http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/searing-grief-houlas-survivors/1739

Over the next three hours I will deliberately ask him the same question to see if his story alters in any detail. It does not. He is willing to be interviewed and identified on camera. But to protect him we do not do this. Channel 4 News knows his name and full identity.

He describes in detail the world has not heard before what happened on Friday. He matters because over the next five hours we spend in Houla, scores of people will corroborate his story in various details.

He describes how there was intense shelling of the ground for several hours. After that the Shabiya – armed militia – entered the town from the southern to south western direction. He says there were around 100 of them dressed in military uniforms. They approached Dam Road which connects the large reservoir to the Houla villages. He says – and all agree – these men were Shia and Alawite who had come from specific Shia/Alawite villages to the south and west of Houla.

Re:the UN – You only get a resolution through the Security Council with the approval of the Chinese Communist Party and the Russian politburo.

There are no easy options in Syria but the UN has long lost its moral authority.

Its scary and depressing, the human race just keeps producing these scumbags. Just watched that Panorama on football racism in Poland and Ukraine. 14 year olds doing Nazi salutes and training for a race war.

Edge 500 does all of the above. I got an 800 which came with a HRM. wasnt fussed about it but finding it very handy, stops me red-lining.

Bumped off 3 times when it said I had tickets. I’m going to find a pub on the route. Stick my head out to watch them cruise by.

I will be selling my much loved 20″ Ti456 in a few weeks…..

Yes I wonder how much difference I will feel between them in the real world. I test rode a bike with XX SIDs last year, were very nice though I did spend an awful lot of time fettling with the dual air. I guess eventually you find the settings that suit you and thats that but there’s a lot to be said for simplicity. Thats assuming Reba are more straightforward to set up than SIDs.

Yes looks like they dont do taper on Reba. Not for anything big, going on a XC race, marathon bike….bumps and roots at speed rather than jumps and drops.

Its hipster hell when they do it in London. Brick Lane no less. I went once and got myself some bib tights for £35 but as above, gonna be a zoo.

Sat pm twice round the Surrey Hills 2.5hr loop, Sunday morning blast in Epping Forest, after which I’m going to need (and have) a beer.

Not a lot wrong with STW. Swearing filter is a good idea, otherwise I’d be the worst offender. People generally know how to behave and I dont know anywhere else for good advice on matters bike and non-bike.

I’ve still got my original feet from 1970. My teeth and nuts are newer though.

TJ – You are a modestly paid public servant right? Do you not think you might feel differently if you earned more than you do?

Rapha in the sale…..I got one of those up there for £25, very nice too.

Unsustainable is an entirely relative term.

I loved that, that is a peach.

This idea that there is a huge pool of money being hoarded by the rich is a bit tired. So you tax them at 100% (somehow) and pay for the defecit for a year. Then what?

We’ve tried communism, it wasn’t a huge success.

It was supposed to be Spring in London today but it’s been postponed.

I want a carbon Highball…..but £1700 is steep for a hardtail frame.

Ermmmmmm. General Motors went bust in 2008 and the European auto industry is on its knees. No wonder they gave Unite a take it or leave it.

Ernie why are you banging on about Bob Crow? Are you suggesting the workers at Ellsmere Port should have said no?

I was listening to an economist this morning who said something really scary. Greece could default AND stay in the Euro. There isnt a damn thing anyone could do about it, they can just refuse to pay, there is no mechanism to chuck them out.

Under which scenario I reckon Teej will be here saying “Told you so, the Euro is not a failure and no-one is going to leave.”

Aaaaaaargh!!!!

Zactly….though who honestly still thinks what Africa needs is yet more foreign NGOs telling them what to do. Lets end farming subsidies for a start.

Every time I see that Louis Vuitton advert of Mr and Mrs Bono stepping out of their plane I really feel like throwing something.

Unfort I think that only happens in films, honour among thieves and all that. In real life they’re pretty much all vermin.

If anyone sees a fund to buy a new one please post.

Hey they probably had really tough childhoods

Pal of mine and I did Aonach Eagach when we were at Uni at Glasgow. Was a bit more exposed than I’d expected…..amazing day, what views.

+ Poopsies – we joined our local club this year for my eldest boy, U9s. Everything is super well organised with the emphasis on fun and discipline. My boy just won a wee medal for Consistancy, ie turning up to every game and training session whatever the weather. He loves it and I’m very glad to see the coaches be quite tough with them, they dont stand for any messing about but its still a terrific, friendly atmosphere for us all to be involved in as a family.

Join your local club, with any luck you will have a similar set-up. Bunch of dads and former first team seniors putting something back into the club by coaching the kids. Plan is for the same coaching team to stay with them right through as they grow up.

I’m another one who grew up playing football, at quite a high level. Much much nicer atmosphere.

Can I use my Duo chainset with a 10 speed chain, anyone know? Been on a 9sp up to now but just moved across. Building a 29er, could be just the ticket.

I’ve always loved Middleburn, I picture them as a couple of nerds in a shed someplace. Does their website still say “Road Cranks – Coming Soon!” (been saying that for 5yrs)

I’ve just taken some silver Middleburn cranks off my Ti456 where they looked the dogs. ISIS BB…..gonna sell at some point if you want them. Has an Uno and Duo pair of rings.

I want to go to America and ride my bike

England always suffer in the big tournaments because everybody raises their games against them.

Says who? Why would anyone especially raise their game for England?

Is usually a nice buzz about the country before a major tourney, feels very flat at the moment no? I think everyone is just tired of the same old faces, quite a few of them are pretty unpleasant characters you’d cross the road to avoid.

TJ’s broadband must be down.

perhaps that forming your opinions from information gleaned directly from the pages of the daily mail is a little short-sighted..?

Oh the Dacre Argument. Sanctimonious po-faced garbage.

Which part of

violent
paranoid
corrupt
nucleur armed
very very religious

is innacurate would you say?

Whereabouts did you go in Pakistan?

I havent been to Pakistan. I’m too scared. Whats your point?

I dont hate Pakistan, but I’m totally terrified of the place. Violent, paranoid, corrupt, nucleur armed and very very religious.

The French are all right. You cant take them seriously…..and you should here them complain about France and the French. Sacre Blu!

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2546

Just scroll down to the Equipment-Geometry tab, its all there…

I put it between the mech and hanger as STATO suggested, works well.

maybe sometimes we could do without a thread on a story……just saying.

You guys are the berries……spacer did it. Cheers.