veloman

What channel was that HTC proramme on please Mons ?

Good question. As my bike is worth more than my car, I put it in the car and wife on the roof ! All pro teams use roof carriers but that is for quick changes in a race situation. Roof can affect petrol consumption and (if you are as daft as me which you probably are not) it is possible to forget the bike is there when you go under a barrier over a carpark or something . I think that there are a fair few rear mounted carriers these days but think the police can be a bit sniffy if the number plate is obscured. I realise that doesnt really answer your question but perhaps just something to consider. Some manufacturers do a specific carrier for vehicles in their range; you could look into that .

Just a plug for a mate who has opened a bike shop in Tamworth. 2 Wheels Only - Lower Gungate in Tamworth. Ask for Martin (former schoolboy road race champion and Commonwealth Games track sprinter). He is also a BIG Villa fan -so, if you live in the Tamworth area, mention that you saw it on here and he should sort you out. Repairs, road bikes mountain bikes and bits. Much better than Halfords !

Well yes Rev, there are a couple. Bradley Wiggins could get up on GC but he may have put a lot into winning another big French race called the "Dauphine Libere" - summat like that anyway. This is a damn good race to win so we shall just have to see. The other two are Ben Swift and Geraint Thomas (who the TV might refer to as "G" 'cos everyone calls him that) Both excellent riders; team time trial could be interesting tomorrow 'cos Thomas is right up there and with Wiggins,a time trial specialist, in his team ----could be interesting.

I cannot imagine why Contador would use Clen - he doesnt need it. It is mainly a fat-burning agent and is not even a 'proper' steroid. Abdujapourov (however you spell it) got caught using it but he would seek to control hie weight; it does also help breathing too. It does have a vetinary use I believe, hence the contaminated meat argument. They said on Eurosport that the French booed him at the signing-on podium; but then he aint French ! NB Bradley Wiggins has been coached by Shane Sutton lately. Although Shane is an Aussie he was based in Brum for sometime and is a keen Villa supporter.

When I have recovered from this afternoons bike race on the A50 in Derbyshire, I shall shortly be taking-up the postion of Chairman of Selectors for England ! I must know more about cricket than they do - how on Earth could they leave-out Ian Bell !!!!!!!! That must be one of the daftest decisions I have seen for years in cricket. Any thoughts ?

I believe this pair were discussed in 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'. Please refer to that filum for further opinions

Respect for that ^^^. Isnt it quite 'lumpy around there ? Road bike or mtb ? 34 miles Friday after work then 50 yesterday; hoped to do another 50 today but legs ache plus blowing a gale so wimped out

Well the vultures are circling for Lance Armstrong; Landis, Hamilton and now (his mate !) Hincapie sticking the knife in. Could be bad for World cycle racing - but at least the French will probably be happy I've no idea if he was a 'charger' but he did alter his body shape after his recovery from cancer. The only other person I have seen do that so dramatically was Canadian runner Ben Johson- but he gained mass whilst Armstrong lost it. I know there are cycling fans on here - any thoughts ?

Just got back from watching Warks beat The Heathens (Scotland !) (Wife was born in Scotland btw) We dont half miss Sir Ian and Trott come to that . Brightest moment was when somebody switched the sprinklers on and one part of the crowd got soaked as the wind blew water all over them. Lancs next I think - I hate them !!

Well I was surprised but as a (sort of ) competitor in another sport, I know that one can sometimes become pre-occupied with the event. I also know that competitors dont always take any notice of marshalls. I certainly wouldnt "report" the incident or anything but blimey this woman (who ran out in front of me) came pretty damn close.

Anyone know about some sort of 'organised ' run near Lichfield today? Came through a smallish village called Whittington, about 11.45, on bike and some runners just ran straight across in front of me from a side road - no race marshall or 'owt. Just missed them- 'cos I'd got 50 miles in my legs by now, so was starting to slow down but I thought it was a tad dangerous. ps. There were signs saying "Caution Runners" - perhaps that was sufficient :shock:

I venture to suggest that there could be a down-side to Warks brilliant start to the season. Chris Woakes appears to have been playing a blinder and must attract the attention of the England selectors. So - Warks could be without Trott, Bell and Woakes for part of the season. This must affect our chances of lifting a trophy do you think ?

Well here we go again - new season (have altered thread to 2011 -thanks LIMPID) Great start by Warks - particularly nice to see Chris Woakes with another century and then pick up wickets. So, should he be (yet another Bear) playing for England and how do cricket fans on here think Warks will do this year ? (and that other lot down at Worcs I suppose :winkold: ) Mark you, if AVFC WERE to be relegated it would cast a cloud over the whole season !

AshVilla - really suggest that you look at second hand. Cyclists, particularly mtb'ers, are terrible fashion victims and swap really good machines quite regularly. So it appears that you dont want a road bike so hybrid or mtb I guess. Have no experience of hybrids so cant comment but if you go for an mtb, would suggest you go hardtail (no rear suspension) and even wouldnt worry about disc brakes (heavier and more to go wrong) Would suggest main thing is not to get a frame that is too big - a common mistake as shops seem to have no effin idea and will sell you what they have in and tell you it is perfect. You can get some bargains from discount places but they can be pretty heavy and with poor quality group-sets. Hope that helps.

Aye - you could be right - its probably just my age. After all, I still think Steely Dan is the greatest band of all time.

I find this fascinating. Many people not rating U2 (same riff in nearly every number) Oasis (excellent pub band) The Smiths (fall asleep when listening so cant comment). So who the hell buys their records to make them such "mega stars" ? It's like trying to find someone who voted for Thatcher - no-one admits to it. Incidentally, Elvis was a damn good club singer; I actually backed him at East Birmingham Trades & Labour Club ! Well he said he was Elvis. Actually what he said was"If you're a drummer ....."

In answer to dodgyknees question in the "Running" thread; it really does depend on the course and the weather i.e not blowing an effing gale ! On a race bike as opposed to ATB 12 to 13 minutes would be good. 5 miles isnt a usual time trial distance so a bit difficult to say but club riders would be looking to do 10 to 11 mins I reckon.

I have been getting bad muscle cramp in my legs, especially after 3 hours on bike or a race. Went to Docs and he suggested drinking Dr Pepper. Does it have quinine in it ?

Although well past all this sort of thing now - married 30 years - I can remember exactly how this felt; in fact in my teens I was covered in bruises where girls HAD touched me with a 10 foot bargepole ! You have my sympathy Rodders and remember the words of the Neil Young song (you may be a bit young to know of him) but he wrote a prophetic number called "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" . So true.

This thread has been quiet for a bit but wonder if you runners have been getting out? I havent touched bike in anger for about 3 weeks and now weigh 22 stone !! So have contemplated running not 'cos it is easier - just safer. However the pavements seem just a effing dangerous as the roads; anyone else found this ? ps. 22 stone is a slight exaggeration !

Hope this hasnt been done before. Crackhead breaks into a house one night, switches on his torch and starts going through drawers. Suddenly a voice says; "Jesus is watching you" Crackhead switches off torch and stands petrified. After some time nothing happens so he starts again, only to hear a voice say "Jesus is watching you". Crackhead spins round and looks where voice had come from only to see a parrott in a cage. "Did you say that? asks crackhead. " Yes" says parrott, "He is watching you" "That scared me shitless" says crackhead, "Who are you anyway"? "my name is Moses" says parrott "What sort of clearing in the woods calls a parrott Moses" says crackhead "The same person that called the rottweiller Jesus" says parrott.

I wouldn't be as confident about our position as 'favourites' as some are (and I wonder about the psychology behind the comments from the likes of Gilchrist). Agreed entirely. Those of us of more mature years might recall the Aussies trick of 'playing' people into the Test side then destroying them in the match. Graham Gooch was an example (although a great player later) and there was another earlier than that but can't remember who. Having said that, I do like the Aussies competitive attitude - look at Steve Waugh v Curtley Ambrose on Youtube.

Well The Ashes Tests are looming; how do VT'ers think we are going to do ? We ought to beat'em ........... but it is The Aussies and they seem to raise their game against us . (like every damn team did at VP when we were in the Third Division !) So what thoughts? (I see Pieterson claims he is 'on fire' with a score of 50 something )