katanita

Seems they are legit, which I didn't really doubt, but obviously have been the subject of complaints elsewhere as well:

I wonder if they do this all over the place or whether they specifically target areas that have had recent spates of burglaries? Pure speculation, but just wondering. Wouldn't be surprised.

I've had a go on twitter and sent them this thread, was told they were sorry to hear that and that I should contact their customer services. I might do that at some point but think public shaming might be more effective, of course they'd rather I sent private emails of complaint. However, I've not had the worst of the experience from them, those who've had the full scaremongering visit might want to think about complaining. They may not know what their staff are up to, but I don't think cold calling should be a part of their practice even if they're nice about it. But I think this is part of a wider problem though, and would fully support any efforts to get this (and THE WORLD) made a No Cold Calling Zone.

This makes me furious. Had them round mine last night, he wasn't going to say who he was before launching into a spiel but I stopped him and said "you're from ADT, aren't you?", and as he started on the "yes, but..." said I wasn't interested and shut the door on him. Not the first time they've been, now wish I'd said "and don't ever come back" but probably wouldn't have made any difference. Only answered the door because I was expecting someone, I hate that between these guys and charities and other unwanted callers I've developed the habit of shouting "who is it" at the door before I'll open it. That's not the way I want to be but I'm sick of it. And it makes me so mad to think of the elderly or vulnerable in our area getting these sorts of calls.

Not sure, seems like a good idea but might actually encourage poor road positioning. You should't be putting yourself in a position where you need a light like that for someone to see you in the first place. See also risk compensation behaviour, which often gets raised around the issue of wearing helmets: that riders will adjust their behaviour to be more risky because they feel safer by wearing a helmet/using a safety light etc. giggirl Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Seven pages and still running. > > I just came across this safety light for cyclists. > Good idea or not? > > https://www.blaze.cc/product/lights/laserlight

Looking for a new broadband provider, and thinking about fibre. Have heard lots of good things about Zen Internet, who seem to have been around for ages but kept it small and word of mouth. They are a little more expensive though and have a usage cap on their cheapest fibre optic tariff. Anyone around here using them and can share their experience? Anyone on fibre in general in this area and having a good/bad experience or have a provider they would recommend? Thanks in advance!

What showboat and monkeylite said. So fed up of the behaviour of a really disappointingly high proportion of other cyclists making life more difficult for me, whether running red lights (every day on my commute, at almost every bloody junction, and frequently when pedestrians are trying to cross), cycling the wrong way down one way roads rather than take a slightly longer way round, and by defending said bad behaviour on the tedious never-ending forum pages and comment pieces on cycling that go round and round and .... I'm not even sure why I'm contributing to it except that I feel like a rant now, pointless as it will be. I've been cycling for a long time in London, and it really isn't that difficult to stick to the rules. If a junction or a road isn't safe to be cycling on, take a different one, or get off and walk it round. If you really feel you have to get up on the pavement briefly, only ever do this where there aren't pedestrians, and recognise that your behaviour will probably piss people off, so don't do it unless you absolutely have to and be courteous and don't make people nervous that you're going hit them. I don't care if it's legal, riding fast down pavements with people walking on it is intensely annoying to about 95% of the population, whether you like it or not, and risks causing an accident. It shows a lack of consideration, which makes people think you're probably an arsehole, and, given human nature, makes them think that other cyclists might well be arseholes too. So thanks for that. No, the taxi driver giving me abuse for a legitimate move that inconveniences him may not be in the right, but I bet he's partly just venting frustration at all the other cyclists who he's seen behaving like jerks in the past and defending their behaviour by telling him that he's in the wrong for driving in the first place. Way to make friends and influence people there. It's totally counter productive, we need major changes to cycling infrastructure, more investment, and better awareness from all road users. That needs public support, and this nonsense doesn't help a bit, it completely undermines efforts being made by people like the London Cycling Campaign etc. Anyway, I look forward to this thread reaching 10 pages by tomorrow. I don't know why I do this to myself :P

Oh good, not going mad. Thought I heard horses go past my window last night, but had curtains closed so didn't see them and was beginning to doubt myself...

It was, I think the met police said that a directive from higher up about a quota for all tickets (not just for cyclists, for motorists as well) had been misinterpreted by someone down the chain as being just for cyclists and they sent out a memo to that effect. Applespider Wrote: > I did see that quote at the time but I believe it > was retracted shortly afterwards.

Saw this tweeted today: "Network Rail have unveiled their proposals for the redevelopment of Peckham Rye Station. They've asked for community feedback here but their feedback form is long, and not interactive. I've created an interactive version of the form that will write an email on your behalf that you can then copy, and send on." http://chrisdowling.biz/peckham/ Deadline this weekend.

Not sure that's quite right Lady Deliah, many more drivers were given penalty notices than cyclists (e.g. see http://road.cc/content/news/106434-metropolitan-police-says-operation-safeway-has-changed-road-users-behaviour) but there were certainly lots of anecdotal reports of cyclists being pulled over when doing nothing wrong, including one where a rookie police officer pulled over an off duty superior to tell him off for something stupid. I wish I could find that link, it was pretty funny. > > "The footage comes amid growing concerns over > cyclist safety in London. 14 cyclist died in the > capital in 2013, and in November, the Metropolitan > Police began deploying officers at 166 key > junctions to stop people breaking road traffic > laws in an attempt to make roads safer" > > No they mainly pulled cyclists for cycling on > pavements and going through red lights. Very few > law breaking motorists were pulled.

Just had a great massage with Sally, can vouch for her. Very thorough and knowledgeable, I feel much more relaxed after. And all for ?20, much less than you would normally pay for this treatment.

I've been given three sets of spoke lights like these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nite-Ize-Spokelit-Bike-Light/dp/B001SN8IUM/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_0. Haven't used them yet. Can't decide if they are a) really uncool (especially the one that changes colour) or b) a pain to keep taking on and off to avoid them getting nicked or c) good for extra visability and will make me look awesome like I'm in Tron. Any thoughts?

Found "safe and well" according to updated news at that link :)

Have they got more beers in? When I went in after opening (but before they started serving food) they had a pretty uninspiring selection, and yeah, on the pricey side. But maybe they are more focussed on the wines? The service was also extremely casual and the space a bit cold and soulless. Which hasn't encouraged me to try the food tbh, but will do at some point.

Mine are insured with Animal Friends, who donate their profits to animal welfare charities http://www.animalfriends.org.uk/. Seemed like a pretty good deal (and a good idea) when I did the research a couple of years back. Haven't had to actually claim yet though.

New giant one coming to Stratford for 2015 too apparently http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/giant-200m-real-snow-ski-centre-planned-for-westfield-stratford-8732116.html. Would second what Jeremy said, it's good for beginners, and they do lessons so could be worth trying that. Useful for testing kit too. Is big enough to do maybe 3 turns on the way down but not much more so anyone more advanced will be spending a lot of time on the lift, not much time skiing.

When I noticed lots of wet leaves piling up before, in this case in a cycle lane, I just called Southwark council and they cleared them the same day as they can be a hazard. I don't think they can be checking all the pavements all the time so I'm sure would appreciate a call to let them know. I can't remember which department, but I think I just asked the switchboard operator and they directed me.

Hmm, yes, yesterday, but equally I think mine is sometimes set off by others using the same radio frequency e.g. for car fobs so I assumed it was that.

Ooh has College Road been resurfaced? All the way to the top??

Oh my God Maxxi where did you find that? Amazing (not quite a caulkhead myself, but grew up on the Isle of Wight). Until now, I thought the Isle of Wight Anthem would be this

Seconded on Lyndhurst way, have to ride down it most days. Always have to check my bike lock is securely in the bracket otherwise has been known to shake itself out riding over all those bumps. It would make me so happy if they resurfaced it. There are stretches of Southampton Way that are pretty bad too, but nothing compared to Lyndhurst Way.

My condolences Annabel, so sorry to hear about your son. Tragically it seems another cyclist has been killed on the roads today, on Camberwell Road. No report I can find yet but apparently via Met Police https://twitter.com/se5/status/402421158001516544. From the sounds of it the area is cordoned off and best avoided at the moment. If anyone ever wants cycling routes from ED that avoid main roads let me know, I take back streets wherever I can to avoid coming into contact with lots of traffic or large vehicles so have quite a lot of routes I can suggest e.g. ones that avoid using Camberwell/Walworth road, or Camberwell New Road. I'm not sure what this horrible recent spate of deaths is about, I just hope it leads to action on cycle safety and better provision for cyclists on the raod.

Have had several language tutors and we always met in cafes, chains like Neros or local cafes. Bookstore cafes were a favourite. The only disadvantage is that you have to add the cost of a coffee or something like it to the cost of the lesson!

See, this is the difference here between this and any other restaurant/pub opening. They've made a lot of claims for it along these lines that sounded really exciting, but as someone who lives within a very small radius of The Patch, I can't see what they've done to be talking at all with the local community let alone it being "supplied and managed" by them. I've tried asking them questions on their fb page, but didn't get much out of them. I find that a bit disappointing. The Ivy House is a clear contrast, feel a lot of goodwill towards them despite it being a fair distance away and me yet to set foot in it. But I will go in and ask them in person at some point soon, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. StraferJack Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hel > > Any info re Patch was posted early on (ie not > much) > > the fact that they are taking money from customers > but not really updating their webpage, pub front, > etc isn't really anyone on here's fault > > The splash on their webpage is worth re-reading > tho > > "THE PATCH - LONDON'S FIRST SELF-SUSTAINABLE > COMMUNITY PUB We are re-inventing the concept of > the urban pub. Fully independent and > self-sufficient, The Patch is a community > gastro-pub that is owned, supplied and managed by > the local community. " > > > If I recall, the Ivy House promised much the same > but followed through with projection spreadsheets > and other plans on here. Goodwill remained in > place before they opened and you can't get a seat > for love nore money on a Sunday now > > Maybe same will be true of the Patch?