Silly commuting racing

1…24492450245224542455…2536

Comments

  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    As Roger says, it's still dull!
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Cruff wrote:
    In fact, that's exactly the sort of session most coaches would prescribe once every 6 to 8 weeks. An hour as hard as you can go is the very definition of an FTP test (though I'd argue it wouldn't be a great idea to do it in RP due to turns, pedestrians, vehicles, belligerent stags etc making it very difficult to get a consistent effort out - and most coaches wouldn't be sadistic enough to make you do a 'proper' FTP test and just give you the 20 minute one)

    So it's the exact session most coaches would have you do, but the exact session most coaches wouldn't have you do?

    It's a very strong (mentally) rider who can actually ride flat out for an hour in a non-race situation, most people will drift off a little bit, hence the 20 minute (or 2x8 minute or whatever) FTP test existing, it's also less fatiguing. So, as I said, I'm not sure that an hour flat out is really a "great, time efficient training session" as was said. I can see the appeal, although it would be for novelty value only rather than something I regularly did!
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    njee20 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    In fact, that's exactly the sort of session most coaches would prescribe once every 6 to 8 weeks. An hour as hard as you can go is the very definition of an FTP test (though I'd argue it wouldn't be a great idea to do it in RP due to turns, pedestrians, vehicles, belligerent stags etc making it very difficult to get a consistent effort out - and most coaches wouldn't be sadistic enough to make you do a 'proper' FTP test and just give you the 20 minute one)

    So it's the exact session most coaches would have you do, but the exact session most coaches wouldn't have you do?

    It's a very strong (mentally) rider who can actually ride flat out for an hour in a non-race situation, most people will drift off a little bit, hence the 20 minute (or 2x8 minute or whatever) FTP test existing, it's also less fatiguing. So, as I said, I'm not sure that an hour flat out is really a "great, time efficient training session" as was said. I can see the appeal, although it would be for novelty value only rather than something I regularly did!

    Back in the days of the 3-lap challenge thread, there were a group of us regularly trying to beat PBs. Have to say that it was in addition to the longer rides out to Surrey etc., but they were great for benchmarking where you are in terms of fitness and introducing some personal competition. This is especially true if racing, power meters and turbos aren't necessarily your thing... (even 20 minutes on a turbo is more excruciating than three laps of the park, fwiw).
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    njee20 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    In fact, that's exactly the sort of session most coaches would prescribe once every 6 to 8 weeks. An hour as hard as you can go is the very definition of an FTP test (though I'd argue it wouldn't be a great idea to do it in RP due to turns, pedestrians, vehicles, belligerent stags etc making it very difficult to get a consistent effort out - and most coaches wouldn't be sadistic enough to make you do a 'proper' FTP test and just give you the 20 minute one)

    So it's the exact session most coaches would have you do, but the exact session most coaches wouldn't have you do?

    It's a very strong (mentally) rider who can actually ride flat out for an hour in a non-race situation, most people will drift off a little bit, hence the 20 minute (or 2x8 minute or whatever) FTP test existing, it's also less fatiguing. So, as I said, I'm not sure that an hour flat out is really a "great, time efficient training session" as was said. I can see the appeal, although it would be for novelty value only rather than something I regularly did!
    Not what I said. An FTP test is prescribed every 6-8 weeks by most coaches. It's just that most of them would realise that - TTers aside - most riders wouldn't like it. That's why I caveated it with 'sort of' and included the 20 minute effort instead. An hour ftp test is still the gold standard though, and most coaches would love to get their riders to do it as its the only 'true' test that you get a number from that doesn't rely on an extrapolation of a figure from a shorter test
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    London-Red wrote:
    njee20 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    In fact, that's exactly the sort of session most coaches would prescribe once every 6 to 8 weeks. An hour as hard as you can go is the very definition of an FTP test (though I'd argue it wouldn't be a great idea to do it in RP due to turns, pedestrians, vehicles, belligerent stags etc making it very difficult to get a consistent effort out - and most coaches wouldn't be sadistic enough to make you do a 'proper' FTP test and just give you the 20 minute one)

    So it's the exact session most coaches would have you do, but the exact session most coaches wouldn't have you do?

    It's a very strong (mentally) rider who can actually ride flat out for an hour in a non-race situation, most people will drift off a little bit, hence the 20 minute (or 2x8 minute or whatever) FTP test existing, it's also less fatiguing. So, as I said, I'm not sure that an hour flat out is really a "great, time efficient training session" as was said. I can see the appeal, although it would be for novelty value only rather than something I regularly did!

    Back in the days of the 3-lap challenge thread, there were a group of us regularly trying to beat PBs. Have to say that it was in addition to the longer rides out to Surrey etc., but they were great for benchmarking where you are in terms of fitness and introducing some personal competition. This is especially true if racing, power meters and turbos aren't necessarily your thing... (even 20 minutes on a turbo is more excruciating than three laps of the park, fwiw).

    Would agree with this and the beauty of the 3 lap challenge is you would get two splits before the final time - enough to motivate and keep an eye on pacing but not too much info to distract you.
    _
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    London-Red wrote:
    njee20 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    In fact, that's exactly the sort of session most coaches would prescribe once every 6 to 8 weeks. An hour as hard as you can go is the very definition of an FTP test (though I'd argue it wouldn't be a great idea to do it in RP due to turns, pedestrians, vehicles, belligerent stags etc making it very difficult to get a consistent effort out - and most coaches wouldn't be sadistic enough to make you do a 'proper' FTP test and just give you the 20 minute one)

    So it's the exact session most coaches would have you do, but the exact session most coaches wouldn't have you do?

    It's a very strong (mentally) rider who can actually ride flat out for an hour in a non-race situation, most people will drift off a little bit, hence the 20 minute (or 2x8 minute or whatever) FTP test existing, it's also less fatiguing. So, as I said, I'm not sure that an hour flat out is really a "great, time efficient training session" as was said. I can see the appeal, although it would be for novelty value only rather than something I regularly did!

    Back in the days of the 3-lap challenge thread, there were a group of us regularly trying to beat PBs. Have to say that it was in addition to the longer rides out to Surrey etc., but they were great for benchmarking where you are in terms of fitness and introducing some personal competition. This is especially true if racing, power meters and turbos aren't necessarily your thing... (even 20 minutes on a turbo is more excruciating than three laps of the park, fwiw).

    Would agree with this and the beauty of the 3 lap challenge is you would get two splits before the final time - enough to motivate and keep an eye on pacing but not too much info to distract you.

    The 3LC was a beautiful thing. Never quite broke the 50 minute mark (came within a few seconds) and suspect I'd be way slower now, although apparently they have resurfaced it recently? Anyway, it was a great way to measure training progress. This was back in the days you could get a reasonably clear run on a weekend morning - last couple of times I have been there there have been so many inconsiderate cyclists holding up traffic that it just isn't worth the effort.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • Gallywomack
    Gallywomack Posts: 823
    Yeah the RP 3LC is/was a fun thing in its own right, not everything has to be about training benefit. 58 mins dead was the best I've ever achieved, and (I think) 18:44 the best lap, on a summer's evening back in 2015 on the back of lots of miles training for doing the the South Downs Way in a day.

    Matt, I've found a decent bit of road for us SE Londoners for interval training - Salter Road in Rotherhithe, starting from the Rotherhithe Tunnel roundabout and round to the roundabout by the Surrey Quays retail park and back again (one 'lap' is 3.5 miles) - better than RP as a training loop in terms of being able to put out consistent effort even during the rush hour, if not nearly as picturesque!
    Pompino
  • Bikequin
    Bikequin Posts: 402
    Out of interest - what's wrong with going out and riding hard for an hour from a training perspective? I'm sure it doesn't form part of a 'tailored' training plan - but for most people its probably time well spent?
    You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quin.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    At risk of gross over simplification, and because this isn't a training forum/thread: you spend time riding hard enough to knacker yourself out, but not hard enough to really maximise gains. It will be beneficial, but (something like) intervals tailored to your end goal are probably a better use of the train from a pure fitness gain basis.

    As said, I totally see the point of the 3LC as a goal/activity/bit of fun, and it will of course have a benefit versus sitting on the sofa.
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    njee20 wrote:
    As said, I totally see the point of the 3LC as a goal/activity/bit of fun, and it will of course have a benefit versus sitting on the sofa.
    It's also pretty useful if you want to race 25 mile TTs, because it teaches you what a flat out 1-hour effort feels like, and shows you how hard you can push yourself.

    There again, you could just race more 25 mile TTs, which is probably more fun!
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • mr_ribble
    mr_ribble Posts: 1,068
    London-Red wrote:
    njee20 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    In fact, that's exactly the sort of session most coaches would prescribe once every 6 to 8 weeks. An hour as hard as you can go is the very definition of an FTP test (though I'd argue it wouldn't be a great idea to do it in RP due to turns, pedestrians, vehicles, belligerent stags etc making it very difficult to get a consistent effort out - and most coaches wouldn't be sadistic enough to make you do a 'proper' FTP test and just give you the 20 minute one)

    So it's the exact session most coaches would have you do, but the exact session most coaches wouldn't have you do?

    It's a very strong (mentally) rider who can actually ride flat out for an hour in a non-race situation, most people will drift off a little bit, hence the 20 minute (or 2x8 minute or whatever) FTP test existing, it's also less fatiguing. So, as I said, I'm not sure that an hour flat out is really a "great, time efficient training session" as was said. I can see the appeal, although it would be for novelty value only rather than something I regularly did!

    Back in the days of the 3-lap challenge thread, there were a group of us regularly trying to beat PBs. Have to say that it was in addition to the longer rides out to Surrey etc., but they were great for benchmarking where you are in terms of fitness and introducing some personal competition. This is especially true if racing, power meters and turbos aren't necessarily your thing... (even 20 minutes on a turbo is more excruciating than three laps of the park, fwiw).

    Back then though the population of the globe / UK / London was a lot less. Too much traffic, too many pedestrians, even the deer population has quadrupled.

    I lay the blame with Hambones
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    What about the badgers, you forgot the badgers

    https://youtu.be/EIyixC9NsLI
    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.
  • mr_ribble
    mr_ribble Posts: 1,068
    itboffin wrote:
    What about the badgers, you forgot the badgers

    https://youtu.be/EIyixC9NsLI

    Have you ever got into a melee with meles meles.....

    Damn I need to get out more. Actually I was telling someone the other day at work. I grew up on a farm and for the first 19 years of my life I only ever saw one badger in the wild..

    And then in 2012 I was cycling past the Hawker Center in Kingston when one ran out across the road....
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Gallywomack wrote:
    Yeah the RP 3LC is/was a fun thing in its own right, not everything has to be about training benefit. 58 mins dead was the best I've ever achieved, and (I think) 18:44 the best lap, on a summer's evening back in 2015 on the back of lots of miles training for doing the the South Downs Way in a day.

    Matt, I've found a decent bit of road for us SE Londoners for interval training - Salter Road in Rotherhithe, starting from the Rotherhithe Tunnel roundabout and round to the roundabout by the Surrey Quays retail park and back again (one 'lap' is 3.5 miles) - better than RP as a training loop in terms of being able to put out consistent effort even during the rush hour, if not nearly as picturesque!

    Cheers, might look into that if I can ever be bothered to do any training!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,152
    njee20 wrote:
    At risk of gross over simplification, and because this isn't a training forum/thread: you spend time riding hard enough to knacker yourself out, but not hard enough to really maximise gains. It will be beneficial, but (something like) intervals tailored to your end goal are probably a better use of the train from a pure fitness gain basis.

    As said, I totally see the point of the 3LC as a goal/activity/bit of fun, and it will of course have a benefit versus sitting on the sofa.

    I think it's a good fitness test. I can always do a lap in 19:xx but putting together three decent laps means I've got a bit of endurance. Plus it's all done in 70 minutes door to door for me.

    In reality, it is an unstructured long interval session, as it is never possible to be flat out for the whole hour.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,814
    njee20 wrote:
    As said, I totally see the point of the 3LC as a goal/activity/bit of fun, and it will of course have a benefit versus sitting on the sofa.
    But I'm sooo much better at sitting on the sofa.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • Gallywomack
    Gallywomack Posts: 823
    BigMat wrote:
    Gallywomack wrote:
    Matt, I've found a decent bit of road for us SE Londoners for interval training - Salter Road in Rotherhithe, starting from the Rotherhithe Tunnel roundabout and round to the roundabout by the Surrey Quays retail park and back again (one 'lap' is 3.5 miles) - better than RP as a training loop in terms of being able to put out consistent effort even during the rush hour, if not nearly as picturesque!

    Cheers, might look into that if I can ever be bothered to do any training!

    Naturally there are Strava segments:

    https://www.strava.com/segments/8868402?filter=overall

    That's the 5 mile version, there are several going up in 5 mile increments.
    Pompino
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Veronese68 wrote:
    njee20 wrote:
    As said, I totally see the point of the 3LC as a goal/activity/bit of fun, and it will of course have a benefit versus sitting on the sofa.
    But I'm sooo much better at sitting on the sofa.

    Yep, and conversely I find that riding flat out makes me worse at sitting on the sofa. Go figure!
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    Jeez, enough a dis 3LC shite :lol::wink:

    Back to SCR and me, me, me (in case you hadn't worked it out I'm a massive narcissist).

    Here's my latest commuting video featuring at least one SCR ledge; can you spot him?

    The Establishment Blues (for all you Saffers)
    itboffin wrote:
    What about the badgers, you forgot the badgers

    https://youtu.be/EIyixC9NsLI

    Gosh darn it, wish I'd seen this earlier; I would have added a small section of that track to the edit. Next time...

    #scr #tootingshuffle #sockdoping #strongsockgame
    FCN = 4
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I noticed last week JG put in a 56 something then on Sunday 4th place at the Cambs. UCI was someone with the very same name ......

    John Smith, must be him @jonginge
    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.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    itboffin wrote:
    What about the badgers, you forgot the badgers

    https://youtu.be/EIyixC9NsLI

    Never mind the badgers, what about the hamsters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WpMlwVwydo
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    so true but what about the rabbits?
    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.
  • dizzydane
    dizzydane Posts: 322
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    The Establishment Blues (for all you Saffers)

    Is that rower63 I see at 1:26??
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,814
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    Back to SCR and me, me, me (in case you hadn't worked it out I'm a massive narcissist).
    Enough of a narcissist that you'd want to be leader of the Tory party?

    After last night's glory any competition tonight must have been hiding due to the rain.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,814
    dizzydane wrote:
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    The Establishment Blues (for all you Saffers)

    Is that rower63 I see at 1:26??
    Didn't you recognise his helmet?
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • dizzydane
    dizzydane Posts: 322
    Veronese68 wrote:
    dizzydane wrote:
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    The Establishment Blues (for all you Saffers)

    Is that rower63 I see at 1:26??
    Didn't you recognise his helmet?
    I see him most evenings when I pass through the park ;o) I hope you're all in for drinks on the 20th. Looking forward to catching up. Career change AND 4th place at TOC!
  • dizzydane
    dizzydane Posts: 322
    Yes, I'm a terrible lurker... And rely on MTB-idle for the goss :lol:
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    dizzydane wrote:
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    The Establishment Blues (for all you Saffers)

    Is that rower63 I see at 1:26??

    Yes it is. We had been chatting. I'm not sure he knew I was recording :twisted:
    FCN = 4
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    dizzydane wrote:
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    The Establishment Blues (for all you Saffers)

    Is that rower63 I see at 1:26??

    Yes it is. We had been chatting. I'm not sure he knew I was recording :twisted:

    Given my fame for appearing in that pic of yours I could suggest many pixels in the distance are me...

    Brompton Waterloo to City wacky races today. Nailed it.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • rhodrich
    rhodrich Posts: 867
    I was in the Netherlands last week, so it's all been a bit of a shock coming back from a country with proper cycling infrastructure, to one that's downright dangerous.

    The section from Lots Road to Putney Bridge last night was an absolute omnishambles. Not sure what was going on, but the combination of queuing traffic, angry drivers, left hookers, and the classic right turns across traffic without looking to see if there's anything coming in the cycle lane was horrible. I can see why people find cycling in London scary. May take me a few more days to become immune to it all. The horror, the horror.
    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

Categories