Silly commuting racing

greg66_tri_v2.0

cjcp - possible consolation coming your way. A series of hard weeks at work plus - ahem - bottom trouble at the weekend have left me decidedly less than half full of beans.

So this morning I was rolling in, enjoying the tailwind, when just past Millbank and roadie in what looked the Swedish national flag team kit (actually Eagle cycle club, I think) rolled past me with a glacially slow cadence, in the 14 or 13.

I've seen him before - white Spesh helmet with the vertical vents across the back, and a habit of turning his head a lot to look around (at the scenery, I think, but looks like he's checking his 6 and trying to be nonchalant about it). Anyhoo, tucked in the statutory 15 feet back just off his line til my turn off, but didn't have the grunt to mount a counter-attack.

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

cjcp - possible consolation coming your way. A series of hard weeks at work plus - ahem - bottom trouble at the weekend have left me decidedly less than half full of beans.

So this morning I was rolling in, enjoying the tailwind, when just past Millbank and roadie in what looked the Swedish national flag team kit (actually Eagle cycle club, I think) rolled past me with a glacially slow cadence, in the 14 or 13.

I've seen him before - white Spesh helmet with the vertical vents across the back, and a habit of turning his head a lot to look around (at the scenery, I think, but looks like he's checking his 6 and trying to be nonchalant about it). Anyhoo, tucked in the statutory 15 feet back just off his line til my turn off, but didn't have the grunt to mount a counter-attack.

Definitely have that Friday feeling...

Was that guy on a Time? I saw an Eagle CC chap last week. Very smooth and very definitely not trying but much faster than the peleton trying to chase him down.

greg66_tri_v2.0

cjcp wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

cjcp - possible consolation coming your way. A series of hard weeks at work plus - ahem - bottom trouble at the weekend have left me decidedly less than half full of beans.

So this morning I was rolling in, enjoying the tailwind, when just past Millbank and roadie in what looked the Swedish national flag team kit (actually Eagle cycle club, I think) rolled past me with a glacially slow cadence, in the 14 or 13.

I've seen him before - white Spesh helmet with the vertical vents across the back, and a habit of turning his head a lot to look around (at the scenery, I think, but looks like he's checking his 6 and trying to be nonchalant about it). Anyhoo, tucked in the statutory 15 feet back just off his line til my turn off, but didn't have the grunt to mount a counter-attack.

Definitely have that Friday feeling...

Was that guy on a Time? I saw an Eagle CC chap last week. Very smooth and very definitely not trying but much faster than the peloton trying to chase him down.

That's him. A nice looking one - VXRS?. Smooth, yes, but because he's in some massive gear. Be interested to see what would happen if he had to drive that gear hard for a while. Might try to find out when I've re-located my stones...

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

cjcp - possible consolation coming your way. A series of hard weeks at work plus - ahem - bottom trouble at the weekend have left me decidedly less than half full of beans.

So this morning I was rolling in, enjoying the tailwind, when just past Millbank and roadie in what looked the Swedish national flag team kit (actually Eagle cycle club, I think) rolled past me with a glacially slow cadence, in the 14 or 13.

I've seen him before - white Spesh helmet with the vertical vents across the back, and a habit of turning his head a lot to look around (at the scenery, I think, but looks like he's checking his 6 and trying to be nonchalant about it). Anyhoo, tucked in the statutory 15 feet back just off his line til my turn off, but didn't have the grunt to mount a counter-attack.

Definitely have that Friday feeling...

Was that guy on a Time? I saw an Eagle CC chap last week. Very smooth and very definitely not trying but much faster than the peloton trying to chase him down.

That's him. A nice looking one - VXRS?. Smooth, yes, but because he's in some massive gear. Be interested to see what would happen if he had to drive that gear hard for a while.

That's the chap. I was admiring the lugging.

Might try to find out when I've re-located my stones...

<wince>

CXXC

Clever Pun wrote:

Adjudication please

I'm waiting at the bottom of beckenham hill and a fixed rider passes on the main road, the light go green and I'm off putting in a good pace as I want this scalp except he's fairly damned nippy and it takes me 2 miles to catch up with him he's riding a lovely baby blue Independent? with a very nice wood effect mudguard. Eventually my opportunity arises and I grit my teeth and head past with zero showboating immediatly he's on my tail and try as I might I can't shake him for the next mile or so eventually I lose him around the loampit vale I suspect he went on to grenwich or I was lucky filtering

scalp?

he probably didn't make it out of Catford...you should consider yourself lucky to be alive!!!

itboffin

Struggled into a mother of a headwind the whole god damn way, then a bleeding moped decides to show itself forcing me to scalp said moped, little old lady if you want you blue rinse scalp back it's in the bushes at the station, you loser!

I'm tired

rjsterry

Good news: hit 30.4mph on the drag strip this morning without mashing myself into a frenzy Partly due to tailwind and removing a kilo of lead acid battery and light this morning, but still. Took a couple of roadie scalps as well.

Bad news: Younger brother has bailed on this weekend's trip into the North Downs. Really quite hacked off as I've been looking forward to this for some time.

Paddy O Dawes

cjcp wrote:

@CP - he drafted. He might have been nippy, but he drafted. IMO, if you draft, you lose your scalp on a technicality at least.

You think? I've always thought that all's fair in love and war unless it's unsafe/inconsiderate to other people. So, eg, if someone drafts safely then overtakes and makes it stick, that's a scalp; if they draft unsafely - eg, if it's raining - then it isn't.

Incidentally, I was fully expecting to find this thread full of triumphant whoops from all you sarf london types this morning - I was fighting one helluva headwind going t'other way...you must have had a nice boost, no? (Looking forward to my ride home...hope the wind doesn't drop!)

rjsterry

Paddy O Dawes wrote:

Incidentally, I was fully expecting to find this thread full of triumphant whoops from all you sarf london types this morning - I was fighting one helluva headwind going t'other way...you must have had a nice boost, no? (Looking forward to my ride home...hope the wind doesn't drop!)

See my post previous to yours. Yes was rather fun, but a bit gusty as it barrelled off the buildings coming along Old Street. Needless to say, I hope it does drop for this evening.

cjcp

Paddy O Dawes wrote:

cjcp wrote:

@CP - he drafted. He might have been nippy, but he drafted. IMO, if you draft, you lose your scalp on a technicality at least.

You think? I've always thought that all's fair in love and war unless it's unsafe/inconsiderate to other people. So, eg, if someone drafts safely then overtakes and makes it stick, that's a scalp; if they draft unsafely - eg, if it's raining - then it isn't.

It's like a TT i.e. the Race of Truth. No drafting allowed. Just MO though.

Incidentally, I was fully expecting to find this thread full of triumphant whoops from all you sarf london types this morning - I was fighting one helluva headwind going t'other way...you must have had a nice boost, no? (Looking forward to my ride home...hope the wind doesn't drop!)

Heck, no. Absolutely bu$gger all inn the legs this morning. But now I'm not looking forward to the journey home!

il_principe

Scalped a scooter on 9 Elms this morning, caught her eye in her wing mirror as I steamed past, the look on her face was priceless. Unfortunately my joy was short lived as I p*nctured at the top of Borough road. Self inflicted really - I know full well that my rear tyre has had it but I just could not be ar$sed to change it yesterday. Now I'm gonna have to visit onyourbike at lunch as I only have 80mm stemmed inners left and I don't want to waste one of those... question is will a new tube get me home safely or should I buy and fit a new tyre at lunchtime as well?

Grrrrrr.

cjcp

Il Principe wrote:

. question is will a new tube get me home safely or should I buy and fit a new tyre at lunchtime as well?

Grrrrrr.

Put some gaffer tape on the inside of the tyre and order some off Wiggle PDQ.

il_principe

cjcp wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

. question is will a new tube get me home safely or should I buy and fit a new tyre at lunchtime as well?

Grrrrrr.

Put some gaffer tape on the inside of the tyre and order some off Wiggle PDQ.

Gaffer tape eh? Good thinking. I have a new Rubino Pro waiting at home, just got to make it there safely.

rjsterry

Didn't someone on here mention keeping a cut up section of old toothpaste tube (washed out, obviously) in their saddle pack for just such an occasion?

cambs

No more crazy-assed tearing after lost causes for me. I'm Silly Commuting Pootling for the next two months to get into the right shape for my first century of the year (come to think of it, in about 20 years).
May 23rd, Evans Cycles' King of the Downs.

Kept a nice, average 145bpm on the way in today and the legs are thanking me for a change. Along with a potential rail stike next week, i should be able to rack up plenty of miles and get into fat-burning mode.

Scalp availbale on loan, to be redeemed in June and the interest rate of one fringe.

amnezia

cambs wrote:

No more crazy-assed tearing after lost causes for me. I'm Silly Commuting Pootling for the next two months to get into the right shape for my first century of the year (come to think of it, in about 20 years).
May 23rd, Evans Cycles' King of the Downs.

Kept a nice, average 145bpm on the way in today and the legs are thanking me for a change. Along with a potential rail stike next week, i should be able to rack up plenty of miles and get into fat-burning mode.

Scalp availbale on loan, to be redeemed in June and the interest rate of one fringe.

Was that you at blackfriars roundabout that mentioned all the red light jumping taxis and cars this morning?

UndercoverElephant

Coming through Joppa this morning, I spy a roadie up ahead. Not one I've seen before. He has a pannier, but given the dearth of valid targets, I reckon I ought to take him.

I'm closing reasonably quickly, and were coming up to where I turn off to go along Portobello prom. "Turn right, turn right!", I urge him under my breath. He doesn't, so I'm left with the choice, do I go out of my way to continue to chase him down, be late and add extra miles onto my commute just to scalp him, or do I just let it drop.

So, obviously I keep after him and blitz him good and proper.

rjsterry

cambs wrote:

No more crazy-assed tearing after lost causes for me. I'm Silly Commuting Pootling for the next two months to get into the right shape for my first century of the year (come to think of it, in about 20 years).
May 23rd, Evans Cycles' King of the Downs.

Kept a nice, average 145bpm on the way in today and the legs are thanking me for a change. Along with a potential rail stike next week, i should be able to rack up plenty of miles and get into fat-burning mode.

Scalp availbale on loan, to be redeemed in June and the interest rate of one fringe.

Considering something similar myself, at least for part of the week, as had crampy legs on Friday (again). I think my brother bailing on the weekend hillfest (forgot to book his bike on the train can you believe? Has made amends by arranging for me to have one of his fleet on loan to prevent further occurrences/excuses) may have actually been a lucky escape.

cambs

amnezia wrote:

Was that you at blackfriars roundabout that mentioned all the red light jumping taxis and cars this morning?

Ha yes, thought i'd seen you before

cjcp

@cambs - Pootling should definitely be embraced.

@Asprilla - you carrying two panniers and running yellow Contis? If so, I think I saw you this morning just before Queen's Ride and through Putney on the LRR.

HamishD

You: flat barred Scott with Red and Black jacket.
Me: sky blue Kinesis with panniers and red jacket.

8.30ish this morning. Over Putney Bridge and up Fulham Palace Road.... You were pootling and I was going steady; we exchanged pleasantries as I passed at which point you realised what had just happened, manned up and gave it some beans. I tried to keep up but the legs just weren’t there. You well and truly scalped me as you beat me through the lights. Chapeau sir . . .

In my defence I was fifteen miles in and hungover . . .

cambs

@CJCP In complete agreement. Could be time for a new thread, SCP : who gets home in the best condition. Could have no-scalp agreements, chain-gangs, etc. Just til major sportive out of the way though.

@HamishD You have panniers. So he had to pass you to preserve his scalp. Another day w/o hangover and he's yours.

roger_merriman

cambs wrote:

@CJCP In complete agreement. Could be time for a new thread, SCP : who gets home in the best condition. Could have no-scalp agreements, chain-gangs, etc. Just til major sportive out of the way though.

@HamishD You have panniers. So he had to pass you to preserve his scalp. Another day w/o hangover and he's yours.

heh I ride to work in trousers and tee shirt. so no arriving sweaty for me. I could change as work has two bathrooms etc.

but I'd rather not would make commute longer.

flamite

quite agree with the scp... had a lovely pootle home on Friday evening, with another roadie, who looked quick, but stayed religiously below 20 mph, in preparation for 70 miler on sat... did have to bite my tongue a couple of times when roadies zipped past.

was actually quite pleasant to pootle and not worry about racing home, but just the once. Did have a little race in this am...

rjsterry

cjcp wrote:

@cambs - Pootling should definitely be embraced.

@Asprilla - you carrying two panniers and running yellow Contis? If so, I think I saw you this morning just before Queen's Ride and through Putney on the LRR.

Another endorsement! Pootling is the new black! Seriously, I did read something over the weekend about over-training, and the symptoms did seem remarkably similar to those I experienced last week: cramp, tiredness, disrupted sleep (although that might be the little one) and lack of speed. Not quite sure how this has occurred, but am guessing that jumping from 4 to 5 days a week, plus the extra few miles from detours onto the Embankment and other route variations, is way more than the recommended 10% increase at a time. In order to MTFU, I must first MTFD?.

cambs

flamite wrote:

quite agree with the scp... had a lovely pootle home on Friday evening, with another roadie, who looked quick, but stayed religiously below 20 mph, in preparation for 70 miler on sat... did have to bite my tongue a couple of times when roadies zipped past.

was actually quite pleasant to pootle and not worry about racing home, but just the once. Did have a little race in this am...

I think i clocked you a couple of evenings last week on the Embankment (you know how it is - "are you Flamite", cue puzzled looks) , and if that's your idea of pootling you're not allowed in the club...

amnezia

What is all this pootling nonsense? if i pass you guys i shall be naming and shaming

UndercoverElephant

What the hell's happened to you lot? Am I in the right thread here, I thought this was SCR? I can't believe what I'm reading, "I let a couple of roadies pass me", "Pootling is the new black"?

Death first! :x

cambs

[Door flaps open on breeze .. trudges off into blizzard]

cjcp

amnezia wrote:

What is all this pootling nonsense? if i pass you guys i shall be naming and shaming

See, as athletes, we need to ensure that we're on top of our game for (a) when we arrive at the start line of sportives, or (ii) for the training we do for them on weekends, or (iii) when Daddy-duty begins on Friday night, so that you minimise the number of rings run round you.