'limit +10%+2' rule for speeders to allow for variations in speedo's.

All police forces got together through ACPO and agreed these guidlines:

Limit Fixed Penalty Summons
20 mph 25 mph 35 mph
30 mph 35 mph 50 mph
40 mph 46 mph 66 mph
50 mph 57 mph 76 mph
60 mph 68 mph 86 mph
70 mph 79 mph 96 mph

Fixed penalty of
1. £60 (pending)
2. Licence endorsed with 3 penalty points Magisterial discretion (level 2) maximum of:
1. £1000 fine
2. Licence endorsed – range of penalty points available
3. Disqualification
4. Compulsory re-testing
This guidance does not and cannot replace the police officer's discretion and they may decide to issue a summons or a fixed penalty notice in respect of offences committed at speeds lower than those set out in the table. Moreover, in particular circumstances, driving at speeds lower than the legal limit may result in prosecution for other offences, for example dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention when the speed is inappropriate and inherently unsafe.

Details here:
http://www.cprsp.gov.uk/resources/res.aspx?p=/PublicAttachment/attachmentFilename/23/speed_enforcement_guidelines_web_v7_foi.doc

Analogue Andy – you say there have been a lot of successful prosecutions, is there anywhere these records/stats are available online?

No, quite the opposite, no stats on line as the police are now refusing to provide data on prosecutions under Freedom of Information Rules since there's been a test case and they are now claiming it would jeopardise operational tactics.

Two types of average speed cameras Specs and SVDD.

Not all at roadworks, eg. large section of Welsh M4 between Js 23-29 has them (50mph limit)

Yes there have been plenty of successful prosecutions, photographic evidence shows timed photos between two measured points.

Ok stretching it a bit I admit but the one on the left is an engineer tank:

<i>I learnt some great tips when I did a basic course so I could drive my company 4X4 in a certain companies sites </i>

'Experience' by any chance?

I've driven all theirs including this at DVD this year (Millbrook – according to anyone you ask the best 4×4 proving ground in Europe).

Yes we managed to get it stuck. Computer decided it knew best and shut it down.

4x4s have their place, they are useful on the odd occasion but if anything that just goes to prove how way over-engineered they are for normal everyday road use – nothing justifies buying one instead of average family saloon car.

Agree the money could be being better spent. It is indeed a shame that they've spent too much on management / consultants / PR / shite 'pavement' cycle schemes and very little else – they are offering free training but as I understand there's been little take up.

The HourBike scheme is well intentioned but piecemeal and so will never be a success – contrast with Paris Velo scheme. Massive investment, new 'on road' parking and routes.

Give them some credit though, I blasted them in one of my flickr posts about schemes in South Glos and they came out to a site meeting with me to look again at the issues (signalising the M32 / Hambrook junction)

Have you ever read any of the anti-cycling cr@p on the Evening Post site? To counter the growing number of people cycling there seems to be a growing 'anti' brigade. I can't see the Cycle City scheme changing the overwhelming 'car culture' in Bristol.

You're about where I was at that time. After 6 weeks I went back to work (desk job) but couldn't drive or do anything useful with it (but still started physio).

<i>I had 2 months lined up in Whistler, starting the 28th Dec, so I'm just wondering if it's at all likely I'll be able to do any of it at all. </i>

Based upon how much better you feel after 5 weeks I'm guessing you already know the answer to that one 🙁

Take advice from the Consultant, like you've said don't push it. I'd stick by 9-12 weeks before you're able to safely get on a board.

I'd say if you make fantastic progress you might just catch the end.

Edit:

Re 'full strength' – I'd be interested to hear what others experience is. I've never managed to get full strength or movement back – my reach up behind my back is about 80% of normal – the physio said I'd have problems if I wore a bra!

Ouch, feel for you mate. I've done collarbones and dislocated shoulder, fractured humerus was not funny (sorry)

(Abiding memory was refusing to let them cut my jersey off – I insisted on trying to raise my arm to let them lift it off, the pain caused me to pass out!).

As already said, physio is key. You've obviously been attending the Fracture Clinic – keep pressing them to sort physio, sooner the better.

I was incredibly lucky to have plenty (of even better, young, female) physio students who wanted to practice on me so I went twice a week, and used stretchy bands and weights at home and in the gym in between. (I was treated at Bath RUH, mostly by students from UWE).

Still took me 8 weeks to get back on the bike and then only gentle stuff (limited off-road). I think 9-12 weeks is realistic for snowboarding.

What kind of movement have you got now?

More than 10 years on I still get gip from mine. Chopped a tree up the other day and now paying the price (dull ache).

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Andy

Not sure if it's any help I've got 08 versions of both the OEM SE and Race – the SE rebound is still adjustable but internally with an allen key. Like th Race I found once I'd adjusted them I leave them put anyway.

3 Bikes 3 Props:

I was wrong its £29.99.

Get what you pay for tbh (I've got a Bose in the office and the Mrs has a JBL) sound crap compared to them but meets all her requirements (she borrows a lot of 'story' CDs from the library and wants to play them rather than burn them:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5139378.htm

what sort of budget?

we bought our youngest a bush from argos for £40, not in the sale but got rave reviews

hora – Member
I could go and get one of those IAM qualifications and parade my anality on the front of my car. Instead I'll concentrate on driving from A to B for many years to come.

Shall I bite??..

Oh go on then 😉

You mentioned in a previous thread that you've had some experience with the IAM before? Driven with someone who's passed?

More than 500,000 have passed the test so yes there are extremes. Yes it attracts petrol-heads, yes the average member is "old" but you'd be surprised how broad a church it is.

The vast majority of members join and take the test to make themselves better drivers. As I said before it's mostly about driver attitude but what we teach is common sense and undoubtedly the best way to drive on roads.

Nothing anal about the IAM 😉

/hi-jack

Me too – unless I need the Dark Side

= Taxi to Ensleigh at their expense 😉

Never mind "work" I've got a Masters assignment to write for 4th Jan.

Have a good Christmas and see you in 2010!

"The Office" – Christmas Special (Seagulls on Ice):

Good news, thanks for the update and have a good Christmas