Come along Eddie PJ , don't be coy, spill the beans, what's your new hobby?

 

It's keeping people guessing!

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Today I have done some minor fettling.

 

On the Orbit, I started off by checking the alignment of the yellow markers on the Alfine hub, as I suspected misalignment. But no, perfectly aligned. That meant it was a combination of a dodgy chain tensioner & a chain two links too long. I removed the links and replaced the tensioner. I had intended to fit a new one, but the bolt I ordered was too small, so I cannibalised the two old tensioners I had to make a good one. The bolt to fit on the hanger would not align to screw in when on the tensioner, but it would on its own. Eventually I ended up screwing it home, but misthreaded. Somewhere down the line that will need rethreading. Anyway, it went in with brute force applied and the chain is now shorter and better aligned. Monday will tell me if that cures the jumps on the drive train.

 

On the Oxygen, I replaced the rear gear cable that snapped last week. I expected it to be a pig of a job in the cold, but it was a piece of cake. Finding how to fit the cable into the shifter is usually a PITA, but in this case it was simple. I reused the cable outers, but they could do with replacing and/or lubricating. A quick test ride and the gears selected OK, but it was a bit sticky. It now sits charging.

 

I resisted the urge to fit winter tyres to the machines. If I do, it'll be the Orbit first, as the Marathon + tyres don't like the cold and damp & neither do I like the lack of grip!

It's keeping people guessing!

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I suspect that there is going to be both laughter and disappointment that it wasn't something more interesting than it actually is. Having said that the scenery can be quiet nice.

 

I've always had an interest in keeping fit, and whilst at my regular yoga class a few weeks ago, there was some really loud techno music coming from the dance studio down the corridor. Both classes finished at the same time, and out from the dance studio came a group of girls/woman, giggling and laughing, and wearing boots that I had never seen before. As you do, I popped along for a chat, and I ended up thinking that I would have some of that, the boots that is, not the girls, and ever since I have been doing Kangoo Jumps twice a week.

The only reason that I have to juggle my week around, is because one of the sessions is during the day. The class is way out of my comfort zone on so many levels, but being an exercise, I just can't get enough of it. To the extent that I definitely want to take/make more than just a hobby from it. I've spent years on and off in a gym, but this for my requirements, is easily the most the most enjoyable and fun workout yet, and certainly the one that has made me sweat. Beside me having next to no coordination and timing, I can't think of anything negative to say about it.

 

 

 

My first goal, is to complete this dance set.

 

Edited November 24, 20178 yr by EddiePJ

That looks fun, could develop into an art form,

[mention=13404]Paul smith[/mention] wins - well almost, 21st century Morris dancing anyway

I suspect that there is going to be both laughter and disappointment that it wasn't something more interesting than it actually is. Having said that the scenery can be quiet nice.

 

I've always had an interest in keeping fit, and whilst at my regular yoga class a few weeks ago, there was some really loud techno music coming from the dance studio down the corridor. Both classes finished at the same time, and out from the dance studio came a group of girls/woman, giggling and laughing, and wearing boots that I had never seen before. As you do, I popped along for a chat, and I ended up thinking that I would have some of that, the boots that is, not the girls, and ever since I have been doing Kangoo Jumps twice a week.

The only reason that I have to juggle my week around, is because one of the sessions is during the day. The class is way out of my comfort zone on so many levels, but being an exercise, I just can't get enough of it. To the extent that I definitely want to take/make more than just a hobby from it. I've spent years on and off in a gym, but this for my requirements, is easily the most the most enjoyable and fun workout yet, and certainly the one that has made me sweat. Beside me having next to no coordination and timing, I can't think of anything negative to say about it.

 

 

 

My first goal, is to complete this dance set.

 

get some real ones and go do a course

Trust you.

 

Dongle boots!

I suspect that there is going to be both laughter and disappointment that it wasn't something more interesting than it actually is. Having said that the scenery can be quiet nice.

 

I've always had an interest in keeping fit, and whilst at my regular yoga class a few weeks ago, there was some really loud techno music coming from the dance studio down the corridor. Both classes finished at the same time, and out from the dance studio came a group of girls/woman, giggling and laughing, and wearing boots that I had never seen before. As you do, I popped along for a chat, and I ended up thinking that I would have some of that, the boots that is, not the girls, and ever since I have been doing Kangoo Jumps twice a week.

The only reason that I have to juggle my week around, is because one of the sessions is during the day. The class is way out of my comfort zone on so many levels, but being an exercise, I just can't get enough of it. To the extent that I definitely want to take/make more than just a hobby from it. I've spent years on and off in a gym, but this for my requirements, is easily the most the most enjoyable and fun workout yet, and certainly the one that has made me sweat. Beside me having next to no coordination and timing, I can't think of anything negative to say about it.

 

 

 

My first goal, is to complete this dance set.

 

 

 

Fit SPD clips to your Kanga boots and go for a ride! Would love to see that.

I'll see if this kicks off a thread for minor things that might interest people...

 

My post is about today's ride in to work.

 

1) It was bloomin' cold! I was a bit worried that the paths might be frosty, but no.

2) My rear derailleur gear cable snapped, meaning I jumped into top gear! Luckily, the front derailleur still works and helped. And it was 3/4 of the way into work.

3) I rode over a bump that normally wouldn't have been an issue, except today my rear pannier decided to jump off the rack onto the road. Luckily, it fell into the gutter rather than get run over.

 

I'm hoping the ride home is less eventful.

it is bloody cold. not objectively, but subjectively. I am convinced my brain's core temperature is at least 2C below normal. It would explain the sluggish hollow echoed sense/sound of everything. I'm going for a run and sauna after work. cycling to the supermarket afterwards on a beat up old non electric mezzo will feel the only vaguely sentient bit of the day.

it is bloody cold. not objectively, but subjectively. I am convinced my brain's core temperature is at least 2C below normal. It would explain the sluggish hollow echoed sense/sound of everything. I'm going for a run and sauna after work. cycling to the supermarket afterwards on a beat up old non electric mezzo will feel the only vaguely sentient bit of the day.

 

You need to aim a little higher Steb...sounds rather cold...

 

Just back from day at sea out of Moraira, not much wind but very warm (24 degrees in sun) and nice swell running. 3 trainees, one a complete beginner..all did well and passed relevant RYA levels...then back for lunch ...Mixed salad, Salmon ; chips and veg...chocolate tart..Glass of wine...and a coffee..10 euro each..£9.20 at current exchange rate...Fab day...especially considering 3 weeks ago laid up in hospital after 3 micro strokes..

Must remember to stretch myself more..

Enjoy the cold Steb.

^

 

My wife has been ill and in hospital until last Wednesday. As a result, I have been running round like a blue-arsed fly doing school runs and taxiing duties of an evening. She's recovering slowly, but it's a slow process.

 

What irks me is the morning commute. How can people do that same moronic journey day in, day out? What a pointless waste of the planet's resources. I'm no fan of driving, and that is really underlined when I turn a corner and see a half-mile long queue of cars moving slower than the pedestrians walking along the same road. I assume it's the same people in the same tin boxes doing the same thing every single day.

 

I still have three days of that torture left, then I can get back in the saddle.

^

 

My wife has been ill and in hospital until last Wednesday. As a result, I have been running round like a blue-arsed fly doing school runs and taxiing duties of an evening. She's recovering slowly, but it's a slow process.

 

What irks me is the morning commute. How can people do that same moronic journey day in, day out? What a pointless waste of the planet's resources. I'm no fan of driving, and that is really underlined when I turn a corner and see a half-mile long queue of cars moving slower than the pedestrians walking along the same road. I assume it's the same people in the same tin boxes doing the same thing every single day.

 

I still have three days of that torture left, then I can get back in the saddle.

Seriously, there seem to be lot of things broken in this country and people are only slowly becoming aware of it.

What the future holds I don't know, but I fear.

What irks me is the morning commute. How can people do that same moronic journey day in, day out? What a pointless waste of the planet's resources. I'm no fan of driving, and that is really underlined when I turn a corner and see a half-mile long queue of cars moving slower than the pedestrians walking along the same road. I assume it's the same people in the same tin boxes doing the same thing every single day.

 

Often there's no option, some have company cars that they have to have available during the day. I was in that position myelf for many years, forced to commute by car in London.

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In the 90's I was installing stairlifts for a living. One morning I was heading (slowly) up the M42 to Nottingham when I saw a van for a rival company heading (slowly) for Birmingham. I had an epiphany - saw the absolute craziness of it all - I quit, became self employed and moved to Wales. Now it can take me as much as 15 minutes to get 10 miles:p. When I hear the traffic reports on radio 2 I laugh, 'cos I've been stuck at most of the places they mention.

By the way, don't move to Wales, it's backward, wet, the nearest set of traffic lights is 20 miles away and there's no motorways:eek: and I love it, 'cos most of the population's elsewhere.

In the 90's I was installing stairlifts for a living. One morning I was heading (slowly) up the M42 to Nottingham when I saw a van for a rival company heading (slowly) for Birmingham. I had an epiphany - saw the absolute craziness of it all - I quit, became self employed and moved to Wales. Now it can take me as much as 15 minutes to get 10 miles:p. When I hear the traffic reports on radio 2 I laugh, 'cos I've been stuck at most of the places they mention.

By the way, don't move to Wales, it's backward, wet, the nearest set of traffic lights is 20 miles away and there's no motorways:eek: and I love it, 'cos most of the population's elsewhere.

Don't believe him!!!

Wales is absolutely awful, all the roads are always jammed up with slow moving tractors, the scenery is mostly black coal tips, nobody speaks English and it rarely stops raining.

Mobile phones don't have any coverage, some places it is difficult to get TV.

You wouldn't like it here at all.

Don't believe him!!!

Wales is absolutely awful, all the roads are always jammed up with slow moving tractors, the scenery is mostly black coal tips, nobody speaks English and it rarely stops raining.

Mobile phones don't have any coverage, some places it is difficult to get TV.

You wouldn't like it here at all.

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You forgot to mention the crime.

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I work at a University, so no company cars. The people I saw on my journey are almost all just lazy people who can't be arsed to use public transport and would rather sit in queues than exert themselves.

I work at a University, so no company cars. The people I saw on my journey are almost all just lazy people who can't be arsed to use public transport and would rather sit in queues than exert themselves.

 

You must work in the psychology department ??

Here's one for the political correctness police. I missed it when it was on the TV, but found it when looking for something else:

 

The people I saw on my journey are almost all just lazy people who can't be arsed to use public transport and would rather sit in queues than exert themselves.

 

Ah yes, public transport.

 

Superficially most would count me well served with public transport. To go from London's fringe into the centre I need to use a bus from a stop a few yards from my home. That takes me to a bus-tram interchange and the tram whisks me to the entrance of our local main line station in around ten minutes. From there fast trains running every five minutes or so at peak times take just 16 minutes into the centre. Then it's a tube train taking a few minutes and three stops to my destination.

 

All wonderful right?

 

The reality is somewhat different, not helped by the bus stop and tram interchange both being in windswept often freezing spots to wait in. And this is a common journey in pictures:

 

Bus

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/06/18/2B280C0E00000578-3186671-image-a-22_1438883417073.jpg

 

Tram

 

Train

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2017/06/24/6457573_Getty-Images_84653806DK006_London-Underground_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq7P6MUX9KFrPYeR0_cxJfYuibrmpZ8N_rUQVqIyw9aac.jpg?imwidth=450

 

Tube

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/08/18/2A58E91700000578-3153549-Crammed_Commuters_queue_to_get_onto_a_Victoria_line_train_this_e-a-67_1436377260664.jpg

 

And when the tube station is too full to get in:

 

Indeed, why not take public transport.

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What's public transport?

Don't believe him!!!

Wales is absolutely awful, all the roads are always jammed up with slow moving tractors, the scenery is mostly black coal tips, nobody speaks English and it rarely stops raining.

Mobile phones don't have any coverage, some places it is difficult to get TV.

You wouldn't like it here at all.

And don't even mention broadband speed !

What's public transport?

 

It's carrying people to destinations as if they are animals.

 

To complete the picture some passengers even get slaughtered.

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This is a university that is well served by buses arriving every few seconds. There are cyclepaths from all directions and lots of bike parking, not to mention showers and a bike purchase assistance scheme. Yet, people still prefer to sit in their tin boxes.

This is a university that is well served by buses arriving every few seconds. There are cyclepaths from all directions and lots of bike parking, not to mention showers and a bike purchase assistance scheme. Yet, people still prefer to sit in their tin boxes.

 

Yes there's many areas like that in the UK, we are very much a car based culture and much more aligned with the USA than Europe in this respect and many others.

 

As you've shown there's no travel time advantage for them, so presumably it's the privacy and comfort of their own tin box, rather than a shared one, that wins them over. For some safety is an aspect, since many in the UK believe cycling in traffic is dangerous.

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