Silly commuting racing

W1

rjsterry wrote:

Meh.

Massive queue all the way from the exit of Blackfriars tunnel to Parliament Square, for no apparent reason (wouldn't be those lovely motorcyclists would it? They may well let cyclists through, but the massive queues they generate aren't so obliging). Passed a couple of dawdling roadies on DSC, but after that, my heart just wasn't in it. Pootled the rest of the way - V. tired.

Seriously - go south of the river at Blackfriars or Southwark and back over to the Embankment at Lambeth bridge - 3-4 minutes faster for me in the evenings now.

cjcp

W1 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Meh.

Massive queue all the way from the exit of Blackfriars tunnel to Parliament Square, for no apparent reason (wouldn't be those lovely motorcyclists would it? They may well let cyclists through, but the massive queues they generate aren't so obliging). Passed a couple of dawdling roadies on DSC, but after that, my heart just wasn't in it. Pootled the rest of the way - V. tired.

Seriously - go south of the river at Blackfriars or Southwark and back over to the Embankment at Lambeth bridge - 3-4 minutes faster for me in the evenings now.

But change is bad; we don't like change.

Seriously though, what's the road like along there now? When I commuted along the South Bank to Southwark Bridge a couple of years ago, the road was in a dreadful condition.

itboffin

First commute since my little trip to the hills and I PB it :-)

Noice!

rjsterry

W1 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Meh.

Massive queue all the way from the exit of Blackfriars tunnel to Parliament Square, for no apparent reason (wouldn't be those lovely motorcyclists would it? They may well let cyclists through, but the massive queues they generate aren't so obliging). Passed a couple of dawdling roadies on DSC, but after that, my heart just wasn't in it. Pootled the rest of the way - V. tired.

Seriously - go south of the river at Blackfriars or Southwark and back over to the Embankment at Lambeth bridge - 3-4 minutes faster for me in the evenings now.

Do you go past the iMax and Waterloo then? the traffic always seems to be bad between Waterloo and Westminster Bridge, or do you go further south?

asprilla

Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow is my current form, just no consistency.

I was pootling along at steady 32-34kph this morning and then I hit the park and suddenly 30kph felt like some insumountable barrier. Depressing, especially as I've got a triathlon on the 25th.

itboffin

The damnest thing on this mornings commute, my commute is far from flat but I took each hill this morning at almost the same speed as the flat, two things crossed my mind, one I can see the top of each climb, the value of which should NOT be under estimated, two I told myself to make the most of any dry weather for sure as night follows day it'll so be ice in the morning again in Windshire.

I'm not saying it was easy, no way was it, I'm still sweating 40mins later, what I'm saying is mind over matter really worked, this morning atleast, we will see if it holds for this evening.

mr_ribble

So today I was sans bike, instead I was running in, but using exactly the same route along the Embankment. Always disheartening to watch every Shem, Ham, and Japheth pass by on their bikes, knowing that if you were riding it would be a veritable scalp fest.

Anyhows, I took an old man on a mobility scooter on Millbank, at speeds of circa 8mph and then a fat women on one of those kid's scooters outside's Boris's place of work. Given that I was laden with a rucksack I believe those are valid scalps.

The HMS Belfast had a ship up beside it today, and there was some serious tugging action going on. I am not a seamen myself, but there was definitely an air of excitement down there, and I think the other ship may have been going back out to sea as it looked as though Tower Bridge was about to open.

Happy days

Wrath Rob

rjsterry wrote:

W1 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Meh.

Massive queue all the way from the exit of Blackfriars tunnel to Parliament Square, for no apparent reason (wouldn't be those lovely motorcyclists would it? They may well let cyclists through, but the massive queues they generate aren't so obliging). Passed a couple of dawdling roadies on DSC, but after that, my heart just wasn't in it. Pootled the rest of the way - V. tired.

Seriously - go south of the river at Blackfriars or Southwark and back over to the Embankment at Lambeth bridge - 3-4 minutes faster for me in the evenings now.

Do you go past the iMax and Waterloo then? the traffic always seems to be bad between Waterloo and Westminster Bridge, or do you go further south?

I used to go that way, past Southwark Tube, up The Cut, round the back of Waterloo and up Lambeth Bridge road. I stopped as the road surface is crap, there are hundreds of traffic lights and while the Embanknment route is slightly longer, provided you're doing more than 17mph its quicker as you stop a lot less. I now do Embankment both ways and take the rough with the smooth regarding traffic.

greg66_tri_v2.0

itboffin wrote:

one I can see the top of each climb, the value of which should NOT be under estimated

Amem, brother. A-fcuking-men.

I rode in Monday & Tuesday feeling pretty good. Didn't ride yesterday as I had a post-work thing. This morning: felt like someone had dumped a couple of pints of lactic in each quad. WTF?

W1

Wrath Rob wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

W1 wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

Meh.

Massive queue all the way from the exit of Blackfriars tunnel to Parliament Square, for no apparent reason (wouldn't be those lovely motorcyclists would it? They may well let cyclists through, but the massive queues they generate aren't so obliging). Passed a couple of dawdling roadies on DSC, but after that, my heart just wasn't in it. Pootled the rest of the way - V. tired.

Seriously - go south of the river at Blackfriars or Southwark and back over to the Embankment at Lambeth bridge - 3-4 minutes faster for me in the evenings now.

Do you go past the iMax and Waterloo then? the traffic always seems to be bad between Waterloo and Westminster Bridge, or do you go further south?

I used to go that way, past Southwark Tube, up The Cut, round the back of Waterloo and up Lambeth Bridge road. I stopped as the road surface is crap, there are hundreds of traffic lights and while the Embanknment route is slightly longer, provided you're doing more than 17mph its quicker as you stop a lot less. I now do Embankment both ways and take the rough with the smooth regarding traffic.

Yep, I go past Imax and Waterloo. I started doing it when the Embankment was getting completely snarled up between Blackfriars and Parlt Sq - often to a complete halt, unable to filter. I know there is now a cycle-lane along part of that, but when the traffic is bad it's agonisingly slow - 17mph would be a dream most evenings between 6 and 7pm!

So I started heading south instead and whilst it doesn't make much logical sense in that you have to cross the river twice it is quicker because the traffic is much lighter and you don't get stuck at all. Comparing the two it is genuinely quicker to go south.

The surface is, indeed, crap though.

jonginge

Greg66 wrote:

itboffin wrote:

one I can see the top of each climb, the value of which should NOT be under estimated

Amem, brother. A-fcuking-men.

I rode in Monday & Tuesday feeling pretty good. Didn't ride yesterday as I had a post-work thing. This morning: felt like someone had dumped a couple of pints of lactic in each quad. WTF?

Thought the same on Sunday on the croix fry. That cafe at 2km to the summit was very misleading :x

Same here: commuted mon and tues. I felt great on monday but my legs were complaining very loudly the next day. A couple of days rest for me.

Wrath Rob

W1 wrote:

I know there is now a cycle-lane along part of that, but when the traffic is bad it's agonisingly slow - 17mph would be a dream most evenings between 6 and 7pm!

THe cycle lane has removed a lot of the parking along Embankment meaning that its much easier for cyclists now. There are only a couple of spots, 1 by Temple and the other by Embankment Tube, where you can get stuck now. Even last night I could easily do 18+ along the cycle lane, although I grant you there are a couple of spots where the cycle lane stops and filtering can become tough.

Bassjunkieuk

I really should have porridge more often! Felt great coming in this morning, cruising along around the 21 mark and even had a couple of nice SCR bouts.

First off down towards QTR from the lights by the cross roads I have a couple of roadies to toy with. Got held up by a truck as it slowed for the speed table crossing but that just meant I could use it for shelter to get back some speed :-)

Myopic van driver on the r/b before Battersea Park needs to learn a few observational skills and how to use a r/b properly, thankfully I was expecting him NOT to spot me so avoided a collision.

Good fun once I got away from the north side of CB. I just missed the lights so had to wait which gave me a chance to collect victims :-) I was joined by one of the QTR riders, a nice Trek with a facemask on (he was clearly breathing heavily earlier!) and a old-skool Peugeot. As we pulled round the corner the two of them went for it so I just wound it up nicely to keep pace. Trek guy soon fell by the wayside which left me and the Pug guy to battle.....he was certainly a quick lil bugger! I managed to maintain 25/26 which seemed to be enough to shake him as I couldn't see him on shoulder checking as I approached the snarled up traffic at VB.

Not much rest before hitting Millbank and I tucked in behind a Prius with a taxi up my jacksy :-) I put on a spurt of acceleration from god-knows-where (later realized I hit just over 33!) to keep with the Prius and stay ahead of the taxi before eventually being re-joined by Pug guy on approach to PS. Spotted him watching a leggy brunnette in short skirt/boots combo on a folder and commented "nice sight in the morning" and he responded "yeah takes all sorts!"

Arrived at work still feeling very fresh! God bless those slow energy release oats :-D

W1

Wrath Rob wrote:

"W1 wrote:

I know there is now a cycle-lane along part of that, but when the traffic is bad it's agonisingly slow - 17mph would be a dream most evenings between 6 and 7pm!

THe cycle lane has removed a lot of the parking along Embankment meaning that its much easier for cyclists now. There are only a couple of spots, 1 by Temple and the other by Embankment Tube, where you can get stuck now. Even last night I could easily do 18+ along the cycle lane, although I grant you there are a couple of spots where the cycle lane stops and filtering can become tough.

[/quote]

I'll give it another crack then and report back. I suppose the cycle lane can be clogged with nodders though? I should add that if it's a late evening (like last night - around 10:00pm) I'll go north of the river. It's only when the traffic is snarled up that it's slower.

I also think there's something in the traffic light phasing - I always seem to get caught on the Blackfriars down ramp!

It's Embankment all the way in the mornings though!

rjsterry

Dropped a shaved roadie with clip-on aero bars along DSC, and again from the VB lights, but otherwise feeling rather run down. Pootling by the time I got to Moorgate. Very much looking forward to next week's holiday.

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

itboffin wrote:

one I can see the top of each climb, the value of which should NOT be under estimated

Amem, brother. A-fcuking-men.

I rode in Monday & Tuesday feeling pretty good. Didn't ride yesterday as I had a post-work thing. This morning: felt like someone had dumped a couple of pints of lactic in each quad. WTF?

Thought the same on Sunday on the croix fry. That cafe at 2km to the summit was very misleading :x

Same here: commuted mon and tues. I felt great on monday but my legs were complaining very loudly the next day. A couple of days rest for me.

Have commuted all week, so my legs feel ok. BUT, so much for my intended recovery week, FFS: last night, I had sweat pouring from my cap as a result of my efforts to keep my scalp. I *am* taking it easy tonight and tomorrow.

itboffin

so I'm about to boris bike dressed head to toe in full length Lycra, I'm sporting the sausage smuggler look this morning, damn I'm hot LOL teeheeehee 

Pufftmw

Hmm

Last night was meant to do some weights but went back to my flat, cba and had a snooze instead - felt totally cross with myself Back to the office and set off for home like a dervish, not max effort but giving it some beans, helped by the mild tailwind. Got pretty lucky with most of the lights resulting in 24 mins - not a PB but respectable all the same.

This morning got to the bottom of my road and front tyre looked/felt awful squishy so I pulled over & Pumped TFU then set off into the headwind. Pretty uneventful, thought I might get some challenge from a SS & another roadie up Lewisham Way but no such luck - fortunate really as I started to flag near the top.... Rest of the trip was done in reasonable style but don't you just hate it when you have a persistent RLJ with you? You leave him behind but he catches you at the next lights, breezes through, you overtake again, he catches at the lights, breezes through... One chap must have done this 5 times today before I got lucky with the lights. Caught 2 of my couriers up on TBR & then had to fight to get up the bridge because it was going up for some paddlesteamer or other :roll:

Going to check vid again but Ketbasia, what time NKR today?

jds_1981

Pufftmw wrote:

& then had to fight to get up the bridge because it was going up for some paddlesteamer or other :roll:

Did you make the jump at the top? :twisted:

Pufftmw

jds_1981 wrote:

Pufftmw wrote:

& then had to fight to get up the bridge because it was going up for some paddlesteamer or other :roll:

Did you make the jump at the top? :twisted:

Haha - I would have tried on the Gary Fisher but I was on my roadie and I'm kinda partial to my crown jewels, as is the g/f

itboffin

So what gives ...?

No Boris bikes around Waterloo, had to bleeding walk to Holborn. :evil:

SimonAH

itboffin wrote:

So what gives ...?

No Boris bikes around Waterloo, had to bleeding walk to Holborn. :evil:

Dressed as a Sausage Smuggler? :shock:

itboffin

SimonAH wrote:

itboffin wrote:

So what gives ...?

No Boris bikes around Waterloo, had to bleeding walk to Holborn. :evil:

Dressed as a Sausage Smuggler? :shock:

yes :roll:

Bassjunkieuk

itboffin wrote:

SimonAH wrote:

itboffin wrote:

So what gives ...?

No Boris bikes around Waterloo, had to bleeding walk to Holborn. :evil:

Dressed as a Sausage Smuggler? :shock:

yes :roll:

Baggies ftw :-) Also have the practical benefits of pockets so I don't need to faff around for lock key and building pass and also a handy FCN adjuster :-D

Aidy

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

itboffin wrote:

SimonAH wrote:

itboffin wrote:

So what gives ...?

No Boris bikes around Waterloo, had to bleeding walk to Holborn. :evil:

Dressed as a Sausage Smuggler? :shock:

yes :roll:

Baggies ftw :-) Also have the practical benefits of pockets so I don't need to faff around for lock key and building pass and also a handy FCN adjuster :-D

Pockets are a large part of the reason I wear baggies.

That, and I'm a mountain biker really.

DonDaddyD

20 miles of headwind everyday. All week. On the way home is no fun.

It's not even fair, I certainly don't get 20miles of headwind on the way into work.

I held onto a Specialized Tricross from somewhere between Colliers Wood and Tooting. Dropped him up Balham hill but a combination of lights and cars meant I had to let him go by Clapham Common. If this was Monday it'd be a different story.

I've gone past the point of pain and entered new depths of my engine. This depth holds no bounds but it is one where sheer ferocious power is secondary to endless stamina. Gone seems my uncanny ability to sprint recover and sprint and in its place is the steady metronome of cadence and paitence. I like it. I managed to keep my bike up at around 20mph until London Bridge. 18mph past Stratford on the way to Goodmayes.

Still I managed to teach a guy on a Giant Bowery who had earlier RLJed the meaning of The PowerAwesome (tm). You see I stay out wide right in the bus lane on the approach to Stockwell tube. Giant Bowery was dithering with the other commuters, noticed me, grabbed my wheel and drafted. The lights were green so I clenched my thighs found 27/28mph, beat the lights and left him gasping in shock and horror at the frightening thought that this large (should be a "boxer or rugby player") man could so elegantly make a sprint look so beautiful.

---

Next Chapter

I love my commute, I love the contrast of life that London brings. I start at Wimbledon and everything seems so peaceful and nice. Cyclists are in the mind of the motorists and due to the sheer volume of us, the cycle superhighway and things like Sky ride, dare I say things have improved.

It makes for great fun. Between almost every set of lights from Tooting to London Bridge there's a sprint happening. Stopped at a red light is a sprint waiting to happen. I love the self perpetuating irony of it. I love participating in it.

The City is a lot more rough, busy, time consuming and time hungry. Everyone is in such a rush its a wonder how anyone took the time to build it. Almost instinctively I go slow purposefully to recover and to take in its beauty.

Then I get to Aldgate and onwards out of London via East London to Essex. Now there's a contrast, salt of the Earth, ethnic diversity, social prosperity and social deprivation. I'm sure I could find all of those things, but I don't. You see there are less traffic lights in this part of the World and they are spread further apart. From Aldgate to Goodmayes I hardly pass another cyclist. There is just me, my bike and the road to enjoy. Nothing but a solitary 10 mile TT to work. God I love it!

It's not quite the same on the way back, there always seems to be a headwind.

cjcp

DonDaddyD wrote:

20 miles of headwind everyday. All week. On the way home is no fun.

MTFU

As you were.

DonDaddyD

cjcp wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

20 miles of headwind everyday. All week. On the way home is no fun.

MTFU

As you were.

How many miles a day is your commute?

This is why I should have printed on my jersey: 'From South Wimbledon to Ilford each way, everyday, always'.

ketsbaia

Pufftmw wrote:

Going to check vid again but Ketbasia, what time NKR today?

About 9.20.

On the number 21 bus.

And ironically, I spotted plenty of riders who looked like they might provide some competition.

Will be heading back on the bike, though. At around 6pm.

kurako

itboffin wrote:

So what gives ...?

No Boris bikes around Waterloo, had to bleeding walk to Holborn. :evil:

Had my first go on a Boris bike today. OMG they weigh a friggin tonne. Got a nice wobble approaching the Knightbridge/ Sloane St junction when I tried to change up a gear and twisted the thing the wrong way to find my legs spinning frantically and the bike barely moving!

Is it possible to move the saddle backwards? I got it to a decent height but it feels way too far forward.

EDIT: Come to think of it maybe the bars were too high. It felt like riding a Chopper!