Scalping with a Brommie

[middleagecyclist]

Just back home from a couple of days on a course in Oxford. I went down on the train and hired a Brompton from Bromptondocks to get around while I was there (£10.00 for a weeks trial - bargain).

It was really good to see so many cyclists about the place. Some were pootlers but there were a fair few serious commuters as well. Must say it was very satisfying collecting several scalps while on my little red folder. Well worth a try if you have a spare tenner!

 

[Moodyman]

Brommies are supposed to be quite fast over short distances.

 

[StuartG]

They are quite good at long distances too.

 

[Davidsw8]

Brommies are supposed to be quite fast over short distances.

Brommies are surprisingly nippy. Sometimes when I'm on mine, I coast past people on their racing bikes and they look so upset that this little nerdy bike can go quicker than them with very little effort

 

[Lee_M]

its only a scalp if the other person is aware and going the same distance. otherwise its known as an overtake

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I'd like to see a brommie try and scalp me.(not really)

 

[Davidsw8]

I'd like to see a brommie try and scalp me.(not really)

What's a scalp? (scuse my ignorance)

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

What's a scalp? (scuse my ignorance)

Well I thought it was when someone beat you in a race on the road but I'd be happy to be corrected.

 

[Davidsw8]

Well I thought it was when someone beat you in a race on the road but I'd be happy to be corrected.

Oh ok, not heard that term before (sounds correct in context of this thread though) thanks M.

 

[Lee_M]

to be precise on here, it seems a scalp is an overtake made by someone who thinks they're in a race on someone who doesnt, and that makes the overtaker feel superior, while the overtaken has no idea they were involved in a race

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

to be precise on here, it seems a scalp is an overtake made by someone who thinks they're in a race on someone who doesnt, and that makes the overtaker feel superior, while the overtaken has no idea they were involved in a race

Everytime I see a bike it's a race,unfortunately my body doesn't want to know.

 

[clarion]

Dahons collect more scalps.

Pigeons, here's a cat.

 

[middleagecyclist]

its only a scalp if the other person is aware and going the same distance. otherwise its known as an overtake

Absolutely. I didn't count the pootlers as scalps but any hybrids or road bikes were fair game. There was a fair bit of start/stop at light and junctions so they knew I was there alright. I'd draft for a bit then blast past at an opportune moment. Really nippy little bike and it was and only a three speed model. Great fun.

 

[Lee_M]

Absolutely. I didn't count the pootlers as scalps but any hybrids or road bikes were fair game. There was a fair bit of start/stop at light and junctions so they knew I was there alright. I'd draft for a bit then blast past at an opportune moment. Really nippy little bike and it was and only a three speed model. Great fun.

Just interested in why you think someone on a hybrid is up for a race? I ride my hybrid into work and TBH I dont want to get into work any quicker, and is it really scalping if you draft them?

 

[middleagecyclist]

Just interested in why you think someone on a hybrid is up for a race?

Because when I past them they upped their pace.

...and is it really scalping if you draft them?

Waiting for the right time to scalp is part of the game. I think drafting is sometimes essential to enable a satisfying scalp which looks easy. At the end of the day though t'is just a bit of fun.