Silly commuting racing

cjcp

TGOTB wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Fairies gonna be fairies.

Looked behind me on the approach to Victoria Bridge last night to find four of the little buggers sheltering from the minimal headwind.

I had a guy lock his back wheel and slither alongside me last night, amidst much muttering of oaths, when I stopped at a zebra crossing on NKR. To his credit, he did have the good grace to offer an unprompted apology...

That would not have been an option for one of the fairies last night if, when a little bit further on, the truck he was right behind had stopped suddenly.

Remember when Wylie Coyote used to run into a boulder and there'd be a W. Coyote-shaped imprint in the boulder?...

hopkinb

anonymousblackfg wrote:

Have just pushed the button on new Autumn gloves from Galibier,

Just done the same, as I couldn't feel my fingers for 20 mins this morning. Ta for the heads up. Very good price, so bought some "light winter" ones too. If the fit and quality are good, I will probably go back for the "deep winter" ones.

tgotb

cjcp wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Fairies gonna be fairies.

Looked behind me on the approach to Victoria Bridge last night to find four of the little buggers sheltering from the minimal headwind.

I had a guy lock his back wheel and slither alongside me last night, amidst much muttering of oaths, when I stopped at a zebra crossing on NKR. To his credit, he did have the good grace to offer an unprompted apology...

That would not have been an option for one of the fairies last night if, when a little bit further on, the truck he was right behind had stopped suddenly.

Remember when Wylie Coyote used to run into a boulder and there'd be a W. Coyote-shaped imprint in the boulder?...

It doesn't bother me as much when they do it behind HGVs. It's natural selection, and they're unlikely to cause much damage to the HGV in the process...

CitizenLee

cjcp wrote:

Lots of glass about, and especially in the bike lanes. Grrrr.

It's been like this on my commute for a few weeks now. Almost like someone has went to to effort of putting it there, although I doubt that's actually the case.

sgt.pepper

elbowloh wrote:

Pretty much in pootle mode this morning. The traffic seemed to be heavy everywhere and bad.

I kept thinking to myself this morning that there are many, many cyclists out there that are willing to take risks that I am not. Many situations this morning where I stayed behind a bus or a truck rather than squeeze through a 2 foot gap between the that vehicle and another. There was one point in particular on Tottenham Court Road where it basically went from 3 lanes down to one due to road works and a road sweeper. Loads of cyclists where squeezing through and round the merging traffic whereas I held back.

Maybe i'm just risk averse? Who knows, I just don't think it's worth it for a few seconds gain. It also makes drivers anxious when bikes "swarm" round you when you're trying to merge lanes (well it certainly does when i'm driving).

There's definitely a line, I think a lot of it depends on the road layout. I got pulled out on 3 times this morning while filtering on the left - twice with people avoiding obstacles and just veering, once when a scooter pulled through a gap in the traffic and almost hit me. If I'd been filtering/weaving on the right hand side it likely would've been a lot safer.

Really looking forward to this competition finishing and being able to recover. Can't seem to sprint anymore because I'm just in perpetual recovery - think I'm immediately hitting lactate threshold. Probably losing some top end power, even if my cardiovascular base has probably improved.

DrLex

Despite looking out skull cap and both arm & leg warmers, forgot to swap to autumn shoes. Only now getting feeling back in my toes.

poweredbyidris

First bit of SCR in a while last night away from the lights on Queenstown Rd up Cedars road. Was at the back of the ASL as the lights went green. Two lads in front of me start giving it the beans and I latch on to the wheels. Fella on a red Spesh gets out of the saddle and starts to pull out a half-wheel lead and keeps looking round as the other rider gamely holds on whilst I'm stealthily tracking wheels. Second rider eventually starts to get gapped so I up the pace to go round him, reeling in Mr Red Spesh. I overtake over the summit and pull away as it flattens out. Lights are red at the top and as I'm waiting Mr Red Spesh, obviously chastened, filters round in front of the ASL. Lights go green and I let him lead me out into Clapham Common, before putting the hammer down and leaving him for good.

asprilla

Turned on to LRR as the sun came above the buildings into my face so pulled my shades off my helmet and put them on. Turns out they are fuckin filthy and the next time the sun pokes through I'm completely blind. Completely and utterly, should have had a labrador in a handlebar basket, blind.

Given I spent much of Sunday and Monday either in bed or sitting on / kneeling at the great porcelain throne there was a definite risk of a brown trouser moment.

Make sure you clear your windscreen kids.

veronese68

Asprilla wrote:

Given I spent much of Sunday and Monday either in bed or sitting on / kneeling at the great porcelain throne there was a definite risk of a brown trouser moment.

Too much to drink? Of the Serpentine that is.

Due to a variety of circumstances I have not ridden my bicycle since the 4th of September, I'm hoping to ride tomorrow after dropping the daughter off. Assuming I manage I will be slow, very very slow.

drhaggis

Veronese68 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Given I spent much of Sunday and Monday either in bed or sitting on / kneeling at the great porcelain throne there was a definite risk of a brown trouser moment.

Too much to drink? Of the Serpentine that is.

Due to a variety of circumstances I have not ridden my bicycle since the 4th of September, I'm hoping to ride tomorrow after dropping the daughter off. Assuming I manage I will be slow, very very slow.

There is a point when it no longer is about the speed. Provided the traffic isn't too bad, riding my bike is often liberating. The pedalling, the breathing, the positioning, the possible light drizzle in my face; they all push thoughts on work, on other situations, far away and, to make things better, riding also reduces the frequency of my migraines.

asprilla

Veronese68 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Given I spent much of Sunday and Monday either in bed or sitting on / kneeling at the great porcelain throne there was a definite risk of a brown trouser moment.

Too much to drink? Of the Serpentine that is.

Due to a variety of circumstances I have not ridden my bicycle since the 4th of September, I'm hoping to ride tomorrow after dropping the daughter off. Assuming I manage I will be slow, very very slow.

It's a possibility, although I finished the swim before 12 on Saturday and I didn't enter quarantine until around 11pm on Sunday which strikes me as a bit long. Little Miss Asprilla insisted on playing Doctors on Sunday morning and was putting toy thermometers and such in my mouth which, in hindsight, she'd also been playing with her school friends during the week. I'm blaming that instead.

tgotb

Asprilla wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Given I spent much of Sunday and Monday either in bed or sitting on / kneeling at the great porcelain throne there was a definite risk of a brown trouser moment.

Too much to drink? Of the Serpentine that is.

Due to a variety of circumstances I have not ridden my bicycle since the 4th of September, I'm hoping to ride tomorrow after dropping the daughter off. Assuming I manage I will be slow, very very slow.

It's a possibility, although I finished the swim before 12 on Saturday and I didn't enter quarantine until around 11pm on Sunday which strikes me as a bit long. Little Miss Asprilla insisted on playing Doctors on Sunday morning and was putting toy thermometers and such in my mouth which, in hindsight, she'd also been playing with her school friends during the week. I'm blaming that instead.

A GP once told me depends on the bug, and which part of your digestive system it prefers. Apparently bugs which like the upper part of your digestive system tend to manifest themselves earlier, and are more prone to reject things in an upwards direction, whereas bugs that prefer the lower part tend to have a longer incubation period, and are more likely to expel things downwards.

asprilla

TGOTB wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Given I spent much of Sunday and Monday either in bed or sitting on / kneeling at the great porcelain throne there was a definite risk of a brown trouser moment.

Too much to drink? Of the Serpentine that is.

Due to a variety of circumstances I have not ridden my bicycle since the 4th of September, I'm hoping to ride tomorrow after dropping the daughter off. Assuming I manage I will be slow, very very slow.

It's a possibility, although I finished the swim before 12 on Saturday and I didn't enter quarantine until around 11pm on Sunday which strikes me as a bit long. Little Miss Asprilla insisted on playing Doctors on Sunday morning and was putting toy thermometers and such in my mouth which, in hindsight, she'd also been playing with her school friends during the week. I'm blaming that instead.

A GP once told me depends on the bug, and which part of your digestive system it prefers. Apparently bugs which like the upper part of your digestive system tend to manifest themselves earlier, and are more prone to reject things in an upwards direction, whereas bugs that prefer the lower part tend to have a longer incubation period, and are more likely to expel things downwards.

This one liked the absolute dead centre. It was like doing burpees.

tgotb

I think your body's also trying to say you should have been riding your CX bike around Campbell Park in Milton Keynes (2014 World Cup venue, no less) rather than doing some silly pseudo-sport that involves getting dressed and undressed against the clock.

As luck would have it, we're organising a race at Bedfont Lakes, on 14 Oct. That would be the perfect place for you to atone for your sins...

asprilla

TGOTB wrote:

I think your body's also trying to say you should have been riding your CX bike around Campbell Park in Milton Keynes (2014 World Cup venue, no less) rather than doing some silly pseudo-sport that involves getting dressed and undressed against the clock.

As luck would have it, we're organising a race at Bedfont Lakes, on 14 Oct. That would be the perfect place for you to atone for your sins...

I'm actually trying to round up some more CXers from the tri club to attend. More converts to the cause.

tgotb

Asprilla wrote:

I'm actually trying to round up some more CXers from the tri club to attend. More converts to the cause.

That's more like it!

I don't know how young Little Miss Asprilla is, but there's a separate start for U8s. I've already ordered the chocolate medals 8)

cjcp

He has no excuse. He's got the bike, the fitness is there, and it's a cracking course.

I'm expecting to see him on the start line (along with Matt J).

asprilla

cjcp wrote:

I'm expecting to see him on the start line (along with Matt J).

We'll it's bloody unlikely you'll see me at the finish.

tgotb

You can also tell your tri club mates that we have a big PA system and professional commentator; we all know how much triantelopes love an occasion ("You are an Ironman" and all that rubbish...)

veronese68

I agree with TGOTB, it's your body telling you to stop being ridiculous. Just be grateful it was only a stomach bug and not your body falling apart a la G66.
Bedfont Lakes Oct 14th? I haven't ridden a bike in nearly a month and I feel like death at the moment. Yet I'm strangely tempted. The wife should be out of her cast by then so it could be my turn.

tgotb

Do it! To whet your appetite, here's last year's V40 race:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tbw3JMVCTE

veronese68

TGOTB wrote:

Do it! To whet your appetite, here's last year's V40 race:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tbw3JMVCTE

Just checked the calendar and the Mrs isn't back at the fracture clinic until the 22nd so I'm going to struggle to get a pass for doing something she considers stupid.
Might bring the post race beers again if nothing else then.

asprilla

Veronese68 wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

Do it! To whet your appetite, here's last year's V40 race:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tbw3JMVCTE

Just checked the calendar and the Mrs isn't back at the fracture clinic until the 22nd so I'm going to struggle to get a pass for doing something she considers stupid.
Might bring the post race beers again if nothing else then.

Make sure you position yourself next to a suitable running chicane section so I can tell you to bugger off on each lap.

veronese68

Asprilla wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

Do it! To whet your appetite, here's last year's V40 race:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tbw3JMVCTE

Just checked the calendar and the Mrs isn't back at the fracture clinic until the 22nd so I'm going to struggle to get a pass for doing something she considers stupid.
Might bring the post race beers again if nothing else then.

Make sure you position yourself next to a suitable running chicane section so I can tell you to bugger off on each lap.

Also next to a dismount or remount section in anticipation of some comedy footage to share.
Also if I entered I'd now be in the V50+ category so you'd be able to return the compliments.

errorist

TGOTB wrote:

As luck would have it, we're organising a race at Bedfont Lakes, on 14 Oct. That would be the perfect place for you to atone for your sins...

You must be a fellow Wheeler then? Really want to do my first CX race so going to try and source a cross bike before the 14th. Might just be able to clear it with the other half if I tell her its also for commuting!

hopkinb

TGOTB wrote:

As luck would have it, we're organising a race at Bedfont Lakes, on 14 Oct. That would be the perfect place for you to atone for your sins...

What level of skillz and fitness does a bloke need to attempt a CX race and not make an utter @rse of himself? Well, no more of an @rse than usual.

veronese68

hopkinb wrote:

What level of skillz and fitness does a bloke need to attempt a CX race and not make an utter @rse of himself? Well, no more of an @rse than usual.

If reckon I could do it* you'll be absolutely fine. Just practice getting on and off quickly without falling over.

* No reference to speed or competence you'll note.

tgotb

Errorist wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

As luck would have it, we're organising a race at Bedfont Lakes, on 14 Oct. That would be the perfect place for you to atone for your sins...

You must be a fellow Wheeler then? Really want to do my first CX race so going to try and source a cross bike before the 14th. Might just be able to clear it with the other half if I tell her its also for commuting!

Excellent! If you can't get your hands on a CX bike, a MTB will do, and you definitely won't be the only competitor riding one. You'll occasionally see a MTB at the sharp end of a CX race, but this course has been specifically designed to favour CX bikes. If it's totally dry, you might even get away with a road bike.

Yep - I'm one of the race organisers - also the Wheeler who keeps popping up on the club forum going on (and on) about cyclocross ;-)

Once you have a bike (CX or MTB), get yourself along to some of the Thursday evening training sessions; all welcome, even Asprilla's triantelopes. Focus is on skills, but you'll get a good workout too..

tgotb

hopkinb wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

As luck would have it, we're organising a race at Bedfont Lakes, on 14 Oct. That would be the perfect place for you to atone for your sins...

What level of skillz and fitness does a bloke need to attempt a CX race and not make an utter @rse of himself? Well, no more of an @rse than usual.

There's an under-8 category. If 6- and 7-year old kids can get round the course in one piece, so can you...

cjcp

Veronese68 wrote:

hopkinb wrote:

What level of skillz and fitness does a bloke need to attempt a CX race and not make an utter @rse of himself? Well, no more of an @rse than usual.

If reckon I could do it* you'll be absolutely fine. Just practice getting on and off quickly without falling over.

* No reference to speed or competence you'll note.

Hopkin - you'll be absolutely fine. I tried to ride up the steps last year, and went head over @rse, so your challenge is to beat that -- it's all about giving something for the spectators to cheer about.

We had a Cowbell Corner last year, featuring, well, a clubmate standing on one of the corners with a cowbell .

There's an excellent spirit at the races and there's very much a gallows humour at the start line. It's a hoot.

In my first ever race, I finished around 50th of 54, and I had just as much of a race at that end of the pack than I've had at other points in the field.

V68 - just tell the Good Lady that you're off to a big shop. Or something.