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Post by joelyon on Jul 2, 2008 15:03:56 GMT
Just a quick hello from me. Found this forum from a link on bike radar and thought I'd join. A bit about myself, I'm 27, work in IT, living in Middlewich but spent the first 20odd years of my life as a Wrexham lad (Acrefair to be exact). Used to really be into mountain biking throughout my teenage years and been up many a mountain and through many a forest throughout north wales. Got rid of my ride to fund college about 9 years ago. Mid-2006 got my good friend who conveniently works at Halfords Wrexham to get me a budget bike for cycling to work. Done a few trips to work with a colleague, one thing led to another and it's back up the mountains/forests at every given opportunity.  Going to be looking at upgrading my ride soon to something a bit better on the trails an XC, just waiting for work to pull their finger out with this "cycle to work" scheme so I can save 40% in tax on the cost of it! ;D That's it from me, hello to everyone, would be nice to know a little bit about you guys so feel free to post a bit about yourself.  |
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Post by dyls on Jul 2, 2008 15:17:38 GMT
Welcome!
We have just had our cycle to work thing going live, with a maximum of £1000 to spend on a bike. Not sure yet whether I'll take them up on it.
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Post by joelyon on Jul 2, 2008 15:23:05 GMT
£1000? is that the actual criteria for the scheme or just a limit your work has imposed?
Still, not paying any tax on a bike is always a good thing. ;D
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Post by martinw on Jul 2, 2008 15:28:17 GMT
Hi mate welcome to the forum, good to have you here.
Ive put up a little about myself like you mentioned in the bottom of your post.
Hope you enjoy it here, any probs give either me or oggy a shout
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Post by joelyon on Jul 2, 2008 15:36:38 GMT
Thanks Martin.
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Post by xybadog on Jul 2, 2008 17:45:45 GMT
Hi joelyon. Welcome to the forum. I'm from Wrexham and can understand why you escaped In response to your question about the Ride to work scheme, £1000 is the upper limit that any employer can offer on this scheme, though you can make up any difference over this without the tax incentive. My employer wouldn't go for it unfortunately. I put it forward as a proposal, but out of 5 offices nationwide and just under 1000 employees, I would be the only one who would want to benefit from it!!! Apparently!!  |
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Post by xybadog on Jul 2, 2008 18:04:48 GMT
Bit about myself... I'm 42 and have recently got back into mtb after about 5 years out. Originally had a Trek rigid but recently bought the Giant XTC4.5 hardtail. It'll do me for now until I upgrade (in about 6 months hopefully). Got back into mtb after splitting from ex-gf last November, so my time's my own at the moment. I spend most of my time with slicks on the bike, round the streets and local parks. Don't have a car, out of choice. Got rid 6 months ago and glad I did with the cost of petrol. When I say I've not got a car people often think I've been banned or something, but that's not the case. I could get a car tomorrow, but I can't be arsed. I have everything I need to hand really, living a 10 minute walk from the Wxm town centre area. Just a bind being unable to get to decent trails unless there's a train service. BTW, I'm loving getting back into mtb'ing. |
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Post by ftasb on Jul 2, 2008 19:13:04 GMT
Hello ;D Middlewich eh? I'm only down the road from you in Crewe. There's usually three of us from Crewe that go MTBing together, you're welcome to join us whenever you want. Check out the CYB ride we're doing next, it's in the 'Rides' section  |
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Post by joelyon on Jul 3, 2008 10:35:55 GMT
Hey xybadog, yes, escaped Wrexham at the first given oppertunity. It's nice living here, far enough away from Wxm for it not to affect me but close enough to go back to see friends, family and ride when I want. Back there this weekend actually for a friends house warming party. I know what you mean about the cost of a car, I've just had to take mine off the road because my brake drums and callipers are shot. Luckily I can use my good lady's car. Suppose £1000 is ok, was looking at an 08 Kona Coilair with that dual link sus. if I can save £400 in tax on it I'm certainly not complaining. Just got to push HR to get the scheme in place here, they seem pretty willing to start it but it's not a high priority to them. ftasb, hi! Ahh, a neighbour! Yes will have to go on a ride sometime seeing as you're so close. Can't make CYB unfortunately but there's plenty of time in the future to arrange something. There are a couple of us from middlewich/sandbach/crewe area who go riding, a couple of them are going up scotland on the 12th I think, wish I could go with them. |
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Post by Doug on Jul 17, 2008 20:20:16 GMT
Most firms only go up to £1000 as they have to have a consumer credit license to go any higher.
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Post by joelyon on Jul 17, 2008 20:55:03 GMT
Hmm, interesting? What sort of firms have a licence to go higher?
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Post by Doug on Jul 17, 2008 21:00:54 GMT
What sort of firms have a licence to go higher? Shops that sell stuff on finance, estate agencies that offer their own mortgages, car dealers etc. Most companies don't have them. |
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Going to be looking at upgrading my ride soon to something a bit better on the trails an XC, just waiting for work to pull their finger out with this "cycle to work" scheme so I can save 40% in tax on the cost of it! ;D
