haydon_peter

I sorted out the application for my first ever credit card today Reason for the card is the same reason JT started this topic. I am going away to Australia in a couple of weeks and decided it would be best to have a credit card in case I really get stuck. I discovered that Nationwide provide commission-free use abroad for any transactions whereas my current bank will be charging me a percentage+£2 for each transaction I make using my debit card. I plan to use this credit card just like I would use my debit card then each month transfer my savings over from my current account to pay off the credit card. I will use my debit card to withdraw any cash I need, I get charged 1.5% of the amount I withdraw (but a minimum charge of £1.50) so will have to withdraw in bulk to make it work while. If I really mess up (which I am sure I wont!) or I get stuck and have to max the card out, I can just transfer the debt over to another card issuer offering 0% interest and pay it off pretty quickly due to the fact I am living at home and am returning to a full time job. If it all goes wrong and I do end up in loads of debt I will post "Mike told me so" Also at the end of the day the only way you build up any sort of credit rating is by taking out loans and having credit cards...

Yeah Singapore airlines. Was thinking about stopping over but I have to be there for the 1st June for a friends birthday. I might stop over in Singapore on the way back if I can but I think I will save it for another trip...

My outbound flight just stops over in Singapore, I have around 3 hours to waste around the airport. My current return flight is just a stop over of around 5 hours. I land in Melbourne on 1st June. My flights back are currently booked to leave Melbourne on 4th July which gives me around 5 weeks. It is free for me to change my return flight so there is a high chance I will stay longer. Realistically I think the most I would do is 2 months although who knows? I have told work I may be gone for around 8 weeks and they have said they will hold my job for me but as of yet I have not been given a set date I have to be back at work! I decided 5 weeks was the best rough guideline to book my flights. I haven't ever travelled on my own so when I booked I decided it would be best to say 5 weeks and change my flights out there rather than booking for 2 months and deciding I hate it. I'm not gonna lie to anyone, I am shitting it about what will happen after I leave my friends in Melbourne! I know I will be with like minded people in Hostels and stuff but I am still shitting it because its simply something I haven't ever done before! (or should shitting it be read as excited?!?!)

Not too bothered about night-life. Nights out will happen, I just don't plan to go out on the piss every single night and be hung over every day! I just want to see and do interesting stuff. I have heard great things about WA but seeing my flights are to and from Melbourne and I want to visit Cairns I think I will just stick to the East Coast. How long does it take to get to Alice Springs and Ayers Rock? Its bang in the middle so I hadn't really thought properly about going there. I guess my best bet would be an internal flight although is this famous 'big rock' really worth it?

Maybe this ride will turn into a repeat of Bristol a few years ago when we got fed up with the weather so all just went into a pub for a beer fueled laugh? EDIT, Stupid typo that hendrixmaster has already quoted

As some of you know I'm off to Australia at the end of the month I have booked flights to give me 5 weeks away but also know that I have the option of changing my return flight and that work are cool for me to be gone for longer than this. I will be spending time in Melbourne catching up with friends, they are gonna be showing me around Melbourne and the surrounding area so I am set for things to do in Melbourne/Victoria. After Melbourne I am on my own and have no definite plans, I'm just gonna see what happens. Its looking like I will be making my way to Sydney and I also plan to visit Cairns. I have been recommended an awesome looking hostel in Cairns and from there I will have access to The Great Barrier Reef as well as rainforests. I plan to learn to scuba dive and also go white water rafting. Anyway, the reason for my post... to anyone else that has been to Australia where would you recommend visiting? I know there is a few Australian members, and I also know there are a few other members that have been to Australia or plan to go soon so maybe this post will be worthwhile. Pete/Tic

Just got a confirmation txt, we are gonna have a special guest appearance from the one and only Jon Granger

Poole as in Dorset down on the South coast miles away from Kendal...

Working on Saturday but I will see you on Sunday in Portsmouth

I have been known to compete at Hampshire comps aswell as Devon and YMSA. In general the venues for Hampshire comps are more basic and limited but the comps themselves are always very fun with a relaxed atmosphere. The competitions are also run to the exact same standard as another of the clubs I have visited. Not having a go at you either but I could ask the same question to many people that attend the YMSA competitions, why do they not travel to the Hampshire comps? Why don't they travel to ride the Devon competitions which have extremely good 'national level venues' as well? Also why was a UCI event at a 'national level venue' run on the same day as a Hampshire competition? It all boils down to the fact that a very high percentage of riders are still reliant on lifts from others as they are not old enough to drive themselves. So many trials riders are limited to the clubs closest to them! Back on topic, HAHA Stephen fell into that stream

Hi Sven I used to make it to all the Hampshire competitions (and was even seen at a few Devon and YMSA comps) but this is the fist year I haven't bothered competing. This is partly down to lack of motivation to ride a comp but also down to work and other commitments clashing with the dates. I also didn't bother to get an ACU licence for the first time in 4 years... Looked like the comp was as good as ever considering the venue, they put the annoyingly steep banks and that dam stream to good use every time I will be in Pompy on Sunday for the DJ ride, I hope you can make and appearance as well Stephen? On an unrelated note I think me and Mr Morris must earn the title for the longest time riding the exact same bike

I will be there for sure! I cant make the Abingdon ride because I will be in Australia but I'm not gonna miss this one!

Another vote for the Sennheiser CX300's I have used mine regularly for the last 6 months and love them! Kinda off topic but does anyone have some spare medium sized ear buds for the CX300's that they would be happy to swap for either the small or large sized ones?

You have answered your own question, just don't use the AOL browser! Get yourself Firefox or just use Internet Explorer. I frequently get AOL customers ringing me at work complaining that our website is under construction but funnily enough as soon as they use IE instead of the crap AOL browser the website loads up fine...

I half enjoyed it, the BMX was entertaining

Indeed it is still the same number, don't jump me from behind at this show though

I'm there

Best bet for parking is next to a skate park near the station. It always used to be free on Sundays. I cant give you accurate directions though.

Even megamo.co.uk weren't sure if it is called a Rookie or an Expert...

It was Matt Berridge that put the sticker on the forks at DJ's funeral, the sticker stays on the bike! Just to be fussy that bike on ebay isn't the same as mine, its a Rookie not a Radical. Simon, I do still ride, the only difference is that I don't travel around to the group rides as frequently as I used to.

I cleaned my XC bike the other day and took some pictures of it, decided to take some pictures of my trials bike as well. I have owned this bike for a long time now and have got it set up just how I like it

JBL GTO75.4 Amp JBL-GTO1002D Sub

Yeah this works. Jon Fisher used to take a ball of rock climbing chalk out with him on rides, I also went through a stage of taking talcum powder out with me as an alternative. Or you could just use the classic method of spreading dirt/dust over your hands

Kinda off topic, but: Craig, if you want some car audio stuff give me a shout, I dont drive my car so much anymore and am contemplating selling my system to add to my travel funds. Its basically the same set-up as Oli's, a 4 channel JBL amp, 10" JBL sub in sealed box and some 16.5cm Infinity components, I am sure the cabling I have for it all would be enough to install it in a golf aswell... I will be kinda sad to see it go but thought I would make the offer incase your interested

BUMP http://www.ratm.com/ I have been keeping my eye on their website in the hope of a UK date but no luck so far. It has also been announced that RATM will be doing 3 of the dates for the 'Rock The Bells' hip-hop festivals in the US. Line up includes Wu-Tang Clan, MF Doom, The Roots, Cypress Hill, Sage Francis and even an appearance from Public Enemy!