LB tour got past two leaf cairns. Had to apply brakes in tunnel.
We didn't mark but note ivy on wall.
We were also spotted by Rugtomcat at Beach House in Portobello.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Innocent Tunnel game
(80 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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The flowers have been removed and replaced with a CDC.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I could tell who it was instantly...
Posted 13 years ago # -
could tell who it was instantly...
As soon as you couldn't see them, you knew
Posted 13 years ago # -
Didn't get as far as the wall today!
Posted 13 years ago # -
A trike could be good - no doubt Rabid Hamster has his snow chains on!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Lovely. I missed all this last year. Should be able to get out for a bit this evening.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Got this far today in an aero-tuck. Just before the grass verge starts on the left.Posted 13 years ago # -
Thought it was time to start this again -
Marked with that stick.
Posted 13 years ago # -
can't see your photo, but I tried again on Monday night and made it as far as the bit of wall with the graffiti of the 2 veiled faces.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"made it as far as the bit of wall with the graffiti of the 2 veiled faces"
I think that's a fair bit further than I got.
Slight headwind after tunnel.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'll take chalk next time. I had advantage of slight tailwind. And have been practising my aero-tuck
Posted 13 years ago # -
I gave it a go on the way home tonight.
However, bear in mind before I reveal how I did, that
a. I have had a bit of a sniffle this afternoon - probably a bronchial disease of some variety
b. I did not train for this
c. chdot may have cheated
Anyway, now that I've cleared that up, I can tell you that despite the above I passed chdot's marker prob by about 20 metres, ending up approx 3 metres after the graffiti/art of the veiled faces.
I found a chalky stone to draw a line, and placed a casquette in a symbolic manner by the side of the path.
This is possibly a picture of the spot, depending on whether it uploads or not.
Posted 13 years ago # -
a. And? Pedal free period probably did you some good.
b. Glad to hear it
c. Interesting. At the start I couldn't remember what the 'rules' were. I pedalled down the slope BUT stopped at the fence/tunnel mouth - which I think is 'the rule'
However I am not convinced that speed at/through the gate makes much difference.
Though (paradoxically perhaps) I don't think standing start at top of slope or gate opening should be a prerequisite.
PERHAPS 'we' should arrange an event that begins at the Engine Shed (for coffee) and does 'the run' under the same meteorological conditions.
(Plus the 4am Castle to Coast 'float' - see previous posts.)
Posted 13 years ago # -
@ chdot:
a/b/c = reference to excuses here
Not sure from your reply if that was apparent. Next time I'll do a :)
I didn't stop at the gate either. Also wondered about meteorological conditions - ie did the rain on the ground make me roll a bit faster once out of the tunnel? Who nose.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Not sure from your reply if that was apparent"
Apparently not.
But was aware of the refs.
Just playing straight.
Could have done the 'how dare you suggest...' indignant.
As for "weather" I meant wind, but you have a point about the wet.
'Conventional' thought would suggest the water would be an obstacle, but perhaps you think there's a lubricant effect overriding the friction??
Posted 13 years ago # -
I was thwarted from an attempt in the wet by some codgers but was wondering if the added weight of the water on the tyres and the grabbing effect of surface tension between the water clinging to the tyres and the water on the ground would generally slightly impede rather than aid. I've 2mm less rear tyre since I last tried it (though have the added aerodynamic disadvantage of the rack) but might pop past it this evening.
Posted 13 years ago # -
PERHAPS 'we' should arrange an event that begins at the Engine Shed (for coffee) and does 'the run' under the same meteorological conditions.
Do it TT style, riders heading off at 20 second intervals, pulling into the extreme left when they run out of way. Winner is whoever gets furthest?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Just playing straight.
Ooh you monkey. And there was me worrying I'd upset you.
'Conventional' thought would suggest the water would be an obstacle, but perhaps you think there's a lubricant effect overriding the friction??
Mmmm. Maybe. Now, I'm not saying it's scientific fact, but I always think bikes go better in the wet. But then, it's probably just a psychological thing - maybe, because I'm aware that my (rim) brakes don't stop as well in wet conditions, then my perception of the speed at which I'm travelling is that it is greater than it actually is. Maybe I just pedal faster than usual because I want to get out of the rain. Dunno.
Posted 13 years ago # -
So at the uphill end of the tunnel you stop pedalling, and see where you end up, right?
Do we need to handicap it for bike (or rider!!) weight? ;-)
Posted 13 years ago # -
Jackson P - most defintely faster in the rain. HAd done too much shopping in Sainsburys before heading to Freewheelin for Finish Line Degreaser (good stuff) in downpour yesterday - much water on the road, huge overstuffed ortlieb with polybag of work clothes on top keeping things from spilling. So also heavier than normal and tilting to left but no surface friction because of water [I am guessing this] and tanking along. Confirming my view [the one in my head not in reality] that I only ever stand a chance as a lighter cyclist on the uphill stretches. Brakes also of course not working
My BMX Bandits from Tynecastle High were in the bike shop - 'you've got to come back to Tynecastle' they said as the guy who took over my bike maintennance class has left. If they had listened to Nick telling me that tightening the mudguard bolt has no effect on the forks they might have thought differently. :-)
Posted 13 years ago # -
"So at the uphill end of the tunnel you stop pedalling, and see where you end up, right?"
Yes.
"Do we need to handicap it for bike (or rider!!) weight? ;-)"
Mmm
Certain people would claim for not being able to get through the gap at speed - then would have to be penalised for low profileness.
Of course we'll have to ban people adopting an Obree like riding position.
And we'll spend too long arguing about what sort of handicap Tweed is.
It's a one rule game.
(Obviously things like hand, foot, electric assistance are implicitly outlawed.)
In years to come there will be a track pump fixed before the tunnel to allow for maximum tyre pressure (competitor's option).
Schools will build ultralight machines and develop new tyre technologies. The physics of rain resistance will be studied.
Of course this is all about personal best, absolutely no suggestion that there could be a winner...
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm not sure if it's in "the" rules, but one rule of cycling I've learnt is that as soon as someone says "it's not a race", it means it definitely is a race
Posted 13 years ago # -
And in this case, a race to the bottom.
Posted 13 years ago # -
An ultraheavy machine would be better for this game - the more momentum, the longer you take to coast to a halt...
Posted 13 years ago # -
"ultraheavy machine would be better"
Not convinced. I think tyres/rolling resistance is more of a factor.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Whilst the sound of rolling in the wet is different to rolling when dry, is it a bit louder in the wet, possibly implying more energy loss through sound-causing processes?
On really hot days tyres definitely feel tackier, especially on smoother, darker surfaces. If they're a bit more flexible they ought to deform more easily as they roll, but do they deform the same amount at a given pressure (costing less energy) or absorb the same energy by deforming more?
There's probably more mileage in making sure you're well-tucked on the high-speed bits before the right-hand turn where it flattens out. I left my feet on the pedals for stability (tucking seemed to leave no weight on the bars, making the front wheel feel very twitchy) but there was an appreciable sensation of wind on the calves.Posted 13 years ago # -
Today's result.
Slight headwind.
Standing start from gate (no pedalling)
Slight application of brakes in the tunnel, suspicious looking types exchanging things from their backpacks...
"Modified Obree" position
Speedo read 22.5mph at tunnel portal.
Made it about 10/15 metres past the veiled faces graffiti.
Marked a line with a "K". Yesterday's efforts appear to have been washed away by the rain.
Posted 13 years ago # -
The path was too busy and bush-clogged to play on Friday afternoon on the way home but I popped through to see what sort of tunnel-exit speed I could get. From a standing start (slight tuck but hands on hoods, feet on pedals, pannier on right) I just peaked at 27mph at the exit; it didn't feel like a rolling start would have made me any faster but I'll have to do a same-condition comparison one after another at some point.
Posted 13 years ago #
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