I've been wearing Ultimate Ear moulded plugs for about 5 years and wonder how I got on without them before. I find I am aware of traffic noise and can take part in a conversation, but they cut the wind noise enough to make journeys more comfortable. I also wear them when swimming and have suffered ...

OB1 I don't "throw a tantrum", but I do take my custom elsewhere, and let them know that I am doing so.

You will get the odd occasion when something not to your liking but, until it becomes the norm; don't let it worry you as it’s just a passing incident.

By the time it has become the norm it is too late to complain. I admit I am very sensitive about the imposition of petty rules and laws, partly ...

I....but we're not European.... no really we're not .....honest ...no...

I can't and won't speak for others, and admit my own circumstances may not be typical (spent much of my working life in multi-national companies and I've lived in five European countries and worked with colleagues from most ...

As for removing your helmet to fill up mmmmm I must admit I don't like this one. As a spex wearer and I have a mike and ear plugs for the autocom then removing the helmet is a pain and I would rather not have to do it.


Like you I wear specs (30+ years of self abuse, and it's been wonderful) and ...

I had this happen once in New Zealand earlier this year, and was told it was because they had suffered ride off's. I guess they thought they could catch me if they saw me getting on the bike. Given Mrs MarkE had got off the bike to stretch her legs though, I don't see how I could have left that ...

Sorry Mark, that was meant to be two signs; St Peter's close was near Slough and now has a different name (but I can't remember what it is, and have no reason to go to Slough to find out), but St Peter's way is still the main road through Bolton. If it wasn't for the cameras (I'm shy) I'd ride like ...

Not a shop, and no photo I'm afraid but near where I once lived they built a housing estate and included warden houses for the elderly. The local authority named the streets and, in their wisdom, named the street with the warden flats St Peter's Close. They later changed it when the residents ...

I've never undestood the idea that bikes are more dangerous than cars; they are more vulnerable, but that is something entirely different. We are vulnerable to idiots in cars who don't bother looking for us; to careless truckers (and increasingly car drivers) who overfill with diesel and leave ...

My all time favourite travel quote is the letter Ella Maillart wrote before setting out with Peter Fleming on their journey that became Forbidden Journey (her) and News from Tartary (him):

"We are going on a journey. Do not expect to hear from us for six months and do not start worrying until ...