Winnersaint

Enjoy it. Just don't get too uptight if it doesn't go to plan. hope things improve on health front.

Heard the news from a Saints fan while on holiday in Egypt. Genuinely stunning news at the time. Such a shame he wasn't around in May. RIP

Leicester????

I though KP was fookin cricketer!

Glad you got your bike sorted. Still hard when it comes to a choice between equally good'uns in your price range. sometimes it comes down to looks and colour more than anything. I've had a similar problem deciding between the Cube Agree GTC Pro and the Ridley Orion. Although the Ridley is slightly better kitted the Cube is IMO a better looking bike, but it is predominantly white, which from the experience of my existing Cube bike is a b u g g e r to keep clean, whereas the Ridley is mainly black. Tough decision! Anyway enjoy your new bike, but beware it can become addictive. Before you know where you are you'll be applying the bike ownership equation. This is the number of bikes already owned + 1. It's a slippery slope. It's only taken me a year to go from a good quality entry level aluminium frame with carbon forks and Shimano Tiagra groupset to wanting a carbon framed machine.

Sounds like a brilliant trip Sandwich. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to get out there with bike someday myself. In the meantime I'll have to practice around the Chilterns and Berkshire Downs.

Well, well! Just about the most amazing stage for many a year. Andy Schleck going on the Izoard was supremely courageous (just chatting to next door neighbour - reckons Izoard is the nastiest climb he's done) but chapeau to Thomas Voeckler for still being in yellow. Don't think he'll be there tomorrow. Think he'll get battered going up Telegraphe, the steep side of Galibier and Alpe d'Huez

Agree with all of this but the effects of the Wouter Weylandt tragedy in the Giro obviously weigh heavily on the Leopard Treks. Still think Bertie's got something up his sleeve (not a contaminated steak), but would like to see Evans in yellow in Paris.

Absolute carnage yesterday. Bad luck on Brajkovic. Boonen lucky to still be in there. Seemed like Quicksteps all going down like dominoes at one point. Cav's finish was awesome. Uphill finish in Lisieux today so maybe no repetetion. Tomorrow stage has no categorised climbs, The only other one with none on the route is to the Champs Elysee. So its off to Chateauroux, birthplace of Gerard Depardieu and scene of Cav's first stage win in 2008. Probably wouldn't bet against him to win there again.

Stage 4 finishes on the Mur de Bretagne (Breton Wall). Much steeper than Stage 1 finish just like an Ardennes Spring Classic so Gilbert it will be, especially as it's his birthday. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-ready-to-prove-doubters-wrong

So Baj and Badger if you're looking at the sub £1000 mark road bike all I can say is you will get a very good machine at what is a very competitive price point. Lightweight aluminium frame with carbon forks with mid range probably Shimano groupset (brakes, levers, front mech /rear deraillieur etc). My opinion and it is only an opinion is that you are probably best off going to your local bike shop, although Halfords will be your only option if you go down the Boardman route. Good bikes, well kitted. Try bikes out and above all get properly fitted. Some LBS offer this as part of the sale of your bike, others charge you up front for it and deduct it off the price. As far as what is the best bike - it will come down ultimately to your own personal preference. For Specialized look at the Allez and Secteur range SECTEUR SPORT TRIPLE - £769.99, ALLEZ ELITE COMPACT - £799.99, ALLEZ SPORT TRIPLE INT - £619.99. There are a lot of them about so many punters can't be wrong - however I would recommend a look at Cube bikes. The Cube Attempt at £999 is probably out of range if you want other bits with it. Cube Peloton at £849 is excellent, but I'm biased because I have the 2010 model of this bike. Not an expert only had my roadie since last August, but once bitten by the bug you'll not be able to stop yourselves. http://www.cubebikeshop.co.uk/

A spectacular first stage. Was tailor made for Phillipe Gilbert. Look out for him again on the Mur de Bretagne another 'puncheur's finish. Sky or HTC to win TTT tomorrow.

I was a nipper, I went to that game. It was a low point along with Shilton scoring

Indeed. However, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) will apply for existing employees. What that means is that existing school employees will switch from being employed by the Local Authority to the academy and that the statutory School Teachers' Pay and Conditions) will be included in contracts. It does not however apply to new employees where academies will be able to determine pay and conditions of employment

I suspect that this is part of a long term plan. Gove has announced that the target for secondary schools to reach as far as 5*A-C grades inc English and Maths will be 50% by 2015 and at almost the same time he announces plans to reform what he calls a discredited exam system. Put these two things together and you can see where this is heading. Taking coursework and modular exams out of the equation will make it more difficult for some, not all, to be successful. This will in turn increase the number of schools that "fail" ie. don't reach the 50% benchmark, allowing the government to take them out of local authority control and turn them into academies. It could be argued that Gove's success will be measured by the number of academies that are created more than any other yardstick and that the exam reforms are merely a crude way of making that happen. Politician in cynicism and downright dishonesty shock!!

Think 'Dirtie Bertie's' got it all sewn up. Agree that points classification will be interesting probably best chance for Cav to get it. On a far more mundane note, trying my first 10 mile TT in a couple of weeks - aiming for sub 30, plus 110K Sportive in middle of July, been truly bitten by the bug only prob is I'm 53. Wish I'd started a few years ago.

Always look forward to it. I know many who don't, usually citing the doping scandals that plague the sport. Despite that, and I don't dismiss that doping is an issue in cycling, the TDF is my sporting highlight of the year. I do however wish that 'Albertanol Clenbutador' had the dignity and foresight to give it a miss this year pending his hearing. Would love to go see, but it's term time and as is pointed out in other threads in different parts of the forum us skivving, wouldn't hack it in the private sector, gold plated (LOL) pension grabbing teachers have too much holiday anyway, so the TDF will have to be put on hold until I retire. F O O K I've just realised they won't even let me do that now! Looking forward to the mountains particularly Stage 12 in the Pyrenees (Tormalet, Luz Ardiden) , hope you both enjoy your watching and riding. Dead jealous.

Road cycling, doing my first event on July 17th - Anthony Maynard Sportive around west Berks 110K (around 70 miles). Anything under 5 hours will be a bonus. Maybe do some 10m time trials later in summer.

Have lived and worked in the area for over 30 years. Our daughter was born in The Royal Berks I find it hard to dislike them much. Grudgingly I'll be rooting for Reading even though in my eyes they will ALWAYS be a third or fourth division team, plus they gave us Branfoot.

Not going to bother. Christmas cancelled due to Uncharted : Drake's Deception and Mass Effect 3.

hopefully getting a carbon fibre frame road bike and taking part in a couple of events in the Thames Valley.

To my Cardiff supporting mate's diappointment I reckon the Jacks (Swansea) will go up. According to him and a lot on their boards their players are a bunch of unmotivated overpaid wasters, who have lost form at the wrong time. I think Reading might turn them over tonight, but I'm not sure about over two legs. See Final as Cardiff v Swansea. Will Wembley be left standing??

OK only 1. Bristol Rovers at SMS. Would go to many more if I could fit it around family and cycling commitments. Hasn't helped with folks living in Blandford as opposed to Winchester as they did in the past. Wanted to do Walsall but sold out. Interestingly our recent trip to SMS was prompted by teenage daughter's wish to go to West Quay as it has a Hollister shop. She was torn between the designer gear and her first trip to SMS. This time Hollister won, but she wants to go next season. i can see a few more games on the cards, plus Reading and probably Watford away.

Nervous enough to change into my somewhat disturbing alter ego MAMIL (Middle aged man in Lycra) and head out on the bike for 30 miles around the Berkshire countryside at around 3 o'clock. should get back around the time the game ends.

RIP our 'Enry'. Never thought you lost the Bugner fight!