Strava.com - Put your money where your mouth is

dhope

whitebait01 wrote:

Can definitely do better!

+1
Looking at my effort it took me half a minute to even get to 20mph, then slowly wound up to 30 then had the light at the end. Next time, Gadget, erm, Bogey!

jds_1981

Some video footage of Millbank sprint north bound from a few weeks ago.

http://vimeo.com/31115655

My Garmin corrupted the file but I reckon it'd have been about 1 min 5 from a standing start. Need to get a good rolling start to have a chance of challenging the top scores.
:twisted:

Canny Jock

Gallywomack wrote:

Rubbish ride home, hold-up after hold-up, but did get a nice clean run at Brookmill, including an all-important green at the start. Gave it beans, but only came up 4th on the leaderboard - a whopping 12 secs off JamesFree's time. I reckon I can squeeze out a few more secs if I really don't leave anything in the tank, but top spot is well out of reach methinks. I wasn't using the bottom cog as atm when I do it falls off, but tbh I'm not sure it'd actually make much difference.

Wasn't going to bother tonight as I had a few beers after work and fancied a pootle, but felt ok so stopped and turned the phone on before Brookmill. Managed second but still 6 seconds behind Jamesfree! Could maybe make up a couple of seconds but that looks out of reach.

It's good fun to see what speed you can trigger the speed sensor at - 27 today which is still a smiley face, would love toget a frown!

Gallywomack

Heh - for the last couple of years that sensor has been the only guide I've had to how fast I'm going (until now, leaving aside the question of whether Strava is accurate of course!). It was showing 25 today but I was already slowing at that point - had to dig deep to maintain speed over the finish line (which appears to be somewhere in front of the row of African Churches/light industrial units).

Good time anyway, I think that one's safe from me!

Wrath Rob

Looks like someone has been out segment hunting. I set up a Wandsworth Bridge one a while ago and it looks like one Andre Greipel has been trying to take my KoM. Not this week sunshine!

Tonight I was playing a new game of only allowing myself to change up a gear and not back down. I was generally riding 1 gear higher than normal but got to the CB section and decided to spin out rather than face doing the rest of the ride 2 gears higher. Made the commute more interesting as you had to weigh up cadence versus power. Improved my speed as well as all of the westbound segments now have their fastest time of the week as tonight.

Tomorrow I'm going to do some more intervals so will either have an awesome ride in, or more likely have expired by the time I get to Westminster-Blackfriars and post the worst time of the week.

jzed

Wrath Rob wrote:

Looks like someone has been out segment hunting. I set up a Wandsworth Bridge one a while ago and it looks like one Andre Greipel has been trying to take my KoM.

Nope - not been feeling myself this week so decided to bail home over Wandsworth bridge as opposed to going down to Putney. Now I know it's there though......

Canny Jock

Gallywomack wrote:

Heh - for the last couple of years that sensor has been the only guide I've had to how fast I'm going (until now, leaving aside the question of whether Strava is accurate of course!). It was showing 25 today but I was already slowing at that point - had to dig deep to maintain speed over the finish line (which appears to be somewhere in front of the row of African Churches/light industrial units).

Good time anyway, I think that one's safe from me!

I should point out I absolutely killed myself on the run tonight, so much so I could barely make it up the tiny incline towards the roundabout!

JamesFree

Canny Jock wrote:

Gallywomack wrote:

Heh - for the last couple of years that sensor has been the only guide I've had to how fast I'm going (until now, leaving aside the question of whether Strava is accurate of course!). It was showing 25 today but I was already slowing at that point - had to dig deep to maintain speed over the finish line (which appears to be somewhere in front of the row of African Churches/light industrial units).

Good time anyway, I think that one's safe from me!

I should point out I absolutely killed myself on the run tonight, so much so I could barely make it up the tiny incline towards the roundabout!

What time do you guys head down this stretch as might see you heading the other direction!

Gallywomack

I'm normally heading home between 5:30 and 6:30, so keep an eye out for a fat bloke on an old mid-90s hardrock putting down some serious powah. This time of year I'm normally wearing a cheapo decathlon fluorescent waterproof jobby and sweating a lot.

Pufftmw

My run home last night was pants - Jamaica was so snarled up that at one point I got off my bike and lifted it over my head and walked arount a couple of cars & a bus! Was fed up of watching all the pavement jumpers wizzing by :evil:

Had a mild crack at BR Reverse but got slowed down by a van slowing down just before the bumpy section & turning right. He was being slowed down by a nodder :roll: Managed a not impressive 1:47 but knew it wouldn't be enough.

This morning, I badly paced myself on Loampit for a 57 second run (gasping at the top!) and really hit the Jamaica Road Sprint, full beans but from a standing start coming iin on 50 seconds, enough to equal the current 2nd place but not enough to raise my KOM. If that had been a flying run though...

I've added a couple of new segments this morning

1) Sandford Street Sprint - this is for those that take my alternative Lewisham - Surrey Quays route, very smooth, slight deceptive raise most of the way with a corner at the end and a little kick to add some fun

2) Lee High Road to Manor Park - just before the Belmont Hill lights to just past the pedestrian crossing before Manor Park turning. Its a gentle rise the whole way and I wanted that run so that Canny Jock would be included as well. I notice that he really slows down when coming back up that way :P

Pufftmw

Gallywomack wrote:

I'm normally heading home between 5:30 and 6:30, so keep an eye out for a fat bloke on an old mid-90s hardrock putting down some serious powah. This time of year I'm normally wearing a cheapo decathlon fluorescent waterproof jobby and sweating a lot.

I'm generally heading home the same sort of time, on a black Ghost roadie with pink/purple SS or bright yellow Gorebikewear thingy. Possibly soon on an old black/grey Gary Fisher mtb

Canny Jock

Yup - still recovering from brookmill at that point! Was thinking of creating a segment for that though, not on the bike today but will have a crack at it tomorrow.

Canny Jock

Pufftmw wrote:

Gallywomack wrote:

I'm normally heading home between 5:30 and 6:30, so keep an eye out for a fat bloke on an old mid-90s hardrock putting down some serious powah. This time of year I'm normally wearing a cheapo decathlon fluorescent waterproof jobby and sweating a lot.

I'm generally heading home the same sort of time, on a black Ghost roadie with pink/purple SS or bright yellow Gorebikewear thingy. Possibly soon on an old black/grey Gary Fisher mtb

Normally about 7ish for me, on a de-stickered blue Ribble, red t-shirt if it's warm, white windproof jacket if chilly, red Gore if properly cold.

Puff, you'll have to keep riding the Ghost through winter this year to keep the times down!

Anyone else noticing that Strava is doing more for their fitness :-)

Gallywomack

When I was a nipper I used to do the Lee High Rd segment every day - I had a paper round delivering big bundles of papers to 3 libraries - Catford, Lewisham, and Manor House library which is just off Lee High Rd, up Old Rd. Then back along Manor Lane to the A205 and back home to Catford. Be interesting to know if I was quicker then or now, I was a pretty strong cyclist back then - used to pick up regular scalps going up the A21 between Catford and Lewisham. I used to do it on the same bike I ride now! Ah, memories.

Edit: CJ - re fitness - not sure I feel fitter but it's definitely making me work harder than normal! Worth noting though that I had a normalish run in today without really going for any segments, and my overall av. speed was up on any other day I've used Strava to date...

Pufftmw

Canny Jock wrote:

Puff, you'll have to keep riding the Ghost through winter this year to keep the times down!

Says who? Can quite happily get good speed on that old beastie. 5th (of 7) gear on the big sprocket is easily good for 25, though a bit spinny, then I change up 30 on the flat is readilly achievable

Its a bit more hard work but then that's good for you, isn't it?

Canny Jock

What I REALLY meant was that I can handle you beating me on a decent bike, with you riding an MTB I have no excuses!

JamesFree

Canny Jock wrote:

Pufftmw wrote:

Gallywomack wrote:

I'm normally heading home between 5:30 and 6:30, so keep an eye out for a fat bloke on an old mid-90s hardrock putting down some serious powah. This time of year I'm normally wearing a cheapo decathlon fluorescent waterproof jobby and sweating a lot.

I'm generally heading home the same sort of time, on a black Ghost roadie with pink/purple SS or bright yellow Gorebikewear thingy. Possibly soon on an old black/grey Gary Fisher mtb

Normally about 7ish for me, on a de-stickered blue Ribble, red t-shirt if it's warm, white windproof jacket if chilly, red Gore if properly cold.

Puff, you'll have to keep riding the Ghost through winter this year to keep the times down!

Anyone else noticing that Strava is doing more for their fitness :-)

I go normally go through at 6.10ish northbound if I decide to not go via Loampit Vale during winter will be on a Matt Black Langster with baggy camo shorts and red jersey.

Pufftmw

New 1.3 mile segment entered

Evelyn St - Surrey Quays to Deptford Drag

It IS a bit of a drag down there but a good test of endurance and overall pace (like the Jamaica Road Rumble). Good start on the run down from Surrey Quays tube, past Plough Way, the bumpy bit to MaccyD, to the Shell Station, over the bridge, past Grove, the roundabout, the next straight to Deptford, and through the pedestrian lights on the way out Stopped it there as many people slpit left/right here so wanted to get the most competition opened up.

Enjoy

Gallywomack

Ooh, yeah I like the look of that one - I've always been pretty fast through that section. I can't get on with the Jamaica Rd Rumble, too many lights and it starts too early on in the ride home - I never really get into my ride until I get round the Southwark Park/Rotherhithe Tunnel roundabout. A few lights on this one but more likelihood of them being green.

Game on! :twisted:

whitebait01

KOM! Well, joint KOM on Balham to Tooting short. Pretty lame segment, but the legs felt good and I think the slight tailwind helped...

http://app.strava.com/segments/778864

dhope

whitebait01 wrote:

KOM! Well, joint KOM on Balham to Tooting short. Pretty lame segment, but the legs felt good and I think the slight tailwind helped...

http://app.strava.com/segments/778864

this starts at the end of my road. Getting a new bike this evening. Wonder if I should christen it with a KOM...

JamesFree

whitebait01 wrote:

KOM! Well, joint KOM on Balham to Tooting short. Pretty lame segment, but the legs felt good and I think the slight tailwind helped...

http://app.strava.com/segments/778864

Yeah I purely created that segment as I occasionally do TT training with laps through the common and have a few segments setup to compare various parts of laps

whitebait01

dhope wrote:

whitebait01 wrote:

KOM! Well, joint KOM on Balham to Tooting short. Pretty lame segment, but the legs felt good and I think the slight tailwind helped...

http://app.strava.com/segments/778864

this starts at the end of my road. Getting a new bike this evening. Wonder if I should christen it with a KOM...

Ah come on! Just one night as king, please! Also, I notice you still haven't bettered my Tooting Bec to Balham time... :? Some other bugger has though :evil:

Also, new bike? Go on...

whitebait01

JamesFree wrote:

whitebait01 wrote:

KOM! Well, joint KOM on Balham to Tooting short. Pretty lame segment, but the legs felt good and I think the slight tailwind helped...

http://app.strava.com/segments/778864

Yeah I purely created that segment as I occasionally do TT training with laps through the common and have a few segments setup to compare various parts of laps

Ah, that explains it. One big set of lights right in the middle of it and it doesn't quite end soon enough to allow you to thrash it all the way, usually cars queueing before the end. I might create one the full length of that section from Balham to Tooting Bec...

dhope

whitebait01 wrote:

dhope wrote:

whitebait01 wrote:

KOM! Well, joint KOM on Balham to Tooting short. Pretty lame segment, but the legs felt good and I think the slight tailwind helped...

http://app.strava.com/segments/778864

this starts at the end of my road. Getting a new bike this evening. Wonder if I should christen it with a KOM...

Ah come on! Just one night as king, please! Also, I notice you still haven't bettered my Tooting Bec to Balham time... :? Some other bugger has though :evil:

Also, new bike? Go on...

Steel fixed for winter (different wheels and saddle to what's on that pic though)
It'll probably not get a run out until the weekend.

keyser__soze

Missus is now embarrassing me with the number of QoMs she's picking up having only used the thing for three days, and is even level or ahead of our very own Strava king Andre on a few of them :oops: (ok, the ones he doesn't ride often, but still)

JamesFree

whitebait01 wrote:

JamesFree wrote:

whitebait01 wrote:

KOM! Well, joint KOM on Balham to Tooting short. Pretty lame segment, but the legs felt good and I think the slight tailwind helped...

http://app.strava.com/segments/778864

Yeah I purely created that segment as I occasionally do TT training with laps through the common and have a few segments setup to compare various parts of laps

Ah, that explains it. One big set of lights right in the middle of it and it doesn't quite end soon enough to allow you to thrash it all the way, usually cars queueing before the end. I might create one the full length of that section from Balham to Tooting Bec...

This is the loop i use, not quite a richmond park loop as it has about 7 sets of lights and 4 junctions/turns, infact its pretty crap hence why I havent ridden it for a while

http://app.strava.com/segments/777537

Gallywomack

Was there a tailwind going SE tonight? Felt very strong tonight, anyway. Kept a pretty decent pace going through the first half, was going for a decent time on the new Evelyn section but a last-minute red light scuppered me (plus one at the beginning that I'm not sure if it's part of the segment - the one b the pub). Wasn't pushing too hard down Brookmill, but got a decent run at Molesworth for once and had a real go at that - result: KOM 8)

There was a helpful bloke ahead of me going for it so I used him as a target (and picked up a SCR scalp in the process). Apologies if you're on here, that pass was slightly closer than I'd normally do but just about within the realms of acceptability I think.

Big accident on Rushey Green, road blocked off, people being loaded into Ambulances. Right near the Hospital so not a bad place for a smash I suppose. I had to get off and walk my bike along the pavement past the blocked-off bit - there was a huge crowd of people there standing around gawping at the scene. Never seen that before in this country - broken Britain... <shakes head ruefully>

That took the wind out of my sails a bit and I just pootled the rest of the way home.

Pufftmw

Well done on the KOM

I turned into Molesworth with the intention of hitting that segment hard and the bloody pedee lights changed :twisted:

So, I ended up cutting through past the shopping centre and tootling up my normal way home

nich

Gallywomack wrote:

Big accident on Rushey Green, road blocked off, people being loaded into Ambulances.

A few posts on twitter claiming it was a shooting. Not sure myself, but the road was still blocked around 9 when I arrived on me motorbike. Would hate to be in a car, so many side roads jammed up and lots of drivers getting irate.