Silly commuting racing

itboffin

amnezia wrote:

there is a whole new level of inept driving in the city this morning what with the rail strike. Clearly a lot of people who have never driven in London before and should probably never do it again. Beware :shock:

thanks for the heads up I'm using the dressed like one of them tactic this morning

gtvlusso

Today, I am mostly wearing a lumberjack shirt....nice ride in and not wet for a change!! Nice ride home last night too...

People, don't try and catch me, I will drop you at the mearest "creak" behind my wheel.

citycommuter

*Tows home offered. Pick up on Embankment. Can drop off anywhere up to Sheen. Free of charge. Much cheapness. Just hop on. All welcome. Just fasten your seat-belts and hold on tightly to the hand-rails.*

Normal 53-tooth service resumed tonight.

What time does the train leave?? I need a tow I was running on empty by the time I got to Putney Bridge last night! :oops:

Bassjunkieuk

cjcp wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Quick question for the panel - should cornering on the drops, at higher speeds, be easier/safer then when on the hoods? I'm experimenting with this as it's one area I feel I need to improve on and am finding it feels a bit better when hunkered down. Presumably as I've lowered my centre of gravity I can more easily lean into the turn, I have a nice little section on my current route that means I can get some decentish speed cornering (18-20mph) practise through 90 degree left/right bends and just want to sharpen up a bit :-)

Yes.

Cheers! Have been reading up on some cornering techniques to try and improve including things like counter-steering and where to place legs and weight etc.

Had a bit of an excursion on my way in this morning to swing by the local post office depot place to pickup my missed parcel from yesterday - my 2 Smart 1/2 Watt rear lights from PBK :-)

Took a slightly different route in to work and found one of those lovely car drivers who just puts on an indicator and pulls out....I grab a handful of brake and start yelling about using mirrors only to find that the pr!ck is on his phone, guess that explains the lack of observation :evil: I avoided the temptation to follow him at the roundabout and instead just carried on down the bus lane.

cjcp

citycommuter wrote:

*Tows home offered. Pick up on Embankment. Can drop off anywhere up to Sheen. Free of charge. Much cheapness. Just hop on. All welcome. Just fasten your seat-belts and hold on tightly to the hand-rails.*

Normal 53-tooth service resumed tonight.

What time does the train leave?? I need a tow I was running on empty by the time I got to Putney Bridge last night! :oops:

I've looked across at the other commuters on the south side of Putney Bridge, and their faces say it all: we've all got nothing left in the tank. The sweat is dripping off the rim of my cap at that point. Then there's a vicious headwind along the LRR, so I find myself changing up to the 19 or 21 when I turn into Queen's Ride.

shoulder_of_orion

Greg T wrote:

King Donut wrote:

when suddenly some old fella (32 at least)

c) load up my CO2 air chuck and try to blow the old bastard off his perch.

I'm delighted.

At 38 I can now settle into my dotage and feck with younglings for fun.

I need to get me an old touring bike and some Carradine canvas panniers.

Perhaps - and it's been time since we talked about the maths of the game we need to have an age adjuster.

Every five years difference between you and your oppo is +/- something.

Whilst we may ride the same bike / wear the same stuff you have ten years on me and are churning my milky white ars* to butter (thanks whoever).

Obviously this only works if your are >16....

What about:

under 16 = +1
16-18 = 0
18-30 = -1
30-40 = 0
40-50 = +1
50-60 = +2
60+= +3
females = +1

that way you can always calculate your own FCN (i.e. it's not relative to somebody else). Also it's a bit hard to guesstimate 5 year increments?

Females, well you don't see Chris Hoy taking on Victoria Pendleton do you?

roger_merriman

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Tis wireless (Cateye Micro Wireless) and I'd always assumed it was something to do with the power lines or something that runs under me as I cross that bridge :-)

I seem to have picked up a fecking cough from somewhere (blame the kids........) which has reduced my speed holding ability somewhat, in some ways I'm thankful I'm not finding any worthy competition as me trying to eject my lungs via my mouth might give my approach away! I'm fine until I start breathing a bit deeper and then I get that tickly feeling and once I'm started it's useless.....

Quick question for the panel - should cornering on the drops, at higher speeds, be easier/safer then when on the hoods? I'm experimenting with this as it's one area I feel I need to improve on and am finding it feels a bit better when hunkered down. Presumably as I've lowered my centre of gravity I can more easily lean into the turn, I have a nice little section on my current route that means I can get some decentish speed cornering (18-20mph) practise through 90 degree left/right bends and just want to sharpen up a bit :-)

if it feels better go with it, a lot about decending is about relaxing etc.

I seem to be a good one, probably from MTB days, any how think smooth and relax no death grip on the bars and watch the road.

on the tour of the black mountains while the world and it's dog passed me on the flat and on the hills going down particaly if a long twisty bit i passed a lot of them, going down to hay i passed silly amounts of people about 4 bunches and smatterings of singles/doubles/etc between the groups.

i prefure the hoods as i don't like the too forward postion with regard to braking and endo point but find what works for you.

jonginge

roger merriman wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Tis wireless (Cateye Micro Wireless) and I'd always assumed it was something to do with the power lines or something that runs under me as I cross that bridge :-)

I seem to have picked up a fecking cough from somewhere (blame the kids........) which has reduced my speed holding ability somewhat, in some ways I'm thankful I'm not finding any worthy competition as me trying to eject my lungs via my mouth might give my approach away! I'm fine until I start breathing a bit deeper and then I get that tickly feeling and once I'm started it's useless.....

Quick question for the panel - should cornering on the drops, at higher speeds, be easier/safer then when on the hoods? I'm experimenting with this as it's one area I feel I need to improve on and am finding it feels a bit better when hunkered down. Presumably as I've lowered my centre of gravity I can more easily lean into the turn, I have a nice little section on my current route that means I can get some decentish speed cornering (18-20mph) practise through 90 degree left/right bends and just want to sharpen up a bit :-)

if it feels better go with it, a lot about decending is about relaxing etc.

I seem to be a good one, probably from MTB days, any how think smooth and relax no death grip on the bars and watch the road.

on the tour of the black mountains while the world and it's dog passed me on the flat and on the hills going down particaly if a long twisty bit i passed a lot of them, going down to hay i passed silly amounts of people about 4 bunches and smatterings of singles/doubles/etc between the groups.

i prefer the hoods as i don't like the too forward postion with regard to braking and endo point but find what works for you.

I give you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohEYgJCh ... re=related

Hands on drops is more secure and weight distribution is better. My 2p.

bigmat

Agreed drops better for descending - easier to put weight lower / further back if braking sharply, also you get a much better grip on the brakes, also more aero, its a no-brainer really. Saying that, it does "feel" safer on the hoods until you get used to it.

Roastie

My 2c is that hand position depends on the situation. Hands on the hoods is a more flexible position - you an get pretty much the same distribution as down in the drops, but you have more scope for shifting your weight as required.

While I hate "rules" with regard to any aspect of riding technique, I'd say that I probably tend to use the drops through fast, well sighted corners, but hold the hoods through less predictable or badly surfaced corners.

roger_merriman

JonGinge wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Tis wireless (Cateye Micro Wireless) and I'd always assumed it was something to do with the power lines or something that runs under me as I cross that bridge :-)

I seem to have picked up a fecking cough from somewhere (blame the kids........) which has reduced my speed holding ability somewhat, in some ways I'm thankful I'm not finding any worthy competition as me trying to eject my lungs via my mouth might give my approach away! I'm fine until I start breathing a bit deeper and then I get that tickly feeling and once I'm started it's useless.....

Quick question for the panel - should cornering on the drops, at higher speeds, be easier/safer then when on the hoods? I'm experimenting with this as it's one area I feel I need to improve on and am finding it feels a bit better when hunkered down. Presumably as I've lowered my centre of gravity I can more easily lean into the turn, I have a nice little section on my current route that means I can get some decentish speed cornering (18-20mph) practise through 90 degree left/right bends and just want to sharpen up a bit :-)

if it feels better go with it, a lot about decending is about relaxing etc.

I seem to be a good one, probably from MTB days, any how think smooth and relax no death grip on the bars and watch the road.

on the tour of the black mountains while the world and it's dog passed me on the flat and on the hills going down particaly if a long twisty bit i passed a lot of them, going down to hay i passed silly amounts of people about 4 bunches and smatterings of singles/doubles/etc between the groups.

i prefer the hoods as i don't like the too forward postion with regard to braking and endo point but find what works for you.

I give you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohEYgJCh ... re=related

Hands on drops is more secure and weight distribution is better. My 2p.

looks like he lots contract with the bars, not sure how he did that, the jolts one gets though the bars shouldn't be enought on there own, rocketing though rock gardens on rigid MTB's one soon learns that sometimes less is more and a death grip on the bars isn't wise which i think may have happen to that unlucky chap, with regards to weight distribution i tend to do that dynmamicly ie i shift forward/back/side again leant behavour for chucking a bike though muddy turns.

Roastie

roger merriman wrote:

... rocketing though rock gardens on rigid MTB's one soon learns that sometimes less is more and a death grip on the bars isn't wise ...

Yup, death grip is exactly that. The harder you grip, the less you feel and the less control you have.

Aidy

MatHammond wrote:

Agreed drops better for descending - easier to put weight lower / further back if braking sharply, also you get a much better grip on the brakes, also more aero, its a no-brainer really. Saying that, it does "feel" safer on the hoods until you get used to it.

I feel safer on the hoods because it puts me in a position where I don't have to crane my neck to see what's ahead.

roger_merriman

Roastie wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

... rocketing though rock gardens on rigid MTB's one soon learns that sometimes less is more and a death grip on the bars isn't wise ...

Yup, death grip is exactly that. The harder you grip, the less you feel and the less control you have.

yup the best advice is the relax go with the flow and be amazed how quick/safe it will feel and a real hoot.

blu3cat

What about:

under 16 = +1
16-18 = 0
18-30 = -1
30-40 = 0
40-50 = +1
50-60 = +2
60+= +3
females = +1

that way you can always calculate your own FCN (i.e. it's not relative to somebody else). Also it's a bit hard to guesstimate 5 year increments?

Females, well you don't see Chris Hoy taking on Victoria Pendleton do you?

Trouble is that it would give the older "hard as nails" riders who can sit on your tail while you go flat out and then just give a wry smile as they pass you, even more scalps.

Nearly had some action this morning with a SS (older had as nails - nippy chap) on Lower Richmond Road, was thinking "could I take him?", and then he pulled in. Probably a good thing given the hangover from yesterdays cocktail-fest were just kicking in. :roll:

bigmat

Aidy wrote:

MatHammond wrote:

Agreed drops better for descending - easier to put weight lower / further back if braking sharply, also you get a much better grip on the brakes, also more aero, its a no-brainer really. Saying that, it does "feel" safer on the hoods until you get used to it.

I feel safer on the hoods because it puts me in a position where I don't have to crane my neck to see what's ahead.

Fair comment, especially on really long descents neck ache can be a killer. I find myself sitting up a bit on the straighter sections but then get down on the drops for the corners. Whatever works for you in the end though - I'm far from an expert!

il_principe

I'm with Jon on this, drops all the way. It might (and does) get sore on long descents but it's worth it for the control and safety...

My bike is somewhat stiff and I've had a hand bounce of a hood before on a sharp steep descent in the Surrey lanes - where the road surface can be awful. It gave me a real fright.

jonginge

* wistfully thinks back to descending off the galibier towards bourg d'oisan last year - magic *

Edit: after manually editing a few mangled gpx files I've uploaded a few more alpine climbs to my connect account: http://connect.garmin.com/explore?owner ... rentPage=1

il_principe

JonGinge wrote:

* wistfully thinks back to descending off the galibier towards bourg d'oisan last year - magic *

*unwistfully thinks about descending the Tourmalet last year towards Hautacam in the pouring rain - fcuking terrifying!

Roastie

I don't understand the lack of security on the hoods & this hands bouncing off stuff. I' never had problems getting a secure grip on the hoods when needed (simply by wrapping my fingers around the lever body...?) - or am I missing something?

Is it that silly little shift levers that stick out the inner side of Campy levers that makes them less secure to hold on to? :shock:

roger_merriman

Il Principe wrote:

I'm with Jon on this, drops all the way. It might (and does) get sore on long descents but it's worth it for the control and safety...

My bike is somewhat stiff and I've had a hand bounce of a hood before on a sharp steep descent in the Surrey lanes - where the road surface can be awful. It gave me a real fright.

that might be the issue here, my bike is old steel lump so she's quite hard to shove off line, or frankly unsettle, and well bumpy as the surrey lanes are rock gardens they are not, so for me being bumped off the hoods isn't something that would worry or has ever shown to be a risk, what i worry about in the lanes is cars, or rather the possiblity of one being around the courner and braking distances.

so there aren't too my mind many good decents in the lanes as the visablity isn't there.

biondino

Roastie wrote:

I don't understand the lack of security on the hoods & this hands bouncing off stuff. I' never had problems getting a secure grip on the hoods when needed (simply by wrapping my fingers around the lever body...?) - or am I missing something?

Is it that silly little shift levers that stick out the inner side of Campy levers that makes them less secure to hold on to? :shock:

You mean the one that looks ugly and is in the wrong position? That one?

prawny

The campy hoods don't fill me with the same amount of confidence that shimanos do. Althought the new ergos look like a big improvement. Don't know what IP is running on the Prince.

Roastie

biondino wrote:

Roastie wrote:

I don't understand the lack of security on the hoods & this hands bouncing off stuff. I' never had problems getting a secure grip on the hoods when needed (simply by wrapping my fingers around the lever body...?) - or am I missing something?

Is it that silly little shift levers that stick out the inner side of Campy levers that makes them less secure to hold on to? :shock:

You mean the one that looks ugly and is in the wrong position? That one?

Yep! That be it!

roger_merriman

I have these so shimano but just levers, as i have downtube shifters.

Bassjunkieuk

Cheers for the advice chaps, I guess it just comes down to practice :-) I know I had a bit of a surprise on that first lap of Richmond Park before the drinks as I was a bit dis-oriented (it being only my second visit) and hadn't realized I was on Broomfield Hill! I started coming down it rather fast and actually surprised myself! I find I was getting worried on that one before thinking the bike was drifting out but I think that was more in my mind rather then actually happening. On the few times where I have been on the drops descending I love the forward n low position I can get as it makes the sensation of speed so much more dramatic!

jedster

I feel that my bike handles much better from the drops. I always use them on any steep descent or on fast/sharp bends.

Re security/hands slipping off - if you are on the drops you can grab the brakes without any chance of your hands slipping forward. On the hoods, if you are pulling hard on the levers it is difficult to also have a really secure grip around the shifter body.

biondino

My brakes are too good in the drops!

Rich158

Il Principe wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

* wistfully thinks back to descending off the galibier towards bourg d'oisan last year - magic *

*unwistfully thinks about descending the Tourmalet last year towards Hautacam in the pouring rain - fcuking terrifying!

Wistfully thinks back to descending Wrynose on a sheet of ice in a hail storm earlier this year, terrifying doesn't begin to describe it. Absolute abject terror with a conviction I was about to die get's somewhat close. I've never experienced anything like it and hope I never will again.

30% plus hairpins on ice and rain with a howling gale anyone :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

il_principe

prawny wrote:

The campy hoods don't fill me with the same amount of confidence that shimanos do. Althought the new ergos look like a big improvement. Don't know what IP is running on the Prince.

I run Campag and I'm not rising to the bait. All I'll say is try descending a mountain, with hairpins, hitting 50+mph on the straights, on a lightweight bike - on the hoods. No thank you very much. :P