Any question answered...

Like cutting circles out?

No, more those little cartoony pictures of themselves that youtubers had a while back

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Is there a local cycling-related charity or social organisation to donate a decent-but-used fixed/free wheelset in SE London?

Or if anyone knows anyone in particular need, after a crash etc.

Jane Davies at Lewisham Cyclists.

also https://thebikeproject.co.uk/

Bikes for refugees is a good one. The Brixton Soup kitchen might be able to find a deserving home.

Glorious, thanks @JurekB @amey @somethingclever, will check them out

Jane's on here as Saoirse

is there a thread on here about matching bartape/grips to saddle? There seems to be a thread devoted to pretty much every decision you might have to make when putting a bike together, surely this has been discussed at length?

Same colour.
Black, or less often white.
If going fruity at least match the colour of the decals.
Exceptions exist.
If in doubt ask yourself, ‘what would gaston do?’

My issue is that the saddle in question is a tan leather flite, and I'm wondering if gum grips are in that 'close but not close enough' hinterland. I should probably just go with black.

Generally if something is close but not spot on it can look a bit weird. Is it worth trying to find something that'd be a fun contrast rather than a match? I guess you could always order the gum grips, see how well they match and return them if it's not going to work.

if something is close but not spot on it can look a bit weird

this is my thinking. I think I'll order some gum deathgrips or something and see how they look. If it looks shit I'll exchange for the safe bright marbled pink option.

Come on, get a pic up and let’s put it to the forum.

Got some frame in shot as I felt that was pertinent. Components mostly black.

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If this is flat bar I reckon the gumwall grips would work. The vans waffle ones look quite nice.
Nice saddle.

It is indeed flat bars. And that's not a bad call on the vans grips. Think they'd suit this bike (vaguely gravel-orientated 700c hybrid beater thing).

Are there any registered charities that will funnel donations to hyper local organisations that are not themselves registered?

The background is that my local park is raising money to replace the kids' play equipment. My employer will match donations emoyees make to a registered charity but the park group isn't registered because they are so small. I'm looking for a (legit!) way we can meet the registration criteria for matched funding.

My thinking is there must be a lot of small fundraising groups that are not registered as charities and maybe there is an org set up to help them by providing a registered charity wrapper.

I don't have direct experience, but I understand there are volunteers who specialise in doing paperwork, e.g. grant applications, for charities. Perhaps you could get introduced to one via a local green/sustainability/community charity? I don't know whether that's realistic - perhaps these people are always swamped with requests for help.

What can I do with ten half litre pucks of frozen, used, dirty cooking fat? (I store old oil in a tupperware box, and when it's full I freeze it.)

I wouldn't be averse to using it as some sort of punishment or disincentive for problem motorists.

Im going to be staying in a hotel near the Olympic Park and need to be near Richmond station for 10am.

GoogleMaps is saying it will take 1hr 20mims to cycle, how accurate is that?

Probably about right. It's right through the centre of town so regardless of your own usual average speed, you've got every traffic light and slow motion nodder in London to contend with.

Yeah, it won’t be a great journey, right across town in the busy period. It’s around 15 miles, so I’d give it at least 90 mins to be on the safe side.

@ltc @jj72

Cheers. Also forgot to mention I’ve never cycled in London before. Wondering if I should find a hotel that is closer…

You could advertise them in the Bastard Neighbours thread - might have some takers :-)