From a very old Horizon program I remember this:

Underneath the reactor at Chernobyl there is a feature called “The Elephant’s foot”. It is as far down as the molten core material went during the accident. When it was found they wanted to know what it was composed of. The radiation was so bad it killed robots so they sent a marksman and from a “safe” distance he shot off a small chunk that was then retrieved with a childs remote control car.

Turned out it was scarily HOT core material and fuel all molten together.

If you can track it down its well worth a watch.

Also try and get hold of New Scientist 21st Aug 2004, they interview one of the technicians onsite at the time it went bang………..chilling.

The Sith Hound.

Kelly Slater, 38 and still world surfing champion(10 times I think).

Me, 41, as fit as I’ve ever been but not quite as flexible and injuries seem to take longer to heal. Still go downhil with a “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” mentality.

Me too, you would think the UN could have for want of a better term “a Thunderbirds team”.

Supposedly modern missiles are now designed to explode along side the pilots canopy, normally showering pilot and aircraft with lots of metallic rods.

I watched a program about the Blackbird many years ago, my favourite two stories were the one where whilst high and fast over hostile territory the pilot looked out of the side window to see “what looked like a flaming telegraph pole go past the wing”.

The other one was, whilst over arab lands they got shot at by many missiles and the pilot poured on the coals. So intent on getting away he forgot about the throttle being jammed against the stops and it was only the backseater shouting at him that got him to look at the dials where he saw “some scary mach numbers” and slowed down.

That wave is horrific, relentless.

I’m glad we live on old and relatively stable geology.

Bontrager Big Earl Wets, Mud-X’s (thin side walls, killed a brand new one coming down the Fint Terror) or XR4’s

I saw a Hind do a display at Helitech 88 or 89, the most impressive display by a helicopter I’ve ever seen. By all accounts it had been emptied and stripped internally but by ‘eck did it get thrown around the sky, also being Russian some of the display regulations got ahem well and truly ignored.

Probably, just don’t get them wet.

Bontrager FR3?

Possibly not the best example to use but we had been winding him up all day. Normally he is a bit more restrained.

Another Attack Trail, 06 model, ovalised the head tube (bottom headset cup pushed in by hand).

Again very quick, no quibble ATB/Marin replacement with an 09 Wolf Ridge frame (including new shock).

It’s wet and boggy in some sections, sandy and wet in others. Take spare pads, it’s very grindy in places. Make sure your chain and sprockets are in good nick as it’ll be chain suck heaven otherwise.

Trying out my new GF2.

Railway lore has it that one driver at Selhurst depot had so many jumpers that he was called “The Terminator”.

Many years ago a colleague of mine was sent out to….. erm look for bits after an incident and barfed when he saw what he thought was the top of a scalp in the mud, turned out to be a large bit of hairy coconut shell! :D

Damn beat me too it!

Leaves are a two fold problem, yes they cause slippage but more importantly they also act as an insulator, in bad area’s trains will disappear off the signalling system as they no longer activate track circuits, this could then allow the signal protecting the train to revert to a proceed aspect and allow another train into the signalling section.

NOT GOOD!

erm

Fairly bling AM
Heavy Freeride
Light weight RACE ONLY hard tail (but if its a lots of miles ride I’ll use it)
an old Preston that’s in the shed needing TLC

I would like a BMX and a money no object DH but Mrs Ming might turn me into coat hangers if I suggested it!

or a suunto T6c

Got Canfields at the moment, not sure about the feel underfoot and when the bearings finally go I won’t be getting another pair. Engineered for a British winter they are not(despite being very costly).

The only thing I like about them is the lack of pedal strikes. You can pedal through more.

6 months old and they both have far more play in them than my 2 year old 5050XX’s.

Weighing up the pro’s and con’s I have to say they are the worst set of flat pedal’s I’ve had.

Had an 06 Attack Trail, excellent bike, ovalised the head tube and got a warranty frame last year(09 wolf ridge was the nearest compatible one in stock). Love that too, also got a Quake for silly stuff and it’s an absolute hoot, though a 20 mile XC ride on it nearly broke me.

Wotcha, do advanced climbing and rescuer for the railway, mainly on analogue systems but when eventually our 2.5G system gets commissioned we’ll probably be doing it.

What I will say is that the riggers we’ve had come into the railway from the business world seem to be very task driven, job done at all costs whereas on the railway it seems there is a far more safety first attitude and plan the job.

Get used to lots of driving, traipsing across boggy fields with heavy kit, get a good Goretex Romper suit, a selection of gloves and warm socks. Good sunnies and High SPF cream for summer as well.

It might be warm and calm at ground level but by focal can it be windy and cold when your at height.

Check any life polices as they maybe invalidated by regular work at height.

Minimum qual is “Basic Climber” which allows you to climb attached to the ladder in the structure. Advanced Climber lets you climb all over the structure and Rescuer lets you recover a casualty. You then get Rope access for abseiling etc and “Slinging” for lifting heavy/large or awkward shaped oblects.

Training for us takes 3 days (basic day 1)to advanced (day 2) to rescuer (day 3) at TAG in Saddleworth. This is valid for three years.

We then practice rescuing every 3 months on a variety of poles and masts across our patch (keeps the rescuing techniques fresh and also stops it needing a re-cert every year).

Oh and if you are at ground level and someone on the tower shouts “duck” NEVER look up!

In very soggy conditions I was running 15psi to get some grip (which worked) BUT ended up with dinged rims when I encountered a flinty decent. So now I run a min of 20psi, more like 25psi.

Tyres 2.35 Bonty Big Earl’s and I weigh about 12 stone.

Heron’s don’t like shotgun rash either (apparently). I doubt a stoat would deliberatly go for one, however if opportunity presented itself it may scavenge a dead or dying one.

So much fun, Bonty XR1 and 2 combo was ermm useless. Old boy in the car next too me dug out nuclear option conti mud 1.5’s after his first lap and set a cracking time.

How about this:

140 talas, 80mm stem, runs fine, feels like a mini quake.

absolutely not – at best the little things should be in the refreshment tent slicing sandwiches, baking buns and making tea.

You forgot about the bike washing tent!

Our wood burner badly cracked the plaster behind it. After a discreet bit of remodelling the corner that the burner sits in has had cement board on battens surface and that works a treat. No cracks and once painted looks fine.

Not the best photo but you get the idea.

Hmmm, 2LED helmet mount would pair up with the Liberator nicely for my new hobby of “Down Cliffing”. :D

Got a pair of GE1’s that are good (really helped my ulnaritus) and Missus has some GP1’s on her bike that she really rates.

Try these people, been there many times, dog, ferret and child friendly. The beach and some good walks are within about a 10 minute drive, further great beaches all within about a 20-30min drive.

http://buddsbarns.co.uk/

At least lurking you’re only worry is being caught by the “Thought Police”.

Got it wednesday, no riding for me now……..grrrr

Having done a First Aid course earlier this year

HOSPITAL

NOW

Better get Brain’s on the job!

Helmets X3 (basic model Giro, Giro E2, Giro Xen)
Mechs
Mech Hangers with the 1mm twig of doom!
Seatpost clamps
Talas Fork Failure
2 x Maverick post seat clamp assy’s
Rear shock (cold killed RP23)
3 x rims
1 wtb saddle after a particular clumsy landing

I use the 1.5’s on my single speed at the moment; great in deep claggy shite south downs conditions at the moment, they are however absolutely terrifing over roots and wet chalk.

Put my Fox 32 Talas forks in for the 20hr service after 60hrs of use, the shop reported everything was still well lubed and clean inside. I do store the bike upside down occasionally and religiously use that Fork Juice stanchion spray.

Double post….ooops