Clover – don’t expect “Mountains” or “Mayhem” (trading standards anyone??) but have a fun time nonetheless.

For those with campers, what do you do if you go somewhere for more than a night? Do you end up having to pack everything up each day to go out and then set up again each evening?

Dead easy with a drive-away awning – keep all your camping stuff in the awning. Unfastens from the side of the van in a couple of minutes and then drive away. Re-attach when you get back. We did 2 weeks round France last year and it worked a treat.

Can you not download a ‘back button’ app from the App store?

What Brassneck said! yep, the other week me and Mrs Hound were camping in the T5 for the weekend at British super Bikes. We’re bike fans and not into the Dubber scene but the full on dubbers were like flies, hovering around asking about mods and did we want to see the shower unit in their tail gate, blah , blah, blah… I was only a bit flattered by the attention.

Judging by the numbers of T5’s that rock up to most MTB events (plus the wannabe’s in their trannies and the like), the van thing seems to be very popular within the sport. (wouldn’t be without mine now :))

I’d be happy just to find a “suitable woman” ….

im loving the OPs use of stw to complain about people skiving in work

1+ for that, oh the irony …. and given he’s a Dubber, from my experience, he’s proabaly posting similar on the very busy Dub forums too … Haha!

[edit – on my lunch break at the moment]

Recurring dream in which the devil is walking the otherwise normal streets. He looks fearsome and if you catch his eye, you’re dammed. Freaks me out every time and I’ve got sweaty palms now just thinking about it [shuddderr]

I bought a pair of Shimano MT91 SPD boots at at Easter and they have been great. They look like a walking boot, with full ankle support, waterproof goretex liner and full, grippy vibram sole. They are really comfy and I’ve been wearing them on and off the bike. Walked up Nan Bield in them at easter with the kids – all day comfort! The cleats are recessed, they do click a little, but they are very grippy. Downside – pricey and a bit warm may be in summer (if it ever arrives!). Comfiest bikes shoes I’ve ever had. Love ’em.

I wimped out and as if that wasn’t bad enough, was shamed by Mrs Hound who did her regular commute as normal :-(

Yep – I use my 800 for walking. With the OS map, it’s really good if you’re following a path that is either not evident on the ground or its foggy – ie walk the line on the screen. I also used it on an exercise with the kids when we got ‘lost’ in a forest. As above, I lock the screen and chuck it in my pocket – if you don’t, the touch screen reacts to bumping about in the pocket and switches functions on and off randomly.

… and did anyone hear You and Yours on Radio 4 the other day? The tin-top lobby were bleating on that cyclists should be licensed (again). Like CTC and others I’ve always thought it won’t work and is unnecessary. But I’ve had a change of heart. How about, no one “needs” to a have cycling license BUT if you want to apply for a provisional driving license (for a motor vehicle of any sort) then you need to take a basic road user standard test … on a bicycle … and make it tough but fair. Then one has to hold the basic user licence for 3 months before applying for anything motorised. 6 points on your motor licence and your bumped right down to the start. Not only would this improve driver awareness of vulnerable road users and more responsible driving but it would also put lots more bikes on the road!

MARMITE!!!!!!!!

Henry Walker, a butcher in Leicester, invented the potato crisp in the 1940’s to cope with war time rationing. His name liveth on as Walkers Crisps… but now owned by part of the pepsi cola group.

Apologies for the plug and if you’re set on an R6 that’s great. However, I happen to be selling my Kawasaki ZX6R G2. It was bought new by the missus in 1999. Its got a genuine 10900 miles on it and in good condition for its age – all original with no “go faster” bits. Had it MOT’ed last week no problems and looking for about £2000 for it. email me if you want further details and photos – adotwalker700atbtinternetdotcom
It’s gotta go to fund the new BMW S1000XR ….. [ooops, I just drooled all over the keyboard].

PS – anyone no how to load photos from my hard drive onto this forum??

For years I though people in the Costa at work were ordering “Americano with Rhum” … some sort of poncy flavoured syrup/french for rum… Eventually I thought I’d try it – was disappointed to learn it’s americano with room… as in, leave some space to put milk in.

The other week, here in that Wilmslow, they had a couple of dayglo/marked up coppers parked on the cycle lane (grrr!) near the airport tunnel with signs out saying ‘targeting mobile phone use’. What use is that I thought? Mean while at the top of the hill, all in black and hiding in the hedgerow was another cop with a walkie talkie… and as I went past he was just radioing ahead to nab some whalley in a 4×4, family in the back, yakering away in his phone. Made me smile even though they messed up what was certainly going to be a strava PB due to parking in the cycle lane…. :(

My mate (who ironically got me into MTB) was actualy pretty slow but despite this he crashed more or less every ride. Some years later, analysing his ride it was pretty clear that he was very tense, didn’t shift his weight around, would not lift his head and he constantly target- fixated on obstacles. All basic stuff that any skills course should help with. Despite encouragement, sadly, he quit several years back.

20% of adults in the UK who consider themselves to be of normal weight are actually clinically overweight. This compares with 16% in France and 10% in Italy. We’re not being honest with ourselves!
(BMJ 2015;350:h2621)

… can’t remember :-(

I couldn’t care fewer about poor grammar!

(PS – Daughter is now 21 and drives a petrol engined car)

Living in that Wilmslow, can’t move for bloomin’ footballers and WAGs and Corrie stars – tripping over them every day, what a pain! Best tho’ was in the health spa a few years ago when my 5-year old daughter threw a bucket of water at me, missed and hit Eric Cantona. How we laughed.

I’ve used a rear strap-on (ooh-er Mrs) and it scuffed the car, and hides the numberplates and lights – never felt too sturdy either. I have used roof bars – pro’s – they live on the car and don’t need to store them (Mrs Hound likes them as she can find the car in the Sainsbury’s carpark). Con’s – bit of a stretch lugging big bikes up on the roof. And now I have a big dent in the car roof where the FS escaped on the M56 the other day! (Luckily the bike was OK).
I have also used a Thule 3 bike tow bar mount for about 5 years and it’s the business for all previously stated reasons – Only downsides are needinga towbar and having somewhere to store the thing when its not fitted.

Do … “anything you wanna do”

Don’t … “look back in anger”

Thanks for the inspiring post. I’ve just received my redundancy notice after 20 years of daily grind. Feeling a mixture of elation and terror. Got a while yet to figure out the next step. Good luck with the plan!