Search found 478 matches

by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Cycling
Topic: The times are changing
Replies: 6
Views: 3259

The times are changing

Bob Jackson are closing, and Dawes are ceasing the Galaxy (although the allure of the Galaxy faded years ago in all honesty).

On the other hand, apparently the new CUK CEO has been spotted cycling with a single pannier, so there is hope yet.
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: General
Topic: Twitter watch
Replies: 96
Views: 28990

Re: Twitter watch

Indeed. I came into the kitchen yesterday just as they played the Elements, and I thought the only reason could be his death.
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Natter
Topic: Meanwhile...
Replies: 2424
Views: 504388

Re: Meanwhile...

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Took my multitool out of the pannier today for the first time in months, and found that one end had disintegrated. I'm none too sure I've retrieved all the bits - and there are three different size washers and I've no idea which goes where....
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Cycling
Topic: Your Ride Today
Replies: 186
Views: 79123

Re: Your Ride Today

Back in mundane Surrey: on my way out this afternoon, the workers had just started digging a hole. On my way back, I'm guessing they'd punctured a high-pressure water main:
WhatsApp Image 2020-09-15 at 16.47.53.jpeg
Quite pleasant to cycle through on a hot afternoon, actually...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Cycling
Topic: Your Ride Today
Replies: 186
Views: 79123

Re: Your Ride Today

A few days walking Up North, in the middle of which I visited my sister and BiL near Carlisle, and, leaving them mid-afternoon, with the Brompton in the boot, what else could I conceivably do but... P1100083 ed.jpg The last time (well, the only previous time) I was there was in 1992 when both the we...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Natter
Topic: Meanwhile...
Replies: 2424
Views: 504388

Re: Meanwhile...

My Dad (78) has at last decided it's time to retire from his (unpaid, sometimes just about full-time) cathedral job. I don't suppose he'll retire from the other things he does. I (50 as of a few days ago) am also looking at how best to move away from full-time work. Well, in a sort-of not-really sy...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Natter
Topic: TV/Streaming shows
Replies: 327
Views: 100999

Re: TV/Streaming shows

Rutabaga wrote:
3 years ago
I sat down to watch Gravity tonight, but I'm afraid I only managed 20 minutes. Very dull. I just didn't care what happened to them, unfortunately.
I saw it in the cinema when it came out, thought it was visually brilliant, but told my wife not to bother watching it on a small screen.
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: General
Topic: In the news...
Replies: 174
Views: 66684

Re: In the news...

http://thaines.com/post/alevels2020 This article goes into a bit more technical statistical detail about the algorithm Also it suggests a possible solution although acknowledging that there is no perfect solution. It does suggest that they probably used the wrong algorithm and also they should have...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: General
Topic: In the news...
Replies: 174
Views: 66684

Re: In the news...

OK, there's a new Guardian article, and it's starting to become clearer: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/14/do-the-maths-why-englands-a-level-grading-system-is-unfair There now seem to be two components: the adjustment for the school's prior attainment, and the subsequent rounding of ...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: General
Topic: In the news...
Replies: 174
Views: 66684

Re: In the news...

I don't think there are easy answers. Simply going with teacher predictions would have resulted in massive grade inflation (I think we know that, because the algorithm used to ensure minimal grade inflation could only achieve that by downgrading 30-something percent of predictions and only upgrading...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: General
Topic: In the news...
Replies: 174
Views: 66684

What the heck were Ofqual supposed to do?

If it's a fact that teacher predictions are optimistic, and if it's a fact that they are more optimistic for disadvantaged pupils, is there any algorithm they could have used that would not produce the effects now being criticised?
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Natter
Topic: Meanwhile...
Replies: 2424
Views: 504388

Re: Meanwhile...

A spontaneous socially-distanced queue to take selfies on the summit cairn of Pen-y-Fan.

We did not feel the need to take selfies.

But it was beautiful up there today.
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by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Cycling
Topic: Your Ride Today
Replies: 186
Views: 79123

Re: Your Ride Today

Unexpected bonus on a post-lockdown long weekend away to treat one of our daughters, at a cottage on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. This is quarry access road and when they've finished work for the day they lock the gate. So you then have 5 miles of mountainous but construction-traffic-graded tarma...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Natter
Topic: Meanwhile...
Replies: 2424
Views: 504388

Re: Meanwhile...

My daughter (early twenties, professional woman, but little interest in mechanics) bought a new bike. On her first ride she found it wouldn't change into the higher gears. She took it back to the shop. "Oh, all new bikes are like that, you just need to give it time" the man said. But he also "twiddl...
by JohnToo
3 years ago
Forum: Natter
Topic: Meanwhile...
Replies: 2424
Views: 504388

Re: Meanwhile...

IMG-20200724-WA0000.jpg
A (reasonably) socially isolated harp recital in the front garden of a lady from church whose hundredth birthday was today.