spode@thinkbikes

Actually, the helmet DID save me. You see. The helmet hit the ground, which forced my chin in the ground. And then my bottom teeth hit my top teeth, taking chunks out. If I wasn't wearing the helment, my nose would be a mushy mess and the chances of me scraping my eyes on the mud are likely too (I did that as a child).

Setting the scene a little bit. Warming up for a demo some months ago, so luckily nobody watching. I went face first in to the ground. If you notice in the video, you can see my face actually skidding along the ground. And watch how close the bike comes to hitting me - thank God I roll over! Luckily, Emma knew me well enough to keep filming instead of running over to see me. Dave unfortunately got in the way a little as he wasn't expecting to fall off during a routine trick I bled a lot and had a mouth full of mud, but I was riding 20 minutes later. Most of the pain was actually whiplash to my neck! I took chunks out of my front teeth and cut my mouth open a bit. But the dentist fixed it all up for £42. They did an amazing job and you can't tell I did anything at all It's 10MB and it's nothing special, but it is quite amusing and I thought the choice of song was apt if you listen to the lyrics. http://www.thinkbikes.com/media/thinkbikeshurts.avi And if you haven't seen the site before, feel free to check out some of the other videos, from the demo team and other riders (including an excellent video recently from Joe Maher).

UltraMon is very useful, definetely worth getting I've been using dual displays for years - couldn't live with out it! In saying that, I've started using Linux at work now and I've only got a single CRT monitor set up (for reasons I can't be arsed to go in to) and multiple desktops is also pretty useful! At home, I use two 17" panels, and my HDTV. Had to install a second graphics card to get all three going at once though. Considering my panels are 1,280x1,024, running SLI would be a bit pointless - so the fact you can't turn it on for dual displays isn't such a big issue. Although I'm sure they told me that was fixed - I haven't tested it recently. The triple display thing you're talking about is the Matrox TripleHead2Go (http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2006/04/12/Matrox-TripleHead2Go/p1). They brought it around to our office a while back, and using three 19" screens - let me tell you it's pretty immersive!

I'll be there. I think Chai is coming down too. As is Eric. Gotta be careful though. Cracked my KOT in two places.

I'm not far from you guys..

Christ. Who is hosting you? Took ten minutes to load a ****ing page. No rear disc mounts either

I'll come to one soon

I am still quite tempted... And it's a HER, not a HIM thanks Ads

I quite enjoy my Shure e4c's. Can't hear anyone!

I'm supposed to meeting someone for a drink on Friday.... I'll see if I can rearrange

I'd sooner not do Tuesdays - that's the night of the Yoga class I'm starting!

Wierd, I've been thinking about an identical trick recently. But I was thinking of a back flip (they are a little easier I find). So you back wheel something, stall and then back flip out of it. But pinching on the edge of the ledge first, it gives a bit more spring.

Wasn't feeling up to much, but I had a enjoyable ride in the end. Cheers for turning up guys!

I wear gloves?

Spode's a good name. Done me well since I was 13. I had it changed when I was 19. (Now Andrew Spode Alexander Miller)

Went out on Friday for a ride, and I think we were talking about making it a regular thing. Although I'm starting to wonder if another day might be bettter, so that there is more time to recover for a Sunday ride

I'm definetely coming now. Getting the 10:17 train from Guildford. No idea where we are meeting etc. Although if JJ wants to give me a lift down, more than happy to pay some petrol

JJ, how are you getting there? I'm tempted to come along. It's about 2 hours by train.

Yeah, they aren't the best. But I felt that they captured the night. I'm definetely up for making friday nights a regular thing. I was suggesting we need to do an all nighter. Start at 11 and finish at 5 ready to catch the first trains home

Well that was great fun. Ended with me puncturing my front wheel being a bit too hard on my taps But Rob took a few photos. I've just resized them and uploaded them. http://www.thinkbikes.com/gallery/?dir=.%2...london251106%2F Chai and Spode, The Way It's Meant To Be Ridden

http://www.trials-forum.co.uk/forum/index....showtopic=87560

Rob and I are meeting at Waterloo. We'll be at the shell centre at 7 exactly!

Another video for you guys today! This time, it's footage from Tom Rankin (20" Elite British Champion 2006), at a recent EBTC Championship competition. There is also an interview included. He's an impressive rider to watch! Footage is a bit shaky at points, but the weather was shocking and Tom did amazingly well at fighting it off. http://www.thinkbikes.com/videos.php - just at the bottom!

Sounds good Joe. If anyone needs my mobile number, give me a PM. Chai has it, as does Tall_Rob.