queen bodecia

Don't want to have the BBC versus Eurosport debate again. I just refuse to pay extra on top of the licence fee to watch telly. I blame football for making sport all about money so people have to shell out to watch it. It's just a matter of principle for me. Although I dislike the politics of it, I'd pay to subscribe to Eurosport only if it was available as a top-up channel on Freeview, but I can't justify £30+ to subscribe to hundreds of channels of Sky just for the sake of watching a bit of bike racing. I enjoy it, but not that much... For anyone like me who only has Freeview, BSB highlights will be shown on ITV4 again this season a week after the racing. It's not much but it's better than nothing...

Damn. Watch it online then. I have to watch WSB online because I don't have (or want) Sky. However Eurosport have just stuffed this up for everyone by forcing the official SBK website to only show the races live and not have them available for download afterwards. This forces people to pay for Eurosport's money-grabbing subscription service. Sorry, but no matter how much I like bike racing I refuse to give them a penny of my hard-earned...

Why not? BBCi is available online and via Freeview. Surely a lot more people can watch that than piggin' Eurosport that you have to pay for?

It's live on BBCi apparently...

BBC showing it live from 1900 via BBCi (red button). Typical. I'm going out tonight, first time I have been out for months. At least I can record it...

Motorcyclists are a small minority of road users in this country (less than 1%), yet we account for 26% of serious accidents/casualties. Before we start throwing our very insignificant weight around suggesting that we are the target of police bullying tactics we should really get our own houses in order. The sad fact is we are seen by the masses as being anti-social. Bikes can be loud; in tranquil villages on a sunny Sunday, that's quite unpleasant to some people. Others can feel intimidated by being overtaken by a fast-moving motorcycle. Others feel aggrieved by sitting in traffic whilst two-wheeled vehicles filter pas them. I'm not saying I necessarily agree with any of these viewpoints, I'm just stating how we as a group of road users can be perceived by others... I don't see an easy solution as motorcycling is never going to be a majority interest in this country. It has been in steady decline since the 1960s and will continue to do so. However, by acting courteously on the roads and taking additional training or whatever is necessary to bring those horrific statistics down is in my opinion the best means we have at our disposal of becoming more acceptable to the rest of the population... Of course we are an easy target for the police. We are our own worst enemies. What you're suggesting is that we revolt against having to obey the law. That's not going to win us an popularity contests...

I'm a gal who would quite happily have a lovely yellow R1 like yours. If only I didn't already have a lovely blue fireblade like mine...

Well, I didn't make it tonight as I've only just got in from work and next week I'll be in Sweden. Soz...

I'm working every weekend now until Intermot so probably going to take my bike off the road. Looks like autumn has arrived early anyway...

Bless ya Korb! Been tucked away with a pile of work and a poorly cat to nurse recently... But in addition to that can't manage this weekend as I'm going to Essex to babysit my new niece today whilst my sister and her husband go to a wedding. Won't be back until mid-afternoon tomorrow...

Soz chaps. No can do...

Glad yas had some great ride outs. Not jealous at all...

Just decided that I can't leave my cat. I know my friends would do a great job of looking after her, but I wouldn't be able to relax... Plus I have spent over £250 on vets bills so I'm proper skint. Although the bloody hotel have charged me full whack anyway. Grrrr... No more time off work until October now so no chance of any trips...

Lovely day here too... Bloody hotel have charged me full amount because I didn't give them a week's notice of cancellation. Grrr...

Soz people, I've had to cancel. Best laid plans eh? Hope you all manage to get together for a great rideout anyway... One day I will visit the Lakes, but it probably won't be this year now. Boo hoo...

Oh right. No access to private bit and I wouldn't post my number on the internet. Catch ya tomorrow chuck. Or PM me your messenger thingywhatsit...

Members numbers...? I'll probably be online tomorrow night after work, so can post my plans then. Will have a better idea of what the weather's gonna do...

Will keep my eye on stuff and make my mind up for definite tomorrow. Not sure I feel 'right' about leaving my cat even though she'll be every bit as well cared for by my friends as she is with me. But my mum thinks I'm being over-sensitive and I need a break... Decisions, decisions... As to the weather. Although a definite fair-weather rider, I can do sunny and showers. I just don't like full on rain... And no, you can't ride my Blade without insurance dragolith. Soz...

You don't want a nice ride out or was that a sausage-fingered moment...? Basically my cat has cat flu. She is nearly 17 so it's going to be a long haul, not an overnight cure. However, it is not likely to be fatal and I have friends who are more than happy to look after her for me, so she'll be in very safe hands... So I'll probably still come as I really need a break and from next week until early October I'm gonna be working 7 day weeks. However, if the weather is cack I will bring the car...

Met orifice website says warm and humid but risk of thundery downpours all weekend. Hmmm... Plus my cat is still poorly. Will probably be poorly for weeks yet and this is my only chance to have time off work until October... But I can't make up my mind what to do...

Soz not me this week. Got a hot date tomorrow night...

Some great roads around there... A6003 Oakham to Kettering and A606 Melton to Stamford both fast and flowing. B6047 Melton to Harborough is legendary in those parts and if you like tricky and technical try the B664 Uppingham to Harborough. Then there's the famous Benefield Bends on the A427 between Corby and Oundle... Sigh. I quite miss some of those roads (used to live in South Leicestershire)... There used to be a bike meet type pub in Morcott on the A47 near Uppingham, or if it's a nice day there's usually a few bikes stop at Whitwell by Rutland Water for an ice cream...

I'm staying just outside Windermere, so could be persuaded with a Devil's Bridge stop off on the way there on the Saturday (can I get a cuppa there?) and/or a Sunday meet... So far the long range forecast for next weekend looks OK-ish but it's a bit too early to tell... My other variable is my poorly cat. I have friends who will look after her, but I'm not leaving her unless she makes a significant improvement this week... Anyway, will keep yas all posted...

Stu is right, the HISS system is very complicated, but it is also pretty reliable. Haven't heard of any complete failures. Hopefully your problem is just a blown bulb/fuse or basic wiring thing...

Weather forecast looking a bit better for tomorrow, so I hope yas all have a great run. I can personally vouch for the drop-off marker system. We used to use that in the days of MCN and Nodding Dogs rideouts and it worked well. The only comment to add is that it's better to text people rather than ring as many will be on their bikes and unable to answer. A text will let stray riders know where the group is at any given time and where and when the next rendezvous point is... Anyway, like I said, have a great day tomorrow. Sorry I can't join yas but it's too far from my patch...