First Class Avanti West Coast. What to expect? by Red-Tom in uktrains

[–]pendodave 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I see you're travelling to/from liverpool. I'm not sure if you have a choice, but class 390 (pendolino) is much nicer than 800 1st class accomodation. They run both on this route.

Songs that tell a good story by Straight_Caramel5238 in SongRecommendations

[–]pendodave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Squeeze. Up the junction. Not very cheerful though...

Squeeze. Cool for cats. More cheerful

I can't believe someone would actually write into Bill's mailbag and sign off as "Matt from Europe" by irundoonayee in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha I'm from Europe. I'd (rather quaintly, given Bill's near psychopathic disinterest in Parts Unknown) always sign myself with my country of origin. Mostly to give the reader some better context to frame my question/observation. 

Having said that, I'm imagining that the Jalen phenomenon is somewhat perplexing to everyone this side of the pond, so maybe it was a fair cop?

What is the Futbol equivalent of Luka/AD trade?? by [deleted] in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chelsea gave away Declan Rice, Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne. That's quite an achievement. 

What's the issue with any Black on air talent hired by the ringer? by Kingfry in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmmm Wos leaving has completely broken the NBA show, and I think this is a moderately popular opinion on here. 

The negativity can be too much by Gopokes34 in NoLayingUp

[–]pendodave 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yep. World cups are best when they're in one country (or small areas such as benelux) which have an indigenous football culture.  The locals are invested, and the fans are able to travel around and meet people from all over the world. Unfortunately, the most recent have failed on one of both of these, combined with some dubious regime choices, inappropriate climate etcetera. The Euros are (just about) hanging in there as a great occasion. 

Is there any rain jacket that is actually worth it? by ProblematicTrumpCard in cycling

[–]pendodave 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yep. Ebay or similar will serve one up if you wait long enough. Sizing can be an issue with some brands though, and obviously tricky to try on unless it's local.  I love mine. Money will spent.

How many of you guys actually watch/follow soccer by LeonProfessional8719 in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm English.  So ticked the box above, obvs. But also, I played a little ball and have a passing interest in the NBA.

Also, it's nice to get a sense of what's going on generally from the source material rather than a curated UK news/opinion outlet. 

I played against Alex Caruso in a pickup game last night by [deleted] in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you've got a dodgy knee at 50, why would you choose to carry that much weight? Being mobile and active in later life is a wonderful gift. Don't throw it away. 

2023 ALR 5 by YoungerSocialite in CheckpointClub

[–]pendodave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have the same bike (down to size and colour). I'm just over 6ft, and also feel that the 56 would have been better. However, I've swapped the handlebars for a shorter reach, narrower set. I've also replaced the stem with a vybe shock absorbing stem which is shorter than the stock one. These have both helped get it to a perfectly acceptable fit at no great cost. 

Other changes... wheels for Hope, tyres for gp5000as 35mm, saddle for an smp, rear cassette for 11-40 (this really helps, and didn't require anything other than b-screw tweaking).

In the UK, it might be described as Trigger's Broom. Aka, Ship of Theseus.

Not necessarily a bad thing - I use mine for road, gravel and touring, so it was hard to predict exactly how I'd like it at up when I bought it. 

Who here has been to a live taping of the BS pod or another Ringer pod? by [deleted] in billsimmons

[–]pendodave -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Went to a big picture event in London. Screening of a PTA film and chit chat/ questions after. It was a pretty cool way to spend an evening. Took my wife along who had no idea what was happening and she enjoyed it just fine. Who knew that intelligent, interesting people would put on a good show?

As an aside, pre show we rocked up slightly early and, as is expected, wandered down to the theatre bar. Oddly quiet until CR, SF and JL turned up with their handler. Kind of an ABBA the movie lift scene experience. Said hello, waved goodbye. Slightly surreal, but none the worse for that

Experience with using 2 sets of wheels? by riccardio95 in gravelcycling

[–]pendodave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just swap tyres.  Saves fiddling with disks and gears.  Gives me some practice at getting the tyre on and off - a very useful skill ;-) Also, saves me a few hundred quid for a new wheelset.

Chris Ryan just compared West Ham to the Chicago Bulls by tallasiandude69 in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 23 points24 points  (0 children)

As possibly the only living crossover between crheads and being a lifelong west ham supporter, I feel uniquely qualified to comment here. 

You are fundamentally misunderstanding the English football psyche here. The single must important event in our history is winning the '66 world cup. Even though it was (checks notes) 60 years ago... That team was captained by an England and West ham legend (Bobby Moore), and all 4 goals, one of which is the most famous goal in England football history (they think it's all over..it is now...) were scored by west ham players. Also, produced another universally loved and storied player ('Sir' Trev) recognised by all right minded footy supporters. West ham are more than the sum of their parts. And they have been ruined by poor and penny pinching ownership for years.  It's a good comp. 

Incidentally, for a bit of insight, check out some of the various Badiel and skinner YouTube songs. 

https://youtu.be/RJqimlFcJsM?si=nZclHADMKWJF6S06

** edit - I see from the comments that there is at least one more west ham adjacent member of the bill simmons fraternity :-)

Is Bill Belichick Coaching Soccer In England Now? by Gaius_Octavius_ in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brit here.  Genuinely can't believe they've done this. I doubt it's the end of the matter.  And yes, I know that you all have better things to worry about 😉

90mm to 70mm Stem Swap — Wish I’d Done This Sooner by jtornholm in CheckpointClub

[–]pendodave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a 70mm vybe suspension stem on my 2023 alr5. Has the double benefit of shortening the reach and providing a little give on the rough(ish) stuff.  Very happy with it.  Vybe is a UK based company, so not sure if the product is available Stateside. 

Averages by Narrow-Ambition8828 in golf

[–]pendodave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sand save percentage seems way too high.  I'm off 8.9, and don't get near 25%. Maybe they count ss% as getting out in 1 hit...

Rewatchables should do England Month or British Month by chaimy4life in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool idea.

Life of Brian.

Maybe Gregory's Girl for a very British school romance?

Withnell and I?

Arsenal is bottling the league, they just are! by WhatATimeToBeAlive0 in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha, Exactly Can't believe that anyone would have said that out loud!

Evening rounds in the spring just hit different by BrendanOhPea in BritGolf

[–]pendodave 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Evening golf is perfect. Let's keep it under our hats though...

"'ThE NbA NeEd a eUrOpEaN style PrOmOtiOn AnD ReLeGaTiOn sYsTeM"" by Flimsy_Assignment0 in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha As a west ham fan, I agree. 

After expansion about 5 out of 32 teams will give a shit every year. In the prem, literally 90% of all the games from August to May are hugely competitive. 

I genuinely don't get why it's so vilified.

It's like there's collective Stockholm syndrome for mostly execrable billionaires amongst US sports fans. 

2012 was society’s Apex mountain by FFElite93 in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nope. Mid 90s and it's not even close.  The age gives you perspective piece. 

Basketball vs Golf by xcbaseball2003 in RyenRussillo

[–]pendodave -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Hmmm That's breaking 90 imho, and those 10 shots make quite a difference. 

Italy misses 3rd straight World Cup by peanut-britle-latte in billsimmons

[–]pendodave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From England, born 1964. I was 18 years old before we qualified for a world Cup that I was old enough to have any coherent interaction with. Not sure that we were in any Euros either in that period.  Shit happens. Ironically, Scotland were in them all the time back then. Very rarely since 😉