sid

Ianf It was the mention of the VERY (£400) expensive handlebars that prompted me to write. It didn't think that you'd made it clear that it was possible to get something reasonable for 160€, but you have now! I was a member of Glossop Velo. Your reference to the gold transfers made me chuckle, I remember those well. Under 30 minutes on a trusty BSA at 13 years old is very good going! I have a Dave Lloyd, made to measure frame (Reynolds Special Lightweight), which I've had for over 20 years. He was the first builder to use a jig which you sat on so that he could measure tube lengths, angles etc. It fits like a glove. The equipment looks a little old-fashioned now! Good old Campag! Back to the Decathlon and the like... Many of these inexpensive bikes are fitted with Shimano kit (gears, brakes, chainsets etc), and whilst they are entry-level kit I think they represent good value for money. I wholeheartedly agree that you shouldn't buy mail-order, and no, you can't buy one bike to fit everyone. Bonne route Sid    

I read some of these posts with amazement. Surely it's a matter of matching price to requirements. I too am a cyclist, having raced and toured for over 40 years in UK. I hesitate to advise someone to buy an expensive bike to use purely for ambling around here on holiday. I just don't think you'd get your money's worth! Decathlon do a great range of budget and more expensive bikes and they will set them up for you. The bikes are guaranteed and provided that you live within reasonable distance of one of their stores I think you could do a lot worse than pay them a visit. I still have my 'best' road bike and use it for longer rides, but I also have an inexpensive VTT which is great for nipping to the shop and for the local rides along the gravel tracks which would murder my best bikes tyres! Happy cycling Sid

AlFresco You need to go to Niort. Regards Sid

Wassit? My ears pricked up at the metion of commission![blink]

[IMG]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t23/basstrom/royan4.jpg[/IMG]

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Wot, no food! [IMG]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t23/basstrom/royan1.jpg[/IMG]

Yes, excellent day out, fine weather, fine company. The ride back was superb; that stretch from Royan past Saintes and on to Cognac went particularly well. And the traffic!.... [:)] A couple photos on their way later. Nev

Aulney is better for me if we're heading west, so I'll meet you there. Intermarche, 10:00-ish? Nev   VFR (Very Fast Red)... well the red bit is correct anyway!  

Hi Gary Count me in, Saturday or Sunday [:D] Nev

I think it was a one-day-only offer! [;-)]

Hi Bob I can't find your video [:(] Sid

[quote user="Sunday Driver"] The Ka has a hydraulic system - I checked it out before I posted.[;-)] [/quote] ... I should have realised that you would SD ! [:$]  

Some small cars have electrically assisted steering instead of the more normal hydraulic systems. It could be an electrical problem therefore.

We have recently had iron railings (3 sets) fabricated and installed at the front of our house. The cost was 3,500€ and at first we were astounded with the quote. Each set is just under 3 metres in length. Then we looked at alternatives, including wood. Lapeyre have some in their catalogue, (www. lapeyre.fr) and I think Castorama also sell relatively inexpensive ones. They're usually wrought iron and very lightweight, and we didn't think they were very strong. We didn't like those. Having seen samples of our man's work we went with his quote and I have to say they are superb (but then I would say that!). Seriously though, they are extremely substantial and compare well with the type seen on the front of public buildings. They are very thick and heavy and rock-solid. To asnwer your question as to how they are fixed, they are cemented in holes (approx 12cm deep) in the balcony floor and into the walls. The cost is in the fabrication, each upright bar cost, from memory, 12€; ours are fairly simple in design, and you can get very 'fancy' ones at greater cost. There is a higher price for the corner supports, and then for decorative handrails and ornamental balls. The artisan took all the measurements and angles, and when they turned up on the lorry the rails were ready to fit complete with 90 degree returns etc. The fitting took only about 2 hours, so the cost must be in the materials and manufacture. We are glad that we got them now because they finish off the appearance of the approach to the house in a proper French style. Sid

Hi Guys I've returned from UK with a stinking cold, so I'm crying off tomorrow's ride. Have a good day out. Neville

Hi Gary I'd like to come on Sunday but we're over in UK until weekend and I may be pushing my luck taking another day off on our return! I'll make a decision on Saturday and hopefully the weather will have improved too. Nev (Sid)

Hey SD, the bike looks good! Sorry I'm late with the reply, I got left behind again [:)] Sid

If you're using an old SKY remote with a new TV you can't really expect it to work; the codes have to be pre-programmed into the remote when it's manufactured so the codes for the newer sets can't be included if they haven't been assigned yet. One solution is to buy a new remote control, but even then not all of the codes may be included. You stand a better chance with the major TV brands like Panasonic etc. Try www.satcure.co.uk and have a look at their catalogue. You'll also find information about the codes on the site too. 

I bought a ride-on mower with the house. Not much use to you, you may think! BUT it's an own-brand from Bricomarche. Have a look under the seat of some of the ride-ons sold in the big DIY places... under the tip-up seat is the manufacturer's plate. Mine is Electrolux, made in USA and has a Briggs and Statton engine. It's quite basic but has a 102cm cut and does the job nicely! You don't have to pay the earth! Sid  

Keith I'm sorry for the confusion. I had said that I was low on fuel but just assumed you were all intent on making tracks homewards so I wasn't expecting to see you anywhere. I went through St Jean d'A onto the Angouleme road and turned off at le Petit Cabaret and headed through Nere and back home. Seemed very quiet that last three quarters of an hour! SD must have done at least twice as many miles, sorry, kilometres, as the rest of us. We'll have to do as Gary suggests and have a trip up north next time.    

[:D]Some say he sleeps with a copy of the Code de la Route under his pillow.... but all we know is he's called Sunday Driver!

Oops! Sorry about that. I just assumed you'd all gone your different ways.  

What a great day! I've had a super time. Thanks for the very enjoyable company and ride. I got home at 16:20.. sorry I dropped off the back coming home; I was running on petrol vapour and just had to call into that Super-U !! A couple of photos... [IMG]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t23/basstrom/cafe-1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t23/basstrom/rochefort.jpg[/IMG] Thanks again Sid (Nev)