what is quadbike?

I had a quad-bike accident too! It was in France, and the one I was given either went super-fast, or not at all, no matter how slowly and carefully you twisted the throttle/accelerator handle thing. So I was switching between big-kick and no-kick, and timed it wrong on a sharp bend. I ploughed through some hay stacks and came off in mid-air. Luckily, the bike didn't land on me. It did get smashed though. Another problem is their centre of gravity - or something like that. Basically, I found that they're very likely to turn over when you go round corners.

I think it has three wheels. Poor Ozzie, what a plank he is! Ralph

It's a quad cycle I suppose if we have to be exact. The same as a bike can have three wheels and be a tricycle. Have you read 'The curious incident of the dog in the night-time Freda; if so what did you think of it?

yes, poor Ozzie and how typical! I presume it was a hobby accident, the sort of activity you didn't have to be doing in the first place, which will make the injuries even more painful. No Kevin , where can I find this story? My curiosity is aroused. Is it on abc or a news item? Give us a link if it's the former.

I think it was a hobby accident. It was on his estate so it's kind of a big toy when you've got a lot of land to play on. I'm afraid I've whetted your appetite but am unable to supply any goods. The Guardian at the weekend had a supplement where the great and good of the literary world were asked to recommend books for the year. Two people said 'The curious incident of the Dog in the night-time' by Mark Haddon was very good. Anne Tyler said: 'It's subtle, it's beautifully written, it's a story so riveting that I couldn't wait to turn each page; but what I loved best about it was that it offered a window into a whole way of seeing that I'd never have know otherwise. I think that's the ultimate gift that literature can offer. I had a - misplaced- idea that previously you'd posted about the book. Anyway, perhaps the person who did will read this and say more about it.

OK suppose it could be found on a booksite. I do want to read it now!

isn't a quadbike what Rick Mayall had a near fatal accident on? they should be made illegal for silly people.

Why? I once had a little spell on a quadbike. It was my brother-in-law's stag night. We went to some god-forsaken stag night place on the Welsh borders. It was indestructible. There were five other stag nights also taking place and they were all conned into being taken into Shrewsbury or somewhere like that for a night of mayhem. We went down the local pub and upset the locals. We then had to get up at some ridiculous hour and pile around on quadbikes with stonking hang-overs whilst the other lots played paintball. It was quite exciting - my son tipped his bike over a couple of times and was warned that he would be chucked off if he did it again! After 'mastering' the quadbike assault course we then drove the darn things straight up a cliff. It was an adrenalin rush but exceedingly dangerous. We just made it - but I think I'll give it a miss from now on. Let the morons do it.

Here's a pic of a quad bike, Freda... As you can see, it does have FOUR wheels. Okay, quad bike is an oxymoron: quad=4 and bike=2. But, from the picture, he clearly see that - while the vehicle clearly has 4 wheels - it owes more in conceptual design to a motorbike than a car or buggy, not least because it has handle bars. Hope that's that cleared up.

ta for the link - looks more like a tractor than a bike