I had a 2010 (later shape) 1.6 Diesel.
Good bits: Great for throwing bikes in and exceeded expectations for refinement once moving. A decent steer for what it is too.
Some annoyances: Fixed geometry turbo on the 105bhp 1.6 Diesel so really bad lag. The stereo was pants, not a true double DIN so replace with a single din if desired. The rear door catch arrangement caught loads of passengers out. Air-con seemed lacklustre, probably due to its Punto origins. Weird offset seats resulting in massive gap to doors but a tiny armrest. Rust where the rear door seal meets the bodywork as it rubs the paint off. Door rails mild steel so rusty and rough feeling.
Issues: leaking rear shock was all in est. 20,000 miles.
Overall: Decent workhorse, I’d buy the 2.0 Diesel as the turbo lag was the biggest gripe I had with it.

Had an Astra of the shape mentioned, 1.6 turbo petrol 09 plate fsh with 70k when sold. Engine sounded tappety and it needed a new clutch release bearing (6 speed gearbox shared with 1.9 diesel a known weak point) shortly after purchase. A bit artificial in terms of steering and throttle response. Also had both rear springs go within a year, as well as a front droplink, parts are cheap that said.

As a mile cruncher worthy, but I’d look at a VAG car with the 1.9 tdi pd engine, my current Passat at 175k could probably go on forever and is much more comfortable.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/how-relay-car-crime-works-13959300

Pretty much sums up how the oiks are doing it, best finding a reputable breakers yard to source a replacement if the insurance isn’t paying up, and get a metallic shielded pouch for the key. Unfortunately BMW’s seem big targets at present (modified insurer Greenlight won’t touch them), good luck.

OP, did you purchase the MT2’s in the end ?
I was considering some for my current bike after great results with MT5’s, but be aware that since their introduction Magura have changed the brake design (lever geometry I guess) in order to make the entry level stuff “beginner friendly”, note their current blurb avoids suggesting performance useage for the MT2’s. I would try some out before purchase in case they aren’t satisfactory, or better still the MT trail sport can be found for around £160 with the MT5 front calliper, and 1 finger levers which felt great to me.

Making nuclear power stations.
Making World Cup XC riders.
Making even the crappiest of cars last multiple times more miles than the equivalent in the UK.
Retiring early.

Wow Pinkster, sounds like you were terribly unlucky with yours ! Was just eyeing up some 2.0 vans on eBay with 130 &150k or thereabouts, so unlucky to hear yours copped it so early 🙁

Fiat Doblo 2.0 Multijet 130bhp, would probably have kept my Doblo if it had that engine. Also a caravan club recommended tow vehicle, and a touch bigger than your Berlingo.

I’ve done the whole big-group ride stuff before, and not really enjoyed it, however it’s not a muck about in the woods, I’m told that it’ll be 40 riders spread across several smaller groups doing the same ride at their own pace.

It’s a properly organised ride which has been done several times before, and if weather conditions are too bad alternative routes will be taken. So whilst I appreciate the concerns and perhaps I should have elaborated further, it’s not a “social media special” at all and I’m confident that it’ll be a great weekend.

Going with a 40 strong group of people I largely don’t know, could be interesting as never rode up there and the lads I do know never prepare for anything

Paypal or cash on collection. Bought and sold plenty of things on there (just had a set of rims come through today from there) with no hassle. Also request recorded delivery and the tracking number in case you need to claim.

My mom had a Collie-Poodle cross, and my girlfriend has a Cocker spaniel-Poodle cross. As implied earlier, they need attention and company as they tend to get a bit bored otherwise. They’re really friendly, great with small children and only ever bite in a playful way (I tend to be their favourite play toy). They are intelligent but also mischievous so highly recommended to be left alone somewhere they can’t open doors/bins etc as damage will occur. My moms also quite enjoyed pulling up lino flooring 😆

Mondraker Foxy (or even the Dune) is about the only bike I can think of that really has classic written all over it, with it’s radical geometry and distinctive design that captured the imagination and gained accolades for it.

If they were causing trouble, getting the towns finest scutters on your doorstep causing trouble then reporting it would be a good idea. However this sounds reasonably discreet (because randomly driving to an obscure car park at 11PM is normal behaviour ?) and you mention no problem with the neighbour so I’d just let it lie.

Put it this way, where I’m from you’d be thankful the whole so-solid-crew weren’t rocking up and sitting on his front garden passing a spliff around. Then robbing your bikes to pay for it.

I can wholeheartedly say that The Darkness are brilliant live, saw them in Birmingham last year and they just kicked ass ! Seeing them again at Kendal Calling in two weeks 😀
Papa Roach at the 2010 relentless tour were great, the response to “Between angels and Insects was the best I can remember at a gig.
Enter Shikari were interesting, it was a constant mix of music with no defined tracks which may or may not impress but it did for me.
Manics were good last year too.

Conversely I was very lukewarm with The Charlatans last year, felt a bit ‘dad at the disco’.However the only crap performance I can remember was watching S-Club 7 (down to 3) at a Butlins 90’s weekend, if bands were pets you’d have this one put down. Even Chesney Hawke afterwards gets merit for being a good sport.

Ultimately the vote is our governments fault for letting conditions in these areas reach the state they have – and not just this one but all the previous ones as well, and particularly if they were labour as they were suppossed to be more sympathetic to that sector.

It’s easy enough to bemoan “the morons” who voted out for screwing up the country when you look around and see a nice place to live, some good income and the tenant paying your mortgage for you, however what if all you see is the degeneration of your town through lack of investment and interest with nothing to show for rising costs? Less reasonably paid secure jobs through ailing manufacturing sectors, compounded by the hike in house prices in recent years and all the while the South East seems happy to look after itself ie by channelling shitloads of money into HS2 to benefit London bound commuters whilst north of Luton get cattle sheds with battery hen spacing. The consequences of slapping a turd in your own face aren’t as bad when you’re in the slurry pit already.

There are stacks of BMX’s on WinstanleysBMX on offer right now, a full 4130 chromo frame, forks and handlebars are a pre-requisite and ideally a good brand reputation to back it up. I’d go for this as it looks a killer bike for the money: http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/75484/Haro_Plaza_2015_BMX_Bike

Where about are you out of interest ?

Have a poo, that would be just having a poo.

Ducking underwater to stalk somebody ‘gator style.

Go on a successful first date.

Cannondale RZ120 2010 – marked the end of Cannondale’s USA production. Otherwise wholly unspectacular to be honest.

I had a 2005 Scott Nitrous 20, a bike that managed to combine big excess (Marzocchi 888’s, Manitou Metel R coil Shock, 203mm Hayes HFX9’s, easily over 40 pounds weight) with surprisingly flimsy kit elsewhere (Shimano deore triple chainset, Alex DP20 rims, 90mm stem and 660mm bars) and a curious seatpost with a shim and second QR seatclamp to avoid hitting the shock. Speaking of the shock, 170MM rear travel, a 190mm eye to eye basic shock and single pivot design mean it should have been called the Scott Bob 20.

Hard to comprehend riding let alone enjoying that bike when I look at my Saracen Ariel now, we may be cynical of some things but the improvements are there to see.

Glad to see Wolverhampton got a mention on the first page. Approaching the M6 today on the Black Country Route, 3 cars on the outside lane. 1st sitting at about the speed limit for ages in the outside lane, car behind tailgating with full beams and fog lights on, 3rd car undertakes and cuts up car 1 (with only a tap of the indicator when already swerving right) to save getting boxed in by the car in front of me on the inside lane.

I hate driving around the area now I moved to Shropshire !

As for autonomous cars, when the war against cyber fraud and hackers has been won then yes most certainly, however I’d hate to think of what carnage could be inflicted in revenge for a drone strike on an ISIS leader.

I’d recommend listening to Teamrock’s radio player at 11am weekdays, it’s the new music show and should help inspire.

I’d be very tempted by the Commencal Meta Trail, the Origin looks a steal for £1300 as the Xfusion shocks fitted are pretty decent and reliable. Upgrade as finances allow and that’d keep me happy.

Being famous – I’d really not want chavvy halfwits coming up to me on the street for autographs on their norks or a “selfie” to plaster over Facebook to make people think they have an interesting existence, all because I bonked a gobby Geordie lass in a house full of other desperate-to-be-famous freaks and the ITV film crew.

You may not be surprised to hear I am having to endure “love island” which my girlfriend loves !

The sandy crunching sound of your drivetrain in the winter over Cannock Chase, reminding you what you really go to work for.

A lot of effort is being taken by (certainly the Football league) to tackle homophobia. Some close relatives are match day stewards for a more boisterous Championship club, and they have to take a no-nonsense approach when playing Brighton HA, all incidents of homophobic abuse have to be reported to the police and there have been convictions in recent years.
Unfortunately, clubs can’t pick their fans and some will see it as their duty to be the 12th player and do their best to distract the opposition team. I’ve also seen it work and an opposition goalkeeper clapping the home support probably wishing he had such backing. An openly gay footballer would be an easy target, but effectively have a personal security team nowadays.

Countzero, you hit the nail on the head for me. I drive to work on country lanes and pass through a small town. It’s such a frustration when you get morons who seem to just do 40mph regardless of whether it’s 30mph or national speed limit, especially when they catch up with you in said town after you overtook them 3 miles back.
My view, people make complaints not the cows. This is also Darwin’s county, so drive like a moron and let natural selection be your destiny, not misfortune somebody else’s.

A fantastic day out, I just couldn’t believe how the locals turned out in their droves to cheer everybody on throughout the route. The bacon butties and beer afterwards felt very well earned, look forward to it again next year. Thanks guys !

It makes me kind of sad to think they’ll sell nowhere near as many Mustang’s as they will Kuga’s in this country, credit to Ford for importing it knowing it won’t be a massive seller.

Well Wobbliscot, given the OP asked for things to look out for I don’t see any need for sarcasm aimed at my comment given that plenty of people come a cropper because of the slippery surfaces. I was only at ‘Degla Friday and even at 2 degrees with snow still around I felt it was much grippier than a wet FTD/monkey.

Caution-shiny smooth pebbles and wet weather make it especially slippery over there. Llandegla feels like you’re glued to the trail in comparison.

This article pretty much explains the benefit of larger chainrings in a way the BMX lot can fathom. Probably more relevant to us where mileage is higher and terrain conditions are worse.

Super Small Gearing

Most the time I ride with guys I used to work with, one of whom has become a great friend since getting me out with him. Also started going out with my new neighbour as he’s just starting out, I really enjoy the social side of MTB !

http://www.ubyk.co.uk/m/product.php?CI_ID=20613 – lapierre zesty 827 with £1500 off in probably the right size ? That would be so tempting having enjoyed a go on a lesser version.

Amazing really, for £100 at a local machine shop, £10 at a nearby scrapyard and another £10 worth of rattle can paint you can add over £1000 to the price tag of a bike. Who’s the lucky owner now I wonder ?

My granddad, as a child, used to go out after thunderstorms and shove dead crows up sheep’s bottoms. Shropshire folk, what can I say (and I live here now) ?

You could always do this, and leave one outside the office to scare the crows off. Might attract the Welsh crows having said that…….

I was only watching random episodes last week whilst off work. One of the leaders at my scout group was involved with team “Bulldog” and we had one of it’s shells hanging off the wall casually as you like. It was probably my biggest interest as a child watching it. Had that arena with the pull-back robots as mentioned, even a R/C model of “Shunt” which my brother broke before I even got to use it 👿 .

With regard to the OP, I find the constant ignorance of speed limits coupled with systematic tailgating and awareness of only of the car in front a huge frustration when trying to drive something like what the highway code wants on motorways.
You’re doing circa-70mph on the inside lane, approaching a slow vehicle so check your mirror and blind spot to find 2-ish car gaps between the stream of cars on the outside. Indicate at this point to enter the lane but dippy behind the last car to go past you isn’t paying attention and doesn’t back off, so either you potentially cause a crash and go for it or wait. This can be repeated by several cars by which time you’re stuck behind a lorry at 20-30mph less than the outside lane. So glad I work early days in the middle of nowhere 😀
Have had some fun with tailgater’s recently, practice a rather angry face to couple with some hand gestures and expletives when the eventual overtake happens….pure comedy at times !

My old Corsa 1.8 with 109,000 miles on the clock was going very strong, unfortunately met it’s fate in the hands of a chav and quickly joined the scrapheap.
Therein lies the issue, the value of cars in this country is way too low for people to give a hoot about once they reach their old age. I seem to recall a lot of rusty/broken old cars of little value on drives as a child, with owners spending their free time doing them up. Hardly ever see such vehicles now.
My corsa actually made sense for a long-term bet. Simple mechanicals, cheap spares, rugged and an understressed engine with spares at any scrapyard nearby.

Subscription to a good magazine (STW, of course), clothes, skills course classes, uplift day, B&B at a favourite location for riding. Or how about some nice custom prints to go on your bike or clothes ?

Electrical Fitter, and changing to a different company after next week. The work is slack, and whatever work we have seems to require a plethora of supervisors/managers to dish it out, with no planning or consistency at every level.
I want to get myself involved with the programming and fault finding of automated machinery which could lead to a good variety of jobs, and get some higher education under my belt before the joys of a family and taking life seriously become reality 😯