Silly commuting racing

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  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    This morning I got scalped. In my defense, not technically because of my high FCN on Teh Pig, but scalped nonetheless. I'm nursing some sort of bronchial malady (again!), so was taking it easy. Or at least that is my excuse.

    Excuses aside I was slow this morning - real slow. Actually quite relieved my partner still has the proto - that would have been embarrasing!
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Roastie wrote:
    This morning I got scalped. In my defense, not technically because of my high FCN on Teh Pig, but scalped nonetheless. I'm nursing some sort of bronchial malady (again!), so was taking it easy. Or at least that is my excuse.

    Excuses aside I was slow this morning - real slow. Actually quite relieved my partner still has the proto - that would have been embarrasing!

    What's the FCN adjustment for riding a bike by your own brand? ;)
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    Saw a chap on an aero-framed Isaac this morning. He was in jeans and riding at a rather wobbly 5mph or so. Seemed a bit of an incongruous mix. Anyone missing an Isaac?
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Found another one of the cheaper 1 series BMWs in Brizzle without indicators again tonight. Was waiting at a junction to turn onto Park Street and Ms BMW stops in the middle of the road looking like she wanted to turn right but didn't have the indicator option on her car. A gap appears and I went just as she tried to turn right :x
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    What's the FCN adjustment for riding a bike by your own brand? ;)
    Let's not go there.... ;)

    Fortunately tho', the proto was with my partner, so I was on The Pig and hence at a stupidly high FCN :).

    Tonight was mildly better, but still not on form. I had a nice run with a dude on a blue Allez, blue tyres from Waterloo to Vauxhall. He was reasonably quick - more than I could muster tonight. I look forward to a rematch sometime soon.

    One thing that really struck me tonight, I was cold, soaked and battling with a clogged chest, but it was still so much better than the other days of the week when I'm couped up in a car. Passing rows of cars in the downpour, I just knew those in cars probably felt sorry for me being soaked, but in reality, it was me feeling sorry for them being stuck in their little metal boxed.

    Car tomorrow though. Poo. :(
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    3 days back in town next week so I can have a play on the Drag Strip and might even go home via Embankment :-)

    Not exactly sure what happened on yesterdays commutes but they where a damn-sight faster then anything I've done recently, a moving average about 1-2mph above my previous efforts which for a 2.5 mile ride doesn't seem much end-to-end but I'm still trying to figure out why? My only thoughts are that I didn't put in any big sprint efforts and rode more consistently. I'm also trying to concerntrate on pedalling technique with the distinct lack of SCR and certainly felt a lot less effort to push the same gear when I was actively pulling at the bottom :-)
    Who's the daddy?
    Twitter, Videos & Blog
    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    That's two thoroughly miserable commutes this week. I got visited by the fairy 2 miles from home last night, just didn't see a huge pothole. Realised I didn't have my spanner so had to walk the SS for 2 miles in the p1ssing rain. I was frozen by the time I got home. There are times (not many of them) when I do really f*cking hate cycling, and last night was one of them, topped off a completely sh1te day. Still at least it's Friday and I had a good run in this morning. Precious little action on Embankment.
  • CXXC
    CXXC Posts: 237
    no action at all for me on the ride in this morning, it seems no-one opts for the roubaix-esque cobbles of bermondsey, wapping and shadwell :(

    If i want SCR action I'll have to go looking for it on Jamaica Road and The Highway :twisted:
    _______________________________________________

    www.redlightjump.co.uk

    FCN 3 (FCN 4 if I'm carrying clean pants)
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,475
    Il Principe wrote:
    That's two thoroughly miserable commutes this week. I got visited by the fairy 2 miles from home last night, just didn't see a huge pothole. Realised I didn't have my spanner so had to walk the SS for 2 miles in the p1ssing rain. I was frozen by the time I got home. There are times (not many of them) when I do really f*cking hate cycling, and last night was one of them, topped off a completely sh1te day. Still at least it's Friday and I had a good run in this morning. Precious little action on Embankment.

    Pothole induced blowouts are becoming a bit of a badge of honour at the moment. At least you didn't need a new wheel.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    It seemed to be the day of super moron POBSOs

    one bloke rljs pootles across a junction straight past the plod watching him and he gets away with it...WTF

    another guy trys to overtake a bus as it's swinging out to overtake another and how he wasn't knocked off I'll never know

    Both of these numpties didn't learn a lesson
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • Sewinman
    Sewinman Posts: 2,131
    Il Principe wrote:
    That's two thoroughly miserable commutes this week. I got visited by the fairy 2 miles from home last night, just didn't see a huge pothole. Realised I didn't have my spanner so had to walk the SS for 2 miles in the p1ssing rain. I was frozen by the time I got home. There are times (not many of them) when I do really f*cking hate cycling, and last night was one of them, topped off a completely sh1te day. Still at least it's Friday and I had a good run in this morning. Precious little action on Embankment.

    I feel your pain (2x punctures on wednes), I am really bored of the dark, rain, pot holes, brocken spokes, flat tyres, f'up cassettes blah blah. It was sleeting this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Roll on summer.
  • The Running Man
    The Running Man Posts: 574
    What a difference a day makes.

    Glorious sunshine and I didn't even mind the chilly headwind. I pootled in this morning so for once I was grateful no-one was around to disturb the equilibrium - even the traffic was miraculously light and very well behaved.

    Going to leave about 4.00 ish this afters so I'll get to ride home in daylight which will be fab. The wind will of course have changed direction but I don't care today.
    Specialized Roubaix Pro SL : Litespeed Titanium Siena : Specialized Allez : Specialized Tri Cross :
    Specialized Rockhopper
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Never fear I'll be back in less than a week and ALL your PF problems will be gone :(

    hopefully so will the worst of the weather, otherwise I'm gonna need more hats, gloves, jackets, socks & tights!
    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.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Dear SCR experts, I'm moving away from my back pack to Panniers, is it still possible to be competitive in ths SCR league :lol:?
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    iPete wrote:
    Dear SCR experts, I'm moving away from my back pack to Panniers, is it still possible to be competitive in ths SCR league :lol:?

    Very much so, even without the FCN adjustment.

    Front-facing pannier on the Brompton slows you down a bit though...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    That guy on the Brompton wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    Dear SCR experts, I'm moving away from my back pack to Panniers, is it still possible to be competitive in ths SCR league :lol:?

    Very much so, even without the FCN adjustment.

    +1. Always beware the fast-moving, pannier-laden audax/tourer bike man.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • King Donut
    King Donut Posts: 498
    Sewinman wrote:
    Il Principe wrote:
    That's two thoroughly miserable commutes this week. I got visited by the fairy 2 miles from home last night, just didn't see a huge pothole. Realised I didn't have my spanner so had to walk the SS for 2 miles in the p1ssing rain. I was frozen by the time I got home. There are times (not many of them) when I do really f*cking hate cycling, and last night was one of them, topped off a completely sh1te day. Still at least it's Friday and I had a good run in this morning. Precious little action on Embankment.

    I feel your pain (2x punctures on wednes), I am really bored of the dark, rain, pot holes, brocken spokes, flat tyres, f'up cassettes blah blah. It was sleeting this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Roll on summer.

    Tuesday was my worst commute for a while. Shyte day at work, then drenched by the time I got to Twickenham and picked up a pinch flat. Fingers were useless and co2 was spraying everywhere. Couldn't face putting the wet gloves back on so within 2 mins I'd lost all feeling and was steering with the stubs of my wrists. Rode the final few miles cursing the fact that Queen Donut doesn't drive.

    This morning on the other hand I was awake at the crack of dawn to fit tyre to new rear rim, switch wheels, replace cassette, clean drivetrain in the kitchen sink and fit shiny new chain. All of which delayed me by 30 mins and I had open road all the way in.

    Scalped 2 cars in RP (admittedly they weren't trying) and then got a tow off a van all the way from bottom of broomfield to lights at priory lane. Schweet.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    edited February 2010
    iPete wrote:
    Dear SCR experts, I'm moving away from my back pack to Panniers, is it still possible to be competitive in ths SCR league :lol:?

    No. Using panniers is like teaming a suit with a fleece, or wearing slippers. It's a slippery (sorry) slope to Grandad land.

    On another depressing note: Long, bleak winter.

    Oh I'm a bundle of joy this morning. Not had a drink since last sat - perhaps withdrawal symptoms are causing the grumpiness? :evil:
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    King Donut wrote:
    I had open road all the way in.

    This morning was really clear! What was that about?! Got me worried!
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Il Principe wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    Dear SCR experts, I'm moving away from my back pack to Panniers, is it still possible to be competitive in ths SCR league :lol:?

    No. Using pannier's is like teaming a suit with a fleece, or wearing slippers. It's a slippery (sorry) slope to Grandad land.

    I wear a v-neck jumper in work :D
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • King Donut
    King Donut Posts: 498
    BTW anyone else nearly fall down that pothole as you turn on to Putney Bridge from LRR? I swear you can actually see the Thames flowing underneath
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    King Donut wrote:
    BTW anyone else nearly fall down that pothole as you turn on to Putney Bridge from LRR? I swear you can actually see the Thames flowing underneath

    It's a flippin' disgrace. I take a wide line there now.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,475
    Got PT into the office today, as the bike was left ther last night. Then cycled from Old Street up to Muswell Hill for a site meeting (always fun talking to clients and contractors in your lycra 8) ), which was a bit of a slog, but very easy return journey. Unfortunately this short trip revealed that Wednesday night's pothole incident has also put a big dent in my rear rim - haven't really ridden properly since then, so first time I noticed it today. It's rideable, but braking is pretty patchy. So that's another new wheel :evil: :cry:

    No SCR action on either leg of the journey, and I don't think there will be much this evening for me either what with my lack of rear braking.

    Humph.

    EDIT: BTW watch out for potholes on Muswell Hill Road, it looks as though it has been used for artillery target practice. The bus lane down Holloway Rd is not much better. Can't see all this getting fixed any time soon.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • Bikequin
    Bikequin Posts: 402
    King Donut wrote:
    BTW anyone else nearly fall down that pothole as you turn on to Putney Bridge from LRR? I swear you can actually see the Thames flowing underneath

    Yea Putney Bridge is an utter joke - the problem is when they do come to fix it it'll mean shutting the bridge!! :shock:
    You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quin.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Bikequin wrote:
    King Donut wrote:
    BTW anyone else nearly fall down that pothole as you turn on to Putney Bridge from LRR? I swear you can actually see the Thames flowing underneath

    Yea Putney Bridge is an utter joke - the problem is when they do come to fix it it'll mean shutting the bridge!! :shock:

    Earlier today...

    dscn0974ae3.jpg
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Cool, they've fixed it!
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    edited February 2010
    CJ (photographed crossing the Thames last night):

    uk-floods-cp-3333539.jpg

    And Richmond Park, yesterday:

    Cyclists-flood-300x199.jpg

    It's getting ridiculous I tell you.
  • Sewinman
    Sewinman Posts: 2,131
    cjcp wrote:
    King Donut wrote:
    I had open road all the way in.

    This morning was really clear! What was that about?! Got me worried!

    Is it half term?
  • King Donut
    King Donut Posts: 498
    Sewinman wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    King Donut wrote:
    I had open road all the way in.

    This morning was really clear! What was that about?! Got me worried!

    Is it half term?

    Would half term make that much difference to Embankment? It was proper shyte Mon/Tues this week. Fingers crossed it's like that on way home tonight
  • W1
    W1 Posts: 2,636
    Sewinman wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    King Donut wrote:
    I had open road all the way in.

    This morning was really clear! What was that about?! Got me worried!

    Is it half term?

    Normally when it's this clear I suddenly worry I'm heading to work on a Saturday.

    BTW Embankment a nightmare again last night - definitely not the Brits which is causing the backlog, it's the Albert Bloody Bridge - I knew it. Lets hope drivers get fed up of sitting in a massive queue for hours and find another route - had to take to the shared path again which is hateful.

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