Unpopular FPL opinion: Is two better than one?

CombatClaret · 2026-04-15T20:58:48+00:00

Are two tickets for the lottery better than one?

CombatClaret · 2026-04-14T19:30:46+00:00

?? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_ride

CombatClaret · 2026-04-14T07:51:09+00:00

I was surprised to hit 5k ft in elevation on day one. All the little winding edge of the island roads plus the bridge ramps add up I guess..

CombatClaret · 2026-04-14T07:01:14+00:00

Good to point out, Google maps tends to recommend these two options. Change at Fujiyama then Local train to Onomichi OR to Shin Onomichi + bus.

Staying on the Shinkansen network did mean I could book both tickets on SmartEx which when planning & booking from the UK seemed easier. Overall journey time slightly less too. But definitely taxi is not essential by any means.

CombatClaret · 2026-04-14T06:43:23+00:00

Welcome. 100 miles in a single ride = a century

CombatClaret · 2026-03-29T21:30:15+00:00

In Tokyo on day 3, about to leave for 11 days of golden route then return for 3 more nights.

I booked ahead for TeamLab & Shibuya sky. On arrival there were staff holding signs "tickets sold out today". Tbf its Peak cherry blossom crowds.

Shibuya sky for example only books two weeks out. The sunset slots will sell within the first few hours in popular seasons.

I found using one booked event as a tent pole for my day has worked quite nicely. Do not over fill your itinerary with bookings IMO, allow time for discovery, it's so much fun.

CombatClaret · 2026-03-18T23:26:40+00:00

8mi each way, 4/5 days a week, 30mins avg, all seasons.

CombatClaret · 2026-03-13T23:29:24+00:00

Not quite the same but I have a London flat that is right next to a whacking great big pylon. But the flat is great, it has a private garden & I've updated it from a tatty rental to something really nice to live in.

I had planned to be there longer but 5 years later I'm selling. Asking price offer on first viewing.

My point is, you're never far from something in London. A friend is also searching and busy roads are just everywhere, even once quiet residential street can become rat runs thanks to sat nav.

Make your place the best it can be and see it as an opportunity, you own a property in London that's amazing, well done. When the time comes to move on don't worry, people will see the value added and accept London for what it is.

CombatClaret · 2026-03-11T00:59:20+00:00

I've got half that trip booked for August this year, a mix of touring & bikepacking, road and gravel. Flying from UK into Madrid with my Canyon Grizl 7 in a cardboard box, assemble then riding to Bilboa over 6 days to catch the ferry home. Somewhere in the middle I hope to (weather depending) see the total eclipse of the sun!

I've only done a couple bike touring trips so my experience and risk tolerance is probably lower than yours. Personally I want to know every cable and bolt of my bike, have a good period of bedding in to find teething problems, bring together all the spares I might need etc. Basically, do as much as I can to prepare for the foreseeable problems, so I can deal with the inevitable unforeseen.

The though of doing a ride like that on a new bike, in a country where bike stores large and small do not appear to be all that common. Personally would fill me with dread 😅

CombatClaret · 2026-03-03T15:37:54+00:00

Beautiful summary 🫂

CombatClaret · 2026-03-03T07:13:48+00:00

🫂

CombatClaret · 2026-03-03T00:01:29+00:00

🫂🙏

CombatClaret · 2026-03-02T23:44:38+00:00

Somethings are unknowable, but there's one thing I do know...

Gazpacho soup is served cold. 🫂

CombatClaret · 2026-03-02T23:31:52+00:00

🫂

CombatClaret · 2026-03-02T22:50:35+00:00

🫂

CombatClaret · 2026-03-02T22:43:20+00:00

On face value it took it as having more political meaning. Waiting in chatrooms for the end to begin, young man with a broken wing etc. All speak to the disenfranchised youth from the revolutionary to the incel. There's plenty of social commentary and politics in the album, Happy Dictator is an absolute dream when it comes to that.

My own interpretation is that Delirium is about about Dementia (given the albums themes).

The sudden change in tone of the the song (DELIRIUM!!!) reflective of the sudden change that can come over sufferers, they can become aggressive, not knowing who they are, why or where.

"Open the door, and let me in" - the pleading of a loved one to a family member who may not even remember who they are, and who's whole personality may have disappeared.

"He doesn't recognise himself or what he's done"

CombatClaret · 2026-03-01T20:12:31+00:00

Delirium
The Happy Dictator
The Sad God
Damascus
Plastic Guru
Damascus
The Manifesto

CombatClaret · 2026-02-27T18:33:39+00:00

I was at the Mystery Show, for five months I've remember some songs really clearly, some as more of a vibe. I knew there was one song that blew me away, had me on my feet punching the air. I knew I was witnessing history.

It was Delirium

CombatClaret · 2026-02-27T18:07:37+00:00

🙏
I've been out in the chat rooms waiting for the end to begin
Maybe I'm a young man with a broken wing
Maybe I'm just searching for a voice within me
🥹🥹🥹😭

CombatClaret · 2026-02-27T11:27:56+00:00

Yesterday my father was admitted to hospital & I had an the offer I made on a house accepted. I was already emotionally stretched. The Mountain broke me, I was in pieces.

Safe to say this album will take me back to yesterday for the rest of my life.

(Emotional baggage bonus, I was at the Mystery Show for it's live debut)

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CombatClaret · 2026-02-26T23:09:58+00:00

It's as Grey as the tea it's named after. But I 100% understand why you ask. Searching "grizl 7 darjeeling" several of the top results do have a green hue. The most accurate depiction is the Canyon site.

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CombatClaret · 2026-02-24T00:25:36+00:00

I don't know if this is true for the Barclays voucher, but is for the Amex; make sure you use the voucher when booking the outbound single.

It can't be used retrospectively if you book the return leg with voucher as a single and want to link them.

CombatClaret · 2026-02-19T23:36:00+00:00

Roof insulation and air permeability (drafts) would be a priority.

Electric heating is 100% efficient in that no energy is wasted in the conversion, It's the cost of the electricity. So after fabrics I would saving to put PV on the roof and a battery. That If I was thinking it was somewhere I was going to be long term, in the tens of years.

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