Commuter races

xz

Whilst sitting in heavy traffic this morning on the Rock road on my way to an appointment in St. Vincents, I was intrigued by the variety of commuters that passed by me (wishing I was among them, as I would have been at my destination whilst sitting there), But it was the "racing" that amused me, guys on hardtails,hi viz flapping in the breeze,straining at the bit grinding as big a gear as possible to catch and over take the guy/gal in front, but it was the ones who were trying to match the roadies that amused me the most. Saw a few on road bikes,just tipping along, lovely cadence, saunter past some of these guys, but it was the obvious "well fook you" reaction and strain to catch up that amused me and made my day, took my mind off the nerve conduction studies I was going to Vincents for in the first place:D:D

Lumen

Amused? This is a serious business.

We're just waiting on UCI accreditation.

irishmotorist

This is an interesting observation. Any time I'm driving into work, it's usually early so not many bikes around so I don't get to see the reactions and how chases develop. If I'm cycling and I pass somebody, I can't of course look back to see how they're doing - this is some sort of Godwins rule or something that will make me lose the race automatically.

I must keep an eye out for this more often.

Jawgap

xz wrote: »

[snip]

Saw a few on road bikes,just tipping along, lovely cadence, saunter past some of these guys......

:D

You think the roadies weren't racing????:) Of course they were. The Race-Whose-Name-Shall-Not-Be-Spoken is full of paradoxes - chief among them is the one which says that if you look like you are racing you are disqualified.

I'd say the better the commuter racer you are, the less you look like you are actually racing.

........and doping is allowed as long as you stop for red lights!

Hope the tests went well.

daragh_

That's my usual route. It's a bit of a mess at a couple of junctions (Booterstown and just past Vincents) with lot's of MTBs and hybrids lashing through reds, hopping the pavement to get past buses and generally being a menace.

Ruining my morning tranquility so it is

monument

Sob, was passed out this morning by three guys in a row on the north quays. But they all technically broke a light (they only cycled passed the line and then the light changed, but I was left fully stopped in the advance stop box), so I win by default! And in my defence I'm still getting over a chest cold or infection of some sort, I cycle in civvies, and had a bit of weight on the bike (not just me, no)

Thankfully the rest of the way from the Four Courts to DCU was spent passing people out. I think somebody may have passed me when I was just starting out at a junction but think I passed him quickly after. Some mountain biker caught up with me at the ped light crossing into DCU and then crazily tried to get in before me, skipped at the lights and then I think they must have went over the ramps in DCU at speed to keep up with me.

My real reason for cycling fast is I have a very bad habit of leaving the house late.

xz

The one bike I was impressed with was a red fixie with Bullhorn bars and a Brooks saddle.........very nice:D

daragh_

xz wrote: »

The one bike I was impressed with was a red fixie with Bullhorn bars and a Brooks saddle.........very nice:D

I was on a blue one! I hear those red ones go 10% faster.

ROK ON

xz wrote: »

The one bike I was impressed with was a red fixie with Bullhorn bars and a Brooks saddle.........very nice:D

NOT`s was like that before he uglified it.

RobFowl

daragh_ wrote: »

I was on a blue one! I hear those red ones go 10% faster.

Someone had to
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2008/monkey-dust-cyclists-p1.php?refresh2=0&voted_message_id=14481&dir=up
"My one is red"

.

daragh_

I guess that's the equivalent of Godwin's Law here then...?

serendip

daragh_ wrote: »

I guess that's the equivalent of Godwin's Law here then...?

Why be so fussy? What are you? Some kind of boards Nazi?

daragh_

End of thread

rubadub

xz wrote: »

guys on hardtails,hi viz flapping in the breeze,straining at the bit grinding as big a gear as possible to catch and over take the guy/gal in front, but it was the ones who were trying to match the roadies that amused me the most. Saw a few on road bikes,just tipping along, lovely cadence, saunter past some of these guys,

They are just using them as pace makers, don't see whats so amusing. I would not find it amusing to see an unfit person in a gym struggling to trying to match a strong guys 10 warmup chinups. I expect many posters here would be sneering at "ignorant" people cycling a MTB to work over a hybrid or road bike, laughing at the inefficiency of it.

They could be the ignorant ones though, I now commute on a MTB, I also have inner tyre liners which slow me down, and I keep the tyres low specifically to lower my efficiency. I like it since it slows me down to a nice safe speed yet still gives me a great exercise which is extended about 5-10mins over what I get on a hybrid on the same route. I would not want to go a longer route on the hybrid since it is less safe encountering more cars, going faster, and more risk of punctures etc, and more wear due to more mileage too. For somebody to tell me to pump up my tyres or change to a hybrid would be like me telling a guy in a gym "you know if you took all those weights off the bar you could lift it far easier.

Most here would obviously thinking of racing etc, but not everybody would. It could be seen like the difference between bodybuilders or olympic lifters methods of lifting the same bits of steel, both have different goals and lift that same barbell in very different manners. Though I would accept the majority of people on MTBs are not doing it for the reasons I do.

monument wrote: »

But they all technically broke a light (they only cycled passed the line and then the light changed, but I was left fully stopped in the advance stop box), so I win by default!

9/10 roadies on my route do not use obligatory cycletracks, so also lose by default What pisses me off no end is the auld biddies coasting along on their electric bikes!

blorg

Nice excuse rubadub, I imagine somebody was beaten in a commuter race this morning?

rubadub

blorg wrote: »

Nice excuse rubadub, I imagine somebody was beaten in a commuter race this morning?

Indeed, yesterday I got passed out by one such auld one, passed her out and saw it wasn't even an electric bike! My bike is in bits at the moment though, my only excuse.

I do enjoy passing roadies on my clapped out MTB though, around dalkey you get lads with more money than sense in all the lyrca gear but going at a snails pace.

blorg

rubadub wrote: »

I do enjoy passing roadies on my clapped out MTB though, around dalkey you get lads with more money than sense in all the lyrca gear but going at a snails pace.

It would be impossible for someone on a MTB to beat a roadie in any half-serious commuter race, unless the roadie was incomprehensibly incompetent... road bikes are simply that much more efficient.

Beasty

blorg wrote: »

It would be impossible for someone on a MTB to beat a roadie in any half-serious commuter race, unless the roadie was incomprehensibly incompetent... road bikes are simply that much more efficient.

Are you issuing a challenge to Mockler, blorg? He should be back in a couple of days or so!

abcdggs

mockler???

seamus

I got my ass kicked by a guy on a rusting fixie, wearing beige slacks and with small panniers on Tuesday. OK, maybe not kicked, but I was pushing to keep up with him.

I had to compensate yesterday by beating the 74A downhill

Chips Lovell

blorg wrote: »

It would be impossible for someone on a MTB to beat a roadie in any half-serious commuter race, unless the roadie was incomprehensibly incompetent... road bikes are simply that much more efficient.

incomprehensibly incompetent and complacent, I'd say. The kind of person who even when they know they've taken several wrong turns simply assumes they'll get there first.

Raam

rubadub wrote: »

around dalkey you get lads with more money than sense in all the lyrca gear but going at a snails pace.

They are called "go slow" days.

lukester

Re slow roadies, it's also conceivable that they've been doing intervals and are cooling down/plain shagged.

Even for 'training' purposes, the joylessness of riding a heavy MTB with under-inflated tyres is not worth it IMO. I should know, I used to do the same.

Get a nicer bike and spend the same time going a longer distance, faster.

rubadub

blorg wrote: »

It would be impossible for someone on a MTB to beat a roadie in any half-serious commuter race, unless the roadie was incomprehensibly incompetent... road bikes are simply that much more efficient.

Yes, thats the very point I am getting at, I have seem many overweight and/or seemginly unfit lads on road bikes in the lycra gear red in the face, I have heard cycling called "the new golf", with lads forking out 1000's on new bikes and all the kit, like sticking a spoiler on a tractor. Just like in gyms I have heard of lads buying specialist weight lifting shoes and singlets etc but you could have peoples mothers lifting more than them. I bet many of the regulars here on a decent MTB would trounce the average guy off the street with his spanking new "cycle to work" road bike.

incomprehensibly incompetent and complacent

I thinks it is very comprehensible/believable that you will have unfit people on road bikes, I find it incomprehensible that many here seem to presume you will not.

lukester wrote: »

Even for 'training' purposes, the joylessness of riding a heavy MTB with under-inflated tyres is not worth it IMO. I should know, I used to do the same.

I used to go on my hybrid, and once on I did go to work on a road bike and I simply enjoy the MTB more, each to their own.

anoble66

I was out on my old MTB the other week, not the lightest bike at all - 17kg, plus chunky tyres which doesnt help, but I could not close the gap at all with a guy on a road bike and believe me I was trying and I am not unfit. He wasnt even really trying either which made it more sickening! It will all change tomorrow when my Planet-x carbon DA 7900 arrives )

Lumen

rubadub wrote: »

I have heard cycling called "the new golf"

:eek:

Hungrycol

rubadub wrote: »

Yes, thats the very point I am getting at, I have seem many overweight and/or seemginly unfit lads on road bikes in the lycra gear red in the face, I have heard cycling called "the new golf", with lads forking out 1000's on new bikes and all the kit, like sticking a spoiler on a tractor.

If I could I too would spend €5k+ on a bike even though I only have €50 legs! Just because these guys crap doesn't mean that have to own a crap bike too.

Good on'em I'd say, go for it buddy.

blorg

There is the enjoyment factor not to mention comfort, I have done long spins on my hardtail when it was snowy but ended up pretty sore in the back and the hands. A road bike is plain more fun over distance and will encourage people to up what they do.

You won't get fitter riding a MTB on the road. No serious mountain biker does this BTW, they all use road bikes for base training.

Hungrycol

blorg wrote: »

No serious mountain biker does this BTW, they all use road bikes for base training.

...and eventually become pro roadies, McEwan, Landis, etc, etc

Chips Lovell

Hungrycol wrote: »

...and eventually become pro roadies, McEwan, Landis, etc, etc

McEwen is ex-BMX. You're probably thinking of Evans.

Goes the other way too. Gilberto Simoni seems more interested in MTB these days. Joe Parkin also raced MTB after leaving the pro ranks.

Highway_To_Hell

rubadub wrote: »

I have heard cycling called "the new golf", with lads forking out 1000's on new bikes and all the kit,

except for the clipless pedals, most Saturdays and Sundays small groups of cyclists can be seen along the Sandycove/Dalkey coast road on decent road bikes fully togged out in lycra and nicely finish off the look with a pair of runners.

Hungrycol

el tonto wrote: »

Goes the other way too. Gilberto Simoni seems more interested in MTB these days. Joe Parkin also raced MTB after leaving the pro ranks.

Shush damn it!

(Evans, that's it, ta)

Hungrycol

Highway_To_Hell wrote: »

except for the clipless pedals, most Saturdays and Sundays small groups of cyclists can be seen along the Sandycove/Dalkey coast road on decent road bikes fully togged out in lycra and nicely finish off the look with a pair of runners.

Good on'em, absolutely nowt wrong with that.

Doctor Bob

rubadub wrote: »

I have heard cycling called "the new golf"

Lumen wrote: »

:eek:

Can I take it that you're not a regular reader of The Gloss, Lumen?

I have a cutting from a back issue somewhere that describes cycling - well, road racing specifically - as the new golf. If I find it I'll scan it as proof.

Pigeon Reaper

As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter what a person looks like I'll still race them even if they don't realise I'm racing them. If they overtake me good on them, I'll try to keep up for as long as possible. Mopeds can be included in this too but I tend to leave cars to themselves as they tend to get caught in traffic too much around the city.

In every sport you'll have people with more money than sense who get all the gear but at least they're giving it a try and making up numbers.

levitronix

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Can I take it that you're not a regular reader of The Gloss, Lumen?

I have a cutting from a back issue somewhere that describes cycling - well, road racing specifically - as the new golf. If I find it I'll scan it as proof.

I don’t douth cycling being called the new golf but if you ve done or been to a few triathlons its ridiculous some of the bikes some people have 3k-5k Tri bikes and they cant even corner on them never mind keep a fast pace. Triathlon is definitely the new golf its more the in sport if you wana flash your cash on the goods

Lumen

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Can I take it that you're not a regular reader of The Gloss, Lumen?

I have a cutting from a back issue somewhere that describes cycling - well, road racing specifically - as the new golf. If I find it I'll scan it as proof.

Road racing as the new golf? It gets worse!

electrogrimey

Raced a guy on a red racer down Nth. Great George's Street this morning, he just beat me because it was a fairly steep downhill and I didn't want to fly down and stop suddenly on my Langster, but I caught up with him at the junction and lost him easily on Parnell Street.

I also do it when I'm walking, can't help it. It's a lot more dangerous on bikes though...brings out the dangerous cyclist in me.

levitronix

Lumen wrote: »

Road racing as the new golf? It gets worse!

Lumen next BMW add you will see will have someone with a pinarello strapped to the back of it haha:D

SubLuminal

rubadub wrote: »

What pisses me off no end is the auld biddies coasting along on their electric bikes!

Grab onto their wheel arches for a free ride. Brilliant fun.

Gavin

blorg wrote: »

There is the enjoyment factor not to mention comfort, I have done long spins on my hardtail when it was snowy but ended up pretty sore in the back and the hands.

To be fair, it's a matter of acclimatising. Someone not used to drops over that distance would also probably find it uncomfortable.

Mint Sauce

used to love the oul commuter races when doing my five mile commute to college in london, it was always unspoken, catch the guy in front, go past, if he passed you later, you knew the race was on, even if you had totally different destinations, it always added a little more enjoyment to that stretch of road, even if it was on a £400 halfords MTB

DirkVoodoo

I had some tit on a vube road bike race me today, tried to go around the inside of me at a junction, barely saw his poorly illuminated form. Put the hammer down, he got ahead of me because he broke the red light turning into the Clonskeagh UCD entrance. Stuck on his back wheel until he turned off on his way to play football.

I really wanted to smack him round the side of the head. When I commute I (shock horror!) am totally fredded out, maybe he thought he could take me.

I'm claiming the win.

blorg

Gavin wrote: »

To be fair, it's a matter of acclimatising. Someone not used to drops over that distance would also probably find it uncomfortable.

Completely, and I rode on a flat bar for many years before getting a racer (and indeed tried one but went back) but it is ultimately better if you get a good fit and are comfortable on it. A good fit is very important.

DirkVoodoo

blorg wrote: »

Completely, and I rode on a flat bar for many years before getting a racer (and indeed tried one but went back) but it is ultimately better if you get a good fit and are comfortable on it. A good fit is very important.

I was trying to say this in the other thread with the dude looking to buy his first road bike, a bianchi, online. Madness! My first road bike was totally the wrong size, it's not worth fudging up your first buy when you probably don't even know what size you need.

Nietzschean

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I was trying to say this in the other thread with the dude looking to buy his first road bike, a bianchi, online. Madness! My first road bike was totally the wrong size, it's not worth fudging up your first buy when you probably don't even know what size you need.

i dunno, its doable with enough research, i bought my first/only road bike online. just important to get a decent bike fit with it afterward....

blorg

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I was trying to say this in the other thread with the dude looking to buy his first road bike, a bianchi, online. Madness! My first road bike was totally the wrong size, it's not worth fudging up your first buy when you probably don't even know what size you need.

Well... the original that didn't fit I bought from a certain everyone's favourite bike shop on the Quays... second hand and in fairness a very good deal, lovely bike and it is entirely possible I needed work on my flexibility.

The next real road bike was bought online, I would have prefered to buy locally but CRC had it for well under half price and I reckoned I knew what I needed at that point.

Doctor Bob

Lumen wrote: »

Road racing as the new golf? It gets worse!

Okay, I may have mis-remembered slightly about the road racing part, but I got the broad thrust correct.

As you can see, it's from the November 2009 issue of The Gloss, p. 4 & 6.



Before anyone loses it, remember, it's The Gloss- the magazine colour supplement intended for better people than us.

Jip

electrogrimey wrote: »

Raced a guy on a red racer down Nth. Great George's Street this morning, he just beat me because it was a fairly steep downhill and I didn't want to fly down and stop suddenly on my Langster, but I caught up with him at the junction and lost him easily on Parnell Street.
.

Whimp. I was having a nice relaxed ride home during the week and was coming through the traffic at Kilmainham when I got cut off by a roadster in all his finery, shaved legs too, who cut in between two cars from my right causing me to brake, git never even acknowledged me.

That was the red flag to me once the lights went green. I stuck to his wheel down the hill on South Circular Road, which he was aware of, and still stayed on his wheel up the hill the other side. We were both turning left towards Chapelizod but the **** broke the red light, he lost.

Anyone who knows that road will know how bad a state it's in, my balls were shook off me and when I checked my max speed I saw I had hit 47kph and got a littler shudder when I thought of how easily I could have either come off due to the road or encountered a car coming out one of those sets of apartments.

rubadub

Hungrycol wrote: »

Just because these guys crap doesn't mean that have to own a crap bike too.

I never said they should, all I am saying is that you could VERY possibly have a very unfit person on a road bike and a very fit person on a MTB who would pass them out, I just find it very strange that people think the road bike is so more efficient that there could be no contest. When I started commuting to work I was very unfit and overweight it took me 60mins on my MTB, now I do it easily in ~25mins on my MTB and ~20mins on my hybrid. There is no way in hell I could have beaten my "new self" that 25mins on a MTB if I had started out on a road bike.

blorg wrote: »

There is the enjoyment factor not to mention comfort, I have done long spins on my hardtail when it was snowy but ended up pretty sore in the back and the hands. A road bike is plain more fun over distance and will encourage people to up what they do.

And I would say the exact opposite, I can fully accept that you find a roadbike more comfortable and enjoyable, I don't know why it seems so hard for people to accept that I find a MTB more comfortable & enjoyable on my short commute. I cycle on the obligatory cycletracks which are a disgrace, the one time I did go on a roadbike I had to keep eye to the ground dodgying glass and potholes & cracks etc, going up kerbs etc, on the MTB I just breeze along.

blorg wrote: »

You won't get fitter riding a MTB on the road.

I don't understand this at all. Maybe we have wildly different ideas of what "fit" means. Through cycling on my MTB I went from a 60min commute to 25min, lost a lot of weight, and was more "fit" to do a lot of tasks.

monument

rubadub wrote: »

I never said they should, all I am saying is that you could VERY possibly have a very unfit person on a road bike and a very fit person on a MTB who would pass them out, I just find it very strange that people think the road bike is so more efficient that there could be no contest. When I started commuting to work I was very unfit and overweight it took me 60mins on my MTB, now I do it easily in ~25mins on my MTB and ~20mins on my hybrid. There is no way in hell I could have beaten my "new self" that 25mins on a MTB if I had started out on a road bike.

Agreed, I'm not the most fit person in the world (by far!) and I pass loads of people even when I'm on a DublinBike.

And I would say the exact opposite, I can fully accept that you find a roadbike more comfortable and enjoyable, I don't know why it seems so hard for people to accept that I find a MTB more comfortable & enjoyable on my short commute. I cycle on the obligatory cycletracks which are a disgrace, the one time I did go on a roadbike I had to keep eye to the ground dodgying glass and potholes & cracks etc, going up kerbs etc, on the MTB I just breeze along.

Are MTBs not mandatory on mandatory cycle lanes?

I cycle a hybrid with thin enough tires and often on cycle lanes I wished I had MT tires and full suspension as well.