Silly commuting racing
Comments
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Had a SSer on a nice looking silver Langster on my wheel down Millbank. Sensed other roadies around, too, so figured DSC would get lively. Traffic slowed everyone, so SCR was neutralised until after the lights had gone green at CB - managed a sustained dig of 28-30mph until Royal Hospital Road, at which point I was looking for a hopsital and oxygen.
King Donut pulled up alongside at the end of Queen's Ride. The vest remains (there's me all wrapped up with just a husky needed to complete the look), but he was virtually unrecognisable in a helmet and no sunglasses. Nice chat through the Park.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
Mr Plum wrote:Kieran_Burns wrote:gaz545 wrote:Some dressed up chav span past me at like 26mph.. i would have clapped him for his efforts but i was too busy covering the brakes in the dodgy road conditions. He then looks me up and down as we wait at the lights. what does he do? jumps the red light and pulls a wheelie.
All whilst on a wilier, one that looked at least a grand. A chav on a wilier?
Stolen
+1
Without a doubtRule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
Fun ride home tonight, right up to the point that the spirit of BJUK got its revenge. After the abuse of the (chain) ring, my chain jumped after P'Square onto the small ring. No problem you state, apart from the fact that I've removed the front deraileur. Cue a nice run of green lights all the way to VB, with me in the worst combination of little front, little back, spinning away fully aware of the pack on my tail :evil:
I managed to get to VB with my scalp in tact and stopped for long enough to get the chain back onto the big ring. Few!
At AB I encountered a roadie in a blue lycra top (no idea on the bike) who was definitely a player. We raced from AB down to Lotts Road, past Imperial Wharf, where he cut up another rider in a desperate attempt to get through the barrier first. It was nip and tuck all the way to some traffic where he went inside and I went out, getting back into the lead. Up to the lights at WB, over the bridge in the lead and no sign of him. Waiting at the RB he appears again, we race to the 1 way and get stopped just before. The lights change and we race to Southside. He turns left and I go straight on. Equals.
In the entire time he blanked me at every set of lights. Weird. Still, great race!FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.0 -
Every time I go over the Richmond Hill roundabout in the park I feel like I'm taking it too fast, and I finally came off this evening. Nothing too dramatic, lost the front and skidded for a bit. Tore my new jacket (Gore Xenon II, very nice pre hole in the elbow
), and some cuts and bruises but thank christ the steed was undamaged.
Silly slicks!0 -
Thought i was running late this morning till i remembered the tube strike. Not usually so many about around 6ish. First rugger of the season Sat so everything hurting. Huge sorry to the lady i glanced near Clapham Common although the overtake was on until i was squeezed in by a Beamer it was still my fault and you were quite entitled to call me that. Ride home would have been great but all the serious competitors on CS7 were RLJ'ing, Thought i'd bust the bike on a huge pot hole at Colliers Wood but i think its ok. I'm going for a ride up and down the Embankment instead of the Gym to try and id the regulars the next few days.Bianchi Nirone C2C FCN40
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Chapeau to the chap on the white MTB/hybrid on Trinity Road this evening, who was holding a good speed despite his warped disc rotors squeeling away like some pedal-powered knife sharpener. The noise when he braked behind me was something awful - I glanced back and he gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Doesn't sound good, does it?"1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
Managed to find a nice gearing combination using the correct ring up front. Felt about the same (possibly a tiny bit smaller.......) in regards to GI and it was great being able to pull away from lights without fear of my drivetrain having a hissy fit :-)
Had to get home quick smart tonight as I was under orders from my manager and his manager to drop my company phone off at a pick-up point, so I did CS7 from Stockwell as opposed to the full DSC>QTR route. Think it saved about 1 1/2 miles but just wasn't as fun! Found a lovely brunnette heading down South Lamberth Road but was quite disappointed when she turned off down torwards Brixton, I could have quite happily drafted her all the way to Balham :-D
I may experiment with a route variation to Vauxhall as I'm working at an office that overlooks Vauxhall Cross the last 3 days this week. Have done the run from Vauxhall Cross>Wandsworth R/B before which was good fun, may also try the Wandsworth Road>QTR(ish) route to see if that yields any scalps!0 -
notsoblue wrote:Every time I go over the Richmond Hill roundabout in the park I feel like I'm taking it too fast, and I finally came off this evening. Nothing too dramatic, lost the front and skidded for a bit. Tore my new jacket (Gore Xenon II, very nice pre hole in the elbow), and some cuts and bruises but thank christ the steed was undamaged.
Silly slicks!
Which way were you riding?
Done the same at Roehampton Gate roundabout, turning right out of the gate. It was damp, whie lines and I was going too fast.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
rjsterry wrote:Chapeau to the chap on the white MTB/hybrid on Trinity Road this evening, who was holding a good speed despite his warped disc rotors squeeling away like some pedal-powered knife sharpener. The noise when he braked behind me was something awful - I glanced back and he gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Doesn't sound good, does it?"
I saw him on way home too. Rides like a fecking maniac quite frankly, doesn't shoulder check and weaves dangerously close to people. Has speed but I'd call him a tw@
The noise all the time was teeth grating.
Good ride home and I met the airnimal dude - man he's fast. But thanks is due in part to the squealer as he made me up the ante to 30 coming round past morpeth, the TT dude behind me drafting till I was slowing back down and then he came past.Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]0 -
Feeling really ill today - shouldn't be in work but I don't have a very taxing day. Got completely scalped by a middle-aged man on a nice Dawes tourer, oh the shame...
I can see myself getting the train home tonight if I still feel this sh*t. Illness + tiredness + wet road + darkness = bad move.FCN 2 to 80 -
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Greg66 wrote:Jaysus.
It was like a sauna out there this morning. I'd say it needs to rain, but rain is something I've had enough of.
+1 Ended up removing the arm warmers in Camberwell as I could feel myself warming up nicely! Had to do it over 2 light changes as I rolled em down first then didn't really like the look so took one off then the lights changed :-) Was obviously in no hurry to try and beat the next amber!
Excellent blast along The Highway, I think the only thing moving faster then me was the motorbikes! Drafted a lorry until it started slowing for a turning taxi then put in a burst of speed to try and catch the next car in the queue! Also used part of CS3 down Narrow Street, still quite a nice little ride but I think they need to make it more obvious there is a contra-flow section as I had to swerve to avoid 2 riders, one entering (what I think is still) a no-entry to go over the Rotherhithe Foot/bike Bridge and another coming out the same road who didn't even look my way!0 -
Greg66 wrote:Jaysus.
It was like a sauna out there this morning. I'd say it needs to rain, but rain is something I've had enough of.
Glad it wasnt just me thinking it was roasting this morning. Sweaty Beast and backing vocals The Wet Pits were playing their song for sure.Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]0 -
Greg66 wrote:Jaysus.
It was like a sauna out there this morning. I'd say it needs to rain, but rain is something I've had enough of.
Also went for a short ride across the pave in Covent Garden. Mein Gott, those things are slippery when wet.
I was going to say the same thing. The arm warmers were rolled down by the time I got to Mitcham, and removed completely at Tooting Broadway, and I was still steaming by the time I got to work. It's supposed to rain tonight, so I hope it stays warm.1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
Had a nice ride in this morning on the Maxima, whatever's up with my lungs clearly isn't so bad on wet days. I'm falling apart at the seams, I tell you.
Some pillock in a white t-shirt on an MTB went to overtake me as I was accelerating away from lights, then nearly crashed into a bus as he realised I was going rather faster than him and the overtake wasn't really going as planned. He then proceeded to jump pretty much every red light on the Uxbridge Road until I showed him what 'fast' looks like and he was gone.
Fastforward to the Hyde Park dip on South Carriage Drive, and I had a tussle with a very rapid lady on a single speed, because we were both girls it was all in good fun, alas spoiled by the traffic, so we had a wee chat about some muppet jumping off kerbs and our mutual speediness!0 -
lost_in_thought wrote:Had a nice ride in this morning on the Maxima, whatever's up with my lungs clearly isn't so bad on wet days. I'm falling apart at the seams, I tell you.
Some pillock in a white t-shirt on an MTB went to overtake me as I was accelerating away from lights, then nearly crashed into a bus as he realised I was going rather faster than him and the overtake wasn't really going as planned. He then proceeded to jump pretty much every red light on the Uxbridge Road until I showed him what 'fast' looks like and he was gone.
Fastforward to the Hyde Park dip on South Carriage Drive, and I had a tussle with a very rapid lady on a single speed, because we were both girls it was all in good fun, alas spoiled by the traffic, so we had a wee chat about some muppet jumping off kerbs and our mutual speediness!
Understated, yet deadly. I like
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Arm warmers? You guys need to MTFU.
There was a bloke in civvies on a heavy looking hybrid along Trinity Street this morning who had some pretty impressive speed given he was riding a workhorse. But he didn't last.
Some OK action down the OKR as well, but a cruising speed of 23mph was enough to see off all comers without too much bother. Have a trip up to Kentish Town this evening, which should be a nice diversion.0 -
ketsbaia wrote:Arm warmers? You guys need to MTFU.
Well we you have to tackle Col De Crystal Palais first thing they do come in handy :-) Besides they are a nice stop-gap measure for me between the wind-proof jacket and short sleeved jersey. Also the red color makes me rather distinctive :-D0 -
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cjcp wrote:King Donut pulled up alongside at the end of Queen's Ride. The vest remains (there's me all wrapped up with just a husky needed to complete the look), but he was virtually unrecognisable in a helmet and no sunglasses. Nice chat through the Park.
Yep, you can tell Autumn is here when the lid comes back
Sunnies were back out for the late run in this morning though. Some real twonks out on the road at that time and not one of em would step up to the plate when the road cleared.
@ Notsoblue - I get the fear every time on that roundabout. That nasty dash of cobbles that prevents anti clockwise corner cutting in the wet can be lethal. Glad you and bike are ok.0 -
Chapeau to the ridiculously spinny trouser & shirted bloke on the hybrid who whizzed over London Bridge at 8.30 this morning. My speedo reckons you made 26mph and given the incline and wind over that bridge I was impressed. Was a bit silly to swoop around the bus that was pulling out though.0
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Nother scooter scalp this morning, that's 3 in the last 3 rides! It was one of those funny ones with the drop handle bars, top speed of about 23mph. I was in a line of 3 roadies away from VB lights drafting the scooter when I realised that 23 was as fast as it was going to go so pulled out and dropped the other 2 roadies plus the scooter. 3 scalps for the price of 1!
Apart from that all was quiet, and the decision to take only the short sleeved top was a wise on. Arm warmers, not using the big ring, what's this thread coming to?
I've packed overshoes and a waterproof jacket for the ride home, just in caseFCN3: Titanium Qoroz.0 -
ketsbaia wrote:Arm warmers? You guys need to MTFU.
There was a bloke in civvies on a heavy looking hybrid along Trinity Street this morning who had some pretty impressive speed given he was riding a workhorse. But he didn't last.
Some OK action down the OKR as well, but a cruising speed of 23mph was enough to see off all comers without too much bother. Have a trip up to Kentish Town this evening, which should be a nice diversion.
More of a case of completely misjudging the weather. Can't seem to get it right at the moment - not quite warm enough for standard summer gear, but way too warm for anything, err, warmer.1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
cjcp wrote:notsoblue wrote:Every time I go over the Richmond Hill roundabout in the park I feel like I'm taking it too fast, and I finally came off this evening. Nothing too dramatic, lost the front and skidded for a bit. Tore my new jacket (Gore Xenon II, very nice pre hole in the elbow), and some cuts and bruises but thank christ the steed was undamaged.
Silly slicks!
Which way were you riding?
Done the same at Roehampton Gate roundabout, turning right out of the gate. It was damp, whie lines and I was going too fast.
Was going clockwise, so came from south and turned right. There was a queue of cars heading out (park was closing I think). Theres some irony in the fact that I only took the corner so quickly because one of the cars waved me through. Damn courteous drivers :P0 -
Yeah, going clockwise that roundabout is a bit tight. Don't like it even in the dry. Bad news on the jacketnotsoblue wrote:Was going clockwise, so came from south and turned right. There was a queue of cars heading out (park was closing I think). Theres some irony in the fact that I only took the corner so quickly because one of the cars waved me through. Damn courteous drivers :P 0 -
notsoblue wrote:Was going clockwise, so came from south and turned right. There was a queue of cars heading out (park was closing I think). Theres some irony in the fact that I only took the corner so quickly because one of the cars waved me through. Damn courteous drivers :P
Was this on the new Planet x? The planet X that we still havent had pictures off?
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For all those who are having trouble deciding what to wear (including the many boil in the bag merchants I passed this morning), all you need is a 10 quid thermometer.
Your choice of cycle kit should depend on how warm it is and (to a limited extent) whether it's raining. Not whether it's light or dark, whether it's cloudy or sunny, or what month it is.
I have a thermometer by the side of my bed, with a sensor hanging out of the window. 15 degrees this morning => shorts and short sleeved jersey. Arm warmers in pannier in case it's cooler this evening. Simples :-)Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
Bassjunkieuk wrote:ketsbaia wrote:Arm warmers? You guys need to MTFU.
Well we you have to tackle Col De Crystal Palais first thing they do come in handy :-) Besides they are a nice stop-gap measure for me between the wind-proof jacket and short sleeved jersey. Also the red color makes me rather distinctive :-D
Col De Crystal Palais? 0 -
Long sleeve top and leggings today were way too warm. I set off before dawn though and it was cold then. 20mins later I was regretting it!0
