Silly commuting racing

rjsterry

Ugh, that was hard work. A severe case of Friday legs, coupled with the heat and I was running on fumes by the time I got to the office. The Marmotteers have my respect for riding in those considerably higher temperatures (and the small matter of those pesky Alps). I think I am more suited to colder weather.

On the plus side, I did have a good run along Millbank this morning.

asprilla

MTBs, shopping bikes and obviously new C2W roadies only this morning. Boo. Hiss.

Norky

flurblefish wrote:

Well talk about making yourself a SCR target. The scalp I took this morning belonged to a roadie with mahoosive shaved legs in team kit and topped off with a yellow TdF jersey.

Strangely, despite the leg muscles and looking fairly fresh, he was struggling to stay north of 20 on the flat. I wonder if the Yellow Jersey will be consigned to the back of the wardrobe for a while now he's been casually passed with a cheery "Morning!" by me in baggies on a mtb.

I don't normally worry too much what I wear on the bike (so long as I'm comfortable), but one rule I have is no yellow tops. Looks too much like you take yourself seriously, especially if it's a proper Tour jersey, and if you don't have the power to carry it off then that's just sad.

Chapeau for the scalp. That roadie had best ditch the jersey and put on a dress instead.

ketsbaia

Heh. Not one but two Specialized roadies were shown a clean pair of wheels by their older, heavier, uglier cousin, the Crossroads Hu8. I'm guessing now, but I'd wager my bike is the combined weight of their sleeker machines.

The best bit? The fact that, once passed, they really tried to come back at me. Perhaps in some parallel universe, boys. But not this morning and certainly not on GDS.

gbsahne001

got taken briefly this morning by a full up roadie (shaved legs, the works) whilst in pootle mode on the CX. Caught up with him at lights and it looked as though it could be fun but then he turned off.

Didn't see another bike after that.

Fodder666

I find that most days I'm commuting in the opposite direction to everyone else so I don't get to claim any scalps, on the plus side I don't get scalped either but then where's the fun in that!!!

Greg T

BSRU wrote:

I was "scalped" this morning by a roadie dressed in full blown race gear on a very nice looking Cannondale road bike, myself on a heavy hybrid, full mudguards, pannier rack, panniers, lots of lights, cameras and dressed in work clothes.

also I was at the end of my 22 minute commute and looking forward to my beans/mushrooms on toast with a mug of tea in the works restaurant.

Well....

Good News - a power ranger dressed roadie can take no joy from passing you in your current incarnation..... No scalp...

Bad news

Mushrooms and Not bacon...

You are a vegetabalist and a wrong 'un.

It should modify your FCN - dodging meat should add a couple of points. Actually perhaps it should drop them....

If I got done by a guy who happened to tell me at the next lights that had a nut roast at home to hurry for - I'd force my blackburn mini pump down my throat to end it all before the phase changed.

notsoblue

Greg T wrote:

If I got done by a guy who happened to tell me at the next lights that had a nut roast at home to hurry for - I'd force my blackburn mini pump down my throat to end it all before the phase changed.

ROFL! SCR seppuku?

wizzlebanger

WhoooooHoooooo!!! Got what I consider my first real scalp last night on the way home along the A6.

As I pulled out from my place of work saw a roadie in full Team Colours about 250m in front of me. Now there was only 1 fly in the ointment.....the lights at the only main junction about 500 metres ahead. I had to close the gap enough so that we both went through on the same cycle. Hammer down.....

He went through without slowing just as they turned green.....
I went through pumping like a loon just before they turned Red.

Game on. Unless he turns off I now have approx 3k to catch, pass and drop.

Problem...the massive effort I put in to get through the lights in causing my head to throb and me legs to twitch like a half dead animal. Tactics time.....

I decide to get my wind back but ensure that he doesn't pull away from me for a couple of minutes. Knowing the road well I think my best chance is to take him at the top of the short hill that is for some reason a real energy drain. If I can catch him before the climb, have a little moment on his wheel before the hill and then put the hammer down at the top I might have a chance......

I catch him at the hill....
I change gear ready to pounce....
damn...He hears my change and looks behind.
He changes gear...

It's now or never...

Hammer down whilst still in the seat trying to look as smooth as possible. "Evening" I calmly mutter as I pass....

"Evening" he replies.....

1-2k to next lights.....I keep the hammer down as hard as I can without looking back. Reach the lights.....
Turn around....
He's about 200-250m behind me.

FULL SCALP. OH YEAH BABY.

I don't know how many points that is but he was clad in full race lycra riding a Trek road bike.

King Donut

cjcp wrote:

Bumped into KD this morning in RP. The man's enormous! Am sure he can see over the lines of traffic for miles and miles. A bit like when a plane flies above the clouds. Me, not so much.

Good to see you, sir.

Once I winch the back up straight it certainly helps with visability. Not so good when shopping for beds or jeans though.

Glad I saw you in your post-Marmotte recovery week. Made for a pleasant ride in.

Paddy O Dawes

SamWise1972 wrote:

I have a single speed road bike...recently I started riding her for London commmutes,....trouble is, I'm 38, and my knees are starting to hurt. I've tracked it to 2 thing; there's a Mt Ventoux steep cycle path .... I have to absolutely grind up it,

FWIW, when I first started on the fixie, I made it a point of principle to climb the hill every morning - but after a couple of weeks, the nagging pain in my calf wasn't going away, so I 'did the sensible thing' and started walking up the hill. Did that for about two or three months, but I could feel the general fixie riding (jncluding some lesser hills) was strengthening my legs, so I decided to have another go, and this time, no problems.

flurblefish

Feeling hot hot hot.....

What with the weather, the remnants of a cold (yes....a cold in the middle of summer....what is with that?) a rucksack full of shopping, Friday legs and another stonking headwind that was the slowest ride home I've had in a long long time.
My scalp was clearly there for the taking so I took the strategic choice of one of the shorter routes home :oops:
Luckily the cunning ploy worked 8)

I didn't see another cyclist on the way home, unless you count the 2 teenage numpties in skinny jeans on bmxs. :x Way to go guys; why not ride along the pavement and then jump into the road and cross it on the slant without even bothering to look if anything's coming? :roll:
Luckily for them I was expecting it and had also moved to block the car behind from overtaking me and squishing them.
Hmmmm...on second thoughts....Have I just ruined the Darwin Effect? :oops:

cjcp

Hot indeed. Felt like I caned it.

I know! :idea:

Beer!

Hurrah!

dondare

Not everyone who essyars posts here, but just in case...

These things are annoying:
Overtake me up a hill then lazily coast down, getting slower and slower so I then have to pass you;
pass me at a red to get ahead, jump reds to stay ahead and then stop at a red in order have a swig from your bottle, and then still be drinking when the lights change so you're now in the way;
"break away" 50 yards before your turn off (nothing really wrong with that, just a bit childish).

Stevo_666

Stevo 666 wrote:

Won a nice joust with a bloke on a blue and silver BTwin (?) between Elephant & Castle and Camberwell Green - he provoked me a couple of times before I took the bait and then claimed put a bit of space between me and him before turning off at C'Well Green. Seems to be a regular on that route - anyone here?

Scalped Mr. BTwin again this evening - on the same stretch of road. Don't think he likes me now

SamWise1972

Paddy O Dawes wrote:

SamWise1972 wrote:

I have a single speed road bike...recently I started riding her for London commmutes,....trouble is, I'm 38, and my knees are starting to hurt. I've tracked it to 2 thing; there's a Mt Ventoux steep cycle path .... I have to absolutely grind up it,

FWIW, when I first started on the fixie, I made it a point of principle to climb the hill every morning - but after a couple of weeks, the nagging pain in my calf wasn't going away, so I 'did the sensible thing' and started walking up the hill. Did that for about two or three months, but I could feel the general fixie riding (jncluding some lesser hills) was strengthening my legs, so I decided to have another go, and this time, no problems.

Are we talking about the actual same hill? Because I don't know that this one will ever really be sensible on this bike, but if you are also talking about the same hill, well, then I'll take your word.

flurblefish

Saw the roadie I scalped on Thursday (the one wearing the yellow TdF jersey) again this morning.
Can't remember what he was riding other than it looked like it was his weekend/best road bike. He's also had the good sense to switch to a less target worthy baggy blue jersey and lycra shorts.
Still couldn't stop me from re-scalping him on my way to work though.

flurblefish

SamWise1972 wrote:

Paddy O Dawes wrote:

SamWise1972 wrote:

I have a single speed road bike...recently I started riding her for London commmutes,....trouble is, I'm 38, and my knees are starting to hurt. I've tracked it to 2 thing; there's a Mt Ventoux steep cycle path .... I have to absolutely grind up it,

FWIW, when I first started on the fixie, I made it a point of principle to climb the hill every morning - but after a couple of weeks, the nagging pain in my calf wasn't going away, so I 'did the sensible thing' and started walking up the hill. Did that for about two or three months, but I could feel the general fixie riding (jncluding some lesser hills) was strengthening my legs, so I decided to have another go, and this time, no problems.

Are we talking about the actual same hill? Because I don't know that this one will ever really be sensible on this bike, but if you are also talking about the same hill, well, then I'll take your word.

SamWise...Are you talking about the hill up from West Quay Road to the station?

El Capitano

Back on the commute after a week off work. Nothing to report though, only 1 pass, no scalps and no scalping. TBH, the roads were pretty dead of all activity... :?

jonginge

Awesome. That is all.

jonginge

Actually, no, I can't leave it like that.

This is the first day back on the commute after a week off due to marmotte recovery and office refurnishment. Felt great to be off PT and on the bike.

Set off about half an hour earlier than normal and, putney aside, there was so much less traffic (I knew this already but am quite lazy in the morning). I rode in on the Pearson and was oh so spinny along embankment and the legs felt good. There may have been a tailwind

Super happy.

WesternWay

Lovely ride in this morning.

Elton was that you early doors by Underhill going the other way to me?

Really, really nice rode in today. Full of smiles.

rjsterry

Morning Greg66! You must have tailed me up Millbank - I was the one arseing around with the taxi in the outside lane - before I followed you round P. Sq. and on to Vic Embankment. I got held up at the turn off by Portcullis House, but just about managed to catch up by the first set of lights. I was just about hanging on until that red lorry couldn't decide which lane it wanted, and you managed to slip through. By the time I got past the lorry, you were swinging off, so I had to make do with the chap in the white jersey on the BH. He was also PDQ, and I was breathing out of every orifice by the time I got to Blackfriars. I enjoyed that. 8)

@JG: shush with your talk of tailwinds.

One other thing, If it was you (EDIT: not you G66 or JG, some other chap) having an argument with an Addison Lee knuckledragger on North Street this morning, don't waste your breath, they're all like that. Just take the number down and report it. Hope the rest of your journey was better.

greg66_tri_v2.0

rjsterry wrote:

Morning Greg66! You must have tailed me up Millbank - I was the one arseing around with the taxi in the outside lane - before I followed you round P. Sq. and on to Vic Embankment. I got held up at the turn off by Portcullis House, but just about managed to catch up by the first set of lights. I was just about hanging on until that red lorry couldn't decide which lane it wanted, and you managed to slip through. By the time I got past the lorry, you were swinging off, so I had to make do with the chap in the white jersey on the BH. He was also PDQ, and I was breathing out of every orifice by the time I got to Blackfriars. I enjoyed that. 8)

Morning!

I had a gauntlet thrown at me by the railway bridge oppo Battersea power station. I was just pulling off from a standing start and a guy cam rocketing by full bore and gave me a "look" over his shoulder as he went past!

Anyhoo, I had him in the cross hairs just before DSC, and took him going past Dolphin Sq. That was where the fun started, IIRC...

I had the run of the lights, and went in between L1 and L2. I could see a string of riders along the kerb, but I had (a) momentum, and then (b) I grabbed a tow from a scooter up to MI5. That was when I found the BH rider had dug in, and I had him to contend with going into Pt Sq.

On the way round Pt Sq a grey Cannondale joined the fray, leaving me in P3 on the approach to Westminster Bridge. I took the 'dale on the exit onto Viccy Embankment and shut down the BH, but then we had some red lights ahead, so it all went neutral. Hitting the lights under Charing X Rly Bridge I went L1/L2 again and definitely got the best line; managed to sweep by a guy I've seen before whose club kit looks like the Swedish flag.

It was mostly cunning, guile and good choices this morning. But fun!

I've told you: say "hi" next time!

lost_in_thought

Urgh, I appear to have picked up a head cold. :x

Was definitely not firing on all cylinders this morning, but still managed to hold on to my scalp, and take a few roadies' for good measure.

There was some utter plonker on a roadie with a TIMBUK2 messenger bag out on the Uxbridge road this morning, seemed completely oblivious to the traffic around him, and caused a lot of sharp braking and beeping from many drivers.

Evolution will get him eventually. Muppet.

Harveytile

I ditched the pannier this morning and the inevitable happened. A sneaky roadie nipped by on a downhill and removed my scalp but it seems roundabouts and flat roads don’t suit this chap’s style of riding. Easy as pie I cruised up to his back wheel, nonchalantly adjusted helmet with one hand whilst giving a cheery wave with the other. Scalp back and safe.

Oh and I'm just riding to work, no racing here officer... :roll:

A quick rant:
To the chap on a folder who shot accross the intersection of Albany Road (B214) and Portland Street. You nearly got hit by a van - all due to your idiotic riding. Check before you decide on a suicide dash across four lanes of traffic. You give all of us a bad name :evil: .

You stopped shortly after the intersection with apparent tyre / wheel issues. Had you been better behaved I would have stopped to help. As it was I commented on your stupidity and carried on my merry way. You'll be up for a Darwin award if you persist in riding like that.

Rant Over. :!:

ketsbaia

Nearly got scalped by an imp on a full-sus mountain bike this morning, but I wasn't having any of it. Could hear him breathing down my neck but I summoned all I could from the pot of awesome and managed to hold him off.

Fast little blighter, though.

rjsterry

Greg66 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Morning Greg66! You must have tailed me up Millbank - I was the one arseing around with the taxi in the outside lane - before I followed you round P. Sq. and on to Vic Embankment. I got held up at the turn off by Portcullis House, but just about managed to catch up by the first set of lights. I was just about hanging on until that red lorry couldn't decide which lane it wanted, and you managed to slip through. By the time I got past the lorry, you were swinging off, so I had to make do with the chap in the white jersey on the BH. He was also PDQ, and I was breathing out of every orifice by the time I got to Blackfriars. I enjoyed that. 8)

Morning!

I had a gauntlet thrown at me by the railway bridge oppo Battersea power station. I was just pulling off from a standing start and a guy cam rocketing by full bore and gave me a "look" over his shoulder as he went past!

Anyhoo, I had him in the cross hairs just before DSC, and took him going past Dolphin Sq. That was where the fun started, IIRC...

I had the run of the lights, and went in between L1 and L2. I could see a string of riders along the kerb, but I had (a) momentum, and then (b) I grabbed a tow from a scooter up to MI5. That was when I found the BH rider had dug in, and I had him to contend with going into Pt Sq.

On the way round Pt Sq a grey Cannondale joined the fray, leaving me in P3 on the approach to Westminster Bridge. I took the 'dale on the exit onto Viccy Embankment and shut down the BH, but then we had some red lights ahead, so it all went neutral. Hitting the lights under Charing X Rly Bridge I went L1/L2 again and definitely got the best line; managed to sweep by a guy I've seen before whose club kit looks like the Swedish flag.

It was mostly cunning, guile and good choices this morning. But fun!

I've told you: say "hi" next time!

Will do. I can be a bit antisocial in the mornings - not intentionally, just not used to chatting. Too much riding on my own.

Wrath Rob

Not such a good morning this morning, mainly due to the guy on a MTB for front suspension who seemed quite happy to rock (literally) along Embankment at 24-25mph. He came past me at some lights (timed it better), I managed to get on his wheel but had to take a big dose of MTFU to get past. Every set of lights was a struggle after that, at least until he jumped a set and therefore forefitted any scalps. Rob FTW!

Also had a guy on a black SS Dahon with yellow decals in a yellow cycling top (not TdF) who was pretty rapid. Both about the same pace, though I think I gapped him past Temple, judging by the wait at the next TLs. Honours even, though he's about 2 points above me in the food chain.

W1

Scalped a proper shaved leg roadie on a black road bike wearing a red top along the Embankment this morning.. Full lycra and legs so lacking in fat tissue they could be in an anatomical museum. Win.