Silly commuting racing

smokey_bacon

Wolfsbane2k wrote:

anonymousblackfg wrote:

This temperature is annoying, my different pairs of gloves are either too warm or too cold either end of the day.

Yep - I'm currently taking a lightweight full finger pair in the morning, and mitts for the evening, although yesterday was the first day I had to wear both arm warmers and full finger gloves on both rides...

I should have done this yesterday evening but decided that shorts and bare hands would be ok! Started using the backpack again to make sure ive got kit to handle all these extra bits of kit.

Quiet ride in this morning for me except for the lights at Kingston Hospital where a rider and bus driver were going at it in a proper frothing from the mouth fashion about something to do with the highway code etc. The driver had got out of his cab giving it both barrells when I rolled up. Told him to calm down and back off, which he did and aplogised to me but not the cyclist he was giving both barrells to. They continued up the hill while I turned off so I hope it didnt kick off again.

mtb-idle

Wolfsbane2k wrote:

Has anyone got an operational set of these still? I'm desperately trying to get an operational pair for comparison purposes.

There was a set of those on my blue Raleigh Chopper that I sold in 1976 when I got my first road bike. If you can track it down they are all yours...

wolfsbane2k

MTB-Idle wrote:

Wolfsbane2k wrote:

[

Has anyone got an operational set of these still? I'm desperately trying to get an operational pair for comparison purposes.

There was a set of those on my blue Raleigh Chopper that I sold in 1976 when I got my first road bike. If you can track it down they are all yours...

:roll:

hopkinb

Fresh legs as I hadn't been on the bike since Friday. Azzurri78 blew past me on the way up Tooting high street. I caught up and we made fairly rapid progress. Nice to chat. I was in the Alpha jersey for the first time this autumn. My Galibier thin full fingered gloves are perfect for this time of year.

Mismatched wheels due to a disc issue - I had noticed a lot of play in my front wheel when the brake was on, took the wheel off and the lockring for the rotor had worked loose. Couldn't get the bl00dy thing to tighten up properly, and I remembered that I hadn't been 100% happy with it when I first got the wheels. Turns out the size of the hub means that I need to use a lockring with external splines, which I ordered at the weekend, hopefully will arrive today and I can go back to matching wheels.

vpnikolov

Veronese68 wrote:

vpnikolov wrote:

Approaching a ped light and in the bus lane, van on my right. I notice the van stopping about 10 meters before the light and before I realise why, I see a mum stepping out on the road with her kid.

So was she stepping off the kerb to your left? In which case why the hell didn't she see you. If she was unsighted by the van it's still a dick move on her part because a bus at 30 would be a lot more unforgiving than a bicycle.
So basically she thinks you're at fault for existing.

Just to clear up - stepping from my left and no island (rower63).

This makes it even a dumber situation. Why did the van even bother stopping...

rower63

I had a close thing this morning. Approaching the Eel Brook Common ped crossing at speed I noted it was clear, and a car was starting to move off too, having previously stopped. When I was about 2 metres from the crossing a teenage girl flashed across on a scooter right-to-left across the front of the car and on collision course with me. There was no way I was going to be able to stop, and I quickly calculated I probably had JUST enough room to make it across in front of her, which I did, with possibly a couple of inches to spare. I'm very sure the crossing was clear as I scanned it on approach, she must have taken it in one swoop all the way from the opposite side-road (Quarendon St) and off the pavement without pause.
A near-miss in more ways than one.

frogonabike

rower63 wrote:

I had a close thing this morning. Approaching the Eel Brook Common ped crossing at speed I noted it was clear, and a car was starting to move off too, having previously stopped. When I was about 2 metres from the crossing a teenage girl flashed across on a scooter right-to-left across the front of the car and on collision course with me. There was no way I was going to be able to stop, and I quickly calculated I probably had JUST enough room to make it across in front of her, which I did, with possibly a couple of inches to spare. I'm very sure the crossing was clear as I scanned it on approach, she must have taken it in one swoop all the way from the opposite side-road (Quarendon St) and off the pavement without pause.
A near-miss in more ways than one.

Imagine the Daily Mail bashing you'd have gotten for that!

poweredbyidris

frogonabike wrote:

rower63 wrote:

I had a close thing this morning. Approaching the Eel Brook Common ped crossing at speed I noted it was clear, and a car was starting to move off too, having previously stopped. When I was about 2 metres from the crossing a teenage girl flashed across on a scooter right-to-left across the front of the car and on collision course with me. There was no way I was going to be able to stop, and I quickly calculated I probably had JUST enough room to make it across in front of her, which I did, with possibly a couple of inches to spare. I'm very sure the crossing was clear as I scanned it on approach, she must have taken it in one swoop all the way from the opposite side-road (Quarendon St) and off the pavement without pause.
A near-miss in more ways than one.

Imagine the Daily Mail bashing you'd have gotten for that!

"Law-breaking cyclist"

"Metropolitan elite"

"Frequents online forum with other deviants"

"Probably killed Diana too..."

mudcovered

Wolfsbane2k wrote:

Has anyone got an operational set of these still? I'm desperately trying to get an operational pair for comparison purposes.

For a comparison. Light a candle and put it behind the lens. From my memory should be a totally reasonable representation of the original light output . I totally don't blame drivers for not seeing me when I was using them on unlit roads.

Mike

asprilla

rower63 wrote:

I had a close thing this morning. Approaching the Eel Brook Common ped crossing at speed I noted it was clear, and a car was starting to move off too, having previously stopped. When I was about 2 metres from the crossing a teenage girl flashed across on a scooter right-to-left across the front of the car and on collision course with me. There was no way I was going to be able to stop, and I quickly calculated I probably had JUST enough room to make it across in front of her, which I did, with possibly a couple of inches to spare. I'm very sure the crossing was clear as I scanned it on approach, she must have taken it in one swoop all the way from the opposite side-road (Quarendon St) and off the pavement without pause.
A near-miss in more ways than one.

I was witness a similar accident there few years ago, except I was following a cyclist and a car came out from Quarendon St. Cyclist couldn't break in time and hit the rear quarter. Think he dislocated his shoulder.

sgt.pepper

dekant wrote:

Sgt.Pepper wrote:

Next addition is a classic front light that I'm putting a modern one inside.

You don't mean these do you?

No, though that rear one might be a good long term solution now I think about it - at the moment I just have a slightly insufficient thread my wife sewed onto my saddle bag that I attached the light to. Thread on my front light is here - viewtopic.php?f=40038&t=13099935 Could maybe do a similar thing with a retro style rear light like that, and permanently mount it on the back somewhere.

Tried competing with a guy on semi-deep sections last night, got humiliated when he blasted right back past me. In my defence, it was a 25mph headwind and I had quite full panniers. Dropped two relatively quick guys coming in this morning - think I need to only challenge roadies when there's a tailwind. Wife's filtering is also causing me some stress, she filtered though some stationary cars as they were moving forward, almost got taken out twice.

itboffin

boo dark evenings now as well, did I mention I HATE WINTER ..?

hopkinb

I could get used to this half term business. Even the green light gods were with me. Legs weren't feeling great for some reason, but still a very quick commute in terms of elapsed time. The difference between elapsed and moving time was only a minute or two, which is unheard of.

sgt.pepper

Just got back from A&E, wife got taken out by a woman in an SUV. Back in tomorrow for a scan, but likely just a severely bruised knee. She had just passed the pair of us, and then decided to turn left onto the motorway slip road. Left her with nowhere to go and just took her out. Initially came out very apologetic, and then started remonstrating about how 'she should have been using hand signals.' Then came the waterworks, and then my favourite line that 'you need to consider other people.' Absolutely classic.

I don't care if it takes 6 months through the courts, I'm have the b*tch's license.

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-41.1847 ... 312!8i6656

elbowloh

Sgt.Pepper wrote:

Just got back from A&E, wife got taken out by a woman in an SUV. Back in tomorrow for a scan, but likely just a severely bruised knee. She had just passed the pair of us, and then decided to turn left onto the motorway slip road. Left her with nowhere to go and just took her out. Initially came out very apologetic, and then started remonstrating about how 'she should have been using hand signals.' Then came the waterworks, and then my favourite line that 'you need to consider other people.' Absolutely classic.

I don't care if it takes 6 months through the courts, I'm have the b*tch's license.

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-41.1847 ... 312!8i6656

What fecking hand signals was she expecting for going straight on apart from the w@nker sign?

anonymousblackfg

Good commute, such little traffic, the tw4t in his x3 beeping me as I wouldn't let him box me in behind a bus for the second way just sailed off up the road where normally i'd have just pootled past him calling him a c*nt.

Came across Mr Propel taking it easy who then upped things having seen me, then later joined by a guy on a nice Look who was keen to give it beans that I couldn't match.

asprilla

anonymousblackfg wrote:

Came across Mr Propel taking it easy who then upped things having seen me, then later joined by a guy on a nice Look who was keen to give it beans that I couldn't match.

Mr Propel?

Is he tall and is the bike light blue / turquoise? I was heading west from VB the other day, doing my usual trick of taking it easy in the initial scrummage off the lights and then attempting to track down the leaders before Battersea Bridge. I'm doing about 45kph heading towards the rail bridge / Lupus St when someone matching the above description came past like I was standing still and appearing to have a cadence of around 10rpm.

dekant

Now that the building work at the end of Southwark Bridge Rd has made Gaunt st one way, you are left with either taking the long route and following CS7 round the back way or getting onto Newington Causeway via the "2nd class citizen" infra that is the bike specific traffic lights (i.e. you wait ages, and even if it's green it's a guaranteed red light onto E&C).

Since both of these take ages I'm exploring a cheeky bypass down Newington Ct. Haven't done it enough times yet, but early indications show it could be the next sex panther.

wolfsbane2k

Sgt.Pepper wrote:

Just got back from A&E, wife got taken out by a woman in an SUV. Back in tomorrow for a scan, but likely just a severely bruised knee. She had just passed the pair of us, and then decided to turn left onto the motorway slip road. Left her with nowhere to go and just took her out. Initially came out very apologetic, and then started remonstrating about how 'she should have been using hand signals.' Then came the waterworks, and then my favourite line that 'you need to consider other people.' Absolutely classic.

I don't care if it takes 6 months through the courts, I'm have the b*tch's license.

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-41.1847 ... 312!8i6656

Sorry to hear that, hope she gets well soon!

anonymousblackfg

Asprilla wrote:

anonymousblackfg wrote:

Came across Mr Propel taking it easy who then upped things having seen me, then later joined by a guy on a nice Look who was keen to give it beans that I couldn't match.

Mr Propel?

Is he tall and is the bike light blue / turquoise? I was heading west from VB the other day, doing my usual trick of taking it easy in the initial scrummage off the lights and then attempting to track down the leaders before Battersea Bridge. I'm doing about 45kph heading towards the rail bridge / Lupus St when someone matching the above description came past like I was standing still and appearing to have a cadence of around 10rpm.

I meant to say hope Mr St. Pepper recovers.

Mr Propel, generally in full black Castelli, orange and black bike with a 10/10 trackstand. Propels being the cheaper end of the Aerobike craze generally mean you get some right choppers on them but this guy seems fully legit. Maybe Hopkins has struck up a conversation with him?

wolfsbane2k

mudcovered wrote:

Wolfsbane2k wrote:

Has anyone got an operational set of these still? I'm desperately trying to get an operational pair for comparison purposes.

For a comparison. Light a candle and put it behind the lens. From my memory should be a totally reasonable representation of the original light output . I totally don't blame drivers for not seeing me when I was using them on unlit roads.

Mike

That's kinda the point. Comparing british standard specs against new light specs it's very hard to get people to understand.
instead, sticking someone in front of a BS standard light, as required by KU law, and then comparing it to any modern light is something very visual - and really gets the message across - even the tiny cell battery powered wrap around emergency lights are brighter.

And it also shows the escalation in the lumens war.

mtb-idle

Mr Propel? Pretty sure I was sitting behind him at errrr...the lights opposite Elephant & Castle tube entrance. I didn't spot the Propel but I recognise the description of the all black castelli kit and the awe-inducing trackstand.

So you probably gathered that I made it back onto the CS7 commute ...Yaaaay! I was slow and felt knackered at the end but it was great fun. Look out for me in my "Ventoux Five Zero" kit on this evening's commute (if you see it you will know what I mean or just browse my Insta account).

hopkinb

anonymousblackfg wrote:

Maybe Hopkins has struck up a conversation with him?

I'll talk to anyone me. It's Olas, he posts here occasionally.

hopkinb

dekant wrote:

Now that the building work at the end of Southwark Bridge Rd has made Gaunt st one way, you are left with either taking the long route and following CS7 round the back way or getting onto Newington Causeway via the "2nd class citizen" infra that is the bike specific traffic lights (i.e. you wait ages, and even if it's green it's a guaranteed red light onto E&C).

Since both of these take ages I'm exploring a cheeky bypass down Newington Ct. Haven't done it enough times yet, but early indications show it could be the next sex panther.

Is this the funny little (cobbled?) cut through down the side of Mercato Metropolitano? I might give that a bash later. Though I'm so hardwired into following the back route of CS7, I will probably be on autopilot and forget.

anonymousblackfg

hopkinb wrote:

anonymousblackfg wrote:

Maybe Hopkins has struck up a conversation with him?

I'll talk to anyone me. It's Olas, he posts here occasionally.

Mystery solved.

I can't see much benefit of Newington Court given you'd still need the mess of E&C over the back route.

dekant

It is considerably quicker than the back route due to fewer lights / give ways and the light sequencing of the lights that do exist. E&C really isn't that bad these days - the only naff bit is coming out of the segregation into the bus lane but you can always beat the busses off the line as the lights change just as you arrive.

HopkinB - It's the alleyway before Mercato Metropolitano, right alongside the railway bridge. There are some businesses in the arches so it's not suitable for sprinting down but you can do a sensible pace.

inbike

Got a track? Can't see how it makes sense from the map.

hopkinb

inbike wrote:

Got a track? Can't see how it makes sense from the map.

Instead of going straight on using the blue paint at the pub just by the railway bridge (duke of York?), there's an alleyway slightly to the left of the bridge. This will pop you out on the main road to e and c roundabout.

Most people who have gained time on me using e and c instead of cs7, I pass on the road to oval. Maybe not someone swift like dekant. There's not too much in it on average though. But I will try it. I drifted onto cs7 this evening as I suspected.

dekant

Not much on average? Not. Much. On. average?! This is the SCR thread - don't speak such blasphemy!

According to strava the fastest ever time to do the back way from the Duke of York to rolling off St Mary's Churchyard is 2:42, whereas the first one I attempted was 2:17 and I wasn't going for it.

Even assuming I was as fast as possible that's still a win of 25s which is an absolute smashing under SCR rules. Besides, as with sexier panther, I much prefer to keep rolling than start-stop.

hopkinb

dekant wrote:

Not much on average? Not. Much. On. average?! This is the SCR thread - don't speak such blasphemy!

According to strava the fastest ever time to do the back way from the Duke of York to rolling off St Mary's Churchyard is 2:42, whereas the first one I attempted was 2:17 and I wasn't going for it.

Even assuming I was as fast as possible that's still a win of 25s which is an absolute smashing under SCR rules. Besides, as with sexier panther, I much prefer to keep rolling than start-stop.

I'll give it a bash. After all, this is the SCR thread. I have just never seen taking E&C as a "quick" way, what with all the traffic lights and the weird cycle lanes.

Another quick ride in today, with an invigorating nip in the air. Indicating left is becoming optional it seems. I am somewhat pleased that I try to never ride up the inside of a moving vehicle where it has the option of turning left.