There is an argument that the monarchy is a repository for illogical nationalist feelings and useful for it.

There’s no inherent link between nationalism and monarchy.
Many Welsh and Scottish nationalists are republicans who believe having a monarchy is outdated and illogical.
The nationalism you are talking about is a brand of British nationalism.

There is some superb Schrodinger’s monarchy going on at the moment.

Tom Nairn does a good job of describing this in ‘The Enchanted Glass’:

“It matters deeply to nearly everyone and is of no significance whatever.”

Do you really not understand why “The Queen, What a ****: The Documentary” might perhaps be considered slightly inappropriate the day after her death was announced?

A documentary that explores the future role of monarchy would be entirely appropriate.
Something that finds intelligent voices and offers a range of perspectives – for and against.
That looks at alternatives and how other countries handle constitutional checks and balances.
It would be topical, interesting and informative. And something you will not see on the BBC for reasons I have mentioned.

I understand why monarchists are so reluctant to talk about what they support.
And why so much energy is put into stopping any kind of dissenting opinion – now is not the time etc.

I genuinely think it’s the right approach because it’s a belief-based system.
It’s not something you can easily discuss or reasonably talk about without it all seeming daft.

That’s why the BBC is right to prevent any dissenting opinion. To avoid any reasonable debate.
Because if they ever start to loosen that grip, the whole thing starts to collapse.

So what about Sky, ITV & Channel 4. They are all pretty much doing the same thing.

True but think the role of the BBC is slightly different. It’s traditionally where people have gone for big occasions – the state channel. Always had a much larger audience share than any competitors.

I think the monarchy has become a weakness of the British state.
As can be seen at the moment, the BBC plays a major role in maintaining support.
But that hold on people’s attention is draining away – particularly for anyone under 50.

It’s happening slowly and there are peaks and troughs but it’s proving increasingly hard to maintain.
It’s difficult at the best of times because presenting an aristocratic family as the symbol of a democratic nation is inherently strange and illogical.

I think the TV coverage shows this struggle. It feels desperate and increasingly out of sync with the views and attitudes of the public. It’s pedalling harder and harder. And achieving less and less.

Fun to read the BBC’s rules on impartiality:

“We must be inclusive, considering the broad perspective and ensuring that the existence of a range of views is appropriately reflected.”

“We are committed to reflecting a wide range of subject matter and perspectives across our output as a whole and over an appropriate timeframe so that no significant strand of thought is under-represented or omitted.”

“We must always scrutinise arguments, question consensus and hold power to account with consistency and due impartiality.”

There is no Prince of Wales. It is a pretend title.
His real name is William Louis. He’s a 40-year-old Eton-educated English aristocrat.

Which side of the road should we drive on?

Shared foot/cycle paths are a good example of a form of anarchy.
There are no laws or binding regulations.
Just a convention and a consensus that most people follow (to ride on the left and generally be nice).

In the spirit of being positive, and not at all mawkish, the BBC just ran a story where The Queen said “Good morning” to a boy.

It’s a small gesture but says so much about her personality and inspirational character.

He’s had a project running here for 10 years or so and you can see the place changing and I’m seeing people change too- he makes opportunity in places and communities where no one else would bother and sustains the effort and I’m really seeing people blossom.

This is wonderful news.
Always good to hear how one of the wealthiest men in the world is supporting a village project.

Other stuff in trumps visit you might not have known was her choice of broaches. Over three days she chose a simple flower for day one when she would normally wear something in some way related to the visitors nation. On day two she wore one that was a gifting from Canada, which would have driven Trump mad if he was clever enough to realise and on day 3 she wore a broach that had only been worn in mourning periods before.

Top marks. One of the maddest things I’ve read so far.

As we enter day two of ten, I just want to share some of the wonderful memories.
There was the time she saw some cows at an event and said ‘cows’.
There was another time when she was with Mr Trump and he acted slightly disrespectfully.
Wonderful memories. I’m sure there are others.

Can’t we just have 10 days of wall-to-wall, unquestioning deferential yabbering about the death of an elderly aristocrat? Is that really too much to ask? Goodness me.

Now is not the time. And it never is.

People are often sad at the passing of someone they admired or respected. I don’t think this stops being the case because they were old.

People are generally admired/respected for things they’ve done. Not just for being an aristocrat.

Loving all the: ‘I’m a republican but…[insert fawning praise for monarchy]’

is that meant to be relevant?

And my first point?

“The commonest mechanisms of injury were falls in the elderly and road traffic collisions in the young, which were more likely to present in coma.”
Source: National Library of Medicine

We’re not wanting drivers to feel any safer are we now? I’d rather we went down the spike sticking out of the steering wheel approach.

If a parent doesn’t wear a crash helmet to drive then they have no place lecturing their kids on bike safety. All of the same daft and reductive arguments apply.

Having said that teaching risk assessment would be the way to go.

So you insist on wearing a crash helmet whenever you drive a car?

It’s his head, let him do what he wants with it.
Golden years of BMX were kids in 80s doing daft things on the streets.
No crash helmets. Lots of concrete. Lots of people falling off.
Nobody died.

Before the bland syrupiness of Simply Red, the beautifully simple and raw Frantic Elevators:

It might well be instrumental in retaining them, but I doubt it’s all that influential in bringing them. I can’t imagine there’s terribly many folk who think “I need advice on hot air ballooning, best google for a mountain biking forum.”

I would guess that’s exactly where a lot of new visitors come from.
It’s where I found it – searching for some random bike-related thing.
STW does brilliantly in Google because it covers a mad array of topics and (usually) provides entertaining, experienced and knowledgeable info which isn’t toxified by marketing/shilling etc.

Well… what’s stopping you, then? Go spin up a rival forum.

Think you need to be careful with this stuff.

I understand it’s a difficult balancing act but amongst the appeals for donations etc, it would be good to also acknowledge the value that people provide when contributing to a forum.

The amazing wealth of knowledge that STW has acquired from years of people freely contributing their experiences, advice etc. Shouldn’t be taken for granted.

That’s what brings the 1.4 million visitors.

This thread has Heaven’s Gate video testimonies vibe.

Yep, still as good as ever I reckon.
Currently have a g31 and it’s same as the old ones – just a bit better.
Cheap, minimal amount of crap loaded onto them and mad battery life.
Leave it for 3 or 4 days before charging.

The only way to improve it is have everyone on the ground shooting at the cars.

Or add some gators.

Had the look of a Centre Parcs trail with a couple of features plonked in.

My energy company seems really keen for a fixed rate.
So I won’t, based on the basic rules of capitalism.

Rear suspension on most of those bikes appears remarkably ineffective for some reason… 😉

I was thinking that. Surely a lighter hardtail is more efficient on a mild course like that.

I think there needs to be consequences if you’re going to commit or plan a terrorist act in another country, you can’t just run back to a friendly country and live in peace like nothing has happened.

So you would obviously apply this to all public figures who conduct illegal acts that result in large numbers of deaths. This would include all of the individuals who were instrumental in the Iraq war.

You would accept the legitimacy of missile strikes on British cities to take out the likes of Blair, Campbell and co.

Nice one. Next on the list: ‘Have I Got News For You’.

Personally I’m not much bothered I am perfectly happy to consider Swahili, if by some bizarre reason it was proved to be practical, what would Cecil Rhodes think?

That’s nice of you. I don’t think you’ve really thought about it enough.

One species with one language which is easily understood by all obviously makes supreme sense.

What an absolutely ridiculous opinion for an intelligent person to hold.
Kind of thing that Cecil Rhodes and the boys used to spout.

Lots of people find surfing difficult and it prevents them from enjoying the sport.
So motorised boards just make things easier. It opens it all up.
The other advantage is that you don’t need big waves. In fact, you don’t need any waves.
But you still need a basic ability to stand on a board so it still takes some skill.
The boards are obviously much more expensive and need charging and all that.
Some claim that it’s not actually surfing and that it misses the point of what surfing is/was about.
But who cares when you see the joy on the face of a surfer astride his brand new £5,000 eboard?

I have to say that this kind of attitude is a major downer. I always wanted to try surfing, and I am acutely aware that large numbers of ‘proper’ surfers really look down on me messing about in the waves on my foam board. It’s unpleasant, intimidating, and makes me feel like giving up which would result in me having less fun at the seaside.

A better analogy would be if you were surfing on a jetski.
It also works both ways.
How many kids feel crappy and self-conscious because they’re riding a normal bike while their mates all have £5,000 mopeds.

I think the genius of ebikes is that they left the pedals on.
It allows people to cosplay at cycling and avoid the reality of what they’re actually doing.

thanks for that . Mighty set from Angelique Kidjo👍

It really was. Shame it was tucked away a bit.

Kendrick Lamar has no flow. Madly overrated.
All looks good tho.