Anyone?

stumpyjon – Member

Fully agree with comments above, of course i’m better than average driver (along with 85% of motorists) but would graciously submit to a retest and medical every 5 years, mandatory eye test every 2 years ( many people have terrible eyesight but don’t realise).

Be political suicide though, the age concern lobby would cry discrimination against the elderly , many people would oppose it because they’d be scared of failure, the Left would cry discrimination of the poor (can’t see the retests being free). Then we’d have the sob stories where people are allowed to continue driving because a ban would destroy their lives (like the people driving around with 20+ points on there licence). Good ideas though.

+100 (and saved me typing the same thing :D)

Unfortunately this will NEVER happen as it is political suicide. However I’m sure there has been research and costings on this very topic. For example, would you do the retests on the X anniversary of passing the test, or from a driver’s date of birth?

I got one of these bad boys[/url] earlier this year

Oh sorry, wrong type of router……..

But back on topic, I chased in Cat5 round our place as I was plissed off with some wifi devices working in the lounge but others wouldn’t. Hardwiring is more secure and if you haven’t started redecorating your new gaff yet………?

When we go to Turkey it’s one week on a gulet (boat) doing absolutely f all other than sunbathing, eating and having a jar or two.

2nd week on land involves more sun lounger driving and the occasional sightseeing trip.

Places like Sri Lanka, Egypt etc etc have involved plenty of sight seeing but at least a week of sunbathing.

Ski trips however involve as much skiing as possible. Out on the slopes by 9 and stop for about 45 mins. My missus runs out of leg power by mid afternoon so we tend to finish around 3.

Don’t understand the apres ski thang; – Stay at home drinking, it’s cheaper.

Fuzzy

Call me a cynic but don’t be surprised if the BG engineer condemned your boiler and said you HAVE to have a new one. – How else do you suppose they fund the insurance policies?

I’ve got mutant feet and have custom molded Sidas Conform’able[/url] insoles for all five pairs of cycling shoes.

Not cheap but I don’t like skimping on bike contact points.

Snow+Rock[/url] et al do them

Just remembered I photographed a local crowd called Sista Fista 5 years ago.

Don’t think they’re still going.

Oh and in a previous discussion with WSCC, I was told “we surface dress roads in a similar vein to you periodically repainting woodwork to protect it”.

Strangely I never received a reply when I asked why you would gloss over rotten woodwork……………….

The amount of gravel going down in our area has actually reduced in recent years. The only reason I can think of for this is that the cost of it has gone up, so the contractors need it to go further. – Won’t have anything to do with doing a better job. 🙄

hughjayteens – Member

I haven’t looked at much recent stuff but I think DAB may be the hardest thing on your list to fulfill.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk is a very highly regarded site and has a very active forum where someone will be able to help I’m sure – http://www.talkaudio.co.uk

+1 for the expertise here 8)

Does the central heating work? If so then it’s possible the hot water flow sensor has been contaminated / broken. – We’ve just played this game 🙁

Definitely needs someone qualified to look at it

Good stuff here folks. 😆

How about

Sceptic Willy & the Underpants

Itchy Scrotum and the Shitbucket Quartet

Probably not X factor material though

Faz

West Sussex County Council have been doing this for well over 20 years so I guess you must be new to the area?

They’ve had sarky emails from me in the past but shockingly appeared to actually pay attention to my last missive; – They were going to totally furk up surface dress over 6 miles of the London 2 Brighton bike route in the week before the event.

Here’s the transcript

From: cdbs.gatwick.diamond@westsussex.gov.uk
To: mikeanton@hotmail.com
Subject: London to Brighton cycle route
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:15:49 +0100

Dear Mr Anton

Thank you for contacting us regarding the surface dressing in Turners Hill/Ardingly. Just so that you are aware we have postponed the work planned here until after the Cycle race has taken place.

I will pass your other comments to my colleagues in the engineering team.

Kind Regards

Maureen

Turners Hill – Ardingly – Lindfield surface dressing.

Any chance that we could have a last minute outbreak of common sense re this planned work?

Notwithstanding the complete waste of time and our money that goes to Hazel & Jefferies to throw chippings all over the countryside, had it not occurred to anyone that the London to Brighton bike ride will be using this stretch of road on Sunday?

As a cyclist, ‘remedial surface dressing’ aka tar and chip is deeply unpleasant to cycle on and this particular stretch of road is actual in reasonable condition.

I suspect the same won’t be said when 30000+ cyclists wend their way over this a few days after it’s been laid.

Furthermore the cowboys, sorry contractors, make no effort to patch potholes before hand so not only do you get a very rough surface to travel on, you get the added bonus of guessing where the stone filled pot holes are.

I really hope there aren’t any mishaps on Sunday.

I guess it’s too late now but would it not be more cost effective to plane and relay the small sections of damaged road, in particular the Paxhill section, and pretty much all of Lindfield High St?

These sections aren’t great to drive on and downright horrible on two wheels.

bamboo – Member

A 24-70 would be great but is too much like mega money for me!

Plus you’d need the battery grip (if you don’t already have one) to offset the bulk of a f2.8 24/70.

Mifsuds are also good for 2ndhand kit http://www.mifsuds.com/ and I can thoroughly recommend Lenses For Hire if you want to well, hire a lens – http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/index.asp

EVERYTHING R Lee Ermey says in Full Metal Jacket

Most of Blazing Saddles

Ash in Army of Darkness:

Duke Henry: You Sir, are not one of my vassals… who are you?
Ash: Who wants to know?
Duke Henry: I am Henry the Red. Duke of Shale, Lord of the Northlands and leader of its peoples.
Ash: Well hello Mister Fancypants. Well, I’ve got news for you pal, you ain’t leadin’ but two things, right now: Jack and shit… and Jack left town.

foolishmiracles – Member

What pressure are you guys running with 23/25mm tyres? I was told by an ex pro to run 100psi on training rides and 110psi for racing. Im not in the ex pro category and will probably never race. Just wondering if 90psi would give a little extra comfort?

Dunno if you’d actually notice a more comfortable ride at 90psi but don’t go too soft as a squirmy road wheel doesn’t go sideways that well. Chuck in tarmac and 17mph+ speeds and you can quickly acquire some nice road rash.

I’ve occasionally time trialled on a MTB and do them deliberately with knobblies, fuss suss set to bounce etc etc. I can generally average 20mph.

Skinny tyres will help but for me the biggest killer is lack of hand positions. Tucking in to get more aero kills my triceps and elbows so I would actually suggest getting a cheap set of clip on aero bars.

Yes it’ll look noddy but being able to ride in another position will help no end. – You might also find you’ll overtake people 😉

I think I’d have to concur that 85mm is a bit long for MTB stuff, especially if you’re looking at busy / forested trails where you might not get enough notice or depth of field to get someone bombing by.

I don’t own any EFS lenses but the 17-55 f2.8 is unofficially acknowledged as a L lens in EFS guise.

Not cheap but decent glass unfortunately isn’t.

smiffy – Member

Am I the only person to be utterly dissapointed with GP4000S Contis falling apart on their first ride and Conti refusing to even acknowledge my complaint. Bloody expensive chainstay protector now!

I now have some lovely Schwalbe Ultremo 25s now, coping with the grit and thorns of the gospel pass etc.

As I’ve said before, I’ve had sidewalls go on Conti road tyres.

If I could be bothered to look, I think I have a pretty bald Conti slowly dying on one set of wheels otherwise Schwalbe Ultremos on ‘best’ bike and a mix of Michelins on t’other road bikes.

Even after 25+ years of road riding I’m hard pressed to detect much difference between 21, 23 and 25mm tyre widths. However if you’re wanting to do some light ‘rough stuff’ then 28mm + would probably make the most sense (assuming the frame can take them).

Sat
Went to Bedgebury for the first time and ponced about doing their XC race. Thoroughly enjoyed it though should have tried a bit harder.

Sun
Out at 4:35 to push off on the ESCA / VTTA 100 mile time trial. Great to be out for the dawn, and just two cars passed me in the first 11 miles.

Then ponced about East Sussex before grovelling home with hot foot problems

When I succumbed to Strava and uploaded all my GPS tracks, I had my various ski trips in there as well.

Couldn’t work out if Strava auto created a load of new tracks as I had a load of lift climbs listed. No descents were marked which I found slightly odd as this would be prime Strava material. And obviously sitting in a chairlift doesn’t count for climbing.

Are there Strava tracks for European slopes (I’ve never skiied in Europe)?

10mm allen / hex key?

+1 for njee’s comments.

And FWIW

3 road bikes with 52/39 + 11 – 25 cassettes. These get me up all the hills I ride in SE England. I’ve had to move up from 23 to 25 in recent years as I’ve been doing less riding and I’m not getting any younger.

1 TT bike with 55/42 + 11/23 – I obviously have to get rid of that cos no one can spin out 55/11. And as for a mate who turns over a 67 chain ring…….

Anyhoo

As I said before, a compact chainset and 11 – 28 should provide enough gearing for just about any UK riding.

Boris YGM

singletracksurfer
I quite like Bedgebury. Quite natural, but gets muuuuuudy when wet.

After last year’s night of rain at Thetford, I’m geared up for mud.

Might give theit ‘Go’ race on Saturday a punt.

Nothing booked yet but 98% likely to be back to North Conway in New Hampshire for the something like 8th time.

Would like to go back to Banff in BC but NH is much cheaper and more convenient.

Kwality

If I ever meet up with him I’ll congratulate him in person 😆

Cheers Alex

3 odd weeks ago when Stanmer was wet wet, I was having all sorts of fun. IIRC community coppicing was one trail in particular.

You’ll probably know what I mean about the little pockets of slippery.

Jef

Cheers for the offer. I’m in Mid Sussex and email in profile.

Be careful going too wide as you might find the guard fouling the rear brake bridge and stays. – It’s a common wear point.

Also be worth checking that there’s another little bridge between the chainstays just behind the bottom bracket. They’re generally drilled and threaded to accept a guard and this means you cover pretty much all of the frame.

Oh and to be nice to other cyclists who may ride with your mate, add a 2 – 3″ wide X 5″ long strip of milk bottle carton or similar to the bottom of the rear guard. You’ll be surprised how much water still comes off the back wheel.

Chakaping

I stopped using Conti gear a few years ago after blown road sidewalls and utterly, stupidly tight fitting tubulars.

Shame as those Kings look OK

I’m sure a general purpose tyre will solve this. I guess my niche aspect is trying to cater for the occasional sloppy bits you find on top of hard pack at the mo.

I seem to be finding loads of these patches in all the wrong places, corners, the bottom of rooty sections etc and I keep bolxing things up.

Cross marks look interesting 🙂

The walks really don’t look very pleasant and I dread to think of the hip problems the competitors must suffer in later life.

Marathon would be in there as well.

rewski – Member

If I had the money I would drive down to Enigma in Sussex and get a custom fit, stunning bikes.

As I said earlier, I have two of theirs but I’d strongly consider Burls.

Oh and last time I spoke to Mr Riley, they were on a 5 month lead time for custom Enigma Ti…………….

shortcut – Member

So you want some ordinary tyrs then? Maxxis Ardent, Crossmark, Ignitor, Panaracer Fire XC, Schwalbe Rocket Ron etc.

Am I asking for ordinary tyres? – genuine question

And you’ve reminded me I have some old Panny Fires somewhere but IIRC they weren’t that great.

Were you to do 50/34 and a 11/32 on a road bike, you will also have to make sure you wear clown shorts and have a peak in on your helmet 😉 😆

Unless you have spaghetti legs and live at the bottom of cliffs / the Alps, 50/34 and up to a 28 should be more than sufficient for most of the UK.

All personal preference of course

Fact-1, It costs me an arm & leg to put my car and motorbikes on the road, yet i can only drive/ride one at a time

Err does that not apply to pretty much all forms of transport?

But well done for such a rational and reasonable argument. Have you tried 419baiter[/url] for some more amusement?

Ladders – Member

Lycra! Skinsuits and barends is where it’s at!

Ermm I actually wore one of my club skinsuits in today :?. I shall be doing our club 10 TT tonight on’t HT (sans bar ends) but the skinsuit only came out as didn’t have any clean shorts. – It’ll make sod all difference to my time tonight

legend
Do they tell you any reason for you to ‘need’ a through axle? Just a proper gnar rider?

Stiffer, but laterally compliant, oh hang on…… 😉

Nicko, ta for the explanation and it has confirmed my suspicion that sticking with what I’ve been using since year dot is the easiest course here.

I’ve been eyeing up complete bikes and a lot have been speced with 15mm forks. – I don’t want ‘upgrade’ and loose backwards compatibility with my existing kit

So what’s the difference between ‘bolt through’ and QR, when discussing these axles?

I do have a set of Hope Pro 2 but they’re pretty heavy and dead so don’t get much usage. T’other Rovals won’t take adapters nor will the Easton EA70s I recently got with a new bike.

I’ll have to email Spesh to see if they do 15mm adapters for the Traversees that came with 9, 20 and 25mm adapters.

My question is what do you want to do with the bike?

I guess I’m lucky in that I have a selection to draw upon; in my current road stable I have two Ti frames and three CF frames.

One Ti is my old time trialling frame that I’ve had for 6 years and clocked all my PBs on.

T’other is an Enigma etape which is my winter ‘hack’. 22lbs with guards but so nice to ride on and it ain’t going to slowly dissolve, unlike my various retired 531 road frames.

If you’re only looking at one frame and want speed then I’d probably lean towards CF. If you’re after comfort and/or can run multiple bikes, then I’d definitely recommend Ti.

Can’t comment on Van Nick but as the owner of two Omega/Enigma frames, I’d suggest looking at Justin Burls. Nowt wrong with Enigma but Burls will do custom builds for less money and people I know who have one have been very impressed.

taxi25

Sounds like an incredibly expensive job even if you could find someone who could do it.

I’d have to agree. I wouldn’t have thought repairs and minor mods to be too much of a prob but swapping out a tube won’t be cheap.

TBH it’ll probably be cheaper,better and possibly safer in the long run to get a new frame.