Silly commuting racing

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  • rb1956
    rb1956 Posts: 134
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I could argue that my cycling sandals are not evidently clipless, but I don't wear them in winter. Summer will see my FCN return to an 8.
    When I calculated my FCN, I wasn't sure what "evidently clipless" meant. My bike's fitted with pedals that are flat on one side, and SPD on the other, but I normally ride clipless in Specialized Sonomas, so I checked that box.

    Come to think of it, depending on whether I'm wearing Lycra and Sonomas or non-cycling clothes and shoes, the same bike could have an FCN of 9 or 13! Just think of the potential for sandbagging... :twisted:
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    there are fair gaps in the line up, for example there is "fast hybrid" but no plain hybrids so i take the big green to be a shopper, as it's about the right level. so thats puts me at 12 before any thing else, works out at about 17, which is about right as that lump weighs 50 pounds before i've stuffed all the bits nd bobs i need for work in to the panniers
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Argh.

    Didn't cycle today - due to an elaborate skive, mostly. I'm heading over to the City for a series of very dull Insurance meetings, followed by a brief lunch, followed by my legging it back up to Essex. As far as work are concerned I'm in meetings the rest of the day.

    I thought that if it didn't rain I'd get away with cycling to the office, then over to the city, then back to ealing, but if it did rain I wouldn't - absolutely no facilities available for changing where I'm headed.

    Now I followed my own (excellent) advice, and checked the heathrow TAF last night, which said low cloud base, poor visibility, but no rain.

    And I ignored it. When I went outside this morning it felt kinda rainy so I took the tube.

    Up on the 6th floor, it is now patently obvious to me that it is not giong to rain before 1130, and I could have cycled.

    The TAF is bang on.

    ARGH. :x
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Jen J
    Jen J Posts: 1,054
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Argh.

    Didn't cycle today - due to an elaborate skive, mostly. I'm heading over to the City for a series of very dull Insurance meetings, followed by a brief lunch, followed by my legging it back up to Essex. As far as work are concerned I'm in meetings the rest of the day.

    I thought that if it didn't rain I'd get away with cycling to the office, then over to the city, then back to ealing, but if it did rain I wouldn't - absolutely no facilities available for changing where I'm headed.

    Now I followed my own (excellent) advice, and checked the heathrow TAF last night, which said low cloud base, poor visibility, but no rain.

    And I ignored it. When I went outside this morning it felt kinda rainy so I took the tube.

    Up on the 6th floor, it is now patently obvious to me that it is not giong to rain before 1130, and I could have cycled.

    The TAF is bang on.

    ARGH. :x

    I cycled to work :P

    for a whole mile :oops:
    Commuting: Giant Bowery 08
    Winter Hack: Triandrun Vento 3
    Madone

    It's all about me...
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Jen J wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Argh.

    Didn't cycle today - due to an elaborate skive, mostly. I'm heading over to the City for a series of very dull Insurance meetings, followed by a brief lunch, followed by my legging it back up to Essex. As far as work are concerned I'm in meetings the rest of the day.

    I thought that if it didn't rain I'd get away with cycling to the office, then over to the city, then back to ealing, but if it did rain I wouldn't - absolutely no facilities available for changing where I'm headed.

    Now I followed my own (excellent) advice, and checked the heathrow TAF last night, which said low cloud base, poor visibility, but no rain.

    And I ignored it. When I went outside this morning it felt kinda rainy so I took the tube.

    Up on the 6th floor, it is now patently obvious to me that it is not giong to rain before 1130, and I could have cycled.

    The TAF is bang on.

    ARGH. :x

    I cycled to work :P

    for a whole mile :oops:

    NOT........ HELPING......... :evil: :wink:
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    The Car has a 3/4 tank of petrol and is happily parked on some road in Wimbledon, near where Jen lives (not insinuating anything, honest :P )

    Me, I powered my way to work, training for the '09 SCR season, new bike (hopefully) and potential sportives, long distance rides.

    Today, so far has been an alright day.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Littigator
    Littigator Posts: 1,262
    I have a confession to make....today I bimbled! :shock: :oops:

    I have to head back to my parents for the weekend tonight, so I was dressed in normal clothes to ride in, I even eschewed my helmet and sported a jaunty little cap at a rakish angle 8)

    Also, my iPod went flat so all of the above added up to me being in a rather lackadaisical mood this morning and resulted in the aforementioned bimble mode.

    People passed me and I didn't give chase...I fear I may be sickening for something
    Roadie FCN: 3

    Fixed FCN: 6
  • m0scs
    m0scs Posts: 196
    The Sun shines on the rightious in Hertfordshire at the moment so seeing I have the afternoon off im off out for a spin looking for some scalps. :D

    There was black ice thismorning, car slid a bit on some hills, so be careful out there people.
    Specialised Epic MTB on slicks.
    SPD clipless pedals: FCN 7
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    Is it close season for SCR? I, too, bimbled last night. Slowly caught an SS rider along Chelsea embankment but remained 5-10metres behind all along NKR and over Col de Putney bridge without attempting a pass. That distance was enough for me to get caught by the lights at the end of the pont but allow my pseudo-quarry to pass. Oh, well.
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • mcmullej
    mcmullej Posts: 136
    m0scs wrote:
    The Sun shines on the rightious in Hertfordshire at the moment so seeing I have the afternoon off im off out for a spin looking for some scalps. :D

    There was black ice thismorning, car slid a bit on some hills, so be careful out there people.

    Well, I know Herts is a big place 'n all, but good competition is hard to come by.....

    Borehamwood to St Albans via Well End, Silverhill, Shenley, Milehouse Lane - leaving B'wood around 1745.

    I'm the christmas tree on a Bowery.
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    Hey peps! Been a bit quiet by my usual standards due to work (for a change) getting in the way.

    Yesterday I got the horrid train as I knew I wasn't going to get my usual desk at work and needed to bring in the rather un-luggable laptop. I also chose to wear in my "spare" pair of smart shoes so I didn't have to faf around changing at work.........beggining to wish I'd used my trainers!!! The new shoes hadn't been broken in yet and the walk to/from station at each end plus an excursion to another site at the top of Hampstead road meant loads of walking and 2 blisters on the back of my achiles :-(

    This morning I was getting changed and slipped on the SPD's only to find walking rather uncomfortable!! Not wanting to risk making the blisters worse I chose the train again.......had a "wonderful" time sitting squahed between a small child and the window but did get a few more medals on Burnout Dominator :-D Good ol' PSP!
    My intention of not wanting to aggrevate the blister was that I really don't want to have to drive to Thames Ditton on Monday so guessed one day on the train is better then 1 1/2 in car!

    Also I'd like to add MTFU FTW! This HTFU is just wrong......
    Who's the daddy?
    Twitter, Videos & Blog
    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Jen J wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Argh.

    Didn't cycle today - due to an elaborate skive, mostly. I'm heading over to the City for a series of very dull Insurance meetings, followed by a brief lunch, followed by my legging it back up to Essex. As far as work are concerned I'm in meetings the rest of the day.

    I thought that if it didn't rain I'd get away with cycling to the office, then over to the city, then back to ealing, but if it did rain I wouldn't - absolutely no facilities available for changing where I'm headed.

    Now I followed my own (excellent) advice, and checked the heathrow TAF last night, which said low cloud base, poor visibility, but no rain.

    And I ignored it. When I went outside this morning it felt kinda rainy so I took the tube.

    Up on the 6th floor, it is now patently obvious to me that it is not giong to rain before 1130, and I could have cycled.

    The TAF is bang on.

    ARGH. :x

    I cycled to work :P

    for a whole mile :oops:

    How could you come on here and admit you cycled 1 mile, oh wait! I haven't cycled in over a week :cry: :oops:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    itboffin wrote:
    LiT's how can your FCN be 7 that's false advertising surely!

    Well, I start at 5 - faux single speed (dirty/functional), baggies +1, then panniers +1 = 7

    I could argue that my cycling sandals are not evidently clipless, but I don't wear them in winter. Summer will see my FCN return to an 8.

    Does the Bowery count as Faux or Proper rapid?
    Notice the part chromed forks & stays, now I'd say "tarty shiny fixies" - busted!!!

    FCN = 5 -1 for ridiculous GI
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Littigator wrote:
    I have a confession to make....today I bimbled! :shock: :oops:

    I have to head back to my parents for the weekend tonight, so I was dressed in normal clothes to ride in, I even eschewed my helmet and sported a jaunty little cap at a rakish angle 8)

    Also, my iPod went flat so all of the above added up to me being in a rather lackadaisical mood this morning and resulted in the aforementioned bimble mode.

    People passed me and I didn't give chase...I fear I may be sickening for something

    A MASSIVE dose of GAY by the sounds of it... MTFU or WTFU whichever :shock:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • don_don
    don_don Posts: 1,007
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Argh.

    Didn't cycle today - due to an elaborate skive, mostly. I'm heading over to the City for a series of very dull Insurance meetings, followed by a brief lunch, followed by my legging it back up to Essex. As far as work are concerned I'm in meetings the rest of the day.

    I thought that if it didn't rain I'd get away with cycling to the office, then over to the city, then back to ealing, but if it did rain I wouldn't - absolutely no facilities available for changing where I'm headed.

    Now I followed my own (excellent) advice, and checked the heathrow TAF last night, which said low cloud base, poor visibility, but no rain.

    And I ignored it. When I went outside this morning it felt kinda rainy so I took the tube.

    Up on the 6th floor, it is now patently obvious to me that it is not giong to rain before 1130, and I could have cycled.

    The TAF is bang on.

    ARGH. :x

    Don't you just hate it when that happens? You spend the rest of the day kicking yourself for missing out, then itching to get back on the bike to make up for it :(

    Forecast is nice this weekend LiT (at least over here in Yokelbury) - no doubt you'll get out for a spin?
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    don_don wrote:

    Forecast is nice this weekend LiT (at least over here in Yokelbury) - no doubt you'll get out for a spin?

    Are you asking her out on a date....
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Jen J
    Jen J Posts: 1,054
    itboffin wrote:
    Jen J wrote:

    I cycled to work :P

    for a whole mile :oops:

    How could you come on here and admit you cycled 1 mile, oh wait! I haven't cycled in over a week :cry: :oops:

    Ah, but I'll also be cycling home.

    For one mile...
    Commuting: Giant Bowery 08
    Winter Hack: Triandrun Vento 3
    Madone

    It's all about me...
  • don_don
    don_don Posts: 1,007
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    don_don wrote:

    Forecast is nice this weekend LiT (at least over here in Yokelbury) - no doubt you'll get out for a spin?

    Are you asking her out on a date....

    Do you think I should?? :D
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    don_don wrote:
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    don_don wrote:

    Forecast is nice this weekend LiT (at least over here in Yokelbury) - no doubt you'll get out for a spin?

    Are you asking her out on a date....

    Do you think I should?? :D

    What does your heart tell you?
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Nonononononononononononono!!!!!!
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • audaxvirgin
    audaxvirgin Posts: 21
    Cheers! Back on the bike after a day on 4 wheels, should be grateful since it poured all the way home yesterday.

    Looked out fro brass monkeys this morning but just caught a bloke on fat tyres instead. Having lost him for a good half mile he snuck up on me at a pegasus crossing and went off to the left straight after, so no chance of a comeback. To be honest, I don't think he ever noticed I was there, so not much of a contest........ :roll:

    No bikes AT ALL after that for 5 whole miles. Except for the Roberts rider who goes the opposite way and rides one-handed, apparently watching a small radio held in his other hand. Wonder if that's a Roberts as well? The bike is lovely.
    My other bike's a Dawes.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Linsen, I'm ashamed!

    He should follow his heart even if it leads him to oblivion. At least then he'll have lived searching for something truly worth dying for and died for something truly worth having!

    Wow and whoa! I'm in romance mode.... :shock:
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • simon_ramsey
    simon_ramsey Posts: 116
    Bad case of "Friday Legs" for me today. Think I over cooked it a bit on the way home last night. Just didn't feel the need for speed today. :( Spin my legs out over the weekend on my MTB and it will be "Game On" Monday morning. Need to MTFU on my commute home if I don't want to get scalped (or go out and buy some panniers, flat pedals and knobbly tyres to lower my FCN).

    Bit cold for the +3 option :)
  • audaxvirgin
    audaxvirgin Posts: 21
    Nothing to say, just done this so I'll see what my updated image looks like. I'm so vain!
    My other bike's a Dawes.
  • don_don
    don_don Posts: 1,007
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Linsen, I'm ashamed!

    He should follow his heart even if it leads him to oblivion. At least then he'll have lived searching for something truly worth dying for and died for something truly worth having!

    Wow and whoa! I'm in romance mode.... :shock:

    How inspriring :)

    I think I feel some poetry coming on....
  • Totalnewbie
    Totalnewbie Posts: 932
    Bloke on a roadie was desperately trying to catch me (and me on my winter hybrid - for shame!) on the Sarf Lambeth rd last night.

    I knew I was only a mile from home (sneaky I know) and gave it all I had. Fended him off for a good while.Then a light up ahead was red and I started to ease off in anticipation, and he came shooting past. Unfortunately the lights timed so that they changed just as he got to them, whereas I had eased off too early and lost valuable speed. Damn. And then I had to turn off for my road anyway so off he went. Arrived home red faced and panting like some sort of pervert. I think perhaps the dog thought I was trying to emulate her with the panting. Oh well.
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/ ... 400572.jpg
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Dix sur dix for effort, TN :D

    Next time, next time......
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • m0scs
    m0scs Posts: 196
    mcmullej wrote:
    m0scs wrote:
    The Sun shines on the rightious in Hertfordshire at the moment so seeing I have the afternoon off im off out for a spin looking for some scalps. :D

    There was black ice thismorning, car slid a bit on some hills, so be careful out there people.

    Well, I know Herts is a big place 'n all, but good competition is hard to come by.....

    Borehamwood to St Albans via Well End, Silverhill, Shenley, Milehouse Lane - leaving B'wood around 1745.

    I'm the christmas tree on a Bowery.

    My office is in St Albans but I'm not there very often.

    I live in Hemel Hempstead and took a ride in the direction of Chesham today via all the back roads for a change. There are some big bad hills round there. Didnt see another soul on a bike for the entire 20 mile ride.

    According to my Polar computer the max incline was 22%, not sure what that means, I just know its the steepest Ive ever climbed, hurt my legs and I very nearly ran out of gears. I contemplated getting off and walking at one point but then MTFU and got on with it.

    DDD if you need some hill training for SCR 09 there's plenty out this way. :D
    Specialised Epic MTB on slicks.
    SPD clipless pedals: FCN 7
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Had a car try and fail to overtake me as I approached a T-junction. I stayed in the middle of the lane as I was turning right and left him in the middle of the other lane with a car trying to turn into the road. Alas he was beside me and not in front so the camera missed it :(
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • mcmullej
    mcmullej Posts: 136

    I live in Hemel Hempstead and took a ride in the direction of Chesham today via all the back roads for a change. There are some big bad hills round there. Didnt see another soul on a bike for the entire 20 mile ride.

    According to my Polar computer the max incline was 22%, not sure what that means, I just know its the steepest Ive ever climbed, hurt my legs and I very nearly ran out of gears. I contemplated getting off and walking at one point but then MTFU and got on with it.

    Got lost around Tring, Aldbury, Whipsnade a few times. There's certainly a big change in topography up there compared to St Albans / Hemel area.

    There's a switchback hill up from Aldbury towards Ashridge that damn nearly killed me one Sunday morning. I was still getting used to the SPDs and was moving so slowly near the top that I knew if I did stop pedalling I'd never manage to unclip in time and I'd fall over in a heap. Made it to the top ok. Very pleased with myself for that. But then I headed straight home.

    I think I'll need a bike with gears if I'm ever going to tackle that hill again...

    Friday night journey home was horrible. Dark, raining, lunatic motorists. As per usual no other cyclists to be seen - until right near the end. I'd just been 'near-missed' by an Audi and was venting to noone in particular when I got passed by a roadie. Maybe the fact that I was screaming to my self "I hate all Audi drivers!" gave him added encouragement to pass without delay.

    An opportunity for a duel missed. Maybe next time...

    Who else talks to themselves while commuting? It's not just me right? I sing too... Kraftwerk have been featuring a lot recently. I know all the lyrics. "Radioactiviteeeee invented by Madam Cureeeeee", "TourDeFrance, TourDeFrance....."

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