Silly commuting racing

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  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    I was thinking Velotoze would be acceptable if they cost similar to disposable latex gloves. It sounds as those not wanting guards just need more bikes, certainly no guards on the good bike.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Rather than face yet another wet motorway Monday morning chaos i took inspiration from all this talk of wet weather gear and went for a ride in what can only be described as torrential wearing what i used to on the commute.

    Castelli alpha jacket with omloop shorts with Galibier gloves and overshoes and my secret to warm dry feet, ralph lauren long "black" sports socks, i have no idea why but the material above the overshoes gets wet but never runs down into my shoes.

    The alpha jacket has long since stopped being waterproof but its still damn warm and does hold the water off my body, 25 miles of non stop rain and muddy roads and apart from the exposed bits of my legs both me and the bike are clean, full mudguards front and back with a homemade buddy flap definitely dont look out of place on a vintage 1980s steel road bike.
    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.
  • Gallywomack
    Gallywomack Posts: 823
    HamishD wrote:
    Embrace the slowness; there is no escaping it.

    Ha! Fair enough - many thanks for the suggestions, I'll give all those a try.
    Pompino
  • Longshot
    Longshot Posts: 940
    anonymousblackfg wrote:
    no guards on the good bike.

    No guards on any bike. YMMV.
    You can fool some of the people all of the time. Concentrate on those people.
  • xbnm
    xbnm Posts: 116
    TGOTB wrote:
    Asprilla wrote:
    Are velotoze robust enough?
    Not for every day use, even with something over the top. Even just used for racing they seem to have a finite (and probably fairly short) life. I was more thinking that it must be possible to build something more robust and user-friendly that works on the same principle.

    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-toe-cover-overshoe/

    Lasted me about 3/4 of a winter up north
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    XBNM wrote:
    TGOTB wrote:
    Asprilla wrote:
    Are velotoze robust enough?
    Not for every day use, even with something over the top. Even just used for racing they seem to have a finite (and probably fairly short) life. I was more thinking that it must be possible to build something more robust and user-friendly that works on the same principle.

    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-toe-cover-overshoe/

    Lasted me about 3/4 of a winter up north
    Expensive overshoes are a waste of money. They wear out at about the same rate as cheaper ones and are about as effective. BBB do reasonably cheap ones that are decent enough - though they never last a full winter. Velotoze last me about four races - I'd never bother riding them in the winter. Definitely getting a pair of the spatz to try out.
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Bang for buck, I've struggled to find a pair of overshoes that surpass the Planet X neoprene range. The material under the toes/front of the shoe tends to wear a little faster than the material around the heel/back of the shoe, but I got two winters out of my last pair.

    Other overshoes I've tried with a zip have expired a little too quickly, usually with the zip seizing.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • monkimark
    monkimark Posts: 1,927
    Very annoying commute today.

    Went into the garage to discover that I'd forgotten to put the lights on the cx bike when I put the road tyres and mudguards back on, forecast was dry so I set off on the 'good' bike which I gave a good clean on sunday, half a mile down the road it starts pissing with rain, another mile down the road and a taxi driver nearly took me out on a roundabout (he skidded to a halt across the junction I was aiming for) and another half a mile on I went to wipe my glasses, hit a pothole, came off and went skidding down the road.

    I now have scuffed knees, torn gloves, scuffed shifters and torn (almost new) bar tape.

    Hopefully the way home will be rather less eventful.
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    JonGinge wrote:
    ...These worked a treat this morning:
    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gripgrab-hi-vi ... 00384192...
    On this recommendation I ordered a pair of these today. If I'm less than satisfied with their performance, at least I know where you live :mrgreen:

    Today I had a harder ride in than intended, still on the uphill to full strength and working hard to keep up with a former rowing mate. But I did take 3 minutes out of him by going over Lambeth Bridge to his negotiating Parliament Square...
    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
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,119
    rower63 wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    ...These worked a treat this morning:
    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gripgrab-hi-vi ... 00384192...
    On this recommendation I ordered a pair of these today. If I'm less than satisfied with their performance, at least I know where you live :mrgreen:

    Today I had a harder ride in than intended, still on the uphill to full strength and working hard to keep up with a former rowing mate. But I did take 3 minutes out of him by going over Lambeth Bridge to his negotiating Parliament Square...

    I've always gone with the cuffs cut off a pair of marigold gloves to close the gap at the top of the overshoes.
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    KingstonGraham wrote:
    rower63 wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    ...These worked a treat this morning:
    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gripgrab-hi-vi ... 00384192...
    On this recommendation I ordered a pair of these today. If I'm less than satisfied with their performance, at least I know where you live :mrgreen:

    Today I had a harder ride in than intended, still on the uphill to full strength and working hard to keep up with a former rowing mate. But I did take 3 minutes out of him by going over Lambeth Bridge to his negotiating Parliament Square...

    I've always gone with the cuffs cut off a pair of marigold gloves to close the gap at the top of the overshoes.
    Bonus - if you use bright pink ones they'll look like Rapha kit...
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • jacemano
    jacemano Posts: 18
    Cruff wrote:
    I've always gone with the cuffs cut off a pair of marigold gloves to close the gap at the top of the overshoes.
    Bonus - if you use bright pink ones they'll look like Rapha kit...[/quote]
    Because London doesn't have enough Rapha members :lol:
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    monkimark wrote:
    Very annoying commute today.

    Went into the garage to discover that I'd forgotten to put the lights on the cx bike when I put the road tyres and mudguards back on, forecast was dry so I set off on the 'good' bike which I gave a good clean on sunday, half a mile down the road it starts pissing with rain, another mile down the road and a taxi driver nearly took me out on a roundabout (he skidded to a halt across the junction I was aiming for) and another half a mile on I went to wipe my glasses, hit a pothole, came off and went skidding down the road.

    I now have scuffed knees, torn gloves, scuffed shifters and torn (almost new) bar tape.

    Hopefully the way home will be rather less eventful.

    Sounds a bit sh1t, fingers crossed normal service resumes.

    Fully reminded why mudguards on others was an issue last night due to repeated fading overtakes by a chap on a Bianchi with one of those helmets with lights in spraying me with crap off the road... Nice chat with the bloke on the purple Cotic, apparently his bike is named Barney.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    monkimark wrote:
    Very annoying commute today.

    Went into the garage to discover that I'd forgotten to put the lights on the cx bike when I put the road tyres and mudguards back on, forecast was dry so I set off on the 'good' bike which I gave a good clean on sunday, half a mile down the road it starts pissing with rain, another mile down the road and a taxi driver nearly took me out on a roundabout (he skidded to a halt across the junction I was aiming for) and another half a mile on I went to wipe my glasses, hit a pothole, came off and went skidding down the road.

    I now have scuffed knees, torn gloves, scuffed shifters and torn (almost new) bar tape.

    Hopefully the way home will be rather less eventful.

    And how was the journey home...? :o
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • monkimark
    monkimark Posts: 1,927
    Nothing of note apart from seeing a couple of stags having a bit of a wrestle down by pen ponds.
    Rubber side down all the way home last night and I now have the cx bike ready to go with guards and lights this morning.

    I realised last night that I've only fallen off the road bike twice (i fall off the mountain bike all the time) and they were both on this same stretch of road a few years apart.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Have been using the CX bike of late, too. Quite nice riding the trail again, a little further away from the fumes...

    Wouldn't mind riding the Thames trail as far into town as I can one of these days.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    cjcp wrote:
    Wouldn't mind riding the Thames trail as far into town as I can one of these days.
    I rode as far as Putney Bridge once. Nice ride, but beware that with all the meanders it's quite a long way.

    Looks pretty fractured beyond there. I always thought it would be fun to pick it up somewhere like Greenwich and see how far you can get, but never got round to trying...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • monkimark
    monkimark Posts: 1,927
    I did the Thames path commute from Hampton court to Hammersmith a couple of times earlier in the year, pleasant ride as long as you're early enough not to encounter too many pedestrians/dog walkers. Kingston is a bit of a faff though and I didn't bother with the return leg as I figured it's be a lot more busy, especially at Richmond in nice weather (less of an issue now).

    https://www.strava.com/activities/2481320581
  • m00k
    m00k Posts: 4
    I turned down on to the towpath one friday evening back in Feb. The sun was shining in my face, the path was quiet and reasonably dry - it seemed like the best decision i'd made all day.

    Two hours later I had to stop to call my wife when I got to Richmond so she didn't panic and call the police!

    The sun set and it is *very* dark along there at night, my street-going lights were completely useless so I could only see a few feet in front most of the time. The path also gets very muddy in places so i had to take it very easy at times to avoid tumbling ~6m to the river bed as the tide was out and there are no guard rails to protect foolish cyclists.

    It is a *lot* further around the meander than following the direct route to RH gate, even in good conditions it would take an extra 40-60mins.

    Still, i eventually made it home, starving from an extra 2.5hrs on the bike, freezing from the puddles and covered head-to-toe in mud.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Own up if it was you yesterday in Sigma bibs and orange Gabba... Complete chopper and glad you jumped the reds so I couldn’t catch you for a ‘chat’.

    Got brake checked by a French woman on a moped, thanks for that.

    Puncture in front tyre this morning. Sealant wouldn’t fix it so got to use my bacon strips for the first time. Sealed it immediately, quick blast of Co2 and back on my way. Two mins to fix which was mostly me faffing in the dark.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    My front tubeless tyre has also been playing up, can't find a hole so wonder if the valve is very slowly leaking air. To be fair the tyre needs changing anyway so this'll force me to get it done this weekend. Have popped another wheel in for now, only downside is it is shod with a Specialized Armadillo which has the rolling resistance of a tyre coated in glue
  • frogonabike
    frogonabike Posts: 157
    After my commuter got stolen earlier this year I replaced it with a 30 year old single speed steel (which it turns out is real) Dawes from ebay. Since getting it I made the brakes work and now have 3 gears courtesy of Sturmey Archer. She may now be about 12kg's but relatively speaking I am back in the silly commuter racing game :lol:

    Do still have the "nice" bike but I don't want the weather to eat it
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    Floods of choppers and darwinists out this morning trying to out do each other and only succeeding in making themselves look even more stupid! Still better than the train though.
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Rode part of the way with abfg, but I got a tailwind and truck assisted tow up Balham Hill, and hit the lights at the top. Heavy tailwind found me in the bigger ratios, which always makes me feel happy...

    In the slow bit round the E&C avoid route, I had to brake on two occasions to avoid some old fella (i.e. older than me) swerving into my path to turn right, without shoulder checking or indicating. I asked him why he kept doing it, and I got a spittle=flecked rant about how WE ARE COMMUTING, YOU SHOULD BE PATIENT. I said I'd wait for him all day to wobble across the road if he just looked over his shoulder and stuck his arm out, and it's very difficult for me to read his intentions without that courtesy. JUST BE PATIENT, WE ARE COMMUTING, was the response. I gave up.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    D-lock
    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.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    hopkinb wrote:
    Rode part of the way with abfg, but I got a tailwind and truck assisted tow up Balham Hill, and hit the lights at the top. Heavy tailwind found me in the bigger ratios, which always makes me feel happy...

    In the slow bit round the E&C avoid route, I had to brake on two occasions to avoid some old fella (i.e. older than me) swerving into my path to turn right, without shoulder checking or indicating. I asked him why he kept doing it, and I got a spittle=flecked rant about how WE ARE COMMUTING, YOU SHOULD BE PATIENT. I said I'd wait for him all day to wobble across the road if he just looked over his shoulder and stuck his arm out, and it's very difficult for me to read his intentions without that courtesy. JUST BE PATIENT, WE ARE COMMUTING, was the response. I gave up.


    We're not commuting, we're racing in a silly commuting kinda way
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,119
    If we've learnt anything from this week it's that people commuting are unfailingly patient.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    I started the week with tired legs after a solid blast on the bike yesterday morning. When will I learn ?!?!?!?!

    My new Endura shoe covers seemed to work waaaay better than my knackered old pair. The old pair had velcro instead of a zip at the back which never worked well, I know zips can be problematic but hopefully as long as I'm careful they'll be better than the old pair. I also wore a new pair of Castelli nano leg warmers, kept the water off nicely but I know the DWR stuff or whatever they use will disappear soon.

    I'm convinced that soon the whole of London will be one huge building site, it feels like every road on my route is being dug up.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    OK folks, new job time. This time I'm going to be at the western end of London Wall. What's the best way to get there from Blackfriars? (Assuming Embankment is still be best way into The City and Blackfriars is the best place to turn north).
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Asprilla wrote:
    OK folks, new job time. This time I'm going to be at the western end of London Wall. What's the best way to get there from Blackfriars? (Assuming Embankment is still be best way into The City and Blackfriars is the best place to turn north).
    In the morning:
    Usual route to Embankment, turn left at Blackfriars
    North up Bouverie St, turn right onto Fleet St
    Straight over Ludgate Circus onto Ludgate Hill, heading East
    Left onto Old Bailey. Earlier left onto Limeburner Lane is tempting, but it's one way (in the opposite direction) for motor vehicles, a lot of which don't expect to encounter cyclists coming the other way.
    Right onto Newgate St/A40, follow one-way system (King Edward St) to Museum of London Roundabout.
    Straight over roundabout onto London Wall (adjust final part of route to suit precise destination)

    In the evening:
    St Martin's Le Grand, Newgate St, Left onto Old Bailey. At this point it gets a bit different
    Straight over Ludgate Hill, heading for Black Friars Lane
    Right onto Queen Victoria St, stay in right hand lane
    Straight over Faringdon St/Blackfriars Bridge to join down ramp to Embankment.

    I've found that following the cycle superhighway between Embankment and Ludgate Hill is very slow because of the traffic light sequencing; above routes avoid most of the stops. Assuming they go back to the old road layout when the super-sewer works finish, the evening route works well in both directions.
    Pannier, 120rpm.

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