TamarBridgeLatics

I read, but very rarely post. I got sick of the repetitive rantings of 0000 with his constant promises to leave, so I blocked him. I also soon tired of McFluff and did the same with him. Now the only way that I can see his tiresome trolling is if anyone replies to one of his fishing expeditions. It's a shame as their antics ruin the other genuine posters' posts, but unfortunately some constantly bite. A simple act, but effective. Don't feed the troll.

When I joined the old JK Latics years ago I was stuck for a username. Staring out of the window while trying to think of one I could see the two Tamar bridges here in Saltash, Hence the name, I was too bone idle to think of anything else.

:censored:, Beasley Street, Beasley Boulevard and I wanna be yours. Excellent. "Like a death at a birthday party, you ruin all the fun. Like a sucked out Smartie, you're no use to anyone....... You went to a progressive psychiatrist, he recommended suicide; before scratching your name off his list and pointing the way outside." Just spent the last 2 hours listening to his stuff entirely due to this thread.

Perhaps not. http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Making-Curtis-Nelson-captain-benefit-game-says/story-21657311-detail/story.html

I sat and watched from the start to the very end. What a show that was put on for the world to see, The scenery and atmosphere were superb. You always get a few dickheads at any major occasion, but with the selfie generation, I wouldn't expect anything else. Geraint Thomas said that it's the new pain-in-the arse with people getting in the way and taking selfies. We both remarked that in very few places there wasn't a crowd, and the noise all the way round was constant. People really made an effort for the Tour, and they can be proud of those 2 days. It was fantastic to show that not every major sporting event should be in or around London, what a start to the Tour. The course of the second day was brutal, it was more like a one-day classic such as Liege-Bastogne-Liege or Amstel Gold, boy it was tough for only the second day. It's a shame that Dan Martin of Garmin wasn't there, he'd have loved that course. Loved Kittel's attitude, as he said to a cameraman while grinning, "it's a beautiful day!". Enjoyed his time in yellow, and made the most of it all day long, even when he came in at the end. Absolutely stunning.all round. Off out on the bike for a couple of hours, then it's back to watch it all over again.

I agree with every word of that, Cancellara really did cause panic in the trains that were cranking up, reminded me of when Renshaw did his headbutting at the finish. Cavendish is riding a Specialised/Lotus frame, £16,000 worth in the same colour as his Lotus car. Breaks my heart to see that hit the deck, can't forgive him for that. But very well done to Kittel despite all of his complaining of the route beforehand, there's a 30% gradient before Sheffield tomorrow, isn't there? The whole stage today was magnificent, the scenery and crowds were just brilliant. It was like Alpe d'huez on the Buttertubs. And the weather held up, as well. Absolutely fantastic day to watch, congratulations to everyone involved.

Quintana's not supposed to be riding, it was said that he's riding next year's tour after winning the Giro. His disputed but brilliant ride down the Stelvio assured him of the win despite his bad chest in the first week. After watching Froome and Contador in the Dauphiné Libéré, my money's on Contador. Froome's had to withdraw from Tirreno Adricatco with a back problem, nissing Liege-Bastogne-Liege with a chest infection and doing his usual of falling off his bike through a lack of concentration during the Dauphiné that left him feeling battered and bruised. Contador hasn't finished less than second in each race that he's ridden this year, he's been doing similar training to what Sky do this year, and it seems to have made a difference. Plus, Froome no longer has Michael Rogers with him, he's at Tinkoff Saxo. Porte's had an up-and-down season with illness and lasck of form, but Froome's been brilliant in time trials. Looks like Wiggins is also talking to Garmin about returning there. Contador said that he took the Dauphiné as a training ride to watch Froome, expect a lot of his explosive digs in the mountains. Plus, Froome will be asked constantly about the disputed TUE in the Tour of Romandie. Sky don't do TUE's they say. Yeah, right. The other Yates might get a ride as Michael Matthews has crashed and had stitches in his hand. As for the first stage, Cavendish pulled out of the national championships due to "bronchitis", and stayed over in Tuscany. He's really up for it, but with the way the raods are and the moaning that Kittel's been doing regarding it, it may be more of a classics rider such as Sagan, Terpstra or even Kwiatovsky, although I can't see OPQS letting him get away an not help Cavendish. The thrid stage looks more suited to a bunch-sprint. Either way, there's sure to be firewirks and probably loads of crashes on the first couple of stages.. As for Voeckler, I'm so glad that he's in the race, no wonder the other riders detest him, he's off the front ripping their legs off. Bad for them, but good to watch while he's gurning away. Bring it on. Can't wait.

Regarding the queue for tickets, what's the weather like up there? 80 mile an hour winds and rain here, hope it's not that bad out there for them. Hasn't stopped 3 idiots fishing on the Tamar though.

Regarding Argyle's new stand, they're supposed to be starting demolition/building tomorrow. From conception to build start in little over a year, and James Brent (Argyle owner and developer who owns the Akkeron group) reckons they'll have the stand done within a year, and the rest within 2 years. It'll have a new stand with 380 underground parking spaces, and next to it a hotel, Imax cinema, skating rink and shops and restaurants. The skating rink is being built as Brent's bought the one at the Pavilions, and is demolishing it and redeveloping the area. It'll also have seating for 2,500. They had opposition from the Central Park Community Forum as they said that it contravened the park's masterplan and should go to judicial review, but the council threw their objections out, and passed the plans. Most of it's being built on scrubland rather than a green site. Good access from the A38, ample parking at the ground and a short walk from the station. With that and the recently finished Life Centre with the olympic standard diving pool, it should be excellent for Plymouth.

Rick Holden's also got 2 degrees; Human Movement and Physiotherapy.

Sorry, but I gave up at the lolz and douchebags. Must be an age thing.

Most I saw on chat was 122. Incredible game.

Might have been Chris Henthorn.

I haven't seen a stage like that for ages. I expected yet another breakaway that would be wound in, but as you say, Saxo Bank played a blinder. Contador said that he was waiting to hit top form in the third week, watch them turn the screw on Froome in the mountains, especially if Belkin decide to get invloved as well. Froome looks absolutely knackered. If he manages to win this tour, he really does deserve it.

After the Call Me Maybe video, Orica Green Edge have a tribute to AC/DC, now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAl1-mBhFpU

As you say, Kennaugh worked his socks off at the front. I thought Sky might struggle with the lead riders now that Mick Rogers has gone, but what a ride he did. And thanks to Tommy Voeckler for his regular rampage with his own style of riding with his head swinging and talking to himself.

Wow. I expected Sky to keep a metronome rhythm at the front, but for Froome to decimate the race like that was fantastic to watch. Is Contador able to match it and is waiting, or has he been caught out? And Evans looked knackered at the end, but also well done to Quintana for his breakaway. It's a shame that ITV 4 decided to have yet another advert break just as it was forming in the last 7 kilometers. Glad that I keep the commentary on Eurosport and listen to that rather than Hinge and Bracket. It's only the start of the Alps and there's the double ascent of Alpe d'Huez to come. A big mountain stage tomorrow, should be more fun. And I haven't a clue if there'll be a breakaway or the main contenders will stay together for the final ascent, but I can't wait to find out.

Depends on what you want. If you were happy with the Ultegra, I'd stick with that. I've never ridden Ultegra, so I couldn't say from experience. The KMC X10 and KMC X10SL (Super Light, it has holes in the side of the links and the X10 is 10 speed) for instance are expensive, but they have a pre-stretch built into them. Shimano do stretch, my Dura Ace had stretched by over half a link in a year's use - about 6,000 miles, but everywhere around here there is a hill. If it comes down to cost and there isn't too much use, Ultegra should be fine. Ebay or Wiggle (who currently have a sale on) are usually best. Wiggle are currently selling the Ultegra 6701 10 speed chain for £19.99 with 43% off, saving £15.00, if you're interested. If I was riding Ultegra, I'd buy 2 or three of them and stock up, but that's just me. I originally started using KMC after I used Sram Red before this bike. I had the Sram Red chain, and it was really noisy. I changed to the X10 SL, and it was much quieter and smoother, so I've stuck with them, it's just my choice. Hope that helps

Cervelo R3SL with Dura Ace Di2. Bloody expensive kit, but brilliant to ride. And I bought the cassette in the sale at Wiggle. Thankfully the chainrings are okay. The chain was KMC, The last one was a Dura Ace one, but it's not as good as the KMC one despite them manufacturing for Shimano. As for today, Cannondale played it brilliantly. I've seen sprinters outpaced before now, but not by a single team that wanted to splinter the pack to get their sprinter to the finish. The pace was brutal. What a rider Sagan is, he reminds me of Sean Kelly, he could do mountains. sprints and especially classics. It should be fun to watch tomorrow, will the Sky juggernaut begin, will Contador have a dig with Evans and Froome hanging on or will a breakaway manage to form? Should be good. Bring it on.

I sometimes ride up to and past Dartmoor prison and down Pork Hill into Tavistock. I once decided to ride up Pork Hill to give it a go, it was bloody hard work. Then I saw the riders on the Tour of Britain do it. It was faster than me on the flat. Johnny Locke who rides for Sky once overtook me on the hill from Burrator onto the moor heading towards Princetown, he rode it at an incredible speed. It was a joy to watch. And it's just cost me £130 for a new cassette for my road bike, as well as fifty quid for a new chain.

We've decided to spend a couple of days in London for the third stage. We'll book the hotel in the next couple of weeks, then sort the train out as soon as we can. Then it's a question of getting a place to watch. We had a place right on the finishing line in Teignmouth for the Tour of Britain the other year, we waited long enough for that, who knows how long we'd have to wait when the Tour comes. Today's stage had sprint written all over it, and the pace was so high that any ideas of a breakaway was impossible. Very well done to Greipel and Lotto Belisol, they deserved it after setting such a high pace on the approach As Brian Holm said: "they kicked us in the balls. We got our lesson today." And it looks like Sagan's finally got his sprinting legs on, as well. No suprise at Impey taking yellow from Gerrans, either. Talking of non-surprises, I see that Frank Shleck won't have his contract renewed. It'll be interesting to see if it affects Andy Shleck from now on, and how he reacts. Tomorrow is a difficult one to call, it's lumpy and could mean a breakaway or due to it not being too high a category of climbs the bunch may stay together for the downhill finish for the sprinters. It looks like a good finish for Sagan to attack.

I really fancy a dig at the Calderdale cobbled ride, that looks a beauty.

And down he goes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxfdlm4owss&feature=youtu.be

Well, that was a strange first day. It's said that Tony Martin was unconscious on the team coach and had to be carried off. Johny Hoogerland despite his national champion win seems to have cornered the strangest crashes in the Tour ever. I expected a crash today, but not under those circumstances, anyway. Was it Greipel tring to get through a gap that wasn't there? As for the coach, the chaos was unbelievable with the moving of the finishing line after a narrow bend. It reminded me of the Giro a few weeks ago when a couple of kilometres from the finishing line, a blow-up gantry blew down onto the road on a mountain descent as the riders were approaching. And who was fourth today? Old David Millar. Contador lives to fight another day, I expect him to really give it a go in the mountains, he seems to be finally coming to form after a very slow build-up after his suspension (and it's alleged that the steak excuse didn't come from him or Saxo Bank, it was suggested by the UCI). Contador will probably give a few attacks when it goes uphill, but Quintada is also a very good puncheur who likes to attack. Sky have said that they won't give Quintada a chance to move, as they see him as a threat. At least he's got the correct size of bike, now. Froome may give it a go, but despite Sky's reliance on the Sky juggernaut he might this time have the team to back him up, with Ritchie Porte who'll be riding for him along with 2 other good climbers, Siutsou and Vasil Kiryienka. Good grief, Sky in full-flow like last year are boring and methodical. I know they won, but in the most boring manner ever. At least Froome had a dig. Then again, Contador might have another go like when he attacked in the Vuelta and grabbed the win from Purito. I don't think that this is Purito's type of race, the Tour is too closely marked, and there's some very good climbers there. Shleck might have a few digs if he completes the race, with his form coming he might pack in again, or limp through to the end. I think the fact that his brother's suspended will make a real difference to what he does, they've always relied on each other. Wiggins showed last year that he can't attack in the mountains, he can't even get out of the saddle to give it a go, just relying on his power meter. As for Froome, he's had a really good season so far, almost emulating what Wiggins did last year. The only thing is that after the Giro he went to yet another training camp in Mallorca, and was complaining how tired he was, and desperately needed a lie-in and a day off. If he fails, there's always Ritchie Porte. I'd say Sagan for the maillot verte, he can gain points where Cavendish can't, and as he did with Cancellara he's got the strength to follow good riders such as him and win stages. He's also got good back-up with Moreno Moser, another promising rider. As usual Cavendish will bag a few wins, but Greipel's Lotto lead-out train are very well-drilled, and he'll probably do well. One to watch is the Brummie Dan Martin, he's absolutely flying, and he thoroughly deserved to win Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Volta a Catalunya this year. If he decides to go off on a break, there'll be chaos trying to catch him. Cuddles (Cadel Evans) will probably be in the top 7, he'll probably do his usual and sit on wheels and then take a few seconds advantage, much to Garderen's frustration. Still no form for Gilbert, but at least they don't have the one-day wonder "Mr Potential" Taylor Phinney lasting a week. So, first day over, and I wouldn't like to have been on that coach when Cavendish got on there, his dummy would have taken someone's eye out as he spat it out. Corsica looked absolutely stunning today, and we'll see more tomorrow. Bring it on. Makes my 125 miles ridden so far this week look a bit sick.

As one who cycles over 6,000 miles a year on a bike that's worth more than some cars, I don't consider myself to be pure and morally superior, just someone who sticks to the rules of the road, and treats other road users with respect and courtesy. A lot of the rides are through country lanes here in Cornwall and over the bridge in Devon, and I've never had a problem with anyone when riding through there. It's a shame that once again prejudice and ignorance rears its head yet again when cyclists are mentioned, I await the not stopping at lights, have insurance, don't pay road tax, use (usually badly planned and useless) cycle lanes, lycra louts, blah, blah bloody blah. The problem with testosterone-fuelleed tossers like Martin is that they take the morally superior high-ground, get out of my way, :censored: coming through at speed. It works both ways.