Silly commuting racing

garryac

Greg T wrote:

snooks wrote:

Then at least you know that either you've been dropped by someone much higher on the chain, OR you've been dropped by someone just starting their route home. There's no way you'd be dropped by someone lower down than you...is there?

Man - you ALWAYS know when you've let yourself down......

I'm of the opinion that all the guys that whip past me on the embankment live on the King's Road and are emptying their tanks.

I also think that all the guys I drop on the embankment live on King's Road and are emptying their tanks - I'm just faster.

Exactly I live smug in the knowledge that if anyone whips by me in London I've alreadt ridden about 30 miles

2wheelzgood

snooks wrote:

easy points to be gained on the flat out parts. Cool

I'm shocked at your attitude! and admitting to it too!

I wonder if THE LIST would be re-jigged in a hilly place! I need to use a gear that I top out on the flat at 22ish mph although if I work like a hamster in a cage on E*, I can get 32 with a slight downhill..
or 39.1 on 1 in 4 country lanes!

*but of course you don't want to be seen to be working hard

Those guys with big gears pay for it though when setting off from lights (maybe they are the RLJers).. no points lost or gained as it's unfair as mentioned, but everyone will be past them and gone, making it difficult for them to gain points from the peloton without a long flatout run up!

Greg T

2wheelzgood wrote:

Those guys with big gears pay for it though when setting off from lights ............ everyone will be past them and gone, making it difficult for them to gain points from the peloton without a long flatout run up!

One of the side shows is the drag away from the lights. Now you really don't want to embaress yourself by obviously working too hard but at the same time if the blokes ahead get a wiggle on you get left for dead with 50 M to make up and a burd on a shopper wobbling around in front of you.

It's a very fine line to judge.

This morning I got overtaken by a pair of hairy Roadies (5) - no penalties class on class.(but I still lost my scalp) At the next set of lights lead roadie spins off but it's obvious that number two was drafting him and is now getting dropped....

Our man puts in a big effort running into the Blackfriars underpass gets to within a bike length of lead roadie then blows up! We (as I'm drafting him and spinning easy) start to go backwards

I take the only honourable option available, go up a gear pull out -stand up and drop him large to catch up on the lead without him getting a chance to draft me. I take my scalp back off him as I go by and have his away.

That's the game fellas - big boy's rules.

snooks

2wheelzgood wrote:

snooks wrote:

easy points to be gained on the flat out parts. Cool

I'm shocked at your attitude! and admitting to it too!

Just being honest as an 8 there aren't many below me in the food chain who'll drop me in a fair pass. Where as there are a few SS/fixed, roadies, hybrids, knackered tourers, all give me points...bring em on!!!

hehe
.

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

@Greg T: But you stood up! Surely that counts as being seen to try and so disqualifies the points on that occasion!

will3

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

@Greg T: But you stood up! Surely that counts as being seen to try and so disqualifies the points on that occasion!

absoultey. The whole ethos of this is that you are not, repeat not, racing. This just happens to be the speed you always go, it's just that ' I am considerably faster than youw'.

However it does bring up another imporant point. If you overtake you MUST make it stick!

2wheelzgood

gimme that list, I need to make sure my girlfrind doenst see thas topic or if she does, dont get no points for passing me!

She rides :70s road so I think starting at smooth legs roadie (not convinced girls should class as this but I have to be nice to her!) 4, with baggies +1, pannier rack +1 and gubbins bungeed on +another another for uncoordination and utilitarian style, HANDLEBAR BAG, flat pedals +1 and only 8 working gears (top and bottom on sprocket are useless) +2
=9
Come on rule maker what points is she on

me ss 3 although I claim +1 as it's a converted hybrid, aero -1, baggies +1,
=4..wow I need to watch it!

Greg, you're right though roadies with gears ough tto be top, well above SS at any rate.
not sure I get why SS fixed is higher than freewheelers... is it an image thang? I'm told they find it harder to go fast.

for future quick ref
1. Scooters
2. Single speed fixed hub
3. Single Speed
4. Roadies with shaved legs - like girls
5. Roadies with hairy legs - like men
6. Touring Bikes (Mud Guards)
7. "Fast Hybrids"
8. MTBs on Skinnies
9. MTBs on Nobbies
10. Bromptons / collapsing bikes
11. MTB full sus on Nobbies
12. Shoppers
13. Shoppers wicker baskets
14. Electric bikes

Greg T

will3 wrote:

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

@Greg T: But you stood up! Surely that counts as being seen to try and so disqualifies the points on that occasion!

absoultey. The whole ethos of this is that you are not, repeat not, racing. This just happens to be the speed you always go, it's just that ' I am considerably faster than youw'.

I hear your words Brothers - Standing up is a big no no - however his arse was hanging out and the awesome I was laying down as I mashed past had a quality all of it's own.

Let's call it a professional foul.

If you are going to break the "show no effort" rule you do have to pull it off otherwise you are road kill. Imagine standing up pullling out getting level and then getting dropped.....

Jaysus even the dog wouldn't take roast chicken skin off you.

snooks

OK...with hometime rapidly approaching...

We have some decorators in the office, and they have left some thick masking tape lying around...do I nick a bit and write 8 it and stick it to my backpack????

Or do I just draw a picture of a hare and let Greyhound GregT try to catch me up from my head start part way on his commute home???


Hare's runnin'!

2wheelzgood

will3 wrote:

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

@Greg T: But you stood up! Surely that counts as being seen to try and so disqualifies the points on that occasion!

absoultey. The whole ethos of this is that you are not, repeat not, racing. This just happens to be the speed you always go, it's just that ' I am considerably faster than youw'.

However it does bring up another imporant point. If you overtake you MUST make it stick!

True I was just thinking.. if you don't like to sweat and set off from lights slow, you can claim points by hauling them in in mid-flow and when you ease up for next lights, it doesn't count if they catch up with you.. It's dodgey really as I see the possibility of claiming points for the same victims on successive straights between traffic lights..

Greg T

2wheelzgood wrote:

She rides :70s road so I think starting at smooth legs roadie (not convinced girls should class as this but I have to be nice to her!) 4, with baggies +1, pannier rack +1 and gubbins bungeed on +another another for uncoordination and utilitarian style, HANDLEBAR BAG, flat pedals +1 and only 8 working gears (top and bottom on sprocket are useless) +2
=9
Come on rule maker what points is she on

Dude - as far as I can see it if you ever let her go infront of you in company you'll suffer a terminal respectal prolapse and may not recover. I'd say she's a 10 and her starting spot was hairy roadie (but she's a burd and therefore the shaving don't count)

snooks

2wheelzgood wrote:

It's dodgey really as I see the possibility of claiming points for the same victims on successive straights between traffic lights..

Only if they are higher up the food chain :cool: ...like the girly yesterday (shopper with wicker basked, (shave legs and short baggy shorts) 13 at my reckoning) who'd hop onto the pavement at the lights and go to the front, only to be passed by the swathe behind her

Greg T

2wheelzgood wrote:

claiming points for the same victims on successive straights between traffic lights..

That's cold.

I do it all the time - success is a numbers game.......

I'm getting a marker out and will mark up my day glo hump!

2wheelzgood

Greg T wrote:

2wheelzgood wrote:

She rides :70s road so I think starting at smooth legs roadie (not convinced girls should class as this but I have to be nice to her!) 4, with baggies +1, pannier rack +1 and gubbins bungeed on +another another for uncoordination and utilitarian style, HANDLEBAR BAG, flat pedals +1 and only 8 working gears (top and bottom on sprocket are useless) +2
=9
Come on rule maker what points is she on

Dude - as far as I can see it if you ever let her go infront of you in company you'll suffer a terminal respectal prolapse and may not recover. I'd say she's a 10 and her starting spot was hairy roadie (but she's a burd and therefore the shaving don't count)

Oh dear.. I'm screwed on hills.. up and esp down.

In company you say.. best make those weekend rides on very remote lanes! sweet!

Clever Pun

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

What about roadie tarts in full rapha? Must run close to the yellow jersey in terms of the satisfaction of burning them off...

I've got campag shorts and jersey... am I supposed to feel dirty now?

Greg T

Clever Pun wrote:

I've got campag shorts and jersey... am I supposed to feel dirty now?

You need feel no shame.....

Unless a chick on a Shopper drops you - then basically you've got to hand back your entire accumulated lad voucher stack and start again.

High risk high danger.

I might get me a little bike cap to really ratchet up the pressure on myself

2wheelzgood

Greg T wrote:

I might get me a little bike cap to really ratchet up the pressure on myself

I'd watch it, snooks will be after those points!

snooks

2wheelzgood wrote:

Greg T wrote:

I might get me a little bike cap to really ratchet up the pressure on myself

I'd watch it, snooks will be after those points!

Well if you're passed by a sweaty bloke in black, wheezing like an short of breath rhino, while counting with his fingers...You've been dropped by me, shame on you all

And no, I'm not trying, it's just the way I look while I'm cycling :roll:

See you out there

jonginge

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

What about roadie tarts in full rapha? Must run close to the yellow jersey in terms of the satisfaction of burning them off...

Greg T wrote:

I might get me a little bike cap to really ratchet up the pressure on myself

2 birds with 1 stone: http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=96

snooks

OK I just did +1 for everyone with a FCN (Food Chain Number) higher than me who I dropped, and -1 everytime I was dropped by someone with a lower FCN than me.

Only on one set of lights get away did I loose count, but that was because I was looking to see whether it was an old tourer with a basket or a shopper...both of which looked similar..one I get a point for the other I don't.

I also excluded the 50 or so meters coming up to red lights/traffic when I'm slowing down, and I also don't count anyone I drop at that point..I also didn't count anyone I overtook though no fault of their own, a car turning left and stopping for example...just a straight pass only.

I got dropped once by a mtb with nobblies (but he must have been nearly home and using up his tank ) but it was on the off from the lights (and further on than the 10 metres past the other side of the Junction, which is where I start the count from) and he'd just pushed past a load of other cyclists waiting patiently....I did pass him three times in total after he RLJ twice.

So excuses over with, my first off total was 17 (with a late tourer at the end of my road )

An average of 1.3 a mile...not a bad target for next time
.

itboffin

I rarely see anyone on my daily commute yet I still race everyday, mostly myself and on the odd chance when there has been someone else within sight i've increased my speed to the point of almost being sick just to catch up and in most cases pass, I think I might have a problem ...

But what goes around always comes around, last week whilst buzzing along on my own I heard the click clicking of gear changes behind me only to find a pretty happy looking chap on a MTB, turns out that was one of my fastest days ever.

Greg T

snooks wrote:

So excuses over with, my first off total was 17 (with a late tourer at the end of my road )

17!

By Christ man!

I bagged two shaved (like a lady) roadies and a single speed and thought that I'd be feted by the players.

Instead you weigh in with a massive 17.

You are a dangerous player at the top of your bracket bagging the populous hybird / hairy roadie bracket.

Me - I'm swimming with the sharks and having to stay away from the like of you....

Seriously - the game is the best training aid ever - I was still sweating 30 mins after I got home and showered last night....

Now whoever you were on lower Thames St this morning on the hybrid whipping past me on the run intothe lights and then immediately taking refuge the pavement fooled no-one. I'll see you tonight...

I don't know if I can keep this up for a week.......

jonginge

No heroics today In fact, I didn't complete my commute. Got left-hooked going through fulham and have a face full of road rash*. Many thanks to the guys who stopped and sorted me out a bit, much appreciated.



* bike is mainly ok.

virtuoso

i find that racing is the only thing that keeps me sane, as commuting the same route every day is fairly mind-numbing I'm sure you'll agree.

I'm that competitive that I've never been overtaken in 6 months since I started my 23 mile commute, and never been unable to overtake anyone..

jonginge

virtuoso wrote:

i find that racing is the only thing that keeps me sane, as commuting the same route every day is fairly mind-numbing I'm sure you'll agree...

Oh, I don't know. There is occasionally a bit of unwanted excitement :shock:

dav1

so on a road bike with hairy legs = 5

baggy shorts + 1
Speedo -1
large backpack to carry everything i require (is this a +1 or not as it isnt a rack?) +1?
flat pedals (this has to be a +1) +1

so im a 7 overall.

Got passed by a 4 yesterday but hadhim back just before turning into a different route so its all good

How about the quility of bike? Im on a full alu £300 road machine with a sora groupset, does that give me a -1 vs a full carbon 20 speed racer or does the 20 speed racer get a boost?

snooks

Greg T wrote:

snooks wrote:

So excuses over with, my first off total was 17 (with a late tourer at the end of my road )

17!

By Christ man!

I bagged two shaved (like a lady) roadies and a single speed and thought that I'd be feted by the players.

Instead you weigh in with a massive 17.

You are a dangerous player at the top of your bracket bagging the populous hybird / hairy roadie bracket.

Most of those were along the embankment, when I'm just "peaking" (warmed up and ready for the battle against the wind) by the time I get onto the Kings road the chances of overtaking are slim. Once onto the A205 I can still drop some more....A few showed resistance, by overtaking and then turning off...then probably slowing down to get their breath back!!!

I do have larger than usual chainrings on the front, but it's still got 26" slicks and 14 years old (with rust)...I'm also carrying a few stone extra and want rid of it! And I''m not taking about my laptop and clothes

Is it wrong to identify targets at lights?? :twisted:

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

One further consideration is how to locate your victims/pursuers.

It's no good craning your neck round behind you to check their position - such a blatant indication that you care is sure to disqualify you. Instead, I suggest you have three legal options:

1) Learn to read the shadows. It's ok to glance down at your bottom bracket as if checking the position of your front mech. If the sun's out and somebody's close behind you, their shadow will betray them.

2) Wait for a 'pinch point' then glance nonchalantly over your shoulder as if checking for cars. Of course in reality you're checking out the competition.

3) Listen like a bat. This is where ipod wearing can be a real disadvantage/advantage depending on whether you are the hunter or the prey.

Finally, experienced secret racers may have a fourth option: spidey senses. Maybe its to do with chemicals or something but when you've been in this game for a while you can sense somebody coming up behind you like a shark scenting blood in the water 20 miles away. These senses can be the difference between victory and humiliation and should be cultivated at every opportunity.

If these measures are applied with accuity, then they also give you the option of a 'bail out' to prevent you puking up your lungs. Some may call it gamesmanship (or even cheating), but f you clearly have 'no awareness' of the guy behind you, then surely there's nothing wrong with pulling over to the side of the road to 'change the song on your ipod' or 'fix with that dodgy gear change' is there?

2wheelzgood

snooks wrote:

And I''m not taking about my laptop and clothes

Is it wrong to identify targets at lights?? :twisted:

I reckon it's fair game to prey at lights, but you wanna watch out for the late comers on ss or fixies with clipless.. we don't like stopping and will slow to a 1mph or trackstand and be off and passed you before you know it!

Also having 1 gear makes sneaking up more stealthy! muahaha

as for not wearing any clothes.. I'm happier for your confidence although reducing wind resistance in that way earns you -1!

snooks

2wheelzgood wrote:

snooks wrote:

And I''m not taking about my laptop and clothes

Is it wrong to identify targets at lights?? :twisted:

I reckon it's fair game to prey at lights, but you wanna watch out for the late comers on ss or fixies with clipless.. we don't like stopping and will slow to a 1mph or trackstand and be off and passed you before you know it!

Also having 1 gear makes sneaking up more stealthy! muahaha

as for not wearing any clothes.. I'm happier for your confidence although reducing wind resistance in that way earns you -1!

I was taking about carrying my work clothes and laptop in my rucksack, not cycling in the buff...No one would like to see that!