Cannot unlock my bike!!!!!!!!!!

[flecc]

An angle grinder is potentially dangerous too, if the chain isn't firmly clamped into place. Trying to cut it while it could move could make grinder snatch all over the place.

Perhaps you could you use a taxi or taxivan to get it to an oxy-acetylene welder to cut it through, or alternatively to a fire station as suggested above after checking they'd snip it for you. In my experience firemen are generally bored waiting around and usually very helpful. They might welcome the odd job and their big cutters would make mincemeat of the chain in seconds.

N.B. crossed with Neil's post.

 

[Synthman]

I will undo the gate and have a word with the local fire station.

I never realised how much of a nuisance it is without a bike, I can't bear to use the overpriced, slow public transport that doesn't even take me to my destination, in a vehicle in which the windows don't open, and surrounded by irritating people.

 

[flecc]

public transport that doesn't even take me to my destination, in a vehicle in which the windows don't open, and surrounded by irritating people.

Ryanair....?

 

[Synthman]

Ryanair....?

At least they guarantee you a seat, until O'Leary installs standing spaces on his aircraft.

 

[eddieo]

Ryanair....?

Perfect time to resurrect Indalo's perfect joke!:




Spare a thought.......

For all of you who have had to bite your lip and suffer the worst airline service imaginable just to save a few bob when you go on holiday..........


"Spare a thought for Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive of 'Ryanair'.......


Arriving in a hotel in Dublin , he went to the bar and asked for a pint of draught Guinness. The barman nodded and said, "That will be one euro please, Mr. O'Leary."

Somewhat taken aback, O'Leary replied, "That's very cheap." and handed over his money.

"Well, we try to stay ahead of the competition." said the barman. "And we are serving free pints every Wednesday evening from 6 until 8. We have the cheapest beer in Ireland "

"That is remarkable value" Michael comments

"I see you don't seem to have a glass, so you'll probably need one of ours.
That will be 3 euro please."

O'Leary scowled, but paid up. He took his drink and walked towards a seat.
"Ah, you want to sit down?" said the barman. "That'll be an extra 2 euro. - You could have pre-booked the seat and it would have only cost you a euro."

"I think you may to be too big for the seat sir. Can I ask you to sit in this frame please?"
Michael attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can't squeeze in he complains, "Nobody would fit in that little frame".

"I'm afraid if you can't fit in the frame you'll have to pay an extra surcharge of 4.00 euro for your seat sir."

O'Leary swore to himself, but paid up. "I see that you have brought your laptop with you..." added the barman. "...and since that wasn't pre-booked either, that will be another 3 euro."

O'Leary was so annoyed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, "This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager."

"Ah, I see you want to use the counter," says the barman, "that will be 2 euro please." O'Leary's face was red with rage.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Of course I do Mr. O'Leary."

"I've had enough. What sort of Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!"

"Here is his E mail address or, if you wish, you can contact him between 9 and 9.10 every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only 10 cent per second"

"I will never use this bar again"

"Yes sir, but remember, we are the only hotel in Ireland selling pints for one Euro" said the barman - smiling.

 

[Synthman]

Since I last posted I've been busy. Went to collect my angle grinder and bought some new cutting discs for it. Never knew they had expiry dates though, the pack of 3 I got expire in 2014.

Anyway, it was a difficult angle to cut the shackle off without damaging the chain, but I did it with 2 cuts. Didn't take too long although I've always found my grinder uncomfortable to hold and I wasted a lot of time. The new lock isn't as substantial though. I've kept the old one, as the whole shackle comes off and I might be able to get a replacement if I can find it and overcome the problem with the broken key.

My ears are ringing and my hands feel tingly as well!

 

[flecc]

Well done, must have been quite difficult cutting something loose like that.

 

[Synthman]

The lack of space to work in, combined with the weight and size of the chain made it difficult. I didn't have to clamp the lock down though, the weight kept it in place. Took about 20 minutes in total, most of that was spent adjusting the position.

 

[eddieo]

If chain and lock reach the ground its easier, but a bad idea security wise, as it makes it VERY easy using croppers to cut through. were did you get your 230V from?

 

[Synthman]

If chain and lock reach the ground its easier, but a bad idea security wise, as it makes it VERY easy using croppers to cut through. were did you get your 230V from?

Extension lead from the house. The chain doesn't usually touch the ground unless the bike is moved to allow a small amount of slack. I'll bear that in mind in future.

 

[neptune]

@Synthman . Congratulations on taking the bull by the horns , getting stuck in , and not letting the job get boss of you . I was saddened today to hear that a family friend had a bike stolen from her back yard . In the daytime as well . We must remember our bikes are no safer at home than they are when parked up town .

 

[flecc]

@Synthman . Congratulations on taking the bull by the horns , getting stuck in , and not letting the job get boss of you . I was saddened today to hear that a family friend had a bike stolen from her back yard . In the daytime as well . We must remember our bikes are no safer at home than they are when parked up town .

That's one of the more common places they are taken from, several members have suffered this in the past.

 

[spiritburner]

At least they guarantee you a seat, until O'Leary installs standing spaces on his aircraft.

At 6 foot four I'd rather stand, bring it on!

 

[Synthman]

At 6 foot four I'd rather stand, bring it on!

I've spent a lot of time thinking about that. The overhead lockers on the average 737 would make it impossible to stand for anyone over 6ft I think. But it might still work if the overhead lockers are removed from the standing area. Then the standing seats pictured here don't save much more space in the aircraft than regular seats. The standing seats will have to comply with strict regulations on safety. The aircraft would need additional exits for 50 extra passengers to comply with evacuation times.

Even after all that, assuming each extra passenger + baggage weighs 80kg, the plane would be at least 4 tons heavier. More restrictions would need to be placed on amount of luggage sent into the hold and taken in the cabin. It can be done, but the plane will have to carry less fuel so it doesn't exceed take-off or landing weight limits specified by the aircraft manufacturer. Obviously the plane would burn more fuel in all phases of the flight because of the extra weight.

I would prefer for a couple of rows to be converted for taller/wider people with larger seats and more space between them, this would solve the problems for some passengers at least. But not for Mr O'Leary of Ryanair because it costs too much. In other airlines this is known as business or first class.

If you think the passengers have it bad, the pilots don't have any space either. In fact it is very difficult to get into the seat of a 737, you have to squeeze your legs between the centre pedestal and the seat and swing yourself in. I'm only 5'7" and I can just stand in the flight deck without my head hitting the switches on the overhead panel!

 

[spiritburner]

I've now given up with Ryanair and from Barcelona will now only fly BA back to the UK, I just find its not worth all the aggro you get with them, two years ago i ended up with a swollen knee after the cabin crew banged into it with the trolley with the comment you should put your knees in and not in the aisle, really???? Anyway now fly using BA, Regular scheduled flights, good legroom, no hassle with canceling the flights, they look after you, no luggage hassle, no carry on hassle and always great service from the cabin crew. Yes it costs a little more but its worth it. I wont complain about Ryanair, they fulfill a service but if you pay peanuts you get monkeys!

Slightly biased as some of my mates fly the planes for BA!!! Carry on Speedbird.

 

[Synthman]

@Synthman . Congratulations on taking the bull by the horns , getting stuck in , and not letting the job get boss of you . I was saddened today to hear that a family friend had a bike stolen from her back yard . In the daytime as well . We must remember our bikes are no safer at home than they are when parked up town .

A few years ago, had some friends round for a Christmas Day dinner, one of them had their bike nicked from outside my front door in broad daylight. It wasn't locked though. Recently a bicycle appeared outside the door one night. The next day I was surprised to see it still there, I let my next door neighbour have it as it was no use to me.

I've now given up with Ryanair and from Barcelona will now only fly BA back to the UK, I just find its not worth all the aggro you get with them, two years ago i ended up with a swollen knee after the cabin crew banged into it with the trolley with the comment you should put your knees in and not in the aisle, really???? Anyway now fly using BA, Regular scheduled flights, good legroom, no hassle with canceling the flights, they look after you, no luggage hassle, no carry on hassle and always great service from the cabin crew. Yes it costs a little more but its worth it. I wont complain about Ryanair, they fulfill a service but if you pay peanuts you get monkeys!

Slightly biased as some of my mates fly the planes for BA!!! Carry on Speedbird.

Do you remember an airline called Go? I used to travel a fair bit with them, and got flights to Europe for £20 return. The service wasn't too bad either. When I heard Easyjet were taking them over I was concerned. Turned out I had good reason to be, as the fares increased massively. The service wasn't as good either. The last time I flew with Easyjet I was coming back from Naples, I was looking forward to getting home and having a sneaky biffta! When I got to the airport there was no sign of the plane or the flight. The weather wasn't too great but no other airline had problems getting in and out. Was given a number to call but it was useless. Instead I got a taxi back to Naples and spent the night in a 4 star hotel, then went to the airport the next morning and got on a flight full of rowdy school kids.

They did refund the night in the hotel. No explanation for the flight not turning up though.

Last time I looked at flights BA was actually cheaper on most of them.

 

[spiritburner]

Do you remember an airline called Go? I used to travel a fair bit with them, and got flights to Europe for £20 return. The service wasn't too bad either.

Last time I looked at flights BA was actually cheaper on most of them.

Well originally GO was owned by BA and was set up as an inroad into the cheap flights market.

 

[Scimitar]

I've now given up with Ryanair and from Barcelona will now only fly BA back to the UK,

I've had my fill of Michael O'Leary and his cheapskate airline. Initially impressed and suckered in with the low fares, it soon became clear that after a honeymoon period, the passengers would be milked dry for every cent he could squeeze, while still appearing to be 'cheap'.
For the past few years I've simply hopped on Aer Lingus, as they're in the same ballpark as Ryanair, provide a decent service and actually seem to give a stuff.
Mind you, if it wasn't for the competition, AL would still be charging the earth, so there is good reason to thank Ryanair for that.

 

[flecc]

Mind you, if it wasn't for the competition, AL would still be charging the earth, so there is good reason to thank Ryanair for that.

Of course the original hero was Freddie Laker. Despite being ultimately crushed by the other airlines, he showed the way and what was possible, an example since followed by EasyJet, Ryanair and others.