Hi Darcy, you have a great way with words.
I also had a similar experience at 16- mine on bloody bonfire night, which took some time to become a ‘good night out’ again, but I’ve managed.
Your Life 2.0 comment is spot on, as is your gentle advice for others to make the most of what they’ve got.
I still get the lump in the throat 26 years and a bit on, but only every once in a while. Wedding 2 years ago was a tough one, as I made a point of talking about him.
Anyway, he was also a v popular guy and that made me do the growing up too quick thing. Education fell to pieces and I went through a fairly rough patch. Mates, exercise, talking and a bit of beer all made it easier to bear.

After a spell in the Army, mainly blowing thing up as a bomb disposal officer, i ended up running professional firework displays as a hobby. never really made the connection, but I’m sure there’s something cathartic about that.

As with all these things, whether it’s the loss of a partner, parent or friend (or even getting your bike nicked) time is a healer and I hope you’re doing well now,

all the best, Holmesey.

Life is short, so make it broad.

Printed a picture of our cat in front of fire (erm this morning after forgetting) and wrote on the back.

cats win every time with our lass, so think i got away with it….

nice one. cheers for the top tips

Thermic lance. surprisingly easy to make. Random O2 cylinder, any old pipe, box of swan vestas and hey presto. cuts concrete, steel, even silicon wafers like butter…..

oh and get some PPE, flip flops not recommended

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stretching esp pilates and yoga have done my riding/boarding/everything else the world of good. Less aches, quicker recovery and more bounce when it goes pear shapes or when ego overcomes limited talent.
Takes a while to get into pilates as it seems too lame at the start, but it’s only when you persevere that you realise how to do the exercises properly and then you get the real benefits (no I’m not selling owt like yoga vids btw)

If you have back pain that comes on in your sleep every night, improved by exercise, then it’s worth a second medical opinion. Mrs H has got ankylosing spondylitis http://www.nass.co.uk/ which is an arthritic condition that affects young sporty types. good news is that with treatment it can be halted, but it’s a long process.

with your work, it’s likely that you’ve pulled or strained it, but keep tabs on it and get checked out if it persists.
good luck Holmesey

Yeah I bought two a while ago, when someone posted up on here.
then did a bulk outdoor gear wash (poss beers involved beforehand) and even though they were half price, they are now fit for an action man. so drinker/washer beware.

Thule bars with Halfords Advanced rack.
Halfords bought the design to their old rack when they made their new gucci one, but actually improved the old one by adding an additional lock, so it all locks down. plus Halfords were (poss still) do a two for one offer on their own brand bike carrier.

if you need bars/feet for a Peugeot 306 or Seat Leon PM me, you can have my old ones for a pint or two.
cheers Holmesey

Help for Heroes wristband (image not working) [puts on techno dunce hat and sits in corner]

plus cheap as chips alimeter/baro thingy from TKMax, while my Seamaster is in getting a service that will cost way too much.
(1st in 10 years, but it’s losing time and very battered from falling off too much)

Wow, two days and three serious debates on knives, maybe it’s seasonal affective disorder. Also, not many laydees making comments on here. are they too mature, or just put up with c..p knives, or don’t have hairy enough arms to test their Mk17 squirrel skinning hollow ground ninja death blades.

;0)

All interesting stuff, so thanks for the tips too.
I’m finding garden leave an interesting concept; managed a swim and full service of bottom bracket, various pivot bearings and sorted a sticky gear this morning. Now to the more serious stuff of the next career move…

Any tips on networking within the biking industry?
(up north if poss)

ty

I got passed by at least 5 Freelanders this morning on my walk up the hill from Ripponden to Barkisland. Normally the snowboard melts the hearts of passers-by and I get to thumb a lift, but this lot are just BMW drivers in disuise I guess. serves me right for boarding on work time I suppose!
Had a few unexpected lifts up the hill from white van men- good on em.

but can any of them bunny hop and fall off without crying? …….

Nigel Martin 'Mini-Chopper' is possibly the root of his problem

fat TV cook, Martin aged 14 3/4, actually advertises his 'Mini-chopper' as part of his cookware range.

Firstly, wasn't a mini chopper called a Chipper? (and quite crap)
and secondly, perhaps if Mr & Mrs Martin had bought him a full sized Chopper, then maybe he wouldn't have such Small Man Syndrome and my not have become a TV cook.

:o