Before he bulked up

TJ.

I'd have thought that it was obvious, he probably has a pretty good idea of what percentage of the voting population would be able to provide your level of analysis ( I, for one, would not) and what percentage of the population would be more likely to elect him based on what he's said.

He – like all mainstream politicians – has done the maths and will act accordingly. Most of them probably believe that a little blurring of the reality is justifiable as they will save the country form the terrible mess that their opponents will create.

To a large extent, we get the politicians we deserve. Imagine a politician saying something like:-

"well the evidence suggests that to make thing x happen we should do thing y – but hey we can't be 100% sure, we're just doing what we think is best for the country" – instant savaging by the press / opposition.

I'm even sure that many politicians start out wanting to be accurate and honest but soon realise that spin and messaging is the only way in the current system to achieve any of their aspirations to change things for the better.

Gosh, a long post, sorry.

Mines in the Liberals and I still have to iron…

I tried to ride through this last night, total waste of time….it's the way it slowly gives way underneath the wheel that messes it all up I think.

+1 for Copperfield – got myself a nice suit there, and they altered it to fit (A bit off the cuff and tapered in the waist a little plus shortened the trousers cost me a tenner). As Jerome says, they are old school but good.

I'm having a hard time explaining to the kids that despite the forecast of snow sledging and snowmen probably won't be on the menu.

All they remember is last Feb. Wish we lived somewhere with a proper winter.

Grandchild?

I've been using mine with rechargeables – not sure what capacity.

It's been working fine for well over a year.

And if it breaks I'll be straight back to buy another one, as at £15 you really can't go wrong.

@manwells

*What* a helpful post…

I had to move upstairs as the pesky kids are home from school.

Looking from the upstairs window it seems to have gone.

Flown or eaten, I'm not sure.

Cheers everybody.

Will leave it and see what happens. Poor thing.

Today on STW – "ooh it hurts when I jab a fork in my eye why can't they make the tines less sharp….whaa whaaa" maybe you should just try ignoring sh|t TV and do something else instead?

I've got a mate who went on the Dave Yates frame building course and is currently knocking up a home frame (He made a jig first).

He's a good amateur welder, has a lathe and bought the brazing kit. It looks good so far.

All the braze on bits and stuff seem easy enough to get.

PB

@geetee1972

So vikingboy might be a top class engineer, software architect or somesuch – WTF should he know about the best way to deal with every employment scenario?

But .jpg is already compressed, and you won't get it much smaller using compression technology.

You could use one of the compression programs available to break each file into fragments and send them in separate mails or use photo editing software to save the pictures at a lower resolution or smaller size.

I use an Alpkit Gamma, works brilliantly. Low power for semi-lit bits and full beam for proper off road. Cheap as chips and really well made, had it over a year now.

I lived in Pudsey for 7 years (left about 4 years ago).

It was pretty good, easy commute into Leeds, good access to the rest of the area.

We had a bit of car crime on our road (Valley Road) but all in all it was good for a suburban area.

Don't call him Shirley….

Alpkit. End of.

Oh and my tyre recommendation (this is STW after all) is Kenda Small Block 8’s – roll very well and fairly grippy.

13 hrs 20 minutes. I was happy with that given my lack of long ride training.

Started @5:20 am I was doing well until the last 30 miles or so, where I slowed up quite a bit, but didn’t actually bonk.

1 30 minute rest at Amberley (see cake above), a couple of 15 minute sit downs quite a few 5 min stops.

It was good, but hard.

Oh and take it easy on those early climbs, you’re going to need those legs later….

What Snowslave said.

Had mine all through last Autumn/Winter – no problems.

I did it on Saturday.

I’m reasonably fit but I’d only done one ride over 4 hours this year, which really showed after Ditchling Beacon, where I slowed down quite dramatically.

Make the detour into Amberley for the water stop (it’s on the wall of the pub) and get some Rocky Road cake from the Riverside Cafe mmmm.

Have a good one.

Cheers for that – do you think a deterrent lock or a ‘proper’ lock is required?

I’ve just used the PO – order online and pick up from the local one, was pretty much the best rate (a few others were 0.01% better).

Jedi,

Same here, I’d love to get some skills training but I’m in no rush – so make sure you let us know when you are up and running.

Leave Friday night, sleep in the car in the carpark get up early and have a full day on the trails…..or get yourself on the train down to Winchester and head for Brighton on the SDW (further if yoiu have the legs) and the train home…

Leaving for the 3 countries tour with MBMB a week on Saturday. Woo hoo!

Scariest thing I’ve ever done on a bike.

27 000 riders, about 26 500 seem to have not been on a bike since last time they did London to Brighton.

Just be careful, *lots* of unexpected manoeuvres – it’s great that they are doing the ride mind and I’m not putting them down.

Cheers Slugwash…

I love the bit about the road outside the school being too busy at the start and the end of the school day….er hello?

Unless you and others point this stuff out to him then he’s going to go on doing it.

In the long run you have done him a favour.

Does it apply to both genders?

The only issue I had with mine was the crappy Shimano chain breaking. Replaced with a sram one and all has been good.

It was put together fine.

I’ve got the comp, rides well, good parts and it was about 3-400 quid cheaper than the equivalent big name brand.

I haven’t found many compromises with it, the tyres were wire bead but that’s about it.

I don’t find it overly heads down, quite a neutral position.

Get a spare mech hanger while you are in store, as they tend to have them in stock.

Personally, I’d rely on getting some when you get there.

Chances of getting caught = low
Consequences of getting caught = high – what if they don;t let you or your bike fly?

=> not worth it.

If you’re going somewhere popular, surely you will be able to get some on arrival?

Sunny here in the saaarf.

But still miss living in Leeds.

OK, Here’s my take on it.

The boys (and girls) probably make more margin if you buy direct, so on your individual purchase they might be better off if you bought online.

But I’m sure that having the mag in Tescos hepls them get additional casual sales, and as magazines fight for space in this environment, your purchase might help keep the mag stocked and in a good position on the shelf.

I managed to get the mag stocked in the Leeds Borders by asking them to get me a copy in, back in the day…..

Since doing some weights and core work I’ve definitely found an improvement in my riding, at least in the endurance stuff.

My suggestions:-

Bent over row
Chest press
Shoulder press
Seated row
Lateral pull down (or chin/pull up)

Plank
Oblique bridge
Back extension
Lateral raises

To get leg and hip strength you should look at doing squats and deadlifts but it’s essential that you get some instruction on these to get your form right.