Your rants here.

sketchley

Sketchley wrote:

suzyb wrote:

Noooo!! The company I'm freelancing for has started a cycle to work scheme. Cheap bikes just out of my reach

If you are freelancing (e.g. Self Employed) why not register yourself as the employer in the C2W scheme then rent yourself the bike, you'll pay the cash upfront as the employer but at least it'll be a business cost you pay no tax on. If you are vat registered even better....

Looks like it's a bit more complicated than that, but you could claim the bike as business expense which mean no tax and no vat if registered. I'd speak with your account if I were you.

hatbeard

shame because at the end of the hire period you could just say you didn't want the bike and hand it back to yourself without paying the fair market value

sketchley

hatbeard wrote:

shame because at the end of the hire period you could just say you didn't want the bike and hand it back to yourself without paying the fair market value

From what I can work out you can simply claim the whole cost as business expense and not bother with C2W at all, but confirm this with an accountant.

il_principe

F*cking EVANS

Now I know Evans tend to be sh1t, but there's one outside my house that's open from 8 'til 8 - which makes it very handy.

Last week I finally got my Kinesis Decade up and running. First ride out and it's making a nasty noise. I assume BB, but checked all nuts etc in case. Ended up nipping into OYB London Bridge. Mechanic had a go on the bike and diagnosed BB. No compatible BB's in stock. Rode home and nipped into Evans that evening:

Told them about the problem, mentioned it may well be the BB, but asked if the mechanic could diagnose. Also specified a 107mm Miche BB, or similar - IF a new BB was required. Specifically said 'NO SHIMANO.' Bloke noted all this down.

2 days later and I call them as they've not rung me. I'm told they have sourced a Shimano BB and will fit that today. I get cross, but stupidly assume that at least they have confirmed it is a bb issue. They agree to order a Miche.

2 more days pass. I call in on my way home. Have they sorted the bike? No, but they have the correct BB. Offer to fit it then and there. I thank them, collect the bike and ride home.

THE NOISE IS STILL THERE!!

Go back, just a little miffed. Mechanic comes out, and promptly tells my it is most likely the chain/chaingring interface making the racket. The chain is new, the chainring is old. I'd considered this, but have never had noise issues before with this combo, the bike has always had a Miche advanced chainring and KMC 1/8 chain, so ruled it out - afterall I'm not a 'qualified' cycle mechanic.

Turns out the mechanic had made no effort to diagnose the bike. TBH I doubt he'd even been passed my request for a check in the first place, so just slapped in a new BB.

To make matters worse, I was reminded this morning that the apparently extremely competent Cycleworx are very convenient for me, and would have been far more efficient/cheaper/friendlier/professional.

Kicking myself big time. Evans are never getting any of my business ever again.

suzyb

Nah all that stuff is way to complex for me and I don't earn enough to make it worthwhile paying an accountant.

Il Principe wrote:

F*cking EVANS.... - afterall I'm not a 'qualified' cycle mechanic.

With any chain stores, I automatically assume the person isn't a qualified whatever.

CiB

Sodding razor blades. They cost the earth - about eight quid for 4 bits of cheap plastic with an inch or two of mild steel blade pressed in - and the anonymous boxes that they come in make buying the right ones a lottery, a lottery that I've just lost at again. And this was the 'special offer - buy 8 get two free for £14', so ten for £14 then. And they're the wrong ones. Gaaa. F**k it. I'm growing a beard.

hatbeard

big hello to the skidmark who thought it was perfectly fine to drive at speed between me and the other lane of traffic when I was in primary, slowing to a steady roll, 3 car lengths from traffic that was STOPPED at a red light at the bermondsey tube junction.

you then aggressively revved the engine and tooted your horn at the cyclist in front of you who wasn't anything like in your way.

I called you a w**ker as I rode past and from the shout I heard as I rode off I'm guessing you had got out of your car to remonstrate with me. Thanks but I have no desire to deal with the likes of scum like you first thing in the morning when I'm not only grumpy but I also have a 2.5kg d-lock in a very handy hip holster for quick access.

here's hoping that rage one day busts a vein in your head and not only makes the world a little bit safer for everyone but probably raises the national IQ average ever so slightly (yes I'm calling you an idiot).

sketchley

Shout out to black cab number 78966, at least that's the number I remembered when i got to the office, who I met around 8.50 / 8.55 this morning going north up farringdon road from Blackfriers bridge. Passing me that close was bad enough, you were about an inch away from me at 20+ mph you dickhead, but the way you then drove through the group of cyclists ahead of me in the bus lane, forcing them to move out of your way, was really something to behold. You sir are a muppet of the first order. If I was 100% sure of the cab number I'd report you. Time to get a helmet cam, suggestion anyone I don't want to spend much?

hatbeard

CiB wrote:

Gaaa. F**k it. I'm growing a beard.

Join us...

UndercoverElephant

CiB wrote:

Sodding razor blades. They cost the earth - about eight quid for 4 bits of cheap plastic with an inch or two of mild steel blade pressed in - and the anonymous boxes that they come in make buying the right ones a lottery, a lottery that I've just lost at again. And this was the 'special offer - buy 8 get two free for £14', so ten for £14 then. And they're the wrong ones. Gaaa. F**k it. I'm growing a beard.

Anyone who buys cartridge razors is a bent-over chuffnut, in my opinion. Buy yourself a decent double-edge razor (I use the lovely Muhle R89) and then you can buy blades for pence. My favourite blade is the Derby Extra, I can get 100 for under £10. The truly astounding thing is that they shave so much better, don't irritate the skin nor cause ingrown hairs, unlike the multi-blade shite you usually buy. Once you try a real razor, you will never, ever go back.

But you don't get the FCN modifier like you do with a beard.

suzyb

Please don't assume I'm going to continue working here month after month after month. I HATE being stuck in this office from 9-5 (plus 2 hours commute a day) and want out of here.

Not only that but it's rather crappy thing to do treating someone like a permanent employee without giving them the benefits of one (like cycle to work scheme).

il_principe

Just a quick rant a bout a roadie couple I saw in Wandsworth last night. Man and woman riding together, initially stopped at lights between Old York Road and the A217, (http://bit.ly/ecoLHz) and then decided to make a break for it and ended up stranded behind where the red van is (http://bit.ly/hli9Zw) as traffic coming round the corner caught them by surprise. Bear in mind that this in the dark. These 2 muppets are decked head to toe in full roadie gear and neon jackets but ride like f*cking tools in 3 lanes of fast moving, busy traffic. I despair at the idiocy of some people.

benno68

To the driver in the red Seat Leon who beeped at me and made rude gestures. It's not clever to turn left when you're in the lane clearly marked by an arrow for AHEAD only, if you are going to try that stunt at least have the decency to indicate left and then give me sh!t when I had filtered and gone straight on.

At least you made my bike ride a little longer as I decided to ride around the block and catch you up to have a quiet word about your road positioning, the roadmarkings, and how to move the stick to the left of your steering wheel to activate the indicators.

Cafewanda

@ Benno.

Your second paragraph sounds deadly. You left him alive, right? :shock:

Cafewanda

@ Benno.

Your second paragraph sounds deadly. You left him alive, right? :shock:

benno68

Cafewanda wrote:

@ Benno.

Your second paragraph sounds deadly. You left him alive, right? :shock:

I was very polite but just needed to advise him of the error of his ways

posh_pedaller

UndercoverElephant wrote:

CiB wrote:

Sodding razor blades. They cost the earth - about eight quid for 4 bits of cheap plastic with an inch or two of mild steel blade pressed in - and the anonymous boxes that they come in make buying the right ones a lottery, a lottery that I've just lost at again. And this was the 'special offer - buy 8 get two free for £14', so ten for £14 then. And they're the wrong ones. Gaaa. F**k it. I'm growing a beard.

Anyone who buys cartridge razors is a bent-over chuffnut, in my opinion. Buy yourself a decent double-edge razor (I use the lovely Muhle R89) and then you can buy blades for pence. My favourite blade is the Derby Extra, I can get 100 for under £10. The truly astounding thing is that they shave so much better, don't irritate the skin nor cause ingrown hairs, unlike the multi-blade shite you usually buy. Once you try a real razor, you will never, ever go back.

But you don't get the FCN modifier like you do with a beard.

I just seem to cut myself all over the place when trying to use old timey razors, probably the fact I'm using the £4.99 plastic handled one from Boots. Tend to stick with the Philips moisturising electric ones (the ones that jizz on your face at the press of a button).

posh_pedaller

2x post

Kieran_Burns

Benno68 wrote:

Cafewanda wrote:

@ Benno.

Your second paragraph sounds deadly. You left him alive, right? :shock:

I was very polite but just needed to advise him of the error of his ways while gently bouncing his head off the bonnet

FTFY

fuelex

To the bus driver in tavistock sq. Pulling out onto me and forcing me across the road was a poor start. After I asked you to use your mirrors, telling me
"I saw you pussy 'ole" didn't make it better.

To the BMW 3series driver 5 minutes later, driving through the pedestrian crossing which had been on green for about 10 seconds whilst I walked my bike across was not very good.
That is why I punched your car repeatedly and called you a c@#t.
It certainly hurt my fist, I can only hope it dented your car.

I won't even mention the audi a4 this morning.
Must be national 'drive like a cock' day today!

.......and relax

Hairybuddha

Brilliant - On the few occasions where I have tried to remonstrate with a bus driver I just tend to get silence and a thirty yard stare. At least this has some imagination!

Hairybuddha

*this one* boo

UndercoverElephant

posh_pedaller wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

CiB wrote:

Sodding razor blades. They cost the earth - about eight quid for 4 bits of cheap plastic with an inch or two of mild steel blade pressed in - and the anonymous boxes that they come in make buying the right ones a lottery, a lottery that I've just lost at again. And this was the 'special offer - buy 8 get two free for £14', so ten for £14 then. And they're the wrong ones. Gaaa. F**k it. I'm growing a beard.

Anyone who buys cartridge razors is a bent-over chuffnut, in my opinion. Buy yourself a decent double-edge razor (I use the lovely Muhle R89) and then you can buy blades for pence. My favourite blade is the Derby Extra, I can get 100 for under £10. The truly astounding thing is that they shave so much better, don't irritate the skin nor cause ingrown hairs, unlike the multi-blade shite you usually buy. Once you try a real razor, you will never, ever go back.

But you don't get the FCN modifier like you do with a beard.

I just seem to cut myself all over the place when trying to use old timey razors, probably the fact I'm using the £4.99 plastic handled one from Boots. Tend to stick with the Philips moisturising electric ones (the ones that jizz on your face at the press of a button).

That's probably down to the blade you're using. With Derbys I never get cut, ever. With Gillette and Feather ones, I nearly lost a nose.

Everyone's face is different, I recommend a trial pack from Connaught Shaving. Out of the six or so different blades I got two which are ace, two which cut me to shreds and two which were just OK.

Edit: And yes, using a god-awful, cheap razor won't help.

jzed

Rant at myself for having put a chain mark across my 3 week old Gore softshell.

Anyone know how to get oil out?

UndercoverElephant

JZed wrote:

Rant at myself for having put a chain mark across my 3 week old Gore softshell.

Anyone know how to get oil out?

This stuffhas saved my life more than once.

jzed

UndercoverElephant wrote:

JZed wrote:

Rant at myself for having put a chain mark across my 3 week old Gore softshell.

Anyone know how to get oil out?

This stuffhas saved my life more than once.

Thanks - B&Q here I come - 1hour to closing.\

EDIT: Not completely out but miles better - thanks again.

richlew99

In the past I have chased down the bus, got on it and flailed at the perspex glass. I have leaned in the open drivers side window and punched one and I have been told off by the police for grabbing one by the oesophagus. But recently i mellowed until three days ago when one idiot who did not like having to go slow behind me (parked cars on both sides) decided to try and kill me by overtaking and cutting me up so that the back corner of his crock of s**t bus knocked me off my bike, with about 6 or so witnesses on board. I clocked the reg and reported the p***k to the police. Just heard they wont be taking further action as there were no witnesses. W T F? I have seen bus drivers forcing cyclists off the road into a heap out of pure spite and it gets right on my little nipples. How ae they getting away with this? And why are they all fat ugly oiks? 8) 8) 8)

sketchley

To that taxi driver last night near bank, if you don't want me to hit the side of your cab don't drive so fucking close.

davis

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Anyone who buys cartridge razors is a bent-over chuffnut, in my opinion. Buy yourself a decent double-edge razor (I use the lovely Muhle R89) and then you can buy blades for pence. My favourite blade is the Derby Extra, I can get 100 for under £10. The truly astounding thing is that they shave so much better, don't irritate the skin nor cause ingrown hairs, unlike the multi-blade shite you usually buy. Once you try a real razor, you will never, ever go back.

But you don't get the FCN modifier like you do with a beard.

Ta!

I've been using Gillette Mach Somesillynumber, and sharpening the blades on an old pair of jeans (last for ages that way), but I think I'll give this a go.

mudcow007

to the stupid bint who over took me then cut me up and drove up her drive right in front of my bike.....may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your underwear and make your arms too short to itch

when i said something to her she said...."well i did indicate"

grrrr