Search found 3093 matches

by bigjim
15 Mar 2022, 6:53pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Oldest fully loaded camping cycle tourist?
Replies: 60
Views: 6073

Re: Oldest fully loaded camping cycle tourist?

I'm 73 now and doubt I will tour in Europe again though I'm keen to do so. The travel restrictions and extra rules and regs are not making it an attractive option. I didn't enjoy the flying to start experience before. I've also been recently diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer so insurance costs would be off the scale. Merry Old England for me if I'm around long enough. :(
by bigjim
30 Oct 2021, 8:53pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Covid Booster. Yes/No? *** The Covid Thread ***
Replies: 883
Views: 29188

Re: Covid Booster. Yes/No?

Jdsk wrote: 30 Oct 2021, 8:02pm
bigjim wrote: 30 Oct 2021, 7:52pm You're not allowed to ask questions.
It's really easy to avoid being accused of promoting conspiracy theories:
* Say what you think in plain language, rather than hints and innuendo.
* Cite your sources for assertions, preferably when they're first made, but always when requested.

And there are lots of good questions and some good answers in these forums. Long may that continue.

Jonathan
There were no hints or innuendos. I made no assertions. I have been an active member of these forums long enough to know better and I object totally your insinuations. How dare you!
by bigjim
30 Oct 2021, 8:48pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Covid Booster. Yes/No? *** The Covid Thread ***
Replies: 883
Views: 29188

Re: Covid Booster. Yes/No?

None of which happened on my post. I would be grateful if you would point out any of those things. Otherwise you are guilty of misinformation.
by bigjim
30 Oct 2021, 7:52pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Covid Booster. Yes/No? *** The Covid Thread ***
Replies: 883
Views: 29188

Re: Covid Booster. Yes/No?

You're not allowed to ask questions.
by bigjim
9 Sep 2021, 4:08pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Similar vehicles to Vauxhall Zafira
Replies: 21
Views: 1399

Re: Similar vehicles to Vauxhall Zafira

I'd be looking for a vehicle with galvanized bodywork. As far as I'm aware Ford's are still not galvanised. Evidently Citroen and Fiat are. The Doblo and Berlingo are a good size. I run a 20 year old Yaris Verso that turns into a small van if I need. I've used it as a camper. No rust as it's galvanized. Never had a mechanical problem with it. Shame they stopped making them. Do you need a big vehicle with such small mileage and mostly shopping duties? Bike and roof rack can spread the odd load.
by bigjim
9 Sep 2021, 11:46am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: DVLA nearly over 70 renewing licence
Replies: 157
Views: 9721

Re: DVLA nearly over 70 renewing licence

I was told I could keep my entitlements as long as I took a HGV medical. It was on the application form. Didn't see anything on there about any other fee. I didn't see the point so let the entitlements go. Evidently you can get them back by taking the medical and submitting it in the future.
by bigjim
5 Sep 2021, 4:12pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Modern bikes noisier?
Replies: 39
Views: 1615

Re: Modern bikes noisier?

In my experience one of the noise culprits are modern wheels. The fluted low spoke count ones seem to set up a whirring noise. My old 36 spoke wheels are almost silent.
by bigjim
22 Aug 2021, 11:02am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Who designed this machine?
Replies: 31
Views: 1219

Re: Who designed this machine?

I had a very physical working life into my 40s. Then i discovered I could earn more wearing a suit. So I gained some qualifications and worked 9 to 5 for the first time which also gave me time for quality excercise, not brutal labour. There is a big difference for the body. I've stayed fit and healthy till I hit 70. Now I have arthritis of the hips. Not bothering me much. But I have a recurring thigh problem that is keeping me off my beloved bikes and will not go away. I notice the long lived, 200 year old whales and tortoises just stroll, constant slow non stressful movement. Maybe a lesson there?
by bigjim
22 Aug 2021, 10:41am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: DVLA nearly over 70 renewing licence
Replies: 157
Views: 9721

Re: DVLA nearly over 70 renewing licence

I lost my HGV and other large vehicles entitlements on reaching 70. But it does say that to get these back you will have to undergo an expensive medical and a CPC for the HGV. I can't be bothered but I do see it as discrimination as I'm fitter and healthier than many much younger than me.
by bigjim
22 Aug 2021, 10:22am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Avoiding Manchester
Replies: 22
Views: 1430

Re: Avoiding Manchester

If you use deansgate and bury new road you don't see any tram tracks. The off road route will avoid Prestwich and the motorway roundabout, but you wil have to dismount a fair bit. It's quite slow and busy with dog walkers ect. It can be quite muddy and bumpy in parts. You have to leave it at Radcliffe to cross their town centre and rejoin at the canal. I've done it on a road bike many times. It's very flat. Personally though I'd stick to the road. You can go underneath the dodgy roundabout, supposed to be barred to cyclists but nobody takes any notice. I then ride the deserted pavement for a few hundred yards to avoid a busy junction. After that it's fine.
by bigjim
21 Aug 2021, 2:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Avoiding Manchester
Replies: 22
Views: 1430

Re: Avoiding Manchester

Riding through the centre of Manchester is fine. Traffic is slow and they are used to cyclists. Just frustrating with the many traffic lights. Mick's route heading north is ok but Prestwich is very busy and crossing the motorway roundabout is not for the faint hearted or the roads just after. Once clearing those junctions it is ok through Bury and all the way to Blackburn and out to Preston. Some decent climbs but pretty steady.
by bigjim
16 Jan 2021, 3:08pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Osteoarthritis
Replies: 70
Views: 8479

Re: Osteoarthritis

I've got it in the hips and knees. Consultant says it's moderate and the joints are good. However I've been off the bike for 2 months because of pain in my left thigh when I ride. I don't know if the arthritis is causing this. I'm running 3 miles every day as I have no pain when I run and it seems to help. My consultant has said in the past that he had no problem with my running as long as I was comfortable with it. I woke up with a lot of pain in my thigh this morning. Been for my run and pain has gone. will be back tonight I presume. Arthritis likes us sitting around.
by bigjim
6 Oct 2020, 10:29pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Flu 'jab'
Replies: 141
Views: 6192

Re: Flu 'jab'

Jdsk wrote:Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought that this was a serious discussion of how to develop safe vaccines as quickly as possible so I was trying to help.

Jonathan

You have obviously put some work into your answers and that is appreciated. I for one am much wiser for them. People are naturally sceptical as we have and are continually being fed so much lies and information that it is hard to get at the truth. Plus of course the shadow of thalidomide still hangs over a lot of the older generation. We now have the news of Johnson and Johnson owning up to the fact that they knew there was asbestos in their baby powder for all these years. Doesn't imbue one with confidence as they are also developing a vaccine.
by bigjim
6 Oct 2020, 8:40pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Flu 'jab'
Replies: 141
Views: 6192

Re: Flu 'jab'

Jdsk wrote:
bigjim wrote:Didn't it take 40 years to find the Flu vaccine? I wonder how they are going to develop the Covid vaccine so quickly? As far as I'm aware it can mutate constantly like the Flu and the vaccine can be a guessing game.

The available technology and particularly that used by the Oxford group is completely different from what was previously available. The vehicle doesn't have to be reinvented for each vaccine that uses it. The target has been deliberately selected to avoid the problem of mutation.

https://covid19vaccinetrial.co.uk/about

Jonathan

But doesn't that mean that there is a very short human trial. The effects can't possibly be known for a few years. Especially with pregnant women.
by bigjim
6 Oct 2020, 5:56pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Flu 'jab'
Replies: 141
Views: 6192

Re: Flu 'jab'

Didn't it take 40 years to find the Flu vaccine? I wonder how they are going to develop the Covid vaccine so quickly? As far as I'm aware it can mutate constantly like the Flu and the vaccine can be a guessing game. Evidently it takes 10 years to develop most vaccines and a billion pounds. Still no vaccine for the common cold or HIV for example.
My wife had the Flu vaccine last year and had never been so ill in her life. Never again she say,s though the docs are bombarding her with texts, phone calls and e-mails to arrange an appointment for one.