Magnificently ugly, isn't he/she? We had to be quick taking the photos since the light obviously distressed the wee thing, so LaidBack didn't have time to take care with focus.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Hilly Tuesdays ®
(453 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Guess the meddling clocks and that darn dog mean the night-time element of Hilly Tuesday is gone. I don't know if the toads are keeping the barrier down, so the rest of this post is working under the assumption that we'll be rubbing shoulders with cars up there soon.
Laidback and I mused over some of these while Hilling Tuesly last week:
El Optiones:
1) Keep calm and carry on, barrier and daylight be damned.
b) Chalk this one up as one-nil to the elements and call Hilly Tuesday a winter thing.
Last) Keep the handy after-work time slot but we pick a fight with other hills, now that Arthur's Seat doesn't have the unique no-car selling point.
Sixth) Keep the venue, but delay the start time until after dark each week so we get the twinkly lights.
Not First) All the other options I've missed.Posted 12 years ago # -
I'd support something on Tuesday eves, but I prefer daylight! Winter is long enough to enjoy nighttime riding. Tomorrow I am going to a talk then being force fed at Stac Polly.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I spent a number of daylight Spring/Summer Tuesday evenings lapping the seat last year (Hervelo had a regular evening meet to do just that). Cars weren't that much of a problem, TBH - after one or two ill-advised attempts by cars to squeeze past I just stayed in the middle of the lane until the next available passing place/parking bay (at which point a wave of thanks was proferred). There was the occasional impatient, right up my back wheel driver, but oddly they always seemed to come up behind me on one of my slow laps (at least, if it wasn't a slow one it quickly became one just to help them learn the art of patience ;) ).
Summer brings out more cyclists too, which means there's almost always a back wheel to chase.
I won't be there this week, but plan to be a much more regular attendee.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I went round after the coffee small meet this morning, and the barrier was nicely down for maintence. I thought I'd chance my arm and just abandon it if there was roads dug up and so on, but saw only a JCB going along the road.
Only did one lap, since I felt oddly drained after the first climb(a disappointing 4.32) until I realised I'd not had breakfast. D'oh! And there was me ten minutes previous surrounded by Scandinavian carb-laden loveliness.
City did look amuzzing, though and daylight carlessness remains ace.
Posted 12 years ago # -
4:32 is not unreasonable.
Whilst it's easier from a puffing/sweating/frowning perspective to go round at night in the dark I felt quite energetic on the few times I popped round on Monday lunchtimes. I've never bothered to time it on the occasional detour round/up it in the morning with a full commute-load.Posted 12 years ago # -
May dust off a bike to take round at 6.20'ish. Thoughts of the Sheep Heid may help...!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Barely a month to go before Tuesday evening becomes a CTC ride opportunity. May try to do a Hilly Tuesday before then: not tonight though, won't be back in time.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I shall be heading out at 6ish for 4 laps so maybe see some of you out there!
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'll get the more sensible device and be there early for once, aiming for 6.20ish too.
Posted 12 years ago # -
LaidBack and I didn't catch you, ARobComp.
Did a warmup, then pushed myself on the uphill twice then slackened off for the last lap. 3.50 and 3.42 on the pushy ones. Not exactly a valid comparison since I was on the 63" and not the morning's 77", and the handlebars on the cyclocross are hugely better for hauling up on.
Barrier was still down, no reason given by signs, so the wee bit by it had become a car park.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Huge pent up demand for people wishing to drive up the hill... Quite a car jam at the barrier. We also met one driver that had started to drive up the hill from the no-entry end. Her nippy Fiat had managed to turn sharp left at the mini-roundabout. Did tell her that it was one way. Glad she hadn't headed up earler when we were on fast downhill. Just shows you how keen people are to drive when weather's nice!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Well I shot home from work at 5 - got my kit together and headed out onto the seat from pollock halls side. 5 minutes later I was half way up the hill climb with a front tyre blow out. Had repair kit and levers and pump but no spare tube like an idiot. No chance of repair on a 6 inch gash.
I think I had been a bit overzealous with my pumping up (no pressure reg) and had overfilled then I imagine it was fairly hot after pushing hard down and around. Gutted frankly. Managed to flag a taxi and get home. But ruined what should have been a sweet cycle. Gutted. My own fault though. Hope you guys enjoyed it.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The gauge on my pump is worthless for skinny tyres and of little use above 80psi for commuters. It is therefore an article of faith that the little rotaty thing that stops you pumping past X psi really does shut down at X psi. No explosions so far...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sorry... just what you didn't want. You must have cleared before we got going?
Hoping they keep road closed next week too. Uberbruce has started going against the clock on uphill ... didn't see much of him.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The tables get a good turning once we're on the windy flat and even more so the downhill...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I usually pump the front tyre 10% lower pressure than the rear, as most of the load is on the rear wheel. If leaving bike parked in hot sunshine*, let a bit of air out of the tyres first!
*admittedly a rare occurrence in Scotland
Posted 12 years ago # -
Looks like tonight is the only dry night expected this week, so I'll say hello to the hill at some point. Does anyone know the movements of the barrier these days?
Posted 12 years ago # -
That'll be the dry rain lashing against the window, then. Obscuring my view of Arthur's Seat. I had a rather hilly Saturday, so not for me today...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I am forced to go out to eat again so not for me. Perhaps next week?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Been too busy ... Will do next week.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Did three laps on wee blue floofy, all of which were in the 4.20 range for the ascent. Must try harder.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Is anyone up for a Hilly Thursday this week? I'm hugely overdue giving blood, but I'd rather donate today than Thurs/Fri because I'm a squirter and I'd like the bruise'n'bleed to be healed by the 28th.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I am being forced to eat out again - this time curry - so won't be able to this week. One day ....
- Perhaps after POP28?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I was thinking a little informal hill climb competition might be a fun thing to do in the arvo...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Today is the aforementioned vampirism, tomorrow I'm school leafleting, so Thursday or Friday look shiny for me. I guess most folk would prefer a post-work jaunt, though.
Posted 12 years ago # -
No chance me making it tonight - far too busy at work this week :(
Posted 12 years ago # -
Looks like a decent night for it, too. :(
Posted 12 years ago # -
It's tempted and my feet are twitchy, but it's probably stupid to go tonight when I'm desanguinated. I accidentally bled over the poor nurse's hands after filling up the post-donation plaster until it spurted out the sides.
Posted 12 years ago # -
No hilly Tuesday today? I was planning on it, but having ridden back across town on the heavy bike it's a lot blustier out there than it looks from indoors...
Posted 12 years ago #
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