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Interesting that you can mind-read glenp.
FWIW the sprinters probably gain 10m at most on me in say 100m before I catch them. I really just don't see how this makes a real difference to safety.
But you probably know best.
Generally if I'm going to "sit back" at a junction, I'll do it in the cycle lane, out of the way of other traffic.
I'm not subservient to other traffic, however, they are in a large metal box, powered by an internal combustion engine, I'm on some glorified scaffolding powered by Fray Bentos and ginsters. In the (unlikely) event of my bike and their car trying to occupy the same point in the space-time continuum I have a strong feeling that I wouldn't win. Hence I ride in a manner that is likely to reduce the potential for some space-time-coexistence related issues.
I don't sprint from red lights
they sprint from me 8)
dan1980 I completely agree. Which is why I cycle where I can be seen.
Yes, i will sprint form the lights and were ever possible ensure i'm infront of the leading car so the driver has to wait to pass rather than pushing me aside.
Become Part off the traffic not something it tries to avoid. Occupy your space and don't deviate, stay put. If you get a beep or two because a driver thinks your in the way, stay put unless there is more than ample space for a pass to be made. If this holds up traffic or more likely one driver, tough. You've every right to ensure your personal space remains just that so don't take any sh1t. As a courier in London for nearly 5 years and no accidents this works for me.
I'm agreeing more with glenp here. Move away from lights quickly to choose the space I want and reach comfortable spinning speed as soon as possible, move out *if I feel it is necessary* to force drivers to pick their overtaking moment, i.e. if we're approaching another junction or a sharp corner. Everything is based entirely on self-preservation, I really couldn't give a toss if it's upsetting people, they certainly never give a toss about upsetting me. Cars hold me up a lot more than I hold them up.
Other cyclists don't catch me after the sprinting has finished, that's a silly thing to say. 😉
Because life is just a bet on the race between the lights
not sure about that but if drivers percieve you as a "cyclist" rather than "just someone on a bike" they tend to give you less room.
Agreed. I also find that moving at a reasonable (cycling) pace tends to confuse more than it helps - drivers don't need to slow much to your speed (of say 20mph), but conversely seem to use this as an opportunity not to slow at all and so take more risks than they would with a rider wobbling along the road.
But, I ride to work to keep fit (it's 2 hoursf exercise a day), so I'll keep riding at my own pace.
I used to sprint from lights when I only rode in a city. Now my commute is suburban and rural - less incentive.
FWIW the sprinters probably gain 10m at most on me in say 100m before I catch them.
Don't worry poppet, keep trying, your sprinting may improve
I do it cos it's fun
Yet another post that really only needs one answer: Its fun. (d'oh! MTB-Idle beat me to it..)
Plus I agree with GlenP, I'm probably working harder on my commutes than I do on average rides because I like to get ahead of everything at the lights, sprint out of them to stay ahead (and catch the knobs that have jumped them) and in a perfect world get to the next set while they're still green.
Oh and for what its worth I don't often get caught, but maybe there's just no other cycling gods on my route. 😉
It is fun, lots of fun. 😀
I usually always do it if I bother going up to the front of the lights. I enjoy getting up to speed quickly and don't run out of puff after 50m, get up to 20+mph quickly and stay there and I've not been caught by another cyclist on a traffic light sprint yet. I don't want to get caught in a load of cyclist wobbling about from the lights.
Most of the time I just join the queue of traffic when it's not too long then pass all those folk who have sailed up to the front.
Sprinting from the lights is great training and saves having to do intervals.
well yeah i kinda sprint.. as much as you can on a trailbike running soft offroad rubber. i thought it was normal? are we trackstanding at the lights pre sprint?
[i]are we trackstanding at the lights pre sprint?[/i]
I'll roll up slowly if I know the lights are bout to change but tend not to bother track standing. I find I'm quicker from a standing start.
are we trackstanding at the lights pre sprint?
Absolutely, but none of of this arse-out on-the-edge-of-control nonsense, has to be poised and ready, with extra points for taking a hand off to adjust your bag or something.
Lets hope Al can at least track stand or he'll [i]really[/i] spit the dummy now!
Trackstanding at lights is similarly for noobs!
Jeez do you guys know any of the rules?
Do you just scratch your arse and amble off like a granny then?
Like I said, I barely try, but few make any distance on me.
Wow!
[img] 
[/img]
you noes it!
as far as the trackstanding goes, i vary, if i'm arriving at the lights late and they're gonna change i'll slow roll then be forced into one as they invariably change 15 seconds after i reach the bike box, but if they hit red as i arrive then i'll usually get off, though sometimes i'll just wait in the trackstand, for a more rapid departure, what they really need is bmx style gates in cycle lanes so these sprinting folk can really get their snap on....
though i've gotta admit, i do feel a little ****ttish doing it sometimes, same goes for sprinting.
scene as you are so quick without trying al, why dont you try a little tiny bit.... then you wont be stuck behind the puffing panting sweaty gits for anytime at all. you could cruise away in clear air, not having to overtake anyone.
or are you scared to try, just incase its all in your head?
I always half sprint away from red lights. If I full out sprint I just wheel spin until there's no tyre left.
Let it be known that if you can't trackstand then it doesn't matter how well you can sprint.
Trackstand no handed for extra points.
why not add some number plates to your bike. don't forget to slow for the old speed cameras though 😉
Sprinting from the lights is great training and saves having to do intervals.
I have no idea what this means.
Steve, a bit like Realman, I'm scared of letting rip in traffic, it would be a bit like a dragster, I'd probably hit the back of a bus at 30-40mph.
Perfect trackstand
Fast sprint dropping to fast seated ride
Defend my space
No loss of puff
I don't get caught, generally the gap increases
Clearly I'm not as manly as you though al if you can catch those fast people that are riding at 15mph. You must have legs like chris hoy to do that
Believe it. I've even ridden over rocks, fast.
so i was in fact right, you are scared.
I love STW.
[i]Perfect trackstand
Fast sprint dropping to fast seated ride
Defend my space
No loss of puff
I don't get caught, generally the gap increases[/i]
That's what I do too. 🙂
Getting the jump at the lights gets you into 10m of clear road space, allows you to reach your speed and the cars to reach theirs before they try to get past. Having a car accelerating away from the lights right behind you AND trying to overtake while coping with all other traffic is a recipe for disaster - drivers aren't good/clever enough to cope with that many variables.
This thread would be much more interesting with Glupton in it.
What is this word 'sprint' you speak of? I may have tried that once or twice in xc racing. I am more a sort of:
1) start
2) feel less silly 'cos i remembered to change down to a sensible 'setting off gear' before I stopped just then (optional)
3) speed up a bit
4) reach 30% off my 'dying on arse' effort
5) stay at that pace for a bit
6) stop at next traffic lights
7) Repeat
How else am I ever going to get to 88mph in such a short distance in order to make it to work next week?
Pah, I scoff at your insolence 
12-26 cass with 36t chainring sram x0 shifter x9 short mech, launch in 3rd double tap to 5th after 4 cranks, drop to 8th cruise, win. 😀
Trackstanding for sure but as above, you have to be completely stationary and hopefully either one or no handed or looking round casually like you just don't care. If it looks like you're making an effort it's no good.
Obviously riding a fixie helps here. And having 38mm tyres. 😉
Depends on the number of Zulus.
Depends on the number of Zulus.
😆
[i]2-26 cass with 36t chainring[/i]
mmm try it with a 50t chainring and an 11-23 casette and you may just be in the running. How can you sprint using a 36t chainring, is that not just twiddle?