Commuting - Weather, I hate you. I really do.

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billyymc
07-31-09, 04:15 AM
What a lousy summer here in upstate NY (Binghamton area). I think we've had one day without rain since the start of summer.
I don't mind riding in rain. But Wednesday the call was 90% chance of thunderstorms and rain most of the day so I skipped my commute (I usually commute only on MWF).
Today, it's already wet after raining all night. The radar shows storms nearly upon us. It's foggy, and very dark, with a 80% chance of thunderstorms and showers until 2pm. I'd ride in the rain any day, but not lightning if I can help it. And not in this morning's foggy darkness along the 55mph road I ride for about 10 miles of my 14 miles each way commute.
I hate you weather. You used to be my bff, but now Jill is. F you, weather.
BTW, you can make this up to me by being cold and dumping lots of snow on us this winter. Like every day, kinda like you're doing with the rain now. But I know you won't, cause you suck, weather. I can't believe I ever thought you liked me.
Haha! "BFF"! :lol:
Weather is not your friend. Weather is a callous, heartless son-of-a-b***h who's primary goal is to screw with your riding.
BFF? No sir! Frenemy at best. ;)
It has been the coolest July in Indiana every I think and very wet too. I used to ride in the rain all the time, I actually kinda enjoyed it. But this year I cannot wear contacts and I cant see when it rains on my glasses. So yesterday I left my bike in my office and rode home with my wife. IT makes me feel.....like less...ah nevermind I am ok.
We've been getting a lot of rain here too, pretty much every day. But it's my first summer commuting, so maybe I'm being conditionned to ride in crap weather so next summer when it's nice it'll be easy peasy!
aadhils
07-31-09, 09:27 AM
I wish it rained in the Bay Area during the summer :(
TamaraEden
07-31-09, 09:33 AM
Haha! "BFF"! :lol:
Weather is not your friend. Weather is a callous, heartless son-of-a-b***h who's primary goal is to screw with your riding.
BFF? No sir! Frenemy at best. ;)
I guess 'Weather' is more friendly in Los Angeles, but then you have to deal with drivers!
TamaraEden
07-31-09, 09:34 AM
as a matter of fact, today's weather in LA 80-94 F depending weather you are coastal or in the valleys or desert.
Frankly, I'm OVER summer in a big way.
It has been the coolest July in Indiana every I think and very wet too. I used to ride in the rain all the time, I actually kinda enjoyed it. But this year I cannot wear contacts and I cant see when it rains on my glasses. So yesterday I left my bike in my office and rode home with my wife. IT makes me feel.....like less...ah nevermind I am ok.
I'm loving this Indiana weather. I haven't used AC at all so far! Perfect for riding as well.
canyoneagle
07-31-09, 09:57 AM
Come out to the dry intermountain west!
I relish when it rains here!
I spent about a year in Margaretville NY. Beautiful, but too wet and humid for my taste. Plus, I like my big sky and dry air!
jewelthief
07-31-09, 10:02 AM
billyymc: I commute in Binghamton too, alibet only half the distance you take on. When I looked at Weather.com at 4:30 in the morning that Wednesday you refer to, it said only thunder showers in the afternoon. Got to work and my coworkers started telling me about how bad the weather was supposed to be that afternoon. Rode home in a downpour!
Ah well, at least it was a warm rain, lol.
I don't envy your 10 miles on a 55 mph stretch of road. My worst is the Route 201 bridge. At least they finally decided to *somewhat* clean the bike lanes. Still lots of gravel but the worst debris is gone. And they even scrapped off the old bike lane markers and put new ones in their place.
JPprivate
07-31-09, 10:48 AM
yes, whoever is in charge of weather should get fired.
billyymc
07-31-09, 10:49 AM
billyymc: I commute in Binghamton too, alibet only half the distance you take on. When I looked at Weather.com at 4:30 in the morning that Wednesday you refer to, it said only thunder showers in the afternoon. Got to work and my coworkers started telling me about how bad the weather was supposed to be that afternoon. Rode home in a downpour!
Ah well, at least it was a warm rain, lol.
I don't envy your 10 miles on a 55 mph stretch of road. My worst is the Route 201 bridge. At least they finally decided to *somewhat* clean the bike lanes. Still lots of gravel but the worst debris is gone. And they even scrapped off the old bike lane markers and put new ones in their place.
Hi jewelthief - good to hear from a fellow rider in the area. I ride from Endicott to Owego on 17C. It's actually not that bad, as there is a good shoulder most of the way and is pretty free of debris -- have gotten one flat there this year.
Yeah, Wednesay morning was perfect for a ride, and it killed me to not ride that day -- but the radar looked kinda insane, and while I don't mind getting wet, I don't really like having the cars whipping past me in that kind of weather.
Do you ride pretty much every day? That was some pretty hard rain at times on Wednesday. I haven't ridden over the 201 bridge, but I often ride down to the University and back for a decent 20 or 25 mile ride.
FredOak
07-31-09, 06:31 PM
Hasn't been much better here in WNY. I think today was the first day it has been actually sunny all day, in a month. I'm getting sick of having to dry the bike off after every freakin' ride and then having to dry out all the damn equipment, shoes, etc.
jewelthief
08-01-09, 07:09 AM
Do you ride pretty much every day?
As much as I can. If it is raining in the morning I tend to drive - but I don't mind getting wet in the afternoon, so if the morning ride is clear I'm on my bike. I'm just starting to collect foul weather gear so I might be a bit more inclined to ride in the morning if its raining.
17C sounds like a nice ride! Can't blame you for not wanting to be on that road in wet weather. Even though the posted speed is 55 most drivers treat that as a minimum speed limit.
My buddy and I stopped for a beer yesterday and we were talking about how much traffic was out there (it was raining, of course). He used to own a liquor store and he said he would pray for rain because most people in this area go out shopping on those days. His busiest days were rainy days. Go figure!
Yeah, Wednesay morning was perfect for a ride, and it killed me to not ride that day
I hear that sentiment! Its tough not taking advantage of nice weather.
brotherj
08-01-09, 10:09 AM
It's been rainy in Ohio as well. I don't mind the rain but I don't like the t-storms...and the idiots who can't figure out that rain = wet roads = slick. I've had three near death experiences this summer all because the idiot drivers can't get it through their thought process that it takes longer to stop on a wet road than a dry.
limeylew
08-01-09, 10:21 AM
What a lousy summer here in upstate NY (Binghamton area). I think we've had one day without rain since the start of summer.
I don't mind riding in rain. But Wednesday the call was 90% chance of thunderstorms and rain most of the day so I skipped my commute (I usually commute only on MWF).
Today, it's already wet after raining all night. The radar shows storms nearly upon us. It's foggy, and very dark, with a 80% chance of thunderstorms and showers until 2pm. I'd ride in the rain any day, but not lightning if I can help it. And not in this morning's foggy darkness along the 55mph road I ride for about 10 miles of my 14 miles each way commute.
I hate you weather. You used to be my bff, but now Jill is. F you, weather.
BTW, you can make this up to me by being cold and dumping lots of snow on us this winter. Like every day, kinda like you're doing with the rain now. But I know you won't, cause you suck, weather. I can't believe I ever thought you liked me.
So, like is rough for you, huh?
I was just sitting here think how LUCKY I have been.
In the past month (July) I got to ride across our little town (Benbrook, TX) 5 times in the rain.
This was not torrential rain, just that light, 'soaking in' type of rain and, guess what, I REALLY enjoyed it.
Upon reflection I realized that I didn't get any wetter than I did when I was riding in the 100+ degree weather that we also had in July.
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