Search found 447 matches

by keepontriking
18 Jul 2016, 7:05pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Folding bikes - H&S not "gone mad"...
Replies: 18
Views: 3193

Re: Folding bikes - H&S not "gone mad"...

Many years back now, but we were stopped entering a French supermarket as our 2 and 4 year olds were wearing helmets - on grounds of 'security'.
I've never trusted my kids again :wink:
by keepontriking
14 Jun 2016, 12:50pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Cyclists Dismount
Replies: 84
Views: 11156

Re: Cyclists Dismount

The attitude of some towards cycling is shown clearly in this video.
A new route is planned near Whitchurch, Hampshire, to avoid a notoriously 'dangerous road'.
Hampshire County Councillor Tom Thacker suggests cyclists should walk - around 600 metres !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id9Ogsr0Dms
by keepontriking
15 May 2016, 12:38pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: TV licence payment
Replies: 166
Views: 7736

Re: TV licence payment

Since this thread started my number of consecutive monthly TV Licence Demands has gone up to 93.
The latest tells me - yet again - that they have had "no alternative to proceed with the final stages of our investigation"

They have done that monthly for the last 7 years.

Closer and closer to that magical 100 :roll:
by keepontriking
21 Feb 2016, 5:39pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: things i have broken during maintenance
Replies: 28
Views: 1811

Re: things i have broken during maintenance

Broken - the workings of my left thumb :(

VERY Stupidly I was trying to left the end of some old handlebar tape with a scalpel when it slipped and sliced deep into my left thumb, cutting right through the tendons. Lots of blood and cursing ensued.
It meant a night in hospital while they tried to join bits up followed by weeks in plaster, and I still can hardly touch the end of my left little finger with the end of my left thumb.
Its also permanently very numb.

Lessons learned.
by keepontriking
26 Jan 2016, 3:16pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: TV licence payment
Replies: 166
Views: 7736

Re: TV licence payment

Aside:
Just received my 89th consecutive monthly letter telling me they are opening an investigation as to why there is no TV licence at my premises.

Will the 100th be signed by the Queen?
by keepontriking
3 Jan 2016, 9:48pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Flooded road.......
Replies: 10
Views: 1341

Re: Flooded road.......

Well if King Kelly can ride the floods – who is going to argue :wink:

the-adventures-of-king-kelly-and-the-carrick-gang
by keepontriking
3 Jan 2016, 5:44pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Flooded road.......
Replies: 10
Views: 1341

Re: Flooded road.......

Cycling through flooded roads is foolhardy. Floods and the increased water pressures can easily lift drain covers, not to mention covering potholes.
So unless you want your front wheel to come to an abrupt halt and fancy a wet and painful face plant...
by keepontriking
15 Dec 2015, 4:36pm
Forum: Racing, Olympics, TdF, Competitive cycling
Topic: Junior TT champ admits taking EPO
Replies: 2
Views: 997

Re: Junior TT champ admits taking EPO

And once again - only sorry once caught :(

How many others...

Drug tests in sportives anyone?
by keepontriking
28 Nov 2015, 3:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Black Friday cycling deals anyone?
Replies: 50
Views: 3849

Re: Black Friday cycling deals anyone?

No telly here either ...

... but a BIG PILE of BIG TELLY Licence demands – 87 consecutive monthly missives so far.
by keepontriking
9 Oct 2015, 12:14pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Kiddy Kranks Freewheel
Replies: 3
Views: 549

Re: Kiddy Kranks Freewheel

+ my experience with kiddiecranks is that it is best to train the young'uns feet to keep rotating - so they can help up the hills and not get used to freewheeling :wink:

You need to strap their feet on though.
by keepontriking
18 Aug 2015, 9:40pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: european bike express
Replies: 13
Views: 4517

Re: european bike express

Its many years back now, but we took four children one of whom was just a few months old.
She went in a car seat which on arrival in southern France was strapped into the Burley trailer and pulled behind one of the tandems.

Both tandems had kiddiecranks and one was a tandem trike.
by keepontriking
9 Aug 2015, 7:30pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bike reservation on train?
Replies: 23
Views: 3129

Re: Bike reservation on train?

Basingstoke station will be getting quieter at that time of day but almost all activity will be on platforms 3 and 4 which are the up lines towards London.
You are almost certainly to go from platform 2 and will have no problems whatsoever - or I'll clean my rear Brommie wheel as a penance. Staff will be helpful if you need them, but you shouldn't. The Bike areas are marked with a small blue rectangle, which is often rather faded.
Enjoy your trip :)
by keepontriking
7 Aug 2015, 6:43pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bike reservation on train?
Replies: 23
Views: 3129

Re: Bike reservation on train?

Mattyfez wrote:As said it really depends on location /operator.


True, but the enquiry related specifically to the Basingstoke – Exeter route.
by keepontriking
7 Aug 2015, 4:12pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bike reservation on train?
Replies: 23
Views: 3129

Re: Bike reservation on train?

Basingstoke to Exeter line only uses 159 diesels in thee-car units often joined together to 6 or 9. Sometimes they join a 2-car unit in to make 8 or 10 carriage trains.
Each unit officially takes two cycles although and they have recently been announcing that this will be enforced.
However, it seems more in hope than in practice.
I live on that line and regularly take a bike to and from Basingstoke at peak times and there is very VERY rarely any problem and I NEVER make a reservation.
if you can avoid the trains between 4.30pm and 7.30pm heading west from Basingstoke you will be fine. Even on those it is nearly always possible and there are sometimes five or more bikes in each unit. Be aware taht some trains split at Salisbury.
Any rare problems are when the trolley goes through but everything is usually done in a very friendly non-confrontational manner.
I really really wouldn't worry at all.
The line seems to have friendly staff.

Hope this helps.
by keepontriking
10 Jul 2015, 10:38pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Age limits in city hostels now.
Replies: 14
Views: 2289

Re: Age limits in city hostels now.

YHA lost it for me when they stopped discriminating against those who arrived by car.

That was a discrimination that made a LOT of sense :wink: