Search found 1423 matches

by Manx Cat
15 Nov 2020, 6:05pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Smart bikes
Replies: 3
Views: 427

Re: Smart bikes

I have a Wattbike Atom. Love it. It’s a stand alone machine ie I don’t strap a real bicycle to it.

I use it almost daily. It ties up with Zwift and that has lots of brilliant training plans on it. Best thing I’ve bought in a long time. And yes. It’s improving my fitness.
by Manx Cat
1 Nov 2012, 7:16pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: How do I catch at cat?
Replies: 64
Views: 8128

Re: How do I catch at cat?

PLEASE dont resort to killing him. Please.....


There is always another option to that. Cant believe folk are even discussing this.
by Manx Cat
1 Nov 2012, 10:37am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: How do I catch at cat?
Replies: 64
Views: 8128

Re: How do I catch at cat?

Listen to Honesty Mick

Get the RSPCA involved, they will sort you out a suitable trap. I know someone who was nearly blinded when a cat got into her house and up her chimney in her bedroom. When she tried to 'rescue' the cat - thinking that wrapping it in a towel would do the trick. It went crazy, and shredded her face so badly that she is scarred for life and as said, nearly blinded too.


Here our local MSPCA would sort you out a suitable trap, then castrate the caught cat if he is a feral. Sometimes castration sorts out the problem. It sorted out the trouble we were having with an unwanted feral tom, fighting our cats and getting them into situations where a Vet need to stitch them up all the time.

Once castrated our feral tom became known as Albert, he now won his case and lives with us full time and is the sweetest gentleman cat ever!

Hope your lady cats settle ok
by Manx Cat
10 Oct 2012, 2:02pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: AudaxUK
Replies: 10
Views: 6227

Re: AudaxUK

Personally speaking, I find the entire Audax way of cycling and keeping fit, doing my own thing, the cheapest membership out there.

£2.00 for a DIY GPS event!

OK, its a bit more if I do an organised event, but so it should be. There is a huge difference to going alone to someone sorting a route out, finding suitable controls, perhaps even manning these controls, some of course might also provide a hall or school to kip in too. I have been to organised Audax rides that even provide free food and tea there is no way anyone profits from the events. Its all for the cycling and the riders who cycle great stuff. (IMO).

Na, it will be a very long while before i ever complain about prices from Audax. This year alone, I have ridden 3 x sportive events each were priced in the region of £40+ each, and there were no medals from any of them!

And I LOVE Arrivee too, a great solid, inspiring read each season.
by Manx Cat
10 Oct 2012, 1:15pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: AudaxUK
Replies: 10
Views: 6227

Re: AudaxUK

LOL.... Ok one or twooooo....

I was really hoping for my first attempt at a RRtY Award, but I can only do this up to March. SOOoooo I might see if I can 200km a month until then. :) So no... not an entire year off, but no challenges :(

Are you having a go at LEL by any chance?

Im doing a bit of control volunteering for that, and I cant wait! All the fun, none of the pain. :)

Thanks all for the explanation about the missing month! I was unaware of this, was it weather controlled by any chance? Does it make this next coming year a 13 month one?
by Manx Cat
10 Oct 2012, 12:33pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: AudaxUK
Replies: 10
Views: 6227

AudaxUK

I see that the season for Audax UK ended on 30 September this year.

Am I being particularly stupid or has this date been changed? Im sure that for the past few years of my membership the season was from the 1st Nov to the 31st Oct or have I simply 'been elsewhere' and not noticed the proper calendar for Audax?


Its not been a problem as my rides are logged from Nov to Oct anyway, but for the first time, I have spotted an official 'end' of the season on their webpage.


I ended up with 77 AAA points for this year! And a double AAARtY award. My personal best. Not riding next year as I am taking a year out, so enjoy your Audaxing those of you who love it as much as I do. Gonna miss it, but Ill be back!

M
by Manx Cat
9 Sep 2012, 1:03pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Have fleas!
Replies: 17
Views: 22635

Re: Have fleas!

Over the years of cat partnership I have become an expert sadly.

But dont worry, there is help to hand. If your sure they are fleas, ie you have pets or someone nearby has pets. Front line for the cat/dog is the way to go. You cant beat that stuff. One (expensive) vial is rubbed onto cat or dog scruff for up to 6 weeks relief for fleas or 3 weeks if ticks are an issue. Any remaining fleas that go to the pet for a blood feed will die shortly.

Cat fleas at any rate, might feed from time to time off a human, but we are not ideal hosts for them. So, if you get your pets sorted teh problem will go away. :)

If your sure its fleas, get your bed stripped off and wash everything at at least 60 degrees to kill off eggs or larvae.

Then spray your mattress with 'Indorex Spray' available from local Vet.

Do both sides of it. Allow to air for the rest of the day, then remake your bed with fresh linen.

I usually use the Indorex on the carpet too, paying attention to corners and under radiators where the devils like to breed where its warmest.

If its other insects/mites etc, I can t help.

Front line at 'Pets at home' costs £15 for 3 vials.
by Manx Cat
7 Sep 2012, 7:20pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Learning French at home
Replies: 57
Views: 6335

Re: Learning French at home

Ooooh, great replies thank you everyone.

There are no evening classes on teh IOM this year doing French sadly, thus the CD idea and course. Looked up the Linguaphone folk, and they are quite pricy, but I have managed to get a set of CD's off Fleabay today, so Im going to give them a go and take it from there.

I am lucky, my brother has now moved back to the IOM, and he spent 3 years living in Brittany about 8 years back, he is rusty, but at least can speak and write in the language, Im hoping to bounce my newly learnt lingo back and forth to him from time to time (we work at the same establishment now too - handy)

Giving myself some time to do this... cos I have an agenda.

In a couple of years, Im going to have a go at cycling in Brittany, I used to holiday there with my girls with English friends, and I can remember needing some French then, but as I had French speaking friends with us it was a case of 'why bark, if you have a dog', I never learnt any of it, i didnt need to. But now I want to give it a go and take it from there.

With any luck a ride across the Channel in 2015... (if I get to do a bit more distance Audaxing done that is....)


Will let you chaps know how I get along.... For now, cant add anything in French, but one day.... one day I just might. :)


M
by Manx Cat
6 Sep 2012, 7:20am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Learning French at home
Replies: 57
Views: 6335

Learning French at home

I want to learn some French.

Currently I have none, other than a couple of words. I cant find a course locally this winter, German and Spanish are the fashionable languages this year it seems.

Can anyone recommend an 'At Home' package for this? Preferably one with books and CD's and not too pricy.


With thanks


M
by Manx Cat
18 Aug 2012, 3:31pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 1
Views: 1598

Deleted

Deleted
by Manx Cat
5 Aug 2012, 12:27pm
Forum: Racing, Olympics, TdF, Competitive cycling
Topic: Peter Kennaugh
Replies: 1
Views: 984

Peter Kennaugh

Well done to the boys winning the British yet another Gold medal.

In particular to young Peter Kennaugh from the Isle of Man


http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of- ... -1-4803157



So very very proud of our wee nation today...
by Manx Cat
22 Jul 2012, 6:58pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: what do you sit on?
Replies: 30
Views: 4349

what do you sit on?

Nearly there now.

In fact we are off on our camping tour this week.

Thing is, I have put my tent up (needed teenager fresh from a music festival to help me, as the instructions assumed you knew what a fly sheet and a tent pole was - no pictures!).

Anyway put the thing up and down again (the tent that is,) a few times, and packed it all away now. I noticed how - well, uncomfortable it is, squatting on bent legs outside a tent - put up on wet ground.

So... what do you sit on, once your home from home is up and ready to go? So far, I just have by trusty bike bags and it seems a shame to sit on these while brewing up. Other than this, its bin bags and squatting, my legs went 'to sleep' yesterday while brewing, then I stood up and the world spun...

Shedman suggested a small 3 legged stool, but again, it all adds to excess weight and space.

Cheers
by Manx Cat
31 May 2012, 8:30pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Extra-Wheel trailer advice
Replies: 16
Views: 6340

Re: Extra-Wheel trailer advice

I shall add everyone, that when I was looking for a trailer, the Extra Wheel one seemed to come with the best reviews regarding lightness and responsivness behind the bike.

Ahem... It seems I should have read the instructions when I put it 'to' the bike as well. Blimey Ive never done that before... Im a woman... What would I do with instructions.... :wink:


Anyway, I found a site better than the instructions in the box, which I did glance at, and once my eyes glazed over as usual, I simply put it 'to' Hettie and set off. Here is the link to photographic instructions...

http://www.aushiker.com/gear-note-extra ... pressions/

Scroll down, and there are very detailed photographs on how to set up the trailer.

Dont want to send out the wrong impression when its all down to the rubbish way I have set it all up. Im off touring on Saturday (Not taking trailer until Im happy with it). ONce I am home, I am setting up my winter commute to the trailer as it was sold to me as a touring/audax bike. Now I know where I went wrong...

Seems I was supposed to undo the little nut thingies... Then widen the forks out, by 3cm. It did say this in the instruct....on zzzzz booklet I wasnt sure which bits were the forks to be honest, ie was the bit that joined onto the hitch a fork? Cos they both ends looked the same to me... :oops:
by Manx Cat
31 May 2012, 8:16pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Off to the TT tomorrow
Replies: 3
Views: 2220

Re: Off to the TT tomorrow

I cycled a fair bit of the island last Monday (first of the bikers over at that point for practice week)

here is my blog if you need some mapping.

http://cycleseven.org/mad-cats-and-engl ... #more-9095


Mary
by Manx Cat
31 May 2012, 8:13pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Off to the TT tomorrow
Replies: 3
Views: 2220

Re: Off to the TT tomorrow

I take it you mean CYCLING...
Im taking the ferry off island on Saturday, because I dont feel safe cycling on the island.


Just read the last paragraph.

The TT course over the Mountain is the quickest route. But Please please dont cycle on it. They have the course one way right now (over the Mountain that is). There is no national speed limit up there. It would be potential suicide to attempt it this or next week on a bicycle. Imagine someone inexperienced at speed travelling at about 100mph he hugs a tight left hander and finds a cyclist there....

I honestly think the police will pull you off the Mountain road. A lot of it up there is traffic coned to try to calm traffic, so no where for you to hide yourself.

The coast road in my opinion is the ONLY way. Either coast road that is.

You can cycle from Douglas into Peel and take that coastal route, scenic and off the TT course.

or you can cycle as you suggested via Laxey. Scenic and coastal and off the TT course. THese roads will all be highly busy with local and visitor traffic. All routes on the Island except the very Northern bit are hilly Im afraid. But not megga, a bit like cycling in Cumbria not as bad as the Lakes or Yorkshire though.

I have no idea about planes I always take my bike for free on the ferry.

Enjoy your stay here.