Thanks for the suggestions folks. I think I'll head to the Royal Exchange on Saturday for a wee look. I just hope Mrs Pie hangs on till then (6 days to go and counting [nervously…]).

Binners – a session is most definitely on the agenda!!

Well deadlydarcy, I was thinking more of oustide the pub when wetting the baby's head, but your suggestion does have merit. Perhaps the midwives would actually appreciate the heady aroma…. :wink:

It'd make a change from the very hospital-specific smell of poo/vomit/disinfectant that permeates through the wards….. (Wythenshawe BTW)

For a film soundtrack, I reckon O brother where art thou is pretty hard to top. T-Bone Burnett at his finest.

Hi Chris,

I'm in. And I promise I'll bring your mech. I had to (ahem) use it for a brief period. I've got my replacement sorted out and yours is back in the bag I was gonna post it back to you in. :oops:

I wish I'd seen this post earlier.

I was born in Falkirk and have lived in a few places roundabout it including Grangemouth, Hallglen and Polmont. I lived as a student first of all in Edinburgh and then later in Glasgow.

Keep away from Falkirk and Grangemouth and Hallglen. Perhaps most importantly keep away from Camelon!

There are a few nice places roundabout Falkirk, but mostly it is a bit shit. Stirling isn't too bad and you've got the Ochil hills on your doorstep.

I would recommend Glasgow as the best place to live. It's a little bit cheaper than Edinburgh and it's much bigger. The capital is very pretty, but it starts to feel very small after a few years.

Saying all that, I live in Manchester now, so WTF do I know really?

If you've got an Evans or a Cycle Surgery near you, they will price match CRC and Wiggle prices. Just print off the details of the parts you want and go to one of these places (apparently North West Mountain Bikes price match as well, although I've not done it personally).

B*ll*cks to paying full retail price for anything, I say!!

Another vote for Richard Cheese here. His version of "Baby got back" is truly top drawer.

On a slightly different note, check out the Balanescu Quartet's (they did the theme tune to University Challenge) versions of The Model, We are the Robots and a couple of other Kraftwerk tunes. They're ace!

It's the actual bottom bracket cup that is coming loose, not the crank arm. I'll try putting in a new bottom bracket and hope that fixes it.

Thanks

Pie

Ok, so we might be a bit past this joke now but……
might I suggest that you treat yourself to a pallet's worth of inner tubes??

That should at least keep you sorted for a couple more rides.

Chris,

I've still got your rear mech. I found it at the bottom of my bag last night. Apologies for not returning it on the day. Drop me a line with your address and I'll post over to you.

Thanks

Iain

A huge thanks to Chris for organising a top day out. I took a few photos which are here[/url]

Cheers

Iain

I just did an oline quote for M&S, but it came out at over £600!!

To all the people who said they got it cheaper, can you give me some details as to how you acheived this?

Did you get the standard or premium cover and how much was your voluntary excess?

Lyons,

You'd be most welcome to stay. My email's in my profile. Just drop me a line and I'll give you my address.

I've got a spare room (in manchester, probably about 50 minutes drive from the start point) if anyone intends to drive up the night before and needs a place to kip.

Count me in for this one. I'm looking forward to trying my recently built Heckler down Rushup edge and Jacobs ladder.

As ever, the Dailymash sums it up better than most….

Linky[/url]

yes please!!

iainDOTnicholsonATtiscaliDOTcoDOTuk

thanks

iain

Nice looking bifta Alpin.

Maybe you could start a skills course……

Thanks for the replies folks. Some helpful, some not so helpful.

I admit, self loathing was maybe a bit strong. I'm not about to start self-harming or anything like that. Maybe mental discomfort is more apt.

Just to add context (or fuel to fire), it wasn't just anyone I dreamt about, but an old flame from many years ago that was my first love and still kinda represents my "what-if….." girl.

I think that's where most of the guilt comes from; that it was with someone whom I once had very strong feelings for (and still think about from time-to-time).

Anyway, I totally accept that we can have no control over what we dream about and have mentally (no pun intended)put the matter to bed.

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you…..

Yeti,

Once the sleep patterns sort themselves out, if my experiences are anything to go by, get ready for a fair bit of wtf???? in the mornings.

Testament to the power of the (previously subdued) subconscious mind I guess.

I should have added that wifey is 6 months pregnant too, which adds quite considerably to my self-loathing… (jesus, I could do with a smoke right about now)

Hi Wansley,

I've rented various flats/houses over the last 15 years. In all that time, there has only been one agency that have not been a total shower of barstewards.(DJ Alexanders in Edinburgh)
Private landlords have usually been much better in my experience.

I've no problems naming and shaming the worst offenders:

Homes4U.
Never, ever, ever give any of your money to these tossers. I've not met anyone who's got anything good to say about them and they were atrocious during the 6 months I spent renting from them

Countrywide Residential Lettings.
Very similar to Homes4U although they stopped short of entering the property without permission or with minimum notice, unlike Homes4U.

Don't get me wrong, there are also shady private landlords out there too. I'd avoid those with loads and loads of flats/houses across whatever town city you are in.

My most positive experiences have usually been when a couple have got together and one of them has let out their old place after they've moved in together somewhere else.

HTH.

Pie

I've been wearing the 30 day lenses for a couple of years. I think that the longest I wore the same pair was well over 4 months, probably more like 6. Thay start to get a little fuzzy at this point, but don't cause any discomfort or pain.

They totally rock and short of getting lazer surgery are by far and away the best option. (IMHO)

Pie.

Chorlton to Macclesfield. About 18 miles each way.
48×18, 25mm 700c fixed gear. I can only do 3 days a week if I want any energy left for leisure riding.

OP, that's not been my experience. I upgraded to an iPhone on the 30th of December (pre-ordered – delivery on he 14th of Jan). Absolutley no problem whatsoever.

Maybe phone them back and try and speak to a different operator?

I'm back at work today. :cry:

I'm the only one in the office so far and it's pretty boring.

I might actually have to do some work to pass the time…[shudder]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I like the look of the Quinnys. We're totally at one with our pikey-ness, so it'll be 2nd hand all the way.
Cheers all.

I had acl reconstruction, my medial meniscus repaired and some other cartilidge trimmed. I was back on my road bike (on the Turbo at first) within a month, doing GENTLE sesions at first. It wasn't really any more intense than the physio I was getting and I slowly built up to longer, more intense rides, eventually getting off road within another 6 weeks or so. Three years on and I'm happy to report there have been no bad effects of getting back on the bike so quickly. I commute ~75-100 miles a week on my fixie and get off road as much as I can.

I woud definitely recommend buying or borrowing a turbo trainer at first, cause you're waaaaaay less likely to injur yourself than going straight back onto the road.

33 – Medical Writer

I've not ridden a 456, but I've got an Inbred and a P7. The P7 wins hands down. It puts such a smile on my face, that I would happily recommend it to anyone who'll listen.

Get one, I doubt you'll regret it.

Sorry folks, the pish weather has put me right off this today. To anyone brave enough to ride, I salute you……

I'm off back to bed.

Pie.

The YouTube video explains a lot. I honestly thought it was some wee Aussie gadgie trying to be funny. Still very funny, and now quite clever too (in my opinion anyway).

Sweet Jesus, he's got a website too….

Wickedstyx

Cheers anyway Yetiman.
It's making me cry with laughter reading it again

Never mind. I found it……

I'm up for this. I'll try and rope a few others in too.

PS3 here too. piemann76

Hi swampi. Forgive the ignorance, but lipo?

If you've got something I can use though, then yes please!!!

email in profile.

Books mostly.

But, I also collect safety cards from aeroplanes. If you ever get on a flight and there's no card in the seat in front of you, ahem…….