Most disappointing tourism attractions

prog-chick wrote: I could call you dedicated if you like Peter, but it sounds cunningly like "I'm just popping out to buy some beer dear" as an excuse for the lovely long bike ride...... what kind of bike do you have ? (go on make me jealous!) P-C

Edited by Peter - August 22 2007 at 14:05

Geck0 wrote: Please, James May isn't allowed here, he hates prog!

He's just saying that because Jeremy Clarkson likes it.

The new KLR looks sweet!

king of Siam wrote: The new KLR looks sweet!

Geck0 wrote: Please, James May isn't allowed here, he hates prog!

If true, my appreciation of him has just increased a tad.

Jim Garten wrote: Geck0 wrote: My neighbours have been to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct too, that looks scary! I've been over a smaller version of Pontcysyllte on a boating holiday and that was impressive too.  We've never actually been over this on a boat, but we have walked it - fantastic views, beautiful aqueduct! Geck0 wrote: I've also been to Farmers Bridge and gone under Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham.  Impressive, yet run down. Ah yes - done that many, many times, usually with Neil (Heavyfreight); without a doubt the best way to visit & see Birmingham.

Must interject here, many of the canal regions of Birmingham are NOT rundown but are, in actual fact, very nicely done up over the last 5-10 years. We actually have a city centre that doesnt look like it was built in the 60's and left alone anymore (thank god).

Hyperborea wrote: For motorbike read...transplant machine....as most victims would testify, but they're dead and other people have their parts anyway.

Wow -- how very original. You're the first person who's ever said something like that to me about bikes...

NOT!

(I worked in hospitals for 15 years, and my mother was an Emergency room nurse -- nuff said?)


One time, I showed up to work (I was working at a hospital, then) when one of the X-ray techs spotted my helmet, and said: 'You ride a bike? You must be suicidal."
The ironic thing was, he was smoking a cigarette as he said that....

I have been riding motorcycles for thirty years now, and have never been injured on one. A lot of that is down to sane, defensive riding (act like the car drivers are actually TRYING to kill you -- assume they WILL cut you off). Due to the small size and tremendous braking power and acceleration of a (modern) bike, one can also avoid many accidents that would be unavoidable in a car

Yes, I am well aware that my bike does not enclose me in a protective steel cage like my car does. It's a risk I take knowingly, for the enormous payoffs in fun, fuel economy, etc. Though I will minimize my risk by alcohol-free, defensive ridng & always wearing proper protective clothing and a good full-face helmet, I will not let mere fear (mine, or yours), or the stupidity of other riders, deprive me of something that gives me so much pleasure.

As you know, lots of hobbies and recreation can (and often do) lead to death or serious injury: see skateboards, snowboards, bicycles, roller blades, snowmobiles, four-wheelers, rock climbing, drinking, swimming, surfing, skiing, hang gliding, horseback riding, figure skating, bungee jumping, hockey, football, boating, kayaking,  hunting, hiking, etc, etc.

I recently drove my car, towing a trailer, some 13000 km back and forth across the continent, and often on major freeways. Nobody called me an "organ donor" for that. (i put about 3000 km per year on my bike, in contrast. Much of that distance is off-road, away from traffic, and at much slower speeds.)

What about you, Hyperborea? Do you ever willingly partake in activities that are less than entirely safe? Driving a car, riding a bicycle, or even crossing the street, perhaps?
Hmmmmm?

Finally, it would seem obvious that the vast majority of bikers in the world are alive.

But thanks for yourconcern for my welfare -- very touching (and so movingly expressed).


Edited by Peter - August 22 2007 at 21:33

Peter wrote: Wow -- how very original. You're the first person who's ever said something like that to me about bikes.............etc etc......But thanks for yourconcern for my welfare -- very touching (and so movingly expressed).

I lost a friend, killed , bike accident, took a week, but you know it did kill him.(he was hit by a speeding drunk in a rolls royce) I also lost a friend in childbirth (she had sex 9 months previous)

You can not eliminate ALL risk in your life, you still need to live your life. There is SO much to do, to feel, you can stay home and die of boredom, or you can celebrate life!

I am saying this, because for 15 years I could NOT drive (bike or car) because of my epilepsy..... when I finally passed that medical WHOOPEEE!!! Then I spent a year and a half having chemo and surgery..... now I have a little 125 that brings me joy and happiness EVERY day, because life IS precious, but it is to be lived, not watched.

I can't find a UK dealer with a new price for the KLR ANYWHERE Peter, is it available in UK? I'm wondering if the price diff is that much here..... Kwakas tend to be more pricey here than over your side of the pond....

It's kind of a "when the kids leave home..." plan to get the adventures a winnebago and see the world ...brings it all back nicely onto topic! .....(no sign of them packing yet though)

P-C

Peter wrote: Oh, to have unlimited funds and garage space, though! Why, my garage itself would be a veritable TOURIST ATTRACTION....

What, even more than the long line of body bags outside every motorcycle dealership? Jeez Pete - everyone knows that bikers are all suicical maniacs just waiting for their turn; also, did you know that due to this self destructive tendency, all bikers have recently been excommunicated by the catholic church, as motorcycle riding (aka attempted suicide) is now a mortal sin...

...honest

The mere fact that I was a biker for 15 years & actually survived with nothing more serious than a broken wrist (my own fault - alcohol) doesn't cut it with the Pope.


+++sigh+++

The now damned for all time Peter Rideout wrote: (No Mods, there's no thread hijacking going on here -- perish the thought!)

Nice bit of backpedalling, there