Epic WTF

Mirkwood?

Yeah, thanks. They’re old footpaths that run past the reservoirs out west and Staines moor. That was a long walk home.

Edit: why have I woken up so early? Urgh.

Now songs to have sex to:

I'm a wanker by Ivor bigun

(If you don't want to fuck me, baby) fuck off - Wayne County and the electric chairs

For the playlist :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu76P13cltk

Also for the playlist

https://youtu.be/MF4yFbqdULk

For anyone with the time/energy, an L-fucking-P:

https://youtu.be/vIuLpy7Hibo

Gotta feel sorry for this lot:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62799594

Its shitty to see a charity event caught up in that.

It has become much harder to transport valuable equipment around the EU since Brexit. I think in theory I probably should have paid a fee for taking my laptop to Austria to work for a few months.

Ah, the sweet fruits of Brexit

I'm not being funny but I'm fairly sure they could raise £16k by just not doing the ride and donating the travel and accommodation budget. whatever was wrong with sitting in a bath of beans for the weekend.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, the 2nd hand market for bikes and parts seems much better in UK compared to Spain, so how easily could I pick up bits when I'm in the UK and throw them in my general luggage? This might make me think twice....

I know a guy from NZ who sent a suitcase of all his clothes to BCN when he moved here, but then got a message from customs saying he needed to pay a hefty import duty on his old clothes.

Its gotta be an easier thing to recruit for though, you might get one or 2 people who wanna sit in a bath of beans but then you have a lower catchment of sponsors compared to the 16 riders, but I see your point.

Friend of mine sent me a cap a few months ago. It was £25ish new but cost me £40+ to get through customs in sweden.

most countries have tax relief when you're moving there to live - though might have needed to sort out the paperwork in advance (ToR1 form in the UK, if it's of interest).

RE: taking parts back with you - 99.9% will be fine so long as it's not a suitcase full of iphones of something. I just flew back from my in-laws in Poland with a couple of bikes, albeit my own that i'd left there a couple of years back, and had no issues with customs/charges. Also managed to fit both in one bike bag, too!

I thought you only had to pay import fees if the things were brand new?

I Can sympathize, my uncle sent me a copy of the Echo from Liverpool, we both follow the same team, it cost 2.50, but because he had filled out the doc stating what it cost and proving it’s under the threshold allowance, then they change me 10e processing fee just because they read the info on the package when it arrives in Spain……
It’s embarrassing, I’ve had to ask friends and family not to send presents for my daughter as it’s just a pain in the ass and more expensive than the original item.

I’m always extremely sceptical of the value of “I’m going to do something I’d like to do anyway under the guise of charity, so can you donate some money in my name please” endeavours. I suppose a rising tide lifts all ships if it gets people to actually put their hands in their pockets.

I thought you only had to pay import fees if the things were brand new?

I dont think thats true. Not in the UK at least. Apart from a VAT discount for antiques and artworks.

Good to know thanks.

Yeah I figured they wouldn’t spot it, or at least not when it arrives in country which is when it would be an issue…

Huh looks like you're right, not sure why I thought that.

That's every charity cycling event in a nutshell

“I’m going to do something I’d like to do anyway under the guise of charity, so can you donate some money in my name please”

Agreed. Sponsor me to go on holiday to Machu Picchu please. [facepalm.jpg]

Is it a case of people not doing the paperwork correctly, or are we just getting lucky? My French mother in law sends packages with books and clothes for the kids every couple of months and we've never had any custom issues.

https://twitter.com/SoozUK/status/1567042098683076609

depends on the value of your shipment. I believe the personal import limit in France is 22€. You should pay import VAT on anything above that, though in practice some shipments might go through unchecked.