Silly commuting racing

Bassjunkieuk

I think it was the morning for numpties Roastie as I very nearly witnessed the demise of a cyclist at the last set of lights b4 E&C heading up from Camberwell. I was waiting at my red and saw her coming waiting at the side road on my left by the T.Clark building. She was shaking her head and then started making her way into the junction. I couldn't see from my angle if her lights had gone green and can only assume she was annoyed that a car and bus had gone through on a red. She proceeded out across forcing the bus to brake to avoid her :shock: None of the other vehicles waiting had moved so so I an only assume that they had some common sense or where paying attention to a traffic signal.

Found a rather rapid hybrid rider on Borough today, saw someone whipping up the road ahead of me but didn't think much of it as I'd also spotted flat bars. Very aggressive out of the saddle sprinting so I decided to chase him down. Once I got alongside him at the temporary lights a bit further up he was in TOP GEAR, big-ring>small-cog!!! No wonder he was shifting. I reckon he as on about 46/48-12/13. Didn't see much of him after that and did the decent thing at the next green light drag by remaining seated and still beating the roadie away who was up out of the saddle next to me :-)

Northside of LB saw me joined by a couple of bits of bike pr0n, a rather nice Cube and a Willier. We set off and I immediately gunned for the front but needed to bear left as I rounded the corner to head down Fenchurch Street. Cube rider was heading straight up and I followed Willier guy round the corner - it was far to busy are that and the abundance of myopic pedestrians means SCRing is a no go as we both turn off beside the M&S to head north.

MonkeyMonster

Came in later than normal - blimey there a lot of cyclists out there... and some really really really need to learn road craft. Now.

Bit of Embankment closed - anyone know why?

dresbo

Great little skirmish through camberwell and Dulwich last night.

Caught a fast roadie in black at the lights outside the KC Hospital. We both shoot from the lights with him in front. When he realises he can't shake me he pulls to one side, and I feel obliged to show him what's what. Lose him completely by the time we get to Sunray Avenue and I turn left.

I get to the lights on Dulwich village road and pull up next to another lycra clad roadie. We both get a good start off the lights and I lead him all the way along college road to the bottom of fountain drive by Sydenham hill station. At this point I *allow* him to overtake to give me a little breather before the climb starts proper, and I realise the original guy I'd taken on Denmark Hill had caught up when we go stuck at the lights and was also on his tail. I pull in behind the two and drag them both up the steepest part of the hill. by this point we're all stamping out of the saddle to get the top of the hill first. The final rise is really steep and I manage to take the guy I originally overtook about 10 metres from the top. The other one pulls to the left of the road as I pull right to head towards Crystal Palace. I pull level at the top and give him a little smile. He give's me a steely stare. I think he thought he was going toast us both.

I'm left to wait at the roundabout at the top thinking I'm about to spit up a lung or two.

Good times

itboffin

Knocked off AGAIN this morning :evil:

Just over the bridge from Waterloo and a WVM does a excellent left turn right across my path - BAM!

He stopped when he heard the noise and then decided to switch on his indicator ?!? when I tapped on his window to indicate my annoyance at his attempt to kill me all I got back was the old classic SMIDSY :x

Good start to the day ...

lost_in_thought

Last night...

You: white jacket, black bike, helmet, rucksack, pained look

Me: jeans, panniers, black bike, long plait.

I passed you in open traffic, you filtered past me and sidled coyly through a red light, I passed you again on the open road, you filtered up to me, then slid past and through another red, then looked back as you rode off. Your 'luck' with the lights meant I didn't catch you again.... I can only presume this was some kind of flirtation. Call me!


Oh and to the unladen guy on the pink bike in the old castelli tights who got owned by a girl on a SS with 2 panniers up the notting hill hill (holland drive?) this morning... running away through heavy traffic is a cowards move.

The Running Man

F**k me - hope you're ok??

Must have been the brother of the WMV who for absolutely no reason whatsoever pulled out and blocked the road in front of me approaching Whitehall Garden Centre in Lacock this morning. He was trying to turn right across me and just sat in the middle of the road staring at me while I'm too stunned to do anything but smack the brakes on and pray.

I couldn't pull round the front of him as I couldn't be sure there was no traffic coming the other way towards me, plus I wasn't sure he'd stop if I did. The only choice was as I say was slamming on the anchors and hoping I wouldn't end up under the bl**dy thing - and the f**ker just sat there and stared at me like I was something he'd just scraped off the bottom of his shoe

:evil: :evil: :evil:

I can only think he was heading off to the world's stupidest driver conference ......

crumbschief

gb155 wrote:

Today it was vehicles I raced and passed, maybe this video will explane why my hip is so sore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go9fi-xEx5w

Haha Shrinking Gaz SCR production i like it,good stuff fella,it's great when you can hold that speed feels like your flying.

Coriander

blu3cat wrote:

After a couple of weeks off from cycling, this week has been one of feeling out of condition (put on about 3 kgs in the past 2 weeks - lots of biscuits).

Is that because you're a daddy now?

Clever Pun

Dropped a SS'er in full assos this morning, liked that. He looks the business at the lights good trackstanding skills and he's off I waited patiently till the lights turned then burned it past him, he tried but couldn't stay the pace.

A few roadies later and a little persistence from a hybrid but he couldn't get past so ended up drafting me for a mile of so before I put in the spin to drop another roadie and he latched onto that guy

Bassjunkieuk

@dresbo - What do you ride? Reading the start of your post I got thinking back to last night but couldn't remember anyone giving that much hassle as I think I pretty much covered that exact same route myself :-) Good effort racing up College Road/Fountain Drive. I came up that way last night but turned off to continue up College Road as I didn't fancy my chances with the roundabout at the top, normally have enough problems with people seeing me when it's light let alone now it's dark :-) That final rise at the top is normally murderous as you try to carry some momentum onto the roundabout, especially as you like me turn right so need to be over that side of the road, many time I've been happy for the relatively flat and clear bus lane to catch a breather....

Just in case you do start following me look out for a skull on the backpack and a blue jacket ;-)

dresbo

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@dresbo - What do you ride? Reading the start of your post I got thinking back to last night but couldn't remember anyone giving that much hassle as I think I pretty much covered that exact same route myself :-) Good effort racing up College Road/Fountain Drive. I came up that way last night but turned off to continue up College Road as I didn't fancy my chances with the roundabout at the top, normally have enough problems with people seeing me when it's light let alone now it's dark :-) That final rise at the top is normally murderous as you try to carry some momentum onto the roundabout, especially as you like me turn right so need to be over that side of the road, many time I've been happy for the relatively flat and clear bus lane to catch a breather....

Just in case you do start following me look out for a skull on the backpack and a blue jacket ;-)

I think it was about 6:25 as I left bang on time last night. I ride a Giant OCR (I seem to remember yours is an SCR) in grey, blue and yellow. Red coat with yellow backback and red helmet. I've been keeping an eye out for you, but I guess we leave at different times. What time do you go through?

I normally stop at the roundabout even if there's a small gap because I find you need your wits and a bit of speed across that one for the idiots who think it's not a roundabout. Bus lane is always a relief.

I half suspected someone on here would chirp up and admit it was them. Maybe they're too ashamed.

As a slight aside, I always pace myself up Sunray Avenue in the mornings. Most I've got is indicated 20mph all the way up. I'm hoping to push that a big higher with some training.
Makes for a bit of self-competition in the mornings when there's no-one else trying.

cjcp

itboffin wrote:

Knocked off AGAIN this morning :evil:

Just over the bridge from Waterloo and a WVM does a excellent left turn right across my path - BAM!

He stopped when he heard the noise and then decided to switch on his indicator ?!? when I tapped on his window to indicate my annoyance at his attempt to kill me all I got back was the old classic SMIDSY :x

Good start to the day ...

Jesus. Glad you're not hurt, fella.

itboffin

cjcp wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Knocked off AGAIN this morning :evil:

Just over the bridge from Waterloo and a WVM does a excellent left turn right across my path - BAM!

He stopped when he heard the noise and then decided to switch on his indicator ?!? when I tapped on his window to indicate my annoyance at his attempt to kill me all I got back was the old classic SMIDSY :x

Good start to the day ...

Jesus. Glad you're not hurt, fella.

Nope all fine thankfully although typically I hit the van side bad knee first, i'm beginning to think that knee is destined for destruction.

DonDaddyD

itboffin wrote:

Knocked off AGAIN this morning :evil:

Just over the bridge from Waterloo and a WVM does a excellent left turn right across my path - BAM!

He stopped when he heard the noise and then decided to switch on his indicator ?!? when I tapped on his window to indicate my annoyance at his attempt to kill me all I got back was the old classic SMIDSY :x

Good start to the day ...

That's the bridge that leads onto Aldwych, nightmare around there.

Glad you're ok though.

Bassjunkieuk

@dresbo - Bit late for me (for this site anyway as it's a 5pm finish!) but I'll keep an eye out when I'm on a 5:30 finish as circa 6:25 is about the time I'd be hitting the final leg :-)
20mph UP Sunray Avenue is very impressive, I think I've only done that twice and that was chasing a rather rapid chap on a SS and I quite frankly did a double take when I looked down at the comp!

I'm sure I've had a few people give me a good challenge along there, I did encounter someone on a SS going UP College Road once and also had a good race along the parade and then onto Church Street once.......unfortunately he got the better of me and overtook before turning off but we where certainly going along at a good pace! :-)

gobi

Almost wish I worked in London just for the commuting fun, I ride to work and nobody catches me but I don't do more than a couple of miles. Commute between offices as well but most people are just slow.

Ride an MTB with 1.6 conti sports slicks mostly although currently riding a pink Kona Lisa that belongs to

"Pink Brompton Girl"

blu3cat

Coriander wrote:

blu3cat wrote:

After a couple of weeks off from cycling, this week has been one of feeling out of condition (put on about 3 kgs in the past 2 weeks - lots of biscuits).

Is that because you're a daddy now?

Time off from cycling yes, that's the reason.

Biscuits, no just a fat, greedy B*stard

Coriander

blu3cat wrote:

Coriander wrote:

blu3cat wrote:

After a couple of weeks off from cycling, this week has been one of feeling out of condition (put on about 3 kgs in the past 2 weeks - lots of biscuits).

Is that because you're a daddy now?

Time off from cycling yes, that's the reason.

Biscuits, no just a fat, greedy B*stard

Oh, fantastic news, many congratulations.

A boy or a girl?

How are you finding fatherhood?

And you're presumably rather sleep dreprived - biscuits = energy.

will3

Coriander wrote:

How are you finding fatherhood?

:

usually they take some of your DNA and see if it matches that baby's

blu3cat

will3 wrote:

Coriander wrote:

How are you finding fatherhood?

:

usually they take some of your DNA and see if it matches that baby's

Wonderful, rewarding, stressful all in equal measures.

Plus I get an excuse to get a new bike that will accept a baby seat next year

What does that do to your FCN?

will3

blu3cat wrote:

will3 wrote:

Coriander wrote:

How are you finding fatherhood?

:

usually they take some of your DNA and see if it matches that baby's

Wonderful, rewarding, stressful all in equal measures.

Plus I get an excuse to get a new bike that will accept a baby seat next year

What does that do to your FCN?

I think since there's two of you on it, it should decrease

MonkeyMonster

Ooooh, its reaching that time... when the lycra goes on, the legs go round and people's ear drums burst with the sonic boom.

Stay safe and been seen chaps and chappesses

Clever Pun

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Ooooh, its reaching that time... when the lycra goes on, the legs go round and people's ear drums burst with the sonic boom.

Stay safe and been seen chaps and chappesses

you been on the curry again?

Big Wib

Bl**dy work, getting in the way of me cycling all week @*@* etc.

last chance tomorrow just got scuppered as a meeting has been moved to Brum & no one is coming back on site afterwards

two days for next week already ruined as in meetings miles away

[thinking about it, this is a rant and should be elsewhere, still have fun everyone]

gobi

My dull commute just about got me dead. Muppet just pulled out straight in front of me on a roadabout.

I did some "communicating"

Raining heavy here.

iain_j

In the last 24 hours I've nearly been wiped out three times by buses. Not just the usual overtake-me-then-jam-on-the-brakes-at-the-bus-stop manouvre, or the sit-on-my-back-wheel-up-to-the-bus-stop, or the cut-it-slightly-close-on-the-way-past one. No, in the last 24 hours I've had to take evasive action three times to not get killed by the filthy fume spewing f*ckers.

Last night a double decker overtakes me on a long right hand bend, starts a respectable distance out but then gets closer and closer as he takes the corner a bit too wide, and he's accelerating all the way too. The front corner came ridiculously close. If I'd not been able to bail out into the left-turning lane I'd have been buggered.

Tonight I'm overtaking two double deckers stopped at a bus stop. As I'm going past the second one he puts his indicator on and moves off. Now they're always doing this, and they usually start off, spot me in the mirror, slow down a bit and let me pull in, in front of them. Not this one. Dozy cnut doesn't look in the mirror, in fact he's not even looking ahead, he's still looking down at the cash tray as he accelerates off and drifts out from the kerb, pushing me further out, towards the melee of cars turning in the middle of the road. I have to wobble to a stop in the middle of the road with double deckers booming past a couple of feet to my left.

And a hundred metres down the road, a repeat of last night's close shave with yet another double decker.

Frickin hell. I'm going to write to the council.

Phew

greasygrinder

Hi, I just started commuting this week after bottling out for a year and doing club runs, Time Trials etc around the leafy North Downs... anything but come into London.

Wow I feel like a yokel coming into the Big City for the first time. Had an excellent tussle on Upper Richmond Road with a beardy chap who I could take on the straights but outfoxed me at every traffic light. I kept on getting boxed in, he whizzed through spaces so tight I can only think he could turn 2 dimensional. Finally lost him down the New King's Road.

...and to my shame I was fiddling round with my rucksack as the lights changed at Putney and got temporarily p0wned by a lady pulling one of those kiddy bubbles behind her Pashley Princess. :oops:

Still, it can only improve. If you pass a guy on a Trek 5000 looking a bit lost, say hi as you whoosh past.

Cafewanda

lost_in_thought wrote:

Last night...

You: white jacket, black bike, helmet, rucksack, pained look

Me: jeans, panniers, black bike, long plait.

I passed you in open traffic, you filtered past me and sidled coyly through a red light, I passed you again on the open road, you filtered up to me, then slid past and through another red, then looked back as you rode off. Your 'luck' with the lights meant I didn't catch you again.... I can only presume this was some kind of flirtation. Call me!


Oh and to the unladen guy on the pink bike in the old castelli tights who got owned by a girl on a SS with 2 panniers up the notting hill hill (holland drive?) this morning... running away through heavy traffic is a cowards move.

LiT, I've missed your reports. Classy, very classy

MonkeyMonster

That was wet - knew i was being a nobber not wearing my sealskins...

Fun ride though, anyone know the rider of the bright yellow cannondale road bike?

blu3cat

Nope all fine thankfully although typically I hit the van side bad knee first, i'm beginning to think that knee is destined for destruction.

Ow! always the already painful one, alternation in these matters would be at least a small (miniscule) mercy.

This evenings commute:
Catching a RLJing electric bike that looked far more like a scooter - little 16" or 20" wheels - very fat tires. He's always just out of reach, I pull up alongside, lights go red and he goes through. Worst thng was when traffic stops and there's no way through he mounts the pavement and continues at his full pelt (about 18 mph). Unbelievable. Reminded me of the bit with Mickey Dolenz on the scooter from the Monkeys title sequence.

Oh and he pedalled exactly zero times.

Not a scalp but had to take him out of pride.