I’m surprised regarding halls.  On the south coast most  universities  are really pushing ‘student experience’ this means nice halls, shiny buildings and lots of chain outlets (costa/ pret/ starbucks etc.) on campus.  Good or bad, it’s this that drives admission not quality of teaching.

The leadership of universities need to be more creative than that, and demonstrate VALUE not just COST.

Because my son who is giving £16.5k to Edinburgh Uni this year is not feeling the value,

University collegues will know that value is measured through various frameworks – most of which take valuable time away from the work of which they measure!

Universities are stuck in a complex situation. What is their purpose; teaching, research or cost covering/ profit?  Those three things don’t align, so each takes from the other.

The parameters for funding (teaching/ income/ research ) are set by governements and universities are trying to succeed, and compete, within the set rule.  Some by growing, and others by shrinking.  As someone mentioned a big one will go bust soon, UEA was close and others are selling off assets at an alarming rate.

IMO it’s the competition between universites that it most damaging.  Not only must ‘we’ be good at teaching and research, but must be profitable at it. So we make strategic decisions which ultimatley aren’t in the interest of students, staff, other universites or the nation.

I really hope the gov’t can have a proper look at funding, not just a stickign plaster, beasuse at the moment it’s not working.

Walking kills my boots – as I don’t actually work in them – but  walk around/ between sites on a daily basis.

I’ve changed to a composite midsole as the steel one in my last ones snapped leaving me hobbling home early!

Bought v12 boots for the first time this time and i’m very impressed. Comfy, light and hard wearing so far.

I saw a nail go through a kids foot at boys club – grim. Theres a good reason for that puncture protection!

Pick up a disque de stationnement (parking disc) to park in the zone bleue. 

Pretty common in small town france – parking is free but limited to an hour or 3.   You need the disc to display your arrival time.   Pick on up at a tabac or maison du presse for a couple of euros.

Go to Nisbets (other catering stores available) and buy knives that you like the feel of.   Good knives don’t have to be expensive.  Beautiful knives are expensive.

My grandfather had a collection of British first day covers from aroung 1950-2000, plus a few extra older stamps.

We tried to sell them after he passed, we were told to use the stamps as they were worth more that way.

Tried to find a collector to give them to – no one was interested.

It makes more sense if you realise it’s feudal and you’re a peasant.

Woods Cyclery routes ar spot on.   Personal Fave. 

I’ve got one you can have for posrtage…

Swapped to a direct drive trainer.

Did it on my own a few years back. I did the long route which is one way.

There’s a lot of logistics in a one way route. Personally I’d go for a shorter loop next time.

There are lots of good places to stay and eat. I liked Cambrai

I got a bike done by taccoatings in Hereford. Can’t reccomend them enough. I’m super happy with it; looks great and added bonus it’s a lot lighter than paint. It’s not a perfect finish there are some parts where it has a similar effect to orange peel – i’m still happy though.

It’s a lot more £ than powder coating – maybe double.

Only photo of the bike.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhz3bjPhgCx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

How do you all know when your frames/ bikes are coming? I’ve had no comms at all. I think the ETA was 9th June when I ordered…

I have to sit on our lad. On the floor – one leg across his belly. Change the nappy between my legs (that sounds wrong!!)

Tuna Sarnie from a hospital vending machine posted on a mates insta. I think it was in Aus.

Inner tubes at the road side in france.

came to recommend yawning man or the wizard. Both up there ^

Saw Yawning man this summer – Epic.

Also saw Redwood who were brilliant youngsters in a similar vein, but there recorded stuff is not as good as they were live….

Posting for the linx really…

overnight at withdean is fine. done it loads of times.

I went through a really toxic redundancy, lasted for over a year and broke me.

The best piece of advice was from a solicitor who said I had a good chance of constructive unfair dismissal.

“Decide where you want to go and work at it”.

Rather than stewing over the lies and mismanagement i put my efforts into obtaining a new role.

understand the ratings.

Dickies grafton are comfy and cheap. Comfy enough that i’ll wear them in case. Previous cheapos i were so uncomfortable i would working out when I HAD to wear them, and when it just seemed like a good idea!

why cant France be like Germany!

I’m sure someone tried once…

Tony Blair or Dog the Bounty hunter.

Not sure I want to fight the Dog…

They’re not chosen for power but modulation (and small size).

However like canti’s you can fiddle with a few (too many probably) parameters to adjust the mechanical advantage. The big issue is it’s almost impossible to change one thing at a time.

both used to better than this

the other issue is the mechanical advantage changes as the pads wear.

just had free replacement boa on my commuter boots – they only get used in the worst conditions and never get cleaned. lasted 5 or 6 winters before one of them got stuck.

Boa were super quick to send out a replacement too. Much quicker then i was to go and sort the photos for them!

I’d buy again – no question. Much more reliable then the ratchets on my summer shoes.

I’d say a single garage is too small but you don;t need a double so. 1.5 footprint.

Just cleaned up an old steel trek to sell – damn it looks fast. I want to keep it, but i know I won’t use it!

Back to the classic steel lugged bike frame.

There’s not much surface area compared to later bonded frames.

What epoxy is recommended for that?

And how does it compare to the strength of a brazed joint?

i’m pretty sure it was araldite 2015 – which also used in structural aircraft joints.

Love my scandal. 2009 29er SS edition. rode it last night; it’s old school now but it still rips along.

Would love something as light and as responsive but just a little longer, possible slacker… but i’m not really looking…

There isn’t a right way round for a front wheel.

There is, the lacing of the spokes will give it away.

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Sometimes I forget where I live! This was a lovely reminder. #picnic #hamble #dadgoals #hampshire #river #walk

A post shared by Thom (@thomthum84) on May 13, 2019 at 5:33am PDT

This was my monday picnic. not grey.

I have black bikes though. super black – with pink/ green grips.

Done. as an A-Level & BSc design graduate good luck.

flatbed transit G4 PSY

Brill.

And a nondescript estate N8NCE – I have no idea beyond NONCE. If it wasn’t then why not avoid looking like it?!

East of Southampton is a mix of quite bad to terrible new developments. Lots of 1 parking space family homes; in an area that is poorly covered by public transport.

One estate has ‘covered parking areas’ basically an integrated garage with a garage door sized hole, front and rear, but no doors. How useless. Apparently this is a tax reduction?! It’s obvious to me that in a few years time people will be parking in their own back gardens!

And pedestrian access hasn’t been thought of at all. I see people jumping the fence to get to get to the supermarket. All it needs is about 2 meters of pavement to join it up, it’s not a long way round in real terms but people are lazy – and just want to go to the shops.

Most of the new estates have some green areas and parks for kids. Can’t think of one that’s got a shop, a library, a school or anything though.

Park and ride is great.

On of the reasons I commute the same route day in day out. you get to know the potholes and avoid them. Its rare they just appear.

Starting in a good group is key – I did london 100 (sub 5) from a 6 hr group. I spent a lot of time on my own.

Know the course; gel before the hills.

Good luck finding a group who can work together – any sportive I’ve ever done seems to be everyone trying to avoid a turn on the front.

I know a lady who could help…

Oil is oil surely?

Try cooking your breakfast in heavy fuel oil then answer that!

Agree that you’r a bit late. Normally sew my seeds over christmas hols.

mine are comign on well this year – I’m growing bhut jolokia for the first time – my god they are tempremental! wouldn;t recommend them as a starter plant! Wheter I even get the plant to maturity remains to be seen – It’s still only 8 mm tall!

I might actually do OK at that – certainly better than a proper race in any of those disciplines!

I’m not fit but certainly spread my self thinly in terms of disciplines. I’m good a bike collecting – indeed I only need the DH bike and i’m sorted + a big team bus to travel them in…

Right now, nothing, have a baby so time is limited

but +1 to this.

Provide educational region-wide mass transport

One of the things the USA gets right.

Back in the 60s, schools did better at sharing facilities. e.g. there was a south london education board rowing club on the thames where students would row, in place of school based sports.
I’d be surprised if (m)any state schools do rowing now. The point being that one school can;t be expected to pay for a rowing club – but per county it probably is manageable. Pooling resources on a location base makes sense.

Haven;t read the thread properly; but this stood out.

Always feel like I’m being judged, and holding people up

You can’t mindread. so don’t.

If you’re holding people up, ask them if it’s an issue. Ask for an honest repsonse, take the response as honest. You can’t mind read.

custom covers from ebay. under £35 & very happy with it.

Got my bike in Mrs Thumb’s car today, a mix of old sheets and camo tarps – does the job but it’s not as easy.

I alos looked around a mitsubishi outlander (version pre PHEV). It was nice, but a bit ‘functional’ in places – partculary the rear seat mechanisms. Saying that though the center seats back and forward individually making some nice arrangements if needed.

Didn’t test drive it though.

If you’re considering them read up, there are so many versions and facelifts it was quite confusing. The guy at the Mitsu dealership was very helpful.