Silly commuting racing

deptfordmarmoset

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@DDD - I drove up it last night and didn't think it was to bad until I rounded one corner on the ascent and was confronted by the properly steep section!!!! I had been told about this road by someone at one of the sites I was working at recently and he said some people struggle to WALK up it and I'd have serious concerns about popping wheelies!!!

The hill in question is Succombs Hill, just off a roundabout on the A22 right by the Ann Summers headoffice, so if/when I get around to orgainizing a SCR ride I *might* include it just to see if it can be done! It's rather short, but I doubt that will help when I'm on my bike, my legs and lungs are burning and I'm barely doing 5mph :-(

Is this the chappie? http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/85090/

I'm only posting this because I discovered last night that cyclestreets.net have just added profile maps to their journey planner, as well as a cycle-adjusted Naismith rule* and I was interested to see how it works. It's all open-source stuff so it's free, and it might be a useful way of sharing or planning routes. It's also exportable to google earth and gps devices. Assuming the link is good, you can also tell it to plan the return journey (I used the ''cruising speed settings'' - I'm not fast - and it gave me 10 mins up, 2 1/2 mins down. You can do this yourself by pressing the button marked ''return'' up top or simply go to http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/85091/)

Of course I didn't know where you will be starting from so I started at the roundabout on the A22 and took it up to Narrow Lane. Well, to be more accurate, I started just north of the roundabout exit so that it took me right round the roundabout (and because it calculates 3 routes, fast, moderate, and leisurely, the leisurely route took me over a footpath across the roundabout)

I've been pretty impressed with how the site has been developing and I've not seen many mentions of it on this forum so far. I'd be interested to see whether it proves useful to others. And I thought this might have been just one of those times.

Bassjunkieuk

@deptfordmarmoset - Yep that's the blighter!
That cyclestreets website is getting added to my bookmarks :-)
Getting there won't be a problem for me as I'd most likely come at it from the north down the A22. The section of A22 approaching from the south is a 50mph speed limit with a nasty camber which lends itself to some rather "enthusiastic" driving by those in cars, part of the reason I come back up there as opposed to the usually clogged A23 :-D

deptfordmarmoset

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@deptfordmarmoset - Yep that's the blighter!
That cyclestreets website is getting added to my bookmarks :-)
Getting there won't be a problem for me as I'd most likely come at it from the north down the A22. The section of A22 approaching from the south is a 50mph speed limit with a nasty camber which lends itself to some rather "enthusiastic" driving by those in cars, part of the reason I come back up there as opposed to the usually clogged A23 :-D

Hope it's useful. When you have the time to have a look at it, be sure to have a look at the photomap part. You can upload photos and put bike-related information on it and it's then there for all to see.

This is a photo I uploaded, because it made me smile, a couple of miles NNE of Succombs Hill http://www.cyclestreets.net/location/19019/

I also put my LBS on the map, as well as some really bad signage and atrocious bike shelter facilities.

And the site could really do with some SCR photos...hint, hint

facemunk

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@DDD - Well done! If you want a bit of a hand tho I reckon the best bet for speeding on your current route would be the brief downhill past the petrol (Shell?) station on your homeward bound journey after passing Clapham :-)

all very good and love SCRing on this stretch but there are two (yes two) sets of red lights at the bottom of this *hill*. It's a by-law that any cyclist that hits 30mph+ will automatically trigger these lights (if one is missed, the other is guaranteed as back-up) and the 'small children crossing in front of a stationary bus' manoeuvre will be employed at said lights... fact.

Bassjunkieuk

facemunk wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@DDD - Well done! If you want a bit of a hand tho I reckon the best bet for speeding on your current route would be the brief downhill past the petrol (Shell?) station on your homeward bound journey after passing Clapham :-)

all very good and love SCRing on this stretch but there are two (yes two) sets of red lights at the bottom of this *hill*. It's a by-law that any cyclist that hits 30mph+ will automatically trigger these lights (if one is missed, the other is guaranteed as back-up) and the 'small children crossing in front of a stationary bus' manoeuvre will be employed at said lights... fact.

:-D That does sound about chuffing right! There is also another set in Camberwell, heading northbound from Denmark Hill just by what used to be the Woolworths (I think!) that 75% of the time will see me sprinting off from the previous set only to be stopped for the red lights on that ped crossing!

@deptfordmarmoset - I did have a look at the photomap section and it looks quite interesting, if I can find it I might stick on my one that I took of the Titsey Hill 16% warning sign and at some point if I can be bothered might try and get a picture of some of the atrocious bike "lanes" we have around Croydon although most of them have already been picked up on a dedicated blog :-P

DonDaddyD

facemunk wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@DDD - Well done! If you want a bit of a hand tho I reckon the best bet for speeding on your current route would be the brief downhill past the petrol (Shell?) station on your homeward bound journey after passing Clapham :-)

all very good and love SCRing on this stretch but there are two (yes two) sets of red lights at the bottom of this *hill*. It's a by-law that any cyclist that hits 30mph+ will automatically trigger these lights (if one is missed, the other is guaranteed as back-up) and the 'small children crossing in front of a stationary bus' manoeuvre will be employed at said lights... fact.

Firstly, any speed test should be done from stationary, at a lights to another set of lights that is too far to actually see. i.e. Balham to the Argos before Tooting Bec tube.

Secondly, the road needs to be flat or slightly uphill.

I never go fast down Balham hill due to the two lights situation, the most pointless two lights I've ever seen.

I also hate Balham hill as while it doesn't look steep to go up but its relatively steep going down and therefore deceivingly steep going up, not that I have a problem getting up it. I very rarely go flat out going down it for safety reasons.

Bass, Camberwell is a nightmare. Fact.

Bassjunkieuk

DonDaddyD wrote:

I also hate Balham hill as while it doesn't look steep to go up but its relatively steep going down and therefore deceivingly steep going up, not that I have a problem getting up it. I very rarely go flat out going down it for safety reasons.

Bass, Camberwell is a nightmare. Fact.

I must just enjoy taking risks as I always gun it down that bit :-) The only other place that I've found that allows for a rapid bit of acceleration is the little run heading south towards Streatham train station, which I think it just *slightly* more fun as you have a bus lane - I binned a chap on an audax bike on there last time I used it :-) He was giving it some but he didn't really stand a chance :twisted:

As for speed testing, yes a ramp could be seen as cheating, I reckons we should just use Blackfriars Tunnel to sort the men from the boys!

MonkeyMonster

How was first day back homeward Roastie? Ivan AstyCoff or smooth sailing?

DonDaddyD

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

The only other place that I've found that allows for a rapid bit of acceleration is the little run heading south towards Streatham train station, which I think it just *slightly* more fun as you have a bus lane

God I miss that stretch of road... So flat, the ground so stiff, you could really put the power down!

Bassjunkieuk

DonDaddyD wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

The only other place that I've found that allows for a rapid bit of acceleration is the little run heading south towards Streatham train station, which I think it just *slightly* more fun as you have a bus lane

God I miss that stretch of road... So flat, the ground so stiff, you could really put the power down!

It is a very good stretch, good downhill, then a gentle rise past the station and then, as long as your lucky with the lights, you can keep the speed up until the lights by the green :-)

MonkeyMonster

You guys not tried the recently resurfaced constitution hill then? Tis most fun!

Bassjunkieuk

MonkeyMonster wrote:

You guys not tried the recently resurfaced constitution hill then? Tis most fun!

Nope, unfortunately none of my commutes (at present) require me to go along there but I'm always up for a bit of a detour :-)

cjcp

MonkeyMonster wrote:

You guys not tried the recently resurfaced constitution hill then? Tis most fun!

The Mall and Constitution Hill are two glorious stretches of scooter-fest road which are wasted where they are. They should be added to Embankment. You can have the NKR instead.

Bassjunkieuk

cjcp wrote:

MonkeyMonster wrote:

You guys not tried the recently resurfaced constitution hill then? Tis most fun!

The Mall and Constitution Hill are two glorious stretches of scooter-fest road which are wasted where they are. They should be added to Embankment. You can have the NKR instead.

That seems like a fair trade :-) Whilst we're at it can be tag on Walworth Road? They re-surfaced it about 10 months ago and it was glorious to ride on with my new wheels/tyres at the beginning of the year - super smooth and practically no hum from the tyres, still isn't to bad but I just wish they'd do the last part up to E&C as dodging buses and potholes can be tricky whilst trying to maintain speed to join the first roundabout!!

MonkeyMonster

I'm still dreaming of the day they close embankment from black friars to parliament and smooth coat it in a oner.

and then close it to traffic too and turn the lights to green

Roastie

MonkeyMonster wrote:

How was first day back homeward Roastie? Ivan AstyCoff or smooth sailing?

Surprisingly uneventful, I managed to get home with my scalp still firmly attached to my skull. I think I timed it *just* right to miss all the fast boys.

Roastie

cjcp wrote:

Just got home. Am still cooling down and the chest is still a little tight...

Epic!

lost_in_thought

Re. RP, this might help

royalparks.gov.uk wrote:

We want to hear from you
If you have a comment or suggestion about cycling in The Royal Parks, please email cycle@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk or write to: The Royal Parks, The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH. It would be helpful if you could also let us know a little about yourself:

* How often do you cycle? (everyday / a few times a week / a few times a month / hardly ever)
* Do you cycle for leisure, commuting, both or you are not a cyclist?
* Which Park(s) do you cycle in?
* Any other comments?
* Postcode

King Donut

@Snooks, CJ & DDD - some quality tales in there, top efforts!

fenboy369

On my lonely commute home this afternoon, I once again had nobody else to race. But I took a scalp. The hardest one to get. My own. With a new PB for my 15 mile trip of 47.5 mins. Woohaa!
Now I know that don't seem all that quick to you London Whippets, but it was a fair, zero wind ride home. And I'm no racing snake of a roadie, I'm a broad shouldered <cough> :oops: mtber at heart riding a kona hybrid.
At least now I've got a good time to battle with.... :twisted:
And a reason to buy a proper road after the winter....

cjcp

Um, that's not a bad time at all. Good effort. Knackered afterwards?

Had my first visit from the PF tonight. On Embankment, just by Cleopatra's Needle, just after I'd collected the scalps of a carbon Colnago and another roadie. Grrr. Got my adrenalin going that did, so I rode hard to VB lights, then scalped everything in sight down DSC, managed to make the lights at CB, got a quick breather on the slope, then upped the pace again until NKR, when things slowed down due to traffic.

Upped the pace again along the LRR and spotted a chap I saw last week in the same spot. Took him on Queen's Ride. He tried to follow, but it wasn't appenin'. :twisted:

In RP, I pursued two swift moving red lights. Took one just before Robin Hood Gate and the other at the top of Broomfield. Was pleased with the latter because I was really having to work for his scalp. Get in.

A good night's work, especially since I was running a rear tyre with 60psi.

So, green tea last night, beer tonight.

itboffin

JonGinge wrote:

@DDD Chapeau, sir.
@ITB well, that sounds like better news on the knee front. Keep it sensible, though, eh.

Anyway, was that a tailwind or what? Fantastic ride home. It's the first time I've felt more than half-human in weeks: the cold is finally going, huzzah!

Got a free ride from the Morpeth all the way to cheyne walk thanks to a mahoosive dhl lorry. Traffic was free-flowing so it was 30+ all the way

Yep still seems okay I even managed to both legs of my London commute with gusto, still huge amounts of twisted body pain which is nice but in the bigger scheme of things not such a big deal.

Get well soon Jash

Edit: Spoke to soon knee tingling just kicked in, might not hit the turbo tonight

attica

itboffin wrote:

Edit: Spoke to soon knee tingling just kicked in, might not hit the turbo tonight

Goodness me, I thought you were made of sterner stuff, either that or your definition of tingling is a bit odd, as in "a shark bit my leg off, by golly it tingled"

Rich158

Had a great little tussle last night on my way along the Blackfen Road. Going past Avery Hill I spied a roadie in red and white up ahead, and decided to reel him in, which I did very slowly, and then drafting him up to a set of lights, thank god they were red After the lights we both set off, and I think he was looking for a tow as he obviously wan't giving it his all, so I shot past, only for him to take up my back wheel. This was only fair as I'd had a tow of him before the lights. I decided to give it my all and must have been hitting close on 30 untill we hit the roundabouts at the Danson interchange, where he took the lead again. I wasn't going to leave it there, got back on his back wheel, and took him again, and left enough breath to comment that he was killing me :shock: he finally scalped me properly on a small rise leading into Bexley village, damn fixie - I still can't do hills very well, and made it stick this time

It was a great couple of miles though, fantastic fun, and dragged me up to another level of performance altogether. Another personal best of just over the hour on the fixie things are looking good indeed 8)

Roastie

@ Rich - sounds like you are completely recovered from your off then?

greg66_tri_v2.0

Didn't expect that.

I was feeling pretty tired this morning, like I wanted to go back to bed. Not much of an option on the stretch between AB and CB though. I get the red at CB and wait. It goes green and three roadies fly by, ping, ping, ping. One's a young guy on a Giant - a bit messy on the pedals, but muscular without much body fat. Hmm. Number two is a big guy on a red version of Bike 1 - the SLC. Tiny ankles and huge thighs. Number three is an older guy on a 'Dale. Hmm.

So I don't really want to play. I'm slow off the lights and they're all heading down the next lights past the railway bridge. Those are red. Giant boy is pedalling every inch of the way to the red light. The other two are hanging back. I'm hanging right back.

Lights go green in the distance; Giant boy has lost some speed. The other two quicken subtly. The little voice in my heads speaks:

Bring the engines online. Engage!

So not what I need. Anyway, by the time we're 150 metres past the lights, I'm in front and hammer down. Hmm. Being the hare. So not what I wanted today.

I'm holding 45, so they're going to have to work hard to get by. 44 past Dolphin Sq. 43 past St Georges Sq. DIG DEEPER! Round the bend and see the lights at VB - they're red, and the traffic flow tells me they'll be red for a while. I sit up and ease off. No more than 4 secs later the Giant comes hammering by. Right-o.

We line up at VB lights. Giant takes a 20m headstart into the junction. SLC is on my left, the Dale on my right. Green, and we're off. Well, I am. I hunt down the Giant like a fugitive. Despatched by the time we hit the 'Peth. Once again I'm the hare. Didn't we discuss this earlier?

I see the traffic queue at Millbank and back off. Again, Giant comes by, filtering up the left (almost getting sideswiped by a car turning left down the side of the MI5 building to boot). I go to the middle, then to the right, tucking in behind SLC and the Dale who chose better lines from the the off.

Off the roundabout and the Dale has gone. Giant is out front, now on the right, taking traffic islands on the wrong side. SLC is on the left. I'm primary. There's too much traffic for this. I feel like Lando Calrissian flying the Falcon inside the Death Star.

We seem to get separated at Pt Sq. Or so I thought. first lights on Viccy Embankment, and SLC appears from the left - he ducked up Whitehall, the sod. Giant RLJs. I wait. My lights go green. Giant has 100m on me, but his lights are red and he has traffic. I'm accelerating hard. 70. 50. 40. His lights are green - he's off. I'm push-push-pushing now. I've got the gap to 30m with traffic between us - I'm riding in between the two lanes of traffic, none too wisely.

I come up to take a taxi, and decide to snatch a breather in the draft off the o/side rear 3/4. I spy SLC on the taxi's n/side front 3/4. OK. I've got him. Time to relaunch and take the Giant again.

Except ... there's a woman waiting the cross that stupid zebra, from the middle of the road. I drop the emergency anchors. Giant goes through - his timing was OK. SLC goes too. His timing, less so. My taxi, me and the cab behind me all come to a virtual standstill as I watch them scoot off into the distance.

Another time, Highlander! Another time!

Bit tired now. Need a nap.

MonkeyMonster

Ooooh... so close and yet so far! Surely you needed a pint after all that work

King Donut

Had a SMIDSY moment of my own last night and nearly took out a ped on a crossing on NKR. Truly awful riding by yours truly :oops:
So I guess I deserved the 3 peds and 2 cars that stepped / pulled out on me after that.

Tussled with a Pearson SSer (who works in my building) for 10ish miles from the office on Upper Thames St until I turned off for RP and he carried on to Sheen. Didn't engage full combat mode but I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for him when I'm at the bike sheds in future. Only other roadie that had anything in him was a Bianchi SSer who lost my wheel through Barnes Common.

King Donut

Rich158 wrote:

Had a great little tussle last night...

Good to have you back!!

cjcp

@G66 - Good battle! The guy on the Giant? Did he have snowman socks on and/or rugby-style shorts? I ask this because, yesterday, I spotted Mr Frosty on a Giant and he had flats on with cages and that same attire. He's upgraded from a hybrid over the summer, it seems. He's quick, but likes his RLJing.

As for SLC guy, did he look like the chap you spoke to last year (?) on the PX? I've seen one such guy twice in the last couple of weeks.

@KD - I've clashed with a Pearson on that route. Wearing all black?