Might have to revise attitude of doing ‘anything’ to make drivers notice me 8O

Plus it’s a bit nippy now … especially hands and feet. Maybe high viz wooly socks and gloves are all that’s really needed?

Compulsory? No.

Happy to discuss all the aspects about increasing driver responsibility / awareness, not making cyclists carry the can for unobservant drivers, etc etc

But … I’d like to be alive to bang on about all if the above, so my first priority is doing whatever I think will help keep me safe (aware that there’s no guarantees etc). So, road commuting – bright coloured jackets (doesn’t have to hig viz, just noticeable), night visable strips on all jackets and rucksacs, flashing lights etc …

In fact anything to help the occassional numpty driver notice I’m there before I get squished … then I’ll happily join any of you in the pub to discuss the pro’s and con’s of high viz :)

Deganwy / West Shore (Llandudno) beach

Very dog friendly (my dog loves it), miles of golden sand round to the base of the Great Orme. It’s my ‘local’ (2 mins walk from my house) and there’s even an ancient hill fort on the wee hill behind the beach.

Really lovely holiday cottage in walking distance of the beach (and pub!)

http://www.moontideholidays.co.uk/

Mamadirt – that’s awesome! (speaking as someone who’s far too technically incompetent to build even one bike let alone 100)

Trouble with having had a happy day is that I’ve ridden 50 miles, which was great, but legs and bum are now possibly too knackered to go mtb tomorrow … need immediate recovery suggestions???

@ Binners – ‘bi-forum’ :lol: But I’ve told you before half rice / half chips is not a good combo …

Stoner: “Drive even more fanny-like” :lol:

Failing that, cycle / walk / car share as much as possible.

Don Simon: “Turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees and use the transfer of body heat to keep warm, you won’t believe the number of chicks that fall for that one.”

Does that work on boys too? Will have to maybe find a chap for winter (purely for the purposes of reducing energy use of course!). Although putting an extra jumper on might be easier … :)

In Wales, the Government is taking forward a Cycling Bill which will make it a legal duty for local authorities to provide cycle routes:

http://www.goinggoingbike.com/blog/welsh-cycling-bill-will-make-it-a-duty-to-provide-routes/

Obviously the devil will be in the detail, but it’s an important first step in showing some political will. The more support for this from cyclists the better, as the cultural apathy, or even at times resistance, in the UK towards cycling initiatives is one of the greatest barriers to improvements.

Renton – my response was hopefully to also encourage you to look at it from the tenants perspective as well. So far, all that you have if heresay (and personally I would be furious if I thought my neighbours were watching me and reporting whatever they ‘thought’ they saw to my landlord – what a massive intrusion of my right to a private life – which is part of the law associated with tenancies).

I was also trying to say that you can be a perfectly responsible person who looks after a house and have many of the ‘lifestyle’ attributes that are banned by landlords. I have always owned a dog, have been known to have a party ot two etc, and frankly my home (whether owned or rented) has been of a more than suitably looked after.

If your tenants are paying their rent / bills etc, and any other information you have is through heresay, I’d suggest you proceed with care.

I’ve recently started renting again (after 10 years of owning my own home), and I must admit that I was surprised by the list of ‘do’s and don’ts that seem to be standard with the majority of rentals. A lot of these are ‘lifestyle’ orientated – no smoking / pets / children / parties etc etc, which seem to be a particularly unpleasant way of dictating the lifes of the group of people in society who rent houses. As Elfin said, you’re almost pushed into a position of lying, as otherwise what are you supposed to do? Not have anywhere to live?

I have no problem with landlords wanting to manage the costs associated with the impacts of renting properties (for example charge a higher deposit), but there is a prevailing attitude amongst many landlords that they have a right to dictate tenants lives (to the extreme that the landlady who rents the house next door to me complained because her tenant often worked away and she therefore thought he was responsible for damp in the house as he wasn’t running the heating every single day!)

For me, renting a property is a business relationship, in the same way that ‘owning’ a property is – which incidently is usually ‘owned’ by the bank who are much easier to deal with, as long as you pay your mortgage they don’t try to dictate your lifestyle!

I know a few people in London, and am a pretty sociable person and genuinely enjoy meeting new people. I guess I feel a bit unsure about starting to do this again having just built up a new group of friends after moving here only a year ago.

I agree that if was there for a year I’d want to live in the city rather than in the burbs, just to experience the contrast with rural living. Plus I’d get to make the most out of what the city has to offer. However, if I’m honest with myself I prefer what the mountains / sea have to offer than the cultural opportunities of London.

So it comes down to a career choice. It would be an exceptionally good experience (which I know I’d not be able to obtain in my current job). However, the organisation I work for is likely to be going through significant change over the next 12 – 18 months, and I’m therefore not sure what role I’d return to.

Ho hum … I’m still so firmly on the fence I’ve got splinters in my bum!

Ah, you see I was right – stubble gets my vote (just getting it in before the 9.30 deadline :) )

Stubble?

Otherwise no beard

Blimus! Don’t know if this would be a feasible opportunity – even with a salary increase the cost of accomodation in London is eyebrow raising and I don’t think I’d be able to afford it.

How on earth do normal people manage to afford to live there?

Have also just hobbled back from my first spinning class … I never thought it was possible to sweat that much :oops:

Some people were clipped in, so I had thought about doing so next time, but I only have mtb spd’s – would I need to have road ones?

Snowy cold clear days with crisp air, blue skies and sunshine.

Feeling like a munchkin snuggly wrapped in a down jacket, scarf and fleecy hat.

Hot crumpets dripping with melted butter, roast dinners, apple crumbles, and hot mulled wine or cider after a chilly ride :)

Hmm – some interesting points to ponder.

I have no kids / mortgage / other commitments apart from the dog at the moment, so it is feasible if I chose to go for it.

The job would be based in the Westminster area – so whereabouts would be a good place to consider living within commuting distance? Priorities for a ‘good’ place would be safe / affordable / access to road cycling and mountain biking / greenspace / near a climbing wall.

TSY – it doesn’t necessarily make you a selfish nut*

I’m in the pro-pet camp – have always had dogs, love them to bits and find it incredibly rewarding (and often demanding).

I don’t expect anyone else to like dogs when I’m out and about (and similarly as Karinofnine said, don’t expect me to want to play with your children when I’m out!). But if people come round to my house I expect them to treat my dog with respect and accept that she comes first in my life.

* you might be a selfish nut due to other reasons though :)

freeride_frankie: those are magnificent dogs!

Cheers peeps – you’re right I should just feel lucky to be able to get out and do different stuff. So, less performance anxiety, more enjoyment :)

Oh, and stop wasting time on STW (TSY – pot / kettle / black :wink: )

Ton – I have a spare crochet hook if you need to borrow one …

Binners … How very dare you!

Wales is ace … after all I live here :)

Ton – sorry to hear about the results of your ECG.

But more directly in answer to your question – if spending £5k on something that is important to your quality of life (like cycling obviously is!) – then do so without feeling you have to justify it (as long as it doesn’t stop you paying for essentials like food etc :) ). If that doesn’t work out for you, then adapt – try put other activities and you may end up surprising yourself by what you enjoy.

I had to stop doing ‘proper’ mtb’ing a few years ago due to injury and illness – it ‘cost’ me a lot – mainly loss of friends, self-esteem and confidence, and contributed to the end of a very long term relationship. But I also gained a lot by adapting to new activities and now have a really passion for road cycling and cycle touring.

I have on-going joint problems (finally got my referral to specialist physio treatment at the muscular-skeletal clinic – hurrah!), but I also get to go out and have a fantastic day riding bikes (albeit differently from how I did before). Sometimes it’s hard to manage the pain – the enjoyment from riding makes it worthwhile! I still get out on my mtb occassionally to do ‘low tech’ rides (which is all my joints can take), but I love soaking up the scenery (and watching Elfin and Kev crash …).

Cycling / biking is an amazingly diverse activity – you can do it in any way that works for you :)

Another subscriber to the ‘pootler’ approach to riding. My favourite rides are usually 20 – 50 mile road rides, or ‘low tech’ mtb rides – both of which take time to admire the scenery / watch birds / inpect flowers, fungi, gardens etc. I love having a blast when riding, but overall I’m more of a ‘pootler’ :)

The only thing I find is that it’s hard to find others to ride with. I don’t fall into to the ‘beginners’ ride category, but most clubs either seem to focus on the ‘knarly’ (if mountain biking), or race / training (if road riding).

Anyone fancy getting together for a pootlers ride :)

Ah yes – the commuting headwind that changes direction so you can ‘enjoy’ it again on the way home. Not so good when you have to get somewhere, but when I’m out for fun, the wind can be pretty exhilarating.

FuzzyWuzzy – that’s a seriously strong wind if you reach the point of needing vehicular back-up!

Elf – I did think I should have eaten more cake at the cafe for extra balast :) Kev didn’t get completely stopped … maybe he eats more pie than me …

And that ‘being blown uphill without pedalling’ ride was ace :lol:

Guys and shaving:

Stubble – yes
Clean shaven – yes
Beards – no (sorry, really doesn’t appeal from this girl’s perspective :) Obviously if you’re married and hirsuit in the facial department I assume your wife has a different opinion to mine!)

Northwind – said exactly that on page 1 :)

Used to be a voluntary TEFL teacher for non-english speaking women who were pregnant and trying to learn to speak English so that they could understand enough for when they go into hospital. But as you say, it takes a while to learn a new language fluently.

crikey – I agree completely: one of the most effective ways of reducing costs and simultaneously minimising human suffering is through keeping people well in the first place.

But as individuals and as a society, along with a lot of the emphasis in the medical sector, we are hugely resistant to this. I work on research related to the health benefits of physical activity / active lifestyles, and I do verge on dispair at some points.

Going back to the issue raised in the OP … :)

Maybe the question isn’t ‘how can the NHS save money / what services should it cut’, but rather ‘does the NHS require greater funding to support a comprehensive, equitable health care service for all’? It seems to be a societal given that we now need to cut services to address the deficit, rather than consider what we should pay / contribute to support public services.

We are living longer (but often with chronic conditions), and medical advances now mean that treatments are available for illnesses and conditions that previously would have killed someone. I guess from my ethical POV, if we (as in the medical / care professions) are able to do something that can aleviate suffering, then we should. And if that costs more money, then we increase what we contribute to the cost of that, especially from those that can afford to (and frankly that includes most of us who have a disposable income to spend on bike bits!)

cakefest – you’ve already shown how strong you are in your approach to this.

Keep going, you have your family with you, and enjoy every special moment you can.

Take care, wishing you the most healing and positive outcome.

Done. Great chaps and chapesses – hope to never need them, but always glad that they are there.

Posted on my mountaineering club forum (as it’s our local area!), and link put on facebook.

TJ and Rachel +1

As for the ‘learn the language’ brigade – maybe you need to think a bit first. I worked as a volunteer TEFL teacher for a while, teaching women basic English. Most of these were trying to learn as quickly as they could, but it takes quite a while to learn a new language well enough to use in a hospital situation. So what are people supposed to do while they are still learning the language and they get ill / injured / pregnant etc? Many people can’t afford to pay for a translator – should they be just left to suffer?

The lack of basic humanity amongst some of you amazes me sometimes.

PS – I’ve got a pot of coffee on – anyone fancy a panad? Got any biscuits to share :)

Have been feeling a bit blue …

but am now more tickled pink :)

Welcome Mabel!

LardLover – she is seriously cute :)

Don Simon +1 – dogs are definately ace!

Binners / emsz – proper LOL :)

Please stop ‘cos I’m getting funny looks for giggling to myself on the train!

Binners – have no problem with being someone who ‘bats for both sides’ (horrible phrase though – but then I can’t stand ‘bi-sexual’ either!)

Not sure if half rice / half chips works – can we come up with more enjoyable food combo?

Oh, and can I now be uber-niche! I’ve never been cool enough to be niche about anything :)

Adam – damn I don’t ride a fixie … does that mean I can’t be uber-niche? Do have a cx bike though …

Am in danger of releasing my inner statistical spod ( :oops: ), but a few figures:

– are all ‘outdoor pursuits’ predominantly white – yes. (disproportionately so relative to the percentage of ‘non-white’ people in the UK

– are all ‘outdoor pursuits’ predominantly male – no. Mountain biking is one of the most male-dominated activities (much more so than climbing etc), other activities have an equal gender split (eg hillwalking).

Does it matter? Depends on the reasons why – if people feel excluded from doing an activity, then yes it does. Also, physical activity levels are much lower amongst certain social groups, and this brings significant health problems – increased health care costs affect all of us in society.

I fail two out of the three criteria listed above :)

If I think about the main demographic of STW, then it comes across as predominantly (but not exclusively) as:

(a) male
(b) White

Social researcher for an Environmental Body advising the government – really enjoy it. Interesting work, constantly learning, stimulating ideas and discussions. Working on topics that I care about, and feeling that in a small way I’m contributing to making life a bit better for people. Most of the guys I work with are great – supportive, funny, irreverent, and interesting (there’s the occassional nobber and managers could be better!) Have turned down opportunities for promotion because I’d rather stay a specialist researcher than become a more generic manager.

A few downsides – workload is far to high (and getting worse due to lack of staff and government cuts), and too much travel – not always bad as sometimes I go to new, interesting places and meet some great people, but more often it just means staying in an anonymous hotel reading reports on my own.

But on balance, I feel priviledged to have a job I enjoy, where I look forward to going to work. Many people aren’t that fortunate.

Huh – since when did having a Phud make you proper clever … usually the opposite!

Plus, I have to confess to a secret liking for Location, Location, Location … which destroys any pretence at highbrow intelligensia :oops:

Nope, can’t stand any of the above programmes that pass for TV on Elfin’s list, which leaves me trying to decide between the folllowing conclusions:

(a) I’m not intelligent (but having a puff-hood* would possibly mean that isn’t the case)
(b) I’m neither female nor male (last time I checked I was definately one of these!)
(c) I have a low tolerance for cr*p

mmm … think it might be option (c)

*puff-hood = PhD

Baggy waterproof shorts (gore alp x) over lycra (3/4’s or longs)

Can’t see why you’d want soggy baggy shorts over damp lycra – yuck!