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Andy Serkis is great

As a younger man I read the Lord of the Rings every year for 13 years.

Gollum Smeagol

It is one of my favourite novels of all time.
The films were brilliant, (the Hobbit less so, 3 films WTF)

I had listened to an old audio book of LOTR, but the narrators voice was horrible.
A bad narrator can ruin a good book.
Not the case here, Andy Serkis is great, especially the Gollum/Smeagal character.

It took me about two weeks of listening to get through it, well worth the effort. Listening to the book helps with the pronunciation of names.
The only things that could make this production better would be a full treatment like Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series on Audible.
The three Sandman audible books have multiple actors doing characters, excellent sound effects and music. In effect a movie sans moving pictures.

Finnished watching Suits

Suits

I really enjoyed watching Suits. But it is not my favourite legal drama.

That would be

#3 Boston Legal

Boston Legal

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2 Billions

Billions Poster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and my all time favourite, The Good Fight

The+Good+Fight+Season+5+cast+

These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us

As a pedestrian, motor cyclist and bicycle rider I hate SUVs.
The only good thing about them is in a collision I probably won’t have to worry about being maimed because I probably be dead. 

Poor visability

A driver in the car above can’t see the kids in front of the SUV.

For more information:

 

 

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Finnished watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn 99

Finnished watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I rather enjoyed it, especially Terry Crews.

Now I have started watching Suits,

Suits

It’s enjoyable, but so many seasons and with so many episodes it is a bit of a hard slog to get through.

American SUV’s

Was riding my bike to work and I passed one of those massive SUVs that Americans love. It was massive, normally when lane splitting the motorbike handlebars or mirrors might hit the SUV mirrors (they go over car mirrors).

With the American SUV it went under with plenty of room to clear. The front end of the SUV was about the top of my helmet.

Cleary owners of such trucks are over compensating.

setup app for Mac

Just signed up for setup app – https://setapp.com

 

Puffin Brutelity

The image has nothing to do with setup.app, but I do like it.

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My new old Surly Bridge Club

Back in July I was talking to a bike mechanic about how bikes were in short supply due to COVID killing the supply chain.
I said I was looking for a Surly Bridge Club and surprise, he had one to sell for $1,900.

Not a bad deal, as the frame brand new is $1,200 at commuter cycles. The front rack is $250 at commuter cycles, but you can get it for around $215 if you look carefully.

I bought it! Some minor fit issues, which I am now only addressing.

Specifications

FrameSurly Bridge Club, Seatpost Clamp: Surly Stainless 30.0
ForkSurly Bridge Club
HeadsetCane Creek 40
WheelsWTB ST i21 TCS Front Hub: Novatec 9×100 QR Rear Hub: Novatec 9×141 QR 11-spd
TyresSurly Extraterrestrial 700×41, 60tpi Tubeless Ready
BrakesTektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc, Rotors: Tektro 160/160mm
ShiftersShimano Deore M5100 Rapid Fire
DerailleursRear: Shimano Deore M5100 Shadow Plus
CranksetShimano Deore M5100 32t replaced with Wolf Tooth XTM8 96 BCD 36T Drop Stop A
CassetteShimano Deore CSM5100 11-51t (11-13-15-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51 teeth), Chain: KMC X11 EPT
Bottom bracketShimano BSA
HandlebarSurly Terminal Bar: XS,S – 718mm / M,L,XL – 735m
StemPromax, 31.8mm
SeatpostPromax, 27.2mm
SaddleWTB Volt 142
Accessoriesgrip: Velo Black

Features:

  • Clearance for 47mm tyres in 700c (or fits 27.5 x 2.8” tires) 
  • Oodles of frame mounts for all kinds of accessories such as racks and water bottles or micropanniers
  • 11 Speed Shimano components
  • Versatile bike 

Geometry:

SIZEXSSMMDLGXL
Reach376397419434.5444
Stack553567576590609
Head Tube Angle70.0°71.0°71.0°71.0°71.0°
Head Tube Length110120130145165
Seat Tube Length335.6406.4457.2508558.8
BB Drop6060606060
Wheelbase10321047.5107310931109
Chainstay Length435435435435435
Top Tube Length, Actual534547.5570591.5610.3
Top Tube Length, Effective545570595615630
Seat Tube Angle73.0°73.0°73.0°73.0°73.0°
Standover Height709750.5780812845.5
Stem Length80809090100
Stem Angle
Crank Length170170175175175
Fork Length420420420420420
Fork Rake4343434343


As a highly versatile touring bike, the Bridge Club hits the sweet spot that separates on- and off-road excursions. The simplistic design makes it fully adept to handle a full rack and pannier setup, frame bags, or any combination of the two. It doesn’t feel sluggish on paved shortcuts, but can also hold its own on dirt detours. If you’re feeling a little zesty on your next road tour, you won’t be ill-prepared for reroutes through the woods. The Bridge Club is designed to handle it all.

  • Crankset: Shimano Deore M5100 32t
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore M5100 Shadow Plus
  • Cassette / Cog: Shimano Deore CSM5100 11-51t
  • Chain: KMC X11 EPT
  • Handlebar: Surly Terminal Bar
  • Stem: Promax, 31.8mm
  • Headset: Cane Creek 40
  • Shifters: Shimano Deore M5100 Rapid Fire
  • Brake Levers: Tektro HD-M275
  • Brakes: Tektro HD-M275, 160mm rotors
  • Saddle: WTB Volt 142
  • Seatclamp: 30.0mm Surly Stainless
  • Seatpost: Promax, 27.2mm
  • Hub: Novatec 9×100 QR Front and 9×141 QR 11-spd Rear
  • Rims: WTB ST i21 TCS
  • Tires: Surly Extraterrestrial 700×41, 60tpi Tubeless Ready
  • No Pedals included

Shimano Deore M5100 11 Speed Cassette (11-51T)

https://www.bikebug.com/shimano-deore-cs-m5100-11-speed-cassette.html

$100

*Compatible with HG freehub bodies*

The Shimano CS-M5100 is the suitable cassette for the new DEORE 11-speed group.

The distinctively designed HYPERGLIDE sprockets incorporate specially positioned shift ramps and tooth profiles for improved chain control during shifting. Fast and responsive indexed shifting is the result. The HG cassette sprocket, which was developed for 11-speed system, underwent comprehensive optimization to achieve super-highly efficient shifting.

PRODUCT FEATURES – SHIMANO DEORE CS-M5100

  • Use: MTB
  • Group: DEORE M5100
  • Model: CS-M5100
  • Type: HG
  • Gear: 11-51 for 1×11-speed
  • Compatible chain: HG-X 11

GRADATION

  • 11-51 (11-13-15-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51 teeth)

MATERIAL

  • Steel, Nickel plated

Microspline freehub body is not necessary with this cassette.

Shimano Deore M5100 11 Speed Rear Derailleur

https://www.bikebug.com/shimano-deore-rd-m5100-shadow-rd+-rear-derailleur—long-cage-1×11.html

The 11-speed DEORE rear derailleur enables precise and quick shifting within the 11-51T range. 13-tooth pulley wheels and SHIMANO SHADOW RD+ technology reduces chain chatter and gives you improved chain retention thanks to a stiffer derailleur arm and higher chain tension.

FEATURES – SHIMANO DEORE RD-M5100 1X11-SPEED REAR DERAILLEUR

  • Shadow RD+ For optimal chain retention
  • RD-M5100-SGS  
    • 51T max cog size
    • Works with 11-speed 11-51 teeth cassettes
  • Pulley size with 13T increased for reduced friction

PRODUCT FEATURES

  • Use: MTB
  • Group: DEORE M5100
  • Model: RD-M5100
  • Mount: Direct Mount
  • Technology: Shadow RD+
  • Gradations: SGS-Type 1×11-speed
  • Compatible chain: HG-X CN-M5100 11-speed
  • Max. teeth large sprocket: 51T
  • Min. teeth large sprocket: 51T
  • Max. teeth small sprocket: 11T
  • Min. teeth small sprocket: 11T
  • Max. Front Difference: 0T
  • Total Capacity: 40T

CAGE

  • Type-SGS long

Shimano Deore M5100 11 Speed Rear Shifter

The DEORE 11-speed right-side shifter benefits from the same technologies as XTR, DEORE XT and SLX. Together with the speed of RAPIDFIRE PLUS and a TWO-WAY RE-LEASE feature you can shift up and down the 11 gears of your cassette faster than ever before.

SHIMANO DEORE SL-M5100 11-SPEED SHIFT LEVER RIGHT RAPIDFIRE PLUS

  • 20% quicker lever access time
  • Compact design and lightweight
  • Quicker lever access and light operation force maintains rider concentration
  • Greater flexibility and action-optimized cockpit layout
  • 2-WAY RELEASE for instant push/pull movements

PRODUCT FEATURES

  • Use: MTB
  • Group: DEORE M5100
  • Model: SL-M5100-R
  • Shifter Type: Rapidfire Plus
  • Mounting: Clamp
  • Gear rear: 11-speed
  • Optical Gear Display: Yes
  • Instant Release: No
  • Multi Release: No
  • 2-Way Release: Yes
  • Cable adjust: Yes
  • Cable included. Housing not included

MATERIAL

  • Main lever body: Aluminum Painted
  • Lever body: Aluminium, GFRP

Shimano CN-HG601 11 Speed Chain

https://www.bikebug.com/shimano-105-cn-hg601-11sp-chain-p-55511.html

$40

Surly Terminal Bar

https://surlybikes.com/parts/terminal_bar

https://www.commutercycles.com.au/surly-terminal-bar/ $160

Surly 26-29″ CroMoly Rear Rack Black $240

https://www.pushys.com.au/surly-26-29inch-cromoly-rear-rack-black.html

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Wald Bicycle Baskets

Was doing some research on Wald Bicycle baskets. I found the cheapest option is actually to buy them from amazon.us through amazon.au

Wald 137

Baskets are 38cm side to side x 25cm front to back and 12c deep

WALD 139

Baskets are 45cm side to side x 33cm front to back and 15cm deep – the basket tapers to a bit narrower at the bottom

Wald 135

36.8 x 24.1 x 22.9 centimetres

So I have ordered a “Panier avant pour vélo-Wald Standard,#137 x 15 “/ 10” x 5 “- Noir” which in English translates to “Front Bicycle Basket – Wald Standard, #137 x 15″ / 10″ x 5″ – Black” for AUD $79.03

In a bicycle shop it would cost me around $100 without fittings to around $130 with fittings.

The fittings are two brackets to attach the basket to the handlebar and two legs to attach to the bike axle.



I think my order includes the fittings, but I am not 100% sure. It does not matter because I will be zip tying them to my front rack.

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Churchill walking with destiny

A wonderful book, the audio version is just over 50 hours long.
A great biography of a great man. I really enjoyed the book.

Written by British biographer Andrew Roberts, the book is based on extensive materials, like diaries, letters, unpublished memoirs and detailed notes taken by King George VI, which have never been used in former biographies of Churchill.

According to Roberts, “There have been 1,009 biographies of Winston Churchill written over the past 113 years. It might seem hubristic to say it after quite so many books, but I think the shelves will fit one more cradle-to-grave biography of him.”

He made trips to many places related to Churchill, like “the Cuban jungle where Churchill heard his first shot fired in anger on the eve of his twentieth birthday”,  “the battlefields of Gallipoli in Turkey where his reputation floundered”, and the rooms where he was born and died.

“I hope that readers will take away from the book a sense there is still a place for honor and heroism in what can sometimes seem like a crabbed, ill-tempered and petty world. Also the knowledge that, however many mistakes one might make in life – and Churchill made dozens, this is no hagiography – if like him you genuinely learn from them you can still achieve something great,” Roberts said.

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202107/29/WS61026fb8a310efa1bd665543.html
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The Old Woman with the Knife

Just finished reading this great book. It is full of references from my stay in Korea and from Korean movies, that bring back good memories.
But no Granny assassians 🙂

From the amazon page for the book

The Old Woman with the Knife

by Gu Byeong-mo,  Chi-Young Kim (Translator)

The kinetic story of a sixty-five-year-old female assassin who faces an unexpected threat in the twilight of her career–this is an international bestseller and the English language debut from an award-winning South Korean author

At sixty-five, Hornclaw is beginning to slow down. She lives modestly in a small apartment, with only her aging dog, a rescue named Deadweight, to keep her company. There are expectations for people her age–that she’ll retire and live out the rest of her days quietly. But Hornclaw is not like other people. She is an assassin.

Double-crossers, corporate enemies, cheating spouses–for the past four decades, Hornclaw has killed them all with ruthless efficiency, and the less she’s known about her targets, the better. But now, nearing the end of her career, she has just slipped up. An injury leads her to an unexpected connection with a doctor and his family. But emotions, for an assassin, are a dangerous proposition. As Hornclaw’s world closes in, this final chapter in her career may also mark her own bloody end.

A sensation in South Korea, and now translated into English for the first time by Chi-Young Kim, The Old Woman with the Knife is an electrifying, singular, mordantly funny novel about the expectations imposed on aging bodies and the dramatic ways in which one woman chooses to reclaim her agency.

#korea