How was the commute today?
DC Commuter
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Catching up from yesterday -
Coldest day I rode in (~18 F), but found I had enough layers to keep me warm, with the exception of the tips of my fingers and toes. Went for a drink after 40 mins, water bottle was half frozen!
Ride home was really nice too, only two bikers, one a guy commuting home with a kid in a Burley d'Lite. Probably the nicest round trip I had commuting in a while, which surprised me due to the weather.
George
Coldest day I rode in (~18 F), but found I had enough layers to keep me warm, with the exception of the tips of my fingers and toes. Went for a drink after 40 mins, water bottle was half frozen!
Ride home was really nice too, only two bikers, one a guy commuting home with a kid in a Burley d'Lite. Probably the nicest round trip I had commuting in a while, which surprised me due to the weather.
George
Seeing things
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22F/-5.5C (or thereabouts). Light wind, smooth ride. Short week left me with strong-feeling legs, and a short week is about to get a little shorter as I blow my butt out of here about noon-ish to enjoy a ride in today's forecast high of 50F/10C.
An Army of Fred
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First commute to work in two months. Weather was pleasant, clear skies, 52°, 89% humidity and little to no wind. Legs felt strong at the start but started to slack after the second half of the trip. It feels great to be riding again.
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Clear skies, 31 degrees and bright sunshine. Very little wind topped off a great commute this morning.
Neat - w/ ice on the side
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I was rushing home yesterday to make a scheduled conference call. As I hit the flat 6 mile home stretch, I saw a biker in red about a half-mile ahead. I said"Great, a target to keep my pace up!" I decided I'd reel him in. He was making good time - I had to get up around 25mph to close on him. Much faster than my usual 18-20. After about 4 miles we hit some small rolling hills and I really started to close. He kept reaching in his jersey pocket so I'm thinking, "AHA he's tuckered out reaching for the gel!" We start up the biggest of the rollers and I'm 10-yards back now and feeling proud. Then he hangs up his cell phone and dusts me! I will forever remember that as the Cellphone Cmackdown!
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A balmy 17*F this morning so I was able to lose a lot of the layers I've been wearing lately; I just wore baggy swim trunks and a long sleeve poly T shirt under my lined running pants and windbreaker. It felt nice to not have a ton of layers on. And I actually had clear shoulders for a reasonable amount of distance! I've totally gotten over feeling guilty about taking the lane on heavily trafficed 55 MPH roads when it's necessary to stay on pavement, but at the same time I'd just as soon move out of the way. In all it was nice and smooth.
It's now up to TWENTY NINE DEGREES! Inconceivable! And I get to ride home at mid-day today after a dental checkup!
Also, got my first yell in a long time - a left-turner at a light I was going through rolled down the passenger window and yelled "AWESOME LIGHT!" - I have a Dinotte 140L taillight.
It's now up to TWENTY NINE DEGREES! Inconceivable! And I get to ride home at mid-day today after a dental checkup!
Also, got my first yell in a long time - a left-turner at a light I was going through rolled down the passenger window and yelled "AWESOME LIGHT!" - I have a Dinotte 140L taillight.
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Had a very close call yesterday on my way home, just one block from my house. I was traveling eastbound on the street. There were cars parked on the north side, none on the right. It's a fairly wide street, plenty of room for both a bike and car. I was to the right when a car made its way around the traffic circle at the next intersection.
As soon as it came around the circle, it veered, and then seemed to aim straight for me head-on. Then it sped up. I didn't have any time to react, thank goodness I didn't panic and move to my left, instead full on stopping. The car passed within 6" of me, and me yelling the whole time (the window was cracked open but I didn't get a look at the driver, nor the license plate they passed so fast and it was getting dark). After the car passed me, it slowed almost to a stop (me still yelling) tooted it's horn and sped off again. It was clear to me it was a game.
The neighbors witnessed this incident and were clearly concerned. They had seen the whole thing.
This was way too dangerous. I did report it to the police, just in case, even though I didn't have a good description.
As soon as it came around the circle, it veered, and then seemed to aim straight for me head-on. Then it sped up. I didn't have any time to react, thank goodness I didn't panic and move to my left, instead full on stopping. The car passed within 6" of me, and me yelling the whole time (the window was cracked open but I didn't get a look at the driver, nor the license plate they passed so fast and it was getting dark). After the car passed me, it slowed almost to a stop (me still yelling) tooted it's horn and sped off again. It was clear to me it was a game.
The neighbors witnessed this incident and were clearly concerned. They had seen the whole thing.
This was way too dangerous. I did report it to the police, just in case, even though I didn't have a good description.
An Army of Fred
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Cold today but tropical relative to recent temps. I lucked out today; I hit a mound of ice on the sidewalk, as I was riding under Route 1. It was roughly 4 inches high and triangle shaped, I had been looking down and didn't notice it until it was too late. When I hit it both the front and rear tires jumped up and kicked to the right by 4 and roughly 8 inches (for the rear). I didn't have time to do anything but hang on. I could have easily dumped it and, possibly, hit the steel handrail from which I was only inches. The rest of the ride was uneventfull but, at least, I kept my crash-less commuting streak alive at approx. 6 years. Also, saw a guy yesterday riding with a prosthetic right leg. Much respect. Should be close to 50 for the ride home. Have a great weekend.
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First commute this week. Monday was a holiday (although I rode 32 miles from home). Tuesday we had a snowstorm, so I stayed home. Wednesday the roads were too icy to ride. Thursday I had to go out of town on business. Today I finally got to ride, and it's a beautiful sunny and warm day for January, with high expected around 60 F.
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First ride of the year for me. Been extremely cold and snowy here recently and I don't have a mountain bike right now. Roads are clear and it was above 20 this morning, had a nice ride in. Looking forward to the upper 30s on the way home.
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Started the commute at around 20 F, (-6 C), with the promise of a warm afternoon, and it did
reach 45 F ( 7 C). I felt like riding nude. I was able to not use my hood, gloves and shoe covers.
It's amazing how much faster we pedal in the sun and warmth. Other than that there was nothing
interesting that happened. I am fighting a cold, and hopefully all the work will get the immune system
moving along.
reach 45 F ( 7 C). I felt like riding nude. I was able to not use my hood, gloves and shoe covers.
It's amazing how much faster we pedal in the sun and warmth. Other than that there was nothing
interesting that happened. I am fighting a cold, and hopefully all the work will get the immune system
moving along.
GadgetJim57
Rain Feels Good ... !!!!
Commute for today was very wet, and road construction (and sidewalk construction) meant I had to ride in the lane. Some big trucks passed me and when I got home my backpack was all muddy! I don't really mind the rain, and since I've caught some terrible flu bug, the rain and wind actually feels good!
I'm home now, and tempted to go out for another ride in the rain ... !!!
I'm home now, and tempted to go out for another ride in the rain ... !!!
Fat Guy Rolling
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I rode the full commute on Tuesday and Wednesday. Cold, slow, and tiring, blah.
I wasn't planning on riding today, but I did ride part of the commute due to the wonderful weather. It was in the 40s this morning, and 50s on the way home. Saw four other bike commuters. A really great ride.
I wasn't planning on riding today, but I did ride part of the commute due to the wonderful weather. It was in the 40s this morning, and 50s on the way home. Saw four other bike commuters. A really great ride.
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Best ride in two months. When I went in in the morning it was 28 degrees out and felt more like 45 because it has been in the teens for the past week. My legs felt strong and I made the commute in one of my best times. On the way home I was feeling really good and it was around 43. Again I made one of my best times and was able to pass a lot of cars.
It was an interesting change since yesterday it was around 20 degrees going in and I felt weak. It was the first time that I had to take multiple walk breaks since a couple of months ago. So it went from one of my worst commutes to one of my best.
It was an interesting change since yesterday it was around 20 degrees going in and I felt weak. It was the first time that I had to take multiple walk breaks since a couple of months ago. So it went from one of my worst commutes to one of my best.
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Got hit going through an intersection about 1/3 of the way to work. Was going around a traffic circle, guy about 1/2 block away, get halfway around traffic circle, realize guy isn't slowing down, get on the brakes and hug the circle as tight as possible, guy's front driver-side fender/wheel hits my right foot/pedal/rear wheel.
Guy rolls down window and says "oh, are you okay?"
I say "you've got to be ****ing kidding me!"
He says "oh, there was black ice, I couldn't slow down!" even though he didn't skid at all, didn't scrub any noticeable amount of speed, and the street he was on was in the sun, while the one I was on was in the shade and was ice-free.
I'm all adrenaline-ed up and stupidly say I think I'm fine and start checking for damage and he promptly drives off. Didn't manage to get his license plate number. I get going, and about a block later get calmed down and realize my rear wheel is toast and my ankle is starting to hurt. The ankle is fine now, and I'll get the new rim for cheap and had been meaning to build up a wheel anyway, but the jerk wrecked the rear wheel I'd had ever since it came on my first serious mountain bike about 12 years ago. Slowly pedaled the rest of the way in to work with the rear brake unhooked, but now I need to find some bus fare to get home, I guess.
Guy rolls down window and says "oh, are you okay?"
I say "you've got to be ****ing kidding me!"
He says "oh, there was black ice, I couldn't slow down!" even though he didn't skid at all, didn't scrub any noticeable amount of speed, and the street he was on was in the sun, while the one I was on was in the shade and was ice-free.
I'm all adrenaline-ed up and stupidly say I think I'm fine and start checking for damage and he promptly drives off. Didn't manage to get his license plate number. I get going, and about a block later get calmed down and realize my rear wheel is toast and my ankle is starting to hurt. The ankle is fine now, and I'll get the new rim for cheap and had been meaning to build up a wheel anyway, but the jerk wrecked the rear wheel I'd had ever since it came on my first serious mountain bike about 12 years ago. Slowly pedaled the rest of the way in to work with the rear brake unhooked, but now I need to find some bus fare to get home, I guess.
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Got hit going through an intersection about 1/3 of the way to work. Was going around a traffic circle, guy about 1/2 block away, get halfway around traffic circle, realize guy isn't slowing down, get on the brakes and hug the circle as tight as possible, guy's front driver-side fender/wheel hits my right foot/pedal/rear wheel.
....
....
Todays commute to school was great. It was 33-40 degrees and raining moderately all day long. No work today so I turned my typical 20 mile round trip into 50 miles today...I dont know why but riding in the rain is fun (as long as you have plastic bags on hand ). It was also very cool to run into another commuter near school today...asked him how the ride was, to which he replied, "The BEST."
Also tried out my new Ortlieb Back roller panniers today...WOW. I had so much room to spare it was ridiculous. Water was not an issue and I am very pleased and now feel justified for spending so much on them.
Traffic shark
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It's been nice here in San Diego: we had two weeks of nearly 80's temps. Finally rained this friday.
Seeing things
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25F/-4C with not enough headwind to write BF about...
Snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow--might have to swap out for studs this evening. Then again, we haven't seen any yet this season. Promises, promises...
Snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow--might have to swap out for studs this evening. Then again, we haven't seen any yet this season. Promises, promises...
You gonna eat that?
Mid 40s and misty. Very pleasant ride in t-shirt, long sleeve shirt & windbreaker, with headband over my ears and light gloves on my hands.
If I'm lucky, the real rain will hold off until after I get home this afternoon.
Ice storm predicted for Wednesday. Winter storm watch for tomorrow, but the temps are supposed to be above freezing all day. I haven't figured that out yet.
If I'm lucky, the real rain will hold off until after I get home this afternoon.
Ice storm predicted for Wednesday. Winter storm watch for tomorrow, but the temps are supposed to be above freezing all day. I haven't figured that out yet.
Blasted Weeds
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C-C-C-Cold! 7F this morning --- but no wind - roads were decently clean - even the side streets - actually had a good ride in!
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The temperature was hovering at the freezing mark this morning with cloudy skies and a few showers in the area. It wasn't raining at my house and the radar didn't show anything on my route, so I made a run for it. Made it to work with no problems, and it's supposed to clear off later if the forecasters are right (which isn't often).
My regular commuter bike has been decommissioned for the time being. I am turning it into a single speed and stripped off most of the components and took it to the mechanic for the conversion over the weekend. I've ordered a new touring frame for my commuter bike, which should arrive in the next few weeks, and will commute on my old Merckx Corsa in the meantime. It was fun commuting on the Corsa, although it looks more like a Freddy Merckx with my lights, fenders, and large seatbag attached.
My regular commuter bike has been decommissioned for the time being. I am turning it into a single speed and stripped off most of the components and took it to the mechanic for the conversion over the weekend. I've ordered a new touring frame for my commuter bike, which should arrive in the next few weeks, and will commute on my old Merckx Corsa in the meantime. It was fun commuting on the Corsa, although it looks more like a Freddy Merckx with my lights, fenders, and large seatbag attached.
SERENITY NOW!!!
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It was 20F when I rode in. I'm ready for summer.
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Commuter
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Pretty cold in Denver today, it was 10 when I rode in. Only saw one other biker on my commute.