I’m not if this is a Welsh thing either but its something I’ve only noticed since living in Wales, but lots of Welsh tend to use their middle name as their forename. e.g Susan Jane Williams would be called Jane.

Welsh family – both my Dad and I use our middle names. Neither are funny or embarrassing, but it’s a pain when booking flights with work. Not my choice, just always been called my middle name.

Neither my last car (4 rear sensors) or my current car (3 rear sensors) pick up the fixed towball. However, the sensors are somewhat higher than the ball.

I did take the option of having a switch fitted to switch off the sensors when I had the towball fitted.

661 Recon here.

Just felt like I wanted a bit more protection at the back.

Tried a few on, and it fits my massive head well.

I rented one in Sweden a few weeks ago, V70 D2 automatic.

I was doing lots of motorway and A road miles over a couple of days, and I quite liked it. Was comfy and well equipped, and although it didn’t set the world on fire, I thought it was OK on the motorway. I’m coming from a 200bhp diesel to give you some idea of what I’m used to. Just me plus luggage, so no load really.

It was incredibly economical though – I did around 1000km and it still said I had 1/3 of a tank left. I do drive like a granny though.

Bizarrely, the fuel cap fell off as I was filling it up; the Hertz guy told me that they all do that.

Another happy Powerline user here. Got three PCs connected – two desktops and a laptop on a docking station. Just works.

I found the best thing I did was to get a bike that was “maintenance free”, i.e. ride in any conditions, on almost any surface, and just put away filthy with no guilt.

Said bike is an Alfine geared Pompetamine with cable discs. Gets ridden on the road in winter and on bridleways in summer (and dryer parts of the winter). Was out today in a gale on the local converted railway track – bit safer than being on the road. Came back muddy and just put away. If I remember at the weekend, I’ll wipe and lube the chain.

I sometimes travel down to the Reading area, so may need a local carpets and blinds supplier, maybe:

Web: http://www.berkshirecarpetsandblinds.co.uk
Tel: 0118 907 8799
email: enquiries@berkshirecarpetsandblinds.co.uk

Nice bit of news, cheered me right up.

Wife has a Hyundai i10. She loves it. I wanted to hate it, but it drives pretty well, and very well equipped for a tiny car.

Edit – simple petrol engine and 20 pounds a year VED.

69 cycles in Chester any one?

The wife finds my Assos minty arse lard funny.

Packages from Wiggle always raise a smile.

My missus taught Rachel at school. Lovely girl, very smart. Lovely family as well. Donated.

Edit: and shared on FB

Don’t worry, no-one will be looking at you, and once you start riding regularly, the weight will fall off. I went from 17st to 13st in a couple of years when I started to ride (and ate a bit less whilst I was doing it).

Good luck.

Good thread to start – thanks.

Mum had cancer recently, thankfully over it now – was diagnosed very early. Friend just getting over leukaemia, again diagnosed in good time.

Please, please go see the doc if you see/find/feel anything unusual. This probably saved two lives recently.

Will donate tomorrow.

If you want a closed road event that’s more of a challenge, I’d be looking at the Etape Cymru in September.

Paying 60 quid for a ride is another matter however.

Massive head here, and I’ve just bought a large 661 Recon. Very nice fit.

Also have a cheap Bell helmet, which fits OK.

Miele Cat & Dog cylinder here as well. Replaced a Bosch upright which was pretty good, but very heavy. We also have a Dyson cylinder – lives in the garage for cleaning the car (to be fair we were given this, we’re not posh or owt).

Daughter is lovingly referred to as “the Afghan” – her long blond hair gets everywhere.

Bought a used road bike from someone on here for £500, and many years later it’s still giving excellent service. Full Ultegra groupset still going strong many thousands of miles later (minus hubs, wheels have been swapped by me). Had only been ridden a few times.

My most used bike at the moment. In winter it’s my road bike, in summer it’s a bridleway/light trail bike. Minimal maintenance with the Alfine hub and BB7 brakes. Not what you would call light though. Makes me very happy to get back on my road bike. Edit, or indeed my mountain bike.

[/url]
P5200138[/url] by paulcheshirecat[/url], on Flickr

Great pics – thanks.

Was there yesterday, and as always they are fine (few puddles here and there). It’s only ice preventing access to the car park that should stop anyone riding there.

As above, thoroughly clean chain before fitting, then use Squirt lube. Chain seems to stay shiney, and I’ve gradually moved other bikes in the household onto it. I know some people don’t like it, but it seems to work for me for the riding I do.

I have the BC700 charger mentioned above, and it is excellent.

We had to take my daughter for treatment for an eye infection on Christmas Day a few years ago. She was treated expertly, quickly and for free of course.

Hats off to all in the caring and emergency services working over the Christmas period (and the rest of the year).

Ordered something for the missus, guaranteed pre midday delivery….by Yodel…..

It was left by the bin, 2 doors down. I called the supplier, and it was allegedly signed for at 11.32am, with an unreadable signature. As you know it was chucking down today, so box soaking. Luckily contents OK.

My neighbour found it and kindly dropped it round this evening.

I was in at 11.32am

My missus had an Almera for about 7 years from just before our daughter was born. Because she wasn’t working, we needed a car that didn’t need anything spent on it, and it delivered. One headlight bulb and a small exhaust section in 7 years – not bad.

Horrible to look at, but quite nice to drive. Nobody would ever have stolen it.

Thanks for posting this, makes us appreciate what we have.

All the best to your missus and you. Had a couple of run-ins with cancer with family and friends recently, and thankfully all is good now.

Paul

I have a Liebherr, which I bought just because I recognised their name from cranes. I figured that if they can make cranes, then they can make a fridge freezer. 5 years on, and it still keeps stuff cold.

The Germans I work with rate the brand as well.

I’m on the “be polite but firm” side of the fence, unless it’s obviously a scammer, in which case you should keep them on the phone as long as possible.

As someone else has said, it’s human beings doing a crappy mind-numbing job.

I did have a call from Amex the other week that went something like….. “I’m calling from American Express (which they were), can you confirm your identity?”, me “No, you called me, so you should know who I am, and I don’t give that kind of information out over the phone to people who call me – it’s a security risk, don’t you agree?”, Amex “Ah, OK, bye”.

No, sorry.

Still have a Karrimor Jaguar rucsac from 1986 I think. I suspect my kids will be using it in a couple of years – still almost perfect.

Also have a fair amount of the cheap Sport Direct gear, mainly for running. It’s OK, but some of the fit is a bit odd.

Another Park user here. Turns a sometimes frustrating job into a 2 second easy one.

We were up on Saturday after it had been raining all night. A few puddles, some fairly deep, but all easily rideable.

OP, whereabouts on the Wirral are you. I’m near Neston.

I’ve got that Microflate Nano (actually three of them, one for each bike). Works well, but once the cartridge is on, the CO2 does leak out over time, so when you next go to use it, there’s no gas in there. So, I try to keep a couple of canisters, plus the Microflate separately.

Softshell on top, and choice of thin (polyester type) or merino base layer depending on the temp.

Tights are standard ones or some Canadian ones with wind/water resistant front and thinner back – excellent.

Gloves depend on the temp, but my new Pearl Izumi soft shell ones are great. Buff under helmet pretty much all year.

I had a 1.6l version in this colour the late 80s (don’t laugh, I was given it), but I always wanted the powerful version.

Woeful round corners, and my current 2.2l diesel is way more powerful. Ho-hum.

Decent road riding from the door, but once or twice a year I’ll drive for 45 mins to get further into Wales.

Some fun bridleways nearby for the cross bike (so straight from the door), but no MTB, so typically a 45 minute drive to a honey pot.

So, should I book Mark Green Disco or not for the local MTB club disco?

An ex-colleague of mine worked with someone else (who was an idiot by the way) four times in the course of a 30 year career, all in different companies. My advice is don’t burn bridges, especially if it’s a small, specialised industry.