Silly commuting racing

Kieran_Burns

jashburnham wrote:

This is it though, I arrived fresh as the proverbial daisy. Not even a sweat on. If you ever want to see people cycling slower than walking pace then head down to Clapham High St/Clapham Road/Kennington Road one evening. It's like watching turtles migrate.

there's this increibly old bloke who lives in the village next to mine. He must be in his 90s and he cycles EVERYWHERE. He also has a permanent drip hanging from the end of his nose, but that's another story....

He crawls along on his bike, but he cycles something like 10 miles every day to get to the shops in the Derby suburbs. He has this pre-war bike made out of cast iron and come rain or shine or hurricanes... there he is going so slow it looks like continental drift.

The most bizarre thing is that when he gets OFF the bike he maintains EXACTLY the same shape as when he is sat on it.

It really is the most incredible sight to see.

jonginge

lost_in_thought wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

Mmmm, I blew past a couple of fellas (who seemed to be playing) on Millbank yesterday eve, turned of towards Victoria at Vauxhall bridge though. Was it me you saw I wonder - Blue Pearson SS, white tires, courier bag...

I saw a bloke on a Pearson fixie/SS in full Pearson lycras last night up ahead of me, no chance of catching him I don't think, but I briefly gave it a go, then he RLJ'd. Bad Pearson man!

Categorically not me. But was on a Grey Pearson SS (standard tires) and also blasted past a few on millbank and after...

Coriander

Kieran_Burns wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

This is it though, I arrived fresh as the proverbial daisy. Not even a sweat on. If you ever want to see people cycling slower than walking pace then head down to Clapham High St/Clapham Road/Kennington Road one evening. It's like watching turtles migrate.

there's this increibly old bloke who lives in the village next to mine. He must be in his 90s and he cycles EVERYWHERE. He also has a permanent drip hanging from the end of his nose, but that's another story....

He crawls along on his bike, but he cycles something like 10 miles every day to get to the shops in the Derby suburbs. He has this pre-war bike made out of cast iron and come rain or shine or hurricanes... there he is going so slow it looks like continental drift.

The most bizarre thing is that when he gets OFF the bike he maintains EXACTLY the same shape as when he is sat on it.

It really is the most incredible sight to see.

biondino

Wiggle expenditure on winter biking accessories in the last month now up to £380 :shock:

biondino

And I haven't bought a rucksack yet.

Littigator

biondino wrote:

Wiggle expenditure on winter biking accessories in the last month now up to £380 :shock:

You really have GOT to stop buying Gucci bib shorts you old tart!

biondino

Make that £425 (I went for the Deuter Bike 1 rucksack as it's the prettiest, though not in stock yet)...

biondino

Haha! I have made a real effort to buy cheap or reduced stuff - lots of DHB gear, for a start. Hmm, I bought my Ultegra cassette on ebay so add another £27...

gb155

Well im back from Holiday, Back in work in the morning, A little scared, Just done 4.25 Miles in 23 Mins so not all bad and I feel fresh as a daisy, The morning will be the REAL test though.

jonginge

Littigator wrote:

biondino wrote:

Wiggle expenditure on winter biking accessories in the last month now up to £380 :shock:

You really have GOT to stop buying Gucci bib shorts you old tart!

But, but, but they've just added the new Castelli winter stuff... ooh my aching credit card

cjcp

This has reminded me to sew up the hole in my winter tights...

biondino

Do we rate Descente stuff? Just bought a windproof jacket on Wiggle for half price (£57) so I hope it's okay.

UnworthyPapaLazaru

What blatant disregard to the economic crisis! It has affected the entire western world, apart from Biondino...

cjcp

Wrath Rob wrote:

Despite my fears the wind last night seemed to be on my back for once and I had an epic ride home, punctuated with several duals. The first was on Col de Soutwark Bridge. I got taken just before the cycle lane but reeled him back in before the top but had to back off due to the narrow lane. Honours even.

Next was just after Lambeth Bridge coming onto the Embankment. A fixie went past in full lycra just as I was turning left, providing me with my first opportunity of a real scalp. I swung around the RB and set of after his back wheel, eyes locked on to my prize. Just as I was feeling the benefits of the tow at 25+ another fixie blew past both of us! My target forgot about keeping me behind and set of after his prize. The 3 way battle raged past Millbank until the new player made some poor lane choices at the bridge and then must have turned off as we didn't see him again.

So, down to me and the fixie as the normal flotsam and jetsam in the Embankment peloton was brushed aside. Well, when I say down to I mean I spent the entire ride from Vauxhaul to Albert trying to hold his wheel. Every time he started to pull away I dug deeper and clung on like a rabid limpet. I was ashamed however as I knew that I was not destined to take the lead as despite the wind my present lack of fitness means that I can't cruise past 22 so holding 27-28 for more than a few hundred meters was not on the cards. My lungs had been replaced by two pain machines and my legs were being turned into jelly from the inside out. At Albert Bridge he pushed to the front leaving me behind so I couldn't even thank him/apologies to him for the tow.

A couple of roadies caught up at that point so I had to prove that it wasn't all the fixie's doing so by the time I hit Col de Wandsworth Bridge I was feeling wrecked. Only a RLJing roadie had to be put in his place on the climb and then I was free to stop trying to breath hard through my ears, gulp down some lungfuls of air and cruise home.

Arriving home, sweat pooring from my body, my wife opened the door in disgust. That wasn't going to get me down though as the Game helped me have the best ride home in a long time. This morning paled in comparison so I can only hope that tonight brings the rematch...

A true Gamer here, folks.

What time do get to Lambeth Bridge and what bike do you ride? :twisted:

cjcp

Wrath Rob wrote:

Despite my fears the wind last night seemed to be on my back for once and I had an epic ride home, punctuated with several duals. The first was on Col de Soutwark Bridge. I got taken just before the cycle lane but reeled him back in before the top but had to back off due to the narrow lane. Honours even.

Next was just after Lambeth Bridge coming onto the Embankment. A fixie went past in full lycra just as I was turning left, providing me with my first opportunity of a real scalp. I swung around the RB and set of after his back wheel, eyes locked on to my prize. Just as I was feeling the benefits of the tow at 25+ another fixie blew past both of us! My target forgot about keeping me behind and set of after his prize. The 3 way battle raged past Millbank until the new player made some poor lane choices at the bridge and then must have turned off as we didn't see him again.

So, down to me and the fixie as the normal flotsam and jetsam in the Embankment peloton was brushed aside. Well, when I say down to I mean I spent the entire ride from Vauxhaul to Albert trying to hold his wheel. Every time he started to pull away I dug deeper and clung on like a rabid limpet. I was ashamed however as I knew that I was not destined to take the lead as despite the wind my present lack of fitness means that I can't cruise past 22 so holding 27-28 for more than a few hundred meters was not on the cards. My lungs had been replaced by two pain machines and my legs were being turned into jelly from the inside out. At Albert Bridge he pushed to the front leaving me behind so I couldn't even thank him/apologies to him for the tow.

A couple of roadies caught up at that point so I had to prove that it wasn't all the fixie's doing so by the time I hit Col de Wandsworth Bridge I was feeling wrecked. Only a RLJing roadie had to be put in his place on the climb and then I was free to stop trying to breath hard through my ears, gulp down some lungfuls of air and cruise home.

Arriving home, sweat pooring from my body, my wife opened the door in disgust. That wasn't going to get me down though as the Game helped me have the best ride home in a long time. This morning paled in comparison so I can only hope that tonight brings the rematch...

A true Gamer here, folks.

What time do you get to Lambeth Bridge and what bike do you ride? :twisted:

cjcp

And welcome back, GB.

gb155

cjcp wrote:

And welcome back, GB.

Thanks very much I cant wait for the morning now, Im ready to kick it into the next level now

Littigator

gb155 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

And welcome back, GB.

Thanks very much I cant wait for the morning now, Im ready to kick it into the next level now

Jolly Good, that's the spirit eh what! One must always sock it to Johnny Drafters and Nicholas NoSpeeds whenever the oppo arises dontcherknow!

Wrath Rob

I forgot my smiley so it should have read like below. No intention of side tracking into a haed attire debate intended

lost_in_thought wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

Bless indeed, that he thinks a helmet will make a HGV see you and also prevent your body from being crushed by one. Personally, my helmet is there to hide my lack of hair and for no other reason at all.

I just thought it was nice that he cared.

Let's not have a h****t debate on this thread.

Wrath Rob

jashburnham wrote:

Mmmm, I blew past a couple of fellas (who seemed to be playing) on Millbank yesterday eve, turned of towards Victoria at Vauxhall bridge though. Was it me you saw I wonder - Blue Pearson SS, white tires, courier bag...

I can't remember much about the bike but it had no tape on the bars and the guy riding it was in dark clothes (I think). I had a day-glo rucksack on, riding a black Boardman Road Comp and the fixie in front was in black lycra long-sleeved top and leggings. In September, the big jessie! It would have been at around 6.15-6.20. Maybe it was you?

lost_in_thought

Does anyone else have substantially less sprightly legs in the morning than in the evening?

I seem to at the minute, makes no sense though as I go to the gym at lunchtime and still feel stronger on the way home...

Very suspect.

Any thoughts?

cjcp

Wrath Rob wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

Mmmm, I blew past a couple of fellas (who seemed to be playing) on Millbank yesterday eve, turned of towards Victoria at Vauxhall bridge though. Was it me you saw I wonder - Blue Pearson SS, white tires, courier bag...

I can't remember much about the bike but it had no tape on the bars and the guy riding it was in dark clothes (I think). I had a day-glo rucksack on, riding a black Boardman Road Comp and the fixie in front was in black lycra long-sleeved top and leggings. In September, the big jessie! It would have been at around 6.15-6.20. Maybe it was you?

So, after 6, Black Boardman Road Comp.

biondino

UnworthyPapaLazaru wrote:

What blatant disregard to the economic crisis! It has affected the entire western world, apart from Biondino...

Basically I had no winter gear at all, and also needed to bring the winter bike up to spec, so it's about half and half in cost terms. Considering what I got it's not actually that extravagant!!

cjcp

lost_in_thought wrote:

Does anyone else have substantially less sprightly legs in the morning than in the evening?

I seem to at the minute, makes no sense though as I go to the gym at lunchtime and still feel stronger on the way home...

Very suspect.

Any thoughts?

The muscles stretch naturally during the course of the day as they warm up. I've read that the best time to train/work out is 5-7pm. This explains why I run like a knacker at Bushey Park at 9am.

Whenever I do a triathlon, I circumvent the problem with Red Bull.

biondino

LiT, I have a suspicion this may be the very first sign of ageing in your otherwise youthful form. I'm so stiff in the morning it takes half my commute to loosen up...

cjcp

biondino wrote:

LiT, I have a suspicion this may be the very first sign of ageing in your otherwise youthful form. I'm so stiff in the morning it takes half my commute to loosen up...

:shock:

Ooo, guess who's a dead man?!

Littigator

biondino wrote:

LiT, I have a suspicion this may be the very first sign of ageing in your otherwise youthful form. I'm so stiff in the morning it takes half my commute to loosen up...

coooooooouuuugh ahem I really don't think there's any need for potty mouth chat like that thankyouverymuch!

lost_in_thought

cjcp wrote:

biondino wrote:

LiT, I have a suspicion this may be the very first sign of ageing in your otherwise youthful form. I'm so stiff in the morning it takes half my commute to loosen up...

:shock:

Ooo, guess who's a dead man?!

@biondino

*SLAP*

I refuse to believe I'm ageing... I'm only 25 damn it! :x

OK, I'm going to start stretching before I leave in the morning. And maybe having coffee. I do remember reading somewhere a while ago that caffeine trickes your brain into thinking you're not working as hard - is there any truth in that? Or, CJ, why the red bull?

Furthermore:

biondino wrote:
LiT, I have a suspicion this may be the very first sign of ageing in your otherwise youthful form. I'm so stiff in the morning it takes half my commute to loosen up...

Littigator wrote:
coooooooouuuugh ahem I really don't think there's any need for potty mouth chat like that thankyouverymuch!

*helpless resigned giggling*

Feltup

First post on here so please excuse me if I am talking out of turn.

So I pull out of a side road and low and behold there is bait 200m up ahead. He looks about the same level on the food chain as myself but he is wearing tights so could be a girly legged fella. I start reeling him in when a car comes past indicating left, "strange" I thought, usually cars indicate right to overtake. The car carries on past me still indicating and the passes the lad on the bike at which point he swings left into a drive amid tyre squealing and brakes smoking. We carry on up the road shaking our heads and then when the traffic allowed it I cruised past looking nonchalent (quads burning but that is between you and me OK?). Then just as we approach where I turn off he comes past again. Evens I guess on this one.

So the first question is can I get a ruling on whether tights are classed the same as shaven legs due to the fact that there is no way in hell I am going to say to someone "oi show us your legs!"

The second question is if the car had wiped him off the road would I have collected the points seeing as I was catching him up until his demise?

cjcp

LiT - Red Bull gives me that va va voom for the race - it kicks in quicker than a sports drink.

Feltup - welcome! any pix of the Tourmalet to hand?