This week's TVR replacement

[J_S_G]

So, getting worried about all the signs of impending doom from the Tuscan, I ventured into the a netherworld I'd not visited since the summer of 2000... the bike shed. After brushing away the cobwebs, and killing the giant man-eating spiders that spun them, a glint caught my eye. OK, so it was actually the edge of a shelf that caught my eye. But before I felt the seering pain of a rusty shelf-support against my retina, I saw my old mountain bike sitting patiently in the corner, waiting as if in Arthurian legend for the day it came to save humanity, or at least for me to flog it on EBay.

So, to cut a needlessly long description of a very short story back to being short, I cycled to work for the first time in 4 years on Wednesday.

In four years, my bike's not been touched. Hell, it's not had human eyes gaze upon it in that time. It could've evolved into a Ducati 999 in that time, for all I knew. So, the tally for 4 years of disdainful neglect:
1 new innertube
1 set of brake blocks
Judicious spraying of WD40
Cost: £10. Something felt wrong. Very wrong. (Cost of running Cerbera last year: £10k)

Tentatively setting off, my Pavlovian conditioning of the previous year led me to expect a trail of gears, chain links, and cabling to breadcrumb my route to work. But not only did I arrive as early as if I'd driven, nothing broke or made worrying noises all the way to work and back. Except me. I think my engine needs a rebuild, and I certainly don't like being pushed hard from cold... Not only does owning a TVR mean having a car that's about as good at keeping itself together as a leper in a tumble-dryer, mine've managed to inflict their symptoms on me. Sympathy pains.

I have to admit, though, it took a bit more effort showing that Saxo up in the sprint from the lights. And I'm suffering far too much today to consider riding again, let alone ever taking the "scenic" route for "fun". (Note to Ted: I need a new smiley for cycling. Or "two-wheel torture" as it's now being known as)


I wonder what buses are like this century...

[SXS]

Whats the top speed on that two wheeled beast?

[j_s_g]

[quote=SXS ]Whats the top speed on that two wheeled beast? [/quote]
I've had about 40 out of it. It's actually a decent bike - worth more than my first couple of cars put together. And it's probably worth about as much as my soon-to-be engineless Tusc... Resigned myself to driving the 206 over the summer months.

[Painey]

This sounds familiar!

My Griff's currently laid up with some kind of electrical problem and until Austec can sort it out at the end of the month I'm back on the bike as well. My problems don't sound as bad those with the Tuscan so hope it gets sorted soon.

As for the bike, I once cycled down Devils Dyke near Brighton on it, off road at 55mph Much scarier than the Griff I can tell you!!

All the best - Chris

[_DJ_]

j_s_g said:

[quote=SXS ]Whats the top speed on that two wheeled beast?

I've had about 40 out of it. It's actually a decent bike - worth more than my first couple of cars put together. And it's probably worth about as much as my soon-to-be engineless Tusc... Resigned myself to driving the 206 over the summer months. [/quote]

James, did you read the thread on the Tuscan forum about the conversation with the factory boys about the Speed 6? IIRC, your car has already had a 2001 spec engine without dodgy fish fingers, so as the head hasn't changed since surely your engine shouldn't be failing?

[J_S_G]

_DJ_ said:

j_s_g said: SXS said: Whats the top speed on that two wheeled beast? I've had about 40 out of it. It's actually a decent bike - worth more than my first couple of cars put together. And it's probably worth about as much as my soon-to-be engineless Tusc... Resigned myself to driving the 206 over the summer months. James, did you read the thread on the Tuscan forum about the conversation with the factory boys about the Speed 6? IIRC, your car has already had a 2001 spec engine without dodgy fish fingers, so as the head hasn't changed since surely your engine shouldn't be failing?

I've had words with the factory, and if there is the problem it looks like, it should be sorted for "an acceptable sum". The throttle bodies definitely doing, but I was expecting that £300 bill, so no problem there. It's the potential rebuild for the valve guides that was bothering me. Finger followers seem fine, touch wood. Will know more in the next week or so.

Now, just need to find out if those rumours of impending redundancy are true...

[Don]

My new year's resolution for 2003 was to cycle to work as often as possible. 2004 has seen a drop in regularity but I hope to continue the practice.

I think of it this way...each mile I do on the bike doesn't depreciate the car - and probably does me some good...

Isn't it a bitch the first time back after a gap....

[mrs fish]

J_S_G said:

(Note to Ted: I need a new smiley for cycling. Or "two-wheel torture" as it's now being known as)

Will this do?

[j_s_g]

mrs fish said:

J_S_G said: (Note to Ted: I need a new smiley for cycling. Or "two-wheel torture" as it's now being known as) Will this do?

I don't think that quite captures the pain!

[burriana500]

You got a 'bunch of grapes' smiley he can use Lisa?

[Mrs Fish]

[burriana500]

oooh...ouch!

[gaston]

Maybe the factory should supply a folding bike for the boot to cover all eventualities??