Silly commuting racing

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  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    A lot of drafters about, else no news apart from getting dropped like a crisp packet by some chap in Wimbledon the other night. Must try harder.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • j_mcd
    j_mcd Posts: 473
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Moving to Canary Wharf next month.

    Looks like it's the segregated bike lane all the way, because the Wapping motorway looks like a non-starter.

    I wrote a long response to this but lost it somehow. I've done this commute for the last ten years.

    1. Segregated bike path (Cable St onto Narrow St) . My preferred route. Can get narrow and very busy and also some places where cars can pull out but undoubtedly the safest approach

    2. The Wapping motorway a.k.a. The Highway. I rode it for years but it can be terrifying with skip lorries and other HGV's flying past at 40mph+. I'm not a nervous rider but it felt like i was taking my life in my hands a few too many times for comfort. Also difficult to exit at the eastern end onto the wharf and bikes not allowed under the Limehouse link tunnel

    3. Commercial road. Nice and wide with bus lanes most of the way. Can tend to have lots of broken glass on the road but painful to get onto this from Embankment. It's a better alternative for the evening return

    I do this commute everyday and have done for years. I go down the highway, I've never had any trouble on it at all and find that as long as you don't try to cut in and out of traffic (just stay on the left and go as fast as possible) you'll be absolutely fine. In saying that, you always get some idiots in vans/taxis but that could be anywhere on the journey in.

    The bike path is so depressing, slow, and at times, dangerous, that you'll be put off from using in a matter of days. God it's awful.
    Giant Defy Advanced 0 - Best
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  • daveholla
    daveholla Posts: 12
    Decent little battle with chap on the single speed Cannondale down chelsea embankment up to Battersea bridge. Give us a shout if you're on here.

    For anyone else, if you spot me, I'm riding a single speed focus Mares cx with trp hydros. Not the conventional commuter but it works quite well. Say hi, always keen to make friends.
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    J_MCD wrote:

    I do this commute everyday and have done for years. I go down the highway, I've never had any trouble on it at all and find that as long as you don't try to cut in and out of traffic (just stay on the left and go as fast as possible) you'll be absolutely fine. In saying that, you always get some idiots in vans/taxis but that could be anywhere on the journey in.

    The bike path is so depressing, slow, and at times, dangerous, that you'll be put off from using in a matter of days. God it's awful.

    Each to their own, I'm not a fan of the Highway.
    FCN = 4
  • dekant
    dekant Posts: 114
    Thankfully I rarely need to go that way, but my god that bike lane is truly terrible.

    I have been few Limehouse link tunnel a few times though and it is well fun on a bike. Smooth tarmac, a nice gradient to get speed up and you get sucked along by the airflow of the cars. Yes, you need to give it some beans to take the momentum up and out on the other side but I've never had trouble keeping up with cars.

    I've also been through the strand underpass a few times which is a much better alternative to the clusterf*** that is going round Aldwych. I think there's even less excuse for banning bikes on that one - you can navigate the sharp turns faster than a car can and really it's only the exit ramp where effort is required and at that point it's wide enough to have a marked lane.
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    dekant wrote:
    Thankfully I rarely need to go that way, but my god that bike lane is truly terrible.

    I have been few Limehouse link tunnel a few times though and it is well fun on a bike. Smooth tarmac, a nice gradient to get speed up and you get sucked along by the airflow of the cars. Yes, you need to give it some beans to take the momentum up and out on the other side but I've never had trouble keeping up with cars.

    I've also been through the strand underpass a few times which is a much better alternative to the clusterf*** that is going round Aldwych. I think there's even less excuse for banning bikes on that one - you can navigate the sharp turns faster than a car can and really it's only the exit ramp where effort is required and at that point it's wide enough to have a marked lane.
    +1 on Limehouse Tunnel - it used to be so badly signposted that you couldn't actually see the No Cycling sign until you were committed. That's what my story would have been, anyway.

    I've never had the balls for the Hyde Park Corner underpass, but tried the Hammersmith Flyover once, at about midnight. I figured that with 2 lanes each way, almost no traffic and a 30mph limit there wouldn't be a problem. What I hadn't accounted for was the absence of speed cameras, meaning the few cars that were using it were actually doing 70. It also has enough of a curve that the sightlines are rubbish (for vehicles travelling at 70). I'm never trying that again!
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    well everyday is a school day, when did they reopen the Strand underpass?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
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    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Longshot
    Longshot Posts: 940
    itboffin wrote:
    well everyday is a school day, when did they reopen the Strand underpass?

    When did they shut it?
    You can fool some of the people all of the time. Concentrate on those people.
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    TGOTB wrote:
    dekant wrote:
    Thankfully I rarely need to go that way, but my god that bike lane is truly terrible.

    I have been few Limehouse link tunnel a few times though and it is well fun on a bike. Smooth tarmac, a nice gradient to get speed up and you get sucked along by the airflow of the cars. Yes, you need to give it some beans to take the momentum up and out on the other side but I've never had trouble keeping up with cars.

    I've also been through the strand underpass a few times which is a much better alternative to the clusterf*** that is going round Aldwych. I think there's even less excuse for banning bikes on that one - you can navigate the sharp turns faster than a car can and really it's only the exit ramp where effort is required and at that point it's wide enough to have a marked lane.
    +1 on Limehouse Tunnel - it used to be so badly signposted that you couldn't actually see the No Cycling sign until you were committed. That's what my story would have been, anyway.

    I've never had the balls for the Hyde Park Corner underpass, but tried the Hammersmith Flyover once, at about midnight. I figured that with 2 lanes each way, almost no traffic and a 30mph limit there wouldn't be a problem. What I hadn't accounted for was the absence of speed cameras, meaning the few cars that were using it were actually doing 70. It also has enough of a curve that the sightlines are rubbish (for vehicles travelling at 70). I'm never trying that again!
    I've done all the underpasses and flyovers in London, I think. Hammersmith is pretty grim, as you say largely because of the lack of speed cameras - but Hyde Park Corner is generally OK, as is the Euston Road underpass. The flyover onto the A40 at Paddington, however, is grim - only done that once (purely by accident, of course :)) and would NOT do it again. Worst of the lot for me is the flyover at Elephant & Castle. The ski slope down the other side is not worth the dicing with death as you go up and over it praying you don't get hit by the inattentive, skunked up mugs who drive over it
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Cruff wrote:
    Worst of the lot for me is the flyover at Elephant & Castle. The ski slope down the other side is not worth the dicing with death as you go up and over it praying you don't get hit by the inattentive, skunked up mugs who drive over it
    Elephant like bare flat. You mean the one down by old Kent road? Or bow flyover that drops down into Stratford?
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    :shock: :shock: :shock:

    Walton and Chertsey Bridges offer quite enough excitement for me; no way I'm riding over/under any of the under/overpasses mentioned above!

    I think I used the Limehouse Tunnel when I last rode out that way, back in 2010 or so.

    I think I'll start with the bike lane, but I can't see myself liking it much.

    Cheers, all.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    cjcp wrote:
    :shock: :shock: :shock:

    Walton and Chertsey Bridges offer quite enough excitement for me; no way I'm riding over/under any of the under/overpasses mentioned above!

    I think I used the Limehouse Tunnel when I last rode out that way, back in 2010 or so.

    I think I'll start with the bike lane, but I can't see myself liking it much.

    Cheers, all.
    I once tried riding through Wapping, wouldn't recommend that either. Long way, much of it cobbled, and I think I remember having to ride through some sort of park at the far end.
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    hopkinb wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    Worst of the lot for me is the flyover at Elephant & Castle. The ski slope down the other side is not worth the dicing with death as you go up and over it praying you don't get hit by the inattentive, skunked up mugs who drive over it
    Elephant like bare flat. You mean the one down by old Kent road? Or bow flyover that drops down into Stratford?
    OKR - Sorry, I've only ever called it the Elephant flyover cos that's what I know that whole area as. Technically its the Bricklayer's Arms
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    TGOTB wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    :shock: :shock: :shock:

    Walton and Chertsey Bridges offer quite enough excitement for me; no way I'm riding over/under any of the under/overpasses mentioned above!

    I think I used the Limehouse Tunnel when I last rode out that way, back in 2010 or so.

    I think I'll start with the bike lane, but I can't see myself liking it much.

    Cheers, all.
    I once tried riding through Wapping, wouldn't recommend that either. Long way, much of it cobbled, and I think I remember having to ride through some sort of park at the far end.

    Used to work in St Katherine Docks, and used to take a detour straight past the office and over the cobbles to the end of the high street and back before going to work.

    But only if it was dry...

    Did look at that route last night, but it's a bit of a faff to get to.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Gallywomack
    Gallywomack Posts: 823
    Cruff wrote:
    hopkinb wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    Worst of the lot for me is the flyover at Elephant & Castle. The ski slope down the other side is not worth the dicing with death as you go up and over it praying you don't get hit by the inattentive, skunked up mugs who drive over it
    Elephant like bare flat. You mean the one down by old Kent road? Or bow flyover that drops down into Stratford?
    OKR - Sorry, I've only ever called it the Elephant flyover cos that's what I know that whole area as. Technically its the Bricklayer's Arms

    Weird how perceptions differ - I've done that one plenty when it was on my route home and never found it that problematic. It's not very long and a shallow enough ramp (with a good run-in) to carry decent enough speed that you don't feel too under threat from overtaking vehicles. And it's wide enough to feel comfortable, for me at least (and I am quite wide myself). Can be slightly problematic dealing with merging traffic at the bottom but otherwise, no sweat.

    Obviously this means my dad is considerably harder than yours :wink:

    I must say I wouldn't dream of attempting the Hammersmith flyover on a bike. :shock:
    Pompino
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    edited October 2019
    Only time I have been over Hammersmith Flyover was when I did the Prudential 100, on closed roads it was a blast but there's no way I'd try it with cars around.

    In other news, well done to the twunt on what looked like an aero Boardman bike this morning who wheelsucked his way all the way into London. Think I saw an ironman tattoo on his calf (why do they do that?) so if you are capable of doing an ironman then surely you're capable of putting your nose into the wind just a little bit.

    Oh, and I saw another ebike this morning heading from Chelsea into PS and then along the Embankment that was doing well over 25mph, this one looked more like a mountain bike in design rather than the other one I saw a week or so ago was much more like a road bike. The issue I have isn't so much the speed, it is the fact that they're virtually silent and accelerate from nothing to 25mph so rapidly that they catch me unawares.
  • Longshot
    Longshot Posts: 940
    I haven't done the flyovers on open roads but I have done the A31 & A3 from the Hog's Back down through Guildford.

    It's a thrilling descent but I'm not doing it again anytime soon.
    You can fool some of the people all of the time. Concentrate on those people.
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    Came across Spinny Guy this morning, his new thing seems to be RLJ'ing, makes me happy that I can discount all the time I couldn't keep up.

    Favorite underpass experience has to be the DSC on the brommie while carrying a work bag in one hand... else the Bow flyover should get a mention, remarkably usable when trying to get out to the Velodrome.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • Tashman
    Tashman Posts: 3,497
    Longshot wrote:
    I haven't done the flyovers on open roads but I have done the A31 & A3 from the Hog's Back down through Guildford.

    It's a thrilling descent but I'm not doing it again anytime soon.
    That's a brave route!
  • Longshot
    Longshot Posts: 940
    Tashman wrote:
    Longshot wrote:
    I haven't done the flyovers on open roads but I have done the A31 & A3 from the Hog's Back down through Guildford.

    It's a thrilling descent but I'm not doing it again anytime soon.
    That's a brave route!


    Brave isn't the word that sprung to mind as I was doing it.
    You can fool some of the people all of the time. Concentrate on those people.
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    cjcp wrote:
    :shock: :shock: :shock:

    Walton and Chertsey Bridges offer quite enough excitement for me; no way I'm riding over/under any of the under/overpasses mentioned above!

    I think I used the Limehouse Tunnel when I last rode out that way, back in 2010 or so.

    I think I'll start with the bike lane, but I can't see myself liking it much.

    Cheers, all.

    I use the bike lane. If you can hit it early - before 8am at the very least it's not so bad. When busy you need to go with the flow, slow down and not do anything stupid (there are others that will do that). Use it as a warm up or chill out zone, there'll be other places you can put the hammer down ;)
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,066
    Chilly start around Southampton and Portsmouth this morning, some Wunderground stations reporting close to 0C, hope I'm not going to regret not getting around to fitting some winter tyres such as 4Seasons on the commuter!
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Some frost in the hollows of Wandsworth Common as I rode by this morning. Didn't seem all that cold, though it was difficult to get the legs whirring round as normal.

    Loads of suicidal nodders doing their "squeeze in between a bus and a lorry to get to an advanced stop box that may or may not already be full, and I've got no idea when the lights will change and OH SH!!!T THE LIGHTS ARE CHANGING AND I'M GOING TO GET SQUASHED - SQUEAL" thing. :roll:
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Very chilly and foggy when I left this morning; full finger gloves for the first time this year and my hands were still achingly cold until Kingston. Had to take my glasses off for the fog, and of course when I got to the park it was bright sunshine. Glasses in my back pocket were completely fogged and running with water so were useless. Park was beautiful. Took it easy down Broomfield. Couldn't work out if it was icy or not.

    One more day on this commute and then I'm back on Embankment. Pity.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,228
    Lovely ride through the park this morning. Still, misty and cold.

    Not so good for the rider coming the other way who was completely taken out by an alsatian running straight into her front wheel on the way across the middle. No major damage to anyone as far as I could see - massively apologetic dog owner and other passers by already picking her up by the time I got there. Be careful out there.
  • wolfsbane2k
    wolfsbane2k Posts: 3,056
    NitrousOxide wrote:
    Chilly start around Southampton and Portsmouth this morning, some Wunderground stations reporting close to 0C, hope I'm not going to regret not getting around to fitting some winter tyres such as 4Seasons on the commuter!

    Out my neck of the woods my weather station reported -1 at 6:00 this morning, but by the time I'd dug out all my winter gear it had risen to 4, and the frost had cleared.

    Like you, i'm pondering my tyre choice as i'm still running on the Specialized Roadsport's that came with the bike, and I've had a couple of "slippery" incidents with them on wet roads.
    Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
    Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...
  • frogonabike
    frogonabike Posts: 157
    Not sure if people will have noticed this but it looks like the forum will be read-only from this afternoon until it's reborn on Thursday

    https://www.bikeradar.com/news/bikerada ... migration/

    EDIT - no SCR news to report other than I forgot my gloves this morning. idiot.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    frogonabike wrote:
    Not sure if people will have noticed this but it looks like the forum will be read-only from this afternoon until it's reborn on Thursday

    https://www.bikeradar.com/news/bikerada ... migration/

    EDIT - no SCR news to report other than I forgot my gloves this morning. idiot.

    I remember the Great Forum Shutdown of Many, Many Moons Ago.

    It lasted days and days and days.

    Traumatic times.

    RP was beautiful this morning, so did some short loops to take it in a bit longer.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    CookeeeMonster wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    :shock: :shock: :shock:

    Walton and Chertsey Bridges offer quite enough excitement for me; no way I'm riding over/under any of the under/overpasses mentioned above!

    I think I used the Limehouse Tunnel when I last rode out that way, back in 2010 or so.

    I think I'll start with the bike lane, but I can't see myself liking it much.

    Cheers, all.

    I use the bike lane. If you can hit it early - before 8am at the very least it's not so bad. When busy you need to go with the flow, slow down and not do anything stupid (there are others that will do that). Use it as a warm up or chill out zone, there'll be other places you can put the hammer down ;)

    *Before* 8am, you say?

    That means leaving home at around... <does some quick calculations, take off a bit more for RP being closed for the cull> ... yeah, no :). Thank you, though :)

    In all seriousness, I use it up to Tower Bridge at the moment, and it's ok up to that point, but it seems a little more slow-growing after that; like you say, a cool-down or warm-up section look.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,228
    frogonabike wrote:
    Not sure if people will have noticed this but it looks like the forum will be read-only from this afternoon until it's reborn on Thursday

    https://www.bikeradar.com/news/bikerada ... migration/

    EDIT - no SCR news to report other than I forgot my gloves this morning. idiot.

    It's happening - see you on the other side.

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