Where bouts'?

Rospa Gold
IAM Senior Observer (96% Theory / Practical)
IAM Special Assessment 86% (Highest mark awarded by that Examiner apparently)
I've also passed off-road, blue-light, skid pan, anti-hijack and assorted other courses.

Done some track days and used to rally-cross

Am I a good driver?

I still rise to challenges, go out looking for 'overtakes' and succumb to red-mist sometimes. Always room to improve!

Like I said in the other thread it's about attitude more than skill.

If you think you are a good driver, chances are you ain't 😉

TooTall – Member
I'm on call for the duration. Support to important men and women.

Me too.

"Duty phone" lap-top and 3G means I don't have to go in to the office or drive though. Just means I can't get toooo drunk.

Good luck and heartfelt thanks to all those who are proper "on duty"

When we were on the move I would give them a 3 second head start on telling me about a hazard before I would tell them about it. The universal reaction would be "shit there's a lot to see", "yip".

Scanning 😉

Accident record is one indicator but I've seen plenty of people who'd driven for XXX years with no accidents.. "they all happen behind me" was what one bloke said!

I love the "quiet efficiency" idea. Which page of Roadcraft Drac? 😉

Most important- never panic even when faced with with an impossible situation.

I bet many accidents are caused by over-reactions and (especially on motorways) – over-correction.

I often find drivers claim something happened "suddenly" when in reality they had prior warning.

As JonT said, observation is key. I start with getting people to look up the road, read it and the prevailing hazards (a hazard is a physical feature or something created by the movement of other road users).

Once you've seen something then you can deal with it.

Spotting things and gives you time to react and deal with them.

Seriously, IAM membership is an incredibly good deal. There are local groups across the UK with volunteer (but highly trained) "Observers" like me who provide as many "free" sessions as you'll need to get you throught the (testing) 1 1/2 hour test (with a police advanced examiner).

90% about attitude, 10% about skill.

One of the greatest skills you can have as a driver is knowing your limitations and faults.

What prompted the question?

If anyone is looking for a late Christmas present idea:

http://www.iam.org.uk/the_iam/

Skill for Life £139/url]

On the right:

Phone the local nick and ask to speak to the duty Inspector. Even better call by if you can.

Brake testing someone, if that's what they were doing, is enough to lose them their permit to drive.

Ok they'll deny it (or perhaps the passenger will be glad to have you back him/her up?) Plus perhaps there have been previous incidents, there might be future ones.

Keep us posted and good luck.

Plan the route to pass by Bristo Abbey Wood (easy enough over the bridge and down the A38) and we'll arrange a welcoming cttee.

Feel for you both. Send her our love and enjoy your time together over Christmas

Andy

John's Bikes in Bath and Bike UK in Bristol both have Kona 29ers that you might be able to demo.

And here is that bike:

You'll gather I'm 6ft6. After a few rides on the Kona I went for a 22inch 26 though, primarily due to the (relative) lack of clearance on the 29er and the need for another set of wheels (we've already got 6 26inch wheeled bikes in the family collection and it's handy to be able to swap wheels).

You know your boyfriend doesn't do predictive txt when you get a message that says

Id luv 2 kick ur puppy

I was in a similar situation a few months back; long-time E2 user (I was looking for my 3rd)(and the Exodus before that).

I read that review and took my XL E2 into Evans to compare them. The Athlon was definitely a different head shape (and obviously external shap – it's less MTB, a roadie lid with a peak stuck on).

In the end I sourced a new E2 from the States, you'll be pushed to get hold of one now though.

Why did Giro not bring out a true E2 replacement I wonder? Surely there's still a market for something between the Xen and the top-end roadie lids Ionos?

<i>Pubs, paths, there must be trails linking them all. </i>

You're on 😉

Ooh me too please, analogueandy AT yahoo.com

Easily the best in the FOD:

http://www.doward-park.co.uk/

Would meet all your requirements, cycle out the door and down along the Wye to family trails / pub at Symonds Yat.

iLove u

Corny but..

Post ride rather than during; Jon's Stag Ride from a couple of months back

Thread Stopping Compound

I'm sorry I haven't got a glue mate 🙂

After 4 weeks in and a 7 car overtake at about 98mph on an A road my police driving instructor simply said …. "nice progression"

"Golf Lima Foxtrot" 😉

Triple C: Crumpet Causes Collisions

Golf Lima Foxtrot: Go Like F*ck

BOB TOM and LOLA: Boy on a bike, Twit on a motorbike, Little old lady

Is it Norman? (one pulls out from a junction another will follow – unless it's Norman No-mates)

Everyday is dustbin day somewhere / Bins are out dustmans about

Fresh or frozen (horse sh!t in the road)

More paint on the road = more danger

Brakes are for slowing gears are for going (or brake to slow, change gear and go)

Plan to stop, look to go (at roundabouts and open junctions)

Any fool can drive fast enought to be dangerous

Courtesy costs nothing and pays well

The most dangerous component in any car is the nut behind the wheel

What kind of thing? You might be in luck, All Terrain had some Sidi's going cheap on fleabay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330380966077&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

You don't live in Brizzle do you?

Can't find it now but there was a case recently of someone forcing their way past injuring mother and child.

I was appalled that the majority of the comments blamed the mother. As in this case, whatever the circumstances, the onus is of course on the driver to stop and wait, patiently.

Yes it's sensible to get the kids to climb out kerb side, no it's not always possible. Hence the Highway code rule is advice (you should) not the Law (you must)

Why then did some imbecile decide it socially acceptable to skid to a stop and blast their horn, then start shouting at me to get out of the way?

So what was your reaction?

And anyone got a link to this 'Cyclist on a single-track road' thread?

Can he drive?

I'm being serious 😉 if he's any good tell him to do his advanced test with the IAM http://www.iam.org.uk

Cost is an absolute bargain at £139 all in.

Assuming he passes he be illegible for big discounts including through the IAMs partner insurer http://www.iamsurety.com. Their standard policy is for over 21s but they will negotiate.

My last Associate (ie guy who I taught) was 19 when he started, 20 when he passed and saved a wopping £800.

Blimey is this still going?

I don't dispute the obvious, if overstated benefits of wearing a lid. I too have had a helmet save me from a skull fracture, I always wear mine and insist the kids do.

..but I'm very much against compulsion and all those who have called TJ (or anyone else) a knob for not wearing one is.. a knob. If they passed a Law making wearing one compulsory I too would ride around with mine dangling from my bars.

My nasty bang on the head was caused in similar circumstanes by someone pulling out on me in a car. They could see me, they just weren't looking.

If the BMA is serious about preventing cyclists head injuries it should be trying to reduce the number of collisions – most obviously by calling for improved driver training, testing and licensing, stiffer penalaties etc.

Make helmets compulsory and all you do is re-inforce the myth that cyclists are a danger to themselves, drive cyclists off the road and remove all the health benefits of cycling.. which the BMA are too well aware of.

Oh and get well soon kit 🙂

I've run almost all my road wheels as cross wheels at some point, Ksyrium SSC SLs, Elites, Aksiums, Cosmics, Dura Ace 8 speeds on CXP33s.

I would avoid using my best / carbon rims on muddy courses though.

Its completely true I'm afraid, new EU regulations,
linky

Further details here[/url]

As already said, without explanation that pic could be running water and could hide all manner of potentially life threatening dangers.

Ok action dan (v. appropriate) explained its not and it doesn't but at first appearance it appears reckless. We do all sorts of 'reckless' things in the name of mountainbiking, but I can't see any reason to make 'riding through a flood' one of them. For that reason not a good idea to stick it up there on the home page.

as hamish said. except it gets more complicated if the fence itself required planning permission when it was erected and in which case were conditions attached, if so they trump PD rights.

also if you are in an Article 4 area (which removes PD rights).

..check your deeds also, if you live on an 'estate' there may well be a covenant attached restricting the height etc of boudary fences (difficult to enforce if the owner (landlord) is not the person who first bought it).

Talking is your best bet.

4 or 5 foot fences panels are often more expensive than 6' ones – they may be doing it for cost reasons?

£10 I recon

I'll do it for £9 😉

It all depends. Best bet is to get someone locally who's had some work done to recommend a builder and get a quote.

Eg. Is it to replace one that's 'fallen over' in the wind or new? (Eg If fallen over it'll have fallen over for a reason, is it in an exposed position, does it need to incorporate need piers).

Do you need footings digging, if so are there potentially services in the way…

What brick are you intending to use? To match the house? If so is it common / available locally or 'special'? Do you want coping, if so what.

You get the idea..

quote]theyve introduced cycle skills courses[/quote]

And a 93 page manual 😉

Avon and Somerset's latest purchase:

These guys supply lots of forces, and produce custom clothing too

http://www.kitinfo.co.uk/products/bicycle-section.html

Ha ha. Looks like badgers to me, after worms / leatherjacks

You're in trouble! They use the same runs they've used for generations and the odd fence (or even wall) won't get in their way, they just buldoze through it or dig under it.

An electric fence is a good idea.

We got a large set near us. Nice to see them in the garden but they can be a pain. It was the sweetcorn crop this year. The buggers left all 12 plants until the cobs were perfect, came along one night and ate the lot – ate as in pulled the cobs off the plants, unwrapped them and neatly ate all the corn off the cobs!!

Some good advice here:
http://www.cornwallbadgergroup.org.uk/damage.htm

All the same, it does amuse me.

And./….

You ain't getting off that lightly 😉

There is more to this case than meets the eye. I wonder if it will get into the public domain when then sentence him or if he appeals? Mr Clarke's previous for example (which the CPS had when deciding to bring the case).

As already said if Honest Joe "found" a shotgun in his garden and wasn't daft he would call 999. He wouldn't call the Super and ask if he could pop in 😉

Hi lucas, just picked this up. Loads of great riding on your doorstep – if you know where to look 😉

Two groups ride every Weds night – ours from Widcombe High Street 6.30pm and the other 'roaming' one meets at about 6.45.

Our group is normally about 10 – reasonably fast pace, social XC, we do about 3hrs sometimes finishing at a pub in town.

Check out the pics from the link in my profile. Just turn up or drop me a mail and I'll get you added to the email lists analogueandy AT yahoo.co.uk

PC Bill Barker, father of 4. 25 years service, died as a result of the collapse of the main bridge in Workington, Northside Bridge – the main bridge on the A597 into the town.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8370692.stm

La Roux Bristol Friday

Dont forget Vince used the BBC computer with that too.

/dons anorak

He used an MC4 (in fact two) with the Pro One

Later the Fairlight

He only got the BBC B and UMI sequencing hardware / software in 1984 after he'd given up with the Fairlight.

Would you believe I've got one of his old ones (and his studio monitors from that time – a pair of David 9000s).

Anyone you recognise? (I'm the one at the back)

Has anyone heard of the Vince Clarke 'Lucky Bastard' collection – a whole 120mins of his favourite patches

Check out this Pro One demo

Vince used just a Pro One to record Yazoo early stuff including Only You and Don't Go

And did anyone catch the 'Synth Britania' doc on BBC4 a couple of weeks back?