commuter racing

[gaz]

I do. and i love showing some tosser who thinks he his the shoot the back of my arse.

I do it mainly to the people who think they are the bees knees. when clearly they aren't i had 3 people overtake me on clapham south road. i knew they were better than me so didn't even bother trying to keep up. although i did catch them at the next lights

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

I'd class myself as a roadie too so I don't think there was any "must overtake the hybrid/mtb" type snobbery... I think he just "knew" I was fast and wanted the challenge!!

 

[fossyant]

Oi....less of the roadie stuff....Sh4rky has a road bike.....and plays on the track....

I have a fixed and it's limited to about 23 mph before my legs can't spin fast enough, and output the power I need to over a distance - I find 110 RPM plus on the flat my limit to put power in, 80-90 RPM then I can put more power in (i.e. change gear)....

I don't ride my road bikes as they don't take guards, and I end up winding them up to quick..... love my fixed....loads less servicing, but quick enough to chase road bikes down (just).........

 

[fossyant]

Oops double post......with Sh4rky

 

[Chrisc]

A couple of weekends ago a roadie in full race gear on a carbon framed machine went by me at the foot of a 2 mile climb to Emley Moor mast. I was on my 50lb Dutch Batavus city bike in civvies, parked up on the phone as he went by and just about to set off again so I just followed on not really thinking about keeping up till he looked back and saw me a few yards behind at the foot of a really steep incline. He stood on the pedals and went for it and I just sat and ground it out. Got to the top and I was blowing hard but he nearly shat when he looked round and saw I was still there. Did it again on the next hard section and when he looked around I was there again. No way could I have passed him but I kept a straight face and gob shut while he was looking, just to add to the illusion!

 

[addictfreak]

Its only a race if the other guy knows your racing!

For me I use other cyclists as targets, catch and pass and hopefully they dont pass me.

 

[Bromptonaut]

There's a lass/lady uses the same train as me and follows the same route to/from Euston. Very hard work to follow!!

Asked her the other day if she rode competitively but she says not!!

 

[automatic_jon]

Unfortunately all the cyclists I see on my commute are ambling along on dual suspension mountain bikes or going the other way. Perhaps I should change my hours so I can race then naval officers I see coming up on the other side of the road.

 

[Origamist]

I lack the skills/judgement to be able to race others and keep myself safe whilst commuting in a city. However, if people want to have imaginary duels with other cyclists, that is their business, so long as they don't endanger me in the process.

 

[ttcycle]

Yep I do the racing, there are sections of my commute which I tend to sprint down- if someone wants to race when I'm on those sections then fair enough- it's usually some arse who thinks he (always a he) has something to prove.

Though I refuse to continue if it involves them nearly smashing into backs of cars/buses etc due to poor hazard spotting whilst racing and RLJing constantly to try and pass me - I'll only catch them up shortly anyway.

I couldn't give a toss if someone overtakes me if it's on a section of the road that is unsafe or if I'm having an easy paced day.

 

[gb155]

I'll ALWAYS give it a go but I know when im well beaten and dont make myself look a fool, I did drop a roadie on Wednesday while on my BSO

 

[J4CKO]

Now is the time commuters, a lot of the roadies will be emerging from hibernation in the coming months, a bit rusty and not at full strength, make the most of it !

 

[biking_fox]

Will do if there's a sensible chance. But mostly I'm just breezing by others who don't try. And there's only a few sections of road where it's safe - I could have far more race the traffic to the lights and test your cutting up skill competitions, but I refrain.

 

[ttcycle]

Now is the time commuters, a lot of the roadies will be emerging from hibernation in the coming months, a bit rusty and not at full strength, make the most of it !

I wouldn't assume that - some club cyclists will have been riding steady miles over winter- they may not be at their peak but some have got years of mileage under their belts.