Search found 1146 matches

by mw3230
10 May 2010, 2:08pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Pre-departure maintainence
Replies: 17
Views: 1343

Re: Pre-departure maintainence

Mattie wrote:Thanks for the suggestions. Looked at the cables and greased the nipples in the levers. The bike is only a few monts old and looks to have been put together very well, all these little points like the seat pin, brake bosses I found had all been greased.

Tyres off and gently sanded the join in the rims as that was the only imperfection I could find.

All ready to go. Bike looks FANDABIDOZZI - (only funny when said in a Rab C Nesbitt stylee) :mrgreen:


Fandabidozzi - The Krankies surely?
by mw3230
10 May 2010, 8:12am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: so........
Replies: 45
Views: 2168

Re: so........

Mick F wrote:
kwackers wrote:Just over a third of the electorate wish to be governed by Tories, just over a quarter by Labour and over a fifth by Lib dems with some other smaller parties tootling along on the outside.

The election was fine, the joke is that potentially we'll end up with a government consisting of a party that only a third of people actually want.


That's the problem.
If those proportions were reflected in Parliament, we would be better represented in accordance with the way we voted. Past elections have resulted in a outright winner so we never complained before.

I was driving the Community Bus on Friday and listening to some of the old dears asking each other whether they'd voted. Most said no, as they couldn't make their mind up as they all seemed the same, and anyway, it was too much trouble. In the old days, we had more polling stations and they were all very local to where people lived. These days, some are a bus-ride away. If voting was made easier, the turn-out would be higher.

So these proportions are of the people that voted - not the electorate.


Perhaps we are taking our democracy for granted. In many other countries the electorate are much more keen to vote and in some I understand that voting is compulsory. I must confess that I did not vote and cannot offer a good reason except to say that I was not inspired by any of the candidates, or parties. (I do live in the traditional Labour constituency where a monkey wearing a red tie could get elected). I accept that, as my wife has pointed out about one million times, I have failed in my civic duty.
by mw3230
10 May 2010, 7:28am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Oh dear, that looks like a threat to me
Replies: 9
Views: 1232

Re: Oh dear, that looks like a threat to me

There are probably politicians who would espouse similar views about immigrants, look at the BNP.
by mw3230
9 May 2010, 11:23am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycling on Private Roads
Replies: 17
Views: 5949

Re: Cycling on Private Roads

On a related note, have you seen the signs that people place at the entrance to their driveways which state "No Turning". What is that about. Have they been so pestered by cars reversing into their drive that they've had to take action. Seems a little churlish .... cycling on private roads is a little different of course but in the absence of any right of way I think a polite request may help (although I guess there's usually nobody about to ask). The OP hinted at the fact that landowners wanted to remain private and as they own the land, maintain the road/path perhaps they have the prerogative to determine the use.

Am I right in thinking that in Scotland the issue would not arise as there they have free access to everywhere?
by mw3230
9 May 2010, 11:12am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Heads up
Replies: 24
Views: 2011

Re: Heads up

chris667 wrote:Twenty quid a set? I have entire bikes that cost less! :shock:


I bet you still darn socks and turn the collars on your shirts!
by mw3230
9 May 2010, 8:20am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How & how much to send a wheel to a purchaser ??
Replies: 19
Views: 1257

Re: How & how much to send a wheel to a purchaser ??

thirdcrank wrote:
rogerzilla wrote: ... They are frequently run by jobsworths ...


It's a specified part of the work experience required to become a GP's receptionist. :wink:

Mick F wrote:Our Post Office is small, but they are lovely people and do a fantastic job. Mary, Steve and the staff are an asset to our community and not at all "Jobsworth".

The wheels I posted were passed through the door.


I think I'd rather have a surly but efficient member of staff - I hate those friendly chatty people who are soooo slow because they insist on talking to every customer - usually at a volume which allows the whole shop to hear what's being said

"Hello Mary, how are you today. How's the incontinence problem, still dribbling, that'll be £2, has Tom still got that nasty rash? and there's your stamps dearie"

I feel like shouting "Shut up and get on with your job"
by mw3230
9 May 2010, 8:02am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Cycling to Subsidise Car Drivers
Replies: 37
Views: 2952

Re: Cycling to Subsidise Car Drivers

A few years ago the car parking at our local general hospital was free and the level of car crime was high. A decision was made to impose parking charges but to use some or most of the revenue on improving security. This was done and security including cameras, guards and car park entrance and exit barriers were installed. Car crime is now virtually non existent. I know that the levels of car crime have fallen generally but the measures taken at the hospital certainly had a significant prevention effect at the time.

Nowadays the car parking charges are commensurate with those already mentioned in other posts. The neighbouring streets are exclusively for holders of residents parking permits and they are regularly patrolled by Council parking enforcers which means that there is no alternative parking within a reasonable distance of the hospital.

Now that the security exists and crime does not it would seem fair that the price of the parking could be reduced but it has not been. We must assume that the income from the car parks is of importance in balancing the budget of the hospital and as such is vital. There seems no prospect of the charges being removed or reduced.

To return to the topic of the OP, I am wondering how long it will be before all supermarkets and other stores with large car parks succumb to the temptation to levy charges for the use of their parking, using the argument that the charges help reduce costs and therefore help to keep prices down. Most already have a maximum length of free stay beyond which a charge is made.
by mw3230
8 May 2010, 9:15am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: What do you add to your soup?
Replies: 10
Views: 797

Re: What do you add to your soup?

I wonder at what point is it adding to the soup as opposed to the 'addition' being an ingredient of the soup. If the soup is planned from the outset, the ingredients gathered, prepared and used in the making, then the only extra should be salt and pepper to taste - with the exception of crusty bread dipped in during eating! Yum!
by mw3230
7 May 2010, 11:05am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: help me, i've a bee in my bonnet
Replies: 33
Views: 2598

Re: help me, i've a bee in my bonnet

hubgearfreak wrote:
1. that i remove the fun and freedom that cycling affords my child
2. that i not chat to other parents whilst walking home from school
3. let the might is right brigade win control of not only the roads but the footpaths too

:(


Having just watched hours of politicians 'spinning' I see that you too interpret other peoples points of view in a way that best suits you. I did not suggest that you either stop your child having fun or that you cease talking, merely that you get the balance right and ensure the safety of a child cycling along the footpath crossed in places by motor vehicles. It is essential that children get to school safely but not imperative that they cycle there. If you have doubts about the safety of the route then perhaps it may be wise to reconsider.
by mw3230
6 May 2010, 10:38pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: help me, i've a bee in my bonnet
Replies: 33
Views: 2598

Re: help me, i've a bee in my bonnet

hubgearfreak wrote:
mw3230 wrote:Forgive me for being devils advocate (I do see your point) but shouldn't a 5 year old be driven to school in the safety of an X5


really, we're up against that sort of mentality. when i first approached the vets, the receptionist did helpfully suggest that one shouldn't ride on the path. he wasn't yet 4 at the time :evil:

when you've got one, obedient child, it's possible
but if they're riding along with their freinds, 3 x 5 year olds and you're walking along chatting with other parents and pushing a baby in a pram, then it's not so easy. boys take risks, they love speed, the freedom a bike offers, they like to race, they like to show off, they obey peer pressure much more than nagging parents and they have no sense at all.

perhaps he should have a helmet on to pretect him from being run over by a range rover too? :lol:


HGFreak I wonder why you felt the need to misrepresent my post using it to make a comment which was not relevant to the point I made. I was suggesting that 5 year olds should be supervised not driven to school. Speaking as a parent of three can I suggest more supervision and control and less chit chat.
by mw3230
6 May 2010, 12:10pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Pelican crossing protest
Replies: 34
Views: 4077

Re: Pelican crossing protest

Tom Richardson wrote:
mw3230 wrote: the drivers have a right to free passage along the highway.



so do pedestrians. I suspect that if you analysed it you'd find that a significant proportion of people are driving along the road just for pleasure and holding up people trying to cross the road as they do so. People have at least an equal right to walk on the road in the same way. This one stands out because the pelican crossing gives them the means to do it.

[XAP]Bob wrote:
mw3230 wrote:drivers have a right to free passage along the highway.


Villagers have a right to cross the road - not something which is possible with the advent of fleets of robot controlled (satnav) lorries running through there...
The protest isn't directed against the traffic, but the traffic system - whoever is designing roads...


Pressing the button endlessly is more than pedestrians exercising their right to cross the road - it's not Trafalgar Square how many pedestrians actually want to cross at that point!
by mw3230
6 May 2010, 8:33am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycle Touring essentials
Replies: 16
Views: 2442

Re: Cycle Touring essentials

rualexander wrote:Toilet paper is bulky and vulnerable to getting wet in bad weather, a couple of packs of Kleenex Pocket tissues kept in a 'ziplock' plastic bag is a good alternative, 4-ply is best as you can peel the plys apart and have four sheets of paper, one pack can last a week or more! Or to be even more economical, or in an emergency, adopt the asian method of left hand and water!

matt2matt2002 wrote:Disposable gloves for when you have to fix that puncture - free at petrol stations near the pumps.
:lol:


Disposable gloves and the Asian method seem to go together!
by mw3230
6 May 2010, 7:40am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: help me, i've a bee in my bonnet
Replies: 33
Views: 2598

Re: help me, i've a bee in my bonnet

Forgive me for being devils advocate (I do see your point) but shouldn't a 5 year old be supervised a little more closely by an adult, and surely riding along the footpath in any urban area will present situations where the footpath will be crossed by vehicles entering or exiting premises along the route.

As it happens there is a similar M and S development near me. The residents, including until her death, my late mother, are not your typical speed merchants!
by mw3230
6 May 2010, 7:31am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Pelican crossing protest
Replies: 34
Views: 4077

Re: Pelican crossing protest

Constantly pressing the buttton in order to stop the traffic and make a protest is in my opinion leaving the old so and so open to being prosecuted/arrested for causing an unecessary or even wilful obstruction. The traffic did not design the road system and the drivers have a right to free passage along the highway.

Actually, being arrested in the full glare of the local press would be even better publicity for the protest
by mw3230
6 May 2010, 7:13am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Route Advice Tongue / Bettyhill area
Replies: 8
Views: 1124

Re: Route Advice Tongue / Bettyhill area

I don't think there's such a thing as a busy route in that area. The rush hour comprises three cars and a tractor instead of just the tractor! You'll probably see more bikes than motor vehicles