We have a lovely new path on a previously uneven (putting it mildly) segment of the National Cycle Network (Route 26). I'm trying to work out why it needs 3 gates now. Not great for cyclists and horse riders (it's part of a bridleway).

Did you have snow overnight/today? #UKSnow I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside) app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...

The Newt in Somerset is a lovely largely traffic-free 10-mile cycle for us. Unfortunately, this is the cycle parking so we can only currently visit by car (and the car park was completely full yesterday). I've asked if they can provide secure cycle racks 🤞

Amazing views on my run near Wincanton and Castle Cary today. Glastonbury Tor in one direction, Bulbarrow in another, the edge of Salisbury Plain in another.

Matthew Bowles works for the IEA. Funded by the fossil fuel industry, gambling and tobacco. Times up. Merry Christmas! Join.greenparty.org.uk

It's a shame the Council doesn't use the parking revenue from these days to provide transport for those who don't drive. The CR4 and CR5 buses don't run on Saturdays but serve places like Sherborne, Dorchester, Blandford, and Sturminster Newton.

Generative AI needs vast amounts of data. When there's little incentive for authors to produce new content, where will the data come from? www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

I recorded a little DJ mix of some of my collection of classic house and US garage vinyl today. 🎧🎛️ drive.google.com/file/d/1brqc...

#SmallBusinessSaturday today. No buses to Dorchester, Sturminster Newton, or Blandford on a Saturday, and only one bus every 2 hours to Yeovil. But there's a rumour we might be getting a Dorchester/Yeovil Saturday bus next year. 🤞

Is every full moon a "super moon" these days? www.livescience.com/space/the-mo...

You know you're scraping the barrel when you defend "carspreading" by quoting someone who needs enough space to regularly move doors between properties... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Wondering is this favourite font of AI image generators has a name. If not, I'd like to suggest "Hodgepodge."

Exeter city centre was buzzing today.

Why were journalists guessing URLs? They must have been tipped off. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Is AI good for engagement? All the media headlines about this mention that the targets will be AI-generated but it's barely mentioned in the press release and looks like it won't be a particularly powerful or ground-breaking AI model doing the work. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Cider makin'

Joe Rogan has one of the world's most popular podcasts. Unfortunately, like nearly all of the most popular online shows, his tends to spread climate misinformation. For @climateconnections.bsky.social I scrutinize his recent episode with octogenarian climate contrarians Lindzen & Happer 🧵 (1/11)

👀 Seven vehicles a day on average driving more than 100mph on this (60 mph limit) stretch of road where 4 people have died in collisions since 2024. www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/improving-...

"The average user has no idea how much energy they're using when they use generative AI applications..."

For fun, I recently used ChatGPT and its "PhD-level intelligence" to help me plan a car-free day out with the kids. It suggested a museum that was closed, an 8-hour bus/train journey, and generic suggestions like a picnic, walk in the woods, and "playground." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Great example of how cycles and ebikes can be used as mobility aids. "He is now able to walk again, but he is trying to do so as little possible..." www.bundesliga.com/en/bundeslig...

Experts in AI and its application to medicine and science research integrity needed for the International Research Integrity Conference - Sydney in November 16-18th 2025. researchintegrityconf.com Contact me

The part of me that wants a return to an hourly service to Exeter and a 45-min journey to Salisbury loves this rain. www.bbc.com/news/article...

England next please. At the moment, I can't afford to go anywhere on the train when I have to be back for the school pick up at 3.15. When I do splash out on an earlier train, it's dead. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It seems the only way I can take soil to my local tip is by car as the booking needs a number plate. (I usually cycle to beat the queues.)

It feels like my local train service is on its last legs (or wheels). Terminated midway through its journey this morning due to "dangerous overcrowding" because the train company could only muster 3 carriages instead of the usual 8. On my return, the air con is broken - it's 33C today.

This advert on my train highlights the lack of investment in our railways. The train I'm on was introduced on this line in 1993...

Exeter is such a nice place to visit. Thriving high street, quirky shops and cafes, the cathedral, great quayside area, random chapels and old buildings amongst modern architecture... and loads of people riding cargo bikes.

In former days, Google Search would have given me the answer I needed in an instant. Now with AI Overviews it has to show has "clever" it is.

A Bluetooth speaker on a list of essential camping gear? Nooooooo! www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...

Iconic.

A new study by @rebeccarobbins.bsky.social et al. suggests that teen drivers are spending 21% of each trip looking at their phone⚠️ Results show many of these glances last two seconds or longer—with entertainment being the most common distraction behind the wheel. spr.ly/60164SoWj

Having a lower wisdom tooth extracted (aka smashed up and removed in bits) = not painful Paying for it = painful

Kids in bed. Run to the pub.

Another training run with sign spotting for @showmeasign.online in the bag. Bit wet.

Google's losing the plot. Researching parasorb cones for tooth extraction and these are the "people also ask" suggestions.

Are insects making a comeback? I've been out on my bike and am covered in small flies again. Same for about 10 days or so.

This headline is wrong on so many levels, especially as forensics showed the driver (not the car) would have seen the cyclist from at least 200 meters away.

Peak apple blossom season.

Cider at the source.

I was just thinking how pubs that go on about supporting local businesses rarely stock local drinks. Obviously, landlords' hands are tied. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

It's so simple to make decent homemade cider when you have a little patience. Pressed some Dabinett apples in autumn 2023 and this is the result.

This is a good indication of how much money councils could be donating to community projects that actually increase footfall rather than offering free parking days. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

@carlafrancome.bsky.social Went to a card-only pub today and they had a beer on called "Cash is King"...

Pinksky - nice idea but the app doesn't work for me. I can't seem to load images easily and don't seem to be able to add commentary to posts and stories. Plus I've just seen that a comment I made on a post landed on a totally different one!

If you're based in the UK, can you spare 10 minutes to help with my MSc student's project on how people judge social and environmental policies? research.sc/participant/...

The National Cycle/Boating Network Route 26 this morning.

🔴How Right-Wing Media Spread the False Claim That One in Twelve Londoners Are ‘Illegal Migrants’ There is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, in order to push for Trump-style mass deportations, argues @zoejardiniere.bsky.social bylinetimes.com/2025/01/30/h...

This covers the logistics of leaving these platforms but not what to replace them with. Now I've dumped X, I'd love to sever ties with Meta but I rely way too much on Whatsapp and Facebook marketplace! www.euronews.com/next/2025/01...