Silly commuting racing

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Comments

  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    2 for me too.

    Someone went past me like I was standing still on the dark hill recovery flat bit. Mollified to discover that he's about 4th on the tour de RP list - sub 14 minutes, part of Onyx RT.

    39 mins for the 2 laps. If I'm going to get quicker, I'm going to have to get better at hurting! I'm probably too old to care much though.
  • silverstreak
    silverstreak Posts: 49
    edited March 2020
    That’s a nice run. A couple of guys in black - on black bikes - whirred silently passed me too over the summit of Broomfield and disappeared effortlessly into the distance. Passed them later hanging out in the car park next to Roehampton gate with other guys in black. Think there may have been an Onyx RT gathering.

    (My chosen outfit this morning were a pair of gnarled mountain bike shorts, brown woolly walking socks and a stained blue running top. I felt - and probably looked - like a tree ent by comparison)
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    silverstreak said:


    (My chosen outfit this morning were a pair of gnarled mountain bike shorts, brown woolly walking socks and a stained blue running top. I felt - and probably looked - like a tree ent by comparison)

    :D

  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    I did a couple of laps at lunchtime. All was good apart from one slightly hairy crosswind moment when heading downhill from Richmond Gate to Ham Cross.

    Thinking about Zwift - on my best bike I have cadence and speed sensor, have a heart rate monitor so think I have all I need, but the Zwift website also talks about an ANT+ bundle. Can someone help an uninitiated clutz like me figure out what’s needed?
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    For a minimal setup, you need a way to get your speed, cadence etc into your computer. If they talk ANT, the obvious way is via an ANT USB stick. Bluetooth also works if your sensors speak Bluetooth, and you either need a PC that talks Bluetooth, or you can go via your phone (using the Zwift Companion app).

    I actually have a spare ANT USB stick you can borrow indefinitely, but we're in lockdown until the middle of next week, so I'd have to leave it in a bucket of disinfectant outside the door.
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    Thanks for the info. Let me see if I can pick one up from the bike shops nearby, and if not I may take you up on your kind offer.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    The lad bo-biked through town yesterday on his way back from uni. Said the roads were empty and he really enjoyed the ride.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • silverstreak
    silverstreak Posts: 49
    edited March 2020
    RP closed to cars - but not (yet) to bikes! Keep your distance and long may that last. Off for a (solo) lap or two.
  • hopkinb
    hopkinb Posts: 7,129
    Was just coming to say the same thing. Except for the laps. That'll be tomorrow.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Am adjusting my commute tomorrow to avoid more people.
    _
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I popped out today for a gentle recovery ride and could not believe the amount of people out in groups fucking idiots
    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.
  • silverstreak
    silverstreak Posts: 49
    edited March 2020
    Just did the one RP lap and managed a 19 minute PB without the cars. Bliss. And those cyclists that were left were pretty well behaved (didn’t see any groups though it was late in the day, about 6pm). Fingers crossed it stays that way.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,152
    Watch out for walkers on the road on the absence of cars.
  • arsey
    arsey Posts: 171
    Can confirm traffic free park is great! Allows for consistent laps too! 19:13, 19:17 and 19:16 this morning.
    Canyon Ultimate CF Disc
    Vitus Energie Disc
  • poweredbyidris
    poweredbyidris Posts: 848
    arsey said:

    Can confirm traffic free park is great! Allows for consistent laps too! 19:13, 19:17 and 19:16 this morning.

    How busy was it, cycles-wise?
  • arsey
    arsey Posts: 171
    poweredbyidris said:

    arsey said:

    Can confirm traffic free park is great! Allows for consistent laps too! 19:13, 19:17 and 19:16 this morning.

    How busy was it, cycles-wise?
    Quite a few people out but no issues maintaining distance. Let's say an average of 50 meters per person.
    Canyon Ultimate CF Disc
    Vitus Energie Disc
  • silverstreak
    silverstreak Posts: 49
    edited March 2020
    Yep. It was fabulous around 7.30-8.30am. A fair few cyclists but not crowded and managed to get a 19.03 lap in before WFH. Chapeau to the sub-60 three laps above! Hope people keep to the “no groups” rules and cycling remains an option.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,152
    the sub 60 minute 3 laps only count if it is TT conditions, everyone knows that. No groups, everyone.
  • arsey
    arsey Posts: 171
    It was solo :) I was passed once but dropped 10 meters back (was hard not to hitch a lift!)
    Canyon Ultimate CF Disc
    Vitus Energie Disc
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    edited March 2020
    my last cycle commute was a week ago (Monday 16th) and since then I've been on a combination of WFH and annual leave and been staying at home concentrating on the garden.

    But my youngest son is still having to go to his office in Tolworth and given he has a new bike is cycle commuting so i decided to join him this morning.

    We rode to his office together and then i headed on via a very quiet Surbiton circa 8-30, a quiet Portsmouth road cycle lane and a deserted Kingston market square into a traffic free oasis that was Richmond Park. it was great, quite a few walkers and cyclists but all maintaining #socialdistancing. I needed to be back for a conf call at 9-30 so only rode from Kingston gate, up Dark Hill on the 48:16 gearing and then out Ladderstile gate and back via New Malden and Worcester Park. It was a lovely little leg-stretcher in the sun.

    Got back at 9-29 and sat there on the WebEx in my Castelli gear. No one commented or perhaps they didn't even notice.

    I plan to do similar tomorrow.

    FCN = 4
  • arsey
    arsey Posts: 171
    Managed 3 sub 19 minute laps this morning. Loving the weather and lack of traffic! Only saw a few groups of 2, giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming they are in the same household.
    Canyon Ultimate CF Disc
    Vitus Energie Disc
  • silverstreak
    silverstreak Posts: 49
    Nice. Went to RP with the family today - and managed to get a couple of laps in. Sub 40 for the two, but with little to spare. Going to work on the double a bit more before trying for sub 60. Something to aim for! Felt busier today, but for the most part people riding sensibly.
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    I think it depends which way you go. Clockwise feels quieter than anti clockwise at the moment based on my rides this week.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    Managed a lap of the trail, first one in ages it seems. I took the cross bike so I could divert to the road if it was too busy, quite busy in places but not bad overall. I think most people were trying to maintain a bit of distance.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • silverstreak
    silverstreak Posts: 49
    edited March 2020
    View of family members was that trail somewhat quieter than the road.

    The two lap times (ACW) Ham Cross to Ham Cross were 19:46 and 19:21 (CAAD 12, solo, standing start, no drafting). Not sure whether to go for the third yet.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    the only lap i ever got in under 21 mins was on single speed, wow that was a long time ago now
    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.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,817
    silverstreak said:

    View of family members was that trail somewhat quieter than the road.

    The two lap times (ACW) Ham Cross to Ham Cross were 19:46 and 19:21 (CAAD 12, solo, standing start, no drafting). Not sure whether to go for the third yet.

    Yes, was going to give the MTB a shakedown as it's suffering lack of use, took the cross bike so I could do either according to what was busier. The trail was busy near the gates but quiet otherwise. Road looked reasonably busy but not terrible, with cars there it would have looked a lot busier no doubt.
    Sounds like you should go for a third. I only did a single lap of the trail in 28something, Strava reckons a PR. But know I've done a 26something so it must have been the other direction. CJ's times make me look as old and slow as I am, 6 minutes quicker than me.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • silverstreak
    silverstreak Posts: 49
    edited March 2020
    That’s a good time on the trail. Might shake things up a bit with MTB, too. Different - and fun.

    Yes, tempted to go for third and thought about it today but had to meet family at Ham Cross after second lap. Managed 19.27 and 19.28 (38.55 for the two) but was getting tired at the end of the second lap. Likely to try the third - but may pause first. I’m too old for this nonsense (!)

    P.S. working out there’s technique in taking the roundabouts to get a swift getaway - seconds to be had - but I still lack the courage and expertise to go hell for leather down Broomfield.
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    The key to Broomfield is to relax, physically consciously slump your muscles. It's difficult, you naturally tense up on that right-hander and as soon as you do, the whole body-bike system becomes rigid and your ability to change direction is limited and frightening. You actively consciously need to stay relaxed...
    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: 28,152
    You don't need to go hell for leather down the steep bit there, just have the confidence to lean and not brake. Gives a few seconds of recovery, but don't waste it with braking Then once you get to the left hander, back on it.

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