Silly commuting racing

stuaff

UndercoverElephant wrote:

StuAff wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

The Airnimal's a folder, right? You were done by a dude on a clown's bike; suck it down.

Not a clown bike. Oh no. I know a lot of you people think small wheels=slow (reverse is true actually- small wheels accelerate faster), but that definitely doesn't apply to an Airnimal Chameleon (which has 24" wheels btw). Yes, it folds. Yes, it has smaller wheels. But it's a proper road bike and a rather quick one. Could have been worse, could have been one of the 20" Dahons or a Brommie (and if you don't think either of those can shift, it's only because you've not seen them race!).

It's a fast clown bike, there's no denying. The fact remains, it should be ridden by people with red noses and very long shoes.

Do the very long shoes have cleat fittings?

Wrath Rob

Kurako wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

FCN check with the SCR massive. What's the FCN of a lycra clad giant on an Airnimal? I got done by a very tall guy in a red lycra top riding the bejesus out of one last night on Embankment. No idea what speed I was doing as I've not put a computer on the new bike yet but he came past about 2-3mph faster, so probably over 26mph! I upped my game and held the gap but couldn't get back on his wheel. Scalp or no? If I was scalped I'll claim my first 50 mile club ride on Sunday with Kingston Wheelers as an excuse

The Airnimal's a folder, right? You were done by a dude on a clown's bike; suck it down.

This must be the same guy I saw at VB last night. Not sure the time but some time around 6:30 would be about right. He was rapid. No joke!

Technically I didn't get scalped since I was never ahead of him

That would be it. I was on the white Fuji in the grey top with flourescent backpack cover who quickly took the lead until the giant on the Airnimal came past

cjcp

Wrath Rob wrote:

Kurako wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

FCN check with the SCR massive. What's the FCN of a lycra clad giant on an Airnimal? I got done by a very tall guy in a red lycra top riding the bejesus out of one last night on Embankment. No idea what speed I was doing as I've not put a computer on the new bike yet but he came past about 2-3mph faster, so probably over 26mph! I upped my game and held the gap but couldn't get back on his wheel. Scalp or no? If I was scalped I'll claim my first 50 mile club ride on Sunday with Kingston Wheelers as an excuse

The Airnimal's a folder, right? You were done by a dude on a clown's bike; suck it down.

This must be the same guy I saw at VB last night. Not sure the time but some time around 6:30 would be about right. He was rapid. No joke!

Technically I didn't get scalped since I was never ahead of him

That would be it. I was on the white Fuji in the grey top with flourescent backpack cover who quickly took the lead until the giant on the Airnimal came past

Not a Fuji Roubaix?

Bassjunkieuk

StuAff wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

StuAff wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

The Airnimal's a folder, right? You were done by a dude on a clown's bike; suck it down.

Not a clown bike. Oh no. I know a lot of you people think small wheels=slow (reverse is true actually- small wheels accelerate faster), but that definitely doesn't apply to an Airnimal Chameleon (which has 24" wheels btw). Yes, it folds. Yes, it has smaller wheels. But it's a proper road bike and a rather quick one. Could have been worse, could have been one of the 20" Dahons or a Brommie (and if you don't think either of those can shift, it's only because you've not seen them race!).

It's a fast clown bike, there's no denying. The fact remains, it should be ridden by people with red noses and very long shoes.

Do the very long shoes have cleat fittings?

Yes, but I hear that setting up the cleats is a nightmare and don't even get me started on the toe overlap ;-)

asprilla

Got roasted up Broomfield Hill tonight by a guy in full HTC Colombia kit; he was absolutely flying! Met him later and he said it was the first time he had attacked the hill like that and it would probably be a while before he did it again. He said it hurt but he didn't look as pained as I did as he raced away from me.

Also done at the top of the hill by the guy I had towed round the park at 25mph+. That's just poor manners.

rjsterry

Was in civvies this evening, and doing a bike-train-bike to East Croydon for a meeting with a financial advisor (came straight from work via london bridge, so thought that the lycra might be a bit much). After the meeting had a bit of a mare fnding my way back from central Croydon to Carshalton. Got onto the A232 flyover, but bailed at the first sliproad as there was a big headwind and lots of very fast moving traffic. Ended up zig-zagging up to the A23, then back down via IKEA and the rest of the big business park until eventually finding the cut through to Beddington Lane. I got steadily more sweary as I had to do U-turn after U-turn, but did at least do a fully lycra'd roadie in my rolled up jeans.

BJUK, I'm assuming there's a better route than this without using the death-or-glory A232 flyover. Do you know of one? Or anyone else for that matter?

BTW, once you get past Purley Way, the A232 has been fully resurfaced with lovely new smooth blacktop all the way to Wallington. A real dragstrip without the headwind.

gbsahne001

Fantastic ride home tonight; found a different route and whilst it is a bit longer it removes 60% of the traffic lights from the journey.

Average on 15 miles tonight; just under 20mph.

Bikequin

Been great cycling this week - had a good couple of tussles this morning on the way in, firstly got passed in the traffic by a chap on a Bianci down the Kings Road, the traffic was too heavy to hunt him down immediately but managed to reel him in and regain my scalp before we got to Sloane Square.

Then came up towards the bottom of Hyde Park - as we passed through the gate by the Mandarin Oriental I spyed a guy in a Kingston Wheelers top a few bikes ahead. He turned onto the road and I followed about 50m back, I put in a decent effort to catch and then pass him. However he was obviously now playing the game and as we both entered Hyde Park I saw him on my wheel, he then pulled out and breezed passed me. I tried to grab his wheel but he gave a cheeky look behind and gave it some more, my legs were already shattered and so I had to admit defeat - if you post on here Chapeau you had me on toast this morning.

The ride home was less eventful which is probably just as well.

kurako

cjcp wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

Kurako wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

FCN check with the SCR massive. What's the FCN of a lycra clad giant on an Airnimal? I got done by a very tall guy in a red lycra top riding the bejesus out of one last night on Embankment. No idea what speed I was doing as I've not put a computer on the new bike yet but he came past about 2-3mph faster, so probably over 26mph! I upped my game and held the gap but couldn't get back on his wheel. Scalp or no? If I was scalped I'll claim my first 50 mile club ride on Sunday with Kingston Wheelers as an excuse

The Airnimal's a folder, right? You were done by a dude on a clown's bike; suck it down.

This must be the same guy I saw at VB last night. Not sure the time but some time around 6:30 would be about right. He was rapid. No joke!

Technically I didn't get scalped since I was never ahead of him

That would be it. I was on the white Fuji in the grey top with flourescent backpack cover who quickly took the lead until the giant on the Airnimal came past

Not a Fuji Roubaix?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agGKQVChVu0

I was a bit far back in the pack to make decent inroads. Is that Wrath Rob in front of the lady moped rider? Or possibly right in front of me? <gulp>

itboffin

I haven't put it in the big ring all week and i'm loving it :oops:

Edit: carried a 9lb rucksack home, now that was hard work :?

cjcp

@Kurako - just how tall are you, mate? :shock:

kurako

cjcp wrote:

@Kurako - just how tall are you, mate? :shock:

I'm around 6ft. That bike is quite an upright position. The bars are flat and the camera is strapped to the front of my helmet. It looks pretty dorky but it makes it quite visible any driver trying to be a bit douchey!

Wrath Rob

Kurako wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agGKQVChVu0

I was a bit far back in the pack to make decent inroads. Is that Wrath Rob in front of the lady moped rider? Or possibly right in front of me? <gulp>

I'm right in front of you at the start of the clip, grey top, fluorescent rucksack, to the right of the frame. GLad to see that's the only time I'm in the clip

I feel a little better seeing Mr Airnimal drafing a van to catch up to me

W1

I destroyed the Embankment peleton last night. Sorry, but I did - great swarm of roadies, fixies, ss'ers. Great fun, particularly toasting the tarts except for one drafting fairy and one jockey who caught up at the CB lights, passed me with a Rizzla to spare, cut me up and then slowed down.

Greg T

W1 wrote:

I destroyed the Embankment peloton last night. Sorry, but I did - great swarm of roadies, fixies, ss'ers. Great fun, particularly toasting the tarts except for one drafting fairy and one jockey who caught up at the CB lights, passed me with a Rizzla to spare, cut me up and then slowed down.

Not me you didn't Shirley.

However - with the advent of the nice weather and the traditional summer +5 mph minimum speed requirement I'm now commited to going geared to get some serious speed going.

I've got a CAAD9 on order and whole skip load of whup ass in my drive.

jonginge

Got done by a chap in Astana shorts, yellow* jersey, clip-on tri-bars last night. He waltzed by under the safety-car** at HoP. 'A-ha! Game on', I thought. Didn't really get near him again. He had good acceleration away from the lights and it was all I could do to maintain a 20m gap. I was inching closer after the DSC but he turned off at Chelsea Bridge. Dang, but chapeau, sir!

What I thought was probably hayfever I realised this morning is really a chest-cold. Grrr


* lower-case is important. Not a TdF jersey
** following a slow bus

Citizen Smith

Yeah, great run for me on Embankment last night. Funny to see that clip as VB lights heading west is what I see as the home/heart of SCR given its' abundance of bikes and proximity to SCR HQ - The Morpeth.

I got there at around 6.20pm yesterday and there was a shedload already waiting. I was cautious as I worked my way through the peloton and the traffic but there were definitely some swift people up front - I didn't make a move on the leading pack as I was already hitting 25mph. There did appear to be two mates working as a team as well - that's cheating...SCR is every man/woman for himself.

Decided to miss my normal CB turn off and continue to Wandsworth. At BB, Lined up behind a guy on a Colagno SS with some old school ski multi-coloured frame (pretty damn awful if you asked me). This guy ripped some over the other side of the junction and just managed to stay with him all the way to the junction on the south side of WB before we parted ways.

Then proceeded over Wandsworth roundabout and up the length of Trinity Road.....not a bad run that as I managed to get good consistent cadence going....I aways think "metronome" and that helps when I feel I'm tiring...

dresbo

Had a good ride back through Greenwich and Crystal Palace last night. A massive peleton set off from the lights on the north side of Southwark bridge towards E&C.

Got followed all the way by a shortish roadie in full orange and blue London Dynamo lycra and a nice carbon bike. I lost him up the hill outside Kings college hospital but he caught me as I waited at the lights in Greenwich village. We trailed up Fountain drive with me about 20m ahead, but even when I slowed slightly to give him a chance :>) he didn't really catch my wheel.

With the little rest from slowing I decided to see what he was made of on the steepest sections at the top. Turns out not much. Left in my wake.

He caught me again as I waited at the lights in Crystal Palace Parade, and shouted something like 'let's race' and beckoned me down left in his direction towards Beckenham. Next time maybe....

Anyone on here?

greg66_tri_v2.0

There were some nice bikes out this morning - the alu version of Bike 1, and a sweet looking Parlee. I wasn't the only one spying either: a Dynamo on something with bike yellow decals that I couldn't get a bead on queried my choice of Bike 1 as a commuter, despite all the cr@p on it at the mo...

ketsbaia

Different, less windy route home last night saw me scalp another ss-er. No sign of Cervelo bloke as well, which was just as well really.

Same old same old Old Kent Road this morning. Wind, lights and homicidal BMW X5 drivers vying with a rather attractive female courier-type for my attention. Only until I scalped her, that is.

Not much going on apart from that and she wasn't really trying either. One thing I have noticed is that I'm forever checking over my shoulder for potential scalps attempting to pass. I even seem to be developing a sixth sense that allows me to 'feel' someone behind me sucking my wheel.

Are these symptoms common?

jonginge

Greg66 wrote:

There were some nice bikes out this morning - the alu version of Bike 1, and a sweet looking Parlee. I wasn't the only one spying either: a Dynamo on something with bike yellow decals that I couldn't get a bead on queried my choice of Bike 1 as a commuter, despite all the cr@p on it at the mo...

Also saw a chap on a Parlee this AM (blue with red lettering, i think). His back wheel was buckled to f&ck...

The Running Man

Has anybody lost a pair of legs??

Only asking as I think I found a pair on the way home last night and they definitely don't belong to me.

Took me 7 minutes to do the first mile and get out of Bath traffic which was a pain but then saw a roadie shooting ahead of me down the bypass and despite having planned another potter home took off after him. Caught him half way down and I expected him to sit on my wheel so I really put the turbos on and flew up the hill at 25 mph to the lights in Box where I turn right up to 5 Ways. I just missed the green and had to sit behind a Clio and looked back and looked back and looked back and nearly 2 minutes later he appears.

SCALP!

Continued to push going home and was staggered that over the 22 miles once I'd got out of the city I'd averaged 20.2 mph and that includes 1200ft of climbing (and 900ft of descending in fairness).

I paid for it this morning though : tired ,sore legs and really did pootle in at an av speed of 16mph .....

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

There were some nice bikes out this morning - the alu version of Bike 1, and a sweet looking Parlee. I wasn't the only one spying either: a Dynamo on something with bike yellow decals that I couldn't get a bead on queried my choice of Bike 1 as a commuter, despite all the cr@p on it at the mo...

Also saw a chap on a Parlee this AM (blue with red lettering, i think). His back wheel was buckled to f&ck...

A middle-aged gent, with deep-ish rim wheels?

greg66_tri_v2.0

JonGinge wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

There were some nice bikes out this morning - the alu version of Bike 1, and a sweet looking Parlee. I wasn't the only one spying either: a Dynamo on something with bike yellow decals that I couldn't get a bead on queried my choice of Bike 1 as a commuter, despite all the cr@p on it at the mo...

Also saw a chap on a Parlee this AM (blue with red lettering, i think). His back wheel was buckled to f&ck...

Wonky back wheel def rings a bell - blue tyre? And silver haired bloke, IIRC. I was thinking about mentioning the wheel to him.

Well, it's the thought that counts... :twisted:

greg66_tri_v2.0

cjcp wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

There were some nice bikes out this morning - the alu version of Bike 1, and a sweet looking Parlee. I wasn't the only one spying either: a Dynamo on something with bike yellow decals that I couldn't get a bead on queried my choice of Bike 1 as a commuter, despite all the cr@p on it at the mo...

Also saw a chap on a Parlee this AM (blue with red lettering, i think). His back wheel was buckled to f&ck...

A middle-aged gent, with deep-ish rim wheels?

Sounds like the right rider, but maybe on his training wheels today.

jonginge

Greg66 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

There were some nice bikes out this morning - the alu version of Bike 1, and a sweet looking Parlee. I wasn't the only one spying either: a Dynamo on something with bike yellow decals that I couldn't get a bead on queried my choice of Bike 1 as a commuter, despite all the cr@p on it at the mo...

Also saw a chap on a Parlee this AM (blue with red lettering, i think). His back wheel was buckled to f&ck...

A middle-aged gent, with deep-ish rim wheels?

Sounds like the right rider, but maybe on his training wheels today.

I was also thinking about mentioning but then it slipped my mind. Getting old don'tcha know.

No deep-sections, they were mavics so a see-ree-um variant or ack-see-ums...

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

There were some nice bikes out this morning - the alu version of Bike 1, and a sweet looking Parlee. I wasn't the only one spying either: a Dynamo on something with bike yellow decals that I couldn't get a bead on queried my choice of Bike 1 as a commuter, despite all the cr@p on it at the mo...

Also saw a chap on a Parlee this AM (blue with red lettering, i think). His back wheel was buckled to f&ck...

A middle-aged gent, with deep-ish rim wheels?

Sounds like the right rider, but maybe on his training wheels today.

I was also thinking about mentioning but then it slipped my mind. Getting old don'tcha know.

No deep-sections, they were mavics so a see-ree-um variant or ack-see-ums...

Yeah, same guy (but then, how many Parlees do you see on the commute?).

Rode a Parlee the other week. Not bad.

kurako

@ Citizen Smith. I saw that 80s-ski-themed Colnago last week. I got to the CB lights first, it was a lovely evening and I'd had a really good bomb along from Vauxhall. I'm afraid to say I left my cool somewhere behind me. I looked back and had quite a silly grin on my face. The Colnago and a guy on a Condor were both looking at me the same way my g/f does when I fart out loud :oops:

Anyway, I quite like the colour scheme.

cjcp

Citizen Smith wrote:

Decided to miss my normal CB turn off and continue to Wandsworth. At BB, Lined up behind a guy on a Colagno SS with some old school ski multi-coloured frame (pretty damn awful if you asked me). This guy ripped some over the other side of the junction and just managed to stay with him all the way to the junction on the south side of WB before we parted ways.

Paging JG, paging JG...

This is the same chap we passed, and who then took a tow, on our journey back from Regent's Park.

@CS - he's quick.

jonginge

cjcp wrote:

Citizen Smith wrote:

Decided to miss my normal CB turn off and continue to Wandsworth. At BB, Lined up behind a guy on a Colagno SS with some old school ski multi-coloured frame (pretty damn awful if you asked me). This guy ripped some over the other side of the junction and just managed to stay with him all the way to the junction on the south side of WB before we parted ways.

Paging JG, paging JG...

This is the same chap we passed, and who then took a tow, on our journey back from Regent's Park.

@CS - he's quick.

Ah, yes. My retinas have just calmed down
I occasionally see a beautiful 1980s machine built from columbus slx tubing. It has a much more tasteful colour scheme. Back in the day I was very jealous of anyone with one of those...