Playing around with shutter speeds while on a ride in Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland, yesterday:

[/url]

Playing around with depth of field on a new lens in the garage, after returning from the ride yesterday.

[/url]

Tomas O'Leary didn't look very happy when Danny Care dumped him on his head for holding onto the ball for the second time when England were awarded a penalty.

Don't think it warranted reversing the penalty decision though.

Jonny Wilkinson must be wondering if he'll be selected for the next match after his performance today.

I've sent a few bikes. Always use these people[/url] who send parcels with Parcelforce. They pick up from your house (or work) and you can insure the parcel up to £2400 I think. I've sent frames insured for £600 and I think it cost me £25.99 last time for 48 hour delivery.

Never had a problem with them.

I reckon Cal Crutchlow could be in with a shout at the championship if Yamaha can sort out their chassis issues.

Theoretically, we could have a British World Champion in quite a few two-wheeled classes this season:

Moto2 – Scott Redding (maybe a long shot)
125cc – Bradley Smith (Ginger Ninja) or Danny Webb
World Superbike – Take your pick, there's enough Brits there this year
World Supersport – Eugene Laverty (okay, he rides with an Irish licence, but he's from Northern Ireland)

Oh, and the 125cc class is far better than any other motorsport class on the entire planet when it comes to close racing!

I was coming back from a ride on the carbon, full-on bling road bike once. Done about 50 miles, so starting to feel it, but still thought I was whipping along at a reasonable pace.

Then I was passed with a cheery 'hello' by some guy who must have been 70 if he was a day, riding a bike that looked like he'd ridden it every day for most of those 70 years, wearing shoes, trousers and a jacket, complete with shirt and tie. He even had cycle clips on FFS…

Consoled myself with the fact he'd probably only come a mile or so, until I bumped into him again a mile or so down the road where he'd stopped at a set of traffic lights and he told me he'd done 70 miles and still had another couple to go to get to his sisters!

Oh the shame!

I know that we strive to allow people with disabilities to enjoy the same activities as able-bodied people and that this, on the whole, is a good thing.

However, is it not time to accept that there are some things that people with physical disabilities simply can't do?

I'm sure the disabled girl in this article did feel a bit excluded, but that's no reason to deny the rest of her able-bodied classmates their school trip.

In fact, she was probably made to feel a lot more excluded when those classmates found out exactly why they've missed their school trip.

Would they have cancelled a trip to something like "Go Ape" if one of the class suffered from Vertigo, or a trip to the zoo due to severe arachnophobia? I don't think so…

I know when I was at school, they didn't cancel school trips when some of the pupils couldn't afford to go, and this is no different.

As for the suggested alternative, it's not very educational or character building is it?

Right, it looks like Switchbacks DH is favourite. Not sure I'm up for full-on Downhilling, but I've been out voted.

I guess I might get to take advantage of my medical insurance this year 🙂

Can you tell me which other profession requires that compulsory training is done during staff holidays? I'm certainly not aware of any.

Can you tell me which other profession has a similar amount of holiday time compared to teachers?

Brant tweeted a recipe for chicken soup the other day, which I tried at the weekend. It was very nice!

Oh, he's got the recipe on his website now…

Shedfire Chicken Noodle Soup[/url]

Twas probably the only useful thing I've learnt from Twitter since I started using it!

Not February, but January. This little fella ate quite a bit of my lunch!

[/url]

it is the act of a coward, a very slippy and slimy thing to do.

People who make threats don't particularly worry me.

It's the people who turn up, give you a good kicking and only explain why they did it afterwards that worry me!

This happened to me a few years ago coming out of a pub. Unfortunately for me it was a case of mistaken identity. Unfortunately for him he wasn't as Chuck Norris like as he imagined himself to be!

Had a go at skeleton bob when I was in the army in Germany many years ago – can't remember the name of the course, but it wasn't regarded as being very challenging. I think it was the same year a couple of squaddies got killed taking on the Oberstdorf big ski jump on a beer crate!

Typical army introduction to a new sport – "Wear this helmet, to stop you damaging the ice with your head. Don't let go with your hands or you'll lose your fingers. Use your feet to brake and steer, it won't work, but it will make you feel better. Off you go then…"

A little bit scary because there was no feeling of being in control, and it felt proper fast.

Good fun, but once was enough for me. Consigned, along with hang gliding, to the done it, got the t-shirt, won't be doing it again list of pastimes.

I don't really have much to do with my family. Not because we've fallen out or anything, but because we weren't really that close and have sort of drifted apart.

My parents live in Spain, one brother has emigrated to Australia and one brother found religion when he got married and is a little bit difficult to talk to sometimes.

After reading this thread I will be getting back in touch with them all, and actually making an effort to go and see them. Luckily, my job takes me to Australia and Spain on a regular basis, so it won't be that difficult to do.

They're timed off-road sportives. Although some people (not me, I hasten to add) seem to see them as races.

Hmm, have you tried fitting the cranks without the ISCG plate, and measuring how much the axle protrudes on the non-drive side, then replacing the ISCG mount and seeing if this measurement is the same?

I can't see the axle being too short, as they are designed specifically to fit 68mm or 73mm bottom brackets.

Also, how are you attaching the non-drive side crank? Are you removing the inside bolt before pushing it onto the axle, then inserting and tightening the hollow plastic bolt thing into the crank before tightening up both crank bolts?

What kind of frame is this? It's not a downhill frame with an 83mm bottom bracket is it?

You are of course correct, I got it the wrong way round.

Sorry, it's been a long day!

I also had some issues getting the crank on far enough with an ISCG mount the first time I fitted them, but just used a rubber mallet to seat them properly.

If your bottom bracket is 68mm wide then you should be running none of the plastic spacers between the BB bearing and the frame with the ISCG mount adaptor.

If it's 73mm wide then you should have at least one, and maybe two of the plastic spacers.

Could this be it?

I wonder if the responses on this thread would have been any dfferent if the OP had posted a message "To the huge group of walkers at Haldon last night"?

I love how STW automatically assumes zaskar is not an orion slave boy btw!

*
Loading…

*
Firewall Testing
A comprehensive guide to selecting your penetration testing supplier
http://www.penetration-testing.com
*
Make Time to Test
Quality software testing is key to a smooth product release.
http://www.jetbusinessservices.co.uk
*
Alpine MTB in Morzine
Guided rides, free route info Orange hire bikes, workshop
http://www.EndlessRide.com

Hmm, doesn't seem to be quite as targeted as Google make out!

Is this really worth whinging about?

It would irritate me a bit as well if I'm honest, because it's just inconsiderate and no different to the red socks walking six abreast along a track and refusing to allow you a space to get past.

If you need to regroup with a large group then surely it's better to do it somewhere where you're not blocking an access point?

Mind you, I'd have probably said something at the time, although I would understand if someone kept quiet because of the size of the group.

Skynet is already online. It's one of the main broadband providers in Belgium. You even get an @skynet.be email address! Maybe they're running the ad placement for Singletrack!

**Fashion vicitm overload**

My name is wheelz, and I am a fashion victim. I haven't bought any colour matched bicycle components for four weeks.

I am, however, struggling to add contrasting forks to a new frame I've just taken delivery of, so this may not last!

NO! I'm paid in Euros!

yunki – Member
having woken at 5am and only had the benefit of a 5 month old babies opinions for the last four hours

Having been there a few years ago, I'm surprised you're not down McDonalds armed with a sub-machine gun 😉

The fact that you have been a victim of drug related crime and are able to look objectively at the underlying problems makes you a better man than me.

I'm not sure I would be able to be so understanding should it ever happen to me, although I hope that I'd at least try to be.

I think anyone is capable of violence under the right circumstances, even dyed in the wool pacifists. Those that claim they are not just haven't found themselves in the right situation yet.

So, yes, like everyone, I'm sure I am capable of violence, but I'm not a violent person – far from it.

And I also don't agree with some of the extreme views offered on this thread, but I am tolerant of people's right to air them.

yunki – Member
…the rest of my day plotting how to cause actual physical harm to small minded judgemental little twonks…

Does this not make you equally judgemental?

Sometimes it's difficult to look objectively at the underlying reasons for a problem such as drug addiction and, specifically, how some addicts finance this addiction. This is especially true of people who've been victims of drug related crime.

I'm a bit like jahwomble. I've taken precautions to try and ensure I don't get burgled but, if I did, then it would be nothing more than a minor inconvenience for me.

I think it would be very different for my wife and two young children though, as they see our home as their 'safe haven' as it were. If their home were to be violated I'm sure they would find it very difficult to take an objective view of the burglar's problems.

I might also find it difficult to take an objective view if I'm forced to move house as a result. I know, it's unlikely, but this does happen.

Many people see the drug addicts as victims, which some of them may well be, but the addicts aren't the only victims when they resort to crime to finance their habit.

Burglary may well be classed as a crime against property, but for some victims it can leave deep psychological scars.

You can call me a nimby if you must, but I challenge you to find anyone who'd welcome drug addicts openly into their own backyard. I'm sure there wouldn't be that many volunteers, even amongst those who preach tolerance so loudly.

Sometimes there is a reason why people hold extreme views, in the same way that there is sometimes a reason why people become drug addicts. If you can be tolerant of one, why is it not possible to be tolerant of the other, instead of contemplating physical violence against people you know nothing about?

Isn't that also extreme?

And isn't it a little naive of you to assume that none of the people who expressed an opinion you disapprove of are capable of visiting more violence on you than you could ever visit on them?

Just a thought…

I did the Ruthin event last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was well organised, the route was interesting and well signed and the atmosphere on the camp site (at Ruthin Rugby Club) was pretty good.

Rode the route with a group of people who I'd never met before. The pace was gentle enough that we had time to chat and it's always good to meet new people who share the same interests.

Will definitely do one again this year.

[/url]

It seems that, every time someone offers an extreme opinion, people jump in to accuse them of being a Daily Mail reader, or a middle management BMW driver.

I understand that Nick Griffin chap has some extreme beliefs, but I doubt he reads the Daily Mail. He might drive a BMW though, I suppose.

Why does the fact that hoykalot stated an extreme view automatically make him a someone who hangs around with Benylin addicted X5 drivers?

Is it not even remotely possible that he might not be someone who aspires to a BMW and a middle class existence?

In fact, isn't it more likely for blue collar workers to hold stronger views on drug addicts than white collar workers or middle management, on whose lives addicts maybe have less impact?

I don't agree with what hoykalot said, but I can't quite figure out how people have managed to deduce his preferred daily newspaper and identify that he has a benylin addicted friend who drives a BMW from just one paragraph.

Sherlock Holmes, please step aside!

To use the lockwire properly you need lockwire pliers. You can do it with a normal set of pliers, but it never looks very neat and it's difficult to get the wire tight.

We used to spend hours lockwiring all the bolts on our Superbikes, which is why my XTR brakes are secured with loctite and there is no lockwire in evidence (despite the fact I actually have lockwire pliers)

Was always funny with first timers cutting their eyebrows first time they fired an L98 with iron sights!

Sniper's eye we used to call it. You could always spot someone who hadn't fired an SLR before, as half the range staff would be watching to see them:

a. Pull trigger
b. Close eyes when rifle goes bang
c. Receive rearsight in right eyebrow
d. Wonder who'd just kicked them in the shoulder

Nobody ever told them about eye relief prior to their first range day. The SA80 just wasn't as much fun!

stop trying to rip people off……………

Okay, Ton I accept that condition can be subjective and that you might expect the description "excellent condition" to be applied only when every single part of the bike is in this condition.

I disagree, and I think it's okay to say "…excellent condition, apart from some chainsuck marks on the chainstay" as long as the exceptions are clearly stated.

To ensure that this was clear, I used a photograph of the relevant chainstay. Not a small photograph, but one that was big enough to see the full extent of the damage.

I think this was pretty clear.

So, you saying…

stop trying to rip people off……………

is quite offensive, as I'm clearly not trying to rip anyone off, otherwise I wouldn't have posted the second photo.

Sorry Ton, didn't mean to get you all hot under the collar with my ad for the Endorfin.

However, the frame is generally in excellent condition, apart from the chainsuck, which I showed clearly in the photograph you very kindly posted.

Would you rather I didn't mention the chainsuck, or perhaps just allow people to assume the rest of the frame is in a similar condition to the chainstay by describing the whole thing as okay?

Or are you worried that someone might miss the rather large photo and go by the description alone?

This bike was ridden. It got chainsuck on the frame when the chain dropped, but it's still in excellent condition for a used mountain bike.

Should you actually keep a mountain bike frame long enough to ride it more than once, then I look forward to critiquing your advert in the classifieds.

Can you not just pick the stitches out using your teeth, go on your ride, and then stitch yourself back up again using the needle and thread stored in the handle of your unfeasibly large combat knife?

Pistol=short barrelled weapon=proper dangerous in the wrong hands, even on the range.

I used to run ranges, and the pistol shoots always used to fill me with dread, because it only takes a slight movement of the hand and the barrel is pointing at other people.

Also, people used to turn up thinking they were Starsky and Hutch and were surprised when they found they couldn't hit the sea sat in a boat! To be fair though, most people would stuggle to hit a man-sized target at 25 metres the first time they shoot a pistol.

I got quite good with a pistol – Browning Hi-Power, Walther P5 and Sig Sauer P226 – but only because we had to shoot at least 100 rounds a week to qualify.

and partake of the assisted baths in some of the local 'hostelries'

Ah, Mon Cherie in Charlottenburg and the Klo Bar on the K'damm – two of my fondest memories of Berlin!

I travel long haul a lot with my job. Going down to the hotel gym after a long flight is okay, but I made myself sick by getting off the plane in Melbourne and cycling down to Phillip Island. After 90 miles I was completely done in and it took me six days to recover fully – just in time for the flight back.

I won't make that mistake again.

Having said that, I did the Tilff-Bastogne-Tilff sportive four days after getting off the plane from Malaysia in 2008, with no real problems (apart from the normal one of being slower than 90% of the other people doing it).

Everybody knows that Twitter was invented so that Brant and Ed Oxley could have conversations without actually speaking to each other!

Mind you, Brant's recipe for chicken soup, which he twittered about in great detail today, sounds quite good!