Tuesday, June 11, 2013

David Cameron is a BUSY MAN !

David Cameron is a BUSY MAN ! No point writing to him , since your letter WILL BE INTERCEPTED , by those that know better than him , how to handle the members of the public !

During the period of the Giro d'Italia 2012 , that i started riding in Denmark and through the rest of May 2012 , i mistakenly thought that the " photocopy of a "V5c ( part of the UK Car Registration Doc.)" had been accepted by DVLA Swansea , as proof of scrapping of my car . Even whilst away riding the 2012 Route of the Tour de FRANCE , for the 15th year , i was still ignorant of the fact , that some " noname " , had decided that they were unimpressed with my efforts to , DOT the " I s" & cross the " T s "!

Sometime during the Olympic Period , this " faceless busybody / makework employee " , decided that they could create a situation of anxiety . Perhaps like " parking wardens 2 , they work on " Quotas " ? You know , those people that hide behind the bush , whilst you try to find change for the vehicle you parked for more than 30secs ?

Whatever the reason , the warning letter was generated and my response was to advise that the relevant paperwork was in Austria and would be emailed when i returned there . Well apart from being seen on the TV , and that contact point , perhaps being jealous of me mixing with the racers at Hampton Court & Box Hill , they then passed my " FILE " , to a collection Agency .
 Those of you that go to the " Google search " will find that the UK Gov. sold the DVLA list to a 3ed party for a reported GBP10 million , so you can see these " bloodsuckers " have got to get their " INVESTMENT " back , in any way possible with the exception of beating it out of YOU !

Time rolls on with no response from ANY party , to this matter , whether written by post or email ! Reading the Credit collection letter , leads most people to envision , a bunch of thugs turning up on the doorstep at 4am with " Doorsmashing equipment" , unless YOU comply with their demands !

During February , these "low life " decided that they would treat another address where i receive mail , as the target of their demands . This Sister , is of a nervous disposition and as a result , became histerical . As a result of these demands , We are no longer speaking , let alone in touch by email . Requested by her to do something about this matter , i sent several emails through the " DVLA email portal "! Each of these contained the request to advise receipt .

DEAFENING SILENCE TO ALL !

Thoroughly disatisfied , i then sent several emails to the relevant Minister ! More silence !

When in doubt , ACT ! As those who regularly read my blogs will know , i will regularly go to the TOP ! starting with David Cameron's office , i am getting ACTION !

His office delegated my emails to the " GOVERNMENT MAZE "! With the first reply , i sent copies of the " Scrap Notice " , later i sent copies of previous emails !

WHAT PART OF MY EMAILS ARE THEY NOT READING ?

Chris Froome can tell " Mr/Mrs DVLA " , that i was with him on both Friday & Saturday in Grenoble . My Dentist can tell him that i was in Schwaz , Austria TODAY , after breaking Teeth on saturday Afternoon .

Those of you that read the letter to David Cameron , will note that i also mentioned that i am still awaiting my UK Pension Entitlements , those were DUE in October 2011 , when i turned 65yo , so it is becoming OBVIOUS , that the UK Government expects me to pay THEM, an unjustified PENALTY  , but they do not choose to pay me the curtesy of remitting whatever Pension , that i will have generated in the years working in the UK !

For your amusement there now follows the correspondence that started with an email ADDRESSED TO the Rt Hon. David Cameron !

THOSE  " WORKING " for DVLA , could you spare me the necessity of turning this Blog over to the Comedy section , of the NATIONAL Newspapers ? Presently they appear to be busy with " Payment for Questions " Issues , but i am sure that as i ride the " 100th Edition of Le Tour " , there will be some that will wish to inject HUMOUR into their daily travails !

-----------------------------------------------------

From:   "GOV.UK"

Reply-To:   "GOV.UK"

To:   Mike Mc Carthy

Subject:   GOV.UK Request received. Ticket Id: 119952

Date:   Tue 05/28/13 12:19 PM

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GOV.UK
Ticket #119952: Report a problem
Hello

Thanks for taking the time to contact GOV.UK User Support. Your request (#119952) is being reviewed by GOV.UK User Support. You will receive an update when something changes. To add additional comments, reply to this email.


Mike Mc Carthy, May 28 20:18 (BST):
[Location]
section
[Name]
Mike Mc Carthy
[Details]

ATTN : Rt Hon . David Cameron

Sir ,

During 16 seasons Cycling , i have ridden the routes of Giro d'Italia & the " Le Tour , 15 times ! I ride other events, next " Alpe d'HuZes a Dutch Cancer Fundraiser" cycling event next week.

As an OAP of 67 , i am able to ride with the Pros.

MY PROBLEM is, after quitting Oxfordshire in 2005 to live in Austria , i have no constituency, in the UK .

LAST YEAR , i scrapped my car & sent
A Photocopy of Doc ( V5c ) " to advise DMV Swansea by post.

When i received warning letter i replied by email & on returning to Austria , sent copy of original email . I received email advice of receipt.

Late in 2012 i received Via Bowden (Address of vehicle ) , demands for payment .

The DMV , their Minister & other staff i have contacted , have not replied to the numerous emails sent .

This simple matter , could be easily & quickly resolved by people of GOODWILL !

At this time, i have been waiting since October 2012 for my " UK Pension Rights "! Living on the proceeds of selling off my Cycling Equipment in recent times , thus no means to visit the UK , to personally attend this matter .

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy

Vehicle reg no :R254TDT


[User Agent]
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-------------------------------------

From:   "GOV.UK"

Reply-To:   "GOV.UK"

To:   Mike Mc Carthy

Subject:   GOV.UK Re: Report a problem

Date:   Thu 05/30/13 01:39 AM

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GOV.UK
Ticket #119949: Report a problem
Hello again

Your request (#119949) has been resolved.

If you reported a bug or mistake and you don't think it has been fixed, you can reopen this request, either reply to this email or follow the link below:
http://govuk.zendesk.com/requests/119949


Rhiannon B, May 30 09:38 (BST):
Dear Mike Mc Carthy

Thank you for your email.

We're keen to assist - but to help us do this, could you be a bit more specific about the content or service your comment refers to?

There are numerous online services available on or via the GOV.UK which are run by the various government departments and agencies.

We'd be particularly interested in finding out what you were trying to do, and what went wrong. Please include relevant links (URLs) where possible

The GOV.UK User Support team is not in a position to answer individual enquiries concerning tax, national insurance, benefits, pensions or specific enquiries relating to driving or vehicle licences as we have no access to records held by the various government departments and agencies.

Thanks once again,

Rhiannon B
Support Manager
Government Digital Services


Mike Mc Carthy, May 28 20:17 (BST):
[Location]
section
[Name]
Mike Mc Carthy details]

Sir ,

During 16 seasons Cycling , i have ridden the routes of Giro d'Italia &the " Le Tour , 15 times ! I ride other events, next " Alpe d'HuZes a Dutch Cancer Fundraiser" cycling event next week.

As an OAP of 67 , i am able to ride with the Pros.

MY PROBLEM is, after quitting Oxfordshire in 2005 to live in Austria , i have no constituency, in the UK .

LAST YEAR , i scrapped my car & sent
A Photocopy of Doc ( V5c ) " to advise DMV Swansea by post.

When i received warning letter i replied by email & on returning to Austria , sent copy of original email . I received email advice of receipt.

Late in 2012 i received Via Bowden (Address of vehicle ) , demands for payment .

The DMV , their Minister & other staff i have contacted , have not replied to the numerous emails sent .

This simple matter , could be easily & quickly resolved by people of GOODWILL !

At this time, i have been waiting since October 2012 for my " UK Pension Rights "! Living on the proceeds of selling off my Cycling Equipment in recent times , thus no means to visit the UK , to personally attend this matter .

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy

Vehicle reg no :R254TDT

------------------------------

[User Agent]
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/27.0.1453.94 Safari/537.36
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[JavaScript Enabled]
true
"GOV.UK"

Reply-To:   "GOV.UK"

To:   Mike Mc Carthy

Subject:   GOV.UK Re: Report a problem

Date:   Fri 05/31/13 03:07 AM

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GOV.UK
Ticket #119952: Report a problem
Hello again

Your request (#119952) has been resolved.

If you reported a bug or mistake and you don't think it has been fixed, you can reopen this request, either reply to this email or follow the link below:
http://govuk.zendesk.com/requests/119952


Ross W, May 31 11:07 (BST):
Dear Mike Mc Carthy,

Thanks for your message.

I'm afraid I can't answer any individual enquiries about vehicle licences, tax discs or vehicle registration, as we can't see specific DVLA records at GOV.UK.

I have passed your enquiry on to my colleagues at the DVLA though, and a member of their team will be in touch soon.

This GOV.UK Helpdesk enquiry ticket will now be closed, but you will receive a separate response from the DVLA shortly.

I hope this helps, and thanks once again for getting in touch.

Best wishes

Ross W
GOV.UK
Government Digital Service

----------------------------------

Mike Mc Carthy, May 28 20:18 (BST):
[Location]
section
[Name]
Mike Mc Carthy
[Details]

ATTN : Rt Hon . David Cameron

Sir ,

During 16 seasons Cycling , i have ridden the routes of Giro d'Italia &the " Le Tour , 15 times ! I ride other events, next " Alpe d'HuZes a Dutch Cancer Fundraiser" cycling event next week.

As an OAP of 67 , i am able to ride with the Pros.

MY PROBLEM is, after quitting Oxfordshire in 2005 to live in Austria , i have no constituency, in the UK .

LAST YEAR , i scrapped my car & sent
A Photocopy of Doc ( V5c ) " to advise DMV Swansea by post.

When i received warning letter i replied by email & on returning to Austria , sent copy of original email . I received email advice of receipt.

Late in 2012 i received Via Bowden (Address of vehicle ) , demands for payment .

The DMV , their Minister & other staff i have contacted , have not replied to the numerous emails sent .

This simple matter , could be easily & quickly resolved by people of GOODWILL !

At this time, i have been waiting since October 2012 for my " UK Pension Rights "! Living on the proceeds of selling off my Cycling Equipment in recent times , thus no means to visit the UK , to personally attend this matter .

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy

Vehicle reg no :R254TDT


[User Agent]
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/27.0.1453.94 Safari/537.36
[Referrer]
https://www.gov.uk/feedback/contact
[JavaScript Enabled]
true

This email is a service from GOV.UK
Message-Id:PXC3AEXZ_51a87656b4e3b_1fa

-------------------------------------
From:   DVLA Drivers

To:  

Subject:   DVLA NOREPLY (KMM3471536V71106L0KM)

Date:   Tue 06/04/13 12:50 AM

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Dear McCarthy

Thank you for your email received on 31/5/13. Your email reference number is 1331939.

A penalty has been issued to you as our records indicate that you were the registered keeper of a vehicle which has been untaxed without a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) being made.

You state that you no longer have the vehicle, however, you remain liable for the penalty unless you have notified DVLA and received a disposal confirmation letter dated before the date of the offence. For our records to be amended you must write to the address below. You will need to provide,

• date of disposal
• new keeper’s name and address
• your signature
• registration number, make and model of the vehicle

You should receive confirmation of disposal within 4 weeks.

If you wish to make a payment in relation to the penalty you are able to by one of the following methods:

• by debit/credit card, by calling 0300 790 6808. Please note this is a payment only line. The Agency regrets that it is not possible to challenge this penalty by telephone or email
• by cheque or postal order payable to ‘DVLA’. Please write the vehicle registration number on the back of any payment and return it to the address quoted on the letter

If, however, you wish to appeal against the penalty and feel you have circumstances relating to the alleged offence that you wish to bring to the enforcement officer’s attention, you must do so in writing as a signature is required.

Please send full details of your mitigating circumstances to,

DVLA
D12
Swansea
SA99 1AH

If you are not able to return the penalty letter you must quote the vehicle registration number, make and model in your letter.

DVLA is unable to accept these details by telephone or email. Please keep a copy of the correspondence for reference.

Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:

https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla/cegemail/dvla/en/reply_form_vehicles.html

When filling in the form the email reference number 1331939 will be required.

Regards

J Donovan
Customer Enquiries Group
DVLA
--------------------------

DVLA Email

To:  

Subject:   DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL - Your DVLA Enquiry (KMM3485535V21316L0KM)

Date:   Thu 06/06/13 05:22 AM

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This is a system generated acknowledgement - Do not reply to this email.

Dear Mr Mc carthy

Thank you for your enquiry.

DVLA will send a reply to you within 3 working days.

If this takes longer because your query may need investigating, we will let you know.

Alternatively, for help, advice and online services you can visit the website at www.gov.uk/browse/driving



Follow DVLA on Twitter: @dvlagovuk


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You selected:

E mail form to reply to an email you have received from DVLA.


Email address:
skippi@ausi.com
Confirm email address:
skippi@ausi.com
Title:
Mr
Surname:
Mc carthy
First Name:
michael
Middle Name:
john
Contact telephone number:
436764061232
Details:
REF NO:  1331939

My thanks to J.Donovan for his email reply !

Those reading this file will see that i stated my travel plans . This is the 15th season of following gthe same Cycling Events .

Currently in Albertville , France with the Criterium Dauphine Libere and on Sunday/Monday will transition to the Tour de Suisse , all of these can be found by reading the newspaper OR visiting  " Cyclingnews.com "!

From TDS i go to corsica for the " Le Tour ", 100th Edition which finishes in Paris in Late July .

With my efforts for " Adative Sport " , you may see me on TV !

Despite photocopying the " V form " and sending to Swansea , some person may have decided that this was not satisfactory for them !

as stated before , i am still awaiting advices on my UK Pension entitlements , two years after reaching 65years !

There is NO MONEY to pay the UNFAIR PENALTY  and if i haver to go to court to fight this matter , it will mean that i will have to stop assisting the " Para Athletes , that i have been assisting for 16 seasons .

Whilst there are " Rules & Regulations " in respect of ANY Activity , this matter has caused a breakdown of my relations with my family members !

Had i been at fault , i would have found someone to pay on my behalf , BUT it has now become a matter of Principle !

Having had to write to David Cameron's Office , to get ATTENTION after 6 months of Futility , is no laughing matter !

Please confirm receipt of this email

M. Mc Carthy
Email Reference number:
06062013

----------------------------------


From:   DVLA Email

To:  

Subject:   Re: Email DVLA - Reply Form 114 (KMM3492740V89370L0KM)

Date:   Sat 06/08/13 04:03 AM

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Dear Mr McCarthy

Thank you for your email received on 6/6/13. Your email reference number is 1342110.

I am unable to find reference to your previous emails. Please explain how I can assist you and I will be more than happy to help. Thank you.

Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:

https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla/cegemail/dvla/en/reply_form_vehicles.html

When filling in the form the email reference number 1342110 will be required.

Regards

S Morris
Customer Enquiries Group
DVLA

Find out about DVLA's online services at:

---------------------------------------------
You selected:

E mail form to reply to an email you have received from DVLA.

Email address:
skippi@ausi.com
Confirm email address:
skippi@ausi.com
Title:
Mr
Surname:
Mc carthy
First Name:
Skippy
Contact telephone number:
436764061232
Details:
Email of 6/06/13 generated this ref # 1342110. from S. Morris ! This was in reply to a prev ious email which may haved another ref No ?

Attached are some copies of PREVIOUS EMAILS , that did not receive a reply , thus i wen t through to a " David Cameron Email  Link " that generated his office asking for cooperation !

Currently sitting in the rain at the Crit. Dauphine Libere , near Sisteron in France ! Tonight i will be in Italy on route to Montreux and Tour de Suisse .

This matter is now becoming like an episode of " faulty Towers ", i am not jon cleese , so do not have the patience that his audience has .

Hope we can make an end to this 13 month revolving door SAGA !


Email Reference number:
09062013

---------------------------

DVLA reply

DVLA Email

To:  

Subject:   Re: Email DVLA - Reply Form 114 (KMM3502766V61442L0KM)

Date:   Tue 06/11/13 07:37 AM

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Dear Mr Mc Carthy

Thank you for your email received on 9/6/13. Your email reference number is 1345312.

Penalties are only passed onto debt collectors to pursue if the DVLA receive no response to the original penalty letter. Great care has been taken in selecting the Debt Collection Agencies. They are all professional organisations that adhere to the Credit Service Association, Office of Fair Trading Guidelines and the Data Protection Act (DPA).

You state that you no longer have the vehicle; however, you remain liable for the penalty unless you have received a disposal confirmation letter dated before the date of the offence.

For our records to be amended you must write to the address below so that our records can be updated. You will need to provide,

• date of disposal
• new keeper’s name and address
• your signature
• Registration number, make and model of the vehicle

You should receive confirmation of disposal within 4 weeks.

If you wish to make a payment in relation to the penalty you are able to by one of the following methods:

• by debit/credit card, by calling 0300 790 6808. Please note this is a payment only line. The Agency regrets that it is not possible to challenge this penalty by telephone or email
• by cheque or postal order payable to ‘DVLA’. Please write the vehicle registration number on the back of any payment and return it to the address quoted on the letter

If, however, you wish to appeal against the penalty and feel you have circumstances relating to the alleged offence that you wish to bring to the enforcement officer’s attention you must do so in writing as a signature is required.

Please send full details of your mitigating circumstances to,

DVLA
D12
Swansea
SA99 1AH

If you are not able to return the penalty letter you must quote the vehicle registration number, make and model in your letter.

DVLA is unable to accept these details by telephone or email. Please keep a copy of the correspondence for reference.

Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:

https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla/cegemail/dvla/en/reply_form_vehicles.html

When filling in the form the email reference number 1345312 will be required.

Regards

S Rowe
Customer Enquiries Group
DVLA

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Aussies Rampant at Giro d'Italia

Riding upto the start in Napoli , on Saturday , Cameron Wurf , had me for company . As we parted , i reminded him that Dave Mc Kenzie had made a name for himself when he made a Lone Breakaway about a decade before !
 That day Dave rode the bulk of that Stage alone , building to a 16 minute lead at one point . As he passed through the Finish line the first time , he was still 11 minutes clear and was still 7 minutes ahead of the Peloton as he took the victory that Saturday .

Cameron took the fight to the final 12 kms before deciding to ride for his team sprinter's train , and thus the Cannondale team were able to put Elia Viviani  in the top 3 ,  at the hard faught sprint finish ..Once again the bulk of the Peloton was delayed by a crash in the last kilometres of the race .

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-ditalia-wurf-tries-to-beat-the-odds-in-naples

 At one point the Orico Team looked set for the victory , but Brett Lancaster decided , unwisely i thought , to take a Solo Sprint ! That failed and i am sure it reduced the horsepower that the team needed to deliver Gossy to the line , he faded to 5th  . Standing opposite the 300m mark i was not only able to see the final stretch but also the big screen . Standing with me was Gary , a Calafornian that i first met many Giros past , Betty stayed in the shade . Water filled bollards are a few feet tall so we were both above the heads of those around us , which ensured an unobscured view of all that was happening .

As Cameron rode the first of the shortened circuits i was able to holler " AUSSIE ;Aussie aussie " at him , but whether he hear remains to be discovered since he was very focused on the road as he rode past .

 The earlier part of the day , started with me making my first circuits at 6am . There were a few people sleeping in that would later discover their cars towed , since the Polizia Municipale , were busy issuing the orders needed , for the towtrucks to earn their fees .  About 7ish , i started to see a few other Cyclists , making an effort to discover the exact route that the racers would use later in the day . I too made the mistake of following signs which took me to the Tangenziale , which will help me later as i leave Napoli on the way south .

About 9.30 , i linked up with Gianni Motta , whom i was with on Thursday , to ride to the Start Village and thus meet up with the Banko Medlianum Clients that would join the Group Ride with Maurizio Fondriest and Francesco Moser . Going up the climbs Francesco set his usual fierce pace , thus causing many of the clients to scream for relief . that Gianni Motta was not pushing so hard would have suited them , though the " Vittoria Team Car , did give Gianni a pull for a few hundrer metres . Second time around thre course , saw many head for the barn or Start Village .  When i eventually got through riding with the racers to the sign on , i was hailed by Gary , who was sittingh eating Lunch with Betty , in a Cafe close to the Start Line . Betty had been eating a Vegatarian Pizza , that together with a Peroni Beer , set me up for the afternoon.

Gary since arriving in Europe prior to the Northern Classics , has suffered a Medical Problem that required a week in Hospital and then recently , a pinched neck nerve has seen to his Cycling Enjoyment , being non existant . Betty has done little Cycling alone but i am sure now that we are in the warmer climes , they will both be back on the road .





















Friday, April 19, 2013

Giro del Trentino 2013 .

15th visit to the Trentino , took me back to Lienz , where i first discovered , this " Special Event "! Regarded as a warm up for the Giro d'Italia by the racers , it amazes me that the Aussie Tour Operators , have overlooked a prime opportunity to line their pockets and provide the average Aussie Cycling Fan with ready access to the STARS of Road Racing !

 My first visits to the Giro del Trentino , have included Marco Pantani and Jan Ulrich , as well as other notables such as Aussies ,  Tom Leiper and Graeme Brown amongst many . This year we had Cameron Wurf and Cadel Evans representing Oz ! Seems to me that the Giro rarily has more than Two Racers although there are years when i am the only Aussie , present . Most of the management are friendly and the Racers certainly remember me and treat me as family . Some of the Cycling Fans even invite me to join them for a drink or meal roadside , as they do at the Giro d' Ìtalia and Tour de France .

 Cameron Wurf was with Champion Systems before joining Cannondale and working with Ivan Basso .
Very approachable guy who was close to the front of the Race whenever i saw him . Responded Wednesday to the " Aussie , Aussie , Aussie " as he headed up the climb outside Porte Ache on Thursday . He was lucky that he was in the leading group at the finish , because many racers were held back for quite a while , after a motorcycle crashed near the end of the Day's stage ! Normally such a late arrival creates all sorts of problems , including application of the " Race Formular " , that prevents those , that are in the rear of the Peloton from having a holiday . For the racers though , after spending hours in the saddle , some would have been suffering dehydration and in need of food . Fortunately the day was warm rather than stormy , as can happen in the Mountains . As yet i have to discover how the Motorbike came to crash ?

 Cadel has finished this event in 8th place , due to a reasonable effort on Friday . Being a Mountain Top Finish after some 170km  , where he looked as though he was in no discomfort , it bodes well for the later events this season . Had a couple of chats with him throughout the week as well .

 Tuesday , after the Team Time Trial , i had the pleasure of a chat with Vincenzo Nibali , as he warmed down in the Hotel . With his moving from " Liquigas now known as Cannondale ", to Astana Team he has put in some good efforts this season . Being the Star of this Team , he demonstrated his worth today with his fighting finish thus from starting the day , off the Podium , to winning the Event by distancing ALL !

 Sir Brad demonstrated " Tossing the Caber " , when Bike troubles caused him to toss the bike to the side of the road , leaving it leaning against the rock wall of the Climb . Most will recall David Millar , in a similar fit of Petulence on the Vuelta Espana , tossing the bike over the fence . Neither Sponsor , will have been impressed with what they saw on the TV ? Doubt they would have been watching , but feel certain that some dog catcher will have sought their comment ?

Tuesday i happened on a Cycling News Clinic Thread , relating to Danny Pate , in relation to a tweet , sent some time back , speculating on Tom Danielson's participation in a NON Sanctioned " UCI Event " , whilst serving that 6 month farce of a suspension for giving " Evidence to USADA " in relation to the " ArmStrong Affair "! The " Clinic thread " even had punters , speculating about whether , Danny had caused the USA Cycling to re impose the " Rule 1.2.019 " , causing consternation in many quarters . Having run the story past  the Sky Support Staff , much to their amusement , i chanced on Danny , riding to the sign on , and related some of  the comments made in the thread . NO doubt from the chuckles i heard , it put him in a good mood for the overcast & cool morning . After Tuesday's coolish afternoon , Wednesday Morning i was wearing wool gloves and thinking about a skillet , but by the off at 9.10CET , the sun broke through the mist .

Same morning i had a ride with Marco Pinotti and mentioned reading parts of his Auto Bio . He reminded me that a signed copy was out of the question since the English version  is only available on kindle , where i had read some parts . The sections that i had read , had been well written and entertaining .

Lots more chats with a variety of Racers during the past days but it is a question of how much time to spend on relating them and the value to others . wednesday night after the descent from the MTF , passing through the traffic , i arrived at the Bike shop run by Stefano Casagrande , who mentioned seeing me cross the line at the finish sand reminded me about his days at Saeco & Alessio , where i had first met him .
He had retired in 2004 and the past 5 years has been spent selling Fondriest & Focus Bikes .  Small world ?  Gilbert Simoni was another retired racer that i was able to enjoy a chat with but did not see Maurizio F or Francesco M. , perhaps they were elsewhere in the smaller crowds this year ?

With Eurosport and RAI ( Italian TV ) broadcasting for 1 1/2hrs daily , it is possible that people are content to sit back , at home ?  Roadside crowds were always subdued in comparison to the Giro d'Italia , thus Police Controls allow riding until the first of the Police Motor bikes arrive . Even then , it seems that some Cycling Fans show disrespect by using the road rather than the pedestrian Path . Some Locals have been known to join the Team caravans .

 Italian Drivers have little regard for Road Regulations , perhaps as i drive a UK Reg Vehicle , at " Posted Speed " in Tunnels , they think passing over the double white lines , as acceptable ? Several times i have caught them in another tunnel , walked up to them , photoed their Number Plate and their face in the Window . Wonder how they explain tthings , when the Cops come calling , after receiving the emailed photos and explanation?