Coldgunner

How many times does your wife need a lift to the hospital if its requiring a team of careful drivers? (hoping this joke lands lol, if not I apologise for my crap joke in advance)

Never had a black box and hopefully can continue to avoid it, but I hear some horror stories. I think many of them record the forces when braking is applied, but does not take into account the situation. I know that an emergency brake application (someone wandering into the road, cars pulling out etc) can penalise the drivers rating, even when the driver is not at fault. You could argue that the driver should be giving adequate braking distance, but most emergency brake applications I've made have been nothing to do with the distance between me and the car in front. I do feel there is a demonisation of people who enjoy driving. I like a spirited country drive as much as the rest, obeying speed limits and driving to the conditions of course (don't need to speed or drive like a knob to have fun). Driving shouldn't just be about getting places, it should still be an enjoyable hobby.

Looking at how overbooked the DVLA test centres are, maybe there could be an opportunity for a shorter assessment rather than a full re-test? Not fully thought it out, but could it be a case where a re-assessment could be taken with an instructor rather than an examiner, and signed off by said instructor. That way if there's a serious incident, you could also look at who signed them off (to stop dodgy assessments).

Thinking of the weight of vehicles, do many think that changing the licensing would perhaps make a significant change. For example, my mum can drive a 7.5t lorry on her license due to when she took her test. I'm limited to 3.5t on my license (same license, harder test, go figure lol). Should we change the licensing to maybe limit weight of a standard license to something like 1600kg, and anyone wanting a heavier vehicle has to have an enhanced license?

I'd be interested to know how kerbweight affects wear on the road. Obviously there's variations based on load, specs etc but google gives weight ranges A quick google suggests: Tesla Model 3 weighs 1,611–1,836kg Model Y weighs 2,352 - 2,455 kg A 2024 Golf weighs 1,317 - 1,630 kg (Comparable to a model 3 in class?) The Crapqai (sorry I hate these) is one of the most popular cars weighing 1,300 - 1,670 kg Googlefu brings up https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/buying-and-selling-guides/the-top-10-most-popular-cars-in-the-uk/ which gives a list of the UK's most popular cars I think Tesla's weigh significantly more in general compared to similar classed ICE cars, which isn't surprising really. But I wonder what difference it does make, not only in weight but the difference in power application. Does the high torque of an electric motor cause more potential damage? Does an ICE have a hammerblow effect?

I've been prescribed some jollop I think to stop any further spread pending an appointment coming through.

I've been investigating the issue and hopefully I can get a replacement bearing and rubber seals. Raleigh got back to me basically saying they don't do parts anymore, that's to be expected. Had to order a crank tool though as to get to the back of the bearing requires the crank coming off. Hopefully once I get the crank off and undo the bolt, I can hopefully get to the bearings and measure them up.

My visits to the dentist are infrequent at best (generally about a decade between visits currently!). But I do brush twice a day when I can. Mine are far from straight or perfect, but up until recently I've been fine, chomping through many sweets and dinners. As a child were were eligible for free checkups. My primary achievement though is the filling I got done without aneasthetic! I was in my early twenties I wasn't quite so diligent, and needed 2 fillings done. I'm not sure how it transpired, but I chose to have it done without, and by god did that hurt. The drilling and grinding hurt like buggery. I tapped out before getting the second one done, and accepted aneasthetic. I'm either brave or stupid, probably the latter.

Had the appointment, wisdom tooth has a hole in it and they've referred me to the NHS for the oral surgeon. They were unable to take it out there and then as my mouth was just too tight and difficult to get at. Couldn't even numb my mouth as the needle was triggering me gag reflex, which is strong. Down side - a few weeks wait to be referred. Up side - the treatment won't cost me. The costs involved for me today (£99 emergency + £65 x-ray) gives an insight into what a fully private health system would be, its a bleak outlook. Is it any wonder people would rather live with the pain?

Tooth pain, is there any worse pain? Been having a niggling issue that came to a head today when chewing food and somehow that caused the most physical pain I think I've ever had. Emergency appointment booked (£99!) for this afternoon, plus whatever the final 'fix' costs. Its been maybe 10 years since I've been to a dentist, as I only go when there's a problem. Private dentistry is far too expensive and the lack of NHS dentists I think is causing a problem with oral hygiene. I brush twice a day, but I guess sometimes things just go bad regardless.

Quick bash out, need to get back in the saddle more as I've been slacking (mainly due to crap weather to be fair). Couple of new pictures of the bike. Some changes since it was last posted, mainly of note is the red metal dust caps. Got a bit annoyed of the plastic ones disintegrating, so swapped them out on both bikes, see how well they last. I'm trying to see if I can get a replacement bolt for the pivot between the frame and sub-frame. Pinged off an email to Raleigh to see if they either have a replacement or can tell me if there's a part number for it. Not got high hopes but will see. The issue is that there's a noticable 'wobble' of the subframe when pedalling. The main crank is fine, but I think this joint is just very work. Don't want to take it apart without having a fresh spare to go on. I'm trying to not spend too much more on my two bikes as they are both too small, and I need to look at a new off the shelf model in with an XL* frame. *Depending on the measurements of course.

I've not bothered, here in gusty Peterborough the winds have been strong and cycling against it is like try to ride a longboat upwind with full sails. On the plus side, got some extended leave in May and I think some adventures are gonna happen.

My goal is to pair a set of these with the Rapido Dynamometer car and my Hornby Mallard. Does anyone know which set was used for the record train? My brief foray on google shows no stock information. I know she ran with a set of 6 (3x2 pairs), but in terms of carriage numbers or at least details on how the set was composed would be useful please?

I was told a tale about football shirts years ago. The factory would run extra shifts using the same materials and tooling, effectively knocking out an identical product.

Bloody work - a colleague has promised a user that 'I' will call them back at a certain time and then finished for the day. Boils my piss that. Didn't have the gall to tell me, just a note on a job then buggered off. ... I did see the note before said arranged time, but not calling at that time cos I got other stuff to do.

Didn't they predict that London would be 8ft deep in horse s*** if a solution was not found?

I tend to find the comments section on certain newspaper sites shows that some people are real knuckledraggers.

The rail division are gonna have their work cutout getting there.

I think my plan is going to be to clean it up, replace the tyres, cables and pads and see how it runs really. I think the drive train itself was ok, a good dousing of oil will help. I do need to get a new bike, properly fitted to my size though.

There's something to be said for the pedestrianisation of Norwich City Centre. Now if only there was a radio phone in to discuss it?

Looking at another potential restoration job: Kona Smoke, I think these are from around 2010, this has also been sitting in mums garden for a time. Took my tools over today, and decided to have a look to see if its a goer worth fixing. My initial thinking is that the following definitely needs sorting. - New tyres and tubes x2 £80 (Schwalbe Marathon Plus has become my go-to) - New brake/gear cables x4 £20 - New brake pads x2 £10 - un-sieze the seatpost £0 (just needs a hammer and WD-40) - A good clean £0 (already have muc-off and a load of water) - Greasing £0 (already have that) - Chain oil and lube (480 steam oil works wonders it seems, also have chain lube) - Rear wheel truing at local shop £20ish (or fit new wheels?) - Rear Derailleur doesn't move when gears changed, hopefully just needs a new cable. £130 I reckon to get this back up to spec. Optional - fat man seat ~£50 The tyres are knackered for sure, they took 50psi of air today but doubt they'd last long before disintegrating. It did have mudguards, but they've seen better days so I removed them. Its different to my two repaired mountain bikes in that its a hybrid. I can store it at mums and maybe have it as a loaner. Tyres are like this:

The 'orrible weather this week has put me right off and kind of gotten myself into a slump for a few days. Managed to get a blast this morning but felt so out of trim and also noticed a new 'click' coming from the bike. Might just need a good oiling but really not feeling it this week.

Definitely not the nicest days here. Went to Rustival at the British Motor Museum yesterday and covered 15000 steps and legs are aching. I get out on the bike between 20-60 minutes every day but think I need to give my body a rest for a day or two.

Out on the bike at lunch and arse in a van decides that squeezing between me and the parked cars on the other side is a good idea. The one bloody day I don't have the gopro on. The kicker? The tosspot overtakes and pulls into a side street... I'm not a pro-cycling/anti-car zealot, but some people deserve a brick in their windscreen. Oh yeah, I'm at Rustival tomorrow. https://www.rustival.co.uk/