Silly commuting racing

Roastie

Hello!

Work brings me through the smog today - had a nice morning blast from Paddington to Fenchurch Street, using a thoroughly ill planned (unplanned?) route. I'd forgotten how different London cycling is compared to what I'm used to now.

I was still hurting from 3 hour hilly ride yesterday that was much hillier than I'd expected. Scalp intact, but only just.

itboffin

That was bloody awful the slight drizzle when I left home quickly turned in to a monsoon with hills turning into waterfalls and roads into flash flood rivers, worst of all was the descents which when combined with the ever present headwind caused vigourous shaking, which has yet to stop thanks SW trains for running the AC full blast whenever the weather turns bad.

I bailed at 16.5 miles for the nearest station and some dry clothes, alas no dry socks or shoes

ketsbaia

All I had to race this morning was the weather, as I felt the first few drops of rain when easing out onto the OKR. Slightly damp, but an average of 18.4mph (I'm reasonably sure this is a moving average) saw me escape a soaking.

Pufftmw

Last night, I was beat :? I had no energy at all. Went to Bow, cba to train, so cycled home to Lewisham, via the foot tunnel. I have to say (probably again) that the roads on the Isle of Dogs are utter sh1te and no place to go on a thin wheeled roadie - my wrists and crotch took a right pounding! However, I battled through at a really slow pace and even the other side struggled to get the energy to increase speed. Headwind didn't help either - shattered when I got home.

This morning, however, I had a really good run in - Lewisham Way was despatched with aplomb, OKR was a breeze with absolutley no challenge or contest. There was a young lady on a hybrid who was going at a reasonable pace at the bottom of TBR but no issue and I hit all the lights good until Union St, where I had to wait a bit. As the lights changed, she overtook and as I got up to speed I indicated for her to pass in front to the left though she told me to press on, so I did. But there were some cars waiting at Tooley St so I had to filter on the outside and 2 peds wandering across the road, 1 saw us & stopped and the other I could tell hadn't, so I shouted as she put her foot out. I braked hard and tried to miss her but we just touched (her saying "Sorry!" but the gap was narrow and I was going no speed and I couldn't un-clip and lady on hybrid hit my rear wheel and I ended up leaning/lying on someone's car! Elbowed myself upright and set off again but probably looked really in-ellegant. Good run overall at 25 mins and once again it was traffic lights that were slowing me down - grrr...

Cafewanda

Flyingbogey wrote:

So, that'll teach me complaining of a lack of spice riding against the commute. OS Foxtons Balham 745am a grey Van decides i have far too much road and squeezes me against the kerb at around 25ish. My response is a firm hand on his van to remind him i'm here. Result, he tries to kill me the old fashioned way Queensberry style on the pavement. I'm no fighter but the anger was coursing so we exchanged vulgar unpleasantries and kept checking my back after i left, (Not Fled, Honest)....

If you remembered his details you should report him to the Police. Seriously.

Cafewanda

Roastie wrote:

Hello!

Work brings me through the smog today - had a nice morning blast from Paddington to Fenchurch Street, using a thoroughly ill planned (unplanned?) route. I'd forgotten how different London cycling is compared to what I'm used to now.

I was still hurting from 3 hour hilly ride yesterday that was much hillier than I'd expected. Scalp intact, but only just.

I see your London day pass has been stamped. As you were

Roastie

Cafewanda wrote:

Roastie wrote:

Hello!

Work brings me through the smog today - had a nice morning blast from Paddington to Fenchurch Street, using a thoroughly ill planned (unplanned?) route. I'd forgotten how different London cycling is compared to what I'm used to now.

I was still hurting from 3 hour hilly ride yesterday that was much hillier than I'd expected. Scalp intact, but only just.

I see your London day pass has been stamped. As you were

Yeah - London. Mixed feelings. Still love the place, but couldn't wait to get back to the West Country.

itboffin

Roastie wrote:

Cafewanda wrote:

Roastie wrote:

Hello!

Work brings me through the smog today - had a nice morning blast from Paddington to Fenchurch Street, using a thoroughly ill planned (unplanned?) route. I'd forgotten how different London cycling is compared to what I'm used to now.

I was still hurting from 3 hour hilly ride yesterday that was much hillier than I'd expected. Scalp intact, but only just.

I see your London day pass has been stamped. As you were

Yeah - London. Mixed feelings. Still love the place, but couldn't wait to get back to the Wet Country.

FTFY

itboffin

Bailed on the country commute tonight, the heavens opened just before Basingstoke and stayed angry all the way home. My gloves & shoes are in front of the fire as I type and i've only just gotten feeling back in my toes.

Bloody British weather grrrr :evil:

prj45

Got pwned this morning by two different ladies (there were a lot of ladies out today!).

A young lady on a MTB with fat slicks, man did she go, we swapped places all the way from Hammersmith to Hyde Park corner, although I would have pwned her up the hill leading to HPC if she had gone that way (she ducked into the park at the traffic lights on rotten row), caught her up at HPC but she went island way whilst I took the road.

Then I was riding a bit out onto the road on embankment coming up to blackfriars a lady in a pink fluro top screamed past me on a tiny road bike, looking back at me. Don't know if she was checking me out or was annoyed that I'd made her go the long way round.

Caught her up easy though although she shot off up QVS like a rocket!

Everybody was very polite today too, even the guy in the smart car that cut me up on Parliament square said sorry as he did it!

W1

W1 wrote:

W1 wrote:

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.

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!

Gave this a go one evening last week - it's certainly quicker than before, but still not convinced it's quicker than going south and back over at Lambeth. Will do some experimenting this week.

The north side of the Embankment was absolutely terrible on Wednesday evening - as bad as usual, completely rammed and couldn't even filter - so frustrating being trapped! It took at least five minutes longer than taking the south bank route, so I'm back to doing that now. I genuinely thick it's routinely quicker.

Bassjunkieuk

Legs felt like sh!t on the way home last night, can only put it down to missing my afternoon banana! Knew I was in for trouble when a chap pulls up alongside me on Whitehall at the lights by PS on a bike with a power meter! One of the hub based ones.......held him off until LBR but him and another roadie came belting past on Millbank :-( They both must have turned off at VB as I didn't see them again through DSC.

Good fun this morning tho as I'm on PT then Borising from Victoria to Trafalgar Square (much more fun then walking!) Took a slightly different route to normal as I got a bike out from a slightly closer dock! Thankfully my backpack was empty as I need to bring the laptop home but it's now brimming with scalps :twisted: A dozen or so hybrids, a few MTBS and a slew of other Boris bikes! If it wasn't for the stupid "top" gear I may have even troubled the guy on the Focus with the Cosmic Carbone SL wheels :-) Alas the closest I got to him was waiting alongside at a set of lights on The Mall admiring those lurvly wheels!

pitchshifter

After a rest day, Richmond to Embankment in 33mins this morning. With one red light and (on reflection) some stupid risk taking. All good fun though.

cjcp

W1 wrote:

W1 wrote:

W1 wrote:

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.

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!

Gave this a go one evening last week - it's certainly quicker than before, but still not convinced it's quicker than going south and back over at Lambeth. Will do some experimenting this week.

The north side of the Embankment was absolutely terrible on Wednesday evening - as bad as usual, completely rammed and couldn't even filter - so frustrating being trapped! It took at least five minutes longer than taking the south bank route, so I'm back to doing that now. I genuinely thick it's routinely quicker.

I have a feeling I spotted you last night, W1. Going round the lights just before St Thomas's, I think. Were you wearing a red top, black shorts, sporting a bum bag and you've got got reflective strips on the seat stays?

neiltb

Got my first proper scalp last night on the way home, slowed early for a RL and saw a bike come up in a bus mirror. Guy on a carvelo road bike, clipped in, 3/4 jeans and a roadie cap (on backwards) sails slowly through into the junction. Light turns green and I figure I'll have him up this hill.

the look on his face as me on my 15yr old mountain bike sailed by him, he even tried tucking in for a bit of a tow.

jds_1981

Clothing adjuster question...

Non-Cycling: +2
Baggies: +1

I understand Baggies to be cycle-specific clothes.
I wear cotton three quarter length shorts & various running/gym tops. Would this then fit in the +1 or +2 category?

itboffin

Bailed on the commute in this morning, 9 miles before the pain became to much

Cold, wet & in pain

jonginge

itboffin wrote:

Bailed on the commute in this morning, 9 miles before the pain became to much

Cold, wet & in pain

:shock: Shoulder still knacked?

itboffin

JonGinge wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Bailed on the commute in this morning, 9 miles before the pain became to much

Cold, wet & in pain

:shock: Shoulder still knacked?

Totally farked, no painkillers either tiz not funny :?

Haven't slept for weeeeeekkkkkssss

King Donut

cjcp wrote:

King Donut wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Gap? They have god knows how many different styles of jeans to the point where I didn't have a blind clue where to start.

I heard that, so I went to the one in the Westfield; everything appeard to be for Weebles. They had loads of 36/30 and upwards on the waist.

Am going to give them another shot at lunch time.

Don't take Jeans advice from a man who listens to Dire Straits. FACT.

<cough>boy-band vests<cough>

Gsus, I make you right... just went outside for 5 mins fresh air and it's freezing. Throw me some arm-warmers if you pass me shivering in the gutter on the way home.

SamWise72

To everyone on the commute but Bianchi guy: pwned! To Bianchi guy; no fair turning off to Lambeth instead of going over Westminster Bridge. I would have eaten your lunch.

Norky

jds_1981 wrote:

I wear cotton three quarter length shorts & various running/gym tops. Would this then fit in the +1 or +2 category?

I'm thinking only +1. +2 would be true civvies, e.g. jeans and shirt, or a suit, not something you've chosen because it's a bit more comfortable/practical for cycling, sorry.

Though the proper authorities of The Game might want to make a proper ruling.

EKE_38BPM

I don't see ANY cyclists on the 5 mile commute to my new job so I have to content myself with scalping buses.

redvee

Was out on the bike last night and stopped by a red lights outside a pub. The drinkers who were smoking started shouting at me to jump the lights I told them I don't do that sort of thing and it pees me off too when others do it. Bloody cold and dark on the downs but the Fenix on turbo made the dark light, made the highbeam drivers dip their lights.

HamishD

Think I'm going to stop wearing my hi-viz vest. Nearly got side-swiped twice this morning.

No SCR action this morning as per usual, partly because the traffic was awful everywhere south of the river but mainly because of the complete lack of competition. Hey ho, you can only beat what’s in front of you but at the moment it’s a bit like Liverpool playing someone like Northampton Town every week. What’s that? Oh . . .

jonginge

Great fun today. Had a to and fro, ding dong ride with a chap on a light blue SS, black top and a cap.

Passed him first time along chelsea embankment. The lights just before the DSC were red and I pulled up behind another cyclist. They weren't quick away from the light so I shoulder-checked getting ready to pass. About 10m back but with good closing speed was the SSer. I let him go and then sat in until the VB lights.

Fun and games up millbank. He was ahead but I pass before the Tate. I slow due to a car ahead and he undercuts grinning like a loon. The car speeds up and so do I, also griinning like a loon. Mr SS man filters better than me across lambeth rbt and to HoP.

It's game on again down vicky embankment. He's doing high twenties (chapeau) and i'm about 10metres back biding my time. The traffic finally opens up and I pass at 31 and keep it going through the green light at blackfriars ramp and through the tunnel. \o/

Good ride

rjsterry

First day back after a week's holiday, and I massively over compensate for the change in the weather: tights l\s jersey, winter gloves and a hi-viz gillet. I arrived at work already having sweated out half of last week's cake. Not much competition this morning, but the traffic was a bit weird: very heavy up to Tooting, and through Balham and Clapham to CB, then once on th Embankment, it was all clear. Vic. Emb. was almost deserted when I turned on at Westminster - very unsettling.

Citizen Smith

Been a while since I posted here....a couple of minor sorties to report.

Thursday last week, just after downramp from Chelsea Bridge....happened upon a five man meat train (Greg T tm) though it was more a meat/tofu mix train as I found myself soft pedalling at the back circa early twenties out of the draft. I was just about to make a break, when a guy all in black on a Condor with tri bars breezes past steady as you like.

I go with him and stay with him again in stat non drafting distance off his six thru AB. I out filter him thru the melee to BB and then I'm off again down towards Lotts Road. I make the turning and half way down there, my spidey senses are alerting me Condor man's on my tail.

Make the left at the mini roundabout and then round the switchback at the Design Centre...the reflective hoardings opposite the centre are the ideal for stealth rear view checks and I see that Condor man is no longer there and must have taken a right. Oh well, honours even. Even so, I kane it to and over WB and along Trinity Road like a mini TT.

Also, kudos to the chap (again all in black) on the black Pearson Fixed, no helmet who showed good speed thru Balham, Clapham, Stockwell and LB road this morning. I had to push it to the late twenties to make a move....

Strange, legs felt good this morning despite only having a few hrs sleep last night. This may change on the return leg though...

asprilla

Rubbish trip in this morning. Left late and although I made good progress I got caught up with a load of RLJers from PB and because of traffi and their antics I just couldn't drop them Turned out were were all going to the same place and because they jumped the junction 100m from the site they all beat me.

Hurrumph.

greg66_tri_v2.0

JonGinge wrote:

Great fun today. Had a to and fro, ding dong ride with a chap on a light blue SS, black top and a cap.

Passed him first time along chelsea embankment. The lights just before the DSC were red and I pulled up behind another cyclist. They weren't quick away from the light so I shoulder-checked getting ready to pass. About 10m back but with good closing speed was the SSer. I let him go and then sat in until the VB lights.

Fun and games up millbank. He was ahead but I pass before the Tate. I slow due to a car ahead and he undercuts grinning like a loon. The car speeds up and so do I, also griinning like a loon. Mr SS man filters better than me across lambeth rbt and to HoP.

It's game on again down vicky embankment. He's doing high twenties (chapeau) and i'm about 10metres back biding my time. The traffic finally opens up and I pass at 31 and keep it going through the green light at blackfriars ramp and through the tunnel. \o/

Good ride

I don't usually go in for internet-speak.

But he got pwned.