Silly commuting racing

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  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    Ahhhh the big ring wars those were the days
    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.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,302
    First time in a while. Pulled away from the roadworks at Barnes Station behind a guy on a Specialized, going at a decent pace, and then pull away from the next traffic lights in front.

    Oh hello, who's this? A De Rosa overtakes and pulls in front before properly completing the pass, so I draft up to the next lights before Castelnau. I'm thinking "not a chance".

    Pull away onto Castelnau and there's a little group formed. Sit in behind De Rosa man for a little while before Specialized comes past - I get on his wheel, we drop the others like stones and then I launch the decisive attack. He's dropped, I win, and then of course 20 seconds later stop at the next lights and we all regroup. I think it's a sign of respect that they all line up behind me rather than alongside.
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    KingstonGraham wrote:
    I think it's a sign of respect that they all line up behind me rather than alongside.

    This is definitely true. :D
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    dekant wrote:
    Guys, Guys, Guys! There's only one way to settle this...

    ...and that's a SCR standing start drag race. See you all on Southwark bridge road at sundown!

    What do I win?
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,930
    TGOTB wrote:
    njee20 wrote:
    Speaking as someone who's led out a lot of mountain bike races, and never once from my easiest gear! ;-)
    If we really want to get into willy waving, I've taken the holeshot in a lot of CX races, and always from an easy gear (generally 38x25). Can be a bit wheel-spinny on slippery mud though, so try it beforehand and pick a higher gear if there's not enough traction.
    njee20 wrote:
    You also suggest that the heavier a person is the quicker they'll get off the line, as more bodyweight = more torque, and clearly that's nonsense.
    Nope. I'm saying that your torque is limited by your bodyweight. Your power is the product of your torque and your cadence. Once you're standing on the pedals, the only things you can do to increase your power are:
    1. Get heavier
    2. Get longer cranks
    3. Change to an easier gear

    More bodyweight does allow you to get more power down, but you also have more mass to accelerate, so it (roughly - let's ignore the weight of the bike) cancels out.

    Thought experiment: If you go somewhere where gravity is stronger, you'll be heavier but your mass will be the same; you should be able to accelerate more quickly (but the hills will be horrible).

    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    Ryan_W wrote:
    dekant wrote:
    Guys, Guys, Guys! There's only one way to settle this...

    ...and that's a SCR standing start drag race. See you all on Southwark bridge road at sundown!
    What do I win?
    not much judging by your category and palmares :wink:
    Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
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    Bottecchia/Campagnolo 1990
    Carrera Parva Hybrid 2016
    Hoy Sa Calobra 002 2014 [off duty]
    Storck Absolutist 2011 [off duty]
    http://www.slidingseat.net/cycling/cycling.html
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    rjsterry wrote:
    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    There's been a lot of research on this; here's an example:
    https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke/
    Executive summary:
    - Elite and pro cyclists tested didn't even produce enough upward force to take the full weight of their leg
    - Consistently trying to pull up on your pedals can lead to injury
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    TGOTB wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    There's been a lot of research on this; here's an example:
    https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke/
    Executive summary:
    - Elite and pro cyclists tested didn't even produce enough upward force to take the full weight of their leg
    - Consistently trying to pull up on your pedals can lead to injury

    Unless your feet are stinging on a big one, then pulling up actively on the pedals, for a short time, eases the problem.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    TGOTB wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    There's been a lot of research on this; here's an example:
    https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke/
    Executive summary:
    - Elite and pro cyclists tested didn't even produce enough upward force to take the full weight of their leg
    - Consistently trying to pull up on your pedals can lead to injury


    I unintentionally pull up on my pedals when going 1,500w + from a dig.

    My bike skips all over the place at low speeds, but that hasn’t stopped me being rather competitive in sprints...

    It’s much more controllable when putting down the same power at high speed, and that’s where it really matters in 99% of racing.

    I must add that I partially tore my left hammy in a 1,700w effort, being a knob in Monaco, racing a mate down the beach front. Lots of low down torque and pulling up on the pedals. Lesson learnt.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    All the bikes out everywhere this morning. Was great. That many cyclists really does make drivers stop and think. Cant claim any SCR, did get scalped by Rhodrich....again! but can claim the sweatiest jersey ever!
  • jds_1981
    jds_1981 Posts: 1,858
    TGOTB wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    There's been a lot of research on this; here's an example:
    https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke/
    Executive summary:
    - Elite and pro cyclists tested didn't even produce enough upward force to take the full weight of their leg
    - Consistently trying to pull up on your pedals can lead to injury
    Sure, but when I ride my fixie out of work basements and up the rare steep hill I definitely do - if I don't I will literally grind to a halt due to the gearing.
    FCN 9 || FCN 5
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    jds_1981 wrote:
    TGOTB wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    There's been a lot of research on this; here's an example:
    https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke/
    Executive summary:
    - Elite and pro cyclists tested didn't even produce enough upward force to take the full weight of their leg
    - Consistently trying to pull up on your pedals can lead to injury
    Sure, but when I ride my fixie out of work basements and up the rare steep hill I definitely do - if I don't I will literally grind to a halt due to the gearing.

    Different folks do seem to pedal differently, even as a old Flat pedal user, before on bikes with clips on very steep hills I could feel a slight pull up, though in fairness I don't notice the lack of it on flats.

    On the whole use what every is good for you, this stuff is marginal gains, unless your riding grand tours the rightness probably doesn't really matter!
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,930
    TGOTB wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    There's been a lot of research on this; here's an example:
    https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke/
    Executive summary:
    - Elite and pro cyclists tested didn't even produce enough upward force to take the full weight of their leg
    - Consistently trying to pull up on your pedals can lead to injury
    How on earth do they cope with stairs?
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    rjsterry wrote:
    TGOTB wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    The myth that you only push down on pedals just will not die.
    There's been a lot of research on this; here's an example:
    https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke/
    Executive summary:
    - Elite and pro cyclists tested didn't even produce enough upward force to take the full weight of their leg
    - Consistently trying to pull up on your pedals can lead to injury
    How on earth do they cope with stairs?

    Dont you know all pros live in bungalows?? :wink:
  • pangolin
    pangolin Posts: 6,670
    That's downward force, it's climbing a ladder upside down they'd struggle with
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  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    Nice to meet and chat with Kingdav this morning. Looking forward to the tailwind on the way home!
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    Lots out on bikes, and a little two up into the headwind with a chap on a genesis, came across an utter tool on a MTB, shoaled and span off from the lights but he could shift and get back in so no worries. Issue was when he pushed up between me and a girl queuing at Oval hitting both of us. "I could fit through so it was ok" clearly he couldn't. Also, them made an interesting lane change as I later over took him trying to block me. One has to wonder how someone gets on in life being such a tool.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • kingdav
    kingdav Posts: 417
    Smokey Bacon wrote:
    Dont you know all pros live in bungalows?? :wink:
    I'm sure in the authoritative tome that is "The World of Cycling According to G" he mentions the pros being deliberately slothful with any off-bike non-training related exertion and the bungalodyte thing may indeed be a thing.

    Nice ride in today with Smokey B, casually blowing nodders away
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Passed a bloke last night who was wearing a full-on Castelli speed suit. Whilst riding a hybrid. If aerodynamics matter that much to you, maybe rethink your bike choice?
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    kingdav wrote:
    Smokey Bacon wrote:
    Dont you know all pros live in bungalows?? :wink:
    I'm sure in the authoritative tome that is "The World of Cycling According to G" he mentions the pros being deliberately slothful with any off-bike non-training related exertion and the bungalodyte thing may indeed be a thing.
    In Chris Hoy's autobiography he talks about getting lost on the way to an event at the Beijing Olympics, and being mortified at all the extra (walking) distance they were putting into their legs...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Phantom front wheel tyre deflation last last night as I was descending Burntwood lane at a reasonable lick. No sign of any foreign object having pierced a month old gp4000sii, not a cut on the rubber to be seen, and totally clean inside of the tyre. I was half expecting another on the way home or this morning, but so far so good.

    A bit headwindy this morning = free resistance training and fairy sheltering.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    TGOTB wrote:
    kingdav wrote:
    Smokey Bacon wrote:
    Dont you know all pros live in bungalows?? :wink:
    I'm sure in the authoritative tome that is "The World of Cycling According to G" he mentions the pros being deliberately slothful with any off-bike non-training related exertion and the bungalodyte thing may indeed be a thing.
    In Chris Hoy's autobiography he talks about getting lost on the way to an event at the Beijing Olympics, and being mortified at all the extra (walking) distance they were putting into their legs...


    Pendleton said she was looking forward to retirement and being able to go shopping with her friends, as while competing she would finish training and go straight home and rest for the rest of the day.
  • j_mcd
    j_mcd Posts: 473
    Kingstonian wrote:
    TGOTB wrote:
    kingdav wrote:
    Smokey Bacon wrote:
    Dont you know all pros live in bungalows?? :wink:
    I'm sure in the authoritative tome that is "The World of Cycling According to G" he mentions the pros being deliberately slothful with any off-bike non-training related exertion and the bungalodyte thing may indeed be a thing.
    In Chris Hoy's autobiography he talks about getting lost on the way to an event at the Beijing Olympics, and being mortified at all the extra (walking) distance they were putting into their legs...


    Pendleton said she was looking forward to retirement and being able to go shopping with her friends, as while competing she would finish training and go straight home and rest for the rest of the day.

    So that's where I've been going wrong. My commuting times are not getting substantially faster because I walk around at work occasionally and use the stairs

    As opposed to the lazyness and fatness...
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  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Warning for SW Londoners: There's quite a lot of glass in the bike lane along NKR. If I remember correctly there's one lot just after the Col de Chutney Mary, and then quite a few more between Wandsworth Bridge Road and Putney Bridge...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    TGOTB wrote:
    Warning for SW Londoners: There's quite a lot of glass in the bike lane along NKR. If I remember correctly there's one lot just after the Col de Chutney Mary, and then quite a few more between Wandsworth Bridge Road and Putney Bridge...
    Yes I've noticed, nasty-looking. Have the Duranos been penetrated? Mine OK so far...
    Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
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    Carrera Parva Hybrid 2016
    Hoy Sa Calobra 002 2014 [off duty]
    Storck Absolutist 2011 [off duty]
    http://www.slidingseat.net/cycling/cycling.html
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    rower63 wrote:
    TGOTB wrote:
    Warning for SW Londoners: There's quite a lot of glass in the bike lane along NKR. If I remember correctly there's one lot just after the Col de Chutney Mary, and then quite a few more between Wandsworth Bridge Road and Putney Bridge...
    Yes I've noticed, nasty-looking. Have the Duranos been penetrated? Mine OK so far...
    Only one incident so far this year, a few weeks ago; that was caused by a piece of glass.
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    TGOTB wrote:
    rower63 wrote:
    TGOTB wrote:
    Warning for SW Londoners: There's quite a lot of glass in the bike lane along NKR. If I remember correctly there's one lot just after the Col de Chutney Mary, and then quite a few more between Wandsworth Bridge Road and Putney Bridge...
    Yes I've noticed, nasty-looking. Have the Duranos been penetrated? Mine OK so far...
    Only one incident so far this year, a few weeks ago; that was caused by a piece of glass.

    Same on some parts of CS7 this morning after last nights festivities. Which also wiped out half the usual peloton that is usually around so I got a quiet ride in.
  • mattsaw
    mattsaw Posts: 907
    Great to be back on the bike after 3 weeks of train purgatory.

    Fitness is going to need a lot of work!
    Bianchi C2C - Ritte Bosberg - Cervelo R3
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  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Mattsaw wrote:
    Great to be back on the bike after 3 weeks of train purgatory.

    Fitness is going to need a lot of work!

    Good that you're back on the bike!

    Nothing doing this morning, a few little digs to get rid of annoying nodders who were buzzing around me like flies while I was trying to enjoy a leisurely cruise, which is quite a difficult thing to do.
  • prhymeate
    prhymeate Posts: 795
    woops, wrong thread.

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