Fair enough, whatever works for you at the end of the day. By the sound of it this 29er of yours fair gobbles up the tarmac anyway.

Although I have to say the concept of a more robust bike affording greater protection from speeding cars is probably slightly flawed

Visibility and braking ability would be much better than a road bike though in fairness, and they are an important component of feeling safe.

Stupid auto correct! Trails. Mtb trails. Absolutely need suspension for that, preferably front and back

Road bike brakes are indeed a bit sucky compared to MTB ones.

Back on the road steed this morning, I felt like a god out there - like a god I tells ya. Which probably means I'll set off tonight and realise a gale is blowing from the south.

Saw an amusing race between two middle-aged cyclists this morning - you know the type, short, rotund, bearded, often clad in club kit from the 70s, but surprisingly rapid. One of them was rather incongruously on a modern thing liken a Cube or similar, but the other had the regulation clunky old bike with pannier and downtube shifters. Anyway, they were really going for it, the one on the modern bike was in front and kept weaving around to prevent the other one from overtaking. It was nip and tuck for a good couple of miles, terrific entertainment. Sadly we all went our separate ways at Lewisham, I was hoping for a few more miles of duelling, culminating in me dropping the hammer and leaving them choking on my spray in despair.

Impressed that you managed to keep up

Well as I say, I strongly suspect there was a healthy tailwind, judging by how strong I felt out there. But they were just about within my confortable cruising speed, I reckon I could have taken them but I would've had to have flogged myself, and it's possible that despite their apparent jousting, they were both holding speed back. Ah, the many calculations involved in successful Silly Commuter Racing. As I say, my plan was to tail them through Deptford and then look for an opportunity to pounce, but sadly it wasn't to be.

You clearly have the instincts of the predator

bealonian, dave said you went in to his place to say hello the other day.

Yup, popped my head around the door last Friday as I was passing, but there were too many young & fit people there so I hastily made my excuses and left.

On channel 4 now,24 hours in A&E few cyclists with some nice damage done.

Fell on oil patch in S bend on monday it was raining heavily.

Got cut off by a cunt in a beemer in same spot the next day. There is no visibility whatsoever and a white line of course.

Ran over a cat on the way in today. Soz.

Still cold in the mornings but I've shed the outer layer now for the summer. I operate a strict seasonal rotation of gear that pays no heed to actual climactic conditions.

Suffered a rare defeat over London Bridge yesterday but as it was my first day back from hols I'm using rustiness as an excuse. Plus I'd been fighting the head wind all the way from Bromley, whereas the guy who beat me was undoubtedly a Johnny-come-lately pootling in from Bermondsey.

The cunts still haven't fixed the shower in my office, but the weathers too good to not be riding in, so I'm riding in tomorrow and I'm going to go for a semi-Scottish shower with a cold shower for the body, and a jug of hot water from the nearby tap for washing my hair.

i really do wonder if there will be a significantly noticeable difference during the olympics of cyclists on the roads and busier traffic.

I'm hoping my route will be alright, there are roadworks causing delays atm anyway so hopefully they will be gone by then and it'll stay more or less the same. I guess if people think public transport will be crowded that might 'force' them onto bikes, which would possibly be a bit of a nightmare for the rest of us. Anyway, the good thing about a bike is that there is no traffic that can stop you getting through, even if you have to get off and walk along the pavement for a bit.

I'm going to wait on the southside of London Bridge tonight with a pint of bitter and a cornish pasty so Wommers doesn't have to stop on his route to glory.

Given Womack's legendary "appetite", surely his stopping is exactly what will happen?

Once I mount the saddle of a bicycle, my appetite for the thrill of the chase and the sweet taste of victory supercedes all worldly concerns. Your pie and pint of ale would be as bitter ashes in my mouth in comparison.

Doing a bit of cycling in now, loving it. Should get another couple of trips this wk.

I passed two 'serious cyclists' on my way to watch the rugby at a mates house - I overtook them going down a hill and they were clearly not happy as I was on an MTB - thankfully I needed to make a turn after about 3/4s of a mile on the flat as I was killing myself to stay in front of them.

How's it been going - have you sorted out what kit you need, ferrying work clothes etc?

And how's your barse, if you don't mind me asking?

Had a cracking ride home last night, along the Union canal, up over the Pentland hills and back along the A702. Glorious weather but a lot of water about; I managed to get one shoe completely submerged pedaling in the deepest puddle. Did 19.7 miles for the day.

Yeah it's going OK but I haven't exactly been all over it. I'd say an average of 2 round trips per week with one often split, in one day out the other. Our weather has been shocking in fairness but is looking up now.

In good weather I will try to get it up to 3 trips a week, can see anything above that being a logistical challenge too far.

Barse is fine. Realised saddle on MTB was more comfortable and no heavier really so swapped. Previous one was a bit sore.

Getting in in about 40-45 min which is OK, route I do is generally about 15K and I am not arriving fucked at all. Will try for 35 mins on a run home some day in the next few weeks I reckon. Traffic lights and safety really the limiting factors.

Still no helmet but am getting an unused one off a mate at a decent price and I think I'll be wearing it.

Need some advice...

I got my new Whyte Cambridge a couple of weeks back and enjoyed it for the first few days but since then it has been a bit of a nightmare.

My shoulder is fucked, just in pain the whole time and seems to be creeping down my back, I also started getting a numb leg yesterday which is getting worse today and I assume is some kind of nerve damage.

Went in to the shop this morning and the bike fitter guy immediatley said my positioning was terrible and that I was putting a massive amount of weight through my shoulders. To be honest if i'm spending £900 on a bike this probably should have been spotted before they sold me it, but this isnt the prioirity at the moment.

The guy suggested I get a new column thing on the bars that tilts upwards more, so will probably do that, but has anyone got any other advice how I can ride without fucking myself up? Really is painful

I know the feeling. Not being built for endurance, sometimes I find myself praying for a red light so I can have a rest. Then you stop at the red and have to try and avoid breathing heavily, as if the 25+mph you overtook your rival at is just a comfortable cruising speed for you rather than a lung-busting effort. Meanwhile you're listening out for him behind you, trying to ascertain if he's gasping for breath or not, and all the while you just know he's keeping a close watch on your shoulders. It's an endlessly absorbing game, full of feint and counter-feint, reckless bravery, calculated strategy and, when all else fails, heroic effort.

Get one. I made a complete mess of my face two weeks ago when I hit a pot hole and flew over the handbars. I dread to think what would have happened had I not been wearing mine.

i don't get this competitiveness. so what if someone overakes you!

I say this to myself every morning going over London Bridge

Catch them or die trying obviously, then pull in and stop for a rest

Ouch. Yeah, always wore one on the MTB and it saved my bacon once or twice I reckon.

So true - boys will be boys eh!!

It all becomes clear!!

Maybe try a pair of bar ends if you haven't already got them? That will put your shoulders in more of a neutral position. Was he suggesting that there was too much distance between the saddle and the bars, causing you to have to lean forward too much? As aside from a shorter/taller stem as they are apparently suggesting, you could also try adjusting the saddle position forward to reduce that distance, although this may adversely affect your pedalling position.

chortle.

but in all seriousness, if i raced into work i could possibly see why you would be competitive. however, i consciously and deliberatily take my sweet time to cycle in because i don't want it to be a massive cardio workout as i preserve my energies for gym.

Slick you could try putting your 'man bag' in the basket at the front rather than carrying it?? This may help

Next you will be claiming that you never have invisible walking races with people on the pavement.

You're a more disciplined man than me, Muse (not difficult, in fairness!). I tell myself I'll have an easy ride in, but basically I just love racing too much to resist it.

... I'm not the only one!

Half of my 30km ride yesterday was into a massive headwind. Got over-taken a couple of times because I wasn't pushing it too hard, but both times found a new joy in drafting! I also smugly dinged my bell when we came up to pedestrians on the bike path, and one guy looked back a bit shocked as I guess he didn't expect me to be right on his tail.

(I'm a bit cautious about sudden stops, etc. so I don't think I was truly 'drafting' - had a bike length or two between us)