Search found 1753 matches

by ossie
10 Feb 2024, 12:56pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Does endurance sport harm your heart?
Replies: 62
Views: 3816

Re: Does endurance sport harm your heart?

Carlton green wrote: 10 Feb 2024, 10:54am
Don’t bank on it. Locally a lifelong and very fit older guy died of heart issues whilst out cycling. You can’t cater for every case but in general I avoid placing bets that I wouldn’t be comfortable about loosing.
I'd wager (and in my experience) more people die of a heart attack straining on a toilet than on a bicycle. There are some bets you have no choice about taking. Your cyclist would probably have met his maker doing one of many activities.
by ossie
10 Feb 2024, 10:51am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Does endurance sport harm your heart?
Replies: 62
Views: 3816

Re: Does endurance sport harm your heart?

I'm 58 and Zwift has my max heart rate at 170 bpm.

In a typical 90 minute turbo ride my max heart rate is around 150 bpm, I'm 35 minutes in Zone 4(134-150), 20 minutes zone 3 (120-138), 12 mins in zone 2 (104-120bpm) and the rest in Zone 1 (60-104)

This would indicate I'm spending 31% of my time at 80% of my max heart rate or above, so 30 minutes three to four times a week doing something that's allegedly bad for me. It certainly doesn't feel like I'm thrashing away.

Having been a long distance runner and cyclist since the age of 16 I'd argue the advice might be slightly skewed and any cycling GP's are probably erring on the side of caution without any knowledge of a patients history. For sure a 40 something suddenly finding cycling or the gym might choose to be careful. I also accept that age and other factors can also bring an unrelated heart issue into the equation but your body will probably let you know before you fall off the bike into a pool of your own sweat.
by ossie
9 Feb 2024, 11:14am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Is bringing back conscription a good idea?
Replies: 49
Views: 2006

Re: Is bringing back conscription a good idea?

Nearholmer wrote: 9 Feb 2024, 10:35am
Lots of things being mixed up together here now, I think
Indeed, and something that I’m not sure has survived in the mix is “national service”, with or without some military element.

Part of the issue must be that if there is a prospect of needing to conscript to face a military threat, then the lead-times could be incredibly short, ditto any other form of national emergency that required mobilisation of lots of people in an organised fashion, which suggests to me that some level of basic preparedness, trained preparedness, might be no bad idea.

Either that, or a registration system so that people who already possess key skills could be called-up, or could volunteer in short order. Logistics personnel are an obvious one, but there are a stack of other “back of house” skills that could be useful to releasing already trained troops (I’m assuming that army logistics personnel have at least basic infantry training) for “further forward” roles. Or, if the issue is that things like logistics have been demilitarised already, so that the personnel have no infantry training, then re-militarise them now, and enact the above thereafter.

It’s surely about creating a reserve of capability which can be “stood up” very quickly, by whatever the most effective means might be.
If you leave the army you are automatically enrolled as a reservist for six years and can be called up for 16 days a year. The Army currently have 27,000 reservists who can be called up very quickly so the current headline figures about our capability are probably a little skewed.

My father was in the army for 24 years as was my sisters husband and they very much enjoyed their service. My son is a Major in the Army reserves and was full time at one point, he's a doctor and works with numerous colleagues who are in the reserves, they claim to have the best of both worlds many are ex full time service personnel who've chosen to continue as a reservist beyond their term.

His best friend has just left the army after a decade simply because he now has a family, my nephew has just left and become a full time reserve doing exactly the same job with the same pay which surprised me but appears to be the way forward. He now has more flexibility in his hours etc.

So yes I agree about the reserve capability being maintained and even expanded but it's about attracting people. My view is that it's all gone a little out of fashion for young people. I've no idea if the Army / Navy / RAF careers people still visit schools, obviously we see the ads on TV for full time and reservists and they've gone very 'tech minded' as if that might appeal, who knows.
by ossie
8 Feb 2024, 8:46pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Music on the turbo trainer
Replies: 14
Views: 916

Re: Music on the turbo trainer

As above. Bluetooth earphones with a decent battery life (the small ear bud type rather than over ear), Spotify (my son has a subscription I use) and my phone to my right on a stool out of the sweat zone.

I do have a sweat saturated phone on the bars which integrates with my turbo (smart turbo - Zwift) and it seems to function fine, just wipe it down every now and then.
by ossie
8 Feb 2024, 7:15pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 26" or 700c for short europe tour - and what tyres?
Replies: 14
Views: 684

Re: 26" or 700c for short europe tour - and what tyres?

On a budget ? keep the same bike and tyres just buy a decent puncture repair kit / pump if the tyres are in good nick. I've done that route via Nijmegan, Kleve / Xanten on several occasions on 700c and 26" wheels, various tyres, fully loaded with 4 panniers and a tent. Its completely flat with excellent surfaces everywhere and you could do it in a couple of days without much effort. If you have a westerly behind you won't even have to pedal :lol:
by ossie
8 Feb 2024, 4:35pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?
Replies: 97
Views: 5034

Re: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?

Pebble wrote: 8 Feb 2024, 4:12pm
ossie wrote: 8 Feb 2024, 3:06pm
Pebble wrote: 8 Feb 2024, 2:51pm and I love that occasional feeling I get when I'm up on the pedals and powering up a hill like a 20 year old - so therefor I must like exercise ? I'm not that sure what really drives me
Dancing on the peddles like Contador...yep I love that feeling. I also find its good for my bad back / sciatica - just been told I need a L5/S1 fusion and am desperate to put it off for as long as possible.
It just shows how these similar back injuries vary so much - one of my red flags to tell me that I need to do my pilates exercises is sciatic twinges when up dancing on the pedals. walking is not good for me either, I can walk 3 or 4 miles but my back will start to play up, 5 mile is too far, but weirdly I can cycle 50 mile and feel better. And yet other folk give up cycling cause of their backs.

Good look with the fusion, luckily I never had surgery. I had two slipped discs at the same time, L5/S1 & L4/L5 Sciatic in one leg Femoral nerve in the other, crawled around on the floor for 6 months, what worked in one leg didn't in the other, an astonishing experience! :D a little bit of permanent motor loss to one quad means I have to keep my routes clockwise
Clockwise :D You're right, it seems that all symptoms are different. I've previously had two microdiscectomies at L5/ S1 and after the first op back in 2012 my surgeon advised me to get back on the back as soon as I felt I could. Unfortunately the disc reherniated for a third time in 2014 so I've been putting this damned fusion off. However like you walking isn't good and its getting worse, ten minutes and the leg/ foot is numb and I'm dragging my foot.

I've just had a three week break off the bike / turbo and worryingly after a 45 minute session the other night I was in a lot of sciatic pain, despite dancing like Contador :wink: It seems that if I do absolutely nothing and lead a sedentary life style the sciatica improves. He's offered one more nerve root block that I get in a few weeks but the writings on the wall I think if I still want to be active (I'm only 58).
by ossie
8 Feb 2024, 3:06pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?
Replies: 97
Views: 5034

Re: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?

Pebble wrote: 8 Feb 2024, 2:51pm and I love that occasional feeling I get when I'm up on the pedals and powering up a hill like a 20 year old - so therefor I must like exercise ? I'm not that sure what really drives me
Dancing on the peddles like Contador...yep I love that feeling. I also find its good for my bad back / sciatica - just been told I need a L5/S1 fusion and am desperate to put it off for as long as possible.
by ossie
8 Feb 2024, 1:01pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: 2.8 million people in the UK on long-term sick
Replies: 34
Views: 1982

Re: 2.8 million people in the UK on long-term sick

In my experience, surroundings, family, friends, neighbours many of those on long term sick leave were / are down to stress related issues.
by ossie
8 Feb 2024, 12:42pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?
Replies: 97
Views: 5034

Re: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?

mjr wrote: 8 Feb 2024, 12:27pm
Do others here like exercise? For example, would you ride a static bike purely for the exercise, with no measurement or competition or social elements?
I like exercise. I'm on Zwift 3/ 4 times a week, on a smart turbo trainer which is interactive riding with thousands of others. You can race, dawdle, chat, climb the Alp D'Huez, set personal bests, go on group rides with your local cycling club using discord to chat and talk. The smart turbo replicates the gradient you see on the screen, you benefit from perceived drafting, different bikes have different qualities over different terrain.

To me it's a game changer, especially in the winter. I've cycled over 6500 miles in two years indoors, done centuries, listen to music. It will never properly replace the joys of outdoor cycling but for those who want to keep fit it can keep you interested rather than the old dumb turbo trainer which was soul destroying.
by ossie
8 Feb 2024, 12:25pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?
Replies: 97
Views: 5034

Re: Why are the general population resistant to getting fit?

mjr wrote: 8 Feb 2024, 11:47am
Debs wrote: 7 Feb 2024, 8:33pm It just comes down to aptitude within the individual mindset.

I first saw this in my school days; kids who welcomed the 'sports' period, and those that didn't.
To me the sports period was like extra play time and something to enjoy, but to others it was hell, obviously.
School sports in the 1980s/90s were hell due to widespread bullying and verbals, including from the teachers. I remember one kid being bullied into playing on with a broken arm. Others were threatened with being made to run to the nearest town in only their underwear in winter.

I was far from unfit, cycling through open country to school once I was old enough to be allowed, but was still struggling to adjust to changing eyesight so couldn't catch or intercept a ball, so didn't escape the teachers' mocking. I was almost glad when my first foot problems meant I was excused on doctor's orders (but not because damn they hurt and the corrective treatment was scary).

I doubt this is the whole reason why lots of people avoid exercise, but it probably contributes. To this day, I hate seeing leaders (whether club or political) "punch down" and claim it's a joke or similar.
In the late 70' /early 80's our PE teachers idea of exercise was to take us running over the mud flats in our local harbour. Likewise jump the local stream resulting in a fellow pupil breaking his arm and various injuries which were deemed acceptable by the school back then. So yes PE was considered as a good excuse to bully the kids. There was also no fun in climbing a rope and being ridiculed if you fell off it three foot up or being forced into an unheated swimming pool.

Incidentally according to my now grown up children this followed into the 90's and 2000's. They all still shudder when looking at the local heathland adjacent to their Middle school as that's when they endured their torture which in turn put them off running until they were able to work out and see the health benefits in a manner that wasn't over bearing - in their 20's.

So aptitudes can change, they all keep fit now. Incidentally and If I recall we were all skinny kids back then. There was usually one overweight pupil in the class who was endlessly mocked but our lifestyle was completely different, to a tee we nearly all played out doors and expended calories.

I've just come back from holiday and would estimate 60-70% of fellow guests were obese, morbidly obese in some cases.

That said I can cycle for 30 minutes on a turbo trainer and use the same amount of calories as in a bar of chocolate, so the mindset needs to be diet then exercise or diet and exercise. I recall during the first lockdown seen masses of overweight people hitting our local trailway in their jogging gear, I can't imagine the injuries they suffered, well I can, achilles problems, knee issues, shin splints which would explain why they rapidly disappeared.

Sadly I think many people nowadays simply don't care, accept it as the norm and hope the NHS will sort them out when they get that wake up call.
by ossie
10 Jan 2024, 9:27pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2135
Views: 109846

Re: BEVs

Cowsham wrote: 10 Jan 2024, 9:14pm I agree with all of that -- if they can't shift the ev's offer them £10k less and start from there. Be absolutely ruthless on price. I do that every time. Got a bit of a reputation so when they see me some of the sales men hide then they start a bit lower to save time. I've mellowed a bit as I get older though so not as ruthless as I once was.
We sound similar.

When I buy cars and if for the good lady or my daughters it always gets to the point where I ask them to leave the negotiation process as it's about to turn ugly or slightly awkward :D ..they know the process.

I think we're all hoping price parity comes sooner and I'm sure it will as people ultimately vote with their wallet. We actually need company car drivers / lease companies to buy up the stock for the used market to become more viable further down the line, your Tesla quote being a classic example.

My lad has gone full EV including solar panels and battery etc. He managed to partly charge his EV from the solar battery yesterday but that's another topic in itself. I'm still learning so threads like this are valuable.
by ossie
10 Jan 2024, 8:38pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2135
Views: 109846

Re: BEVs

Cowsham wrote: 9 Jan 2024, 9:25pm
A mate has just shown me a second hand Tesla model 3 for 25k that does 345 miles on a single charge.

Times are a changin.
The problem as you probably know is that as this time of the year it will probably struggle to do 250 miles or less.

I had a test drive in a Cupra Born yesterday. The advertised range is 342 miles. It was at 100% charge and the screen estimated the range at 250miles. It didn't improve during the drive. The salesman went quiet and said its only if you have heating, a/c or the heated seats on.. I laughed, I mean who needs heating at this time of year?

It was a lovely drive, I enjoyed the regen concept for various reasons and I may well buy one at some point. Dealers simply can't shift them as no one's buying (apart from lease companies and company car drivers for the BIK). Depreciation is massive, companies are already wiggling out of the 22% BEV sales quota and deferring as they know they'll be piling up unsold.

I could buy a comparable specced VW Golf for £10k less. £10k for me is 8 years of fuel at todays prices and by then the Golf will still will have loads of life in it. There still isn't enough price parity and people aren't stupid but its coming down. Charging isn't an issue for me but it is for many and public charging prices are pretty expensive.

I'm still on the fence, I figure an EV plus keep an ICE will do us going forward.
by ossie
3 Jan 2024, 12:36pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2135
Views: 109846

Re: BEVs

Jdsk wrote: 3 Jan 2024, 10:16am
ossie wrote: 3 Jan 2024, 10:13am ...
However it's like entering a world of deceit with these manufacturers and their range claims. A 341 mile range for a Polestar for example actually equates to a 250 mile range or less in the winter, motorway driving with a heater on. We have two trips we make quite often, a couple of hours each way, one motorway, one mainly A roads and trying to find an affordable EV that can safely do it without the hassle of charging the thing before the return leg or even on it (at prices equivalent to petrol) is difficult or affordable.
...
Have you found independent sources for real-life range?

Jonathan
I'm finding the best sources for real life range are everyday users / owners on owners forums driving under different conditions. Although there's a massive amount of enthusiasm from EV owners in general there's also an acceptance that figures quoted from manufacturers should be taken with a complete pinch of salt. Additionally there are quite a few people who feel slightly misled.

I've noticed on one of the main UK car selling sites Autotrader, with an EV you simply get 'range' with the maximum manufacturers quoted range yet with an ICE mpg is quoted as average. I guess it pays to do your homework and its a bit of an eye opener.
by ossie
3 Jan 2024, 10:13am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2135
Views: 109846

Re: BEVs

Now used prices are dropping I'm actively looking for an EV despite the fact the majority of people aren't judging by used sales falling through the floor (unless you're a company car driver deriving the benefits buying new or lease which is propping up the EV market).

However it's like entering a world of deceit with these manufacturers and their range claims. A 341 mile range for a Polestar for example actually equates to a 250 mile range or less in the winter, motorway driving with a heater on. We have two trips we make quite often, a couple of hours each way, one motorway, one mainly A roads and trying to find an affordable EV that can safely do it without the hassle of charging the thing before the return leg or even on it (at prices equivalent to petrol) is difficult or affordable.

If you dig down into any manufacturers EV forum you'll find major disappointment over range and reliability. Tesla for example have the highest failure rate for first year MOT 's in Germany, so 3 year old cars failing MOT's due to suspension issues but software issues and parts shortages are rife everywhere across all manufacturers.

Talking of suspension, tyres, struts / shocks etc. I looked at a small Cupra the other day not much bigger than your typical Golf. Its weight was 2 tons due to the battery. Some of the big luxury manufacturers Lexus / Mercedes suffer significant suspension issues due to weight so without doubt this is another issue that will crop up on EV's in due course. That said you could argue due to regeneration you'll save on brake pads / discs plus the rest of the consumables involved in running a combustion engine.

That said I'm reading that things are improving dramatically in relation to nationwide infrastructure but sadly that's not demonstrated on the M3 for example where people queuing for the Tesla chargers can often block the service station entrance (that last bit of juice needed from Devon to London).
by ossie
30 Dec 2023, 11:53pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Are you "Infected by a remainer mind virus"?
Replies: 920
Views: 862616

Re: Are you "Infected by a remainer mind virus"?

Jdsk wrote: 30 Dec 2023, 5:46pm Third anniversary of Leaving.


Screenshot 2023-12-30 at 17.44.54.png
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... nances-nhs

Jonathan
You need to move on Jonathan

It can't be good for you health reposting nonsensical polls that no one really cares about.

Here's the alternative view from the same rag the puts a different view on things.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... pe-economy