Silly commuting racing

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  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    took a couple of fake SS'er and a couple of proper spinners this morning but the special prize a roadie in a Great Britain onesy... that's right this dude had some balls. me and this other roadie were chasing him down, the same thought in our mind; we stayed with him but never got the opportunity to take him and when it arose his spidey sense went off and he pushed on again..git.

    Saying that he must have been bricking it all the way in
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    Clever Pun wrote:
    Saying that he must have been bricking it all the way in

    That could be troublesome in a onesey...
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Roastie wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Hehe. Well, I actually thought about riding in on the mtb tomorrow and picking it up on Saturday when I take my bro in law from the US to Borough Market to sample the delights of pies :D . I hate the train that much. I'm not sure how they'll feel about two bikes in the office though. But the prospect of chasing roadies down is very tempting. I'm going to sleep on it...

    Going well, thanks. :)
    Go on - you know you want to ... :twisted:

    I did :twisted: . And I'm absolutely knackered. The sweat was pouring off me.

    I was a disgraceful agglomeration of an mtb with flats and cages, which had a mini bell the wrong way round, club kit bib shorts, a little cap, trainers, a hi-viz jacket and a large backpack weighing as much as a small child.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Chaps, I need an FCN adjudication. When do sunglasses become wrap-arounds?

    I wear these puppies on my commute:

    dhb-triple-logo-med.jpg

    Now, they're sold as sunglasses, but recently I swapped from the dark to the blue lenses. I can't really claim them as sunglasses any more, really. Do I need to drop my FCN? :?:
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    CJ, that sounds like pure visual entertainment, shame I wasn't on the circuit today to have seen it.

    But seriously - what's with the bell on a mtb? I can imagine that being a tad annoying coming down coed y brenin...
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    MonkeyMonster wrote:
    CJ, that sounds like pure visual entertainment, shame I wasn't on the circuit today to have seen it.

    But seriously - what's with the bell on a mtb? I can imagine that being a tad annoying coming down coed y brenin...

    I wouldn't take my mtb anywhere near Coed y Brenin. The shame would be too much.

    The bell is there for the weekend family rides with the kids in Richmond Park. Given that I've just noticed it's fitted on backwards, you'll have an idea of how much I use said bell...

    I was tracking a guy on a lovely Dolan crosser this morning. He was however pootling. The shape of his legs suggested that if he'd opened the taps, he would have scorched away.

    The mtb is definitely good for mixing up the training though. I did a mid-afternoon lap of Richmond Park at a reasonable speed to get some fresh air. Was absolutely goosed.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    TheBrogueadier wrote:
    Walking the last 1/2 mile took around 30 mins, the cramps had got to the stage that every 10 steps or so I needed to stop moving and let the pain and cramp subside, just goes to show: The P*ncture Fairy bides it's time for maximum inconvinence.

    Good Grief Penfold
    How on Earth far are you commuting Brogues?
    Cramps can be horrible but it normally takes me at least 50 miles and a poor hydration strategy to even start cramping. Perhaps you should up your salt intake?
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • TheBrogueadier
    TheBrogueadier Posts: 89
    Attica wrote:
    TheBrogueadier wrote:
    Walking the last 1/2 mile took around 30 mins, the cramps had got to the stage that every 10 steps or so I needed to stop moving and let the pain and cramp subside, just goes to show: The P*ncture Fairy bides it's time for maximum inconvinence.

    Good Grief Penfold
    How on Earth far are you commuting Brogues?
    Cramps can be horrible but it normally takes me at least 50 miles and a poor hydration strategy to even start cramping. Perhaps you should up your salt intake?

    Just over a paltry 7 1/2 miles I'm afraid!

    I blame it quite firmly on dodgy spanish sea food - I thought I'd recovered from my little poisoning but obviously havn't - I still have cramped and painful thighs now, nearly 3 1/2 hours after getting to work.. Not looking forward to the road home, may have to take the long hilly way to avoid the really fast dual carriageway way..

    Edit:
    Though I get to have salty fish n chips when I get home on account of needing salt and stuff! Woo!
    FCN: 5
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    Chaps, I need an FCN adjudication. When do sunglasses become wrap-arounds?

    I wear these puppies on my commute:

    dhb-triple-logo-med.jpg

    Now, they're sold as sunglasses, but recently I swapped from the dark to the blue lenses. I can't really claim them as sunglasses any more, really. Do I need to drop my FCN? :?:

    From www.wisegeek.com
    Wraparound glasses are eyewear that provides coverage for both the direct and indirect areas of vision. Most versions of wraparound glasses are manufactured to include a clear viewing area for the direct line of vision as well as the peripheral line of vision to each side of the eyes. Sometimes worn as a matter of practicality and other times as a fashion statement, wraparound glasses have been available since the middle of the 20th century.

    Actually owning a pair I would class those as wraparounds.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home. The commute is rubbish.

    RIGHT. Time to start looking for a proper job. :x
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home. The commute is rubbish.

    RIGHT. Time to start looking for a proper job. :x

    Saw a bit in the CTC mag a while back (I'm not a member, yet, read it in the library) about a guy who does a 'virtual commute' ride. You could try that....
    Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
    Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
    LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck2011
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home. The commute is rubbish.

    RIGHT. Time to start looking for a proper job. :x
    Get out on the bike right now, young lady. A couple of laps of RP to get rid of the anger...
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home.

    In my books you are only really working from home if your are buck naked taking calls from your boss's boss.

    I am not working from home today so you can all put your imaginations away.

    I know you were all thinking about me.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home. The commute is rubbish.

    RIGHT. Time to start looking for a proper job. :x

    What are you working as now?
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    Slowly getting over the worst cold I've had in years. Today's commute was almost pleasant. Still, a couple of weeks off the bike has shown that I'm addicted to endorphins: grumpiness and headaches have miraculously gone since monday :) Shame the disastrous amount of fitness I've lost hasn't come back yet.
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    JonGinge wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home. The commute is rubbish.

    RIGHT. Time to start looking for a proper job. :x

    Get out on the bike right now, young lady. A couple of laps of RP to get rid of the anger...

    I'm in Essex... and have been out on the bike already today for a quick spin - may go out for a longer ride tomorrow if it isn't raining! I miss the SCR and the *having* to ride to work. I knew there was a reason why I incorporated exercise into my daily routine!
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home. The commute is rubbish.

    RIGHT. Time to start looking for a proper job. :x

    Get out on the bike right now, young lady. A couple of laps of RP to get rid of the anger...

    I'm in Essex... and have been out on the bike already today for a quick spin - may go out for a longer ride tomorrow if it isn't raining! I miss the SCR and the *having* to ride to work. I knew there was a reason why I incorporated exercise into my daily routine!
    Yep, definitely. See my previous post. *to tune of tequila*endorphins, they make me happy
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • jedster
    jedster Posts: 1,717
    may go out for a longer ride tomorrow if it isn't raining! I miss the SCR and the *having* to ride to work

    surely the freedom to ride the Viner compensates a bit, no?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    jedster wrote:
    may go out for a longer ride tomorrow if it isn't raining! I miss the SCR and the *having* to ride to work

    surely the freedom to ride the Viner compensates a bit, no?

    Well, yes, but I do miss just riding the bowery round london every morning!
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    Despite the wind last night I had a great ride home, powered by anger and frustration from my day at work, which finished after 7. I picked up a tall, HiViz roadie just after Blackfriars bridge (heading west), his team lycra shorts and the incredibly bright MTB light on the front marked him out both as a player and a year round commuter. We had a great tussle all the way down to Parliament square and then out the other side, with one leading then the other all the way. By the time we got to Vauxhal I could see he was sweating profusly under his helmet and I thought he was there for the taking.

    The lights change and I lead into DSC and all the way to the little rise in the road just before Battersea power station. I'm pushing reasonably hard but there's more to come, but just as I think that another roadie flies past me, with Mr HiViz on his heels. Then something strange happens, Mr HiViz slows up and I'm on his back wheel as we run up to the lights at the bridge (the other roadie jumped the lights at the bridge and turned left, no scalp surrendered!)

    Lights go green and we're off down the slope. I'm following Mr HViz as our speed climbs, topping out at around 25 into the wind. Then we slow to 24, 23 and he clicks down a cog, 22, 20, 19 and he goes down 2 cogs. I've had enough, turn on the pain generators and push back up to 22, fully expecting him to get on my wheel for his turn in my wind shadow. I keep cranking it out with the thighs starting to burn. The lights at Hospital Road are green so I keep pushing, easing off at the lights at Chelsea Bridge. As I turn around to make a comment about the wind whilst breathing through my skin, I notice he's not there. In fact I can't see him anywhere.

    Not one to hand about I leave at the Green lights but have to wait again at Albert Bridge so I check my 6 and nada. So, if that was you (I was in a grey t-shirt, black 3/4 baggies and a messenger bag on a black road bike), your scalp will be yours to take back at around 6 tonight :twisted:

    But seriously, it was a great ride and just what I needed to work that frustration out.
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    JonGinge wrote:
    Shame the disastrous amount of fitness I've lost hasn't come back yet.

    He's weak, he's weak. Now's the time to attack, attack, attack! :D
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    cjcp wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    Shame the disastrous amount of fitness I've lost hasn't come back yet.

    He's weak, he's weak. Now's the time to attack, attack, attack! :D
    <bluster mode>People have tried, people have failed</bluster mode>

    Yeah, it's all a bit poor at the moment. Scalp has been safe mainly due to getting up late and there being very few roadies about. May cough pathetically when the inevitable does happen.
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Greg T wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Grrrr. I'm bored of this working from home.

    In my books you are only really working from home if your are buck naked taking calls from your boss's boss.

    I am not working from home today so you can all put your imaginations away.

    I know you were all thinking about me.

    GT i'm thinking about you! - guess what i'm wearing :wink:
    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.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    JonGinge wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    Shame the disastrous amount of fitness I've lost hasn't come back yet.

    He's weak, he's weak. Now's the time to attack, attack, attack! :D
    <bluster mode>People have tried, people have failed</bluster mode>

    Yeah, it's all a bit poor at the moment. Scalp has been safe mainly due to getting up late and there being very few roadies about. May cough pathetically when the inevitable does happen.

    So where's you commute at the moment?
    what time do you leave work?

    :evil:

    Who am I kidding children with stabilisers are faster than me at the moment let alone Jon "billy goat" Ginge :lol:
    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.
  • Citizen Smith
    Citizen Smith Posts: 336
    Wrath Rob wrote:
    Lights go green and we're off down the slope. I'm following Mr HViz as our speed climbs, topping out at around 25 into the wind. Then we slow to 24, 23 and he clicks down a cog, 22, 20, 19 and he goes down 2 cogs. I've had enough, turn on the pain generators and push back up to 22, fully expecting him to get on my wheel for his turn in my wind shadow. I keep cranking it out with the thighs starting to burn. The lights at Hospital Road are green so I keep pushing, easing off at the lights at Chelsea Bridge. As I turn around to make a comment about the wind whilst breathing through my skin, I notice he's not there. In fact I can't see him anywhere.

    I do think that CB to BB stretch really sorts out the men from the boys (additionally if the lights are green at CB and you haven't had a chance for skin breathing).

    As Robs says, by this point, if you've had some decent SCR company from Millbank or VB lights, then the previous stretch would have been swift and you've hacked it up the rise to the CB lights to beat the lights. You have the nice slope down to Chelsea Embankment to build up speed but once you're on the flat on Chelsea Embankment, that stretch is a nice "blow the cobwebs away" run (provided there ain't no traffic).

    I have the option to turn off at CB or AB but if there's some lowly FCNs around then I'll stick on the Embankment just to see what they've got in the tank.

    Did so last night and was bitterly disappointed by my fellow (non) competitors. It was quite blow-y along there last night and was feeling that thigh pain too (I think this is something to do with the chiller temps first thing in the morn...I know, I know, MTFU, etc.)
    "Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar, The Wire

    FCN 4: Willier Izoard XP
    FCN 7: GT Legato 4.0

    *GAME* competitor
  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I'm in Essex... and have been out on the bike already today for a quick spin - may go out for a longer ride tomorrow if it isn't raining! I miss the SCR and the *having* to ride to work. I knew there was a reason why I incorporated exercise into my daily routine!
    Next week, I'm on leave. Obviously not riding to work. I will of course be spending more time on the bikes not less. So far, plan is: Saturday- Mac user group meeting down the road in Fareham (riding), Sunday Cycle Show (riding Waterloo-Earl's Court), then during the week another lap of the IOW, probably a long ride in the South Downs (thought about doing the Sportive on the 19th but I'd rather set my own pace!), probably a run down to Bognor...
    Only 200-odd miles so far :)
    Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
    Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
    LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck2011
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    An FCN calculation for future reference please.

    Hybrid type ladies bike with swoopy top tube meeting seat tube 6-8" above BB, Morrison shopping bag hanging from each handlebar, umbrella in right hand.

    Not likely to see her again as this was out of Brizzle
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • chewa
    chewa Posts: 164
    StuAff wrote:
    chewa wrote:
    I need a revised FCN, using a Dahon Speed D6 (had to leave my road/touring bikes back in civilisation :))with SPDs a bigger rack and a pannier.

    Edited to add (FCN 11!!) there are benefits to riding a folder - pity it's so low geared I'm flat out at 20-22 mph!

    Only 22? 90-odd gear inches should allow you a bit more speed than that. The last two Smithfield Nocturne folding races have been won by a stock Mu SL. That said, with a rack & pannier, plus the D6's a bit heavy anyway....and I'm a grinder, put DualDrive on my XP as I thought top was a bit spinny (don't have that problem with 125"!).

    I'm spinning pretty fast at 22, but the riding position is a lot more upright than I'm used to (the Speed has fixed handlebar height) so cadence a bit lower than on a road bike. I'm in top gear virtually all the time, dropping to 5th for the wee climb from Marble Arch, 4th for climb up to Abbey road on way home.
    Seems low geared to me!

    Have to say the folder is a hoot to ride. I'm enjoying the commute and getting used to the creative approach to road laws employed by taxis, buses cars and (some) cyclists
    plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens

    Black 531c tourer
    FCN 7
    While dahn saff Dahon Speed 6 FCN 11!!!
    Also 1964 Flying Scot Continental
    1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (columbus slx)
    BTwin Rockrider 8.1
    Unicycle
    Couple of others!
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    redvee wrote:
    An FCN calculation for future reference please.

    Hybrid type ladies bike with swoopy top tube meeting seat tube 6-8" above BB, Morrison shopping bag hanging from each handlebar, umbrella in right hand.

    Not likely to see her again as this was out of Brizzle

    Redvee got scalped! Redvee got scalped! :lol:
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    redvee wrote:
    An FCN calculation for future reference please.

    Hybrid type ladies bike with swoopy top tube meeting seat tube 6-8" above BB, Morrison shopping bag hanging from each handlebar, umbrella in right hand.

    Not likely to see her again as this was out of Brizzle

    Redvee got scalped! Redvee got scalped! :lol:

    Where does it mention I was on my bike? I was coming out of WSM on the A370 in the works van in the rain. :lol:
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.

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