Darkest-Star

There are calls for the non increase in the regulations around e-cigarettes and pricing a packet if fags at 20 quid as a means to deter smokers. I don't know as much about the former but I know about the latter. I must stress, I'm not a smoker and I don't harp on and bash on about smoking to smokers, I advise and promote health as part of my job. So......20 for 20....would you, could you?

There's never enough coverage of this fab event. Hope the weather holds and the gladiators can have a full on battle. Don't do the high speed stuff myself, I wouldn't like the pain from such a crash but those guys are totally heroic for their bravery.

Just think 'lifesavers ' when changing road position, executing a manoeuvre. More than one press to cancel indicators. New road, new speed. I set my mirrors so I had a good head movement. When approaching lights, how long have they been on green? I was talking to myself all the way round, must have sounded a right Looney but I think it helped, what did help was that the test centre was right next to the training school I used so the instructors knew all the routes. I cycled then and viewed all the routes on Google maps. Good luck.

Working, in fact only one day off between now and next Monday (12th). Just as the weather seems to be getting better again.

Ain't it a great feeling, well done you. Off to the shops now!

Why do you NEED more? This isn't a negative comment about yourself or Facebook, I know nowt about it, except most other people are doing it and most organisations are too.

You pass CBT, continue with learner 125 until you pass your test Mod 1&2 THEN the bigger bike if you wish.

the poo shelf

As Stu days its about personalisation, I've done nowt but an aux socket on mine, I'm going to do mirrors and indicators but only due to damage. With cars all I had done was stereos and a towbar, brighter bulbs nothing else. I do like to see other bikes with a bit different on them and I suppose those owners like the attention. I'm not after excess speed or power that's gonna make my hair white and my pants brown due to fear although, I did like the sound and looks of a Ninja 1000sx I saw the other day. Green paint of course, nice colour that.

Never seen it mentioned on the forum but if anyone has heard Blyth MAG are doing their annual egg collecting, fundraising event around Northumberland tomorrow, come say hello to the owner of the orange vstrom (chances are there may be more than mine. It's the first time I've done this charity event. Really looking forward to it. Might see my next model of bike

I really enjoyed the whole series of vids, watched them last night and watched others on your channel, good to see the whole family on the bikes too. Would I be up to a challenge like that? Well who knows?

Couldn't loosen one of the nuts, I think I could have had both feet on the ratchet handle and still it might not have budged. The nut has become damaged with the effort. Local Suzuki dealer will have them to order in a week. I would have thought it would be an item to keep some of but never mind, brakes aren't affected.

Got the torque wrench and recommend settings, there's a lot of bolts on the bike the same. Paranoid previous owner maybe, he rented 2 garages 1 at home and 1 at work and never went out in the rain. He sold the bike as he was losing the use of 1 garage. Thanks for reply.

Just taking off the front calipers for the first time, the bolts were loctited on and were a total PITA to get off. Is it best to Loctite again or is it individual preference?

Transporter bridge at Middlesbrough and the funicular tram at Scarborough

I hope so, it's my first summer biking. I don't mind the rain though so long as the temperature is up, but life is better with the fireball in the sky all day.

Had a PM about my score and duly updated

Shopping for a tent today to use at the rally and other times was going to buy a Coleman Cobra 2 but it seems a little narrow at the end as I like comfort and a comfy airbed will be used. So after consideration, I will be buying a Coleman Darwin 2 man Plus tent. I can also get a free camp stove in the deal

Today's achievements: Langley Castle Centre of Britain Hotel Lanercost old bridge

Pencil me in for the weekend, I can't guarantee I will be there as I start a new job this month and don't know the arrangements for time off later in the year. Viewed last years postings about the meet and fancy a trip down. Could take the long way and catch a few challenge 100 sites also!!

Don't have a fixation on mobiles and driving , it's the blatant I don't care attitude and the challenge that those who do it make to the likes of myself when it is pointed out and I appear to be in the wrong like now due to my posts. I'm not having a pick at one person Joeman but you seem to think I am with you and you are having to justify your selective use of your phone/hands free. I'll answer your question yes I have and for the record have changed music, driven with one hand and given pretty women a look over as that are passing, none of which are against the law in themselves as far as I am aware but, if I was to have an incident them my actions would be negligent and the law would be enforced Answer the question.

Joeman....... how would you feel if your child died as a result of someone using their phone when they shouldn't? I for one wouldn't go to the killer and shake them by the hand and discuss the real world conditions out on the roads and try to find common ground on which to agree that it was OK to do what they did. As it stands, the law is an Ass, there is no deterrent in the penalty for an offence such as this. In my opinion it's on a level with drink driving and the penalty should be the same.

Read this: http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/repor ... lcohol.htm The paper is 56 pages long but the web page initially details how the study was conducted. I'm not going to going to be critical as to others skill while they are driving some are highly skilled some are good and others don't know their left from right but, given those levels, it still doesn't give drivers the right to drive in an unsafe manner. The problem isn't the one handed driving, some disabled drivers manage just fine, it is the distraction . For instance, you want to make a call on the move, you are scrolling through the phone book instead of eyes on the road. Child runs out in the road, driver doesn't see what's happening until it's too late and disaster happens. "Sorry Officer ,I know I was breaking the law but I'm a good driver honest. I've killed someone but I'm better than him/her on the roads". Could the driver really look the child's parents in the eye in court and say its OK to drive while distracted. Joeman, how would you feel. Would you still say it's OK?

I don't always believe research especially if it isn't peer reviewed. Sure I would prefer to be driven by a phone driver as a drink driver as I could take the phone away but reducing blood alcohol levels on the fly may be harder. If I'm not in the car then I'm possibly screwed if either is in the vicinity. Perhaps offenders need to see actual victims to change their ways.

I had to thank you in post #5Joeman as it prompted me to do some research. According to the Transport Research Laboratory, mobile phone use while driving is more dangerous than drink driving. I wonder if popular opinion would change if that evidence was wider publicised? So in your opinion is it better to drink and drive because its safer? Short answer is no and to be expansive on that answer..... publicly it is more abhorrent to drink and drive, it is irresponsible and selfish to have some drinks then drive and for a crime that research suggests is less dangerous the penalties are severe and proportionate. Imagine the uproar for being caught "phone driving" and being slapped with a large fine and a ban for using that handset. I believe the punishment doesn't reflect the offence.