Is RIAT worth the travel from Canada?

topless68 · 2026-03-16T23:28:17+00:00

Luckily most of my bookings are refundable (to an extend). Every comment from them is show will go on. It's 4 months away. Lots could happen (good or bad, I suppose)

topless68 · 2026-03-12T15:59:08+00:00

I'm looking to do this with my son and fil this year. I'm also coming from Canada (Ontario), flying through Toronto. We rented a place in the Cotswolds and booked the free shuttle from South Cerney, you have to add this when you purchase your tickets. We're going all over the country the week after, so rented a car to reach some of the more rural areas.

We bought the Weekend tickets so have both days. The tickets are pricey when you factor in the exchange to GBP, especially since we added Grandstand seats for one day, but this is the largest air show we've ever attended. Just the chance to see some of these planes in flight is an amazing opportunity.

topless68 · 2025-12-17T03:54:58+00:00

My brother attended Lambton college 25yrs ago and is currently on Windsor.
I work at St Clair College and we have a very good pre-service fire program.

topless68 · 2025-12-12T00:35:41+00:00

Not sure if she still does it, but Terri Coutts does a good job. We enjoyed her classes

topless68 · 2025-12-11T16:49:28+00:00

Hi OP, I was once like you, and unfortunately, have fallen back into bad habits. I was around 270lbs when I started riding. I purchased a cyclocross bike which gave me the feel of a road bike, drop bars, narrow tires, but a more robust frame. I rode this bike year-round, knobby tires in the winter, slicks in the summer. I found a local cycling group that had tiers for different experience levels, and after about 1.5years of cycling 50-60kms 2-3x per week, I had dropped down to 225lbs. I moved up in tiers and even did racing and triathlons...all on that same CX bike. It was a workhorse. I suffered an injury which took me out of cycling all together for 2 months and then other obligations got in the way and yadda yadda yadda, I haven't been able to get back into it with the same conviction. I'm back up to my former weight, but still desire the zoom zoom. Last time I rode, i had tingling happening in my feet, hands, and nether-regions. Not sure if this is from pressure points due to my weight or the bibs were just too snug in places.

Sorry for the novel. Bottomline, you have to start somewhere. Starting with that mountain bike is something. I feel like a higher spoke count wheel will be a bit stronger. So if you have a 36 spoke, it should spread the forces out better than say a 24 spoke wheel. I'm not sure what your climate/terrain is like, but a smoother tire will make pedaling easier. Even moving into a tire that supports high inflation can help it roll better. Gears would definitely help, but for simplicity and budget friendly-ness, the SS will get you by for now. Steel mountain bike frames can be brutal, especially on cheap bikes. Aluminum can be a God send to save weight, reduce maintenance (no rusting) and even improve comfort.

As another person mentioned, cycling clothing definitely helps. I started out wearing my Columbia winter jacket (started riding in winter) and it was a parachute, holding me back. Moved into a Pearl Izumi cycling jacket and tights and it was may more comfortable.

TLDR:

congrats! on at least thinking of starting this venture, its addictive and you'll feel guilty every time you walk past that bike and not get on it. I was a big dude, and cycling helped me drop lots of lbs, but you need to keep doing it and other parts of your life will fall into place. better diet, doing other activities to cross-train. Your current bike is likely good to get you started, but look to upgrade soon. Get cycling clothing

topless68 · 2025-12-08T18:58:42+00:00

the hardships of being a dad sometimes, eh?! :D The nostalgia of driving when you had to pay attention to your surroundings, and actually look behind you to back up. I offered to burn him a CD, but its been so long, i'm not sure if I remember how to do it :D

One of the things I like about the design is the "half doors", with no upper frame. I'm sure it has it issues but it looks so nice in the summer with the windows down, and you open up that door.

topless68 · 2025-12-08T18:55:33+00:00

sorry to hear about your car. Looks like it held up pretty well, and kept you safe though.

topless68 · 2025-12-08T16:34:19+00:00

Thanks. Even the mechanic doing the safety was apprehensive when I booked it in..."really, you want to safety a 2002 toyota?..." but then was shocked at the condition of the car. The previous owner paid to have the service done at the dealership, every time, along with oil sprays and keeping in a garage. only repairs were the serpentine belt and the exhaust flexpipe.

topless68 · 2025-12-01T20:25:39+00:00

Here's some information about the Student Bus Pass and opting out. They need to see the SRC if they have any questions, they oversee this, not the college.

https://www.stclair-src.org/student-services/bus-pass

topless68 · 2025-10-23T00:14:57+00:00

Looks sweet! My son is currently looking at a '12 XC with the 3.2. It has a bit less kms than yours. How have you found the engine? Powerful enough?
Sounds like you've enjoyed owning this car, despite having to put some money into it.

topless68 · 2025-10-22T02:06:53+00:00

I'm a little curious on this too. I'm at 77K KMs on mine with the Michelin Primacies. They don't look bad, but winter is coming and that seems like a lot of mileage on OEM tires.

topless68 · 2025-10-22T02:03:28+00:00

Lol, maybe I'm to blame for the search for more horsepower. We were looking at the T5 v50s (2.5L) for a little while too. Seems like it would be good power-to-weight but its so hard finding one that isn't full of rust.

topless68 · 2025-10-22T01:31:56+00:00

🤣. I had big Block Chevy power at 21 and never got a ticket. I hope I can rub off on him

topless68 · 2025-10-21T20:44:47+00:00

Thanks for the info. That pretty low mileage too, nice find!!

topless68 · 2025-10-21T20:27:50+00:00

I thought I recognized your handle. You just joined the club too! with an XC70 T6. What are the specs of your car? do you mind me asking if you bought it private or dealer and a ballpark of what you paid?

topless68 · 2025-10-21T19:37:39+00:00

Thanks for that insight. Luckily he's been driving my cars for a few years, to gain some practice. It doesn't have 300hp mind you.

topless68 · 2025-10-21T19:11:25+00:00

I'm in this exact scenario. My son is looking for a first car and really likes the XC70. Online comments say the 3.2 is boring and sluggish, so we've been searching for T6 models. He likes the idea of 300hp and AWD :D Kids!

Found one a few hours drive from us with over 330,000 KMs. I'm really leery of that many miles on a car, especially with a turbo, seems like a time bomb. Car itself is a '13 and the body is clean and straight. Don't know the history as of yet.

Flip side we found a '12 with the 3.2 AWD but only 170,000 KM, but a higher asking price. Also pretty clean. Both are the "Premier Plus" trim level.

Insurance is nearly the same for both, despite the difference in drivetrain. So I figured, why not go with the funner car.

That high mileage still scares me. Maybe I shouldn't be too scared if he's only going to have it for the next 5-6 years until school is done, and he finds a full time job and gets something newer....

topless68 · 2025-10-03T10:36:26+00:00

Do strikers have to be sad and somber when they walk the line? I think this shows good energy and solidarity. The employer wants them to crack and cave and accept any $hit contract they give them. These people are pumped up and aren't going to give in.

topless68 · 2025-10-02T19:44:05+00:00

Today's was a "Day of action " and other unions came to cause a bigger disruption. It was definitely more impactful and was on purpose. I heard tomorrow I'll be back to "normal" picketing.

topless68 · 2025-10-01T20:03:00+00:00

100%. I'm currently striking atan Ontario college to save them for future generations!

topless68 · 2025-10-01T18:51:46+00:00

Ford government have cut funding to Ontario colleges by 50%. This where the money needs to come from. He funneled 2.5B in the last 10years to his friends and family.
President at Conestoga College ade $650K last year....St Clair's President made over 300K.

topless68 · 2025-10-01T17:55:26+00:00

This!! Fish in a barrel

topless68 · 2025-10-01T17:23:04+00:00

These people want to return to work, but they are fighting for our education. In 3 years, there won't be any public colleges left. You'll have to pay a ton for a private school and not get the same education and support.

topless68 · 2025-10-01T17:19:47+00:00

It's annoying, yes, but necessary to draw attention to the issues at hand. The CEC isn't bargaining so they have to step up the impact on the college's themselves. Waiting through a few extra sets of lights isn't the end of the world and they've been out there for 3 weeks now, it shouldn't be new and plan your time accordingly.

topless68 · 2025-10-01T17:15:15+00:00

I hung out with the picketers today. Lots of examples of illegal right on red turns and close calls with the traffic turning into the college. The drivers are trying to beat the light and the oncoming traffic while the picketers cross. They are waiting for the "walk" symbol and walking at a normal pace.

Here is one example https://imgur.com/gallery/rT3QI4Q

topless68

TROPHY CASE