Silly commuting racing
Comments
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Autumn is here then; park was beautiful in the mist this morning.
Conditions were perfect and I'm on a self imposed racing ban
Hope this weather lasts until Saturday.Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX0 -
To the middle aged fool in the CSC Jersey.....
Yesterday you pulled a really stupid undertaking move on a girl coming out of the gates in Greenwich park, today after you passed me down the hill (I'm riding fixed before you think that was a "win") I caught you up through Deptford.
I pass you, you jump the next red light. I pass you again you ride on the f*cking pavement to jump a red light, I pass you a third time and you jump the Reds just before Tooley St.
If you are sitting at work thinking how clever you are and how you "won" that race, you did not, you are a knob. ( i suspect you actually know this by the way you stared straight ahead as I pulled up alongside after your pavement incident).
I suspect we'll meet again soon.0 -
Boom! First ride of the new(ish) commute into work this morning.
Fulham -> NKR -> Cheyne Walk -> Parliament Sq -> Blackfriars -> Farringdon
Generally a really nice, fast route without too many traffic lights, peds. I'm used to having to negotiate Oxford Street so this is bliss in comparison.
Used to doing this route in reverse, but have never done it the other way. Lots of scalps to be had. The only serious opponents I noticed were two chaps on nice singlespeeds; a hipster looking fellow on a tarty light green bike and someone in prologue kit on a shiny Pista. They gave me a run for my money in the traffic, but whenever there was an open stretch they must have spun out. Kept my HR up nicely, thanks
Lots of fun, looking forward to the journey home!0 -
Mr_Ribble wrote:So as I go past I whisper sweet nothings in his ear and say somehat sarcastically "do you know you are meant to stop at red lights" to which he replied.... "f$%k off you hippie!"
lol, oh dear! Bit sanctimonious though, not sure what you were expecting :P I just accuse them of cheating 8)0 -
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PT today. Yuck. People who wear rucksacks on packed trains: come the revolution the first with their backs to the wall . . .
On a brighter note, last night going down the New Kent Road in the outside lane with nary a sniff of SCR action on the approach to the flyover and there’s this Royal Mail van undertaking, with the driver shouting something at me. I ignore him for a while, thinking it must be some form of abuse but eventually look his way. “Good speed, mon” he shouts and gives me the thumbs up. Which was nice
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Found the chap aboard the BMC again on the way home last night. An annoying SPD failure pulling away from VB lights saw him lead through DSC. He'd already got halfway across the 3 lanes before the lights changed and my right foot came out as I moved off :x I lead away from the lights after the petrol station to CB. I'm sure he turned off down there as well but I don't recall seeing him again after that.
Ride in this morning was interesting. Old skool Pinarello jumped the lights by Clapham Common so I had someone to chase heading down towards QTR. Was all ready for a bit of a go down QTR only for a bald older gent on a Cannondale to come belting past! He was just about followed by the Pina guy and I duly jumped on them.
I was expecting some trouble over CB once me and Cannondale chappie had the bus lane to ourselves but he went on the shared cycle path and avoided the lights by the park gates.
Along DSC I was chasing/leading a guy on a Specialized (I think) TT bike, bullhorn + aero bars. He was quick and along with a guy on a red Cannondale with yellow decals made sure I didn't get a chance to let off the gas along Millbank :-)0 -
Girl on a Blue Pearson SS, who I have seen before as recently as last week. Saw her on first on NKR, and she is still in the mix until somepoint near VB. Held good speed so hats off to her
Aside from that, no competition. Had a drafting fairy all the way from P Square to the Blackfriars upramp.0 -
pitchshifter wrote:
Aha it was you! I recognise the Cadence logo and the knogg I was on a Scott Hybrid, black Planet X top, Brown Crumpler. 0 -
notsoblue wrote:Mr_Ribble wrote:So as I go past I whisper sweet nothings in his ear and say somehat sarcastically "do you know you are meant to stop at red lights" to which he replied.... "f$%k off you hippie!"
lol, oh dear! Bit sanctimonious though, not sure what you were expecting :P I just accuse them of cheating 8)
Ahh but accusing them of cheating means that you are ouwardly admitting to racing [which I wasnt....naturally]
I think pulling people up on their RLJing antics and applying peer pressure if an effective way of reining these guys in.0 -
cjcp wrote:Came in about 30 mins earlier, today. Felt like The Wacky Races out there.
Ha! I dropped 66 minor at school, so came in a bit later than normal. Quite as a churchyard. I even had the luxury of being able to ride slowly so I could soak up how nice the day is.0 -
Mr_Ribble wrote:Ahh but accusing them of cheating means that you are ouwardly admitting to racing [which I wasnt....naturally]
I think pulling people up on their RLJing antics and applying peer pressure if an effective way of reining these guys in.
To be fair, I'd rather admit I was racing than go out of my way to give people a dressing down. Not because I don't think they've done anything wrong. But because there are few people who would actually take what you say on board. "f$%k off you hippie!" is the most likely reply, but at best they'll probably just ignore you. Its unlikely that they'll begin a session self-flagellation and hail Marys when they get home...
It looks like you're on the same route as me, what time do you hit NKR? 0 -
Wow. What a lovely morning for cycling.
And imagine my surprise when I get to the bottom of Casella Road to see a bloke on a black and white BMC pootling past. The hare is off and, like a moth to a flame, I'm inexorably drawn to his back wheel. But wait, he's moving too slowly, so I drop a cog, up the cadence and make sure I adjust my bag as I breeze past.
Then I hear him in my wake, the scream of coasting Shimano gears ringing in my pinned-back ears. He has me honest, holding a steady 25+ mph past Asylum Road, Kwik Fit and Peckham Park Road. I'm not dropping him, but he's damned if he's getting past either.
But just as battle is properly engaged, I'm left crushed, disappointed and cheated as the swine jumps the red light at B&Q.
Tutting audibly, I trackstand like a cycling memorial statue until green means go, go go. Cranking up the awesome, I spy him stuck at Glengall Road lights and, justice reigning, the lights turn as I approach. I freewheel past before upping the gas again to leave him trailing in my wake of awesome power.
Beaten, he veers right and turns up Dunton Road. I time-trial my way to the office at a stunning 18.9mph average.
Lovely morning for cycling.0 -
Mr_Ribble wrote:
I think pulling people up on their RLJing antics and applying peer pressure if an effective way of reining these guys in.
Its an effective way of repeatedly being called a tw*t. No RLJ of note for me today, although I do find it spoils most SCR activity as most of the speedier people seem to jump the occasional one. Lovely day this morning, my computer battery is dead so I feel liberated in having no speedo or timer to look at, just enjoying the ride! 0 -
I know what you mean! I left a bit late, too, and was soon too warm in legwarmers*. I couldn't do much about that but the armwarmers did get rolled down. Beautiful day for ridingGreg66 wrote:cjcp wrote:Came in about 30 mins earlier, today. Felt like The Wacky Races out there.
Ha! I dropped 66 minor at school, so came in a bit later than normal. Quite as a churchyard. I even had the luxury of being able to ride slowly so I could soak up how nice the day is.
Coz I left late I also passed the delightful LondonLivvy going in the opposite direction near mortlake green.
* I'm trying to keep my complaining right achilles from getting cold...0 -
notsoblue wrote:Mr_Ribble wrote:
It looks like you're on the same route as me, what time do you hit NKR?
This morning I hit the NKR @ about 8:05, so P Square at about 8.20am and then Tower Hill at 8.35am
Thats a bit late for me usually. On some occasions I am even later and I will bump into CJCP. I have been doing this route for four years, but alas this is my last week. Friday is my last day at work, before I leave to do a masters so there wont be any SCR action for me after that:)
My final comment on the RLJ.... I admit that I dont usually say anything. It pisses me off, but its their decison to do it. However the fact that he caused a car to take evasive action, made me feel like I had to say something.
End of rant!0 -
Fair enough, I understand where you're coming from. I'm more pragmatic about it though, if I spoke up every time someone jumped a light when I was stopped I'd be:Mr_Ribble wrote:My final comment on the RLJ.... I admit that I dont usually say anything. It pisses me off, but its their decison to do it. However the fact that he caused a car to take evasive action, made me feel like I had to say something.
End of rant!
a) Spending most of my time shouting after bike commuters, and I need stoppage time to get my breath back.
b) A massive hypocrite.Mr_Ribble wrote:notsoblue wrote:Mr_Ribble wrote:
It looks like you're on the same route as me, what time do you hit NKR?
This morning I hit the NKR @ about 8:05, so P Square at about 8.20am and then Tower Hill at 8.35am
Thats a bit late for me usually. On some occasions I am even later and I will bump into CJCP. I have been doing this route for four years, but alas this is my last week. Friday is my last day at work, before I leave to do a masters so there wont be any SCR action for me after that:)
Will keep a lookout this week then! I assume you're on some kind of blue road bike? :P0 -
Best ride in for ages this morning. The baby was obligingly sleepy which meant I got out about half an hour earlier. A few quick guys down the Clapham / Stockwell/ Vauxhall drag who I'm normally too late to come across. There was a lad on a white bike/ blonde hair, a couple of guys going along chatting (one in an orange vest I think) while still maintaining a good pace.
One hi-viz nodder made a rather impressive attempt at causing a pile up on Lambeth Road. He came wobbling out of a side street on the right and into the bus lane as me and the aformentioned others came down. He was rather skillfully avoided by all concerned so better luck next time ya numpty.0 -
cjcp wrote:Mr_Ribble wrote:Saw a very rapid guy on a airnimal today ...
There is another, as Yoda said....
Coincidently I encountered a fairly rapid airnimal on the way home last night.
Along Viccy Embankment I can feel big game on my back and sure enough just before HoP there’s a chap on a rather nice looking folder with bull horns sitting in my clean air. Through Millbank > DSC we’re returning favours and being all very polite about it, enjoying a Monday ride home in the warm glow of the setting September sun.
Fast forward to Barnes common I’m just taking some liquids on board when he flies past, glued to a rather tasty Cervelo who’s joined the party but forgotten to invite the host. They’ve immediately got 10 bike lengths on me and that’s doubled when I have to stop for a bloody cyclist just before I hit the ramp up Bolan Death Bridge. That, and the 2 reds that follow, really disturbs my rhythm and I’m left trudging up Priory Lane on my todd with just the ever-increasing creaking of my headset/seatpost to keep me company. I’m feeling so sorry for myself that I even lose my scalp up Broomfield to a chap in full Garmin kit (although I had been forced to virtually stop halfway up to go round a broken down car and a police car).
Descending in to Kingston my crosshair is twitching and by the lights at the start of the one way system I’m surprised to see I’ve reeled in airnimal man and manage a puffed out conversation that reveals he’s on route to Esher. Chapeau to that man who kept me spinning for 14ish miles on a rather sweaty evening!0 -
King Donut wrote:cjcp wrote:Mr_Ribble wrote:Saw a very rapid guy on a airnimal today ...
There is another, as Yoda said....
Coincidently I encountered a fairly rapid airnimal on the way home last night.
Descending in to Kingston my crosshair is twitching and by the lights at the start of the one way system I’m surprised to see I’ve reeled in airnimal man and manage a puffed out conversation that reveals he’s on route to Esher. Chapeau to that man who kept me spinning for 14ish miles on a rather sweaty evening!
KD - I went up Broomfield just as the Police car pulled away, but the other car was still there. Must have been just before 7pm.
Was Airnimal guy a big lad?FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
notsoblue wrote:
Fair enough, I understand where you're coming from. I'm more pragmatic about it though, if I spoke up every time someone jumped a light when I was stopped I'd be:Mr_Ribble wrote:My final comment on the RLJ.... I admit that I dont usually say anything. It pisses me off, but its their decison to do it. However the fact that he caused a car to take evasive action, made me feel like I had to say something.
End of rant!
a) Spending most of my time shouting after bike commuters, and I need stoppage time to get my breath back.
b) A massive hypocrite.Mr_Ribble wrote:notsoblue wrote:Mr_Ribble wrote:
It looks like you're on the same route as me, what time do you hit NKR?
This morning I hit the NKR @ about 8:05, so P Square at about 8.20am and then Tower Hill at 8.35am
Thats a bit late for me usually. On some occasions I am even later and I will bump into CJCP. I have been doing this route for four years, but alas this is my last week. Friday is my last day at work, before I leave to do a masters so there wont be any SCR action for me after that:)
Will keep a lookout this week then! I assume you're on some kind of blue road bike? :P
Yes, I think Ribble messed up thier order and only bought blue paint ! However it hasnt been cleaned for months so its actually not so blue anymore.0 -
Did the split commute last night - to Bow then Bow to Lewisham (via foot tunnel). Blasting down Whitechapel Road, I thought I might at least have a bit of competition but despite the plethora of bicycles, nothing came close. I was awesome in my speed though
The second part was uneventful but I hate riding down to the Isle of Dogs as the roads are so cr@p :roll:
This morning, hardly a cycling soul on the road until I got to the Tescos/Albany Road but I hit the lights good and was just overtaking an RLJ on a roadie when I glanced down at the ground and saw the presence of a shadow behind me. Dunno wtf he had come from but he was pacing me although about 2 ft to my left and behind. I ramped up the pace a bit and he was still almost there now 5 ft behind but again 2 ft to the left. I still had some left so I gave it the full beans and managed to eek out the gap to 3 or 4 bike lengths passing Lidl, then went to the right and eventually slowed a bit for traffic at the roundabout. I noticed he was still keeping pace/distance but I lost him as I went through the traffic and round the roundabout.
Stupid thing was that I was spinning like buggery and could still have popped up a cog for a bit of extra speed but for some reason I didn't :? :? :? I never got a look at the rider, just clocked his shadow - to do so would have been to acknowledge that a) I knew he was there & b) that I was SCRing
There was also a black leatherclad lady on a Blue 600 Diversion at the lights by Grange Road who had lovely eyes and I got a smile from Although she was quick on the straights, I filtered better & lost her over Tower Bridge 1997 Gary Fisher Big Sur
2009 Scott Spark 60
2010 Ghost 5000
2011 Commencal Ramones AL1
2012 Commencal Meta AM10 -
cjcp wrote:KD - I went up Broomfield just as the Police car pulled away, but the other car was still there. Must have been just before 7pm.
Was Airnimal guy a big lad?
No he was average build. I'd guess at late 30's. Solid endurance without being uber-quick.0 -
To be fair most people are average build relative to you, KDKing Donut wrote:cjcp wrote:KD - I went up Broomfield just as the Police car pulled away, but the other car was still there. Must have been just before 7pm.
Was Airnimal guy a big lad?
No he was average build. I'd guess at late 30's. Solid endurance without being uber-quick. 0 -
King Donut wrote:cjcp wrote:KD - I went up Broomfield just as the Police car pulled away, but the other car was still there. Must have been just before 7pm.
Was Airnimal guy a big lad?
No he was average build. I'd guess at late 30's. Solid endurance without being uber-quick.
This sounds like the chap I spoke to last year. Don't think he does it every day. At leastthe chap I spoke to didn't.
And JG has a point. Most of us can't see our homes from Temple, you know. FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
cjcp wrote:And JG has a point. Most of us can't see our homes from Temple, you know. I was gonna say he was small, but thought better of it for that very reason. 0
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DDD Spotted? On Embankment at around 6:30, white top, black shorts, white'n'black'n'red Pinarello, sporting shades and a black and red rucksack? I shall save the tale until I know whether it was or was not Captain AwesomeFCN3: Titanium Qoroz.0
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Not DDD, he'd be on a Giant or a Khota (sp?).
Could be a Trek actually.Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX0 -
Took a different route back tonight to have a crack at the College Road Challenge.
I'd forgotten how clogged up Walworth Road can become, but there are plenty more scalps to be had that way than along OKR. Tussled with a few people including Condor man (who RLJed so therefore lost, despite being quicker than me up Denmark Hill) and a rather attractive lady on a hybrid who had some good speed and was quicker off the line than me from the lights on a few occasions, not that I minded that given the view it afforded me.
Overtook everyone on College Road, though, as you'd expect given I was putting the hammer down somewhat. I think I actually genuinely scared the bloke I passed just at the bottom of the steep bit of Fountain Drive as I was breathing like a beached, asthmatic manatee.
Reckon I'll be a regular on that route from now on. Did the whole 11+ miles at an average of 16.8, which I'll obviously be looking to better at some point fairly soon.0
