Silly commuting racing

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  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    mtb-idle said:

    Which also reminds me, I've got just 27 potential cycle commuting/SCR days left for the forseeable future as I have agreed a career break/sabbatical with the man.

    It starts at the end of March and is for 12 months so I will be hanging up my #sillycommuterracing boots and there won't be any more of this #scr until April 2021.

    Wow, that's awesome especially in this day and age.
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    cheers bud, don't worry, I've got lots of cycling planned still
    FCN = 4
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    Too much riding into headwinds this week = fried Friday legs this morning
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    No #scr for me this morning as despite (or perhaps because of) only previously cycle commuting on Tuesday this week I was feeling particularly listless which was a shame given the slight tailwind, winter sun, blue sky, and relatively traffic-free Friday roads.

    Still I managed to get cut up by some twunt in an SUV and engage him in a brief conversation. I was in the left hand lane going straight on and he was in the right hand lane which is only for those who are turning right at the junction

    https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3785311,-0.220066,3a,75y,32.34h,69.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIVNOAQhO_SYs9QJC3WMBhg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

    He cut across in front of me to go straight on rather than stop and wait for the other driver to complete the turn.

    Needless to say 20 metres down the road he was held up in traffic so I pulled up next to him and said "please don't cut me up next time".

    "Well, you've got brakes haven't you?" he replied to which I actually did a little laugh cos his response was so ridiculous before riding off shaking my head saying "Unbelievable"!

    I was actually recording my commute this morning to get some footage so I will review it later and see if it looks as close on the GoPro as it felt in real life. CBA to report it but it will probably feature in my next edit if it looks worthwhile.

    Looks like I have an appointment with Harry Headwind this evening.
    FCN = 4
  • stn5
    stn5 Posts: 44
    tgotb said:

    stn5 said:

    I found this interesting the other week - http://www.simonweckert.com/googlemapshacks.html

    Perhaps we can make a fake traffic jam in Richmond Park to reduce the traffic?

    Have you ever looked at the Google Maps traffic view after the park's closed to cars? Because it doesn't know all the data's from bikes, it thinks there's a traffic jam going up every hill...
    Really? I'm surprised they don't know it's from bikes. If I check my Google location history it will generally detect correctly that I'm cycling. Sometimes it just classifies it as "Moving" but I've never seen driving from it.

    They can even correctly detect motorcycling. I guess maybe from acceleration and the odd lean here and there.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072


    Thinking of you all, Stay safe! #stormdennis
    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.
  • martinc
    martinc Posts: 422
    Half-term happiness with empty roads and a tailwind too.
    Always in stealth mode
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    I dont have facebook but here's a link to someones video of the road to my next village, which has pretty much been flooded for the last 3 months now https://www.facebook.com/groups/174464016888/permalink/10156766420446889/
    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.
  • j_mcd
    j_mcd Posts: 473
    Did some one say "Awesome power engaged" or was it just a strong tailwind!?!

    Probably the latter to be honest, very quick journey in, 200 calories less than normal and a few PBs on the winter bike. Seems suspect to me!

    Didn't even attempt to go along Plough Lane, Cobham today, it's flooded at the best of times so it's probably a lake right now. Was slightly surprised to find the main road into Cobham also under 6-8 inches of water though, thank fock for waterproof boots!
    Giant Defy Advanced 0 - Best
    Planet X London Road - Wet
    Montague Fit - Foldy thing that rarely gets used these days
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    In case anybody's heading out past Sunbury towards Staines Windsor Surrey Hills etc, there's what I'd describe as a "killer pothole" slap in the middle of the Westbound lane about 100m East of the peanut roundabout in Sunbury. It's a drain with 6-12 inches of lost tarmac around it, the worst I've ever seen. Hopefully it's been attended to, but be on the lookout for it if riding there in the dark...
    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
  • Longshot
    Longshot Posts: 940
    j_mcd said:

    Did some one say "Awesome power engaged" or was it just a strong tailwind!?!

    Probably the latter to be honest, very quick journey in, 200 calories less than normal and a few PBs on the winter bike. Seems suspect to me!

    Didn't even attempt to go along Plough Lane, Cobham today, it's flooded at the best of times so it's probably a lake right now. Was slightly surprised to find the main road into Cobham also under 6-8 inches of water though, thank fock for waterproof boots!


    Plough Lane would have been up to your eyeballs today!
    You can fool some of the people all of the time. Concentrate on those people.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    rower63 said:

    In case anybody's heading out past Sunbury towards Staines Windsor Surrey Hills etc, there's what I'd describe as a "killer pothole" slap in the middle of the Westbound lane about 100m East of the peanut roundabout in Sunbury. It's a drain with 6-12 inches of lost tarmac around it, the worst I've ever seen. Hopefully it's been attended to, but be on the lookout for it if riding there in the dark...

    Good heads-up. That needs sorting asap: I think lost tarmac around a drain was the reason a Thames Ditton Velo came off on a training ride one evening a few years ago, and was tragically killed :( .
    FCN 2-4.

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

    mtb-idle said:

    Which also reminds me, I've got just 27 potential cycle commuting/SCR days left for the forseeable future as I have agreed a career break/sabbatical with the man.

    It starts at the end of March and is for 12 months so I will be hanging up my #sillycommuterracing boots and there won't be any more of this #scr until April 2021.

    Wow, that's awesome especially in this day and age.
    Absolutely! Congratulations!
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Tail wind, sun and half-term traffic; what could be better?

    Well, being able to ride down Chayne Walk for a start. WTAF is going on there and what is the detour? Heading down Edith Grove and the diversion said go right. Forget that melon farmer.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    Didn't quite feel like a tail wind but I was struggling to drop some behind me. Saw plenty of choppers out there, maybe it was due to being 10 mins earlier or half term traffic making them stand out.

    I suggested a goodbye CS7 pint for MTB Idle, one evening half way home, The Windmill perhaps?
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    cjcp said:

    rower63 said:

    In case anybody's heading out past Sunbury towards Staines Windsor Surrey Hills etc, there's what I'd describe as a "killer pothole" slap in the middle of the Westbound lane about 100m East of the peanut roundabout in Sunbury. It's a drain with 6-12 inches of lost tarmac around it, the worst I've ever seen. Hopefully it's been attended to, but be on the lookout for it if riding there in the dark...

    Good heads-up. That needs sorting asap: I think lost tarmac around a drain was the reason a Thames Ditton Velo came off on a training ride one evening a few years ago, and was tragically killed :( .
    Before my time at the club, but yes and same council as well!

  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    anonymousblackfg said:


    I suggested a goodbye CS7 pint for MTB Idle, one evening half way home, The Windmill perhaps?

    I'd be up for a quick pint. As long as it's not bl00dy raining.

    Another faller this morning. Happened in the scrum behind me, so not sure what caused it. Possibly a left hook by a van - certainly there was contact with a van - the driver looked most put out by the dent. Bloke was on the ground bellowing about his arm, but eventually got up. His rear wheel became detached from his bike, so must have gone down hard.

    Lots of cyclists out there this morning - if you get boxed in, with all the wobbling etc, it must be a pretty unpleasant place to be - hence my habit of lurking at the far right of advance stop boxes and rapid getaways.
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    asprilla said:

    Tail wind, sun and half-term traffic; what could be better?

    Well, being able to ride down Chayne Walk for a start. WTAF is going on there and what is the detour? Heading down Edith Grove and the diversion said go right. Forget that melon farmer.

    carry on down the King's Road and turn right into Millman's St. It's blocked by parked lorries, but easy to get through on a bike, and it takes you to the very last barrier at the junction.
    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: 1,950
    5km into the commute this morning and my rear mech cable snapped as I changed gear for the first hill.

    Was a bit too late for a pedal commute by the time I'd got back home so motorbiked it today and have to try and dig out a spare cable from somewhere in my tip of a garage when I get home tonight.
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    anonymousblackfg said:


    I suggested a goodbye CS7 pint for MTB Idle, one evening half way home, The Windmill perhaps?

    Good idea, Im up for that. Or the Devonshire further down into Balham perhaps because they have an outside area to stash bikes.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    rower63 said:

    asprilla said:

    Tail wind, sun and half-term traffic; what could be better?

    Well, being able to ride down Chayne Walk for a start. WTAF is going on there and what is the detour? Heading down Edith Grove and the diversion said go right. Forget that melon farmer.

    carry on down the King's Road and turn right into Millman's St. It's blocked by parked lorries, but easy to get through on a bike, and it takes you to the very last barrier at the junction.
    They've just finished filling in the holes from the last dig (which seemed to go on for years)!

    Tbh, I'm struggling to remember a time when any part of Embankment wasn't clogged up with roadworks and bollards.

    Wasn't going to arrive at Richmond Park before the gates closed on Monday, so had to ride through Sheen and Richmond. Good to see that the roads are still in a sh!te state. The same sections of road are in the same cr@ppy condition they were in 10 years ago; one section bounced my new front light out of its bracket.

    And that's before we get to the Paris-Roubaix-style trenches in Petersham.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    cjcp said:

    I'm struggling to remember ....


    It's an age thing ;)
    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
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    10 weeks till my annual cycling jolly, motivation to cut the food intake but christ it's grim and knackering.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,065
    monkimark said:

    5km into the commute this morning and my rear mech cable snapped as I changed gear for the first hill.

    Was a bit too late for a pedal commute by the time I'd got back home so motorbiked it today and have to try and dig out a spare cable from somewhere in my tip of a garage when I get home tonight.

    You could always re-jiggle the cassette sprocket order and play with the rear mech high-low screws, so you have a suitable gear to get up the incline(s) in the small ring and a possibly slightly compromised gear for the flat in the big ring.

    I really must get around to sorting out the snapped rear mech cable on my Cube, on its limited outdoor rides since September(?) I've moved the 22T sprocket on the rear wheel to be my one of choice. Indoors on the turbo I do a fair few ERG workouts where I don't need gear switching, while approx 30-50% slope feel ("trainer difficulty") in Zwift with the 16T sprocket works reasonably for me.
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    rower63 said:

    In case anybody's heading out past Sunbury towards Staines Windsor Surrey Hills etc, there's what I'd describe as a "killer pothole" slap in the middle of the Westbound lane about 100m East of the peanut roundabout in Sunbury. It's a drain with 6-12 inches of lost tarmac around it, the worst I've ever seen. Hopefully it's been attended to, but be on the lookout for it if riding there in the dark...

    https://www.fillthathole.org.uk/

    Note the dot org dot UK address

    Not dot Com which is a very different kind of site 😂😉
    FCN = 4
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    anonymousblackfg said:


    I suggested a goodbye CS7 pint for MTB Idle, one evening half way home, The Windmill perhaps?

    @anonymousblackfg and others,

    Aw shucks thanks guys. Yeah I'm up for this don't mind where but as CS7 is my natural commuting home somewhere along there seems appropriate.

    #tootingshuffle
    FCN = 4
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    anonymousblackfg said:

    10 weeks till my annual cycling jolly, motivation to cut the food intake but christ it's grim and knackering.

    I'm with you on that, my club annual epic this year is coast to ² East to West across France taking in both the Alps & Pyrenees, i need to loss at least 20lbs by July, its going to be a brutal journey
    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.
  • wolfsbane2k
    wolfsbane2k Posts: 3,056
    Who ordered the wind from the south west for some morning assist? FYI, I detest you.
    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* ...
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    edited February 2020
    Tuesday evening was an interesting commute for me. 16 mph headwind but I was enjoying it and shot some video heading south across Tower Bridge just for sh!ts n giggles. Tower Bridge winter crossing footage with a minor bit of #scr

    I made it as far as Morden when the forecast light rain rolled in (it wasn't light at all but torrential) and I was soaked to the skin in short order and arrived home dripping wet and frozen. Wet commute footage
    FCN = 4
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    mtb-idle said:

    Tuesday evening was an interesting commute for me. 16 mph headwind but I was enjoying it and shot some video heading south across Tower Bridge just for sh!ts n giggles. Tower Bridge winter crossing footage with a minor bit of #scr

    I made it as far as Morden when the forecast light rain rolled in (it wasn't light at all but torrential) and I was soaked to the skin in short order and arrived home dripping wet and frozen. Wet commute footage

    Christ, got enough # in there...

    Decent ride home and ride in, upping the porridge intake has helped and that solid tail wind!
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.

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