Silly commuting racing

ketsbaia

It's not a good sign when you jump a red light before even joining the race, Mr Pearson. If you'd obeyed the rules, I'd have handed you a spanking, but as you paid scant regard to road legislation, I had no option but to ease up and make do with scalping the law-abiding fixies instead. Kudos to fixie girl for giving it some effort round the Bricklayers Arms roundabout - I bet that three-second lead felt like an eternity until we passed just before GDS.

asprilla

I need to join a cycling club, as at the moment I find myself in a void between commuter cyclists and those that know their cycling. Commuters of all kinds are left in my wake, but weekend racing snakes leave me trailing without any discernible effort.

I'm in no mans land and need help.

anton1r

Got caught up in a small commuter peloton this morning twas fun. 8)

At about mile 1 I noticed a roadie pulling out onto the road from a junction up ahead. As I was already up to speed I passed him (though i'm not counting that one) and naturally proceeded to put on a bit more power to avoid being over taken straight away.
At about the 2 mile mark with the roadie still behind me I spotted a dude on a fixed SS complete with messenger bag and without helmet up ahead. Now I could see he was spinning away but obviously had his gearing issues and so I was gaining. As I was passing the fixed rider, the roadie flew past only for his progress to be halted by a red light. The 3 of us stayed together for a mile or so, hitting numerous red lights until and short downhill with a longish stretch after, where the roadie and I left the fixed rider behind again i suspect his gearing was letting him down here, but Edinburgh's pretty hilly so I cant blame him for his gearing choice. At yet another red light just before a short uphill stretch the roadie and I laughed at the amount of reds we'd hit and then when the lights went green off we went and the roadie promptly put me and my hybrid in my place.

Either way an enjoyable ride to work. also +1 to me as i don't lose my scalp for being over taken by the roadie do i?

jonginge

Asprilla wrote:

I need to join a cycling club, as at the moment I find myself in a void between commuter cyclists and those that know their cycling. Commuters of all kinds are left in my wake, but weekend racing snakes leave me trailing without any discernible effort.

I'm in no mans land and need help.

You need to take a long, hard look at yourself.

And then you need to join KW. Not been on one for a while but, apparently, the sunday club runs are now really well attended.

dhope

Carradice SQR Slim turned up at work today. How does a saddlebag affect my FCN... does it count as a pannier? Replacing a record bag which I assume was neutral.
Not that the FCN matters, as nobody is racing...

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

I need to join a cycling club, as at the moment I find myself in a void between commuter cyclists and those that know their cycling. Commuters of all kinds are left in my wake, but weekend racing snakes leave me trailing without any discernible effort.

I'm in no mans land and need help.

You need to take a long, hard look at yourself.

And then you need to join KW. Not been on one for a while but, apparently, the sunday club runs are now really well attended.

+1. After a while, your legs will be blessed with power beyond your wildest dreams and you shall rise to a higher plane.

kona_matt

week off this week, hit by a bout of manflu. all fired up for monday morning, come on cyclists of essex, i need some company on my commute! see you monday morning on the A1245 (you know, the old A130)!

Oddjob62

Was planning on taking it easy after legs in the gym last night, but ended up doing a few quicker pace laps than expected thanks to Mr Red MTB with slicks.

Cheers again.

Greg T

cjcp wrote:

+1. After a while, your legs will be blessed with power beyond your wildest dreams and you shall rise to a higher plane. (after joing a club)

AND

You get to dress up!

Everyone's happy.....

Unless you are a London Dynamo and aren't allowed to smile

Wrath Rob

No power in the engine room this morning. Ended up just behind a steel fixie ridden by a guy in a black cap. I was about 0.5-2mph slower. Cruel fate arranged the traffic lights so that he'd pull slowly away before getting stopped at a light and allowing me to catch up again, over and over again.

Where were my Monday legs when I needed them?

Yeah, yeah, MTFU. I know

DonDaddyD

Asprilla wrote:

I need to join a cycling club, as at the moment I find myself in a void between commuter cyclists and those that know their cycling. Commuters of all kinds are left in my wake, but weekend racing snakes leave me trailing without any discernible effort.

I suffer this bane but mainly with hills.

On a flat I'm practically biblical. Small children weep in pain, too much is the blur of my image for their young irises; I'm told they tell their parents and their parents dismiss my passing as a figment of their imagination an excuse for comfort and McDonalds. Others describe me as a nuclear option for the modern day commuter.

However, with all that power and instinctive technique comes great responsibility and setbacks. You know how Bruce Banner can't find a pair a jeans to survive the Hulking of his thighs? Well I share the same problem. Despite loosing width in all areas except my neck and 'smithy' my thighs are larger now than life! And while lost in my rage of biblical speed I lose the discipline to sit and climb hills.

I suppose I could join a club, but they'll just say "track bike", "track bike" and "track bike". I feel hunted by track bike coaches world wide, like Superman does from Lex Luthor. His thighs could also leap tall buildings in a single bound.

So anyway, I suppose I should join a culb to learn and push myself up them hills. Or I could go the other route and get a TT bike and wage war on speed, time and the very notion of physics.

Just saying is all.

Bassjunkieuk

DonDaddyD wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

I need to join a cycling club, as at the moment I find myself in a void between commuter cyclists and those that know their cycling. Commuters of all kinds are left in my wake, but weekend racing snakes leave me trailing without any discernible effort.

I suffer this bane but mainly with hills.

On a flat I'm practically biblical. Small children weep in pain, too much is the blur of my image for their young irises; I'm told they tell their parents and their parents dismiss my passing as a figment of their imagination an excuse for comfort and McDonalds. Others describe me as a nuclear option for the modern day commuter.

However, with all that power and instinctive technique comes great responsibility and setbacks. You know how Bruce Banner can't find a pair a jeans to survive the Hulking of his thighs? Well I share the same problem. Despite loosing width in all areas except my neck and 'smithy' my thighs are larger now than life! And while lost in my rage of biblical speed I lose the discipline to sit and climb hills.

I suppose I could join a club, but they'll just say "track bike", "track bike" and "track bike". I feel hunted by track bike coaches world wide, like Superman does from Lex Luthor. His thighs could also leap tall buildings in a single bound.

So anyway, I suppose I should join a culb to learn and push myself up them hills. Or I could go the other route and get a TT bike and wage war on speed, time and the very notion of physics.

Just saying is all.

We should go out for rides.........heading south out of London until we find some "proper" hills and get you practicing! Failing that there is always the clockwise option at RP to take in Broomfield :-) As has been said before the only way to get better is to tackle em head on! I had to learn to discipline myself and now I'm actually enjoying them and see them as a nice little challenge!

Zav

Greg T wrote:

Unless you are a London Dynamo and aren't allowed to smile

You will get a smile from me, unless you are RLJing!

pinkbikini

Greg T wrote:

Everyone's happy.....

Unless you are a London Dynamo and aren't allowed to smile

Often smiling, but you can't see that if you're drafting.
Cheeky f8cker.

UndercoverElephant

Oh dear, Greg, you've angered the grumpy roadies.

Bassjunkieuk

I suppose it's also difficult to see them smile when they RLJ as well ;-)

Now where's the "stoking the fire" smiley when you need it

DonDaddyD

And this, will likely be my final commute until the forseeable future.

Your scalps are now safe.

I pass the mantle of godly-thighed-jedi to Bassjunkie, treat him with as much fearfilled respect as you did me.

Peace, one, bless!

Bassjunkieuk

DonDaddyD wrote:

And this, will likely be my final commute until the forseeable future.

Your scalps are now safe.

I pass the mantle of godly-thighed-jedi to Bassjunkie, treat him with as much fearfilled respect as you did me.

Peace, one, bless!

What do you mean "pass it on"? I don't think you ever caught me to grab it ;-)
Still I shall take good care of the small portion of The Drag Strip I now frequent on your behalf until you return in a years time!

Good luck mate and when is the Airnimal arriving

El Capitano

Meh, got scapled this morning.

Guy on a light blue Bianchi, full mudguards, wearing baggies. Got me on the incline out of Sully. Went past so quickly, I didn't have time to catch his wheel as I can't stand up on the pedals ATM. Caught up (slightly) as the road flattened out and on the slight descent, but he was absolutely flying.

Although I'm not riding at 100% at the moment, I don't even think if I was firing on all cylinders I'd have managed to hold him off.

Well done sir.

asprilla

Got scalped by a guy on a black Felt going though RP this morning. I held onto hos wheel and probably could have taken my scalp back, but he was clearly quicker than me. He filtered much better than me though the beginning of Priory Lane and got 100m ahead. I tried to reel him back in but to no avail.

Chasing him meant that lots of other scalps were taken, but I didn't really notice them. Was nice to have a chase on.

I also noticed that Kingston BC have got involved in cycle training; going up Kings Road from Richmond Road this morning and a lamppost mounted sign told me that I was doing 26mph and then displayed an unhappy face. Obviously KBC want me to MTFU and I thank them for investing in movtivational signage.

lost_in_thought

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

I suppose it's also difficult to see them smile when they RLJ as well ;-)

Now where's the "stoking the fire" smiley when you need it

Yeah, exactly, all the ones I see behaving badly look rather glum. Maybe it's the multitasking that gets 'em.

Mind you, there's a Phoenix guy I see occasionally who does a fine line in both RLJing and looking grumpy.

I have SPDs! Hurrah! They're single-sided with a normal other side, because I have to go places in London for meetings and this way I can cycle! Yay! I didn't actually struggle too much with getting the right side, which was nice.

However, my saddle's too low. Argh my legs.

No really satisfying scalps to report, flew past a couple of roadies, but y'know, that's just normal service.

In interesting FCN modification questions.....

I have a bag that's attached to the bars. A bar bag if you will.

It looks like this:



What's that going to do to my FCN?

greg66_tri_v2.0

Had a really nice, quick ride in this morning; mixing it with the scooters along Millbank, the whole 9 yards.

I'm approaching LBR, easing off and sitting up, and about 30m from the Xing, Lemond man comes by. Whereas I'm slowing for the roundabout, he seems to be accelerating into it.

Tractor Beam! Engines to max!

He took what I'd call an "Edinburgh Military Tattoo" line through LBR, with me hanging on. Nip & tuck though through the cars, lorries and scooters from :BR to Pt Sq; he really doesn't slow much for narrow gaps.

We pull up at Pt Sq lights and (a) he's breathing heavily - good! (b) his quads are in spasm - even better!

Snap acceleration off the lights from us both. Not a time to try competitive filtering, so I play the percentages and follow his line. He kicks a bit on the short drag up to Westminster bridge/Viccy Embankment, and I follow. We both swing he left hander onto Viccy Embankment at pace, in a gaggle of mopeds (WTF was it with these fecking mopeds this morning? All it needs is flashbulbs and I'll feel like Princess Di).

And now it begins. Quickly up to 48k; I sit out of his draft at 4.30. He shoulder checks and sees me. Good. No relaxing for you sonny. First set of lights is green. Second is green. This is now beginning to set warning lights and danger sirens off. I'm pretty grateful not to be on the front. I'm damned certain I don't have the gas today to make a decisive break. Damn. Peel off at my exit, and start sucking in air properly.

mantaray

I passed a guy on a unicycle, on Embankment by Battersea Bridge last week.

Now what's the FCN of that? I don't think the number of wheels were factored in.

lost_in_thought

Greg66 wrote:

Had a really nice, quick ride in this morning; mixing it with the scooters along Millbank, the whole 9 yards.

I'm approaching LBR, easing off and sitting up, and about 30m from the Xing, Lemond man comes by. Whereas I'm slowing for the roundabout, he seems to be accelerating into it.

Tractor Beam! Engines to max!

He took what I'd call an "Edinburgh Military Tattoo" line through LBR, with me hanging on. Nip & tuck though through the cars, lorries and scooters from :BR to Pt Sq; he really doesn't slow much for narrow gaps.

We pull up at Pt Sq lights and (a) he's breathing heavily - good! (b) his quads are in spasm - even better!

Snap acceleration off the lights from us both. Not a time to try competitive filtering, so I play the percentages and follow his line. He kicks a bit on the short drag up to Westminster bridge/Viccy Embankment, and I follow. We both swing he left hander onto Viccy Embankment at pace, in a gaggle of mopeds (WTF was it with these fecking mopeds this morning? All it needs is flashbulbs and I'll feel like Princess Di).

And now it begins. Quickly up to 48k; I sit out of his draft at 4.30. He shoulder checks and sees me. Good. No relaxing for you sonny. First set of lights is green. Second is green. This is now beginning to set warning lights and danger sirens off. I'm pretty grateful not to be on the front. I'm damned certain I don't have the gas today to make a decisive break. Damn. Peel off at my exit, and start sucking in air properly.

How on earth could you tell his quads were in spasm? Was he in short shorts? Or a Borat-style mankini? Or did you give him a comforting pat on the thigh?

Speeds in mph please. I've told you before.

EDIT: I freakin' hate it when lights which are always red suddenly decide to be green. Grrr.

ketsbaia

I passed the same guy on a mountain bike six times this morning. He was up on the pavement and through every red light he could find. When I made my last overtaking manoeuvre on GDS, I turned casually to my left, adjusted the strap on my backpack and said nonchalantly: "Six." Then gave him the disappearing view of my aris'.

asprilla

ketsbaia wrote:

Then gave him the disappearing view of my aris'.

You were making a hanging tapestry whilst cycling? Now that's nonchalant scalping...

Or do you just wear it like a cape?

greg66_tri_v2.0

lost_in_thought wrote:

How on earth could you tell his quads were in spasm? Was he in short shorts?

He was in short rower shorts - that turned into an all in one shorts/vest combo, but the give away was that I could see them twitching 'n' quivering 'n' shaking in a way that was most certainly not voluntary.

Wrath Rob

Poor SCR action from me this morning. I was feeling pretty good on Embankment, scalping a guy in an Altura Night Vision (dark not hi-viz) jacked riding a Specialized something. I think he was boiling in the bag though as he was doing a great line in head nodding as I came past.

The feeling evaporated pretty quickly as coming through DSC I got done by a guy in a white cotton t-shirt on a hybrid with a pannier on the back. I was doing 24-25 at the time so he must have been 26-27 :!: I MTFU and got onto his wheel but he filtered right at VB and disappeared over the bridge

Had a few other roadies try it on but no serious challenge until I got to the far side of P'Square where I spied the SS guy I ran into late last week. Had a better look this time and he's riding a Condor in faded peppermint green with a black cap. This time with Monday legs I thought the challenge was on. I went past on the stretch past Westminster bridge, he filtered past the white line at the lights setting up a nice contest. Lights go Green, we set off, I get stuck behind a stupid Kings Ferry coach and he's suddenly gifted a massive lead. I caught up just before Blackfriars but he turned off. Gutted.

Oh, and to the guy in a dark blue top riding a white SS roadie who pushed past me at Albert Bridge lights, if you're going to do something that impolite, at least have the courtesy to set of quickly and be able to do more than 20mph to not hold up the person you've just hacked off. Well done, mup-wit

Can anyone guess I didn't get enough sleep last night?

asprilla

Wrath Rob wrote:

Poor SCR action from me this morning. I was feeling pretty good on Embankment, scalping a guy in an Altura Night Vision (dark not hi-viz) jacked riding a Specialized something. I think he was boiling in the bag though as he was doing a great line in head nodding as I came past

You know how you should report dogs locked in cars on hot days? Same goes for this guy, for his own good.

rjsterry

Spotted my first too-hot-for-a-shirt commuter this morning. He had pretty good pace, but turned off on Trinity Road, so never really got to go for the scalp. C Common, QTR and the Embankment were eerily quiet this morning (a bit later than usual, but that normally means busier), so no action to speak of.