As of today, smoking is banned in "enclosed public places" in Wales. For the avoidance of confusion, we should point out that the ban is concerned with the inhalation of burning tobacco and not with the use of California-style early-90s MTB slang. So you're still perfectly entitled to sit in a trail centre café and swap tales of how you "smoked" your "buddies" on that last descent, more's the pity. You're even still allowed to "roost" and "shred" should you so wish. Possible legislation to prevent people from being stoked in public is, as yet, unconfirmed.
The European distributor of "wicked new fitness product" Fly Jumpers is looking for a stuntperson to promote the bonkers spring-assisted flexible metal foot things that allow the wearer (skill permitting) to jump up to three metres in the air - have a look at www.flyjumperstore.com to see what they're all about. To be in with a chance of being the marketing "face" of Fly Jumpers, you'll need to send footage (no pun intended) of your amazing spring-heeled stunts to stuntman@flyjumperstore.com by 30 April 2007. You must be over 18 and have a valid driving license.
A couple of bike-related things targeted at roughly opposite ends of the age spectrum are taking place at Rosliston Forestry Centre on Cannock Chase, but the Cycling Proficiency training runs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week so we suspect that you've missed it. On the off-chance that it's actually three separate days rather than one three-day course, it's open for children aged 10-16 and covers basic bike maintenance and road safety. Cost is £45 per person - contact centre manager Debbie Chesterman on 01283 563283 for details and to book. Later in the week, Friday sees a Senior Cycle ride for the over-50s. The ride starts at the visitor centre at 10am and is suitable for beginners or people who haven't been on a bike for some time. Experienced leaders will lead the ride on safe, traffic-free cycle trails in the forest. £1.50 if you've got a bike, or £3 if you need to hire one. Same phone number for details, and you're less likely to miss this one because it runs every Friday.
It's official - Bikemagic was far too miserable to post any elaborate April Fool's Day spoofs yesterday. "I had a couple of good ideas," said BM's Mike Davis over a good cup of tea. "But when it came down to it, 1 April fell on a sunny Spring Sunday and, well, I couldn't be arsed. Had a nice bike ride, though, thanks." The "actually quite funny and convincing" ideas will be carried over to 2007, when experts expect them to be deferred for yet another year for some reason.
