Andy

Hmmmm. Interesting. Thanks!

I've got a bleeding great box of embroidered polo shirts in the spare room ready to go. I just need to suss out how to sell the things!

Leaving pb's comments aside (for the moment) as that's a totally different issue, it's all very well saying that folk are cheats and that X, Y and Z are cheating - BUT, what do you propose is done about it? I know it happens. I've seen it myself on my travels over the years, but how do you stop it? The geographical area is massive. How do you police an area like that? Observers in every lay-by? Up every lane? It's physically impossible to stop those determined. It's a logistical nightmare for the organisers as it is without adding anything else into the equation. It's fortunate that the majority share the same attitude as Ishy. Go, ride, do their best, get what they can. If that's nowt then fine, but go home happy and looking forward to the next year. We're talking a very small minority here who actually "cheat" in the true sense of the word. I know who most of them are and so do they, and it's not Joe Clubman. It's one thing diagnosing the problem. It's another altogether finding the cure.

That's my take on it too. This was my idea: 1) The Machine Examiner at sign-on has a sheet with maybe a list of a dozen different non-changable parts of the bike on it and a tick-box next to each. 2) The marking of the bike is carried out outwith the view of the rider or any of his mates who may be watching. 3) The Machine Examiner marks maybe 3, 4, 5 or 6 (or anything between 1 and 12) of the parts on his list with Ultra violet marker. He then ticks the relevant checkboxes on the sheet for that bike. Only he knows where he's marked, and how many of the possible locations he's marked. 4) Each bike is marked differently. Yes, some are going to end up the same, but even with a UV lamp, the riders can't compare notes as they don't know where the marks should be for their particular bike or how many marks have been placed on their bike. 5) Machine Examiners carry out random checks through the week using hand-held UV Lamps. The type used to check bank notes. Dirt cheap. Couple of quid each plus batteries. This could even be carried out at night once the bikes have been checked in. Now...."My bike is marked, but I don't know where and I don't know how many marks they've put on it. To fully check and make sure I've got every one is going to take well over an hour, especially since I'll have to clean it totally first. Can I spare that time? No."

Hook Wood is in Surrey. Owned by Sam Connor's Dad. Used to be available for practice, but I don't know if it still is. I know he shipped tons of stone in to create sections.

Iknow it's an M25 job, but how far's Hook Wood? Is it still open for practice?

The stickers you're seeing are ones folk have gone and made themselves - which seriously impresses me. As for selling them, I struggle to get my head round the concept that folk would PAY to advertise something.

And pretty regular SSDT rider. Did very well, but just couldn't quite cut it with the Europeans. Definitely a guy that could benefit greatly from spending some time over here learning.

With 2 fives in the first sections there's no way Dougie was going to take any risks. He knew he'd blown it. He's still outdoor king until someone proves otherwise and that's only 2 weeks away so why go all out and take injury risks when there's not much point?

I'll use that thanks!

You thinks right

Al, Are you taking any photos as you go? I think it would be pretty cool to sorta formulate all this into an article of some kind when done

For those who don't check the front page regularly, note that this Saturday's Indoor round in Riesa, Germany will have the final lap covered LIVE by Eurosport (allegedly!!!)

But then his missus is a bit daft too

A nutter? Never!!!!!

Handbags at dawn ladies?

The emphasis is on fun so I don't anticipate severe rules.

I have to say - the video is an exact replica of the one sent to me - including the music. All I've done is convert it to Flash. The credit lies with Jake and whoever the original photographers were. I was kinda peeved when I first saw it because that was the music I had in mind for the one I did of the Scott!

I've just checked and realised who you are! Long time, no speak! Hope you're well - trust you're looking forward to a certain week in May??

They'll come - don't fret! 140'ish downloads so far.

It might be viable if you could pick it up and plonk it down in the middle of Yorkshire!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3485435.stm

The guy had PC problems. An email turned up this morning, but the attachment was missing!

I'll have No. 4 thanks, but if I was looking for somewhere to park a bike, then No. 2 seems to have a lot to offer

Nosebleed. Taken a knock somewhere. It's part of something I'm working on at the moment. All will become apparent!