Richard Smith
@richardedsmith.bsky.social
Unqualified opinions on all sorts of stuff, but mainly bikes (mtn), & football (Fulham FC). Lapsed tour operator, raft & ski guide, QS for a few weeks
"I don't know why they've done it – you don't really see anyone on bikes around here, it's not like a city centre”
It’s amazing to me that people can say phrases like the above without suddenly understanding
“Oh, that’s why they’ve put in a protected bike lane, so people can cycle safely”
It’s amazing to me that people can say phrases like the above without suddenly understanding
“Oh, that’s why they’ve put in a protected bike lane, so people can cycle safely”
November 20, 2025 at 7:29 AM
"I don't know why they've done it – you don't really see anyone on bikes around here, it's not like a city centre”
It’s amazing to me that people can say phrases like the above without suddenly understanding
“Oh, that’s why they’ve put in a protected bike lane, so people can cycle safely”
It’s amazing to me that people can say phrases like the above without suddenly understanding
“Oh, that’s why they’ve put in a protected bike lane, so people can cycle safely”
In the hard copy of this article, the author claims the fact 29% of the councillors sharing two names (actually three but two are Choudhury and Chowdhury) suggests a lack of diversity 1/
November 14, 2025 at 8:29 AM
In the hard copy of this article, the author claims the fact 29% of the councillors sharing two names (actually three but two are Choudhury and Chowdhury) suggests a lack of diversity 1/
VAR ruining the Premier League and kids’ kickabouts!
November 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
VAR ruining the Premier League and kids’ kickabouts!
Reposted by Richard Smith
"it's always the fault of the migrants. Except when it isn't."
Colin from Portsmouth thinks we should blame immigrants for things before they even happen.
Colin from Portsmouth thinks we should blame immigrants for things before they even happen.
November 7, 2025 at 1:08 PM
"it's always the fault of the migrants. Except when it isn't."
Colin from Portsmouth thinks we should blame immigrants for things before they even happen.
Colin from Portsmouth thinks we should blame immigrants for things before they even happen.
I’m not sure saying you don’t know anything about the sport you’re objecting to is a particularly skilful argument
October 31, 2025 at 8:19 AM
I’m not sure saying you don’t know anything about the sport you’re objecting to is a particularly skilful argument
For those #FFC fans eschewing the X these days, @jackandloz.bsky.social have written a blog on Wycombe vs Fulham and it’s très bien
werdsmith.com/p/fPW9EfhuG4...
werdsmith.com/p/fPW9EfhuG4...
Jack and Loz Away From the Cottage and Still in the Cup - Blog 319
<br />
<p>Date: 28th October 2025</p>
<p>Competition: Carabao Cup Fourth Round</p>
<p>Opposition: Wycombe Wanderers</p>
<p>Location: Adams Park</p>
<p>Score: 1-1 (Fulham win 5-4 on penalties)</p>
<p>F...
werdsmith.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:18 AM
For those #FFC fans eschewing the X these days, @jackandloz.bsky.social have written a blog on Wycombe vs Fulham and it’s très bien
werdsmith.com/p/fPW9EfhuG4...
werdsmith.com/p/fPW9EfhuG4...
Anniversary alert - according to legend* the Luton player needed an operation on his foot after this challenge on Mitro in 2019 #FFC
*Note: I made up the legend
*Note: I made up the legend
October 24, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Anniversary alert - according to legend* the Luton player needed an operation on his foot after this challenge on Mitro in 2019 #FFC
*Note: I made up the legend
*Note: I made up the legend
Update for @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com on how DWP are getting on calling people with regards to voluntary NI contributions. I don’t think they did ever call me in May, but they’ve finally got round to me (again maybe) in late Oct!
October 22, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Update for @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com on how DWP are getting on calling people with regards to voluntary NI contributions. I don’t think they did ever call me in May, but they’ve finally got round to me (again maybe) in late Oct!
Some lunchtime listening for #FFC fans. From about 10:35 the Great Football Songbook features music and chants synonymous with @fulhamfc.com and @simonduke.bsky.social from @fulhamsupptrust.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Colin Murray - Alex Hartley, Phoebe Schecter, Pat Nevin, Simon Duke, David James, Sue Smith - BBC Sounds
Alex Hartley, Phoebe Schecter, Pat Nevin, David James, Sue Smith and others join Colin.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Some lunchtime listening for #FFC fans. From about 10:35 the Great Football Songbook features music and chants synonymous with @fulhamfc.com and @simonduke.bsky.social from @fulhamsupptrust.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Really interesting comments as to how police could 'view hours of footage' without viewing hours of footage
This is not another case of a police force not understanding that you don't need to watch *all* of the footage to narrow it down?
In any case. It's a clownshow.
In any case. It's a clownshow.
The British Transport Police won't investigate bike thefts if the bike was left for more than two hours.
road.cc/content/news...
road.cc/content/news...
October 3, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Really interesting comments as to how police could 'view hours of footage' without viewing hours of footage
Farage hits back: ‘Deport women & kids? Pfft. I’ll tow Britain 200 miles into the Atlantic, give every family a dinghy with a Union Jack, & bring back trebuchets for humane long-distance removals.’
August 29, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Farage hits back: ‘Deport women & kids? Pfft. I’ll tow Britain 200 miles into the Atlantic, give every family a dinghy with a Union Jack, & bring back trebuchets for humane long-distance removals.’
Reposted by Richard Smith
"I painted a St George's Cross on a roundabout. What have YOU done for this country?"
August 27, 2025 at 11:50 AM
"I painted a St George's Cross on a roundabout. What have YOU done for this country?"
I don’t write as well as Russ so I’m happy to co-opt his words.
Wrote this about flags and patriotism in 2021 (in The Decade In Tory). Stand by every word now.
August 25, 2025 at 9:29 AM
I don’t write as well as Russ so I’m happy to co-opt his words.
I wonder if the answer is to add a little compassion to each flag with a sharpie
August 25, 2025 at 5:50 AM
I wonder if the answer is to add a little compassion to each flag with a sharpie
Reposted by Richard Smith
Danish activists have been painting their flag on roundabouts. Either that or British 'patriots' are a bunch of thick twats, which I find hard to believe.
August 23, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Danish activists have been painting their flag on roundabouts. Either that or British 'patriots' are a bunch of thick twats, which I find hard to believe.
Reposted by Richard Smith
At a guess, the Afghan refugees stuck in hotels waiting to have their acts of bravery for British soldiers honoured will have done immeasurably more for this country than the shits spray painting roundabouts with a can of wrong colour paint they probably stole from Halfords.
August 23, 2025 at 8:25 AM
At a guess, the Afghan refugees stuck in hotels waiting to have their acts of bravery for British soldiers honoured will have done immeasurably more for this country than the shits spray painting roundabouts with a can of wrong colour paint they probably stole from Halfords.
1/ Charlotte Gill in the Daily Telegraph claims are £2K pay rise can cost £28K if you earn £99,000. Sounds dramatic. Reality? It relies on some very big assumptions that barely apply to anyone in real life. 🧵
August 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM
1/ Charlotte Gill in the Daily Telegraph claims are £2K pay rise can cost £28K if you earn £99,000. Sounds dramatic. Reality? It relies on some very big assumptions that barely apply to anyone in real life. 🧵
Strange to see Telegraph writer Charlotte Gifford call people who help HMRC collect the right tax “snitches.” Even her own sources — an accountant and an HMRC spokesman — stress how valuable whistleblower information is. After all, tax funds the services society relies on.
August 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Strange to see Telegraph writer Charlotte Gifford call people who help HMRC collect the right tax “snitches.” Even her own sources — an accountant and an HMRC spokesman — stress how valuable whistleblower information is. After all, tax funds the services society relies on.
So the Telegraph give up writing and ask AI to make up rude comments about EPL 25-26 kits including #FFC. Rather than asking ChatGPT, they’d have been better to ask paying fans as it looks like this one will fly off the shelves (it’s only Gentleman Jim who I’ve heard rubbish it).
August 14, 2025 at 12:31 PM
So the Telegraph give up writing and ask AI to make up rude comments about EPL 25-26 kits including #FFC. Rather than asking ChatGPT, they’d have been better to ask paying fans as it looks like this one will fly off the shelves (it’s only Gentleman Jim who I’ve heard rubbish it).
The comments below this article lament that GP waiting rooms aren’t full of coughing patients anymore — a complaint I just can’t fathom. If a phone or video call does the job, great. And if I do need to go in, I’d rather not be surrounded by people with potentially contagious illnesses.
August 5, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The comments below this article lament that GP waiting rooms aren’t full of coughing patients anymore — a complaint I just can’t fathom. If a phone or video call does the job, great. And if I do need to go in, I’d rather not be surrounded by people with potentially contagious illnesses.
Completely disingenuous article in today’s Telegraph Money arguing many second homes aren’t suitable for first-time buyers, so a policy of increased council tax for second homes should be reversed. The article: 1/
August 2, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Completely disingenuous article in today’s Telegraph Money arguing many second homes aren’t suitable for first-time buyers, so a policy of increased council tax for second homes should be reversed. The article: 1/
So Volvo’s latest ad shows the car assisting the driver in so many ways, but doesn’t have the tech to lock the doors to stop the passenger (almost) dooring a passing cyclist.
Time for those lower in the hierarchy to implement safety measures to protect people outside their big, heavy vehicles
Time for those lower in the hierarchy to implement safety measures to protect people outside their big, heavy vehicles
July 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
So Volvo’s latest ad shows the car assisting the driver in so many ways, but doesn’t have the tech to lock the doors to stop the passenger (almost) dooring a passing cyclist.
Time for those lower in the hierarchy to implement safety measures to protect people outside their big, heavy vehicles
Time for those lower in the hierarchy to implement safety measures to protect people outside their big, heavy vehicles
Channel 4’s Dispatches investigation helps billionaire find missing moral compass.
July 7, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Channel 4’s Dispatches investigation helps billionaire find missing moral compass.
Fascinating how the Telegraph paints a romantic picture of a white woman living in laybys and industrial estates—no council tax, no utility bills. Hard to imagine they’d be so sympathetic if she were black, Roma, or a bit more new age. Who gets the freedom narrative, and who gets the crackdown?
July 5, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Fascinating how the Telegraph paints a romantic picture of a white woman living in laybys and industrial estates—no council tax, no utility bills. Hard to imagine they’d be so sympathetic if she were black, Roma, or a bit more new age. Who gets the freedom narrative, and who gets the crackdown?