The Cycling Chat Thread

[TopCat]

Yes, this absolutely happened. It was control room corruption completely ignored by management. Controllers would set up a fake driver (known as a 'dead man') in the system and allocate one job from each rider per day. Stopped happening when riders started carrying 'XDA's which had a record of the week's jobs as well as signatures on it but controllers on the whole were utter cunts who thought the riders and drivers owed them something.

When I controlled couriers I had a scam that involved allocating double bookings to a friendly van driver and then he'd give me half the money. You have to steal from the right people.

We used to scrap a lot on a Friday down the pub after work over colleagues bribing the controllers with cocaine in order to get fed. This shit was rampant. We had a fair few ex robbers as well who had been away so it got quite on top regular.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

It's this one.

London to Brighton Bike Ride | Skyline Events Charity Rides 2020

Take on the challenge of a lifetime with the London to Brighton Bike Ride and join over 4,000 riders through the scenic countryside and down to the Brighton seafront to celebrate your 54-mile bike ride victory at the finish line.

skylineevents.co.uk

I'm doing it for the Cystic Fibrosis trust, friends daughter was born with it.

I did London - Lille with Skyline and they organised it really well. The group doing it for charity couldn't be arsed to go all the way to Paris
Was a great ride though.

 

[David Clapson]

That's quite a small L to B. The big one used to get 30,000+ people. Hence the crashes.

 

[spitfire]

That's quite a small L to B. The big one used to get 30,000+ people. Hence the crashes.

I might win then.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I might win then.

That’s the spirit

 

[TopCat]

Good luck. I’m anxious about a ten mile journey home!

 

[TopCat]

Ride home was fun. Big police trap on the A24 near Stockwell. Stealing e scooters off of folk and nicking cyclists for jumping the lights. Car drivers who just turn across your path are a bit prevalent. . The latter will be an earner for sure. First fucker to come into contact will find me taken away by LAS screaming I can't feel my legs.

 

[spitfire]

Preparations continue apace as the tension builds to one of this year's biggest rides.

Latest from Team Spitfire HQ is the new bike shop have fixed his gears and replaced the cassette and chain. Super fast work by the mechanics there. (£100 including parts and a full service. Paradise Cycles - recommended - Home )





Team leader Spitfire said, " Suppose I'd better get to the Velodrome for a few miles tomorrow to make sure nothing falls off or breaks. Fucksakes."

Soigneur Spitfire said, "We found some cycling shorts that we forgot we had in the back of the team van so he's going to wear those. Cheap as chips Decathlon with Coolmax padding. It's all he deserves really."

 

[David Clapson]

Don't let the soigneur fob you off with lard for your bum pad.

 

[spitfire]

Don't let the soigneur fob you off with lard for your bum pad.

I insisted on dripping.

Shaved my legs tonight as well.

 

[TopCat]

I will be thinking of you on the day. Good luck!

 

[spitfire]

I will be thinking of you on the day. Good luck!

Thanks TopCat!

 

[a_chap]

I've missed this thread for a few days so it's been entertaining catching up with the build-up to spitfire's LB ride

Lots of the well-meaning advice has been overkill for a 60 mile ride, but I only saw one piece of advice that was 100% wrong. So, not too bad really

For a ride of that length you need four things:

• fluids - drink lots
• carbohydrates (calories)
• electrolytes (anything salty or sports drinks/gels)
• determination

A sense of humour helps too.

Just turn up and ride. You'll be fine.

 

[nick]

Has anyone mentioned checking the weather forecast ?
A waterproof could make the difference between fun and misery

 

[spitfire]

Has anyone mentioned checking the weather forecast ?
A waterproof could make the difference between fun and misery

I'm keeping a weather (hah!) eye on it.

Met Office says: Light showers forecast in London in the afternoon, Brighton and Surrey currently cloudy with sunny spells.

I do have a waterproof but will risk it for a biscuit if it's looking good. TBH it's more flattering than the CF Trust cycling jersey I tried on last night, they say it is 2XL, I'm not so sure.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I'm keeping a weather (hah!) eye on it.

Met Office says: Light showers forecast in London in the afternoon, Brighton and Surrey currently cloudy with sunny spells.

I do have a waterproof but will risk it for a biscuit if it's looking good. TBH it's more flattering than the CF Trust cycling jersey I tried on last night, they say it is 2XL, I'm not so sure.

Cycling kit is tight for a reason - it literally makes you faster for any given effort, and by a surprisingly large amount.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

This is why mountain biking is better for the gentleman whose years of joie de vivre has taken a toll on the body, the clothing's baggy...

 

[spitfire]

This is why mountain biking is better for the gentleman whose years of joie de vivre has taken a toll on the body, the clothing's baggy...

I have a pair of mountain biking shorts that I'll be wearing over my lycra ones. No one needs to see that at 08.00 on a Sunday morning.

I'll pick up a mountain bike top in the near future, my days in skintight clothes are past. I'll suffer the decline in performance. I'll go from a frantic pootle to a quick pootle.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I have a pair of mountain biking shorts that I'll be wearing over my lycra ones. No one needs to see that at 08.00 on a Sunday morning.

I'll pick up a mountain bike top in the near future, my days in skintight clothes are past. I'll suffer the decline in performance. I'll go from a frantic pootle to a quick pootle.

Embrace the lycra!

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

This is why mountain biking is better for the gentleman whose years of joie de vivre has taken a toll on the body

Right until you send that body down a hill into the nearest tree

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

On cycle security, Hiplock are doing a kickstarter thing for a new D lock that they claim defeats angle grinders. D1000 Preview - Hiplok

If it works as per that video it's worth every penny, so long as it doesn't weigh 5kg...

 

[Orang Utan]

On cycle security, Hiplock are doing a kickstarter thing for a new D lock that they claim defeats angle grinders. D1000 Preview - Hiplok

If it works as per that video it's worth every penny, so long as it doesn't weigh 5kg...

heavier the better IMO so it’s a fitness weight as well as a lock!

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

heavier the better IMO so it’s a fitness weight as well as a lock!

Also good for twatting ne'er do wells as you cycle past...

 

[Orang Utan]

Also good for twatting ne'er do wells as you cycle past...

I saw a courier do that to a taxi driver once (well, his cab) - both wing mirrors came off and all the windows smashed in. That would have made him think twice next time he cut in front of another road user

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Wasn't this fella was it?

 

[TopCat]

This is why mountain biking is better for the gentleman whose years of joie de vivre has taken a toll on the body, the clothing's baggy...

I look like one of those skinny arsed road racers. I got passed by a Brompton yesterday though.

 

[Cid]

I look like one of those skinny arsed road racers. I got passed by a Brompton yesterday though.

'I'm on a recovery ride mate'

(recovery rides are what you when you've had hard training the day before, basically very low effort cycling mainly to keep the blood flowing and aid... recovery)

 

[Cid]

I have a pair of mountain biking shorts that I'll be wearing over my lycra ones. No one needs to see that at 08.00 on a Sunday morning.

I'll pick up a mountain bike top in the near future, my days in skintight clothes are past. I'll suffer the decline in performance. I'll go from a frantic pootle to a quick pootle.

The problem with MTB shorts (and I also still wear them) is that they have a tendency to get caught if you're carrying two water bottles (i.e the second one on the seat tube).

 

[Cid]

 

[spitfire]

The problem with MTB shorts (and I also still wear them) is that they have a tendency to get caught if you're carrying two water bottles (i.e the second one on the seat tube).

I only have the one bottle so all good there. The shorts were a little warm double layered but I'll live with it.

Had a ride around the Road Track at the Velopark for a shake down with the new bits of gear. Did not get on with the cycling top, too tight round the midriff, sweaty belly, lasted 2 laps. Bleurgh. I have some sports t-shirts (not cotton) that I usually wear so will wear one of those. Also the hat was rather hot, will keep it in my pocket just in case. It was warm tonight.

Kept it slow and steady, hit the climbs sitting down and stayed in my seat. Breathing is a lot easier after a few days off the booze.

Looking forward to it. Unfortunately the guy I was supposed to do it with has bailed out so I'll be on my tod.

Bike is smooth as silk now, great job done by the guys at the shop.