Silly commuting racing

Roastie

Sensational SCR tonight.

I left about an hour later than usual. Right from the off I pick up a dude on a Focus (alu Izalco I think, Aksiums) who is fairly quick. We spar a little until he nabs a gap between a pavement and bus that is closing and I'm not willing to risk. So down onto Embankment I have a chase on my hands. I know the traffic will hold us up soon, but it being SCR I obviously want to catch him before then ... which I do.

Filtering is neutral and eventually we pass the MOD with just an ambling bus in front of us. I isn't going *that* fast, so cheekily I nip up the right and give it horns; as I pass the bus, the blue flashing hue from right behind me tells me he is on my wheel.

The run through Parliament Sq is neutral, and I turn on a slow burn to the roundabout and then down SCR Central. We're stopped at the ped crossing by the Tate, I know he must be there but I hadn't seen him at all when I'd peeked over my shoulder for traffic. Just after I stop he rolls up on my left. "Ah, there you are!" - to which he grins and puts in a full bore sprint.

I wasn't expecting it, and so it took me a while to wind The Pig up to speed to catch him. The timing of the VB lights don't help and so I have a little chase on my hands again down DSC, but I make contact soon and return the favour of sitting on his wheel to Chelsea Bridge. As we approach, light goes orange. I tap off, he lays it down. I give him the benefit of the doubt, even if it turned red *just* before he crossed into the intersection. Knowing impatient drivers turn right there to cross the river, that is one light that I won't go through "late" as a rule.

Doesn't really change matters - it was a hoot. I definitely did not scalp him, and don't think I would have if we'd stayed together, but he certainly made me work which made it all the more fun.

After losing touch, I'd decided to just roll home, when another roadie (who we'd passed earlier), on what might have been a Spesh, goes by and technical reclaims his scalp. I was happy to let it go, but then noticed a few flashing lights behind.

I was not going to be passed - time to wind up The Pig again then! With the gaggle stuck to my wheel, I caught and passed the Spesh rider. Ker-ching! I'll take that scalp again, thanks!

Then the light turns amber. Dude on my wheel isn't paying attention and I hear sounds of fear and braking. He apologises for nearly rear ending me, then RLJs. They all do. Nice.

So I roll into the clogged traffic that is the run to Albert Bridge where I turn off. And start my pootle home. On the bridge, bizarrely, a dude on some awful hybrid tries it on. "You've got to be kidding" I'm thinking, but he is giving it. Needless to say, he got more than a haircut.

Oh what a night.

blu3cat wrote:

Roastie wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Roastie WTF is this "cooling off" you speak off?!?!?! ;-)

LOL! Hey, it is only for the last 500 or so - a weak attempt to avoid lead legs. Guess I just need to MTFU :oops: .

Have you compared "cooling off" and not "cooling off" to see if it does help with legs of lead?

Yep! It makes a big difference.

blu3cat

Roastie wrote:

blu3cat wrote:

Roastie wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Roastie WTF is this "cooling off" you speak off?!?!?! ;-)

LOL! Hey, it is only for the last 500 or so - a weak attempt to avoid lead legs. Guess I just need to MTFU :oops: .

Have you compared "cooling off" and not "cooling off" to see if it does help with legs of lead?

Yep! It makes a big difference.

I'll have to give it a go then.

Part of me is jealous of the centre of town SCR-ers and the-by-the-sound-of-it ready SCR action, but part of me also knows I would probably get my ar*e handed to me on several occasions.

fenboy369

blu3cat wrote:

Part of me is jealous of the centre of town SCR-ers and the-by-the-sound-of-it ready SCR action, but part of me also knows I would probably get my ar*e handed to me on several occasions.

Ditto that! I'd love a bit more action, but work start time/finish time and the need to get home rather than play in Cambridge preclude me from the best times. I have started to use the Chavs on bikes as a bit of a play thing though. Cruised past one today, (he was going a bit for a Chav, and he was on a hybrid too, but had flats ), with my bottle in hand taking a sip. I caged the bottle, uncaged the beast and layed down the power, nice and slow but building all the time. Looked back at a pinch point to check for cars and saw him standing up on the pedals and mouthing "F@*k me!" as he sat his shell suited butt back down. 8)

greg66_tri_v2.0

Greg66 wrote:

Number three is an older guy on a 'Dale.

Come off the VB lights this evening and into the DSC to see a roadie up ahead. Roll by, without blowing the doors off, and tuck back in, basically offering him a tow (going soft in my old age, obv).

He then pulls up onto my shoulder: "I was riding in behind you this morning" :shock: It's the man on the 'Dale!

Had a pretty good chat about the lunacy of this morning. He was plainly aware of the concept of SCR, but was completely unaware of the demi monde that is this place. Phew!

Turns out his ride is Kingston to Old Street - CJ's sort of distance. Ie fecking long.

DonDaddyD

Destroyed a white and red Bianchi via Nirone 09 and a fakenger complete with white 3 spoke front wheel. They tried but by the time I got to about 29mph when I realised they weren't in sight...

Then along Balham 30.6mph...

MonkeyMonster

Happy Trails Roastie

cjcp

blu3cat wrote:

Part of me is jealous of the centre of town SCR-ers and the-by-the-sound-of-it ready SCR action, but part of me also knows I would probably get my ar*e handed to me on several occasions.

But this is part of the fun!

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

Turns out his ride is Kingston to Old Street - CJ's sort of distance. Ie fecking long.

Felt long tonight too. Only arrived home in the last 20 mins after being out with my old room-mate and work colleagues for a lovely meal at Loch Fyne in Covent Garden.

What colour 'Dale is this? I'm racking my brains to check if he rings a bell. Does this mean he'll be checking this site from now on. The fact that he knew of the SCR concept, even if he didn't know of this site, is proof that it's always a race.

@Roastie - good SCR action.

Aidy

Had an awesome one last night.

Some pizza delivery guy on a scooter sat at the lights reving his engine. After an exchanged shaking of heads with the cyclist next to me (hi!), we set off.... only to be foiled by the tailback of cars from the next set of lights.

So for some reason he stops in the cycle box (again), and is *still* "showing off" reving his engine. But I've got him this time. The lights go green and I spin off, I can hear him vaguely behind me, losing ground to me. And the road is clear ahead

I keep my lead for a considerable stretch, only losing it when I stop for a red light, which he jumps. Knowing it's the only way he'll ever manage to get past me.

It might not be a scalp in the true sense of it, but I'm counting it.

Bassjunkieuk

Aidy wrote:

It might not be a scalp in the true sense of it, but I'm counting it.

Oh that's a scalp in my book! If you can hold off someone with a motor when there is clear road ahead and they then have to RLJ you clearly did him all ends up :-D

gtvlusso

No one, but nothing and never.....thats how many people have kept up with me so far...

Scalp city this morning.....

Roastie

blu3cat wrote:

Part of me is jealous of the centre of town SCR-ers and the-by-the-sound-of-it ready SCR action, but part of me also knows I would probably get my ar*e handed to me on several occasions.

I am ever thankful for the SCR opportunities - though I should say that sometimes I'll go through drought periods where I won't have any decent SCR for long stretches. I find good battles like last night are the exception rather than the rule.

cjcp

That guy on the Brompton wrote:

King Donut wrote:

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.

Is that a dark-ish blue Pearson? I seem to run into him all the time, in both directions. Fairly quick, though not invincibly so, but a demon when it comes to filtering...

Ye Gods! I ran into this guy this morning. It wasn't until Temple that I put him behind me, but I can't count it as a scalp because it was tit for tat all the way with the filtering, the lights, zebra crossings. I'm definitely out of sorts because I couldn't get above 27 this morning on the stretch between AB and CB. Pearson got about 60 yards on me off the lights at Royal Hospital Road (just after AB). I tried to reel him in, but I could feel the chest tightening again and with the legs being weary after getting home late, I was gaining very slowly. Grrrr.

He rides primary much of the time, so he's not the easiest to pass. His speed made it less easy through DSC. I held back, and made my move off the lights at VB and past the Morpeth. I put some distance between us, but not much, and we have to slow anyway on the approach to LBR for traffic.

Through Parlt Square and he's ahead of me again by about 20 yards. We pass a chap on a Bianchi crosser and turn onto Embankment and we both see the lights at Horseguards go green. Pearson visibly digs deeper, as do I. I'm gaining, which is good, but we're approaching the backed-up traffic, so I ease up. Bianchi guy appears to have had a bit of a tow and filters through the traffic and then keeps his head down up and past Embankment tube to gain some ground: it seems he's been stirred into action, and seems to have plenty of gas in the tank. Fark.

I pass Pearson around Temple and catch up with Bianchi, but I'm sweating buckets and wondering if I've my inhaler in my backpack :? . Into Blackfriars tunnel and I'm sitting up. I know Bianchi is on my wheel and a glance back confirms this. So, I wave him through and don't give chase, but at least he doesn't pull away.

I'm going to try the Scott to see if it's not having the 53 which is the cause of my bike speed problem or if I'm out of sorts.

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

gtvlusso wrote:

No one, but nothing and never.....thats how many people have kept up with me so far...

Scalp city this morning.....

Me too. I have not been passed since May 2008. Bristol sucks for SCR. We should meet up and have a blast sometime gtv...

Clever Pun

Carnage today

23 scalps including 1SS'er 1 lycra roadie (the shame) one baggy roadie, the cute rlj'ing blonde roadie on the boardman and 2 tourers... you guys have a lot to think about.

Yes I was on the brompton 8)
I added eazywheels making it a bit easier to ride as you don't need to cycle pigeon toed anymore... and it's more aerodynamic natch

MonkeyMonster

Goddam it, 2 days with night time events and I'm missing out on some serious action! Roll on tomorrow - back on the wheeled scalp machine

greg66_tri_v2.0

Jez cj, that sounds like tough work. I very glad that I've never had to use an inhaler.

Now, when I see a SS making an effort, I make it a point of principle to bury myself in order to snap them like a twig over my knee. Nothing is left off the table - red lights across the board. All this not trying goes out the window.

And a nice strong espresso before setting off can help...

Clever Pun

Greg66 wrote:

Jez cj, that sounds like tough work. I very glad that I've never had to use an inhaler.

Now, when I see a SS making an effort, I make it a point of principle to bury myself in order to snap them like a twig over my knee. Nothing is left off the table - red lights across the board. All this not trying goes out the window.

And a nice strong espresso before setting off can help...

can help you want to poo.. careful with the exertions old man

DonDaddyD

Dropped a Specialized Allez early on my commute and then encoutered another Specialized Allez (that factory is pulling in overtime) and a Bianchi tourer on the lead up to Tooting Broadway.

The Allez gave it the beans through Tooting, the Bianchi dropped of the pace but the rider was of an older age which meant he could ride at his pace for day's and up anything).

True to form I dropped the Allez along the Balham drag strip and then suddenly by Balham tube the Bianchi had a mid-life crisis... I hit and climbed Balham hill at 25mph to drop the Bianchi proper but caught up by the lights. He got a good start along Clapham Common and kept his hypnotising old-man pace, a series of circumstances and me needing to turn off meant that I couldn't drop him again... next time Obi-wan!

biondino

Clever Pun wrote:

Carnage today

23 scalps including 1SS'er 1 lycra roadie (the shame) one baggy roadie, the cute rlj'ing blonde roadie on the boardman and 2 tourers... you guys have a lot to think about.

Yes I was on the brompton 8)

At school did you used to round up the first years and steal their lunch money?

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

Jez cj, that sounds like tough work. I very glad that I've never had to use an inhaler.

Now, when I see a SS making an effort, I make it a point of principle to bury myself in order to snap them like a twig over my knee. Nothing is left off the table - red lights across the board. All this not trying goes out the window.

And a nice strong espresso before setting off can help...

I had two coffees but no brekkie before I left the house. I was wearing in my boil-in-a-bag Altura, so that may have been the cause of the over-heating. But, as you point out, I think it comes down to burying it (or M'ingTFU).

Clever Pun

biondino wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

Carnage today

23 scalps including 1SS'er 1 lycra roadie (the shame) one baggy roadie, the cute rlj'ing blonde roadie on the boardman and 2 tourers... you guys have a lot to think about.

Yes I was on the brompton 8)

At school did you used to round up the first years and steal their lunch money?

nope it was given willingly..

cycling 13 miles on a brompton aint easy, especially when it's cranked to the massive gear it's 'king hard work

Bikequin

Does anyone here ever ride a down the side of Hyde Park from Oxford Street and then head down towards the Kings Road? In the rain last week I was taking it easy due to the conditions and then suddenly a man in Hi-Viz and a brompton tried to overtake!! Obviously I put my foot down but it gave me the fright of my life. Then through choice of better route, filtering and traffice lights he seemed to stalk me all the way down the KR.

biondino

I do Kings Road via HPC but I approach from Picadilly rather than Park Lane. Had a speedy hybrid and a speedy full-susser give me gip but never a Brompton.

In those conditions, let him do what he likes. It's just not worth the risk to ride outside your comfort zone.

Bikequin

Biondino - Agreed. Fortunately I was able to press on a bit faster without putting myslef at risk.

Roastie

CJ, that sounds like a lot of very hard work! Maybe your legs just aren't used to spinning so fast so work less efficiently at that cadence?

m0scs

On my bike for an hour yesteday and didn't see a sole.

Then I realised I was on my turbo trainer. Doh!

tailwindhome

m0scs wrote:

On my bike for an hour yesteday and didn't see a sole.

Then I realised I was on my turbo trainer. Doh!

I find that joke both stupid and funny

9/10

itboffin

DonDaddyD wrote:

Destroyed a white and red Bianchi via Nirone 09 and a fakenger complete with white 3 spoke front wheel. They tried but by the time I got to about 29mph when I realised they weren't in sight...

Then along Balham 30.6mph...

itboffin

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Jez cj, that sounds like tough work. I very glad that I've never had to use an inhaler.

Now, when I see a SS making an effort, I make it a point of principle to bury myself in order to snap them like a twig over my knee. Nothing is left off the table - red lights across the board. All this not trying goes out the window.

And a nice strong espresso before setting off can help...

can help you want to poo.. careful with the exertions old man

Not a problem for the old man, he's fully bagged up these days if you know what I mean :roll: