S-Westerly

Sounds as if she has all the qualities needed on the basis of current and previous occupants of the post.

Fortunately as I'm next to tone deaf I can't tell the difference between music on a high end system or a pair of headphones on a phone. Saved myself thousands. Not sure about the lack of mortgage and credit rating - I've not had a mortgage for close on 20 years and my credit rating is as good as it gets really.

I might be interested except my brother works for a big manufacturer of high end outdoors kit so I get 70% off their stuff. Unfortunately so far they don't do bike specific stuff but for base layers etc they're very good.

I changed from a Schuberth to a Shoei funnily enough at around 5 years. The Schuberth was becoming loose and there were a few chips on the outside. I have no idea what the Sharp rating is for any of my helmets. Not worried about it either.

That's one way of looking at it!

There's a lot I still like about London but it's changed a lot over the last 30 years and not necessarily for the better. Introducing a London mayor has been a bit of a disaster - Livingston, Bojo and Khan. Names to strike fear into anyone with a functioning brain.

Apparently even well looked after helmets can deteriorate with time. Liners certainly do although you can buy replacements for many quality helmets. The hard shell theoretically can too although speaking personally mine are always getting little dings and chips from wear and tear. It's an excuse that my wife seems to accept anyway.

Aren't we supposed to change helmets every 5 years or so?

That sounds about right. Complete cluster f**k.

Still have zero interest in touching my bike's forks.

Hmm no? My wife's a nurse and they are all monsters. Stab you with needles, bleed you any which way and won't even blink an eye.

I've seen my local council "repairing " potholes by shovelling warm asphalt into the hole and rolling it with a garden type roller. Needless to say this bodge lasts weeks if you're lucky less if it rains. Our roads are now a total disgrace.

I have "white coat phobia" and when anyone officially takes my BP it's always at least 10 points higher than usual. Regardless of the nurse or doctor doing it.

I went to Smith and Allen's place in Darlington when I had the Multistrada which was a bit of an oil burner. I bought 10 litres for the cost of not much more than a litre of Shell equivalent. They told me they blended lubes etc on the premises and labelled it for various brands except the oil majors such as Shell. As there is no chance whatsoever that I'll be playing with my suspension especially as its electronically adjusted I'll leave it to the guys who do it. I really don't care what brand goes in but I'd prefer the correct weight of oil as that is presumably what Ohlins designed the system to use.

I think fork oil is often bike / suspension specific. According to Moto Guzzi and Ohlins my folks should be 7.5 W Castrol oil. As I'll never be the one dealing with it I don't worry too much.

Except in the Americas Cup where we flatter to deceive just as in every other sport. Maybe tiddlywinks is our level?

Glad you are happy but North Africa isn't my cup of tea. I prefer more northern climes.

Not sure if it is a good one. Lost to Scotland four times in a row - first time since 1896 ffs. Losing to India in the cricket as well. Have two Scots and two Indians on board as well so lots of scowling on my part. On the plus side the sun is shining and it's a balmy 23 C outside.

I use NORD mainly so I can access certain things in the UK when I'm elsewhere. Seems to work OK and reduces some of the annoying pop up ads as well. It's subscription though not free.

The only mandatory piece of protective clothing is a helmet. That must meet the appropriate standards. The rest is purely optional and could be made of string and paper. So yes you can import clothing without any issues except of course the import duty is likely to be punitive.

Forget to mention I have heated grips as well which are standard on the bike.

Actually I find the downhills less stressful than the ups. What is the worst though is getting stuck behind going something really slow as too slow a speed makes up or down a steep hill much more difficult.

Thin seats can be customised or otherwise improved. Otherwise go with your heart as you will be the one riding it. Assuming you are not using it as a daily work horse get the one you are going to enjoy the most.

I've ridden from Gloucestershire to Northumberland and back when the temperature according to the bike was -2 all the way. I have plug in Keis gear including liner gloves which I wear inside Richa winter gloves. At no time was I cold. The only fly in my ointment was the low sun in my eyes coming south. That was a real bitch.

What I thought. Bugger.