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Sort of a Putin meme, and made me crack up. Apologies for the poor photos:
...here is one of the tags/labels just in case anyone can read/translate russian:
Igor Rudakov (the artist, I presume)
From the series "Premier [or Leader?]. For Ever".
Oil on Canvas
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I think that before we make any changes to existing laws/policies/etc we might see a decent result by starting to enforce the ones we have at the moment.
A big rise in (for example) motor-cycle riding traffic coppers who actively target anti-social road use by all road users would be nice to see.
This would be my response to many things of late, not just cycle-related issues. Press regulation, MP and lobbying hypocricy etc
At the lights in Balham last week I watched a PCSO, who happened to be standing on the corner, walk over to a driver of a big exec saloon who was parked up in the ASL and publically admonish him. It was beautiful to watch, and I am sure made a lot of nearby drivers think a bit more. Just a shame it happens so rarely, and that the PCSO was probably only standing there in order to bollock RLJers.
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Hi - possibly very interested. Is that the model with the front air intake? What sort of vents does it have?
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Yes - You are right. Thats why I found Sigma, there I could probably buy one. Thanks - Ill check it out
Sigma is in Kingston Upon Thames (over the bridge from the shopping centres) and sells wetsuits and top-end tri bikes and kit. An expensive place to browse around! You could get a train to Kingston from Vauxhall station, or go a few tube stops from Barbican to Kings Cross, then to Vauxhall. Less than an hour.
It is probably the best Tri shop in the region.
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This is just the law of unintended consequences surely. Designed to free up the first rung on the ladder by allowing those on that rung to take a second step - many can't as they're in negative equity from the 2007 price peak when they bought. Will be abused by some, but then so is pretty much every piece of legislation ever written. When I was a student, people who didn't need the loans (due to being well-off) took them out on behalf of their parents because the interest rates were far lower than what was available on the open market. Invest that money over 3 years and it was a nice earner!
Hold a mirror up to the benefits structure in this country and you'll find a few people abusing the system, whilst the vast majority are in genuine need. Same with social housing. You do know Bob Crow, the union boss (annual salary around 140K) lives in a council flat in London, right? Perfectly within his rights, but morally a little distasteful. Same as using a government prop-up to buy a second home and deny someone the first step on the ladder.
Hate the player, not the game (or some other catchy epithet)!
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FWIW, as someone who works in the recruitment industry, I don't think you have anything to fear from companies "spamming" a thread - as you say, reputational damage etc - but they have their own established routes laid out to job boards and (dare I say it) wider communities than this.
However, this is a great idea for the simple reason that there are often opportunities we all hear of, particularly for small enterprises / start-ups that would be of interest to forumites and where the business doesn't want to be paying 20% finders' fees to an agency.
Also, much like classifieds, the poster takes on a degree of responsibility simply by bringing the opportunity to the forum - no timewasting, no bullshit (well, let's see!) - and by seeking to apply, there is a "contract" (much like dibs) from the interested party that is often somewhat stronger than you'd find in much of the recruitment market.
I've also always loved the idea of a "barter" style exchange of skills. Right now, I might be looking for someone who can build iPad apps, for example, but could perhaps offer CV proofreading / structure advice if warranted. Mrs AlBert bakes and decorates cakes for a living, if anyone was looking for assistance in that sphere, and how many bike mechanics do we have, masseurs, cycle coaches etc.Gets my vote for sure.
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Just walked outside to find both bikes missing from the garden. Still trawling ebay / gumtree, and more sentimental value than street value.
One is a fixed OTP kona paddy wagon - 2008 version with the yellow deep v wheels. Drop handlebars with matching yellow tape, and I stripped off the brake levers and put a single brake lever in the middle of the bars. Removed the flip-flop hub too, so it is somewhat customised. No photos that I can find right now.
The other was a decathlon racer - full 105, triple ring, carbon forks. Had no pedals on at time of theft. This is more sentimental than valuable for sure.
Both were locked up - the fixed wheel with a Fahg mini, the racer with an Abus chain and padlock. Behind a padlocked garden gate.
Truly gutted. Police e-mail next on list.
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Does anyone know any triathlons going on in the next few months (sprint or olympic) within driving distance of East London? I'm hoping to get one under my belt before the end of April.
Hi - depending on what you consider "driving distance" there is Ringwood tri in early April (http://www.resultstriathlon.co.uk/events/ringwood-triathlon/). I did this two years ago as I needed to fit in an early Olympic distance as part of IM training. Pool swim, but then anything you find that early in the year is going to be. I drove to Ringwood the day of the event, and it is do-able for the registration and start - it just means an early alarm call, but plenty of driving time to get some food into you.
I'm doing a similar search right now as I again need to find an Olympic for late April, and a half Ironman for late May. Either hit google and spend some time filtering, or go and buy a triathlon magazine (take your pick) as they tend to have full listings for 2013 in the back around this time of year.
Is the timescale pressure because you need it as a stepping stone to another event? Otherwise, I'd wait until May bank holiday weekend and do the Big East or Tonbridge Lions tris?
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Damn, must come up with a plan B that does not involve going to a pub as shit as the Walkabout. Or watching it at home and earning the ire of Mrs Bobbo for repeatedly shouting cunt at the top of my voice.
This is my problem too. Plus a 15 month old who cries when Daddy shouts loudly at the TV because Nic de Luca has dropped another pass with a two-man overlap.
You need a pub with a TV but without a Sky subscription. They exist. Best one in my neck of the woods by a country mile is the Manor Arms on Mitcham Lane (www.themanorarms.com) It doesn't advertise that it has a TV, and the owner is not a football fan, so it only gets unveiled for rugby.
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Sadly I am in no way local to Cornwall (Streatham), but I have had some spectacular open water swims down there. On a particularly stunning day on the eve of Perranporth 2009 three of us swam around St Michael's Mount at Marazion. Phenomenal.
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Hell yeah - that might win me a few more places. Particularly if they put the drinking in between the swim and the bike. Alcohol - the great leveler!
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Utterly failing to post some pics from the 2009 race, but yes, do it if there is space left.
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As a Perranporth finisher (two years ago now) I can honestly say that is one of the best events I've ever competed in. Swim not for the faint-hearted (they've never cancelled it, and it can be really choppy) but the ride is awesome if you can ride hills well. Run is along the beach and the pints of rattlesnake cider at the end are beautiful.
Other one to consider is the Hellvelyn tri - that's a brutal ride too, whilst the run is up to the top of the hill and back again! Immense fun! -
It was blowy for sure - got two laps in one way before relenting and going 'with' the wind (as much as possible in a loop) for a last one!
Early mornings at the weekend are comedy busy there at the moment!
I'd love to get out there fixed, but base-training for an ironman so got to keep my heartrate down and doubt I can get up those hills without getting into the red zone!
Ride safe!
A
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Noon today spotted a guy track standing a geared bike looking down hill. With respect!
If this was just up the hill from The Northcote Road, and you shouted "track stand" at me, on a black fixed, then that was me! Just on my way back from Richmond park - I guess you were going the other way?
The headwind was helping with the resistance but it was still a bit wobbly, so thanks for the encouragement! Fixed during the week, but I'm in training at the weekends!
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yup that's me, were you the guy I was trackstanding next to at the balham or tooting lights on Thursday evening? I've got to say I think my trackstanding's pretty ropey! But thanks for the beard compliment...
Also spotted gaz545, he's easy to spot as he appears to have decorated the back of his bike with Christmas lights!
Oh and i miss my semiregular spots of clefty, hope you're enjoying west London!
Hi - no, that was me trackstanding next to you in Balham (OTP Kona paddywagon with yellow tape drops and rims). Apologies for the flouro nodder jacket, but it was so cold, I donned the warmest clothes I could. Your keep right sign is excellent.
Think I managed to stiffle a snigger later at Tooting Bec when you nearly came off!
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Beautiful morning in South London. Heading to HH first, then East London for the final day of the Tour of Britain.
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At the end of Kennington Park Road (towards E&C) in the traffic chaos at around 8:15 this morning, followed a lovely racing green raleigh frame, with white tyres I think. Rider had a skateboard-type lid on. Kept meaning to catch up and say what a nice frame it was, but my legs are wrecked after a half IM at the weekend. Also, at the lights, chap on a white frame, blue deepV wheels. Risers I think. I've seen you before on my commute.
I was the tired-looking guy on the paddywagon with the yellow wheels and yellow/blakc fakenger bag. -
To my knowledge you can pass a red light legally when gestured through them by a police officer using the correct hand-signals.
Also, I have been led to believe that temporary traffic lights are not subject to the same laws as permanent traffic lights. Anyone care to substantiate / disprove?
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This all doesn't meet your criteria above, but when I tell people I ride fixed they all ask me how hard it is to do. I'm bad with visualising how much space you've got to play with, but I'd happily lend you my rollers to sit in the corner, and if we had a bike with a reasonably adjustable set-up, plus the obligatory hand-rail to support people, you could actually give people a feel for riding fixed?
If you want to tie it into aspects of the forum why not try to find a bike that has been pretty much cobbled together very cheaply from the classifieds section, to demonstrate the accessibility of riding fixed (no expensive group-sets, easy maintenance), and promote the advice you can get (amidst the flaming) with regards to foot-retention etc?Just my 2p. Re-reading this, I recognise I am showing my age here. Perhaps we should just have a bar?
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WHo did I spot in Ye Olde Mitre last night, around 7pm? LFGSS cap and t-shirt, stood out the back in a group of 4? I clocked the cap, but didn't see any bikes when we locked up. When we left, the barmaid helpfully pointed out that we'd locked our bikes on the "wrong" side of the pub, out on the Hatton Garden road ropund a lamppost, whilst aparently there is secure bike parking the other side! D'oh.
Anyway, hello from me!
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Surely a few trailers, or better panier solution would be tons cheaper than more vans?
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Joined. See you on the roads, people. I'm training for a half IM in September, so I might have to put in some of my miles geared, not fixed.
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Glad to see that architect has such good spacial awareness
LFGSS
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I seem to recall an article around 18 months ago suggesting that around 500K households couldn't handle a 0.25% increase. The last thing the government wants in an election year is a repeat of the 80's defaults, so you can bet the "independent" Bank fo England monetary committee will have one eye on their future knighthoods well ahead of pulling the trigger.
Plus, cynical old bastard that I am, the "ooh, rate rises are coming" article is now about as regular as the "eurozone is all doomed, just you wait" article that fills Saturday finance pull-outs that are basically paid for by the mortgage lenders who are pissed off with folk like me bumping along nicely thanks on their standard variable ever since it fell through the floor about 5 years ago. "ooh, fix your mortgage before it rises" scaremongering has been going for 2 years at least.
Jesus, I really am a cynical bastard. Must get out riding more now the rainy season is coming to an end...