When cycling into work in the morning, I always assume that all drivers are half-asleep and aren’t paying any attention. In the evenings, I assume that drivers are too concerned with getting home or turning around and talking to their children in the back-seat to notice me. This may be doing the alert, attentive drivers a disservice, but it keeps me as safe as I can. It only takes one not to pay attention, and if I can compensate for that, then I will.

Generally, the vast majority of the time, cycle commuting in Edinburgh has been incident free, however, there have been a few limited incidents when the “must get past” mentality of drivers has put me directly at risk. And that is UNACCEPTABLE. In any circumstances

I take a positive position in the lane, leaving where possible, room for drivers to overtake. There are certain sections of the commute, particularly where there are traffic islands or blind bends, where I will take a position so that drivers shouldn’t even think about overtaking or there is no doubt that they can see me, as I have nearly been taken out before. Soon as I am past, I will move back in to the left.

It’s getting dark now so I will have 2 lights upfront and 2 at the back. One on constant and one on flashing. I want to be seen by all and leave no doubt that I am a well lit cyclist coming towards you.

Freedom of choice isn’t it..? There are actions we can all take to try and keep ourselves safe, even if we think that it is compensating for the responsibility of drivers not to endager our lives. You need to do what you feel is right. That’s what I do.

First one was completely unconditional love, even though she was very difficult for the 1st 2 weeks or so. It took longer to get there with number 2. Further down the line now, and I couldn’t imagine anything less than equal, unconditional love for both of the little blighters!

It’s hard at first. Real hard. It’s not a golden rule, just my experinece, but the 1st 6 weeks were toughest. You learn, you get into routines, they become your life. It’s turmoil at first. As the advert says, they don’t come with a manual, you don’t need a qualification. They arrive, they consume you totally. You don’t get time to think!

It is difficult at times when the little ones are crying, not settling, not eating. They can’t tell you why. You just take care of them. I remember walking number 1 around the streets, she was screaming when we left, she screamed all the way around, and was screaming when we got back. Easier to love them maybe when they are sound asleep, all babies are angels when they are asleep..!

For me, there is nothing finer in the world than lying on a sofa and having one of my babies asleep on my chest. Perfect. Just perfect. The best feeling in the world. Or a hug. Or for them to tell you that they love you.

But, hopefully, any difficult times are a blip in their and your lives. You will forget the bad stuff and only remember the good. Natures of way of getting you to have another…!

Was up at Luss on Loch Lomond on Friday and there were still midges out and about. Never been to Luss before, so don’t know if that is normal or not…

I use John Heath. They seem to be reasonably cheap for the cover I need (for an IT contractor).

And they are good enough to phone me up and give me a nudge when I have completely forgotten about the nice renewal emails they sent me!

Green Spot. Irish. Absolutely delicious. Currently my favourite tipple.Happened across a bottle in Waitorse after reading about it in 101 Whiskies…

Eldest (just past 3 at the time) having a full-on tantrum because I finished the drink she gave me. It was a pretend drink..!

Left an old passport in a pair of trousers, put them through the wash and forgot about them. Didn’t wear the trousers for a long time and found a mouldy, water damaged passport in the pocket. I brushed the mould off and successfully travelled fro Edinburgh to Peru via Heathrow, NY & Miami (transfers) and back again, staying in NY for a few days and safely back to the UK. This was in the October directly after 9/11! The remains of the World Trade Centre were still smouldering. In fact, in when leaving NY to fly back to the UK, I got onto the plane, realised that I had left my fleece in the boarding area, got up, got off the plane, back through the gate and successfully reclaimed my fleece!

I thought my passport was fine to travel with. Until I tried to go from Edinburgh to Spain via Gatwick, to meet a chum for a snowboarding holiday. Lady at the BA desk told me that there was no way I would get onto a plane with my passport as the laminate on the picture page was coming away. So I didn’t get to travel.

You takes your chances… I wouldn’t again. The bus ride back from the airport when I should have been on a plane was depressing to say the least!

That was a great way to close out a weekend! Unexpected gem.

Missus called Edinburgh Pest Control, who have already been out and sprayed the blighters living quarters with some kind of powder. Advised not to go outside for 45 minutes or so as “they will be angry”! £40 all in.

Missues told him about Rentokill quote (which included £20 on-line discount!) and he rekoned they would size up a house, and give you a quote based on how much they reckon they could get out of you! Not sure if that is true or not, but more than happy to support local a tradesman.

thanks, think I’ll give the council a go. Don’t want to mess with wasps myself. Nasty evil things!

Love my Osprey Raptor. Used it to replace a MULE. Much prefer my Raptor. It’s just the small things, like the magnet that attaches the valve to the chest harness, fold out & removable tool tidy pack at the base of the pack, couple of small pockets on waist harness (for your phone, or easy access snackage), whistle on the chest harness. Modern MULEs may have these, but I’ve not looked. Get a Raptor, you won’t regret it!

Got a set of Kineses CX disc wheels. Very good. Only used for comutting mind. The state of the roads they go over, is attrocious, and so far, they have remained as straight as an arrow.

Redbull it is then. Thanks!

Snow Grouse is not nice at all! Baillie Nicol Jarvie is worth a shot.

Harry – our hand held dyson used to cut out as well phoned up Dyson (was still under warranty) and they sent out a new battery. Which fixed the problem. No problems since and with 2 kids, an indispensable bit of kit!

I would say it is because it is longer, more remote, rather than becuase tehre is anything technically difficult. And becuase it is long and remote, you will probably be guaranteed to have the trails to yourself. It’s a great ride. Go and enjoy!

Texan. End of chat!

And pacers.

Anyone remember a chew bar from the early 80’s – black on one side and green on the other. Seem to remember it was called Zegazoid or something similar. As reknowned for removing waggling baby teeth and fillings as Highland Toffee (gotta be chocalote covered!).

Agree with Samurai – they crumble after a winters commuting. The inner plate on both front and rear of mine have corroded into place. Not been able to move ’em. The bolts and washers rust and crumble too when exposed to winter road conditions (also had this with some Juicy 5’s on a commuter hack bike). The surface of the callipers (coating) seems to crumble as well.

But, they still work, and are easy to strip down and clean (apart from the frozen solid inner plate). Be careful with the tiny ball-bearings is all I’ll say. Spent a good few hours scouring the garage floor once..!

Interested to hear about improvements with new cables. Got the stock ones that came with the bike and they feel a bit “gritty” in movement, rather than smooth. Tried a pull of someone else’s in the bike shed and they were buttery smooth compared to mine.

thanks for the replies & tips.

wwaswas – same point was raised by my wife! The long side of the greenhouse probably does get more of the sun in its current position, but it will still get some when it’s moved around. Plus, the extra space created by moving it will be turned into a veg patch. So more growing!

I can confirm that it is windy! But one mans headwind is another mans tailwind!

General Melchett: If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through.

@lightman – that post is in my general area! The polis didn’t mention anything about a spate of bike thefts but you never know. Batten down the hatches I say and keep the buggers out! Will check out Maplin for alarms.

Bastards is one word you could use. It’s got my wife freaked out as well with having someone wandering around to the back of the house.

Door is now totally sealed up. No one is getting in through it at the moment. No one.

Like the idea of the alarm. Will check that out online. Ta.

Buy this and work your way through it! it’s a great wee book and has single malts, blends, Scottish whisky, Indian whisky, Japanese whisky, Bourbons, all sorts! http://www.amazon.co.uk/101-Whiskies-Try-Before-You/dp/0755360834

Endurance in the terms of having to endure what sounds like an unbelievably harsh, physically demanding life for 5 years, allied to a great “boys own” true story, I can highly recommend “Legionnaire” by Simon Murray. An excellent page-turner of a read with an epilogue that sent shivers down my spine

Thanks for all the replies. I’m a bit green when it comes to bolts, shoulder lengths and m sizes so not too sure what I am after.

campfreddie – good call, I’ll drop Greg an email.

downhilldave – always interested in a bit of titanium!

Bah! Sport = Spot.

Hi Renton. Mine’s an XL. I’m 6’3″ and wouldn’t like anything smaller.

A Pleasure sir!

Running 140mm forks and feels mighty fine to me.

I use John Heath for upto £1m. Recommended by a friend. Significantly cheaper than others. Never had to call on them and hope never have to so can’t talk about customer service etc…

The wife’s homemade marmalade. Excellent! Got enough supplies to last until next years Seville orange season 😉

The sunny Highlands!

Sublime@ The Vaults, Edinburgh. Also Pure, Sativa and Purple Moon. But Sublime at its best was simply Sublime.

I had this in spates on my mtb-come-commuter. Couple of causes: 1. Cable was routed under the bottom bracket shell through a small plastic tube that got gunned up, worn and grabbed onto the cable. Resolved by a squirt of WD40. 2. Spring was bunked up and corroded due to salt, again Mr WD40 to the rescue.

Someone once sent me a link to a Compaq employee called Randy Bender.

I use Pano on an iPhone. You can’t beat a good panoramic I says!

View from top of Golspie

Pentlands

Eemy even, damn auto-correct.

Cheers enemy, that’s a good heads-up!

Inners is more smiles per mile than GT I reckon. The climb ain’t that bad at all, quite enjoyable in fact! And the ride back down is ace, in some places sublime.

(Legend – visited Golspie for the first time a couple of weeks ago, with the good fortune to do so during the super sunny weather, and took on the black. That descent from the top is one heck of a trail! Discretion being the better part of valour on my first visit, there were a few walk downs. Those highland boys like it steep, loose and rocky! I will return!)

Back on topic, GT rocks as well, in fact I’m heading there tomorrow to do the black as I haven’t ridden it in ages. Getting excited already!

German forklift horror comedy. What’s not to like!? Class.