Silly commuting racing

1…633634636638639…2536

Comments

  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    MonkeyMonster wrote:
    Bassjunkieuk wrote:
    despite the extra wind resistance from the keyboard box poking out my backpack I re-took him :-)

    Keyboard likely more than doubled your normal surface area :D

    :lol:

    I came back via The Mall which was great fun but had the pace ruined by a rudy ambulance turning out of Horseguards!! Me and 2 taxi's had to stomp on the anchors to let him out.
    Who's the daddy?
    Twitter, Videos & Blog
    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Grrr. Just checked the bike. The darned PF has paid a visit. First time the Duranos have suffered an unscheduled deflation. Been using them since Dec, so not bad. But, still: Grrr.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    cjcp wrote:
    Grrr. Just checked the bike. The darned PF has paid a visit. First time the Duranos have suffered an unscheduled deflation. Been using them since Dec, so not bad. But, still: Grrr.

    Something worked it's way in since Sunday?
    Who's the daddy?
    Twitter, Videos & Blog
    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Nah. Was using the Contis on Sunday. Grr.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • davis
    davis Posts: 2,506
    Well, that was bracing. Another bit of countryside SCR.

    I was going fairly well, but not really hammering it (damn near popped a lung yesterday) when I spot a rare cyclist ahead. It looked from his baggy (long-sleeved -- huh?)top that he might have been just a bloke out on a bike, but as I approached he stood up for a slight incline and lo, there were tights. Oh, in fact he's on a road bike too, so we're probably close in FCN (I'm wearing zipped-off walking trousers). My my... It's on.

    So.. skin breathing engaged, I spin up behind him, and coast along for a bit, purely to let the freehub's clicking announce my presence, you understand... A couple of seconds' checking for oncoming traffic, and I spin merrily past with a cheery "On your right..... How do". A sideways glance reveals not only is he on a road bike, he's on the same bike as me. Blissful.

    A little blast of speed, and I'm away, briefly held up by a horse (and you think you have it bad with traffic lights, hah!) off, up the hill.

    Got a new PB on the way home too. :-)
    Thanks fella.
    Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    This evening I came up to a red light in Musselburgh to find a roadie waiting in the ASL. He's on a new looking matt-black Specialized. "Evening", I said, cheerily. He just gave me "The Look" and said nothing.

    Oh dear me, you, Sir, are so dead when the lights turn green.

    As the lights are turning on the other cycle he starts a little early, I wait for the light in front of me to change and I overtake relatively quickly. Then I put the hammer down and drop him over the next mile or so.

    How rude to be both ignorant and slow. :lol:
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • gbsahne001
    gbsahne001 Posts: 1,973
    gbsahne wrote:
    took a roadie in disguise this morning; nice bike and man on civvies riding it, until I look a bit closer and then I see some lycra peeking out of his baggies.

    He kept up with me (presumably drafting) for about 5 miles and then I lost him on some fast straights


    Did the same guy again tonight, he wasn't very happy about it!
    Winter Hack
    Everyday Commuter
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    Rather productive ride home via the Embankment this evening :-) Although with the gas works it was more a case of practising the filtering, although it is satisfying to keep up with people filtering down the RHS as you judge the gap to perfection betwixt kerb and wing mirror!

    I hung back at Battersea Bridge and may have taken a small lift off the nice black Merc. Serves the rest of those ejits for pushing to the front when there's nothing to be gained!

    Had one of those "shall I, shan't I" moments after passing over Wandsworth RB - a nice young lady aboard a Cannondale roadie made for a nice bit of eye candy before I decided to do on past her and power on up the road ahead. I even managed to scalp a scooter who was just plain dawdling a bit to much whilst filtering up the RHS - high-vis vest and L-plates suggested a not so confident rider so I stood up and overtook when the traffic cleared coming towards us :twisted:

    As could be predicted by sods law the days when my legs are still feeling the exertions of the w/e I get ideal conditions on my run towards Streatham Station - an un-obstructed bus lane and a green light which is my sign to light the afterburners down the short hill. Hit 34 before I started coasting and keeping level with another scooter rider :-D
    Who's the daddy?
    Twitter, Videos & Blog
    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    A very annoying amount of traffic tonight. The gnarl-up pre-Embankment is a right nuisance, as is the disruption by CB.

    Not as much as if you were in a car though. :mrgreen:
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,495
    cjcp wrote:
    A very annoying amount of traffic tonight. The gnarl-up pre-Embankment is a right nuisance, as is the disruption by CB.

    Not as much as if you were in a car though. :mrgreen:

    Chuffing traffic! Really don't enjoy filtering, especially straight into the sun, meaning I can't really see wing mirrors and the like. Should have swung over VB and over to Stockwell, but couldn't resist a crack at the gaggle of riders waiting at VB lights as I arrived. Timed it perfectly to hit the green light except all those in front dawdled, allowing a coach to pull off then swing left in front of me. Bah!

    Quite pleased with my sprint up the hill to Clapham Common, but fairly quite otherwise.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • kurako
    kurako Posts: 1,098
    Coming along Commercial Road this morning. Pretty strong head wind. I passed a likely looking lad on a new looking Trek road bike (grips were white not grimy grey!). He had baggies and flappy hi-viz which probably evened up the FCN a bit. Every time I checked over my shoulder I could see him just behind. He looked like he was working quite hard to try to haul me back in. I put in an extra burst to destroy his spirits. I'm sure I'll pay for it later. :)

    Did I mention the head wind? Ouch!
    Univega 700
    Univega Via Strato
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    That was a wee bit breezy, eh?

    Highlights include:

    Thoroughly overhauling a guy on a matt charcoal-coloured pinarello. Ahahahaa. :twisted:

    Repeatedly overtaking an RLJ-ing numpty in jeans and trainers.

    The hilarious motocross-style start at the Hyde Park Corner roundabout. Greeen green green greeeeeeeeeeenyellooooww RED! Engage bicycle carnage! Raaaaaaah!

    Lowlights include:

    Inhaling a good chunk of my hair. Damn hair.

    Seeing an idiot woman on a (fitting) white bike try to race up the inside of a left-indicating truck, getting alongside the front of the trailer just as the lights changed. Trucker didn't see her, how could he, but somehow she escaped being squashed.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • HamishD
    HamishD Posts: 538
    You sir, yes you! Are a serious game player.

    Grey Giant hybrid, baggies, tshirt, old fashioned toe clips, going from Bexley to Baker Street. Doing 25 all the way from New Cross to Hyde Park Corner. Every time I looked over my shoulder there you were . . . just about kept my scalp intact :oops: , no thanks to the pub last night. Chapeau . . . 8)
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Traffic was a nightmare on the embankment speedway last night, but there were plenty of riders about. Quite a few lycra'd up roadies, but none of them wanted to play... Either they were on the way to a TT or they should really be ashamed of themselves :P

    Saw an odd sight in Richmond Park on the way back; a large herd of Roe deer was being chased by a jogger... Back and forth on a field between Sheen and Roehampton gate. Like a kid chasing pigeons but this chap looked to be in his late 20s with all the running gear. Weird...
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • El Capitano
    El Capitano Posts: 6,401
    Headwind again this morning. Should bode well for the ride home. Took the long way in, along the coast road and over the barrage. No real SCR this morning. Did have a roadie pull up behind me and stay there for a short while, but he gave up without me putting in too much effort.
    1 2 3 4 (Dead)5 6
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,495
    Legs like a pair of over-used rechargeable batteries this morning. The power appears to be there at first, but drops off alarmingly when called upon for any length of time. Too much mashy-mashy last night down through The Wrythe.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    Ahh... what a scalp last night and boy should he be a sorry lad this morning.

    Picked up a (ribble [I tihnk] with yellow jersey) roadie at Millbank roundabout and thought - ooh, this could be amusing when he clocked me over taking and sped up. Lights at millbank were red and so from clean start I steamed ahead down DSC and didn't see him till he tried to blast past about 1/2 way along that stretch where it has a small rise. Having none of this I sped up and easily got him back thinking game on. We filtered up that shitty crappy piece of lights blockage (come on roadworkers - fix that now today please) and beetled over chelsea bridge rise with him ahead as he once again tried to get away - silly boy. Egging him on repeatedly down chelsea emabankment with pretend over takes to make him speed >25 up every 10 seconds we get to battersea bridge and I can see the poor lad is flagging. Little bit more baiting in the short stretch between bridges and its time to go me thinks. He stays on the inside line as we go round cheyne walk and I up the speed and go with the traffic and power past and he doesn't even try. 20 seconds later I life saver and the poor lad is gone in the dust. Nice scalp though and one to definitely remember.

    Morning all
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • kona_matt
    kona_matt Posts: 475
    finally, some prey on my commute this morning :D

    spotted him from quite a distance and started reeling him in and as i got closer it was quite that it was going to be an easy scalp. as i steamed past my heart sank, he's on a budget full sus that probably weighs 3 times what mine does. :( poor b@stard, no wonder he was going so slow.
    FCN 9 - 2008 Kona Cinder Cone
    FCN 9 - Custom Build On-One 456
    FCN 5 - 2010 Boardman Team Carbon
  • Coach H
    Coach H Posts: 1,092
    I think Brian at washingmachinepost, in his own particular way, is making an observation on SCR here http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/
    Coach H. (Dont ask me for training advice - 'It's not about the bike')
  • kurako
    kurako Posts: 1,098
    Coach H wrote:
    I think Brian at washingmachinepost, in his own particular way, is making an observation on SCR here http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/

    "quite where the bragging rights reside in overtaking a middle aged bank manager on a brompton, when he is blissfully unaware that there is any hint of competition, i cannot begin to comprehend."

    He obviously hasn't read the rules on the 1st page. There aren't going to be too many bragging rights for that particular feat :lol:
    Univega 700
    Univega Via Strato
  • martinc
    martinc Posts: 422
    Haven't posted on here for over a year due to infrequent commuting thanks to freelancing all over the place etc.

    Anyway, today did my 1st notable commute - Kingston to Chertsey. Certainly makes a change from the usual Embankment shanannigans.

    Out through Kingston, Hampton Court, Lower Sunbury and into Chertsey. 20km and only about 3 sets of traffic lights. Think I only had to put a foot down once. Lurvely. Especially with the wind behind me.
    Passed a Dynamos boy and a couple of others on their way in but not a single cyclist heading in my direction. Bizarre.
    All good.
    Always in stealth mode
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,495
    martinc wrote:
    ...Think I only had to put a foot down once. ...

    <daydreams of a mythical TL-free London>
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    rjsterry wrote:
    martinc wrote:
    ...Think I only had to put a foot down once. ...

    <daydreams of a mythical TL-free London>

    Learn to trackstand :)
    My entire motivation for working out trackstands has been red lights.
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,495
    Aidy wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    martinc wrote:
    ...Think I only had to put a foot down once. ...

    <daydreams of a mythical TL-free London>

    Learn to trackstand :)
    My entire motivation for working out trackstands has been red lights.

    Meh. You're still stopping and starting. I was imagining more non-stop like when you're out in the lanes.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • waddlie
    waddlie Posts: 542
    Please can I have an FCN adjudication for my new steed?

    [deleted by mod due to malware from bikereviews . com. Please DO NOT embed images from or link to this site]

    It's basically a Giant Defy with flat bars. A fast hybrid would give an FCN of 7, my hairy legs mean calling it a roadie would make it a 4. I think a FCN of 5 would be appropriate. any objections?

    Yes, this is a rather sad way of showing off the fact that I'm getting a new bike. Flat-bar haters please form an orderly queue before commencing the bitchery...
    Rules are for fools.
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    hmmm, I think we shook up the ratings last time using Sheldon (rip) - a roadie has drop bars, fast hybrid is flat bar with 700c/29'' wheels regardless of frame geometry. if you've got 26inch wheels/slicks its an mtb with slicks (like mine)
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • waddlie
    waddlie Posts: 542
    So I've just spent £800 on a new bike (minus cyclescheme savings, of course) to only rise one place up the food chain? Ouch. Still, scalpee scalpee catchee monkey...
    Rules are for fools.
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Waddlie wrote:
    So I've just spent £800 on a new bike (minus cyclescheme savings, of course) to only rise one place up the food chain? Ouch. Still, scalpee scalpee catchee monkey...

    Points and laughs at the hybrid. :lol:
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    Waddlie wrote:
    So I've just spent £800 on a new bike (minus cyclescheme savings, of course) to only rise one place up the food chain? Ouch. Still, scalpee scalpee catchee monkey...

    Points and laughs at the hybrid. :lol:

    Points an laughs as he scalps you :D
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    martinc wrote:
    Out through Kingston, Hampton Court, Lower Sunbury and into Chertsey. 20km and only about 3 sets of traffic lights.

    Horrible, horrible road surface from Hampton Court to Lower Sunbury though.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX

Categories