Modern Vespa

I went to the trouble of leaving the verb till the very end of the sentence and nobody even noticed. [there... I did it again].

Gosh. I noticed the sentence sounded off, but didn't realize it was intentional.

Aaaaaand Jess once again demonstrates the urgent need for a sarcasm font.

If I'm typing it, it's probably sarcasm.

Actually, if anyone on MV is typing it, it's probably sarcasm.

Truer words...

I've just had to break into my own house after going out to put a bag of rubbish in the bin and having the front door blow shut behind me.

it was surprisingly easy i was back inside in less than five minutes. not sure if i should be panicking a bit, or congratulating myself on my advanced housebreaking skills. to be fair, I did know exactly which windows I'd left unlocked, but it was a sobering reminder to make sure that everything is locked up tight even if I only go out for a few minutes.

So breaking back into your flat wasn't quite like this then?

Ooh shiny!

apart from the outfit, no

backpacks! those look very nice indeed. Alice and I will have need to remember to co-ordinate at every Skok event from now on.

Yeah my wife is jealous. I got her the black messenger bag at her request but when she saw the backpacks she started pouting. Her fault as I sent a link to her college email but she didn't bother to look.

Now I will have to be keeping an eye out for the sale again.

Desperately clearing my work To Do list so I can sign off later and go on holiday for next week, subject to chucking some clothes in a bag, adjusting the bike carrier to a different car, renewing the car insurance, posting stickers etc etc and not falling out with the family while I hurtle around doing it...

Note to self - book the day BEFORE you leave off too, stupid.

In sunny Dorset next week. May be quiet 8)

But bring the key.

just learned that a very close friend of mine, and a big part of my past (one of my former incarnations as a noise DJ in Montreal) died recently. RIP Zev

weird, and a rather serious mindf*ck, when someone who was so important in one's formative years - somebody who was part of that time in your life when you're convinced you're unique, you're immortal, and you're gonna change the world - dies way too young, and with so much yet to do.

agh. sorry for the downer. off to get some wine to drink a toast to his memory.

Commiserations.

I've had a few of those over the years, and it's always the Good Guys.

Hope that did the trick. Sorry to hear.

Educate me about noise dj'ery sometime. No really

Sorry Genie, it really does suck.

As I get older I am hearing more stories of sudden death or a short term illness (rhymes with "bancer"), and despite the creeping gloom of my father in the nursing home - although apparently he's getting sprung on Friday - I am trying to enjoy life a little more. It's difficult because things "will always be the same", but I know that they will not. I often say to my friends "these are the good old days" because tomorrow might be the start of something big... and bad.

Happy that you had that instrumental friend in a correspondingly optimistic part of your life. Sorry that he's gone now. Sending peace to both you and him.

Today we visited Westfiield Shopping Centre Stratford which was an incredibly middle aged thing to do on a Bank Holiday Monday but there's a sting in the tail.

We spent most of our visit looking at electric vehicles courtesy of Renault and an electric bike courtesy of Zero.

The Zero bike was part of promotional stand for "Get On"- a rider training organisation, so I took the chance to ride the "125cc " version of the "400cc"electric bike displayed in the Mall and Genie rode a Kawasaki D-Tracker to try out a manual gearbox. Strokes chin.
Riding the electric bike was very weird seeing as there's no noise and therefore no feedback as to how many "beans" you're giving it but it was plenty fun.

The Renault Twizy is cross between a scooter and a Smart car. Totally electrically powered with a speed of 50 mph and a range of 60 miles. It actually has a 3 point plug stored in its nose and charges up within 30 mins.
It has room for a passenger/pillion even if they have to sit with their legs spread for the duration of the journey. Doors are optional.
It's what the C1 could have been if it there hadn't had been such a Germanic approach to it's design.
I really liked it but I doubt the UK will really embrace its quirky functionality.
Pictures to follow.

Bill X

here's the Twizy in all of its tiny glory. The back seat really was like a medieval birthing chair, but apart from that it was sweet. I'd love to drive one

There's someone by me who commutes all year round in her Twizy. It looks a lot of fun, though a bit miserable in really bad weather.

Anyone up for a ride out next Sunday? Skok Diner Dash Sunday 1 September

With it's doors open the Twizy looks like it is declaring victory...or signaling a field goal (american football reference)

The Twizy is a vehicle I really want to love - relatively cheap, and very quirky. I even test drove one during my search for a commuting machine which led to my MP3. It was fun, but underpowered when trying to merge onto the A40 from Renault West London.

It suffers because in many ways it is the worst of all worlds. Limited range, limited top speed, can't filter, can't park in MC parking, and the 'free' electric parking spaces in Westminster are limited to 4hrs, so useless if you work there. And then, even if you buy the car outright, you still have to lease the batteries for about £60 per month, as long as you have it, so my MP3 -500 is not only much faster, but actually costs less to run.

David

I'm pulling a 13 hour shift in Henley next Sunday......😲

Bike Normandy 2014 details:

Bike Normandy, August 1-3 2014

Book early, book often! Or something

Sorry for your loss Genie
(((((((Hug)))))))))
Kit x

I'm having a clothes purge.

I'm finding it very cathartic.

Oh yes.

Birreh.

Younger 'orrible Ed might be a faster-track to recycling rather than the charity shop.

He desperately needs new kit.

And I'm bloody fed up with him nicking my stuff while I'm away.

isn't he 6'3" or something jim? birreh's old trews may look a bit comical on him

He's not fussed about comical. Really, honestly, cross my heart. They'd look better than my cast-offs of ten years ago for sure!

He'll be over with us in CA Oct/Nov and we have a little buying spree in Old Navy and Target planned to keep him sanitary.

I had a very interesting evening last night talking to a couple of these guys who are nearing the end of an epic trip from Cape Town to Dublin on LMLs. They'd come along on our regular Wednesday evening ride out.

http://scooteraddicts.co.za/

Well worth a read of their facebook page.

Hardly surprising, but it seems that Israel was one of the most welcoming and interesting places they had been through.

Not surprised at all. Just wish I'd known about it when they were here so I could have been among those who welcomed them.

Leaving for a 5 day trip to the island of Milos tomorrow. Ferry schedule was changed due to a boat being out of service. We now arrive at 2:00 AM. It's a "milk run" to begin with, and will now take 1 1/2 hours more enroute (8 vs 6.5) due to the addition of 2 additional stops! Will be an interesting ride across the island to the hotel on unfamiliar rural roads, but we'll get over it. At least the return schedule hasn't changed - yet.

Apparently a group of Scooterists rode several hundred kilometers down to the border to escort them up to Jerusalem and looked after them while they were there. They also had a "day trip" up to the Syrian border and could see shelling going on in the distance which was quite sobering.

Today's commute, an uninterrupted sequence of 7, yes 7, uninterrupted green lights. My own Monaco.



After a bit, I began to wonder if there had been a zombie attack in central London. Where is everybody?

I felt like that on Friday morning. 'Tweren't natchural. (I got public transport in today because there is enforced work fun later.)

Calling all London Skoks

I'm doing errands in central London on Saturday (31st of Aug) and would love to take a little time out for a coffee and a cake with anyone in London on Sat. I know I promised Bill cake for putting me in touch with his mate (whose scooter I bought and will be riding).

The other option would be a visit to a gallery (and a coffee and a cake! - of course). My errands are in Regent Street (don't ask) I know that makes me pretty local for the Royal Academy but I am open to offers!

If no one is available for cake, can anyone suggest any good exhibitions? I know Genie and Bill have their fingers on this pulse! I have no preferences and an open mind to all types of art.

Cheers

Oh yes, almost forgot, what's the best thing to do regarding parking in this area?

Birreh and I have not yet confirmed our plans for this Saturday but if coffee and cake and art are involved I think we can accommodate you - watch this space

My favourite parking spot in that area is in Upper Regent street, a block or two above Oxford Circus - there's a long parking bay just across from BBC's new hq. it's pay-by-phone, so you can either register in advance online (simples) or ring or text on the day.

Watching the space!

i naturally assumed you meant motorcycle parking. if you didn't, then be prepared to pay through the arse for an NCP lot. There's one just behind John Lewis in Oxford Street. I don't own a car so can't inform you reliably about how/where/when to park in the street in that area. Every time I've attempted it, I've gotten a ticket

The NCP in Cavendish Square behind John Lewis (if that's the one you're referring to) is free at all times for motorcycles, as is the Chinatown one off Lisle St on Newport Place (which I prefer).

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/transportandstreets/parking/wheretopark/vehicletype/motorcycle/carparks/