They do a dance which hypnotises their prey so they can attack (so I have been told) It certainly kept jumping around on the spot, kinda flipping from side to side in front of the rabbits.

We had a stoat in out garden the other day, doing a funky dance whilst trying to catch the rabbits…..

I can get there as early as needed as I am only coming from Reading way, happy to help with banners and getting sorted etc. (I am 6.4)

Stick me down for the fast group…..

Bob, red rocklobster…

I'll be coming from near Reading way so happy to pickup one/two from Reading Station on the way.

I'd be up for coming along, I dont know Swinley as well as I should do.

We have a case at work, they say they have been off since getting it and that nothing needs to happen.

Some people have been calling in saying they wont come in to work in case they get it, the word is they will all be getting in lots of trouble…..

All those brought here are used, the bike sheds are getting very full most days…..

Why just civil servants though ?

Whilst taking part in the scheme they have added lockers, showers, cycle sheds etc, taken away our car parking spaces, reduced what can be claimed on mileage and brought in reduced bus charges…..

I bet its abused in privae companies more than gov….at least they do more than just allow everyone to get cheaper bikes…

Well I am a civic servant.

I have two bikes from the scheme and have sold my car as I dont use it anymore. I commute every day, throughout the winter and also ride to all my home and site visits.

I dont claim any expenses apart from the odd train ticket.

So yes, I think I should be allowed to carry on….

We have honeysuckle in two places, one of which only get direct sunlight for about an hour a day at the most, still doing very well and the scent was almost overwhelming a few weeks back.

Not sure what type it is, yellow flowers.

Clematis, Honey suckle.

Commuting home on Friday, I was heading towards a chap with 5 black labs, all running around in typical black lab type way…
As he saw me coming towards him he said one word to the dogs and they all froze on the spot and sat upright exactly where they were. I was then able to weave around them at ease…. I just wish all dog owners (inc me) could do that.

I stopped to praise the chap for being considerate and a bloody good dog trainer….

Will do, I live right next to Burghfield, Padworth Common.

I ride some local trails, some in the Benyon Estate land (shhh dont tell em 😉 ) I do often see a group of 4/5 MTB’ers around the Padworth/Burghfield area some evenings.

Always up for a swinley run, and weekend mornings anywhere good are always an option. Mail address in my profile if you are ever up for something.

I might see you then, although working late this eve 🙁 so wont be riding home till gone 8. (I ride a black tricross or a red rocklobster)

I do Newbury to Aldermaston in about 40 mins with no real hassle, then its a couple of miles up the hill to my village.

The paths are pretty good, some rooty sections in Thachtam which a road bike might not like but easy apart from that.

Changing your route can help as the distance can vary, not always possible but might be worth considering on a Friday night for example, take a longer ride home.

Feel free to join me on the tow path, its a nice ride when the sun is out, although I have occasionally “had” to stop at one of the pubs its passes to “fix” my bike ;o)

Oddly similar story here, I started commuting every day from near Reading (Aldermaston-ish) to Newbury, about 34 miles round trip. This is since January.
I ride a tricross SS and whilst it was damm hard at first I now ride every day and really miss it on the days when I have to drive in for work visits etc.
I dont brave the A4 with all the M&S lorries trying to run me over, I ride along the canal the whole way.

But the amount of weekend riding has pretty much almost disappeared. Come Friday night I am completely worn out and cant face getting on a bike some weekends. I found my general fitness etc really improved in the first few months then levelled out.
When MTB’ing I did not notice anything like you describe, but I think riding the SS all week means the MTB seems so easy with all those gears to play with…

Thanks Peter,

I’m working so would not be able to get over in time, Will keep you in mind for future, my Tricross is in need of new wheels which I would need building up.
I’ll give pedal-on a try, silly as I live about 2 miles from them but never think to give them a try.

Peter, Mine is just a sort my rear, keep getting a few loose spokes and its very slightly buckled, I think its just needs some TLC.

Are you off tomorrow ?

Anyone ?

Reading’s Elvis, the original “nice nutter”

Go up to him and say you have seen Elvis somewhere and he will run off looking for him. I think there was a facebook group trying to raise funds to send him to Nashville.

After a few years of trying everything I realised the only way to totally get rid is remove all chances of them ever finding food.

Buy lots of tupaware boxes and make sure you use them all the time, make sure every single crumb is cleaned away.

They gave up after a while, and have never come back.

Although we did have a pigmy shrew in there the other day, but that was so slow I just picked it up and set it free ! Not to mention the grass snake that has moved in under our front porch 😀 (I think thats what it is, could be an escaped python or something, tis big though)

So not a No then, I dont mind spending as I really like the frame..

Your bothers mates car was the one reported to the police hobo ?

I live away/hidden from the road, in the sticks so not too concerned.
But point taken. It will be boxed in by other cars and surrounded by a 6 foot high fence with a large dog wandering around…..

Hopefully that’s enough, what sort of device are you thinking ? Alarm or something more physical….

“Absolutely sh11ting myself I jump in his car and drive it (with my bike inside) to a local gypsy site”

I very much like your style silverpigeon, I would imagine he would be having more problems recovering his car than getting the bike back….

Swinley tomorrow morning, working on Sunday 👿

Cars always seem to end up costing the earth though dont they ?

Since I have been commuting every day since christmas I can now afford to get something which is inpractical, costly and unreliable, but FUN !

With another nipper on the way I need to get all the silly stuff brought before baby clothes/equipment take all my money 😉

And my six year old lad with be blown away with his Dad having a “proper army jeep” as he calls them.

I am taking a look this weekend 😀

It will have to have some major problems for me not to buy it…..
and insurance will be £98 ! 😀
Considering my current policy is just under £500, thats a large chuck of the Landy paid for !

Panic attack ?????? I’d be bunny hopping with happiness !

Anyone any idea what tax and insurance is like on these ? I would only do very limited miles in it.

I live in the sticks, ride to work…

Its ideal for getting upto the village and taking the dogs out for walks…..

Bribery ? New bike etc. Cant think what else might have made me listen as a teenager….

They are always still attachted, I use a tick remover I made out of a bit of wire, and drop them down the plug hole (that’ll learn the buggers)

Then just watch the bit marks for a few days, I only asked as I have flu/cold at the moment after a weekend in the garden/biking….

Bruce has got 99 problems…..

My dog catches pheasants and leaves their empty carcass in our kitchen,

What bell for a huge lab cross ?

We get them all the time, from the garden or when riding locally. Little nasty buggers.
Never had any problems but do check the bite for days afterwards….
Its my poor dog that suffers this time of year, I take a few off her every week…..

Do you know if you can get the flu type stuff but without a rash ?

You beat me to it theflatboy….

Agreed, I’d snap up a 29’ner version

I cant complain about my RL, ace frame for the money. I’m 6.4″ and 15 stone and its coped very well with no problems at all, I obviously went for a large size….

But the question is, Do we NEED it, not want it.

You dont need your MPV to drive around, a reliant would do the job.

I know what your saying, I love my new hydro disks and Reba’s.

But I dont NEED them to ride well or enjoy the ride. They make the ride a little easier thats all.