Silly commuting racing

gtvlusso

Nice morning for it this morning, did 20 miles on the fixie first thing - Velodrome racing on Sunday, so trying to do some prep!

No one out to play though....boo!

Clever Pun

cjcp wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

PedalPedant, IckleStu, chapeau to the pair of you. Well done chaps.

+1! Welcome to the thread! What bikes are you riding, chaps?

@Chewa - 7.30am?? <shudders> I'm still drinking coffee in my jim jams then.

jim jams??? you a bird?

In the snooze part of my alarm then...

this morning was tough, heavy weekend and the cat seems to have put razor blades in my throat over night (the missus is away) but still got on the bike and the weather certainly is a damnsight colder than last week

I thought my lungs were going to pop on the jamacia sprint sections, I dropped 3 roadies today, all much earlier on than usual, might be some more competition on the horizon soon.. good.

I did get a little irritated by another roadie with proper pedal but wearing trainers I kept dropping him after he went through another red light, I lost him once I managed a couple of green lights on the bounce

UndercoverElephant

Big, long slog against the Headwind of Doom this morning. I managed to set my slowest ever time on my new bike this morning, a mighty 49 minutes for 12.3 miles. I thank you, your amazement at the sheer power of my awesome is welcomed. I should point out that the "average" wind-speed was 24 mph, in my face, gusting at 40 mph.

Still, I managed a glorious triple scalp coming through Musselburgh. I was fighting the wind alone, and up ahead I saw three roadies, huddled together against the wind, managing a paltry 15 mph between them. The chase gave me some extra speed, as it usually does, and I swept past them at a fear inducing 18 mph (no, the slowness of these speeds is not exaggerated). No free rides, guys. If you can't hold my wheel when I go past, it's an easy scalp.

Greg T

Glorious morning today.

Bit chilly early doors but what a lovely ride in.

So then.

Running east towards and just before HOP there's a ped crossing.

Using my ninja spidey skills I spot a pair of women coming across it from the other side and using my advanced time/space skillzzzzs work out that by the time that I get to it the'll be on it.

A white van is on my right.

I work out that the van and I would both reach the crossing at the same time. I also work out that the caravan of hangers on behind me may not have my special powers and give a slow down hand signal to avoid them spanking into me as I brake for the peds.

The van however thinks he's going to rush the crossing and doesn't slow down...

You know where I'm going here right....

The van works out late in the day that he's not going to make it and jumps on the anchors leading the guy who was drafting him to spank in a very nasty sounding crunch.

Drafting is fun but dangerous - Doh Kay?

shoulder_of_orion

Caught up with a fast SS at the lights at Camberwell green. The sun was directly behind me so I could tell when anyone was within 10 feet of me as the shadows were long. Caught his shadow once or twice in my peripheral vision but was able to accelerate away each time. For once it was green lights all the way, so I was made to work, I got to Oval in a bit of a mess but mr SS was nowhere to be seen - dignity intact.

Lovely morning, a bit chilly but the work down Camberwell New Road meant I could take off my soft shell t at about the halfway point.

The Running Man

Definitely the first proper chilly one this morning and I had a skull cap on to keep my ears warm.

Nearly didn't make it anywhere at all though. Our road leads out onto the A4 through Calne. I turn right to go out through the lanes around Heddington and Stockley, so I was no more than 30 yards from home and just approaching the junction and was starting to move to the centre of the road to the white lines. Out of nowhere this dozy old bird in a blue Focus turns right into our estate and chops so much off the corner she's coming down completely the wrong side of the road straight at me.

I made a huge dive towards the left hand pavement and she swerved at the last second and just missed me. Managed to stay upright and the driver smiled at me and waved and carried on into the estate without so much as a sorry I nearly wiped you out??????

Still it got the adrenaline going I suppose ......

And not another rider in sight anywhere in the 21 miles all the way to Bath to vent all my pent up frustration on .........

Bassjunkieuk

HELLO!!
I'm back :-) Been far to long since I've been out on the bike and my poor family was feeling the brunt of my pent up energy for the last 2 days ;-)
Unfortunately with 11 days off work, including a couple of weekends and half term last week I hadn't been out for a ride in what felt like an eternity so jumped (not literally) at the chance to start commuting again this morning :-) It was only a short blast to my parents house to ditch the bike and attend a training course but I sure as hell made it worth it.

Legs felt a bit heavy but I think that was due mainly to the chilly start. First day of the training course was a nice easy one and we finished at 4pm so I didn't even need my lights :-) Wife was visiting my mums today to make home-made pizza with the 5 little ones and she hadn't left when I finished so I ditched the (small) bag with her and just slung the house key and my moby in the jacket pocket and set off for an extended ride home. Hit a load of traffic along Addiscombe Road so got to practise the filtering but had a nice surprise when I got to Shirley Road - a silky smooth riding surface :-D The entire stretch from the big roundabout to park at the bottom has been re-surfaced and before I knew it was was seeing north of 25 on the speedo! Overtook a taxi that thought he has enough chance to get out of a side road ahead of me and reminded myself just why I love cycling so much!!

No other worhty opposition around but after the cycling drought it was just nice to be back out on 2 wheels!

itboffin

Up at dawns crack this morning so early in fact I could have crossed paths with CP coming home, after mainline a couple pints of coffee I loaded up the bike on the back of the car, kitted myself out with gloves, scarf & thick jumper, hat n coat then jumped in the motor popped the temp up to 20 and switched on the heated seat

in case you hadn't guessed I don't like the cold then car completely steamed up followed shortly afterwards by me.

Eventually I got to the station unloaded and made it in time for the 7:13 which was suitability packed, on arriving in the big smoke I was immediately delighted to see sooooo many cyclists Inc lots of fully Lycra clad warriors, ignoring common sense and docs orders I stompted on the pedals and gave chase to the peleton passing all of them natch! I did however need to give it some beans to catch a dude on an old mountain bike or possibly hybrid, he was proper rapid with tree trunk legs, it was only after I'd edged past him I remebered talk awhile ago of a rapid rider wearing similar apparel, football shorts and long socks/trainers.

Rapid :0

once over the bridge scalp bag full to bursting the rest of my journey was uneventful apart from the bird who pushed past to the front of the queue at the lights only to pull away <5 mph ace!

Was today let's walk/run across the road day? Cause it sure felt like it.

DonDaddyD

Glorious, glorious commute this morning.

Too many roadies to contend with, avoided Vauxhaul and the Embankment and went along Kennington road.

Special mention, guy on the Condor, Focus Varido and a few single speeds, all of which fell victim as my scalp.

On the way back I took apart Kennington Road again.

Much fun.

Loving the new commute save for the stupid women who stopped suddenly in heavy traffic and had me nearly ending up in the back of her...

Still, most awesome commute!

tailwindhome

DonDaddyD wrote:

Too many roadies to contend with, avoided Vauxhaul and the Embankment and went along Kennington road.

You dropped this on another thread

Best just pick it up and say no more about it.

redvee

The local bus company were doing a special this morning, 2-4-1, if the bus driver doesn't get you on an overtake he'll try again with a lefthook

Coming along Princes Street in Brizzle I'm aware of a bus behind me from the engine noise so no need to look, next thing I know he's doing an overtake approaching a traffic island so to complete the manoevre he has to try and force me into the gutter which he fails to do as I'm shouting and waving my arms at him. Now he tries again at a set of lights where buses can only turn left which he starts to do but realises that I'm closing on him and the 90 turn so he stops mid turn and lets me through but with no apologetic wave or similar gesture. As I ride away from the turn he is behind me and I make a mental note of the number plate and frankly the effort of complaining to First Bus will be more effort than the justice I'll get so see no point as I'll get the usual corprate reply, thank you for bringins this matter to our attention, we treat all such complaints with the utmost attention and rest assured ther driver in question has been located and dealt with accordingly.

Aidy

Oh yes.

Overtook a moped.

Then proceeded to hold it off for about a mile.

Then! To add insult to injury, flew through a light on amber, leaving him standing at the red.

Zephr

Lovely little ride this morning,
Chapeau to the guy on the Specialised Tarmac who nearly kept up with me from Jamaica Road to Chancery Lane this morning.

That was me walking down the road having locked me bike and trundling round the corner to work by Barclays when you got to the underground parking just behind Balls Bros.

and another chapeau to the guy on the Mountain bike (clippy pedals and carbon forks) who shared the towing duties back from London Bridge to Greenwich. Nice one, I do believe we dropped every last one of the rest of em.

cjcp

Aidy wrote:

Oh yes.

Overtook a moped.

Then proceeded to hold it off for about a mile.

Then! To add insult to injury, flew through a light on amber, leaving him standing at the red.

:shock: You must have the lungs of a moose! Good work!

My evening's SCR didn't start off so well: there was a bit of a "pop, pshh" from my rear tyre, then a fast repeating "tick, tick". First thought was that my rear rim had blown. Discovered that a three inch screw had embedded itself in my tyre - I had to screw the darn thing out. The "tick tick" sound was caused by said screw knocking against my left chainset with each rev. I now have chipped paintwork. :x

Anyway, the Topeak Pocket Rocket bought last week did its job , and I was soon back on my way.

Chapeau to the rapid guy on the hybrid with a pannier I had a chat with through Sheen, Richmond and into Twickenham. The size of legs suggested he did more than push that bike around. If he doesn't, perhaps he should! He easily held 23-24 for long periods.

DonDaddyD

WheezyMcChubby wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Too many roadies to contend with, avoided Vauxhaul and the Embankment and went along Kennington road.

You dropped this on another thread

Best just pick it up and say no more about it.

Have you ever been around Vauxhaul junction in the morning... You need to be called 'Greg' and shielded by a beard...

As for the Embankment well.... mumble, mumble...out of the way, not the most direct route...grumble, grumble

MonkeyMonster

wheee, glad to be back on the cannon - pish posh at the weather even if it was pissing it doon.

Meagre scrapings today - couple of roadies but loads of hybrids and mtb's some with knobblies.

It washing off the road bits on your legs in the shower that can be entertaining after.

Roastie

So jealous reading this thread - I'm out of action again : stupid asthma and, I suspect, a brewing chest infection. Going to see a specialist this afternoon, thank goodness - this situation is just silly.

shoulder_of_orion

Shared the lift with my CEO this morning who has a reputation as a bit of a rottweiler. To avoid the inevitable uncomfortable silence I talked about my ride in the rain, to re-enforce the perception that I am a bit nails. He looked at me with a mixture of disdain and pity and said "When I was 20 I cycled from Woking to Isreal".

cjcp

Roastie wrote:

So jealous reading this thread - I'm out of action again : stupid asthma and, I suspect, a brewing chest infection. Going to see a specialist this afternoon, thank goodness - this situation is just silly.

Yep, get it sorted. It doesn't last that long for me. Hope all goes well.

Stuey01

Shoulder of Lamb wrote:

Shared the lift with my CEO this morning who has a reputation as a bit of a rottweiler. To avoid the inevitable uncomfortable silence I talked about my ride in the rain, to re-enforce the perception that I am a bit nails. He looked at me with a mixture of disdain and pity and said "When I was 20 I cycled from Woking to Isreal".

LOL!

Gazzaputt

DonDaddyD wrote:

Glorious, glorious commute this morning.

Too many roadies to contend with, avoided Vauxhaul and the Embankment and went along Kennington road.

Special mention, guy on the Condor, Focus Varido and a few single speeds, all of which fell victim as my scalp.!

What bridge if any do you cross and roughly a time? Also what bike are you riding?

MonkeyMonster

Roastie wrote:

So jealous reading this thread - I'm out of action again : stupid asthma and, I suspect, a brewing chest infection. Going to see a specialist this afternoon, thank goodness - this situation is just silly.

Bah, sounds bad mate. Sounds like you might require some restorative pints this friday even if you walk JG does it too.

Hope you feelin better soon. The cannon wants a proper sniff of the pig

The Running Man

Best of luck Roastie!!

Odd one last night. Went tearing off down the Batheaston by-pass pretty anxious to get home but I could see a small lowish shape in front of me moving quite quickly - it was a greyhound trotting down the inside lane of the dual carriageway at about 15 mph : no bl**dy lights of course or a helmet - stupid creature.

I managed to create chaos by slowing all the traffic down to a crawl so I could "shepherd" the dog to somewhere where I thought I could persuade him to come to me. Couple of really kind drivers got behind and in front of me and him and put their hazards on to protect us and we slowly managed to get the dog down to a walk.

Piece of cake now thinks I - but the dog was having none of it. He decided to accelerate away from us and boy did he shift. Straight across the roundabout and up the A4 at a rate of knots. Only trouble was that he was now on a 2 lane road and the drivers coming towards us had no idea what was going on.

I was convinced he was going to get killed but after a few more abortive attempts at stopping him he shot up into the fields next to a garden centre. Deciding that my neither my bike (the Litespeed) nor my footwear were really appropriate for a spot of off roading I left the growing group of people trying to help the dog get on with it.

Spent the rest of the ride home worrying about whether he'd made it ok. Didn't see any signs of an impact of any description on the roads this morning so here's hoping he's tucked up somewhere with his copy of Cycling Plus in front of a roaring fire .....

Which is where I should be - completely drenched this morning but still making the effort ...

DonDaddyD

I found a new revelation. Leave your lock or in my case locks at work. It's not even fair anymore.

In the morning I check the tyre pressures, set up the computer, select Skindred on the iPod, kiss my girlfriend goodbye and I set out to work as though it’s a Tour of the A24 and A24, my imagination running wild.

I turn out of my road and onto my warm up, Kingston road. I stride along with ease at a manageable 19mph to South Wimbledon Tube station. I'm on the third cassette and though the slightly higher cadence is an inch too close to being unsustainable the purpose is to warm the thighs, invoke the 'Power Awesome' and remind me of control. As not to embrace my true nature, which is to sprint, sprint, sprint and sprint.

Merton High Street to Colliers Wood tube. Past South Wimbledon tube, I filter to the right, beat the lights, beat the lights again and drop a roadie wearing Nike tights and complete with beard. I open the taps to 21mph as I approach the junction before Colliers Wood and prepare for a Deathstar trench run bout of filtering past Colliers Wood tube and onto Tooting High Street.

Tooting Highstreet and upper tooting road. A minor climb. There was a time I would consider this a 'Mountain stage', my thighs now laugh at the thought, I stick the cassette onto fourth (capable of getting to 27mph now, though I'm around 17mph 19 on this road) and I climb like I'm Spanish and my name is Contador. Out of the saddle I dance not because I need to but just to get a feel for the bike. Bearded-Nike-roadie managed to filter ahead so I eventually tuck my front tyre under his until the road spray nearly blinds me, I jink right, take my glasses off and hold them between my teeth - think Lion carrying its cub.

Through Tooting and on my dragstrip heading towards Balham tube station. I’m told they call this Balham High Road. I only know it as My Road. True to form Bearded-Nike-roadie is firmly in the past, behind me, and I am on my way to claiming another road bike half way along My Road. I claim my scalp and I’m through the traffic lights by Balham tube and heading swiftly to Balham Hill, the first and only mountain stage.

With Balham McDonalds to my left heading towards the Hill I’ve gotten stuck behind a guy on some vulgar engine-powered-bicycle and he’s allowed ‘Beardy’ to get past me as well as a few other cyclists who have joined us. No matter, I jink right after a car passes the engine-powered-bicycle and I go with the car, this no matter how you look at it, from what angle, is and will always be an awesome manoeuvre. Past Cyclopolis and Psubliminal bike shops. The car drifts right I stay true, I’m on the bus lane, wide, on the pedals dancing, butt swaying rhythmically left and right. I gotta say, I feel sexy, 1, 2,3 and Beardy, I pass them all up Balham Hill and I look down to see 20mph without truly even trying. I feel awesome.

Clapham Common South Side is a blur of blue, brown and green and oddly dressed people, I only stop for traffic lights. I’m in the 24mph region desperately trying to rein myself to 23/22mph. I get to Clapham Common and am hit, hindered and frankly stopped by traffic and a silly choice of going left when I should have gone right. I didn’t enjoy this.
Clapham North tube. Clapham Road to Kennington Road and its full power Mr Sulu, nothing can stop the Power Awesome and yes if this was a comic I would eat planets to sustain my sheer awesome. I open the taps, I call forth the Power and my iPod has arrived at two Skindred tracks: ‘Corrupted’ and ‘Days like these’. “Hehe” I couldn’t escape the poetic beauty of this, it was for want of a better phrase, “Poetic Awesomeness”.

The lights go green (I forget where) and as a matter of respect a hybrid lets me go in front from there on I drop all the roadies giving it some, chasing them down like some ravenous cheetah, desperate for a meal. I’m happy to slow down to and maintain 24mph as I get through Stockwell and go around that junction/come-round-about-thingy onto Clapham Road part 2 but another cyclist tries to test me and hits 27mph, I drop a little more power onto the pedals and he starts going backwards.
“Must have been on a fixie with back pedal” I think to myself.

My bike is creaking again and I can feel that wobble of insecurity, I instinctively look down at the computer, 30mph and I’ve got another 3-4gears to go. Unchallenged I arrive at the lights by Oval tube first, Champion of A3 Clapham and A24 Tooting – Balham commute.

I felt like jumping off the bike and screaming “Who else wants some!”

*Disclaimer* I fully accept that there are many on this site faster than me but all things being relative, in my World I'm the fastest Man alive, The Flash if you will powered by the 'Power Awesome' and the 'Speed Force'. Yes I really am writing this. I did say my imagination running wild. (In the real world I'm just a average speed commuter. *Disclaimer*

Sewinman

And then you got scalped to buggery all the way to Chancery Lane?

DonDaddyD

Gazzaputt wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Glorious, glorious commute this morning.

Too many roadies to contend with, avoided Vauxhaul and the Embankment and went along Kennington road.

Special mention, guy on the Condor, Focus Varido and a few single speeds, all of which fell victim as my scalp.!

What bridge if any do you cross and roughly a time? Also what bike are you riding?

Donovan Giant SCR3, I haven't chosen my bridge yet. I've been over three, still trying to find the best one.

And then you got scalped to buggery all the way to Chancery Lane?

Still unsure of the route I'm going to make my own so I back off a little not nough to get scalped but I am more focused on road safety and where I am going.

MonkeyMonster

Better safe than sorry matey and we all know you haven't the legs for it anyway - it really is all in your imagination

Sewinman

The best bit of my commute is Kennington Road I think. Love that stretch. Although I only have the A23 to compare it with!

DonDaddyD

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Better safe than sorry matey and we all know you haven't the legs for it anyway - it really is all in your imagination

I'm told this is your favourite drink.



Haterade
Complete with video
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MonkeyMonster

Nah, its bitter as you know - given we persuaded you to have your first full pint ever on Friday...