Ouch. Well done for MTFU’ing and walking out though. Another reason to carry even a basic first aid kit when riding. Or just a bandage and leccy tape. Heal soon!

First Direct, great bank and no stupid keypad. Win win

Why not just put up a false wall 2 inches in front of the current wall, run all the cables in the gap? Only need a small hole at the top then, maybe an access hole at the bottom to get to the plugs.

Round this here London way they have to take a photo to go with their ticket to prove that you were contravening how they say so you have no get out by rolling back three feet or whatever.

If they dont have evidence is a you vs them situation…

Sounds like the fun police at work.

We want you to come to the countryside, but you cant make any noise whilst you enjoy it. FFS come on, look at the US, they moved out an entire village so it could be flooded and turned into a watersports and leisure lake.

Get PeterPoddy to take a look…

Are you the same person that asked if they could collect my item and then asked me to drive it almost to their house in Sussex and got annoyed when I described that as delivery rather than collection.

Flashing someone across is a breach of the highway code, rule 110 I think. Not sure you could hold them to blame for the accident though as the driver that hit you has a duty to ensure they have a clear path and shouldnt just go blindly because someone flashed them through.

Great write up, and a pretty accurate summing up of most sportives Ive ever ridden.

Got to agree with Druid, riding with a club gives you an unhelpful requirement to stay with them, bit of a problem if they are slow, and even worse if they are faster! I did the London to Southend ride a good few years back solo and found a good group of randoms with a good pace and we completed it in 3 hours, a few clubmates who took part took nearer 6.

Light it, film it. The only scientific way to be sure.

Im pulled in by the spec of the Canyons but the Ultimate CF SLX range that I was looking at has horrific lead times (20+ weeks) whereas the Aeroad has a 6 week wait.

Not sure what you mean by ‘more normal’ though??

For the first time we have a grand fail. Ugly, out of place, not an ounce of eco, selfish and just down right ignorant people with too much money. No justification for that thing!

This. Hatefully selfish people. Hope someone bricks the windows.

Dont explain that you have the skills, explain how you have used them in previous work/projects. Knowing something, and being able to put it into practice are very different things.

Always found them excellent and incredibly helpful

Asda seem to do pretty good rates

Definitely worth the call, but surely your 13 years still isnt being recognised as you are paying what a person with 0 years loyalty is paying…

I was in this position a while back, everyone tell me to learn on an acoustic but I had no interest like you, so I bought a Variax. Its about 15 guitars in one. 6 string acoustic, 12 string, strat, les paul, the lot. Love it!

Is it standard police practice to ask the public ‘Have you have a problem with me?’ and then argue. Arent they supposed to avoid arguments and calm situations?

The AA seemed to come up trumps for me with 3 bikes on the policy

Do it, do it now!

Ive been promised payrises for a few years now, along with training and other perks that never come off. Its always at ‘the next review’ or ‘our focus has changed to xxxx’

Finally got to a point where I have enough behind me to seriously look around for other stuff, and I cant wait to move into a role where I get paid what Im worth.

Ive been a recipient of Yodel deliveries. All four of which have ended up in my garden. Three were accompanied by no note, and the fourth with a note that said, ‘Left by Garage’. Which is interesting as I dont have a garage, and neither does anyone in the road.

Luckily nothing that could be damaged but terrible service. I emailed the companies that had despatched via them to let them know how Yodel were conveying their company image, but strangely none of them seemed to care either with a stock email response saying they were the chosen courier blah blah. Yodel asked for the driver number to ensure it wouldnt happen again, but it did, twice more.

Had one a while now, no issues other than a broken pressure gauge. Quick email and they posted me out a fresh one FOC. Its a pump so limited room for it to shine but I like the valve adaptor. As said, it screws on so never comes off when pumping and doesnt damage the valve.

Go to a wood yard, not B&Q. My local is super helpful, remembers me when I go back for more stuff and delivers for free. Had a few lengths of timber that were twisted replaced without hassle or complaint by them. If you explain what you are doing they will help you with the best stuff for the job.

I just want Canyon to hurry up and put their 2013 stuff on the website so I can see if they discount the 2012 stuff!

Gamut P30 dual guide or a Blackspire Stinger would do the job.

Dont stay in the Hotel Bristol. Awful.

Got a twin carrier roof rack thingy from The Roof Box Company as above. Went for the Atera as it was cheaper than the Thule and does the same job just as well in my opinion. Excellent service from TRBC too.

Goosebumps everytime I see the replay of that last 100m.

I think its safe to assume that most LBS’ will be small, so stocking large quantities of bikes etc is unlikely. However it would be useful to have a range of helmets, shoes, clothing from multiple manufacturers. These are the kinds of things Im less likely to buy mail order unless I have too. Its nice to try on shoes and helmets, make sure its comfy, perhaps try the size up or down if you arent sure rather than having to go through the hassle of online returns. Unless I know I can make a massive saving online Ill happily pay an extra tenner to walk out with my nice shiny helmet safe in the knowledge its not been drop kicked around a distribution warehouse on its way to me. Most of the Evans stores Ive been past have a good plan of chaining a track pump up outside so that people can simply top up their own tyres. No doubt that once you have used this, you would likely go back if you needed a replacement tube or simply top up pressures for the rest of the ride.
Do the basics well is the key. Yes a coffee machine would be good but in reality its the thoughtful things and good, honest service that keep people coming back.

The AA

Polaris do good ones. Got a racelite which packs down small, mesh back and keeps the wind off your chest

Yes and really enjoyed it. Thought it was pretty candid and honest, Brailsford comes across as a very demanding character and the others dont seem to hide their feelings of how pressurising he can be. Clearly gets results though! Glad its in 5 parts and not crammed into a single 1 hour programme.

Got mine all covered with my contents with the AA. Each bike specified make and model is all they wanted. Just have plenty of pictures of them with spangly bits and you riding them to prove it.

Flange is too big, try a smaller one

Ive never jumped a red light, have you seen how high up they are? If you do then you should be trying out for Team GB, not going to a desk job…

She has a case if they didnt win gold, but they did. Take one for the team. Simples. Act like a spoilt brat and be treated like one.

Gunged up MAF? Give that a clean up then give it a good rag down a motorway to get it nice and hot to get rid of any soot deposits.

Honda PCX all the way. Quiet, cheap to run, nice looking and very sturdy. My missus has thrown hers down the road twice now and its only suffered cosmetic damage, and of that nothing is hanging off, just scratched/cracked. Starts first time everytime and costs naff all to fill up for ~200 miles.

I recently got some Sainsburys copper bottom pans and they are great. They also now do full copper if you are that way inclined. They often pop up with a 1/3 off deal or half price as they are at the moment.

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/shop/home_and_garden/kitchen/pots_and_pans/saucepan_sets/122033863_cooks_collection_3piece_copper_bottom_pan_set.html?hnav=4294960667

My SO wasnt keen, but Im pretty hairy in general and shes gotten used to it and now likes the whole beard thing.