Silly commuting racing

biondino

cjcp wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I fondly remember being to "get f*cked" by one such youth when I asked why his toy wasn't quicker....

I don't see the point in scooters. I mean, I do, but I don't.

I do - I commuted on one in London. They are the *perfect* commuting machine for those who want to get from a to b as quickly as possible without sweating. Quick, cheap, narrow, nippy and immense fun*.

*except in winter, brr

ketsbaia

Kieran_Burns wrote:

cjcp wrote:

biondino wrote:

Hey, are any of you lot the bearded big chap on the be-panniered MTB with a frog attached to the rack, who I encountered both last night and this morning? You are one powerful m**********r!

A frog? You sure? Stay off the drugs, kid.

how was it attached? Was it ribbited on?

That's awful. Let's hope it doesn't spawn a spate of similarly dreadful puns.

cjcp

Retched traffic after CB tonight. Gah!

Pyscho-nut-job driver on the WBR/NKR junction, too. Having a right ol' rant at a cyclist. His mood didn't improve when a few of us looked at him with bemused smiles on our faces.

Bassjunkieuk

Rather good ride home this evening with a nice surprise! Not that I think this rider is on here otherwise they would have many tales of crushing scalps but I encountered a chap aboard a blue Genesis SS in Camberwell today heading towards Denmark Hill. He looked fairly quick and certainly had the legs to back it up.

My competitive side wasn't going to be beaten up a HILL by someone with a single gear on their bike and by god did he push me hard! I don't think I've ever managed to maintain that speed (18-20mph) up Denmark Hill before and he matched me stroke for stroke :shock: I got ahead initially in a sprint from the lights and from that point on he STUCK to my rear wheel.

I had a brief bit of respite before the climb up towards Crystal Palace where I managed to pass a Paragon rider. I suspect this might have gone un-answered as he may have been racing at CP Park as I saw him again (and got a friendly "Hello"!) as he rolled up to the lights at the top of Anerley Hill with another Paragon jeresy clad rider before heading off down the road.

rjsterry

The Dahion is killing me. I've done something nasty to my ankle (down to pedalling on flats with no toe clips for the first time in about 15 years, I reckon) and I arrived home absolutely spent this evening. A day on PT tomorrow I think.

On the positive side, I did give a chap on a proper SS a good run for his money. Eased past at least three times, only for him to catch up at the next lights. He finally got away for good in Balham.

Greg T

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Unless he sees, catches, overtakes and scalps G66 who I think is the only scalp worthy person willing to admit it on here on a normal commute...

Now now then....

Let's not get all deferential on other Greg's sunbed tanned arse shall we.....

He's hard work at the best of times but that will just send him over the edge.

If "normal commute" around here means immersing yourself in a lactic bath twice a day I'd suggest that worthiness is the head of the scalper...

I'd be as pleased about dropping other Greg as I would of Pulling an attractive Thai Lady Boy in a bar (they look similar).

It would all be great right up to the point that the initial rush of excitement was over and you were faced with the sudden realisation that your prize was an effeminate man. All be it with geat nails, long hair and an expensive skin care regime (you see - the analogy is perfect - or is that androgeny?).

I obviously still would of course - success is a numbers game.

MonkeyMonster

Wheeeeeee
That was fun if a little chilly to begin with. Gaggle of scalps from lazy roadies, seriously guys make it a bit harder though did kick off one chasing me to take it back but he never overtook before turning off again so its in the bag.

Morning all

itboffin

So here my story from last nights wet & foggy ride home

I hoofed it down the first hill from the station to be met by heavy rain and thick fog, what followed is a blur, somehow the bike slipped sideways, which I caught managing to stay upright, then launched myself and bike up across the grass bank through a hedge, all the while still on the bike, across the edge of the field and back through the hedge at which point the bike stopped and I flew off head first, I picked myself up did a quick in the dark check of the bike and me and headed off, praising my CX skills but wondering why my legs, neck and ear hurt so much?

Anyway that was just under two miles in to the ride, queue more heavy rain bad roads and fog then 2 miles from home I get a visit from the PF which I tried to ignore but alas with no luck, by now i'm totally wet and cold and blood is most def coming out of my ear. 45 mins of struggling with the spare tube I start inflating only to find i've damaged the spare it in the battle, time for the support vehicle, a shower and short nights sleep, this is gonna hurt tomorrow

it's tomorrow and it does hurt, everywhere

Bassjunkieuk

I think the semi decent weather we've had has awoken all the hibernating fast cyclist and I seem to be finding quite a few now!

This mornings fun and games started with a rather enthusiastic chap through Camberwell on a slicked up white Scott MTB. Very aggressive away from each set of lights and got upto a decent speed (about 23mph!). He couldn't quite maintain that speed tho so I could nip past as he backed off and carrying on cruising at that speed. He did get a brief jump on me whilst filtering towards the shops but I then got him back and didn't see him after that.

Spotted the yellow Ortileb bagged courier again today but his RLJing meant he was long gone before the lights changed for me. Just before they did change a chap on a Surly roadie went through so he set himself up as my next target! he RLJ's at The Cut and heads up past the station but again as our lights change a new target appeared - a black Bianchi. You could see from the way he was sprinting towards the station that he was quick and I set off after him like a greyhound. Caught up just past the station and passed him at around 28mph but neither of us would let up. The blasted lights around the IMAX roundabout where all in our favour so no rest there and we both headed over WB. A split second decision to filter round a nodder attempting to move round a bus was probably the only let up in pace and from then on it was a cause of full speed ahead captain!! I just about held it together until the far side where the lights where (thankfully!) red. He then proceeded to jump them and disappeared around Aldwych.

Cafewanda

itboffin wrote:

So here my story from last nights wet & foggy ride home

I hoofed it down the first hill from the station to be met by heavy rain and thick fog, what followed is a blur, somehow the bike slipped sideways, which I caught managing to stay upright, then launched myself and bike up across the grass bank through a hedge, all the while still on the bike, across the edge of the field and back through the hedge at which point the bike stopped and I flew off head first, I picked myself up did a quick in the dark check of the bike and me and headed off, praising my CX skills but wondering why my legs, neck and ear hurt so much?

Anyway that was just under two miles in to the ride, queue more heavy rain bad roads and fog then 2 miles from home I get a visit from the PF which I tried to ignore but alas with no luck, by now i'm totally wet and cold and blood is most def coming out of my ear. 45 mins of struggling with the spare tube I start inflating only to find i've damaged the spare it in the battle, time for the support vehicle, a shower and short nights sleep, this is gonna hurt tomorrow

it's tomorrow and it does hurt, everywhere

Car today then? Remove the word 'invincible' from your diary mate. No longer applies

cjcp

Some young buck had a pop on Millbank this morning, but his title bid never got off the ground. He'd been RLJing and even slowing to answer a text it seemed on his mobile on the NKR (terrific idea, that one).

Waiting at VB lights, I look around at the gears and everyone's in a 39-something or on a SS, so figure they're all going to scoot away from me and maybe be ahead by the Morpeth. That turns out to be the case, but as we approach the Morpeth and I'm reeling in those who have more urgency off the mark than me, I hear the clunk, clunk of gears and see said young buck coming past, in a crouch, on the drops. Futile, young lad; absolutely futile. But it's very definitely On.

He moves in front of me, thinking victory is his, but before he knows it, I've moved out and Mr Sulu has been given the order to engage warp speed. Goodnight, Vienna.

greg66_tri_v2.0

cjcp wrote:

Some young buck had a pop on Millbank this morning, but his title bid never got off the ground. He'd been RLJing and even slowing to answer a text it seemed on his mobile on the NKR (terrific idea, that one).

Waiting at VB lights, I look around at the gears and everyone's in a 39-something or on a SS, so figure they're all going to scoot away from me and maybe be ahead by the Morpeth. That turns out to be the case, but as we approach the Morpeth and I'm reeling in those who have more urgency off the mark than me, I hear the clunk, clunk of gears and see said young buck coming past, in a crouch, on the drops. Futile, young lad; absolutely futile. But it's very definitely On.

He moves in front of me, thinking victory is his, but before he knows it, I've moved out and Mr Sulu has been given the order to engage warp speed. Goodnight, Vienna.

Excellent work! Sometimes it is worth (ever so slightly) playing possum off the lights with a missed pedal clip in just to see who's up for it...

The Running Man

@itb :

I was going to do a long ride home last night and saw the colour of the sky over to the east and decided to cut it short at 27. The rainstorm that lashed down in Calne almost as soon as I got through the door was pretty brutal. I said to SWMBO that I really wouldn't want to be out in that so if you were battling through the wind and rain chapeau fella!

Sorry to hear about the "off" and trust you'll be ok for next week.

One piece of friendly advice : generally speaking I find hedges are not particularly condusive to forward progress so as a rule they are best avoided ....

rjsterry

Greg66 wrote:

Sometimes it is worth (ever so slightly) playing possum off the lights with a missed pedal clip in just to see who's up for it...

Quite agree. Let 'em think they're pulling out a lead then steam past. Much more satisfying than leading from the front, although I do have a habit of leaving it too long and letting them get to the other side of a red light :oops:

King Donut

@ CJ, did I see you sneaking a pootle and gas-bagging* like a granny through DSC last night?

*don't listen to http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gas%20bagging kids, it means "talking"

cjcp

rjsterry wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Sometimes it is worth (ever so slightly) playing possum off the lights with a missed pedal clip in just to see who's up for it...

Quite agree. Let 'em think they're pulling out a lead then steam past. Much more satisfying than leading from the front, although I do have a habit of leaving it too long and letting them get to the other side of a red light :oops:

Unfortunately, Possum Drive off the lights is the only speed I have off the lights. I have to rely on winding up Big Bertha to get past, which means I risk picking up members of the Cadel Evans Fan Club.

ketsbaia

Mountain-biking, day-glo rucksack-wielding clipless pedalling cheat. It doesn't count if you jump red lights, you berk. And I'd have had you for breakfast were it not for my chain coming off on the coarse pavé of Surrey Canal Road. Next time, my friend. Next time. :evil:

itboffin

@Cafewanda CAR?!? you wash your mouth out young lady, i've just prepared the CX if i'm going off road I might as well be on the right steed :?

@TRM where did the fog come from? rain & wind but fog, in May.... :shock:

I'm going back to the scene of the crime I want to see just what's on the road that caused my off.
My neck, lower back and ankles hurt and my ear is throbbing like a bastard, grrr!

Kieran_Burns

itboffin wrote:

@Cafewanda CAR?!? you wash your mouth out young lady, i've just prepared the CX if i'm going off road I might as well be on the right steed :?

@TRM where did the fog come from? rain & wind but fog, in May.... :shock:

I'm going back to the scene of the crime I want to see just what's on the road that caused my off.
My neck, lower back and ankles hurt and my ear is throbbing like a bastard, grrr!

I still can't work out why you decided to throw yourself through a hedge... I mean okay, you almost had an off, but why decide to lob yourself into a field? :? :P

Clever Pun

itboffin wrote:

So here my story from last nights wet & foggy ride home

I hoofed it down the first hill from the station to be met by heavy rain and thick fog, what followed is a blur, somehow the bike slipped sideways, which I caught managing to stay upright, then launched myself and bike up across the grass bank through a hedge, all the while still on the bike, across the edge of the field and back through the hedge at which point the bike stopped and I flew off head first, I picked myself up did a quick in the dark check of the bike and me and headed off, praising my CX skills but wondering why my legs, neck and ear hurt so much?

Anyway that was just under two miles in to the ride, queue more heavy rain bad roads and fog then 2 miles from home I get a visit from the PF which I tried to ignore but alas with no luck, by now i'm totally wet and cold and blood is most def coming out of my ear. 45 mins of struggling with the spare tube I start inflating only to find i've damaged the spare it in the battle, time for the support vehicle, a shower and short nights sleep, this is gonna hurt tomorrow

it's tomorrow and it does hurt, everywhere

sorry to hear about that but the bit I've highlighted is pure a last of the summer wine style scene going through my head

cjcp

King Donut wrote:

@ CJ, did I see you sneaking a pootle and gas-bagging* like a granny through DSC last night?

*don't listen to http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gas%20bagging kids, it means "talking"

You did indeed, sir. I bumped into a club mate on Parlt Square and he was riding to Richmond Park and haven't seen him a good while. I *really* didn't like the pootling - there seemed to be a good few mini-peletons about the place.

UndercoverElephant

Clever Pun wrote:

itboffin wrote:

So here my story from last nights wet & foggy ride home

I hoofed it down the first hill from the station to be met by heavy rain and thick fog, what followed is a blur, somehow the bike slipped sideways, which I caught managing to stay upright, then launched myself and bike up across the grass bank through a hedge, all the while still on the bike, across the edge of the field and back through the hedge at which point the bike stopped and I flew off head first, I picked myself up did a quick in the dark check of the bike and me and headed off, praising my CX skills but wondering why my legs, neck and ear hurt so much?

Anyway that was just under two miles in to the ride, queue more heavy rain bad roads and fog then 2 miles from home I get a visit from the PF which I tried to ignore but alas with no luck, by now i'm totally wet and cold and blood is most def coming out of my ear. 45 mins of struggling with the spare tube I start inflating only to find i've damaged the spare it in the battle, time for the support vehicle, a shower and short nights sleep, this is gonna hurt tomorrow

it's tomorrow and it does hurt, everywhere

sorry to hear about that but the bit I've highlighted is pure a last of the summer wine style scene going through my head

Off to visit Marina, Old boy?

itboffin

Just waiting for the train to work but to be honest I have no memory of the ride here, everything seems a little weird.

Clever Pun

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Off to visit Marina, Old boy?

don't get it I'm afraid.. all I know about lotsw is a rubbish scene with an old giffer in a bathtub out of control down a hill

cjcp

Clever Pun wrote:

itboffin wrote:

So here my story from last nights wet & foggy ride home

I hoofed it down the first hill from the station to be met by heavy rain and thick fog, what followed is a blur, somehow the bike slipped sideways, which I caught managing to stay upright, then launched myself and bike up across the grass bank through a hedge, all the while still on the bike, across the edge of the field and back through the hedge at which point the bike stopped and I flew off head first, I picked myself up did a quick in the dark check of the bike and me and headed off, praising my CX skills but wondering why my legs, neck and ear hurt so much?

Anyway that was just under two miles in to the ride, queue more heavy rain bad roads and fog then 2 miles from home I get a visit from the PF which I tried to ignore but alas with no luck, by now i'm totally wet and cold and blood is most def coming out of my ear. 45 mins of struggling with the spare tube I start inflating only to find i've damaged the spare it in the battle, time for the support vehicle, a shower and short nights sleep, this is gonna hurt tomorrow

it's tomorrow and it does hurt, everywhere

sorry to hear about that but the bit I've highlighted is pure a last of the summer wine style scene going through my head

@ITB - God is telling you one of two things: (i) stop riding, or (ii) move house. Do neither :twisted: Cracking CX skills, dude.

Paul E

Well it's my first proper commute to work tomorrow after moving down here, done lots of dry runs, god knows what the morning will hold, as I start work at 10 I am leaving home around 8:15 so I can pottle a bit to keep something in reserve and allow enough time to sort myself out at the other end, will there still be people riding in around 9 ish???

cjcp

Paul E wrote:

Well it's my first proper commute to work tomorrow after moving down here, done lots of dry runs, god knows what the morning will hold, as I start work at 10 I am leaving home around 8:15 so I can pottle a bit to keep something in reserve and allow enough time to sort myself out at the other end, will there still be people riding in around 9 ish???

Howdy. Welcome to The Big Smoke.

There are still plenty of riders on my route (from SW London) at 9am, but not so much at 0930/1000.

Good luck with the commute. Leaving at 0815 should give you plenty of time.

King Donut

cjcp wrote:

You did indeed, sir. I bumped into a club mate on Parlt Square and he was riding to Richmond Park and haven't seen him a good while. I *really* didn't like the pootling - there seemed to be a good few mini-peletons about the place.

Thought as much I clocked the red bike and KW shorts but you were deep in conversation so I didn’t want to be rude.

A whole load of meh going on for me at the moment, not feeling the love out there. Haven't had a good bit of SCR for a couple of months now - just been enjoying the ride in the good weather and luckily avoiding any serious contenders.

King Donut

@ Paul E - Sorry if you've said already, where's the commute from?

ketsbaia

Paul E wrote:

Well it's my first proper commute to work tomorrow after moving down here, done lots of dry runs, god knows what the morning will hold, as I start work at 10 I am leaving home around 8:15 so I can pottle a bit to keep something in reserve and allow enough time to sort myself out at the other end, will there still be people riding in around 9 ish???

I'm usually binging down the Old Kent Road around 9ish. I'll be the dark blue blur you notice briefly as you glance to the right.