badgerx16

Once we finally get closure, ( July 31st is my pick ), a copy of this thread should be lodged in the National Archives at Kew. As you say, a document of great historical importance; an example of the finest investigative journalism ( or at least how spending just 5 minutes on t'Interweb can expose sham sheikhs and bent russian bankers ); great comedy ( ranging from the satire of RallyBoy to the delusion of Corp Whore ); a three year degree course in Business (mis)Management; evidence as to why politics and sport should never mix; and overall it shows how the Wibbly Wobbly Web can act as communications medium that unites the 4 corners of the world, ( or at least Glasgow, Denmark, Australia, and Dubai ! ).

Not really the case, the basic components are the same for a road bike as for a hybrid - there are plenty of acceptable bikes in the £500 to £700 range that are fine if you don't fall into the 'serious biker' bracket ( as my wife calls it ), especially if you look for last year's models in sales. Once you get above that range the bikes are lighter, ( mainly due to the use of carbon fibre and composites in the frame and fittings ), and will have more expensive groupsets ( the gears and drive train ), but unless / until you are a good enough rider to do them justice you probably don't need the increase in 'agility' at speed, or the ability to descend at 40 mph. As Sandwich says above, the main difference is in the basic configuration, road bikes are simply far more efficient on tarmac. Also, as recommended elsewhere on the forum, do not scrimp on the padded shorts, you are going to be on the bike for anything up to 5 hours a day.

GB Road Race Team @ the Olympics : 4 stage winners at this year's TdF, and the national Road Race Champion. ( Not forgetting that one of those TdF riders is the current World champion, and by the start of the Games another will almost certainly be the TdF winner ).

Don't forget that even if they do survive into the season proper, they'll potentially have 5 years of fiscal purgatory enforced by the FL. { "Agree to a range of other restrictions on playing budgets, future borrowing and loan repayments for the next 5 seasons." } How much will these additional demands influence any new buyers tempted out by the restriction on the amount of secured liability carried forward ?

Ditto. ( And I think it's where the French Foreign Legion do a lot of their desert training ).

I knew you wouldn't let me down. You are, of course, aware of the cost to the NHS of your particular trade ? ( Assuming, that is, that you do actually peddle cancer sticks ).

At work it is reckoned that we are in for a further round of cuts in the next 3 years, which end up with our net budget having been cut by nearly 40% in 5 years. How far can 'efficiency savings' be pushed ? ( Come on Dune, you know you've got a smart-alec trolling response to this ).

An alternative to having to work out how to spell properly.

Yes. But he'll get his chances in the next few years. Who said this in June ? "We're bringing an even stronger team to the Tour this year and the route would seem to favour me". Oh yes, Cadel Evans.

What's the temperature in Portsmouth ? Looks like it might be a bit chilly - about minus 10. WTFILN

I think it's the only part of the coalition agreement that Nick C says he is unreservedly committed to - no Lords Reform Bill, no coaliton agreement, no Government, ( the Tories won't be able to run as a minority administration ).

They probably won't, but then again it's like the AV vote - a set of unsuitable proposals, put forward by the Tories as a grudging ( at best ) concession to the LDs, that deliberately fails to present any option that might actually prove popular with the wider public. ( But then again, maybe I'm getting cynical in my middle age ).

Well done Tommy Voeckler on his win, and also to the indestructable Jens Voight. First 'big' day passed wthout too much apparent worry for SKY, but bigger climbs tomorrow. Where will Evans make his bid ?

Your last line contradicts much of the previous diatribe. The Lords has the Bishops, ( what exactly have they done to justify their position ? What happened to the separation of Church and State ? ). It also has the remaining hereditary peers - former hoorays who dropped lucky by being descended from land grabbing Norman invaders. Finally, there are all the former members of the Commons, promoted for their loyalty and service - rewarded for time served following the party whip. Back this lot up with businessmen who bought favours from whichever Government they 'donated' their money to, and you end up with the current upper chamber.

Agreed, but it's fun to watch the Tory front bench squirming around trying to appease the LDs against the will of their junior MPs - and an innovative solution, if you think you are going to lose a vote, just withdraw it.

Done this at Goodison ( corporate benevolence ); OT ( borrowed an ST ), Bloomfield Road ( with pals from work ), Ewood Park ( free tickets to my neices' school ), the Reebok, and Christie Park ( when Saints played a friendly under Dave Jones ).

It might even bring down this bl00dy coalition farce.

Holland http://maps.google.com/maps?q=up+holland&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl

JT should feel at home in court, his family have spent a lot of time there.

Well done Wiggo & Froome.

These blokes are nutters : the result of yesterday's Bowland Badass..... http://bowlandbadass.com/ Too much like masochism for me ! I've done about a quarter of it in one go, and that was enough.

Presumably you agree with the need for strengthening the squad, and many of these additions will be brought in with the intention of their being first 11 starters, ( otherwise it defeats the theory of 'only bring in players who are better than those we have' ). In which case, several of last years first team squad will have to make way, if only by being shunted onto the bench. Last years squad was never going to be good enough.

Marray.

I think Chappers will leave before Hammond.