Silly commuting racing

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Comments

  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    Rhodrich wrote:
    Glad I looked at the weather forecast this morning that said it wasn't going to rain until 10pm, and so brought the bike that doesn't have any mudguards......

    Still, at least I can warm up at home, once I've lit the fire, as the boiler has decided to break down.

    if it's anything like my new boiler it will be the overflow pipe freezing on the first cold day of winter. you need to defrost the pipe (it will probably have done that during the day anyway) and press the reset button on the boiler and it should work again./ Well at least until the next cold morning.

    Sounds like the overflow pipe is too narrow at circa 1"/24 mm and so water freezes in it and a sensor in the boiler shuts it off. It needs to be at least 2" 48 mm to prevent it freezing
    FCN = 4
  • rhodrich
    rhodrich Posts: 867
    It's an E9 fault code on a Worcester Bosch 40CDi if that's any help! I've got my trustworthy plumber coming to look at it on Friday, which is the earliest he can make it.
    1938 Hobbs Tandem
    1956 Carlton Flyer Path/Track
    1960 Mercian Superlight Track
    1974 Pete Luxton Path/Track*
    1980 Harry Hall
    1986 Dawes Galaxy
    1988 Jack Taylor Tourer
    1988 Pearson
    1989 Condor
    1993 Dawes Hybrid
    2016 Ridley Helium SL
    *Currently on this
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    I'm an office droid not a plumber but I bet it was the overflow pipe freezing on day like this morning.
    FCN = 4
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Did a track session at the Olympic park tonight. Its the first time I've ridden fixed in about 7 years and my legs are wrecked.

    Sweet Jebus it hurts.

    Might buy a fixed for the turbo.......

    Edit: realised you can't have fixed on a turbo. Have found a track bike, now looking up rollers.......
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Asprilla wrote:
    Edit: realised you can't have fixed on a turbo. Have found a track bike, now looking up rollers.......
    Don't, whatever you do, use your rollers on Zwift - unless you are very good indeed...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    So that was the first time the Rag felt properly at home - so much more solid and in control than I would have been on my usual bike in those conditions. God bless 43mm tyres and disc brakes...

    Shared the road with a group all the way back to Kingston - someone on a Pearson with noisy discs, spinny guy on a Focus and a couple of others. Good fun despite the wind and rain :D

    Sorry to see someone down on the approach to Chelsea Bridge. Conditions were pretty rotten and cold, so lying on the ground can't have been pleasant. Few people tending, and blue lights appeared shortly after i passed. Hope it isn't serious.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    According to Flyby, I wasn't far behind you, and that police car was up on the pavement when I passed.

    Btw, the Rag looks great :)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • kingdav
    kingdav Posts: 417
    Asprilla wrote:
    Did a track session at the Olympic park tonight. Its the first time I've ridden fixed in about 7 years and my legs are wrecked.

    Sweet Jebus it hurts.

    Might buy a fixed for the turbo.......

    Edit: realised you can't have fixed on a turbo. Have found a track bike, now looking up rollers.......
    I did the Lee Valley taster session on Sunday, the day before you. I'd never ridden fixed before or on a track at all. Just a handful of laps can really take it out of you and I felt it on the commute yesterday!
  • rhodrich
    rhodrich Posts: 867
    That was grim last night. How those of you who cycle without mudguards manage it in this weather, I just don't know. Having filthy, freezing water spray in unmentionable places is really unpleasant.

    Put all my kit in front of the fire to dry it out when I got home, and the wife was not best pleased.

    This morning was grim too. Relentless bitter headwind plus drizzle. I seriously thought about taking the train. Looks like most of the other cyclists did just that......
    1938 Hobbs Tandem
    1956 Carlton Flyer Path/Track
    1960 Mercian Superlight Track
    1974 Pete Luxton Path/Track*
    1980 Harry Hall
    1986 Dawes Galaxy
    1988 Jack Taylor Tourer
    1988 Pearson
    1989 Condor
    1993 Dawes Hybrid
    2016 Ridley Helium SL
    *Currently on this
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Rhodrich wrote:
    Relentless bitter headwind plus drizzle. I seriously thought about taking the train. Looks like most of the other cyclists did just that......

    Ah, it wasn't so bad as to make the train a pleasant alternative. Mudguards, toe covers, and the Lusso super ultra extreme jacket (or whatever it's called) that I bought cheaply last spring, all meant that I was pretty warm and dry, all things considered.

    I was surprised how many cyclists were on CS7 despite the cold headwind and rain. All nodders. The rain drove the "pro-muters" on to the tube or the train, while the nodders were still plugging away in full rain trousers and raincoats. One brave chap in old school skimpy cotton rugby shorts and knee length rugby socks. Hat to the nodders out there! :D
  • dekant
    dekant Posts: 114
    Why can you not use a fixie on a turbo (unless it's a direct drive one)? Surely a wheel on trainer doesn't care?

    As for a borough wide 20mph having an effect, that's wishful thinking. The last set of DfT published stats show that 81% of car drivers ignore 20mph limits. Even if you don't count those doing it by less than 5mph, it's still 44% of drivers.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    dekant wrote:
    Why can you not use a fixie on a turbo (unless it's a direct drive one)? Surely a wheel on trainer doesn't care?

    Should have said 'on my turbo' as it is direct drive.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    I spent yesterday in bed feeling pretty rotten, was back on the bike this morning for a slow pootle into work. Not exactly the best day for it, that cold headwind was a b!tch. Hoping my energy levels slowly build through the day because I feel pretty wiped out at the moment.
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    Headwind in places was grim this morning. New office means slightly new route through Bank which was....fun. Gave a warm and friendly salute to a WVM who beeped me for no reason. Is the Whitehall cut through to Emabankment quicker than waiting for the contraflow lights at PS these days?
  • frogonabike
    frogonabike Posts: 157
    After getting completely caught out by the weather report LIES last night I got carried away this morning and deployed bar mitts, overshoes, head warmer and appropriate bike (read:with mudguards) and had a nice relaxing toasty ride in. The cold af rain and headwind was actually kind of refreshing on my face! Not so much the spray from some mudguardless (and gloveless) moron who insisted on overtaking me then slowing down several times :roll:

    Also noticed the distinct lack of fellow bicyclists, maybe this is the turning point...
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Hmm, all those missing cyclists seemed to be riding in with me, then.

    Cracking headwind this morning. A lot of people seeking shelter.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    Smokey Bacon wrote:
    ... Is the Whitehall cut through to Emabankment quicker than waiting for the contraflow lights at PS these days?
    I've comparing my times through Whitehall against others doing the altered-traditional route over the last few days, and it seems that the trad route is still slightly quicker on average.

    I commented to pearcy this morning there were more riders than I'd have expected given the weather. perhaps yesterday's train woes are still affecting people's decisions.
    Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
    Ridley Noah FAST 2013
    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
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    It's ok if you don't get caught at the lights coming onto Embankment from Whitehall, otherwise my experience is like Rower's.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    cjcp wrote:
    Hmm, all those missing cyclists seemed to be riding in with me, then.
    Me too.

    At the moment they seem to be particularly fond of packing themselves around me like sardines at the traffic lights, and then getting upset when I set off at the same time as them.

    Had a guy accuse me of "barging" this morning. Thing is, I arrived at the lights first. Yes, we were bumping shoulders as we rode off, but I was also bumping shoulders with the guy on the other side; where was I supposed to go?
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    TGOTB wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Hmm, all those missing cyclists seemed to be riding in with me, then.
    Me too.

    At the moment they seem to be particularly fond of packing themselves around me like sardines at the traffic lights, and then getting upset when I set off at the same time as them.

    Had a guy accuse me of "barging" this morning. Thing is, I arrived at the lights first. Yes, we were bumping shoulders as we rode off, but I was also bumping shoulders with the guy on the other side; where was I supposed to go?

    It's because you don't sweat, so you smell nice :)

    He wouldn't be any good at CX, would he? Pfft. Delicate little flower.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    cjcp wrote:
    He wouldn't be any good at CX, would he? Pfft. Delicate little flower.
    CX technique is a bit different:
    1. I didn't have my elbows out (much)
    2. I didn't lean on anyone
    3. I carried on in a straight line once my front wheel was ahead, rather than diving straight into the apex of the next corner

    We were practicing the full-contact CX version in training last Thursday - huge fun if everyone's up for it!
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • jds_1981
    jds_1981 Posts: 1,858
    Came across a guy on a moped last night who wasn't wearing gloves. Looked like he was suffering.
    FCN 9 || FCN 5
  • magictrumpet
    magictrumpet Posts: 54
    Wimping out: I am getting the train home tonight.

    Third ride in a row with freezing drizzle, and with already wet boots and socks from this morning? No thanks - I'll take the penalty points and derision from the real cyclists any day!
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    MagicTrumpet wrote:
    Wimping out: I am getting the train home tonight.

    Third ride in a row with freezing drizzle, and with already wet boots and socks from this morning? No thanks - I'll take the penalty points and derision from the real cyclists any day!

    I had an early meeting in town, and didn't want to leave my bike in the street so trained it today.. Can't say I'm sorry for that. WFH tomorrow, so hopefully we're back on track by Thursday 8)
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    Grim weather and awful traffic on the way home. Didn't see a clear patch of road from the city to Richmond!
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Smokey Bacon wrote:
    Grim weather and awful traffic on the way home. Didn't see a clear patch of road from the city to Richmond!
    You should have gone through the park, that was clear. Mind you, the full length of Priory Lane was completely solid and stationary in both directions...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    TGOTB wrote:
    Smokey Bacon wrote:
    Grim weather and awful traffic on the way home. Didn't see a clear patch of road from the city to Richmond!
    You should have gone through the park, that was clear. Mind you, the full length of Priory Lane was completely solid and stationary in both directions...

    I did. First time I've had to resort to the pavement down priory lane to get around the traffic.
  • monkimark
    monkimark Posts: 1,972
    Yeah, there are roadworks on Roehampton lane for what looks like a burst water main - i nearly disappeared down one of the potholes it had caused on my way in this morning and the traffic through there was terrible this evening. I guess a lot of people were attempting some kind of shortcut through priory lane.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    I wondered if there was a burst water main; Rhodrich mentioned a pipe burst on the A3 a couple of weeks ago, and that caused similar bedlam.

    What a shambles. Shows you just how many people commute by car.

    Also... it was freezing. Finally warming up.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • sgt.pepper
    sgt.pepper Posts: 300
    cjcp wrote:
    I wondered if there was a burst water main; Rhodrich mentioned a pipe burst on the A3 a couple of weeks ago, and that caused similar bedlam.

    What a shambles. Shows you just how many people commute by car.

    Also... it was freezing. Finally warming up.

    Wellington seized up completely yesterday morning from a broken down lorry blocking just 1 of 3 lanes into town for all of 30 yards. Wife got very grumpy having to wind through traffic on her long and awkward ebike in the rain, whereas I was loving it on the short and twitchy 10 speed.

    Took my old man 2 hours to go 13 miles - yet he still refuses to take the affordable and efficient train service. What a joke.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/n ... ck-to-tawa

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