Update on Midget fights

The other link from last year is now out of date. But You Tube have the Classic Jerry Springer Midget Fight - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Wm4DXkcj0
Still as funny as ever.
Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
Midget Fight! Midget Fight! Midget Fight!

Who let the Dogs out?

Saturday night 28th April. It was Dinger's 40th birthday party and he decided to have it at Walthamstow dogs. His mum sorted out the Goodwood Suite, right at the top of the main stand and they laid on a buffet which was really nice. Now, during the day, I was round at Keefer's. It was Twinkle's 4th Birthday party so we were there with Erin and Bert. I went to the dogs on my own cos Keith didn't go (something about beating up Roadie and Silverback if he saw them - joke!) anyway, he didn't want to go. Suzie stayed at Keith & Sue's with the nippers.
So he gave me £50 - "Put a fiver on the 4 dog in each race" were my instructions. 9 races in and Keith was zero for 9! Up comes his last race and whallop! It wins and returns £73.50. So Keith gets all his money back and up £23.50! To rub salt into my wounds (I won f-all all night by the way) the very next race the 4 dog wins again to the tune of £47.50. The last 2 races it loses, so Keith is up £56. Money always falls on the biggest pile. Anyway, Cooperboy was there and so was Backside, I hadn't seen these lads in years. I've added in a couple of pictures of me with Backside & Dinger. Good night.
Because of the night out, I wasn't allowed out on the bike on Sunday :-(
Going out to see "Sunshine" tonight though.

Not been blogging for ages

Suppose it's time I posted something. Well, since january I have a new job, started going mountain biking again and not had much sleep.
So, looking at getting a new bike but that depends on wether I get my bonus or not :-( that, incidentally is not looking good.
Anyway, looking to get another Marin - Rift Zone this time, but they're miles more pricey than 9 years ago. Back then a Rift Zone was about £1250, no they're closer to £1800 - what's that about?
I've stuck a picture there for you to see it ;-) sexy huh?

My current (very old) bike is a Marin East Peak 1998 (so 9 years old). Here's a picture of a 1999 model, frame is pretty much the same.
Mine's red, if that helps.

Here's the spec for the 1998 Marin East Peak.

They don't know the frame material, but I can tell you it's 6061 Aluminium, like the new ones.

Available Sizes	13.5", 15.5", 17.5", 19", 20.5"
Brand	Marin
Component Group	Mountain Mix
Fork	RST 381RM
Frame Material	Unknown/Rare
Hubs	Shimano STX-RC
Rims	Mavic X138
Suspension	Full Suspension
Tires	26 x 1.95" IRC Mythos XC kevlar
Type	Mountain
General Information
Colors	Gloss red front/polished swing arm
Model	East Peak F.R.S.
Suggested Retail Price	1099.00
Weight	Unspecified
Year	1998
Brakes
Brake Levers	Avid SD-1.9 L
Brakeset	Avid 1D-20 brakes, Avid SD-1.9 L levers
Components
Bottom Bracket	Shimano BB-UN52, 110mm spindle
Bottom Bracket Shell Width	68mm English
Bottom Bracket Spindle Length	110mm
Chain	Shimano CN-IG51, 1/2 x 3/32"
Chain Size	1/2 x 3/32"
Chainrings	22/32/42
Crankset	Shimano Deore LX, 22/32/42 teeth
Front Derailleur	Shimano STX top-swing, bottom-pull/clamp-on 35.0mm
Front Derailleur Type	bottom-pull/clamp-on 35.0mm
Handlebar	aluminum, 1" rise
Handlebar Extensions	Not included
Handlebar Stem	Marin Lite aluminum
Head Tube Angle	71.0
Headset	1 1/8" threadless Dia-Tech steel
Headset Diameter	1 1/8" threadless
Largest Rear Cog	28
Number of Rear Cogs	8-speed
Pedals	aluminum cage w/clips & straps
Rear Cogs	8-speed, 11 - 28 teeth
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Deore LX GS
Rear Shock	Shock Works, 4.0" travel
Rear Shock Travel	4.0" travel
Saddle	Ritchey Vector
Seat Post Diameter	30.0mm
Seat Tube Angle	74.0
Seatpost	Marin Lite Comp, 30.0mm diameter
Shift Levers	Shimano STX-RC RapidFire SL
Smallest Rear Cog	11
Fork and Suspension
Fork Crown	triple-clamp
Fork Material	aluminum/chromoly, triple-clamp crown
Frame
Frame Angles	71.0 head, 74.0 seat
Frame Construction	TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material	Unspecified
Geometry
Chainstay Length	16.5"
Fork Rake	1.5"
Top Tube Length	22.5"
Wheelbase	42.0"
Wheels and Hubs
Front Hub	Shimano STX-RC
Front Rim	Mavic X138
Front Tire	IRC Mythos XC kevlar
Front Tire Size	26 x 1.95"
Rear Hub	Shimano STX-RC
Rear Rim	Mavic X138
Rear Tire	IRC Mythos XC kevlar
Rear Tire Size	26 x 1.95"
Spoke Brand	DT stainless steel, 2.0mm straight gauge
Spoke Gauge	2.0mm
Spoke Holes	32-hole
Spoke Material	stainless steel
Spoke Nipples	brass nipples
Spoke Type	straight gauge
More Information
Frame Construction TIG-welded Available Sizes: 13.5", 15.5", 17.5", 19", 20.5" Fork: RST 381RM: ComponentGroup: Mountain Mix: Rims: Mavic X138 Tires: 26 x 1.95" IRC Mythos XC kevlar

Bought the bike from Heales Cycles in Chingford in January 1998. I swapped out the rear Derailler for a Simano XTR I bought in Salt Lake City in 1998 while there on business. The dudes at Heales swapped it for me FOC, but while I was in the shop I got a parking ticket for £20, the exact amount of money I'd saved by buying the damn thing in the US!
I also swapped out the front forks for Answer Manitou SXs and added some Shimano SPD clipless pedals - so it pretty much was a Rift Zone by the time I'd finished.
The bike is still going great with pretty much all the same stuff on it as I bought it. Testiment to being well looked after but mostly the great build. Marins are mean.
More later

9th January 2007

Bad night last night. Erin was Sick twice all over her bed :-(
Bertie was grizzling most of the night too. Not good.