Thanks – that would be much appreciated.

I sense no-one really knows what the true ultimate desired outcome for this actually is. Regardless, for a notable and significant number of humans it is completely wrong and unnecessary.

However – and no idea if it would make much difference TBH – some softening of language (particularly from some of our own politicians seeking a sound-bite whilst frequently reading from a piece of paper) using “We suggest that we all work to seek a peaceful solution” rather than “We’ll destroy x, y , z of Russia” may be beneficial. Additionally, everyone impacted negatively should be treated with the same respect – fully agree that if there are racially segregated lines at borders then the various nations – inc. UN – need to address but preferably this is not required.

Interesting to see if VP will accept the invite for a 1-to-1. Ceasefire, neutral location, China as mediators.

Folks,

If anyone wants to go rigid on the front, drop me a message.

I have some newly powder coated Singular steel qr rigid 29’er forks plus full carbon rigid 26″ fork lying gathering dust in the shed… Both are straight 1.1/8″ steerer.

Years back, I pulled a 26″ wheel Fisher Marlin mtb frame from the local skip. It lay in the back of the shed gathering dust along with other bits and pieces.

However, after a visit to our local powder-coater, it is now a frankengravelesque 69’er (using Exotic rigid carbon forks) with flared drop bars, USE suspension post, Shimano mechanical disc brakes and 1 x 11 drivetrain with Microshift bar-end shifter. With 2″ Vittoria AKA tyres on it, it rolls pretty nicely and rides well. I built it up for exploring local tracks and also broader old disused railway network. Pannier rack being fitted this week to support luggage carrying too.

I would post pics if I knew how to. If anyone wants to do so on my behalf, happy to send a pic to them.

Thanks all.

Feel free to PM me with what you have – much appreciated.

Grahamt1980, you beat me to it:

https://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-batteries/ay-up-compatible-battery/

Always top notch service too.

Oblongbob,

Thanks – appreciate it.

Definitely not Lumi nor Hope.

This old thread has a few images:

Night ride with 2 x Lum 601s

Beamers, if you are in NE Scotland, can you have a look at the issue associated with JK1866? I sense this will require heavy machinery to resolve…

I also remember an outage some years back where an articulated generator was connected to our local sub-station when an underground cable went pop due to external casing being worn through by rocks.

Beamers / IGM,

I’m sure my local community would be absolutely delighted to be very supportive of some tree felling activity to avoid a repeat of the common failure point during both Arwen and now Malik > Corrie. If there are any land access challenges, then I am sure the local community voice would support your efforts if required. Feel free to PM me for location.

I sense some spending will happen in our household too – appropriate generator connection point to make us a bit more self-sufficient for the future.

Given these ‘events’ I really think getting folks in rural areas to move to EV’s will be some time away – I get the sense that the current infrastructure is not supportive of this, regardless of what certain vote-chasing politicians – in Scotland – would have folks believe.

Beamers, thanks for your responses. It’s certainly interesting to be aware of the complexities and challenges.

Is there any distinction between the HV and LV parts of the network – i.e. HV treated as a priority?

I sense part of the current challenge is that there have been a number of outage events relatively swiftly following each other which have resulted in notable disruption / loss.

It would be really interesting to understand our localised issue, being the same failure point and mode as per Arwen. Is there a method the Public could use to identify such potential areas to SSEN I wonder?

Appreciate the responses thus far. Thanks.

Good morning all.

Our local community seems to have been hit a bit this week with Covid. Local primary school – roll of just over 90. > 50 of the kids have now tested positive.

However and thankfully, appears to be minor symptoms – scratchy throat, runny nose, etc. Immediate families generally testing negative still.

Given talk of building immunity, why is it that children seem less impacted – I assume their immune systems are less mature and have generally not been exposed to viruses over time in the same way as adult/older? This is obviously fantastic but seems to contradict building immunity considerations.

Thanks.

Thanks.

@Dickyboy, that would be fantastic. PM sent. Thanks.

Sorted now. Thanks for the offers however folks, much appreciated.

@bruceandhisbonus

I don’t think you will have too much to worry about. Their work is perfect and neither myself and friends have had any issues. Their FB page will show some examples of colours available – some cracking options.

@bruceandhisbonus,

Customised Coatings in Newmachar have done a few of our bikes. Most excellent jobs for what seemed a very reasonable price. Threads fully protected, etc and good folks to deal with too.

My dear old Dad had his removed, using robotic assistance, last week. Op on Thursday, out of hospital Friday afternoon. He’s never had any real illness nor a general before, so, TBH, the effects seem more psychological than physical at this point. He just needs to realise that, if all the scans he has had are correct, this is a step forward and normality will hopefully be back soon.

Couple of lads at work – ranging from just turned 50 to early 60’s have had theirs done too. Both are back to normality and thanking that it was done.

Have both fitted to some bikes. Last one I bought was Superstar. They have come a long way since rebranded catalogue items of many years back. I also liked that fact I could select different colour top and bottom cups….

Both brands will work just perfectly, but if purchase cost a consideration, get Superstar.

Thanks, I would appreciate that.

Zealous?

http://zealousbikeco.com/?product=division-frameset

Thanks again all.

The mongrel bike will be a sort of 69er Frankenmonstercrossgraveller using an old Fisher 26″ wheel mtb frame which was hiding, unloved, in the back of the shed. It was scabbier than a scabby thing, so at the local powder-coaters getting a freshen up as I type.

I could grind the internal diameter of the 9 speed mtb shifter clamp to mount on the top of the drop bars, but quite fancy the bar end shifters for the 1 x 9 set-up I plan to use.

I’m thinking it will be ideal for exploration of the local old railway bed networks, etc and will keep me busy building it for a few hours.

Bikesandboats – thanks for looking. If compatible with 9 speed Shimano mtb rear mech, I would definitely be interested in buying.

All – thanks for your feedback, much appreciated.

Thanks all – very, very handy.

I’ve tried formatting cells as both general and text.

I do think it is because they look identical but are not. As above, I have copied and pasted the name from where I am looking up into the same name within where the lookup will take the required info back to and it then works.

Mmmm…military patrols of the seas to chase unarmed fishing boats away…what will that do to the export market for what the UK fishermen actually catch…where will it go, what tariffs will apply….I think someone mentioned that it may be good for increasing stocks in the short-term as the biggest market will have gone.

Brexit and Indy. Fully agree that nothing that I can remember has even come close to the open hostile division these have created.

What causes us to be such that at times it feels like an unevolved territorial response to anything not from within your own door. No different to ‘having’ to fight with folks from another street, school, village, town, etc, etc.

Looking at other, successful, countries, which have got the best model of governing? Being mindful of things you deem positive. Any chance the UK could get to that model?

So…assuming a very sharp shock is coming to most (not all…as some have ensured their nests are well feathered and will be sufficiently removed that they won’t actually suffer) which may actually make folks think and possibly revert to wanting to be part of a fine big trading block, what actions would have to happen to allow us start a move back into the EU and under what potential conditions?

Also, what actually needs to happen to ensure that elected politicians actually work on behalf of the country in the medium to longer term? Unfortunately, direct communication with our currently elected MP’s seems to go unanswered…

For the UK, any chance that a response to potential negative impacts will be a true coalition working towards a common, positive, goal?

I desperately hope there can be something positive come next week, but doubt it.

So…for those who voted either way in 2016 – assuming you did vote – would you vote the same way again?

I would. I’m happy to be part of a united country and bigger block upon which we rely on so for so much business which supports relative economic prosperity.

It is an absolute shame that the energy – typically displayed by those who are desperately trying to mitigate against potential and known risks – could have been much better deployed to develop stronger relationships with our closest partners and also further improve what felt like a nice stable foundation etc.

There appears to have been no achievable Plan A, let alone a Plan B or Plan C.

Regardless – ultimately what we need is for a clear vision of what future prosperity looks like for this country and a plan detailing what actions are going to be taken to actually get there. HS2, etc – complete BS. Rather than simple theatrical sound-bites delivered by what appear to be cretins.

For those who did not want to remain in the EU, what were the primary reasons for that view? Are they still valid? Could they have been addressed by less radical means?

TBH, it’s one of those things where a nice out and back using what was quite an undertaking by Victorian labour and the ability to see both the countryside and the artefacts left along the way is very appealing.

I think a day out on a decent day over the festive break is required. Lights and flask of warm brew mandatory.

LiPo battery? I wondered if Mark/Smudge @ MTB Batteries could assist you?

I have a Four4th Scorch and a Gemini Xera ‘flashlight’.

Whilst the Scorch is brighter, the Gemini is very good, uses standard 18650 batteries (carry a few spares if you are going out for a longer ride..easy to change) and can currently be purchased for £50 if you shop properly. Oh, and it fits perfectly into an Exposure helmet mount.

I have a Kinesis DC19 fork in the shed.

Would that be any good?

What led us to this inept, corrupt, self-serving, lying, etc, etc bunch of shysters…?

How long until we do get civil unrest. Man oh man.

Unsettled, anxious and frustrated best describes things as I currently feel them. The shorter, darker and wetter days are not helping.

Causes of being unsettled and anxious? Dad got an urgent 2-week referral due to Prostate issues. I had an MRI on mine on the same day he saw his Dr and got the referral. Work is commencing a ‘merger’ with another company (worry about having a job sometime in the future). Jnr is having the odd wobble. Inability of even this small island to work – properly – together to get a set of appropriate actions to assist mitigate the impact of this ‘kin virus. Govt waste of £’s when it could be better used to assist those who need it. Brexit. Reflecting on what I have actually achieved in life v’s others.

But…I need to balance that against what is directly in front of me. Currently a decent job working (remotely) with folks who are great and an employer who is good to work for. Mrs B working after a month of furlough in April. Jnr laughs at and with me. Good bunch of mates. Home is sorted. Some £’s under the bed for that rainy day.

TBH, I have nothing much to complain about, but that does not stop the anxiety unfortunately.

Sport Pursuit have some very nice Mavic GT boots for a decent price…

We have no mains gas and, at times during the winter, can struggle with local electricity outages. We have electric central heating.

So, we got a log burner installed about 4 years ago. Hwam 2630, nominally 4.5kw. Ensuring we use only well seasoned low moisture (<15%) quality firewood, the only visible smoke is during first ignition, then no sign at all.

It is great for those days when you want a quick heat of the house (just leave the internal doors in the house open) or if power fails.

Just plan ahead for the following year or year after when it comes to buying and storing logs unless you want to use kiln dried or take a risk with unseasoned logs (which will cause issues).

The sweep was here last week for the annual sweep. £80 included check of the log burner, flue, smoke test, etc. Money well spent.

I’m sure we all have hours and days of concerning ourselves about ‘the new norm’ and what may be around the corner. We are all affected to a lesser or greater extent by this sh*t situation. If we, to date, have not been too negatively impacted, then we may worry that we will be. But then again, we may not. I do not take comfort that others are worse off than me, because others should not in that situation and I feel sh*t that folks are.

I struggle with the bombardment of negativity, indecision and, at times, what feels like a lack of data driven ‘what if’ decisions…given pandemic planning has – supposedly – been on the go for many years. The political spin and play-offs are wearing. FFS, get properly qualified non-politicised groups globally to work together and show we are working together. The United Kingdom, The United Nations. Aye, right!

Something like this?

https://www.bikester.co.uk/serious-bear-peak-power-20-blackblack-1005968.html

or this

https://www.merlincycles.com/wilier-803-xn-comp-slx-mountain-e-bike-178664.html

An update if interested.

Seller responded quickly and suggested I box the bike back up and they would arrange collection.

I suggested that a goodwill gesture (credit, voucher) to get the brake bleed locally and likewise an appropriate goodwill gesture for the frame damage (both issues evidenced by good pics) would be a good outcome, given it avoids courier costs for them (which would exceed the cost of a local bike shop checking, replacing the olive and bleeding), seemed like an appropriate path forward plus avoids us being without the bike and also means that I would use any credit or vouchers with them going forward.

However, I have been guided that the bike must be returned so their mechanics can check and rectify. TBH, no idea how they are going to rectify the frame damage without a repaint, given there are no stocks of the bike in the correct size remaining.

We’ll see where this goes…if anywhere.