Coldgunner

There's quite a few video's online I've been watching to see the process, think I might have an issue with the cutting so maybe a call to the bike shop might just be better. Will take a look once the forks arrive.

I've been reflecting this evening on the impact of the internet on mental health... My thoughts? a totally negative impact! On Youtube, I get nothing but anti-woke content pushed towards me (I'm not anti-woke, but not ultra-woke either). Go online, see nothing but people (allegedly) doing better for themselves than I do. Everyone else seems to have tons of disposable income, or always got 'better' things. Facebook is all people doing better than me. Twitter is nothing but politics and echo-chambers. Their algorithms target me by offering me content that will get my goat and gas-light. Yet, I go to the model club, go to the pub, go see mates... I get pleasant conversations all around, even with people who have different beliefs to me. Not to say I've not had positive experiences either, the railway community on social media is generally very positive and supportive. I want to continue uploading my content to Youtube and maybe stick to cars, trains and planes as part of my viewing habits. Just talk trains on Twitter and maybe withdraw mostly from Facebook and not post much.

Ordered myself a new front fork, the shock absorbers on the current ones are shot and not servicable so decided to dip into the funds and get an upgrade. https://hopkinsoncycles.co.uk/product/rockshox-suspension-forks-26-recon-silver-tk-solo-air-1-1-8-straight-steerer/ Not expensive, and not exactly designed for massive jumps, but considering the bike its going on once spent about 8 years in my parents garden (and being slowly restored), this'll hopefully be a significant enhancement to ride quality. I'm hoping I can get away with simply unbolting the handlebars/brake calipers and swapping out. Failing that, got a bike shop 5 mins down the road if I struggle.

Been hunting down the source of a creak under my seat. Been a bit tricky as quite difficult to pinpoint as it only happens when I'm sitting on it. I think I found the solution though, as it might have been simpler than I thought... electical tape. I've tried greasing the seatpost (ooo-eerr missus!) and changing the shock absorber spring and this didn't work. With that possibly solved, I might need an extended seatpost, not as if the seat doesn't sit higher but there's only about 3" of post still inside the frame. I'm also looking at replacement forks as the shocks on the front are a sealed, unservicable unit and changing it out might make it servicable in future and capable if taking a bit more abuse. Looking at these forks as a replacement, hoping they'll accomodate my fat arse better when I start thinking about more technical biking. Can anyone recommend these or anything in the sub £150 price range for a 26'' wheel (with disc brake)? https://amzn.eu/d/5i1QAxi

I'm willing to bet they'll turn up in the most bizarre of places you know. Maybe your Dad pops in now and again to wind you up a bit ;), I'm convinced mine does.

Yeah I'm keeping it off the internet, I've had to post several reports and kept them all off, been quite careful that my comments here cannot be matched to my report too. Yeah I've got the AA panel, seems to do a half decent job of maintaining the battery through the ODBC plug during summer, but once the windows freeze over in winter its useless. I'm experimenting with disconnecting the battery to see if that helps. It might be a knackered battery though.

Went for a cycle at lunch, as usual I stuck the go pro on and got two ballbags recorded. I don't want to become one of those cyclists who reports everything and goes looking for trouble like certain media personalities do. But I feel I've got to report some of them. FYI one of them didn't give way and the other was driving along a dedicated bus route.

Same old story really, reports all year of record profits etc. then when it comes to bonus time its all "times are tough, we all need to take a hit etc". I'd love to know what bonuses senior management get, cos I can guarantee its not single figure percentages.

How is everyone doing? I'm a bit meh after Warley as it just didn't seem as fun as it used to be. Been told we're getting a 5% increase this year, which isn't too bad, but offset by the cost of everything else. Suspect the bonus will be lower this year to compensate. I wonder what the senior leadership get... edit: yup my bonus was lower this year, penalised again for behaviour. Doesn't take into account my work bringing up the overall quality.

Dunno whether mine have a 'heater' or ifs just the bulbs, but the lights defrost pronto on my Golf. Think my headlamps need restoring eventually as the inevitable smudgy cloud on the plastic lenses have appeared. Still seems to pass MOT fine though.

The cold also seems to kill my battery too. I've still got a parasitic drain I've not resolved, but summertime isn't quite so bad. Winter the battery will die in a couple of days. I have to start it up for a bit each day, greenpeace must love me and also expecting a visit from just stop oil soon too.

Probably quite similar, its a MK5 Golf Estate. I've got aircon fitted and thankfully heated mirrors. No heated front screen unfortunately. Mums Mondeo clears in a flash but mine is simply lethargic. Being a diesel it also seems to take a while for the engine to get up to temperature when idling. I'll run it for a few minutes on full blast then wipe away the moisture with a hand-towel. Once its clear enough to be safe to drive I'll pull away. Once the engine is working a bit harder it warms up nicely and clears everything.

I seem to get moisture on the inside which is mystifying and concerning. I keep a hand towel in the car for such events though. Can't work out why, have had moisture evaporators on the dash to combat it, but still a minor issue.

Also a fellow Peterborian I wanted to come take a look, but couldn't get near the store for most of the day lol, there seemed to be a constant swarm! Not that its a bad thing mind, looked like you did well. I'll just pop in the shop soon I guess.

The numbers are too narrow or the wrong font. If you eyeball the '010' against the builders plate, the plate is wider, and if you look at the '6' in relation to the cab windows its too far over to the right. The right edge of the '3' should be in line with the rivet under the forward window. Compared to my photo of the real thing the font looks smaller and narrower.

Did anyone pick up the Hornby 2022 club loco? They were knocking them out for £10 each, figured I'd pick one up cos its £10 basically.

My previous gripes with the parking costs aside (I've probably been a bit unfair in some respects, will let the issue go), I did get out of the car park quite quickly today. I pretty much drove straight out almost non-stop in fact when there is normally a queue. This probably explains why.

Today was the first time I've seen it in person and it looked alright, the only real complaint I have is the cabside number which still looks off to me. But its a start for British HO RTR at least.

I was there just before 10am and the queue's had for the large part cleared, I was waiting maybe 10 minutes to buy a ticket.

TBH when writing I didn't realise that the seating was costed separately by the NEC, I assumed it was part of the hall costs? I apologise as no offense was intended, the frustration of not being able to sit down properly for a number of hours and a long day travelling all adds up and it was all a bit last minute for me to arrange my visit. But, in regards to the parking location, its not always practical to park off-site for personal reasons, so I do have to face the costs of parking on-site. I just can't fathom why pre-booking is a few quid cheaper than on the day, as surely its a linked booking system. Noted if I go next year!

@Robert Shrives Thanks for your response, I hope my gripes aren't taken as a reflection on Warley MRC and your teams work as that's not my intention. I understand you guys do an often thankless and exhausting job given the limitations and I really appreciate the time and effort you do put in. I hoping registration plates are logged and blacklisted for future events! Not acceptable regardless of the costs, if you want to have a go at the prices, have a go at the owners/council.

Not long got home, a bit underwhelmed if I'm honest. Generally the layouts were good, but I started feeling frustration for a number of reasons: - Doddery sods stopping to have a chat in the aisles. People need to start being a bit more considerate of others around them. - People constantly pushing in front of me at layouts and traders stands when I've been patiently waiting. Had to walk away sometimes as my internal voice was shouting "**** OFF!". Not only do they push in front, but then proceed to stare into the distance. The NEC doesn't help themselves either: - Once again the NEC seems to neglect putting out sufficient seating, lots of people sitting on the floor. Warley is not the only event they seem to do this, the classic car show has been the same. - Parking... £18 and its not even nearby, it'd be quicker walking to Mordor than to nip to the car - Food - still bloody expensive. Thankfully I made a tactical stop off in the morning for supplies, but previous years I've been stuck and had to pay the massive prices. I could've really done with a beer in the afternoon, but they're charging exorbitant prices for a light ale. The layouts were great and many of the traders had some nice stuff, but I wasn't getting the same bargains I did at previous shows. Its a long way for me to travel to a show and I'm re-thinking whether I should go next year. Starting to see the same stuff, the same layouts, the same traders each year and its starting to lose its appeal. Another minor greivance which I don't think is shared by most people here is layouts not doing anything. I get that you may be running to a timetable or sequence, but layouts with nothing going on for extended periods of time are incredibly dull to me, even when the quality of the layout is superb. I know I'll get some stick for this, but it is my personal opinion and no personal offense is intended. I loved the Playmobil layout though!

Is the RMweb bunga bunga party on this year again or wot?

Another poor driver reported to cambs constabulary. Van w***** decides he's going to close pass me and force an oncoming car over to the side, only to then pull into a driveway 20 seconds up the road. Thankfully I have the footage in glorious 4k. Gets the knob head award for both the close pass and the fact that he didn't need to pass me.