Silly commuting racing

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  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    itboffin wrote:
    Did anyone else have the snotty chesty flu thing over Christmas? this thing just wont go away, it feels like i've been smoking or something, just went out for a modest 10 miles and i feel terrible
    Not over Christmas, just after. Some selfish prick in the office turned up and infected everyone on the 27th, before f***ing off again. Training seriously affected, right when I should be ramping up intensity for preseason. Starting to get over it now, but was grim for a good week or so. Just got that horrible mucusy stuff in my lungs now
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • martinc
    martinc Posts: 422
    Yes me too. Got it on the last day of work.
    3 days in bed with fever and flu and now 3weeks of recovery with 2x courses of antibios and a week of steroids. Think I've cracked a rib from coughing so much too.
    Steroids worked a treat.. smashed out 90k on the bike on Saturday.
    It's not about the bike. ;)
    Always in stealth mode
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Was pootling in with an extra heavy Monday bag - the week's shirts etc, plus a heavy winter coat, plus a laptop. Normal lack of competition, so I was enjoying the chance to ease into the week. I even decided to give the various sex panthers a swerve, and was toodling up Alpe d'Wark when some bugger with one of those seat packs came past me. Obviously I wasn't having that, so was forced to apply power, and was comfortably able to get ahead of him before having to pull into the segregated lane.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    Bit of a shock being back on the commute after a week in the sun. Legs were fine, brain was just a bit fuzzy.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    itboffin wrote:
    Did anyone else have the snotty chesty flu thing over Christmas? this thing just wont go away, it feels like i've been smoking or something, just went out for a modest 10 miles and i feel terrible

    No. 2 son arrived with presents including a respiratory virus on 21st Dec. I caught it first but as usual I got over it quickly and it didn't affect my lungs very much. Wife got it worse and for much longer; she's only just getting over it now.
  • mr_ribble
    mr_ribble Posts: 1,068
    In the mix with the big boys this morning, even though only on the Brompton. Dropped a number of considerably lower FCNs. Bossed it

    Green Brompton / TGOTB would be proud of me
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    Mr_Ribble wrote:
    In the mix with the big boys this morning, even though only on the Brompton. Dropped a number of considerably lower FCNs. Bossed it

    Green Brompton / TGOTB would be proud of me
    You are dishonouring the family name though. :wink:
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    Mr_Ribble wrote:
    In the mix with the big boys this morning, even though only on the Brompton. Dropped a number of considerably lower FCNs. Bossed it

    Green Brompton / TGOTB would be proud of me
    I'm just about resolved to commute on the Brompton now. Fixed is too nice and shiny to lock up outside the gym or pub.
    Bought a 58T chainring for it last week to give me a couple of extra inches :shock:

    Sad times though. The Condor is so pretty, and I'm not sure if I'm completely ready to hand in my hipster sled and embrace impending middle age :|
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,152
    Two SCRs last week in RP on the way home. Friday I steadily ramped it up until my opponent was no longer hanging on. That moment when you realise that there isn't an extra flashing light with you is the moment of victory. Day before, I had my legs handed to me on a plate, and set three PRs in the process. They don't come around very often these days.

    I'm convinced SCR is good for efficient riding form, as the optimum is to be just on the right side of looking like you are trying - while actually blowing out of your ears.
  • frogonabike
    frogonabike Posts: 157
    KingstonGraham wrote:
    I'm convinced SCR is good for efficient riding form, as the optimum is to be just on the right side of looking like you are trying - while actually blowing out of your ears.


    I think you may be on to something, who needs to pay for a coach? Just go smash CSwhatever :lol:
  • mr_ribble
    mr_ribble Posts: 1,068
    elbowloh wrote:
    Mr_Ribble wrote:
    In the mix with the big boys this morning, even though only on the Brompton. Dropped a number of considerably lower FCNs. Bossed it

    Green Brompton / TGOTB would be proud of me
    You are dishonouring the family name though. :wink:

    I'm a Rebel Without a 700c wheel...
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I'm still struggling to shake whatever this is, i think it must have been more than a cold as its been almost a month and i'm still coughing and find it hard to breath deeply.
    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.
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    Anyone know:
    1. why the other side of RP is closed *again*
    2. why traffic in Kingston is so bad morning and evening - it's been like that for a while now

    Nice brisk ride in with a fellow rower this morning, picked him up near Ham Cross chatted most of the way in. Starting to feel strong again after my 3 week Xmas layoff (with accompanying shortness of breath, swollen foot, pleurisy and sharp pain in calf).

    Also, one for the Paceline internal affairs division: you might like to mention to your clubmate that running reds is best done whilst not wearing Paceline kit: red light at the entrance to the Blackfrairs tunnel, big group of riders all waiting, Paceline man sweeps past and round/left through the red - not cool. lots of tutting. Orange-framed, belt-drive bike as I recall.
    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
  • monkimark
    monkimark Posts: 1,928
    2 weeks of resurfacing works in RP, starting yesterday. Just between robin hood & Roehampton gates I think.
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    Masses of cyclists from Oval up to E&C, it felt like I was overtaking one long continuous stream. Great to see so many giving it a go but I was pretty miffed then sat on the floor of our changing rooms waiting for a shower...
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • Gallywomack
    Gallywomack Posts: 823
    Yeah, back on the train today so I Borised from E&C - hordes of cyclists around E&C and over Waterloo Bridge, good to see although I suppose conditions are as favourable as they could reasonably be expected to be in Jan. Might be a bit thinner on the ground towards the end of the week if the forecast is to be believed.
    Pompino
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Utter noddergeddon this morning. I think it's climate change; without a hard Winter to control the population they're reproducing uncontrollably.

    There also seems to be an increase in the number of cyclists looking for any excuse to yell at drivers. I saw a bunch of muppets getting very upset with a driver who'd continued through the lights off Battersea Bridge as they were turning red. Yes, he was in the wrong, but they only reason he got in your way was because you also set off through a red light. I waited for it to go green, wasn't impeded by the car at all, and still beat you all to the far side of the junction...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    rower63 wrote:
    Anyone know:
    1. why the other side of RP is closed *again*
    2. why traffic in Kingston is so bad morning and evening - it's been like that for a while now

    Nice brisk ride in with a fellow rower this morning, picked him up near Ham Cross chatted most of the way in. Starting to feel strong again after my 3 week Xmas layoff (with accompanying shortness of breath, swollen foot, pleurisy and sharp pain in calf).

    Also, one for the Paceline internal affairs division: you might like to mention to your clubmate that running reds is best done whilst not wearing Paceline kit: red light at the entrance to the Blackfrairs tunnel, big group of riders all waiting, Paceline man sweeps past and round/left through the red - not cool. lots of tutting. Orange-framed, belt-drive bike as I recall.

    Re: 2 there are still a load of roadworks on the one way system. Kingston loves a cone!!
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    rower63 wrote:
    1. why the other side of RP is closed *again*
    The previous works were to install anti-badger measures (some form of underground barrier) to stop them tunneling under the road; this set of works are to rebuild the road where it had been undermined.

    There's a monthly newsletter posted on the noticeboard just inside each gate, that explains what's going on around the park - everything from roadworks and rhododendron removal to deer, wildlife and funghi. Well worth a read when you don't mind stopping for a minute or so.
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,152
    rower63 wrote:
    Anyone know:

    2. why traffic in Kingston is so bad morning and evening - it's been like that for a while now

    One way system was down to one lane from three just after the Cromwell Road bus station when I went through there on Saturday.

    Gas leak, so emergency works.
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    KingstonGraham wrote:
    rower63 wrote:
    Anyone know:

    2. why traffic in Kingston is so bad morning and evening - it's been like that for a while now
    Gas leak, so emergency works.
    Ah, so a case of "'twas on a Monday morning, the gas man came to call ..." etc
    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
  • analogueboy
    analogueboy Posts: 72
    hit the deck on the way in this morning, a guy rode through stationary traffic straight towards the gate just before Lots Rd joins the a3220*, you often see cyclists turning turning right off Lots Road and not paying much attention to cyclists on the main road but this was a new one on me. He came flying through from behind something tall, didn't see him until a collision was guaranteed. I ended up flipping over the bars and landed on his bike so a bit ouchy in places today.

    Decided to ride home to get some dressing as I could feel some road-rash on my shoulder. Impressive how many people were riding through the park on the way into the city.


    * https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.48028 ... 384!8i8192
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    analogueboy wrote:
    hit the deck on the way in this morning, a guy rode through stationary traffic straight towards the gate just before Lots Rd joins the a3220*, you often see cyclists turning turning right off Lots Road and not paying much attention to cyclists on the main road but this was a new one on me. He came flying through from behind something tall, didn't see him until a collision was guaranteed. I ended up flipping over the bars and landed on his bike so a bit ouchy in places today.

    Decided to ride home to get some dressing as I could feel some road-rash on my shoulder. Impressive how many people were riding through the park on the way into the city.


    * https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.48028 ... 384!8i8192

    Ouch! Did he 'fess up, or ride off?

    Feeling a bit sore today?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    I saw someone come as close to becoming a KSI as it's possible to get and survive unscathed this morning, on CS8 approaching the Claverton Street junction. Approaching it, the left lane is taken with blue paint, and there was a steady and constant stream of cyclists. A really big van wanted to turn left at the junction, and he signalled his intention well in advance, indicating, slowing and gently veering into the left lane. I, and perhaps 10 riders around me, stopped to let him across. Of course, there were several gung-ho riders who thought they'd chance it and accelerate straight on across his front, the last of whom actually partly turned turned left into Claverton St, with a fairly violent swerve left and right. She made it across in front of him by perhaps a centimetre, after she'd forced him to jam to a stop.
    I caught up with her afterwards and told her that was the perfect move to get killed on a bike.
    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
    Saw two riders do pretty much the same thing this morning, too, and at the same junction.

    Squeezed down the inside of a[n initially]* stationary truck, who was indicating to turn left. Perfectly clear to all but the blind and the mystifyingly stupid.

    The truck was forced to stop. If he hadn't, it would've been "Goodnight, Vienna" for at least rider #2, who didn't help matters by having no lights on -- not ideal in this morning's gloom.

    *edit added.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    analogueboy wrote:
    hit the deck on the way in this morning, a guy rode through stationary traffic straight towards the gate just before Lots Rd joins the a3220*, you often see cyclists turning turning right off Lots Road and not paying much attention to cyclists on the main road but this was a new one on me. He came flying through from behind something tall, didn't see him until a collision was guaranteed. I ended up flipping over the bars and landed on his bike so a bit ouchy in places today.

    Decided to ride home to get some dressing as I could feel some road-rash on my shoulder. Impressive how many people were riding through the park on the way into the city.


    * https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.48028 ... 384!8i8192
    Indeed ouch.

    Glad you're ok. You didn't mention if the bike was ok.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    cjcp wrote:
    Saw two riders do pretty much the same thing this morning, too, and at the same junction.

    Squeezed down the inside of a[n initially]* stationary truck, who was indicating to turn left. Perfectly clear to all but the blind and the mystifyingly stupid.

    The truck was forced to stop. If he hadn't, it would've been "Goodnight, Vienna" for at least rider #2, who didn't help matters by having no lights on -- not ideal in this morning's gloom.

    *edit added.

    I don't understand this mentality of inexperienced/stupid cyclists. If a vehicle wants to turn left, indicates to do so, even if it is across a cycle lane, I will swing out and overtake on the right if it's safe to do so, but if not, I will slow down/stop and let the vehicle make the turn. I'd rather be alive.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    Yeah, I do wonder how many of the road cycling fatalities in central London over the past few years have been because the cyclist hasn't understood this simple concept.
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    cjcp wrote:
    Saw two riders do pretty much the same thing this morning, too, and at the same junction.

    Squeezed down the inside of a[n initially]* stationary truck, who was indicating to turn left. Perfectly clear to all but the blind and the mystifyingly stupid.

    The truck was forced to stop. If he hadn't, it would've been "Goodnight, Vienna" for at least rider #2, who didn't help matters by having no lights on -- not ideal in this morning's gloom.

    *edit added.
    This kind of thing really fucks me off. Not only could they get themselves killed, but it could ruin the drivers life and this behaviour reinforces the opinions of those who dislike cyclists already.

    I know we shouldn't all be tarnished with the same brush, but rightly or wrongly, a lot of people lump "cyclists" together when they see a few riding poorly.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    @hopkin and elbowloh - totally agree. Utter madness.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."

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