Silly commuting racing

Wrath Rob

Last night was a ride of 2 halves. Getting from Liverpool St to the other side of Lambeth bridge I think I hit every single possible red light on the way. It was safely the single worst traffic run I'd had.

Once I got onto Embankment things got better. Away from Vauxhal there was some fun and games with an idiot 1/2 jumping the lights and then crawling away, getting in everyone's way. Once clear of that, I was following a roadie for a while when a Vespa came past us both at about 25mph. Seeing my opportunity I glided past the roadie and got onto the scooter's wheel. It was hard work staying there as despite the draft effect I was inhaling fumes. What kept me going was his nervous glances in his mirrors! Unfortunately I'd run out of MTFU juice and couldn't get past him, but holding 25mph along the rest of Embankment was reward enough.

Jay dubbleU

Question to the masters of the universe (or at least SCR) - I passed a fast hybrid this morning - waited at the lights and he caught up with me - I was quicker off the mark but I could hear him coming up behind - he passed me whilst STANDING ON THE PEDALS - have I been scalped or is he guilty of trying ?

Jay dubbleU

DonDaddyD wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

I'm definately getting fitter - I find that I'm only using my big ring around town these days but I have a major problem - this morning for example - beautiful day - sun shining - birds gently coughing in the trees, think ' Aaah - I'll take it easy today enjoy the sunshine etc - what happens - I'm passed by a roady on the canal section and I'm off - haven't a hope of catching him of course but at least I'll make him work for it - bang goes the gentle commute and I get to work hot and sweaty again! :roll:

I take it you were riding the M2.

If you were was there a moment where you felt that you could catch him, that your bike was actually fast enough. Then was there that point of realisation that reality insists that no matter how hard you try the Roadie will always be faster?

Did this bleak truth of fact leave you feeling empty, despondent in knowing this fact before you tried to chase him down and finally were you filled with an insatiable want, a desire, to be on a faster bike?

It did for me when I was on my M2. I got secretly pissed off in knowing that I could go faster, that I could go further but couldn't because of the bike. The above is the resaon my Giant M2 is in a garden and I went roadie.

"A true warrior brings all of his weapons to the battlefield at the ready!"

Actually I love the M2 and irs probably as fast as I want to go at the moment -however as my fitness increases who knows ? One day I will catch the roadie

Bassjunkieuk

Standing up certainly indicates an increased level of "trying".
The only time I think it would be acceptable to scalp standing is when both riders are standing but at all other times it just smacks of effort!

DonDaddyD

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Question to the masters of the universe (or at least SCR) - I passed a fast hybrid this morning - waited at the lights and he caught up with me - I was quicker off the mark but I could hear him coming up behind - he passed me whilst STANDING ON THE PEDALS - have I been scalped or is he guilty of trying ?

You were scalped. Scalped purely on the basis that you didn't MTFU and overtake him sitting down while he was still standing up.

Some of the best scalps are when your sitting down and overtaking someone standing on the pedals. Look over at them and say 'hi' simply to assert the fact that you are the alpha male of that particular engagement.

flattythehurdler

On the way in this morning, early, i encountered a brand new, expensive looking shoe in the middle of the bike lane. Someone is going to be very very peed off when he gets to work , and spend all day looking like a mason.
Just hope he wasn't a new commuter who has now decided to bin the bike, though it wasn't new commuter weather.

Clever Pun

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

CP, isn't it strange how it all feels a bit better when you've been scalped and they go and RLJ :-)

yup... it's more of a phew thank fu<k for that

it's still just hiding behind a technicality though :x

Jay dubbleU

The annoying thins is that about 10 metres after he passed me he turned off so I didn't get the chance to MTFU - next time........................... :twisted:

cjcp

Jay dubbleU wrote:

The annoying thins is that about 10 metres after he passed me he turned off so I didn't get the chance to MTFU - next time........................... :twisted:[/quote

I don't think you've been scalped. He was clearly trying to get ahead of you - what is the point of passing someone if you're going to turn off. Scalping is about making it stick and he didn't IMO. Sort of person to whom you have to say, "Be cool, dude".

itboffin

Tut tut how could we allow the SCR thread to slip to page 2

Anyway as we're nearing the end of the year I was wondering who should be crowned "SCR of the year 2008" ???

How could/should we choose, number of scalps, funniest scalping story, so many factors to consider.

Perhaps we could short list half a dozen then put it to a poll.

Jen J

itboffin wrote:

Tut tut how could we allow the SCR thread to slip to page 2

Anyway as we're nearing the end of the year I was wondering who should be crowned "SCR of the year 2008" ???

How could/should we choose, number of scalps, funniest scalping story, so many factors to consider.

Perhaps we could short list half a dozen then put it to a poll.

My running site has a 'member of the month' competition, although with 23,000 users it's slightly bigger scale, but the principles coud apply. Over there, anyone is free to nominate anyone, and the five most nominated people at the end of the month go to the vote. Reasons are whatever people choose.

We could start a thread where only nominating posts could be made, (cut the chat to make it easier to tally nominations) and then after the deadlines for nominations, just add a poll to the thread to list the 5 nominees.

itboffin

Jen J wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Tut tut how could we allow the SCR thread to slip to page 2

Anyway as we're nearing the end of the year I was wondering who should be crowned "SCR of the year 2008" ???

How could/should we choose, number of scalps, funniest scalping story, so many factors to consider.

Perhaps we could short list half a dozen then put it to a poll.

My running site has a 'member of the month' competition, although with 23,000 users it's slightly bigger scale, but the principles coud apply. Over there, anyone is free to nominate anyone, and the five most nominated people at the end of the month go to the vote. Reasons are whatever people choose.

We could start a thread where only nominating posts could be made, (cut the chat to make it easier to tally nominations) and then after the deadlines for nominations, just add a poll to the thread to list the 5 nominees.

I sent you a PM but somehow sent it to myself, i'll try again :?

greg66_tri_v2.0

"itboffin wrote:

I sent you a PM but somehow sent it to myself, i'll try again :?

They don't call him itboffin for nothing

itboffin

"itboffin wrote:

I sent you a PM but somehow sent it to myself, i'll try again :?

Greg66 wrote:

They don't call him itboffin for nothing

tut tut - this computer stuff all a bit much for you OLD MAN

greg66_tri_v2.0

Bollox.

That went well. Not.

Haven't you got some emails to send to yourself? :x :evil: :x

itboffin

Greg66 wrote:

Bollox.

That went well. Not.

Haven't you got some emails to send to yourself? :x :evil: :x

be sure now to put that pipe out and take you slippers OFF before you go to bed.

peak oil

How do i know if i've got a fast hybrid?
Is there such a thing as a slow hybrid?

itboffin

peak oil wrote:

How do i know if i've got a fast hybrid?
Is there such a thing as a slow hybrid?

Tell us what make and model you have, generally thin tyres + light weight gearing more road than off road and some times carbon forks, seat post, handlebars.

I consider mine to be very fast, in fact I can happily match the speed of my road bike, i'm planning on few upgrades in the new year, road chainset, new 700c wheel etc etc

itboffin

I'm guessing the owner of this hybrid considers this 'fast' - i'm not sure that even counts and if it does who would build a hybrid to that spec.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?campid=5335818447&customid=GarageBuy_3&toolid=10013&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%2FDE-ROSA-CARBON-FIBRE-HYBRID-BIKE_W0QQitemZ120337675545QQcategoryZ33503QQcmdZViewItem

m0scs

Makes you wonder why someone would build a bike like that and not use it!?

Your Rigdeback looks very smart ITB.

For some strange reason high spec hibrids do appeal to me. I like the look of the Spec Sirrus Pro as well.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkMode ... us&eid=121

Not sure why, bet its nice to ride.

Jay dubbleU

I would count the Giant as a fast hybrid - 28-38-48 front rings, 26 x 1.5 wheels, slick tyres, fixed forks etc fast enough to scalp but low enough gearing options to cope with some offroad tracks

linsen

Will someone explain all those numbers to me next Friday please?

itboffin

Is it just me or did we totally miss this article?

http://www.bikeradar.com/blogs/article/silly-commuting-racing-and-your-food-chain-number-19393

Bassjunkieuk

itboffin wrote:

Is it just me or did we totally miss this article?

http://www.bikeradar.com/blogs/article/silly-commuting-racing-and-your-food-chain-number-19393

Indeed well spotted! Unfortunately most of my time on BR is spent on the forums and it's only when I get bored that I visit the main page just to check the news and reviews normally :-)
Glad to see we have been acknowledged "One of the most popular topics"

With 244726 views and 6144 (including this one) posts we are certainly THE most popular, NO CONTEST :-D

tailwindhome

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Is it just me or did we totally miss this article?

http://www.bikeradar.com/blogs/article/silly-commuting-racing-and-your-food-chain-number-19393

Indeed well spotted! Unfortunately most of my time on BR is spent on the forums and it's only when I get bored that I visit the main page just to check the news and reviews normally :-)
Glad to see we have been acknowledged "One of the most popular topics"

With 244726 views and 6144 (including this one) posts we are certainly THE most popular, NO CONTEST :-D

244726 views at 2 mins per view = 489452mins=8157hrs=340days
6144 posts at 3 mins per post = 18432 mins= 307hrs=13days


Feck thats nearly a year :shock:

Wonder why the economy is broken?

biondino

cb155 is my commuter of the year.

Today wasn't much fun. Still hungover after Saturday night cocktails (can thoroughly recommend an Up River St Lawrence) and the wind was at least partially in my face (I hope - I couldn't have been that slow by myself, could I?). One of those mornings where you pray for red traffic lights.

I did almost left hook myself - a car had indicated with plenty of space but I thought it was for the bigger left turn another 20 yards on, so I kept going regardless and had to come to a rather skiddy stop (not that he'd have hit me, he'd stopped - top driving tat man). Must pay more attention.

Not a single scalp, not a single roadie, no action whatsoever.

W1

How can a "Tourer with guards" be a higher FCN than a "fast hybrid"? A fast hybrid can have anything up to and including carbon, slick tyres, whereas I've got a tourer with rack, guards, treaded tyres yet I'm one FCN number higher?

gtvlusso

itboffin wrote:

peak oil wrote:

How do i know if i've got a fast hybrid?
Is there such a thing as a slow hybrid?

Tell us what make and model you have, generally thin tyres + light weight gearing more road than off road and some times carbon forks, seat post, handlebars.

I consider mine to be very fast, in fact I can happily match the speed of my road bike, i'm planning on few upgrades in the new year, road chainset, new 700c wheel etc etc

Thats a hybrid - fast depends on; run with dawg in morning, pasta intake and backpack weight.....Sadly, whe is going to make way for my Christmas fixie

gtvlusso

biondino wrote:

cb155 is my commuter of the year.

Today wasn't much fun. Still hungover after Saturday night cocktails (can thoroughly recommend an Up River St Lawrence) and the wind was at least partially in my face (I hope - I couldn't have been that slow by myself, could I?). One of those mornings where you pray for red traffic lights.

I did almost left hook myself - a car had indicated with plenty of space but I thought it was for the bigger left turn another 20 yards on, so I kept going regardless and had to come to a rather skiddy stop (not that he'd have hit me, he'd stopped - top driving tat man). Must pay more attention.

Not a single scalp, not a single roadie, no action whatsoever.

It is easy done - glad it did not end with bent forks and grazed knees.

itboffin

W1 wrote:

How can a "Tourer with guards" be a higher FCN than a "fast hybrid"? A fast hybrid can have anything up to and including carbon, slick tyres, whereas I've got a tourer with rack, guards, treaded tyres yet I'm one FCN number higher?

That's a very good point, I guess it's a pretty close call really and tourer without loaded panniers can be equally fast. I think the fast hybrid is a real black sheep in the game.