Silly commuting racing

itboffin

Gazzaputt wrote:

Like to say to the tit that drafted me down the Sidcup Bypass last learn to ride properly if you want to draft.

When I signal to come through and then I'm slowing means both. It isn't my fault that when I turn off you must have nearly stacked it.

Also you had 2 chances to pass me which you never took up.

Call me a f*cking knob again and I'll take that shitty Scott you ride and wrap it around your head. Also give your chain a lube.

I'll see you again as I ride that road everynight.

Anger is the way to the dark side, RLJ and fixie you will be....!

Use the force young Jedi or as it's better known clearing both barrels - before you ask of the nasal kind.

gb155

ME and my good friend put a RLJ'ing, footway riding roadie to SHAME tonight, Its quite a long read up so wont post it all here but you can read the report on my blog

http://www.amazingshrinkinggaz.co.uk/blog/?p=236

Gaz

redvee

Coming along the stretch of A4 towards Albert Bridge in Brizzle a car pulls an illegal u-turn in front of me and ends up going in my direction. He has to go at my speed as the other lane is flowing, as we pass the 'no u-turn' sign I slow and look at it quite deliberately. Other than that nothing to report on todays ride in. Tonight was a little hairier though. Got home then popped back out to sort a few things out, this was at 17:00. Peak rush hour on a bike filtering at 20mph between to lanes of heavy traffic, just glad I was bare of luggage on my back and the added width.

Roastie

Lovely ride home despite what I sincerely hope was a head wind. Nothing without an engine passed me; towed a few roadies through Millbank and DSC, then pulled clear after Chelsea Bridge.

Today was also my first ride along Vic Embankment since the Tour of Britain finale - I felt pretty small barely nudging 25 along the same tarmac that they easily did double that. Crazy.

But there is a fly in the ointment: my knee must have been worse than I thought - tonight it is burning . Think I might be forced to take the car (to Swindon) tomorrow.

glasgowpete

oh the joy as a newly registered member to see that the game i play in my head has been openly admitted, discussed and given rules!

No longer will i feel a psychopathic maniac with a schizophrenic personality when i take to the roads on my commute, i now know theres a (un)written explanation for the other personality that i adopt when i see a roadie up ahead....

AHOY! let the games begin

cjcp

Roastie wrote:

Lovely ride home despite what I sincerely hope was a head wind. Nothing without an engine passed me; towed a few roadies through Millbank and DSC, then pulled clear after Chelsea Bridge.

Yep, I sensed a headwind. Felt it through DSC and then on the stretch from CB to AB. Very annoyed too. Off the slope from CB, I hit 34 but had to pull up for a car - gutted!

Very quiet after that. Ho hum.

Glasgowpete - welcome to The Game, sir!

Aidy

Followed a car in overtaking a learner driver.

We really should get points for overtaking learner drivers. I mean, it's education on how awesome bikes are, right?

Bassjunkieuk

Legs felt rather heavy yesterday morning, so I was thankful I was on a short ride!
Nothing of interest on the way in but boy was I glad I had the bike to ride the day off at the end!
Was a bit hectic yesterday and the ride home was just what the doctor ordered. Started out poorly as some tw4t in a small van raced away from the lights with me and then didn't seem to like being beaten/matched by a chap on two wheels........as he pulled along side I glanced over like I normally do whilst sprinting against 4 wheeled vehicles only to see him doing a mirror check and his finger hovering over the indicator stalk.
Low and behold he does my favourite manoeuvre, swings in just ahead of me to take the road on the left for the car park - the same road that he would be able to turn into about 5 seconds later if he'd done it sensibly and waited until I passed :evil:

cjcp

Aidy wrote:

Followed a car in overtaking a learner driver.

We really should get points for overtaking learner drivers. I mean, it's education on how awesome bikes are, right?

+1. Educate them when they're young.

TheBrogueadier

It never ceases to suprise me the difference that wheels make.

After checking the Atala over last night I decided to retire it from commuting duty for the time being, partly due to ongoing problems with the front deralier, partly due to brake issues and partly due to discovering that the frame isn't a standared Atala, but is in fact a late 70's Colnago Super (waiting on 100% conformation of this still - Will know by lunchtime) that was resprayed and restickered for sponsership reasons!
Rust spotting and general wear and tear have been bothering me for a while so it's going in for a repaint (back to it's origional manifactured scheme) at christmas, with my name and the former owners (It's his old race bike - won him a few medals apparantly!) on the top tube - acccording to my translator he was very happy with this!

So raced myself in on the TT bike, it's newer (by some 20-30 years), lighter, more aero, wider gear range (8 speed sprocket instead of 6 speed), deep(ish) section wheels and so on..

I even took a route that while slightly longer would be flatter and faster.

So I was quite disapointed to mark up my slowest time for the route in and my lowest avg speed; both by a reasonable margin.

Only two reasons for this as I see it (well, three)

1: Wheels. The Atala is equiped with old, but with exceedingly well maintained lightweight rims and slick Campy Record hubs - The Trek has heavy but aero rims, and clunky Bontrager Hubs (About as smooth and slick as a hedgehog), a spin test shows the Atala wheels going for twice as long as the Bonty wheels, on the road that means more resistance to each pedal stroke - Spun in hand you can feel the bonty bearings snag and moan.

2: Hills. Heavy wheels, unpleasant hubs, TT frame = hill based pain. slower on climbs by good 3-4mph, also much more painful than previous climbs!

3: Lack of MTFUing. Always a posibility!

Anyway! I lost my scalp to myself.. Damnit.

Wallace1492

Was taking it easy on the way home last night, as I was off to a circuits class later and didn't want to be too knackered. Was most of the way up Maryhill Road when a young pup on a slick Hybrid or flat bar racer pops by at some lights. Well, that was my good intentions out of the window as I upped the pace, and got after him. Took him back quite quickly but he hung on to me for a while. had to really push to drop him then cruised strongly for next section passing a few hairy commuters. Up onto Milngavie road, past Asda started taking it easy again, but got held up at lights and exchanged pleasantries with another hairy commuter, at that time the Pup caught up. So it was nose to the grindstone all the way up to Milngavie, just to keep ahead, but seemed to manage it.... just.

Got to lights and he turned left, I went straight on. He looked a tad out of breath and tired, I was knackered!! So, young Pup, thanks for the race, I did enjoy it, but you left me knackered for circuits and i suffered. Maybe see you tonight.....

Greg T

I am on the train today as we have a work do tonight and I'm intending to get battered.

Should I turn up battered and get my career ending fight in early or should I slow burn and wind up to a scenario whereby I pin my boss's, boss's boss against the bar with my eyes targetted on different swimming objects, leg splayed, gravy on my shirt, a pint glass in each hand (spilling content wildly) while I prod him in the chest (still holding sloshing pint) and give him the good news about where he's getting it ALL WRONG?

I intend them to engage him in a massive bear hug and tell him I love him like a brother.

Before pulling back and warn him off my sister (he's never met her obviously)


Silly commuter drinking.

cjcp

cjcp wrote:

And watching him pedal is like watching some giant arachnid unfurl and refurl its legs every few seconds.

He's quite nippy. I wonder how much more he has in the tank though.

I've wondered that too. He has enough to draft.

The answer is "quite a bit".

Saw him on Queen's Ride/LRR and he was moving slowly, so I pass him. Later, on Chelsea Embankment, while sat at the lights, it suddenly gets darker. A quick glance behind me confirms that there's this large figure behind me. Hmm, he's back, I think.

I scoot away at the lilghts, but he shoots past quickly after, having taken a tow from a coach it seems. Not unexpected , but I can't let that go. I speed up, but I'm not catching. I speed up again, and now I'm holding him. For most of the stretch along Chelase Emb. before the rise to CB lights, he's holding 29-30. I'm still on the tops, but my lungs are already asking if it's time for a rest. However, the lights are green.

He slows on the rise and I pass him again after the lights. It just wouldn't be good form if I slowed now, so I keep the pace around 25 through DSC to VB lights. No breather at VB as the lights go green as I arrive. I quickly glance behind me to see if it's clear and he's there. So, I maintain 30 along Millbank, taking a roadie on a Condor at the same time.

I'm now breathing hard, and there's no way of hiding it.

The pace slows after the HoP, but I stay ahead. Thankfully.

I tested the legs again in Blackfriars Tunnel to see if I could last the whole tunnel this time. I managed it, but only when I held 32. That's still not enough to fend off JG or King Donut.

I've just stopped sweating.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Greg T wrote:

Should I turn up battered and get my career ending fight in early or should I slow burn and wind up to a scenario whereby I pin my boss's, boss's boss against the bar with my eyes targetted on different swimming objects, leg splayed, gravy on my shirt, a pint glass in each hand (spilling content wildly) while I prod him in the chest (still holding sloshing pint) and give him the good news about where he's getting it ALL WRONG?

That sounds a lot like my Saturday night.

I was still nursing a sore head on Monday lunchtime.

Go for it.

greg66_tri_v2.0

cjcp wrote:

I speed up, but I'm not catching. I speed up again, and now I'm holding him. For most of the stretch along Chelase Emb. before the rise to CB lights, he's holding 29-30. I'm still on the tops, but my lungs are already asking if it's time for a rest. However, the lights are green.

He slows on the rise and I pass him again after the lights. It just wouldn't be good form if I slowed now, so I keep the pace around 25 through DSC to VB lights. No breather at VB as the lights go green as I arrive. I quickly glance behind me to see if it's clear and he's there. So, I maintain 30 along Millbank, taking a roadie on a Condor at the same time.

I'm now breathing hard, and there's no way of hiding it.

The pace slows after the HoP, but I stay ahead. Thankfully.

I tested the legs again in Blackfriars Tunnel to see if I could last the whole tunnel this time. I managed it, but only when I held 32. That's still not enough to fend off JG or King Donut.

I've just stopped sweating.

That is good work!

I reckon he may have a bit for a short burst, but I'm not sure he could hold a sustained high speed for a long time.

Perhaps I'll ask him next time I see him.

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

That is good work!

I reckon he may have a bit for a short burst, but I'm not sure he could hold a sustained high speed for a long time.

Perhaps I'll ask him next time I see him.

As Greg T says, it's a long game.

itboffin

@GT I like the cut of your jib young man but be sure to point out "with out my you'd be nuffin"

choirboy

itboffin wrote:

@GT I like the cut of your jib young man but be sure to point out "with out my you'd be nuffin"

Without my what???? :?

Answers on a postcard please

Clever Pun

back on the bike after 2 days with my feet up.. only saw one SS'er did him 3 times as he rlj'd or crept past me at the lights

got me an ankle support too, looks like I'm struggling through

greg66_tri_v2.0

Clever Pun wrote:

back on the bike after 2 days with my feet up.. only saw one SS'er did him 3 times as he rlj'd or crept past me at the lights

got me an ankle support too, looks like I'm struggling through

This is over a week now, isn't it? Shouldn't it be better by now?

Did you get an X-ray?

biondino

This morning I was waiting at some lights by Olympia when a slick-haired fixie rider whizzed past saying "you may as well go!" - I replied "nah mate, not my style". By the next lights (a proper busy crossroads) I caught the guy up, and he immediately starts chatting to me about RLJing - giving it the old "it's safer to be aware of the road and RLJ than to wait and get squashed" line. It was clear he was an excellent and aware rider, so I guess for him, that may be true, but I told him that wasn't how I rolled, and he accepted that.

So, we're riding along, and he asks if I posted on the lfgss board - figures He also compliments the Bob Jackson (and calls me a hipster when I tell him the pink tyres are off being replaced - my response was to ask if I had the word c*** tattooed on my face ). I compliment his bike, calling it understated but a bit swish. It was brushed metal, devoid of any logos, very slick and classy. Turns out it's a custom-built, uniquely designed Serotta which he said has become his hack bike as it's so lovely to ride :shock:

Nice to have a chat on the way in, even with someone who I'd probably row with on this board! And it really was a very nice bike.

MonkeyMonster

Lights by olympia... well well well, that's where I join the great commute on way to embankment racing track and then up to angel.

jedster

He also compliments the Bob Jackson (and calls me a hipster when I tell him the pink tyres are off being replaced - my response was to ask if I had the word c*** tattooed on my face ). I compliment his bike, calling it understated but a bit swish. It was brushed metal, devoid of any logos, very slick and classy. Turns out it's a custom-built, uniquely designed Serotta which he said has become his hack bike as it's so lovely to ride

Ahhhh.... sounds like the start of a beautiful friendship - You, him and his Serotta, how bohemian :twisted:

BTW, custom Serotta fixie hackbike, that's like bathing is asses milk or having truffles on your beans on toast, how utterly self-indulgent.

King Donut

cjcp wrote:

The answer is "quite a bit".

Saw him on Queen's Ride/LRR and he was moving slowly, so I pass him...

Top work, that's some slog. I've never had the "pleasure" of seeing him. I think I'm on the road too early.

This morning, from Blackfriars underpass I can see a dynamo and his mate (small dude who I've seen once before, in sigma kit drafting buses along Embankment at ~35) waiting at the red just before the tunnel. I'm cruising, 50 yards short of the lights when the worst possible outcome becomes a reality and they drop to green - I'm stuck in primary with nothing but open road in front...

I apologetically pass them whilst they are winding it up. I've no excuse but to go head-down-bum-up and try to defend my honour. I easily kick over 30 but figure it'll take way more than that to fend off these two so I keep going... 32... any chance of pootling the whole week is out the window... 33... I'm on the drops an my head's bobbing like Churchill the dog... 34?... I'm sure it said 34.8, but alas by the time I pop back out in to daylight I've dropped back down to 33 so I have no verification. I turn off at the next lights and to my surprise dynamo and his mate are some way off, but gliding along effortlessly (they might even have been chatting) seemingly oblivious to my guts that have been left strewn across upper thames st. Sometimes a good defence is as satisfying as an attack.

Had a long scrap with a fella in CSC shorts (poss on a Van Nicholas) last night. Nearly ended in tragedy when he set off a bit early from lights (where Queens Ride meets URR) and an oncoming van gunned a v.late amber... my scalp ain't worth dying for people.

DonDaddyD

Had several a battle today.

Dropped a couple of bikes on the way to Tooting where I encoutered a girl on a roadie and a dude on a hybrid. Girl was nice looking and I was in my sexy tights so I kept ahead of them both using the big gear to great effect to give her a show.

Dropped her up Balham hill where I made effective use of the middle ring and 6-7 cog

I tore apart someone along Clapham Common, can't remember who none entitiy.

3 weeks and change. Embankment/Millbank crew get washing them scalps I don't like em dirty.

King Donut

DonDaddyD wrote:

Dropped a couple of bikes on the way to Tooting where I encoutered a girl on a roadie and a dude on a hybrid. Girl was nice looking and I was in my sexy tights so I kept ahead of them both using the big gear to great effect to give her a show.

I feel for her, I really do

DonDaddyD

King Donut wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Dropped a couple of bikes on the way to Tooting where I encoutered a girl on a roadie and a dude on a hybrid. Girl was nice looking and I was in my sexy tights so I kept ahead of them both using the big gear to great effect to give her a show.

I feel for her, I really do

Well you should know you spent much time behind me on the slowcial :twisted:

While I spent most of my time being "paced" by PinkPedal.... :P

Edit:
Oh and if you happen to be on the Millbank or Embankment:

King Donut

biondino wrote:

This morning I was waiting at some lights by Olympia when a slick-haired fixie rider whizzed past saying "you may as well go!" - I replied "nah mate, not my style". By the next lights (a proper busy crossroads) I caught the guy up, and he immediately starts chatting to me about RLJing - giving it the old "it's safer to be aware of the road and RLJ than to wait and get squashed" line. It was clear he was an excellent and aware rider, so I guess for him, that may be true, but I told him that wasn't how I rolled, and he accepted that.

So, we're riding along, and he asks if I posted on the lfgss board - figures He also compliments the Bob Jackson (and calls me a hipster when I tell him the pink tyres are off being replaced - my response was to ask if I had the word c*** tattooed on my face ). I compliment his bike, calling it understated but a bit swish. It was brushed metal, devoid of any logos, very slick and classy. Turns out it's a custom-built, uniquely designed Serotta which he said has become his hack bike as it's so lovely to ride :shock:

Nice to have a chat on the way in, even with someone who I'd probably row with on this board! And it really was a very nice bike.

This post is far too "young" sounding for my liking!!
... "nah mate, not my style"...
... "I told him that wasn't how I rolled"...
... "the pink tyres are off being replaced"...
pffft

Big Wib

anyone going to be by London Bridge tomorrow morning so I can give an envious wave as I toddle off to yet another meeting

Gazzaputt

King Donut wrote:

cjcp wrote:

I turn off at the next lights and to my surprise dynamo and his mate are some way off, but gliding along effortlessly (they might even have been chatting) seemingly oblivious to my guts that have been left strewn across upper thames st. Sometimes a good defence is as satisfying as an attack.

Don't know how often I see this riding to and fro to work. Sometimes you notice and think what are they doing?