Silly commuting racing

shoulder_of_orion

Back in the game after some R&R.

Put the hammer down in grand style yesterday and although I customarily blew the opposition away actual scalps were in short supply just lots and lots of lower leagued riff-raff.

This morning was a different matter and I must have taken 4 or 5 premier scalps on embankment alone. There was a bit of a battle with a lady legged condor rider who had a "I've done l'etape" sticker prominently placed on his bike. He spent most of his time behind me, very close behind in full draft mode actually.

I'll allow him the benefit of the doubt for now but if he tries it on again I will demand his soul on a plate.

Stuey01

Hi SoL, how's the ticker?

shoulder_of_orion

Stuey01 wrote:

Hi SoL, how's the ticker?

Good thanks Stuey, in fact my heart is now virtually indestructible. I am the bionic man.

gb155

Using SPD's now,

Got very very excited to see that I can hill climb 2-4mph faster (Upto 14mph on a big, for me, hill),

Dropped a hybider only to see him RLJ , almost got side swiped by a car at the lights he just jumped, didnt say sorry, just hurled abuse at the car driver, I dropped him again on the flat after the lights he didnt catch up again

redvee

gtvlusso wrote:

redvee wrote:

Legs didn't want to play this morning, I blame the huuge, for me, miles I put in yesterday. Went out and clocked up 30 miles.

That'll learn you!!!

I'm comparing the stretch of road by the paintworks and the fact that when I rode it on friday I had an HGV as a windbreak 2m in front of me travelling at 30mph which hasn't been there the last 2 days but I did manage 25 on my own.

itboffin

up nice and early this morning good time to the station as well, no wind not fantastically cold made it with plenty of time only to find all my trains cancelled

back on the bike and returned home (up hill) true to form the wind picked up 10 mins in and damn are my legs hurting, doing 42 fast miles on the single speed in one go hurts.

All good training for this Sunday

cjcp

Shoulder of Lamb wrote:

Stuey01 wrote:

Hi SoL, how's the ticker?

Good thanks Stuey, in fact my heart is now virtually indestructible. I am the bionic man.

I still say you need an FCN adjustment.



Good to see you back in action.

cjcp

Good ride tonight.

Scalped a roadie on the climb to the summit of Col de Putney Bridge. And the scooter behind him. :twisted: How many points for that?

The roadie arrives at the lights on the south side of the bridge. I pull away and, as I'm off the slope, I hear the click-click of gears behind me. The roadie's behind me. I take it easy along the LRR, but there's a little distance between me and him. However, I have to stop at the roundabout just before Queen's Ride. This gives the roadie a chance to catch my wheel. He stays there until BDC Bridge when I open up a little bit of a gap. We get to the lights at the LRR/URR junction. I've put in a good effort, so am blowing a bit. I look across. So is he. Must be the effort of staying in my (sizeable) wind shadow.

SCR over until tomorrow morning.

flamite

wow different game out there when you leave a bit later...

hit parl square just before 7 and couldnt believe all the roadies out on embankment... awesome fun, though a tad hairy in the peleton while trying to pull out to overtake!

had a bit of tit for tat with monster on red cannondale that everyone has seen on here...

TheBrogueadier

Greg T wrote:

TheBrogueadier wrote:

Under the watchful smiles of a rather fetching lady jogger I made the mistake of trying to hard and overcooked it - The shame of needing to take a break on the hill was horrendus, and after the 60sec stop I managed to summon enough spine to make it to the top where I joined the main road and got scalped by two extremely happy looking hybrid riders who joined from the non-hilly route.

I feel dirty just reading that.

Hot water just won't wash that away.

Hammered it home tonight in a desperate attempt at washing away the stench of failure.. It didn't work, neither did the wire brush.

On the plus side I made the exciting discovery that with just a small amount of drizzle I have absolutely no brakes what-so-ever.. A nice new pair of Chorus-D's might help wash away that smell! (or at least cover it like 1/2 a can of cycling Lynx).

vorsprung

This morning I saw a bike in the distance just turning into the lane through the woods at the top of Blagdon Hill. I've never seen a bike there in the morning before. So naturally I gave chase. He was about 100 metres ahead. There is a slight climb then the road is flat/slightly downhill for a while. So I caught up 50 metres but then couldn't quite catch him before we turned onto the road down Blagdon Hill.

Blagdon Hill drops about 200 metres in a couple of km

At the first hairpin I took it faster than him. At the second corner I think he was faster as I thought I'd catch him. At the third corner the road straightens out. I accellorated to 30mph and then got my head down. I was on a single speed with drops and my quarry was on a slicked up, geared full sus

I passed him at 30mph just before Blagdon village. I said hi but he had an MP3 playter on. After that the hill is less pronounced but still downhill. Advantage to people with gears. So he passed me again but I of course got on his wheel. We both approached a girlie on a rather nice yellow bike. I anticipated the overtake and moved out into the traffic. He didn't and I boxed him in behind the girlie and overtook him and the girlie.

Then there was a bit of uphill and disaster! Some cows were crossing the road and there was a large traffic jam. I imagined having to stop and yellow bike girlie catching up. But I hopped off the road and went past the queue of traffic on the left. The traffic started moving again so I hopped back on the road. Dunno what happened to mr full sus, there was another couple of miles into town, mostly downhill so he could have caught me.

Clever Pun

Pretty quiet this morning but that’s fine after the feast last night, it seems Jamacia way is getting quite a few riders on it

I rocked into double figures of roadie carnage, was great I felt good, put the power down and dropped people left right and centre…

I will ask for a little clarification though: as I dropped 3 roadies one steps up and flies past me ragging himself gets a little way ahead and tanks I come past him again and leave him for dead… he’s done this a few times when I’ve rattled his cage. I take it’s my scalp as he tried to drop me proper but can only step up for 500metres before his heart pops… the jessy

Warning: tomorrow I’m commuting the whole way on the brompton…. Be warned I’ll be a bloody mess of scalps… quite possibly hitting something like 30 I think

MonkeyMonster

Can we get an action shot of you lycra'd up on the brompton caning it along embankment...

Clever Pun

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Can we get an action shot of you lycra'd up on the brompton caning it along embankment...

I wont be wearing lycra on that... you don't get a fcn 14 in lycra, I come in from the other way as well A21 onto Jamaica way then over tower bridge

Bassjunkieuk

Good fun this morning and I didn't even see another cyclist :-D Instead I was racing a set of traffic lights, almost the perfect set at the far end of a bus lane!
I saw them change from red to green before I even entered the lane which I'd guess is around 250/300m long. I cut into the lane (avoiding the underpass) clipping the apex of each side of the entrance and put the hammer down. Drop a gear on the rear and focus on the green that is now rapidly approaching. I can see peds still crossing as I get within the last 15m..........thankfully they are paying attention and didn't attempt to walk out in front of the maniac cyclist who was bearing down on them rather quickly :twisted:

The lights change to amber just as I pass through and I hear the horn of the bus behind....I don't think he was intending to stop either! As I cross into the bus lane opposite I look up and give a "f**k yeah!" - much to the bemusement of the chap who was on the crossing who overheard! Arrived at work with a massive grin on my face after the fun sprint and check the comp.......29.9mph, so close!!

1 more day on this short commute and then I'll be back up in town on Friday! Might even be able to make an appearance @ the Morpeth for the first time in far to long!

cjcp

This morning's ride was eventful at times, and reasonably fast too.

Pursued and caught some RLJers through Putney.

Then rode with a rapid Dynamo on a lovely Colnago from Albert Bridge. Had to wave him through after DSC :oops: .

We caught up with a scooter at the end of Millbank and I couldn't resist a look across at the scooterer as if to say "Seriously?" :twisted: . Don't think he saw me, mind. Maybe he was slowing down.

Then got cut up by a scooter just before the roundabout (with the lady-friend riding pillion). He didn't like my first comment: "oiiiiiiii!", nor the follow up, "look where you're going, sunbeam". The battle rages on...

Then my chain start to slip, and does so big time when I pull away from some lights on Embankment (fair play to the Dynamo for slowing to see if everything was all good). Will have to do some fettling this afternoon or tonight to see what's going on down/back there. :?

Clever Pun

Anyone?

Clever Pun wrote:

I will ask for a little clarification though: as I dropped 3 roadies one steps up and flies past me ragging himself gets a little way ahead and tanks I come past him again and leave him for dead… he’s done this a few times when I’ve rattled his cage. I take it’s my scalp as he tried to drop me proper but can only step up for 500metres before his heart pops… the jessy

UndercoverElephant

Clever Pun wrote:

I will ask for a little clarification though: as I dropped 3 roadies one steps up and flies past me ragging himself gets a little way ahead and tanks I come past him again and leave him for dead… he’s done this a few times when I’ve rattled his cage. I take it’s my scalp as he tried to drop me proper but can only step up for 500metres before his heart pops… the jessy

Obviously a scalp. He also possibly gave you the top of his skull after, by trying so hard and failing.

Greg T

Clever Pun wrote:

Anyone?

Clever Pun wrote:

I will ask for a little clarification though: as I dropped 3 roadies one steps up and flies past me ragging himself gets a little way ahead and tanks I come past him again and leave him for dead… he’s done this a few times when I’ve rattled his cage. I take it’s my scalp as he tried to drop me proper but can only step up for 500metres before his heart pops… the jessy

Losing your name once is bad enough but making a counterattack - blowing up within 500m and getting re-reamed is enough to turn your best mate against you and be forced to sign to Hex-set offenders register.

What must have been going through his mind when he realised he'd overcooked it.....

Counterattacking shows great character when done effortlessly and effectively, making a great effort and blowing up is ridiculous.

UndercoverElephant

One can only hope he did the decent thing, and fell on his track-pump when he got home.

cjcp

Greg T wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

Anyone?

Clever Pun wrote:

I will ask for a little clarification though: as I dropped 3 roadies one steps up and flies past me ragging himself gets a little way ahead and tanks I come past him again and leave him for dead… he’s done this a few times when I’ve rattled his cage. I take it’s my scalp as he tried to drop me proper but can only step up for 500metres before his heart pops… the jessy

Losing your name once is bad enough but making a counterattack - blowing up within 500m and getting re-reamed is enough to turn your best mate against you and be forced to sign to Hex-set offenders register.

What must have been going through his mind when he realised he'd overcooked it.....

Counterattacking shows great character when done effortlessly and effectively, making a great effort and blowing up is ridiculous.

+1.

Greg T

UndercoverElephant wrote:

One can only hope he did the decent thing, and fell on his track-pump when he got home.

I think I saw that on "Weird crap they pull out of people in A and E" on Sky 2 last night.

He said he'd slipped on some "teflon dry lube"

His eyes were as Dead as Tes Daley's he'd seen to much (of CPs arse going away from him) (CPs arse going away from you is a good thing most of the time - however in this context its's very very bad.)

Clever Pun

Greg T wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

One can only hope he did the decent thing, and fell on his track-pump when he got home.

I think I saw that on "Weird crap they pull out of people in A and E" on Sky 2 last night.

He said he'd slipped on some "teflon dry lube"

His eyes were as Dead as Tes Daley's he'd seen to much (of CPs ars* going away from him) (CPs ars* going away from you is a good thing most of the time - however in this context its's very very bad.)

Chicks dig my buns of steel!

that dude has done it to me before, this time I was expecting the tank and tried to predict the point where he copped it.. I overestimated him

cjcp

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg T wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

One can only hope he did the decent thing, and fell on his track-pump when he got home.

I think I saw that on "Weird crap they pull out of people in A and E" on Sky 2 last night.

He said he'd slipped on some "teflon dry lube"

His eyes were as Dead as Tes Daley's he'd seen to much (of CPs ars* going away from him) (CPs ars* going away from you is a good thing most of the time - however in this context its's very very bad.)

Chicks dig my buns of steel!

that dude has done it to me before, this time I was expecting the tank and tried to predict the point where he copped it.. I overestimated him

Now, I know Jedster will pull me up on this :P , but, next time he tries it, ask him if he's feeling lucky.

Clever Pun

cjcp wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg T wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

One can only hope he did the decent thing, and fell on his track-pump when he got home.

I think I saw that on "Weird crap they pull out of people in A and E" on Sky 2 last night.

He said he'd slipped on some "teflon dry lube"

His eyes were as Dead as Tes Daley's he'd seen to much (of CPs ars* going away from him) (CPs ars* going away from you is a good thing most of the time - however in this context its's very very bad.)

Chicks dig my buns of steel!

that dude has done it to me before, this time I was expecting the tank and tried to predict the point where he copped it.. I overestimated him

Now, I know Jedster will pull me up on this :P , but, next time he tries it, ask him if he's feeling lucky.

or are you sure you want to do this?

afterwards... Well that went well didn't it?

redvee

Was sat at the lights wher I buy my copy of The Metro and a hybrid bumps down onto the road ahead of me, game on he ain't getting ahead of me. Pulls away from the lights with the Metro tucked into the straps of my bag and stop at the next set where he pulls up behind me, These go green and I'm off, get the gap and swing my bag round to tuck the Metro into it and back into the game which Mr Hybrid doesn't seem to be playing. We soon go our different ways with my scalp unscalped.

blu3cat

All in all, a good on the bike, managed to pick up a couple of scalps on Wood Lane, a couple of roadies amongst the gaggle of RLJing hybrids and full sussers this morning.

Managed to do my first bar wrap at lunchtime & it doesn't look that sh*t.

On the way home played tag with a Specialized SS as we went through the traffic in Hammersmith, he was spinning like a loon, and as soon as I was ready to pounce, we had to filter. Most disappointing We went seperate ways before we hit a decent stretch.

Quick question, anyone else get held up be the census on Colliers Wood High St this morning, what's that all about?

waddlie

redvee wrote:

Was sat at the lights wher I buy my copy of The Metro and a hybrid bumps down onto the road ahead of me, game on he ain't getting ahead of me. Pulls away from the lights with the Metro tucked into the straps of my bag and stop at the next set where he pulls up behind me, These go green and I'm off, get the gap and swing my bag round to tuck the Metro into it and back into the game which Mr Hybrid doesn't seem to be playing. We soon go our different ways with my scalp unscalped.

What's your usual route, Redvee?

redvee

Waddlie wrote:

What's your usual route, Redvee?

Depending on the weather it can be as little as 1 mile but currently around 5 miles.
Stokes Croft - Rupert Street - Centre - Broad Quay - Princes Street - The Grove(Mud Dock) - Redcliffe Way - Temple Meads then either Cattle Market Road or Albert Bridge but recently I've gone all the way to HTV studios and Whitby road and back along the Freeder to Avon Street and up into Old Market. the furthest distance is about 6 miles but with Cattle Market Road can be as short as 3 miles. Albert Bridge is past the Fruit Market not the dogs home.

waddlie

redvee wrote:

Waddlie wrote:

What's your usual route, Redvee?

Depending on the weather it can be as little as 1 mile but currently around 5 miles.
Stokes Croft - Rupert Street - Centre - Broad Quay - Princes Street - The Grove(Mud Dock) - Redcliffe Way - Temple Meads then either Cattle Market Road or Albert Bridge but recently I've gone all the way to HTV studios and Whitby road and back along the Freeder to Avon Street and up into Old Market. the furthest distance is about 6 miles but with Cattle Market Road can be as short as 3 miles. Albert Bridge is past the Fruit Market not the dogs home.

Stokes Croft and Rupert Street are also on my route, feel free to scalp me if you see a black MTB with slicks ridden by a fire engine red Altura jacket. My commute is too short and I was starting to think I was nuts for lengthening it to have some more fun on the way home, glad to see I'm not the only one...