Top Tips

Advice, sometimes frivolous

An awful American car

by Steve Baker 31 January 2008 in Top Tips Comments are Disabled

A jacked-up pickup with testes: And apparently the owner is infamous.

The greatest hangover cure

by Steve Baker 30 January 2008 in Top Tips, Fun Comments are Disabled

Jump from an aeroplane at an unexpectedly-low altitude. We intended to go to 12500 feet, but cloud brought us down to 5000 feet, the lowest I have jumped since RAPS. It turns out I can get stable instantly and enjoy about 12 seconds of freefall, still pulling at 3500. The […]

How to spoil “Goodbye my lover”

by Steve Baker 28 December 2007 in Top Tips Comments are Disabled

James Blunt’s “Goodbye my lover” is a poignant and moving song, containing constrained emotion of unparalleled intensity. It is easily and permanently spoiled by once unintentionally singing the title in a faintly Cornish accent in front of one’s wife.

KTM baffles fitted

by Steve Baker 26 October 2007 in Top Tips Comments are Disabled

The standard Akrapovic baffles arrived today: fitted over lunch. Still sounds great, just rather more polite. I don’t know why anyone would cut them down if they knew what to expect. So, top tip: do not cut down your Akrapovic baffles. It’s pointless and rude.

Apple’s new wireless keyboard

by Steve Baker 21 October 2007 in Technology, Top Tips Comments are Disabled

It has no number pad and it is perfect. More here.

North Oxford Garage (BMW) are the greatest

by Steve Baker 16 October 2007 in Top Tips Comments are Disabled

(At least for bikes.) Apart from giving test rides fairly freely – and selling bikes as a result! – NOG give great customer service. They had reason this week to look after me and they certainly did: no effort was spared in delivering a superb customer experience.

U-turns

by Steve Baker 16 October 2007 in Fun, Politics, Top Tips Comments are Disabled

London drivers: why not look and signal before U-turning out of queues? Imagine the advantages.

Top Gear were here?

by Steve Baker 8 October 2007 in Top Tips, Fun Comments are Disabled

Yes, Top Gear’s best driving road in the World is a route I took for fun in the summer of 2006 and again, in as far as it was open, in the winter of 06/07: Davos to Stelvio. Well done Top Gear.

Luxury hotels are fab shock!

by Steve Baker 12 August 2007 in Top Tips Comments are Disabled

Stayed at Whatley Manor for Beth’s pre-birthday. It was perfect in every regard, from the temperature of the wine served on the terrace to the room upgrade and the linked B&O sound system. Our enormous suite only required a kitchen-dining room and, perhaps, a second bedroom, for it to be […]

Boat choice

by Steve Baker 1 August 2007 in Top Tips, Fun Comments are Disabled

Monohulls can be ruled out. They are either too boring or too unstable. Rule 1. The Fox – Formula 20 – is too much unless you need it to support crew weight. So rule 2 is don’t overreach yourself. (Never tried a Tornado, but they have the advantage of a […]