Silly commuting racing

notsoblue

JonGinge wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Hoorah, new bike arrived! Will be pootling home incredibly carefully tonight...

Ooh, whaddya get? Pics or it didn't happen etc

Bright red Planet X SL Carbon, new decals. Will pop something up in the Your Bikes section when I've had a tinker

I'm used to a heavy hybrid, the ride home should be interesting...

jonginge

Nice.

Mind how you go. Will be a bit more twitchy than he hybrid. You'll get used to it pretty quick, though

Pufftmw

Couple of reasonable rides in over the past couple of days Yesterday's was only marred by the incredibly erratic piece of driving displayed by the LDV driver in the below clip - expect the unexpected but even I couldn't predict that all of a sudden from being pushing into the traffic and indicating right, he would all of a sudden indicate and pull sharp left :shock: Hauled anchor and stopped a couple of feet from him but gave his van a good slap as I went past - no sound due to expletives...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRhYnU5KW54

Today I had the first sniff of competition in the form of a Wiggle clad roadie whom I caught up with about the same place as yesterday's incident. I overtook and headed off, green lights were with me and I was doing a reasonable pace. After about a mile I realised that someone was more or less with me on the inside but back a few feet - not drafting per se but THERE all the same. I don't think he was with me all the time as I filter quite agressively but he had caught up on the straight leading up to Tescos. Traffic got very heavy at the point and although I initially slowed down, I sped up again, past Lidls then hit the lights at the Bricklayers for the roundabout to TBR - Wiggleman carried on up to the Elephant a few seconds later. If that were he, pacing me, then chapeau for keeping in touch as I'm not the easiest person to follow in traffic

Him!

redvee

Does buying Wiggle shorts and top get you into a higher discount bracket above platinum, hyper-platinum? Can't think of any other reason to buy it.

cjcp

Lots of fun on the way home. Only frustrating aspect was the idiot on a Giant who RLJed (he has form on this) and tried to draft (form there, too) but he had no lights, I did - cars can't necessarily see my lights you tool.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Got passed by Sewinman this evening (in my defence, I was removing arm warmers at the time; another clothing misjudgment). Then was able to claw myself back as he was baulked by a sub 20mph minicab, who looked ready to left hook him hard shortly before indicating. Fortunately, all was good, and we were able to have a quick chat once we'd worked out who each other was.

rjsterry

If you wear a yellow long sleeve jersey, ride a SS or fixie with bullhorn bars (Langster I think) and have a distinctive black helmet with face guard, then we really should stop meeting like this - people will talk! You almost caught me napping on Vic. Emb. but a quick burst up to the Westminster Bridge lights, and my scalp was intact.:)

All a bit hairy down to DSC, with lots of rather dithery traffic and busses pulling in/out, so couldn't really open the taps properly. Not much else this evening apart from a scooter that I almost took on Green Wrythe Lane. Tailed him most of the way down, then just as I was about to execute the coup de grace, there was water all over the road (burst pipe I think), and belting along with limited grip seemed like less of a good idea. Next time.

dhope

Black cab tried to left hook me around London Bridge but spider sense was tingling and I slowed enough before he started turning. No idea if he even saw me, muppet.
Random kid with a bike on side of the road shouted Boo! or similar as I passed. Muttered something to a guy just behind me about cameraderie between people on bikes. He then kept pace for the last few miles so think we both picked up a few scalps on the way but nobody else was playing. Made for a quickish commute. Fun. Ta for the hurry up.

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

I was removing arm warmers at the time; another clothing misjudgment).

My arm warmers ain't comin' off 'til next April!

Canny Jock

dhope wrote:

Black cab tried to left hook me around London Bridge but spider sense was tingling and I slowed enough before he started turning. No idea if he even saw me, muppet.
Random kid with a bike on side of the road shouted Boo! or similar as I passed. Muttered something to a guy just behind me about cameraderie between people on bikes. He then kept pace for the last few miles so think we both picked up a few scalps on the way but nobody else was playing. Made for a quickish commute. Fun. Ta for the hurry up.

What time do you ride, and what do you wear? Same route as me, we may have met...

dhope

Canny Jock wrote:

dhope wrote:

Black cab tried to left hook me around London Bridge but spider sense was tingling and I slowed enough before he started turning. No idea if he even saw me, muppet.
Random kid with a bike on side of the road shouted Boo! or similar as I passed. Muttered something to a guy just behind me about cameraderie between people on bikes. He then kept pace for the last few miles so think we both picked up a few scalps on the way but nobody else was playing. Made for a quickish commute. Fun. Ta for the hurry up.

What time do you ride, and what do you wear? Same route as me, we may have met...

Mornings normally 8am though 7 today, and setting back anywhere from 5.30 to 7pm generally. Would have been around 6.30 today. Black shorts and either red SS tee or black/red LS jersey, white lid, riding a Boardman Team Carbon. Black saddlebag with flashing red light on the back.

What should I be looking out for?

Bassjunkieuk

Had a bit of a "silly moment" on my way home last night. I'm back on a few days on my ultra short commute so usually operate on a balls-out sprint along certain sections.
Last night as I approached one of the sets of lights (on red) I spotted a SS at the front. I positioned myself behind the car at the front of the queue waiting for the lights to change so I could monster him over the next section.

He did a bit of a early pull-off once the other lights went red and I moved off with the car. As we did I seemed (for some reason) to get the attention of the kids in the car in front of me so had 3 little faces staring at me. I thought "Gonna have some fun now, lets impress them!" I spotted my chance for a pass and stomped on the pedals :-) My chance in this case was getting the entrance to a Staples store which gave me a small lay-by to play with for space! I swung into that accelerating hard then nipped back out between the car and bike :-) Carried on with the power down the road and didn't see either the cyclist or the car for that matter again :-)

A rather silly and quite dangerous move but hot-damn was it fun!

asprilla

I have to start leaving home earlier as I've got into the habit of not getting away until 8 in the morning.

However, hitting London at 8.40 is like terrible;as you get closer to 9 the inumber of total fucktards around increases exponentially. I'm talking sausage wallets of all kind here from drivers without mirrors though folks on shopper bike weaving around like they are making a music video to peds wearing blinkers.

It's just not safe out there.

However, I did have time to get scalped by a bloke on an Airnimal this morning. He would clearly have taken me to the cleaners on Queens Ride / LRR if it wasn't for the traffic but I was a bit disappointed that he jumped the lights on PB.

He didn't look like a man mountain (though it's difficult to scale against such a small bike) so I assume it was the guy whoe comes in from Esher.

notsoblue

JonGinge wrote:

Nice.

Mind how you go. Will be a bit more twitchy than he hybrid. You'll get used to it pretty quick, though

Well that was different! Very cautious for the first mile, but loosened up once I got out of heavy traffic. I'm used to a hybrid, so this felt incredibly light, felt like every watt of power was getting turned into forward momentum. So easy to go fast, and climbing was much easier. Not as manoeuvrable in traffic as my hybrid though, I was 4 minutes over my usual time coming in this morning :S

Struggled with the drop bar mounted brakes/gears. But by the end of the ride home (did a loop of Richmond Park) I was able to brake and shift from the hoods. Will need to adjust the reach to make it comfortable. In general I think it'll take me a little while to adjust to the new geometry. Going to see if I can get a bike fit soon. Any recommendations?

HamishD

Asprilla wrote:

sausage wallets

asprilla

notsoblue wrote:

Going to see if I can get a bike fit soon. Any recommendations?

Bike Whisperer in Ealing will probably get the most votes.

Sewinman

Greg66 wrote:

Got passed by Sewinman this evening (in my defence, I was removing arm warmers at the time; another clothing misjudgment). Then was able to claw myself back as he was baulked by a sub 20mph minicab, who looked ready to left hook him hard shortly before indicating. Fortunately, all was good, and we were able to have a quick chat once we'd worked out who each other was.

Good to see you. I did not count it as a scalp at the time - I could see you were fiddling about with something. It was quite a hairy 2 mins - dodgy cab driving, attempted murder by bus driver, near death on a mini roundabout! Phew.

rjsterry

Asprilla wrote:

I have to start leaving home earlier as I've got into the habit of not getting away until 8 in the morning.

However, hitting London at 8.40 is like terrible;as you get closer to 9 the inumber of total fucktards around increases exponentially. I'm talking sausage wallets of all kind here from drivers without mirrors though folks on shopper bike weaving around like they are making a music video to peds wearing blinkers.

It's just not safe out there.

However, I did have time to get scalped by a bloke on an Airnimal this morning. He would clearly have taken me to the cleaners on Queens Ride / LRR if it wasn't for the traffic but I was a bit disappointed that he jumped the lights on PB.

He didn't look like a man mountain (though it's difficult to scale against such a small bike) so I assume it was the guy whoe comes in from Esher.

After this mornings catalogue of crap driving/cycling/walking, I may follow your example. Had worked myself up to a nice rolling boil by the time I got to work.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Sewinman wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Got passed by Sewinman this evening (in my defence, I was removing arm warmers at the time; another clothing misjudgment). Then was able to claw myself back as he was baulked by a sub 20mph minicab, who looked ready to left hook him hard shortly before indicating. Fortunately, all was good, and we were able to have a quick chat once we'd worked out who each other was.

Good to see you. I did not count it as a scalp at the time - I could see you were fiddling about with something. It was quite a hairy 2 mins - dodgy cab driving, attempted murder by bus driver, near death on a mini roundabout! Phew.

Yes - I suppress the need to report journeys like that to Mrs. 66. She'd confiscate my bike shoes.

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

Sewinman wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Got passed by Sewinman this evening (in my defence, I was removing arm warmers at the time; another clothing misjudgment). Then was able to claw myself back as he was baulked by a sub 20mph minicab, who looked ready to left hook him hard shortly before indicating. Fortunately, all was good, and we were able to have a quick chat once we'd worked out who each other was.

Good to see you. I did not count it as a scalp at the time - I could see you were fiddling about with something. It was quite a hairy 2 mins - dodgy cab driving, attempted murder by bus driver, near death on a mini roundabout! Phew.

Yes - I suppress the need to report journeys like that to Mrs. 66. She'd confiscate my bike shoes.

+1. When I got hit by a bus about eight years ago, I hid the road roash. Did the same this year. Was getting away with it until my eldest got curious abou the scabs. Pesky kids.

MonkeyMonster

Ride home under pressure was quite different to normal plus a couple of bellends out on the road too. I got drafted by... a cannondale ironman with bars - dude did come past eventually but not after mis-judging a spit and getting another guy who quite rightly had words.

Traffic was crappy as you say lads even early on though - must be the first time I've heard Big Ben hit the 5.30 alert...

No more cycling till next week now - away for birthday long weekend. Man I miss it.

UndercoverElephant

cjcp wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Sewinman wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Got passed by Sewinman this evening (in my defence, I was removing arm warmers at the time; another clothing misjudgment). Then was able to claw myself back as he was baulked by a sub 20mph minicab, who looked ready to left hook him hard shortly before indicating. Fortunately, all was good, and we were able to have a quick chat once we'd worked out who each other was.

Good to see you. I did not count it as a scalp at the time - I could see you were fiddling about with something. It was quite a hairy 2 mins - dodgy cab driving, attempted murder by bus driver, near death on a mini roundabout! Phew.

Yes - I suppress the need to report journeys like that to Mrs. 66. She'd confiscate my bike shoes.

+1. When I got hit by a bus about eight years ago, I hid the road roash. Did the same this year. Was getting away with it until my eldest got curious abou the scabs. Pesky kids.

The road rash I got after a coming together with the road scarred, Mrs. Elephant still worries every time she sees it.

Had a great ride last night, first night on the BeOne's tarty new wheels Overtook a roadie on a Tricross between Musselburgh and Prestonpans at a reasonable 20 mph, who then proceeded to cling to my wheel like glue. Nasty headwind, so I was unable to shake him, until a few miles later, near the power station in Cockenzie when he made his move. He went past me with his legs spinning at a tremendous rate. He reached the front and then instantly remembered about the headwind.

Well, I let him take the lead for a bit - it's a long game on my commute. After about a mile I could see him starting to struggle keeping a decent pace against the wind, so I wound it up to 31 mph and blasted past him. Within half a mile, he was 200m back, so I slowed to the pace I had been doing when I passed him the first time. By then, he was completely buried, a mile later and I could no longer see him.

Gussio

Asprilla wrote:

I have to start leaving home earlier as I've got into the habit of not getting away until 8 in the morning.

However, hitting London at 8.40 is like terrible;as you get closer to 9 the inumber of total fucktards around increases exponentially. I'm talking sausage wallets of all kind here from drivers without mirrors though folks on shopper bike weaving around like they are making a music video to peds wearing blinkers.

It's just not safe out there.

However, I did have time to get scalped by a bloke on an Airnimal this morning. He would clearly have taken me to the cleaners on Queens Ride / LRR if it wasn't for the traffic but I was a bit disappointed that he jumped the lights on PB.

He didn't look like a man mountain (though it's difficult to scale against such a small bike) so I assume it was the guy whoe comes in from Esher.

I roll out of the house before 7am every morning for exactly the reasons you give above. Any later is just too horrible to contemplate.

tgotb

notsoblue wrote:

Bright red Planet X SL Carbon, new decals. Will pop something up in the Your Bikes section when I've had a tinker

I saw a very shiny-looking red Planet X on NKR/Embankment between about 8 and 8.20 this morning; was that you? Can't remember what the rider was wearing I'm afraid. Traded places all the way to Parl Square and then split in traffic.

I was on a Condor with newly-fitted mudguards (smug), red pannier and bright headlamp. Can't remember what I was wearing either, might have been hi-vis...

notsoblue

TGOTB wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Bright red Planet X SL Carbon, new decals. Will pop something up in the Your Bikes section when I've had a tinker

I saw a very shiny-looking red Planet X on NKR/Embankment between about 8 and 8.20 this morning; was that you? Can't remember what the rider was wearing I'm afraid. Traded places all the way to Parl Square and then split in traffic.

I was on a Condor with newly-fitted mudguards (smug), red pannier and bright headlamp. Can't remember what I was wearing either, might have been hi-vis...

Timing sounds about right, and I don't think there are many RED PX's around Were you wearing a short sleeved hi-vis top?

tgotb

notsoblue wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Bright red Planet X SL Carbon, new decals. Will pop something up in the Your Bikes section when I've had a tinker

I saw a very shiny-looking red Planet X on NKR/Embankment between about 8 and 8.20 this morning; was that you? Can't remember what the rider was wearing I'm afraid. Traded places all the way to Parl Square and then split in traffic.

I was on a Condor with newly-fitted mudguards (smug), red pannier and bright headlamp. Can't remember what I was wearing either, might have been hi-vis...

Timing sounds about right, and I don't think there are many RED PX's around Were you wearing a short sleeved hi-vis top?

Yep, that'd be right. Nice bike!

You were pretty quick for a noob :-)

notsoblue

TGOTB wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Timing sounds about right, and I don't think there are many RED PX's around Were you wearing a short sleeved hi-vis top?

Yep, that'd be right. Nice bike!

You were pretty quick for a noob :-)

Ta I've been commuting for years though, just the first ride in on the PX. Going quick (between traffic lights) on that bike isn't hard!

tgotb

notsoblue wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

Timing sounds about right, and I don't think there are many RED PX's around Were you wearing a short sleeved hi-vis top?

Yep, that'd be right. Nice bike!

You were pretty quick for a noob :-)

Ta I've been commuting for years though, just the first ride in on the PX. Going quick (between traffic lights) on that bike isn't hard!

The retro-reflective bar end plugs (which you may or may not have noticed!) are very effective; are they PX standard issue?

cjcp

<cough>still no pics of this P-X<cough>

maddernj

Been starting on my new route home since Monday (Liverpool Street > Bexley).....Jamaica Road gets a bit competitive doesn't it ! Pretty much after that (down through Deptford > Lewisham) its a bit quieter. Still at least no big College road type hills...just twice the distance