John in Leeds

[quote Nogbad It isn't so simple as blaming "big oil". I know it's your favourite bete noir, but really, big oil wouldn't exist without big industry, big transport and big population. I think that 'Big Oil' is a very good place to start - internationally powerful, focused and influencial as Putin is about to demonstrate.

Congratulations!!! Helen making an honest man of you. Well done both of you. John

It's funny how US and UK have supported extreme muslem groups from the Talaban in bringing down the goverment of Najibullah in Afghanistan to the the Kings of Saudi Arabia. What is considered to be our national interest often comes back to bite us on the ass. US, Israel and UK have totally screwed up this time. The extremist groups get more fanatical, injustices give them support from the international community and they will outbreed us. Pity some support for change could not have been given to Iraq and Syria where for a time women were better placed in their societies. Now sharia law is sweeping across even the most moderate countries. There are just going to be too many people to bomb into submission - there must be another way.

He identified a moslem woman as a 'Lady' Could this be a peek at the underlying respectful and cuddly TX

Thankyou TX

I believe Jim is the man here, even Timothy Taylors Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter can taste fowl if not well kept and fresh. IMHO bottled can never match the delight of a fresh LIVE recent well kept barrel, usually near the brewery ( the brewers object to their own beer served poorly on their own manor). My best beer experience - The Market Tavern Leeds, I had just paid out my Irish sub-contractors and we were on for the full session. Hand pulled Tetley pulled by four great local girls under pressure, the overspill running out the door and down to Kirkgate. Better than mother's milk the boys said. Mother never produced the gallons that we put away that Thursday. Tetley doesn't hold a candle to good beer now but 30 odd years ago with the occassion and the beer on form, total bliss. Many English pubs serve wonderful beer but as it varies so much from day to day, given a selection and a good host I usually ask (quietly) 'what's on form tonight?'. Doen't work every time though.

Fair play to you Guy. Floods in the fields, rivers are up, that's serious camping. Take plenty of anasthetic in the pub tonight you'll be ok.

There's no way I'm eating slugburgers and noodles, however the kids could get to like 'em Cheers

What's the latest on the D-quat. Is development continuing to give a reasonable performance throughout the range or do we just have to accept a soft top end? IMHO the benefits of this type of exhaust make it a worthwhile bet (weight reduction, more space and a smarter back end) but I would like to have a good top end too. Do I buy now or wait for a more developed version?

Could this be used for the new 'On any Sunday' movie. Back roads, wet, muddy with plenty of roadkill what fun. Seems as if anyone could win this stuff, horsepower and trick supertuned suspension not the issue here. Road skill and guts the order of the day.

Whoa, sorry, I didn't mean a set up like that. I asked in the context of your claims of perpetrations on 'Americans'. I thought you might mean 'people'. By heck, you can't half get your replies in quick!

Thanks for that beauchemin, I'm still pissin myself laughing. left or right? it depends on your point of view (when looking down) amazing measurement about 1.68cm

Ratchet, in this context how do you define an American?

That's it, I'm off to the pit now Sweet Dreams of Shipley and the Wet Cheer Leaders for my birthday. Life is soo good

Just practicing till they are wealthy enough to put the deposit down on a Gixer thou

These 4 x 4s never seem to run into tractors or other heavy stuff, that's the reason for my thinking - they make the choice

Are you saying Shipley has a good Guzzi dealer and a Beer Festival? Clearly Yorkshire is God's own county

You’ve hit the nail on the head here Martin. Of course you cannot predict the totally unpredictable, that’s why we ride past junctions from the side generally thinking that traffic will not pull out in front of you. Watch for clues that you have not been seen, no reduction in speed eye contact etc. but that’s it, otherwise we would crawl past all junctions. We can however see where other users can go, where the are likely to go and where they can’t go, giving us good clues for our most effective passage. One thing does concern me (as a fairly regular cyclist) why is it that cyclist unlit at night bombing through the traffic never seem to get knocked off, whereas club cyclists lit up like Christmas trees with hi viz get killed with monotonous regularity? Is it that road users subconsciously perceive a danger to themselves. An easily seen cyclist is no threat and to be brushed aside, the unlit cyclist not clearly seen and therefore requires a conscious decision. My experience on my towering 1150 GS was I was usually given loads of room, certainly more than on my other bikes. I suspect this is the same for the ig HDs and Wingnuts. One thing to me is a certainty, you can be a great rider in your roadcraft but I have so far been a ‘lucky barstard’ May you all be ‘Lucky Barstards’

When you've assured yourselves that the shocks will hang together and the salt is off the road give me a shout for a ride out. Three RCs on the road, could be a memorable sight if you're up for it. All the best John

Ok, you've sussed me but there is more to come

I like to share my 'sport' cycling with Sue. It's a wonderful way to tour especially with differing levels of fitness. We do about 40 miles a day loaded. You need a thick skin though, with all the ribald comments. If you ride the front though bravery is also an asset.

Baby Toyota arriving after 8 years of Toyota Rav4, nothing has ever gone wrong with it. It's just crap to drive. The little Aygo is a Toyota Citroen/Peugeot hybrid, if we get Toyota reliability with the French feel it will be great. Main workhorse is VW Caravelle 8 really comfy seats that take out, 35 mpg, carries bikes, families, camping, tools and tows caravan, what a great machine, love it. and for the shopping this rides better than it looks

Baby Toyota arriving after 8 years of Toyota Rav4, nothing has ever gone wrong with it. It's just crap to drive. The little Aygo is a Toyota Citroen/Peugeot hybrid, if we get Toyota reliability with the French feel it will be great. Main workhorse is VW Caravelle 8 really comfy seats that take out, 35 mpg, carries bikes, families, camping, tools and tows caravan, what a great machine, love it. and for the shopping

Guy Brilliant news and Summer's coming John

It must be a Guzzi thing, needing to try the weird and wonderful. We need a range of bikes on rental, then we try the Ural, deisel, velo solex, Firebolt, Jawa etc, spend the lustful leanings and not have to keep and support them. We can still stay with the one we love. Bit like having a lady of the night really. You can't say Guzzi riders (sorry Guy) are not open to other ways of biking. John