The grumpy thread

[EssDeeWon]

They climbed a total of probably 20 foot to get it, nothing else (although not a great deal else about) taken. I think I've narrowed it down to one almost certain, two or thee possibles. I can't prove a thing, but if/when I do just imagine a Facebook 'If I were you, I'd....' type level of rage.

It's stupid really, but I actually can't look at the pictures of it now as I get mad thinking about it and how I wished it was here. To highlight the levels of my sadness I used to like going to work on it, just so I could sit there and look at it, as well of course as riding the thing. Also, I'd have been less arsed if they'd taken one of my cars, but then you've seen how shit they are!

 

I've been eyeing up replacements today but still don't want to think about never getting mine back, worked my bollocks off to get it and was like the proverbial kid in the sweet shop when I got it, I think it was my fist ever brand new bike.

 

Not like!

 

Problem is you never hear of Mountain bikes being returned much do you? It would of course be worth looking on gumtree and maybe in your local cash converters (not sure if you need a receipt for these type of places) other than that I guess its probably been exchanged for some cash in a pub.

 

I had a lovely Specialized Rockhopper nicked back in the late 90s (I was about 16),  My mum managed to get some money from the contents insurance and with that I bought my first car, a £350 Fiesta 957cc. Never heard of or saw the Rockhopper ever again, no idea what they do with these high end stolen bikes, but every so often the police carry out drugs raids and there are nearly always a few nice mountain bikes in possession, along with other 'hot' items.

[Cavcraft]

Cash Convertors were great, they said they have to notifiy the police of any bikes they get and they are checked daily I think. Other second hand shops have got my details, so if nothing else they're less likely to take it in as they know it's missing and being looked for. I've done adverts on Gumtree and Preloved and found an excellent website that lists all the advertised bikes of that description in the UK.

It's gone 'live' on Faceache too now, I'd kept it to a handful of people I know originally, in the hope some knob weasel would try and advertise it, but no joy. Anyhow it's getting pretty well known now, son once again hopefully I'm making it harder and harder for someone to sell on.

[loserone]

Nearly ended up with a banana car today.  7.5 tonne lorry driver on his phone was completely oblivious to the Xantia, since it's such a small* discrete* vehicle when the lights are on and I'm leaning on the horn to make him aware that I'm there while also putting my foot down to get out of the way.  Not an experience I wanted, I'm just thankful no meeting of vehicles happened, but it's been illegal and stuff for AGES and it's bloody stupid to be piloting any vehicle while holding a phone to your ear.

 

A66 near Teesside park?

 

Go on then; grump.  My pretty awesome job which has been getting more and more difficult (as I get more and more responsibility with not-very-much-more-pay) over the last 12 months is being outsourced, and I'll be TUPEd in January and then the role shifted to India.  

 

It's not completely terrible, as the experience and qualifications I've gained should go some way to be getting some more work, but it's not going to be quite the same, and there's plenty of guys being royally shat on in an incredibly demoralising way

[philibusmo]

Work AGAIN.

 

Today I lost a 28 grand sale, of which almost 5K was pure profit for the company because people slightly higher up don't much like that me and my two colleagues are quite so good at what we do. This will make loose me a huge whack of commission, makes the company look incompetent and could potentially ruin the business that I was trying to sell them to, as we are the only company who makes what he needs.

 

There is still a small chance that I can save this sale by working office politics as hard as I can so I am going to stick with it to try and save my customers business (and any commission for my travels, but this will be sacrificed if needs be) but the sooner I am out of there the better.

[Cavcraft]

You're a better man than me, Gunga Din, I'd have just accepted the sale was a goner and moved on to another job.

[philibusmo]

Yeah, I'd probably look to source parts in the UK and get them sent out with you if possible, as there's a bit of price discrepancy/availability issue over here, or at least there was when I was less informed a few years ago. Got plenty of camping equipment and NZ is really geared up for that type of holiday and there are some stunning sights to be seen and roads to be driven. And plenty of tat to spot, too.

 

In fact, if you would like to try a spot of welding, I could even lend you an estate to sleep in! 

Jon, if this is a fully valid offer that doesn't require me to collect 500 tokens from purchasing selected products at Safeway or whatever then I would happily bring across a cam belt and water pump for each and get them fitted. I'm also not a stranger to welding, as I own a Lancia, so an estate (if it's not a Datsun Bluebird) would be a fantastic conveyance as I can sleep in there if there is possibility of attack from an undead moa or a particularly viscous kakapo.

[philibusmo]

You're a better man than me, Gunga Din, I'd have just accepted the sale was a goner and moved on to another job.

 

Oh believe me if I can't save it then I will be handing in my notice immediately, then in my final hour email the people who have blocked this sale to let them know that this customer needs informing that we are going to ruin his business.

[vulgalour]

A66 near Teesside park?

 

Much closer to home, almost within spitting distance in fact, but that bit of the A66 can be pretty bloody mental.  Amazingly, the standard of driving here is still far superior to what I've experienced in Derbyshire, Sheffield and Maidstone.  Well, maybe not that amazing in Maidstone, everyone drives like their arse is on fire or something down there.

[UmBongo]

My neighbours are scum.

[UmBongo]

I'm going to Gothenburg and the only carrier is Ryanair.

 

I really grudge giving that little leprechaun, O'Leary, my money.

[Richard]

If Ryanair was the only way to get somewhere I just wouldn't go.

[beko1987]

Fucking motorcyclists

 

Coming into work, off the bypass onto the slip, right hand lane to turn right, I pull onto the roundabout the same time as a motorbike in the left lane. he doesn't turn left, or straight on back to the bypass, but carries on around the roundabout right in my fucking blind spot, I need to move to the left lane halfway round for my junction. Cunt stays there, if I hadn't just caught the very tip of his tail light in my rear view I'd have pulled across into him. Indication didn't yield any giving of way, so I came off the wrong exit, back round, end up behind him again on the industrial estate, flashed the twat to indicate my displeasure.

 

Then, I think I scared him as he went everywhere I was going (I may have been lax on the indication by this point), culminating with him turning into my work car park (he doesn't work here) and I think shitting it as I roared up behind him, then calmly parked in my space, he fucked off

 

Twat, next time know which lane you need if you come across a commuter...

[STUNO]

Jon, if this is a fully valid offer that doesn't require me to collect 500 tokens from purchasing selected products at Safeway or whatever then I would happily bring across a cam belt and water pump for each and get them fitted. I'm also not a stranger to welding, as I own a Lancia, so an estate (if it's not a Datsun Bluebird) would be a fantastic conveyance as I can sleep in there if there is possibility of attack from an undead moa or a particularly viscous kakapo.

 

Jon is genuine gold . His word is law or lore.  As for a viscious Kakapo, no such thing, they are too sleepy to do anything other than get a bit pissed off and look at you funny.

[Jon]

Jon, if this is a fully valid offer that doesn't require me to collect 500 tokens from purchasing selected products at Safeway or whatever then I would happily bring across a cam belt and water pump for each and get them fitted. I'm also not a stranger to welding, as I own a Lancia, so an estate (if it's not a Datsun Bluebird) would be a fantastic conveyance as I can sleep in there if there is possibility of attack from an undead moa or a particularly viscous kakapo.

 

Will send you a PM, as there's a few options! But yeah, I'm happy to lend a hand and will have a car spare, so it'd be a win-win situation for us both. Plus, insurance is stupidly simple over here (and not even compulsory!), so it's not a major hassle to get overseas visitors to get cover on our cars. I'd mentioned adding my sister and brother in law to one of our policies when they came to visit for a couple of weeks and the insurers didn't bat an eyelid, made a note of the ballpark dates and charged me nothing for it! Same with my folks when they've come to stay and borrowed a car.

[chaseracer]

If Ryanair was the only way to get somewhere I just wouldn't go.

 

Or Sleazyjet.  F**k them too, after the "customer experience" I enjoyed* getting to Belfast last year...

[twosmoke300]

Fucking motorcyclists

 

Coming into work, off the bypass onto the slip, right hand lane to turn right, I pull onto the roundabout the same time as a motorbike in the left lane. he doesn't turn left, or straight on back to the bypass, but carries on around the roundabout right in my fucking blind spot, I need to move to the left lane halfway round for my junction. Cunt stays there, if I hadn't just caught the very tip of his tail light in my rear view I'd have pulled across into him. Indication didn't yield any giving of way, so I came off the wrong exit, back round, end up behind him again on the industrial estate, flashed the twat to indicate my displeasure.

 

Then, I think I scared him as he went everywhere I was going (I may have been lax on the indication by this point), culminating with him turning into my work car park (he doesn't work here) and I think shitting it as I roared up behind him, then calmly parked in my space, he fucked off

 

Twat, next time know which lane you need if you come across a commuter...

As I am a biker and would like to defend his actions but I think he / she sounds very inexperenced . I have had 2 young lads ride into stationary vans ive been driving over the last few years. Both 17 yr olds on l plates going too fast for the conditions . There are lots of cocks on bikes out there

[bub2006]

I am a biker too. Cant defend him really. Bad lane discipline. Maybe he didn't know the area or as said could just be a cock. I live near matlock so see a fair few numptys in summer round here

[holbeck]

I was sat in my car at the front of the queue for a level crossing. A doughnut on a bike hoons up to the front and dive'd into the gap between my bumper and the gates. As he's now at an acute angle, he shunted back and forth to straighten up and in doing so backs his bike into the front of my Suzuki. Gates go up and he just rides off.

 

Very tempting to slag him off as an asshole biker, but maybe he's just an asshole

[EssDeeWon]

Watch out for motorcyslists is what we are always told, shame that probably 70% of them seem to fly about like maniacs. I live on a built up road that is 30 mph but leads to a country lane a mile down with national speed limit, but the bellends always come roaring past day and night, one day one of them is going to lose it badly on the bend, Oh well!

[beko1987]

If I hadn't have clocked him next to me, and clocked that he didnt turn left I'd have had him off unintentionally, and probably be found at fault. Inexperience is fair enough, but everyone knows roundabout discipline don't they? May not be so cautious tomorrow morning if I see him at the same time

 

if I'd had an XM estate I'd have seen him through the rear window... I know what I must do...

[scruff]

but everyone knows roundabout discipline don't they? 

 

No

[nigel bickle]

My preferred transport is 2 wheeled, from an elderly pedestrian Sunbeam through a variety of .60's 2 strokes, Italian exotica to modern Japanese monsters . I love them all.

 

However good bikers quickly learn that mistakes hurt, always you, rarely the other party, and learn to ride defensively, properly. I know that the lessons i was taught in early life has saved me seversl times, and the unstincts gained have served me well with idiot riders,usually in my blind spot(s).

Like anything, there are good and bad ou there, well trained lapses of concentration to moronic hooning in inappropriate circs.

 

But, and it is a big but(!), most m/ cycles have very different abilities to the mainstream. If not experienced, the awesome acceleration/ braking abilities would leave unbelievers gasping. What can appear foolhardy to a car user can be easily justified by a competent ' cyclist. A good one is looking a long way further forward than most car drivers would deem creditible, and always has an ongoing escape option planned.

Thats mot to say there arent bad ones, God knows, too many. I despair of some ,but applaud a well maintained bike, being ridden well, with flair.

 

And maybe, just maybe, envy his ability to scythe through the traffic imstuck in, seemingly easily.

[dave21478]

Why dont more appliances have a sprung recoil thing for the mains cable like hoovers do? Sure, it takes up some space but my pressure washer stands three feet tall for absolutely no reason at all considering the pump is bloody tiny, so there is plenty room to fit a cable spool and save me having to untangle a big knot every time I use it.

[beko1987]

Because like vacuum ones they be shit after 10 years! Would be like the tired autoflex on my 1991 U2602, have to feed the cable in, and I've stripped it all out and refurbed it.

 

Plus the spring would go rusty...

 

Other than that, good idea

[mat_the_cat]

There was a guy on the VW LT Facebook page this morning desperately searching for a roller for his sliding door - apparently been looking for ages but with no joy. VW have stopped listing parts for them, and there's bugger all in the way of aftermarket suppliers, so he ended up asking for measurements so he could get one made up. I noticed his request, and as these particular parts are shared with the Bay window vans I gave him a link to one for under £9.

 

A couple of hours later someone posted up the dimensions and the OP has just now thanked him for that, and had got one made. No thanks for me, or even acknowledging the fact I'd given him a link...bizarre!

[dave21478]

We can remotely control a nuclear powered robot on the surface of Mars, but cant find a solution to neatly storing the mains cable on a pressure washer? mankinds priorities are all screwed up.

[Lord Sterling]

Commuting.

 

I've been late for work twice now (Probation Service, everyone mostly gets into work late anyway) this morning it took 50 minutes to cover 3 miles. I really must find a new route to work as well as leaving earlier.

[Lankytim]

Talking of bikes, I'm considering doing my CBT. As a novice biker, am I GUARANTEED to fall off at some point? It's all a learning curve I know..

[Craig the Princess]

I didn't fall off and I was crap. Pretty much lead to divorce as Mrs the Princess is very anti-bike however.

[chaseracer]

Commuting.

 

I've been late for work twice now (Probation Service, everyone mostly gets into work late anyway) this morning it took 50 minutes to cover 3 miles. I really must find a new route to work as well as leaving earlier.

 

Three miles?  Scooter or bicycle.