Search found 612 matches

by barrym
26 Aug 2017, 6:32am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Riding on the Pavement
Replies: 22
Views: 1937

Re: Riding on the Pavement

FWIW, I always start talking as I approach. "Good morning, coming by.....". I was asked to do this by a very experienced horsewoman who explained that horses recognise human voice but not necessarily 'bells'.

YMMV[emoji848]
by barrym
24 Aug 2017, 7:21am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Wanted. Small car.
Replies: 408
Views: 15717

Re: Wanted. Small car.

Mick F wrote:
Also thought of Whispering Bob Yaris.


Now that's a good 'un. Used to think he was so uncool back in Whistle Test days, but now I think he's one of the coolest guys on radio. Strange how age changes tastes. Never liked Tony Blackburn or Tom Jones, both I find quite entertaining now in their different ways. Others too I expect just can't think who right now.
by barrym
22 Aug 2017, 10:49am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Wanted. Small car.
Replies: 408
Views: 15717

Re: Wanted. Small car.

Track record of government setting standards isn't so clever. Remember OSI protocol stacks? Then there's private sector, might is right, of Windows<sigh>.

I guess it's a lose lose situation.
by barrym
22 Aug 2017, 5:28am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Wanted. Small car.
Replies: 408
Views: 15717

Re: Wanted. Small car.

old_windbag wrote:....... but the reality is getting the optimal solution implemented by the same individuals we are relying on undertaking brexit etc.


Good point. Or better still get them to step aside and open it up to the market.
by barrym
21 Aug 2017, 9:53pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Wanted. Small car.
Replies: 408
Views: 15717

Re: Wanted. Small car.

old_windbag wrote:
barrym wrote:IMO there's a lot of unfounded concern over range, recharge time and charging points, AND it will only get better.


Well it can only get better as we have no choice due to our dwindling resources and pollution. Personally i think if we had street parking bays all with inductive charging then it could be quite flexible. You'd go to 5he charge management point as you would a parking ticket machine. Enter details, bay number etc, charge card and leave. This could be an infrastructure just as extensive as street lights and illuminated road signs. This opens it up to all for overnight/daytime charging. Many don't have drives or garages. We are in very early stages, but if 20% of current owners get a leaf tomorrow i think we would see problems. Even though we have quick chargers people will be leaving car on it for much longer than the charge time as they'll be off shopping etc. That limits accessibilty to some degree.

I'm not negative about ev's but aware of the practicalities and effort we need to put in to transition to nearly 100% electric for everyday driving.


There's so much development on all of these points. Trials of 'wireless charging' from the road as you drive!. Solar charging on-board. Battery swap at 'filling stations'. and many others.

A Tesla driver texted Elon Musk about cars being left on the charging points after they were fully charged, while they were shopping or whatever, and withing a week or two he had the telemetry software changed so that the car got "billed" and excess on the monthly charging club membership. All things are fixable :D
by barrym
21 Aug 2017, 7:42pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Wanted. Small car.
Replies: 408
Views: 15717

Re: Wanted. Small car.

old_windbag wrote:That sounds as if it should be quite low cost compared to the demonstrator.

One of the benefits of running out of fuel in petrol or diesel is at least you can walk to a garage with a can. Electric pretty terminal, that would make the battery guage a source of anxiety i feel. Not the feeling you want but until we have a full charging network uk wide then its a real fear. Also arriving at a charge point to find another car using it. We have some way to go on that front.
Have you checked coverage of charging points? Whilst not on every corner, they are pretty ubiquitous. I live in the sticks and there are a handful in most towns around here. Also with the Zoe the roadside insurance includes flat battery. Depending on the charger you use significant charge is in less than an hour.

IMO there's a lot of unfounded concern over range, recharge time and charging points, AND it will only get better.
by barrym
21 Aug 2017, 11:40am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Wanted. Small car.
Replies: 408
Views: 15717

Re: Wanted. Small car.

Heating and cooling obviously need some power, but many EVs use heat exchanger like a fridge which is supposed to be very efficient.

I'm looking at changing our second car and a 3 year old Zoe is very attractive option. Low purchase price, battery hire for miles we'd use is £50 month, but take into account the reduction in fuel costs, the lower service costs etc it start to look compelling. Especially if you are a bit nerdy and like to be an early adopter.
by barrym
18 Aug 2017, 5:17am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: disk brake shudder
Replies: 5
Views: 473

Re: disk brake shudder

I would suspect the head bearings are loose. While stationery hold the take on and see if you can feel movement whilst moving back and forth.
by barrym
16 Aug 2017, 4:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 1x11?
Replies: 109
Views: 9426

Re: 1x11?

Price is one reason why I wouldn't want one, especially with increased wear rate.
by barrym
13 Aug 2017, 5:26pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Blacks Craghopper trousers £30
Replies: 4
Views: 794

Re: Blacks Craghopper trousers £30

I bought 4 pairs last year for £18 each from Millets. So they can go lower.

Great trousers though. Dry quickly and elasticated waist [emoji848]
by barrym
4 Aug 2017, 5:13pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: What is the UK a world beater at?
Replies: 15
Views: 1039

Re: What is the UK a world beater at?

reohn2 wrote:And the government don't give a monkeys,because they're part of the problem.....
Ain't that the truth. The PFI contracts are a joke, and it's the same people negotiating Brexit[emoji47]
by barrym
4 Aug 2017, 1:24pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: What is the UK a world beater at?
Replies: 15
Views: 1039

Re: What is the UK a world beater at?

Nothing I didn't know, I worked in a PFI building and saw the extortion, but reading it like that has spoilt my day. That and hard rain has put an end to cutting the grass. Can it get worse [emoji848]
by barrym
29 Jul 2017, 5:09pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: OAP four-weekly?
Replies: 50
Views: 2848

Re: OAP four-weekly?

mercalia wrote:really as long as I get the money and keep on getting it regularly I couldnt care less when [emoji38] I am not that fussy :D I live within my means so always have enough to spare
I too love within my means which means I only draw just enough from other sources, which means that the pension never seems to arrive when direct debits go out. It's not that it's that difficult just that you'd think they could offer choice. Doesn't seem that complicated.
by barrym
29 Jul 2017, 1:05pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: OAP four-weekly?
Replies: 50
Views: 2848

Re: OAP four-weekly?

Yep, pees me off too. I've been drawing mine since October. It makes a right muddle of budgeting.
by barrym
28 Jul 2017, 6:36pm
Forum: Cycling UK Topics and Discussions
Topic: Cotswold discount...
Replies: 4
Views: 9955

Re: Cotswold discount...

I got the discount at the Cirencester shop on production of my card a couple of years ago. YMMV[emoji53]