Silly commuting racing

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

Stelvio_W wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Stelvio_W wrote:

Mr Quickstep shorts on a blue Ribble wasn't quite so obliging last night: no scalp this time, but a good test all the same.

Thats me. Whats your kit and choice of weapon?

When was I more obliging? If it was last week then I was on post-marmotte-ian recovery and the week before that I was on pre-marmotte-ian "take it easy".

Had a visit from the fairy on the entry to P square and had to watch the gaggle of >FCN's that I had just left in my wake, pootle past. There is never a mavic bike when you need one.

How'd the marmotte go? I have mixed feelings about mine. Next year, next year...

Ahh so so .. first time. Wont have time next year so will be back in two to get gold (was 20 mins off)

Personally, for you I think having the steak the day before at the little place behind the Alpe was a bad idea. I would have gone for the swinging kebab or maybe even a salad !!!
!

Haha. Maybe a few fewer beers would have helped, too.

Stupid forum versus real names :oops:

Hold the 'phone! Which end of the table were you sitting?

That steak was tres bon jon.

ketsbaia

rjsterry wrote:

Butterd2 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Err, the North Downs? A bit further out, granted, but easily reachable 'before breakfast' at the weekend.

EDIT: Sorry, that's might sound a bit arsey - certainly don't mean it like that. If you're in SE London, then there are a good few climbs around Sevenoaks and Westerham, which should be within fairly easy reach, even if you jump on a train for a couple of stops to get to the 'action' quicker.

No not arsey, I do get down there at the weekends (Downs, Ide and Toys Hills etc) but even they are no real preparation for what is to come. Greenwich Park just gives me a little something midweek during my commute.

True, there are no Alpine climbs near London (unless you count Box Hill for the hairpins ) but I reckon you ought to be able to get a route along the Downs which strings together a fair bit of climbing, some of it a good deal steeper than Alpine climbs. Or if you are short of time, you could try reps of Succomb's Hill?

I did most of my Marmotte training on those very hills. Stood me in excellent stead, they did. Toys Hill from Brasted reps is pretty good as it's a long drag (although not that long by alpine standards). Westerham Hill is good practice too as the gradient is about right for the steeper alpine bits. Yorkshill is way steeper than anything you'll find in the alps (unless you're really looking). Titsey Hill's a goodish one too. But if I were to do one from that area, it would be Toys, both directions.

Stelvio_W

cjcp wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Stelvio_W wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Stelvio_W wrote:

Mr Quickstep shorts on a blue Ribble wasn't quite so obliging last night: no scalp this time, but a good test all the same.

Thats me. Whats your kit and choice of weapon?

When was I more obliging? If it was last week then I was on post-marmotte-ian recovery and the week before that I was on pre-marmotte-ian "take it easy".

Had a visit from the fairy on the entry to P square and had to watch the gaggle of >FCN's that I had just left in my wake, pootle past. There is never a mavic bike when you need one.

How'd the marmotte go? I have mixed feelings about mine. Next year, next year...

Ahh so so .. first time. Wont have time next year so will be back in two to get gold (was 20 mins off)

Personally, for you I think having the steak the day before at the little place behind the Alpe was a bad idea. I would have gone for the swinging kebab or maybe even a salad !!!
!

Haha. Maybe a few fewer beers would have helped, too.

Stupid forum versus real names :oops:

Hold the 'phone! Which end of the table were you sitting?

That steak was tres bon jon.

I was sitting to the right of Mr JG looking down the hill. I was the good looking one . Actually I think I was the only non KW there. I'm mates with Simon.

Your company was so amazing that I'll want some more action! So I am going to start up in the next few months and start coming down on Sunday mornings.

cjcp

To throw another approach into the mix, I did most of my training on the pan-flat Embankment and the undulations in Richmond Park . :oops: . Aside from the Surrey Rumble in March, I last ventured into the Surrey hills in September last year.

I basically followed JG's pat-pending intensive 2hr blocks in RP.

cjcp

Stelvio_W wrote:

cjcp wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Stelvio_W wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Stelvio_W wrote:

Mr Quickstep shorts on a blue Ribble wasn't quite so obliging last night: no scalp this time, but a good test all the same.

Thats me. Whats your kit and choice of weapon?

When was I more obliging? If it was last week then I was on post-marmotte-ian recovery and the week before that I was on pre-marmotte-ian "take it easy".

Had a visit from the fairy on the entry to P square and had to watch the gaggle of >FCN's that I had just left in my wake, pootle past. There is never a mavic bike when you need one.

How'd the marmotte go? I have mixed feelings about mine. Next year, next year...

Ahh so so .. first time. Wont have time next year so will be back in two to get gold (was 20 mins off)

Personally, for you I think having the steak the day before at the little place behind the Alpe was a bad idea. I would have gone for the swinging kebab or maybe even a salad !!!
!

Haha. Maybe a few fewer beers would have helped, too.

Stupid forum versus real names :oops:

Hold the 'phone! Which end of the table were you sitting?

That steak was tres bon jon.

I was sitting to the right of Mr JG looking down the hill. I was the good looking one . Actually I think I was the only non KW there. I'm mates with Simon.

Your company was so amazing that I'll want some more action! So I am going to start up in the next few months and start coming down on Sunday mornings.

A-ha! Howdy!

Have been keeping an eye out for Simon running over Putney Bridge, but not sightings yet.

Defnitely come down. If you're looking for gold, try to hook up with the faster club runs, too.

That swinging kebab looked mighty fine.

That sounds wrong, doesn't it?

Butterd2

ketsbaia wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Butterd2 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Err, the North Downs? A bit further out, granted, but easily reachable 'before breakfast' at the weekend.

EDIT: Sorry, that's might sound a bit arsey - certainly don't mean it like that. If you're in SE London, then there are a good few climbs around Sevenoaks and Westerham, which should be within fairly easy reach, even if you jump on a train for a couple of stops to get to the 'action' quicker.

No not arsey, I do get down there at the weekends (Downs, Ide and Toys Hills etc) but even they are no real preparation for what is to come. Greenwich Park just gives me a little something midweek during my commute.

True, there are no Alpine climbs near London (unless you count Box Hill for the hairpins ) but I reckon you ought to be able to get a route along the Downs which strings together a fair bit of climbing, some of it a good deal steeper than Alpine climbs. Or if you are short of time, you could try reps of Succomb's Hill?

I did most of my Marmotte training on those very hills. Stood me in excellent stead, they did. Toys Hill from Brasted reps is pretty good as it's a long drag (although not that long by alpine standards). Westerham Hill is good practice too as the gradient is about right for the steeper alpine bits. Yorkshill is way steeper than anything you'll find in the alps (unless you're really looking). Titsey Hill's a goodish one too. But if I were to do one from that area, it would be Toys, both directions.

Agree with all of this and thanks for a couple of new hills to look up. However my real issue is that I have limited time, I'm on my bike twice a day commuting 7 miles each way from SE London to City and I would really like to put this time to good use (other than SCR which is of course a valid use of time in it's own right).
I cannot maintain high levels of effort on the flat because of traffic/lights/crossings etc and don't think I'd survive until Sept if I tried riding up and down the A2 at night so I just feel like I'm wasting an opportunity but I can't think what the solution is other than Greenwich Park.

cjcp

Butterd2 wrote:

ketsbaia wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Butterd2 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Err, the North Downs? A bit further out, granted, but easily reachable 'before breakfast' at the weekend.

EDIT: Sorry, that's might sound a bit arsey - certainly don't mean it like that. If you're in SE London, then there are a good few climbs around Sevenoaks and Westerham, which should be within fairly easy reach, even if you jump on a train for a couple of stops to get to the 'action' quicker.

No not arsey, I do get down there at the weekends (Downs, Ide and Toys Hills etc) but even they are no real preparation for what is to come. Greenwich Park just gives me a little something midweek during my commute.

True, there are no Alpine climbs near London (unless you count Box Hill for the hairpins ) but I reckon you ought to be able to get a route along the Downs which strings together a fair bit of climbing, some of it a good deal steeper than Alpine climbs. Or if you are short of time, you could try reps of Succomb's Hill?

I did most of my Marmotte training on those very hills. Stood me in excellent stead, they did. Toys Hill from Brasted reps is pretty good as it's a long drag (although not that long by alpine standards). Westerham Hill is good practice too as the gradient is about right for the steeper alpine bits. Yorkshill is way steeper than anything you'll find in the alps (unless you're really looking). Titsey Hill's a goodish one too. But if I were to do one from that area, it would be Toys, both directions.

Agree with all of this and thanks for a couple of new hills to look up. However my real issue is that I have limited time, I'm on my bike twice a day commuting 7 miles each way from SE London to City and I would really like to put this time to good use (other than SCR which is of course a valid use of time in it's own right).
I cannot maintain high levels of effort on the flat because of traffic/lights/crossings etc and don't think I'd survive until Sept if I tried riding up and down the A2 at night so I just feel like I'm wasting an opportunity but I can't think what the solution is other than Greenwich Park.[/quote]

Turbo trainer.

Take regular visits to The Hurtbox on one of these babies and, while they can be boriing, your speed and fitness will improve.

Pufftmw

cjcp wrote:

I'm on my bike twice a day commuting 7 miles each way from SE London to City and I would really like to put this time to good use (other than SCR which is of course a valid use of time in it's own right).

Ah, what time of day on the A2? Will keep an eye out

ketsbaia

Butterd2 wrote:

ketsbaia wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Butterd2 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Err, the North Downs? A bit further out, granted, but easily reachable 'before breakfast' at the weekend.

EDIT: Sorry, that's might sound a bit arsey - certainly don't mean it like that. If you're in SE London, then there are a good few climbs around Sevenoaks and Westerham, which should be within fairly easy reach, even if you jump on a train for a couple of stops to get to the 'action' quicker.

No not arsey, I do get down there at the weekends (Downs, Ide and Toys Hills etc) but even they are no real preparation for what is to come. Greenwich Park just gives me a little something midweek during my commute.

True, there are no Alpine climbs near London (unless you count Box Hill for the hairpins ) but I reckon you ought to be able to get a route along the Downs which strings together a fair bit of climbing, some of it a good deal steeper than Alpine climbs. Or if you are short of time, you could try reps of Succomb's Hill?

I did most of my Marmotte training on those very hills. Stood me in excellent stead, they did. Toys Hill from Brasted reps is pretty good as it's a long drag (although not that long by alpine standards). Westerham Hill is good practice too as the gradient is about right for the steeper alpine bits. Yorkshill is way steeper than anything you'll find in the alps (unless you're really looking). Titsey Hill's a goodish one too. But if I were to do one from that area, it would be Toys, both directions.

Agree with all of this and thanks for a couple of new hills to look up. However my real issue is that I have limited time, I'm on my bike twice a day commuting 7 miles each way from SE London to City and I would really like to put this time to good use (other than SCR which is of course a valid use of time in it's own right).
I cannot maintain high levels of effort on the flat because of traffic/lights/crossings etc and don't think I'd survive until Sept if I tried riding up and down the A2 at night so I just feel like I'm wasting an opportunity but I can't think what the solution is other than Greenwich Park.

If you're anywhere near Crystal Palace, try Crystal Palace Park Road or College Hill. I did a few early morning sessions up there, which also helped.

Otherwise, it's the turbo. I spent a lot of time on that watching Sky+ed stages of Criterium International, Ghent-Wevelgem, etc. on the telly for inspiration.

Butterd2

ketsbaia wrote:

If you're anywhere near Crystal Palace, try Crystal Palace Park Road or College Hill. I did a few early morning sessions up there, which also helped.

Otherwise, it's the turbo. I spent a lot of time on that watching Sky+ed stages of Criterium International, Ghent-Wevelgem, etc. on the telly for inspiration.

Sadly I fear you and cjcp are right - Dammit!
Hate that thing at the best of times let alone when it's warm and sunny outside.
May take a run down to Crystal Palace though, thanks.

rjsterry

Fit a trailer?

I once toyed with the idea of a turbo. Glad I never went through with it. I'd rather cycle in the pouring rain.

cjcp

Butterd2 wrote:

ketsbaia wrote:

If you're anywhere near Crystal Palace, try Crystal Palace Park Road or College Hill. I did a few early morning sessions up there, which also helped.

Otherwise, it's the turbo. I spent a lot of time on that watching Sky+ed stages of Criterium International, Ghent-Wevelgem, etc. on the telly for inspiration.

Sadly I fear you and cjcp are right - Dammit!
Hate that thing at the best of times let alone when it's warm and sunny outside.
May take a run down to Crystal Palace though, thanks.

I created a playlist on You Tube with a mixture of songs and mountain stage clips from the TdF.

asprilla

Anyone want to share a headwind? I think I ordered too much this evening.....

cjcp

Asprilla wrote:

Anyone want to share a headwind? I think I ordered too much this evening.....

Jaysus, I was tough going.

ketsbaia

Was like cycling through memory foam this evening. Had to summon up the spirit of the Alpe to get over a railway bridge.

Smoked the older of the Specialized guys this morning - intensely satisfying, especially as it came after I'd seen off a persistent queue jumper. Loving the added smug factor afforded me by the new bag I need to keep hutching round my back as I cycle along.

cjcp

Pufftmw wrote:

cjcp wrote:

I'm on my bike twice a day commuting 7 miles each way from SE London to City and I would really like to put this time to good use (other than SCR which is of course a valid use of time in it's own right).

Ah, what time of day on the A2? Will keep an eye out

Oops - I mess up the quote/unquote bit. It's Butterd2, not me.

Bassjunkieuk

Asprilla wrote:

Anyone want to share a headwind? I think I ordered too much this evening.....

Hmm, I'm sure your headwind was a tailwind in lovely Croydon for my briefer then usual commute this evening! The speed was somewhat effortless and I don't think I can take all the credit for it even with the step up I've taken with the gearing :-) Had a bit of fun playing with the chavs in their ickle car away from the lights - he pulled away from behind me and came racing round at about 6000rpm in first gear (not a nice noise with his tiny engine.....) before predictably swinging in front of me to get into the car park. I just kept pushing and swung past on the outside, overtook and carried on racing down the road :-D

SamWise1972

I got bossed today, in no uncertain terms. Waiting at the lights on the South side of Waterloo Bridge today, 6 or 7 bikes, but only one likely to offer competition; very fit looking bloke in shorts and t-shirt on a flat bar roadie. You never know which way it'll go with those, and though I was on my folder, I thought I could see him off. He got away quicker than me (I got away like a ****ing bus, truth be known), but I was into my stride as he hit the bus lane, and thought to start reeling him in. Trouble is, he also hit stride, got out of saddle, and cannoned off down the road. I put in just about everything I had and gave chase, managed to stop the escape, and closed the gap a little, a little, but then he looked back, saw me, and attacked again. I had a little left, but there was no way I could sustain the speed he was going now, and I dropped off. Meanwhile, we'd blown past half of London on the bridge.

I hoped to catch him at the lights across from Aldwych to offer a "Chapeau!", but he was through and gone, whilst I got caught by the red.

asprilla

Think I got overtaken by CJCP this morning on LRR.

I was chasing down a guy on a blue Condor with blue tyres who have jumped the first set of lights when someone in KW shorts on a Scott CR1 cruised past (with a flat bar roadie in tow!).

vorsprung

I was trying to take it real easy and I nearly succeeded

I got all the way to the last hill on the A38 doing a snails pace when a chap on a Look bike went past
So I knocked the changer up two gears and immediately dropped him

Some of the schools must have shut for the summer, definitely less traffic coz I did 25mph straight round the roundabout at the bottom of the hill

El Capitano

Holy Down Pours Batman! :shock:

Rode in today mostly through standing water and driving rain. Didn't see another cyclist on the road (obviously they've got more sense than me...). Tailwind was excellent, giving me quite a good average speed, considering the conditions.

The ride home's going to be a slog...

Norky

MonkeyMonster wrote:

No-hands + sitting upright
Blowing nose
Doffing cap and "a cheery good morning to you sir/madam" (delete as applicable)
Freewheeling while pretending to look at watch and tapping it to make sure its stll ticking

Any others...

Reading a paper (broadsheet of course), perhaps asking the scalpee if he's managed to do the swine of a crossword - "any ideas on 16 across old chap?"
Giving oneself a manicure/shave/brushing teeth.
Mixing cake dough in a bowl (okay, I might be getting a little silly now...

cjcp

Asprilla wrote:

Think I got overtaken by CJCP this morning on LRR.

I was chasing down a guy on a blue Condor with blue tyres who have jumped the first set of lights when someone in KW shorts on a Scott CR1 cruised past (with a flat bar roadie in tow!).

You were on the Cervelo? I did wonder, but thought it was a bit late for you. Sorry I didn't say hi.

That flat bar chap was chuffin' annoying. He took a tow (despite the stonking tailwind) from the top of Dark Hill in RP, overtook me down the hill, then he took another tow when I re-took after the Robin Hood roundabout until just before the start of bike lane on Priory Lane. He re-took me when I plainly wasn't going to tow him, and he then started up again on the LRR. Rode way too close to me given the slippery conditions. Didn't even say thanks for the tow either. :roll:

asprilla

cjcp wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Think I got overtaken by CJCP this morning on LRR.

I was chasing down a guy on a blue Condor with blue tyres who have jumped the first set of lights when someone in KW shorts on a Scott CR1 cruised past (with a flat bar roadie in tow!).

You were on the Cervelo? I did wonder, but thought it was a bit late for you. Sorry I didn't say hi.

That flat bar chap was chuffin' annoying. He took a tow (despite the stonking tailwind) from the top of Dark Hill in RP, overtook me down the hill, then he took another tow when I re-took after the Robin Hood roundabout until just before the start of bike lane on Priory Lane. He re-took me when I plainly wasn't going to tow him, and he then started up again on the LRR. Rode way too close to me given the slippery conditions. Didn't even say thanks for the tow either. :roll:

Yup, that was me dressed for the rain that never arrived!

Flat bar did seem a bit of a mentalist the way he was filtering though the other bikes and traffic on the way down the other side of PB. He was getting very close to everyone and weaving though any half gap that presented itself.

Here's hoping he's got a donor card.

rjsterry

What a waste of a tailwind Nobody about; loads of traffic; greasy ironwork everywhere.

Bah!

cjcp

Asprilla wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Think I got overtaken by CJCP this morning on LRR.

I was chasing down a guy on a blue Condor with blue tyres who have jumped the first set of lights when someone in KW shorts on a Scott CR1 cruised past (with a flat bar roadie in tow!).

You were on the Cervelo? I did wonder, but thought it was a bit late for you. Sorry I didn't say hi.

That flat bar chap was chuffin' annoying. He took a tow (despite the stonking tailwind) from the top of Dark Hill in RP, overtook me down the hill, then he took another tow when I re-took after the Robin Hood roundabout until just before the start of bike lane on Priory Lane. He re-took me when I plainly wasn't going to tow him, and he then started up again on the LRR. Rode way too close to me given the slippery conditions. Didn't even say thanks for the tow either. :roll:

Yup, that was me dressed for the rain that never arrived!

Flat bar did seem a bit of a mentalist the way he was filtering though the other bikes and traffic on the way down the other side of PB. He was getting very close to everyone and weaving though any half gap that presented itself.

Here's hoping he's got a donor card.

You did seem kitted out

Yeah, he was weaving just before the NKR, too. Another roadie let him go, too.

Right ol' pootle today - as rjst says, waste of a stonking tailwind, esp down Millbank.

jonginge

What is this talk of wasting tailwinds? Just because there is no sport? Disappointed by you all *shakes head*

Race yourself! Say,'Take that, last week me!'

Span up to above 33mph on Chelsea Embankment today. No scalps in sight, just for the fun of it. MTFU.

W1

rjsterry wrote:

What a waste of a tailwind Nobody about; loads of traffic; greasy ironwork everywhere.

Bah!

Very nearly lost the back end on a wet manhole cover this morning - whey do they always place them on the "racing line" around bends? Obviously I made a heroic recovery and kept it upright.

Tailwind was handy, not looking forward to the ride home though!

richred_uk

Damn you all coming North with a tailwind - you know what we call it travelling North - South? A bleeding 'orrible headwind everything felt like I was 2 gears higher this morning - no ability to get any speed going.

Rich

ketsbaia

Top tip: Track-standing Specialized fixie riders at the East Street junction of OKR. Admiring your own track-standing is all well and good, but when you fail to notice the lights have turned green as a result, it does make you look rather silly. Especially when an FCN 13 casually rounds you and takes your scalp with him.