Lee and BentMikey's ride...

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SHREDDER
Location
London
Well, I'm glad to see Lee's not just some gutter nutter who trolls on the forums, but I don't think it was really necessary to prove anything. Only thing I noticed was that Lee seemed to be getting away quite a few times.... recumbents slower in traffic!? (stir :smile:)
 
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BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
Lol, yeah, in the tight stuff recumbents are not so good, mostly because my head is some way behind my feet, and I can't see if there's someone else filtering when we change lanes in stopped traffic. Notice how quickly I catch him up though, and how I'm coasting a lot when we're at speed? (I know he waited a couple of times, although he never really needed to).

Fossy, yeah, I have to confess to being disappointed when I see singlespeed when there could be fixed.
 
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BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
cheadle hulme said:
"The best way not to be noticed is to wear urban camouflage - hi viz clothing, lots of lights and reflectors and a helmet." Dr. Tony Raven.

I think Dr Tony Raven should watch your vid. He might revise his opinion on the best way not to be noticed.



I'm not seeing any support for your assertion.
 
Location
Llandudno
BentMikey said:
I'm not seeing any support for your assertion.

One small LED on his helmet, one rear reflector and reflective patches on his jacket meant he blends nicely into the gloom. Maybe its the camera.

I assume your light is picking out his reflectives; what was his front lighting like?
 
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BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
Ah, well it's easy to read visibility wrongly from a video. A good rule of thumb is that at nighttime cameras don't show as much as you can see with the naked eye. Lee was easily visible, way more than enough.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Did Lee not have a full rear, the reflector was bright BUT - I'd just get them TBH - cheap...blind the drivers behind mate... less of a problem for you London lot as you outpace traffic, but not where I live.....

Lee - you'd benefit from fixed - I'm going to fixed from a full geared bike....I've noticed since using my MTB for the last 18 months to commute, that I pedal faster and smoother - due to the weight of the MTB - has had marked benefits when riding my Road bikes - this has meant that I ride loads better on the road bikes - smooth, fast and a good cadence.

The move to a fixed is for speed control (even though I'll keep two brakes) and 'souplesse'.... I like the idea of adjusting speed by altering leg pace, rather than just braking....

I'd say your riding skills are only the same as any other experienced roadie that is making progress through traffic, without pushing it - i.e. breaking the law or taking risks......
 
I would buy a fixed but suddenly find I need a new fridge freezer after my old (1 year old? Servis (gone bust company)) fridge broke down this morning.Fridge freezer R.I.P.:smile:

What a firking disaster of a day this was.
 

PrettyboyTim

New Member
Location
Brighton
Nothing wrong with that that I could see; flipped through traffic a bit more than I would but I have a wider bike and I'm probably more cautious - it's a personal preference.

Funny to see part of my commute on the video - makes me want to get another camera.
 
Aye should I use my camera today?

Don't use it much but I very much regret that I didn't take it to Bangkok with me and as a punishment im going back next year.
 
I suppose I should make comment!

I wouldn't ride like you do Lee. You wind in and out a lot. Obviously, you are quite good at it. Fair enough, but I personally feel that leaves you with little room for maneuver if something goes wrong, just ahead of you. A door opens, a car decides to squeeze over, something like that. Yes, you obviously have your wits about you and the vast majority of the time, you might be able to change course etc. But it does increase your risk of an accident. I'm sure you know this and accept the risk, again, fair enough.

Imagining now, that I am a taxi/car/bus driver and I see you weaving in and out at speed (and that I don't know anything about cycling, which some might argue is actually the case!), I can understand how they could get annoyed by your style of cycling. Doesn't mean they are right of course, but it happens.

One specific thing I'd like to ask, Lee do you look back much? It is difficult to see, but the only time I see you looking back is when BM falls behind. It might just be because it is dark though. If you don't then it does assume that nothing is coming up faster behind you.

:biggrin:
 
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BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
There is some validity to the point that riding through traffic relatively quickly like this does increase risk, but there's also the point that I think Lee is very aware, and does a good job of mitigating those risks. I particularly liked how much time and space he gave pedestrians. It's not as evident on the video quite how much he is looking all around him as it was to me in person. This did reduce slightly towards the end of the ride, as he relaxed more and got tired, but still excellent.
 
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