2012 - How Was the Commute Today?
#526
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I wore an entire load of laundry to work today because it was 17 degrees. I was toasty except my toes on my left foot. I dont know why. I am doing pretty good I think, until the Superbowl I quit commuting in late Nov and usually dont start again until it reached the 50's in hte morning. During the super bowl it took me 2 hours to get out of town by jeep so I started riding my bike agian, it took me about an hour to get home. Until today the coldest I had rode was about 28 degree F. I told my wife yesterday next year I was going to have to get studded snow tires. She thinks I am crazy, maybe I am. But a lot of you guys are really nuts, you know who you are.
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Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#527
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You're crazy, but in a good kind of way! ;-)
Had my coldest morning commute since early January, with temps in the low 20s. My water bottle almost froze solid and was all slushy by the time I got to work, which is one of my best indicators for how cold it is. Wore my warmest base layer and gloves, so I was very comfortable. Almost all of my mileage in February so far has been from commuting because we have had awful weather here the past two weekends, limiting my options for long rides. I did five rides that were 50-60+ miles in January but none so far this month. Hopefully the weather will be better next weekend so I can keep my streak of metric centuries going -- at least one every month in 2011.
Had my coldest morning commute since early January, with temps in the low 20s. My water bottle almost froze solid and was all slushy by the time I got to work, which is one of my best indicators for how cold it is. Wore my warmest base layer and gloves, so I was very comfortable. Almost all of my mileage in February so far has been from commuting because we have had awful weather here the past two weekends, limiting my options for long rides. I did five rides that were 50-60+ miles in January but none so far this month. Hopefully the weather will be better next weekend so I can keep my streak of metric centuries going -- at least one every month in 2011.
#528
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Nice ride in -- manageably cold (21 F), clear, dry, and only a light breeze. The last part of my ride is on the Roosevelt Bridge across the Potomac River, where I always go MUCH faster than the rush hour car traffic going in the same direction. You think any of them ever look at the passing bicyclists and think, "Maybe I ought to try that"? Nah!
#529
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Mid-20s *F, my first time commuting in sleet, which started just as I was leaving the house. It wasn't unpleasant, though. Very surreal, with little to no wind. I'm surprised how comfortable I am with just a windbreaker and some $0.99 WalMart gloves.
#530
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#531
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Since we've had such a mild winter, this was the first commute I've had in proper winter weather. We got about 2 inches of snow last night, and by the time I left the temperature was hovering right around 32, maybe 33. 30 mph sustained wind out of the south with gusts up to 40. Everything on the road had turned to slush, and there were some very slick spots. The wind catching my pannier and trying to blow my back wheel out from under me was fun.
I did wuss out and opted to walk the bike on the sidewalk across the overpass. I wasn't comfortable riding on potentially icy roads with 45mph traffic and no shoulder. I should bug my dad to send me his spare set of studded tires.
Overall, though, not too bad.
I did wuss out and opted to walk the bike on the sidewalk across the overpass. I wasn't comfortable riding on potentially icy roads with 45mph traffic and no shoulder. I should bug my dad to send me his spare set of studded tires.
Overall, though, not too bad.
#532
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Nice ride in this morning... perhaps the coldest morning so far this winter, which is sad since it was still in the low 20s. Did get some use out of my balaclava, though, for the first time in weeks. Warming up today, though, and looks like well be back to Loews in the 30s come tomorrow and the rest of the week. Cooler as it was, I was l pleasantly surprised by the number of commuters I saw this morning. Seemed like more than I normally see this time of year even if it's warmer.
#533
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34F and Rainy. Started off with no rain then about 1/2 way with 8 more miles it started pouring. I did not put on my full shoe covers this morning (just the tow covers) so all the water was running down my legs and into my shoe when it started raining. It was freezing at first until my body heat could warm it up. Should be around 47 and dry on the way home.
#534
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Friday morning sucked.
Raining, fine, I have rain gear
Windy (fine), Extra work out
Dark, Ample lights
Hidden, wheel eating pothole. Sucks. 5 spokes and a healthly dent.
Oh well. Its only money.
Raining, fine, I have rain gear
Windy (fine), Extra work out
Dark, Ample lights
Hidden, wheel eating pothole. Sucks. 5 spokes and a healthly dent.
Oh well. Its only money.
Last edited by Shawnrs; 02-20-12 at 08:18 AM.
#535
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My first trip to Vegas was mid-summer, and for our week the average daytime high was over 110. So, yes I do think that is bad - I retract my earlier sentiment! lol
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#536
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Gray, 48F and still dry on the way in. Ten minutes after I got to work it started raining.
Only about the third time it's rained this winter.
Only about the third time it's rained this winter.
#537
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The warm trend continues. 34F, wet streets from weekend rain/snow. the sky is starting to get noticeably lighter again on my morning ride. Nice. Spring is around the corner.
#538
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40F and drizzly. They finally chopped up the whomping willow that started going after the sidewalk on the way to my kids' school, so my daughter had a clear shot to the bike rack. Whew.
#539
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-10C (14F) this morning, -3C (27F) this afternoon, and the best part was no wind! This afternoon was the warmest it's been in 2 weeks. Felt almost like spring.
#540
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13 February 2012 Today commute was awesome, it was cold Ihad to wear my bandana to protect the face from the chill. I had to go in earlyto check for ice in the parking lot and walkways. The bicycle did a good job too,after some changes this weekend. Both derailors are gone, along with the GPSand mount. She is a single speed now and has only one job and that is to get meand my stuff to work safely and quickly. One bicycle for everything didn’t workfor me. I went ahead and changed the winter/treaded tires for the Key WestCommuter tires. Front tire 5 Zero PSI and rear Five-Five PSI. She rode nice andsmooth, almost as nice as the Schwinn Racer that got pretzel by the school’struck. The Brooks Saddle was a joy for the buttock too! I have a mirror and Imoved rear light to the back rack. I’m enjoying life and learning. The ridehome was 35 degrees, sunny, with slight crosswind from the left side (west)
Last edited by Froghunter; 02-13-12 at 06:20 PM. Reason: Font
#541
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Almost run over by a cab running a red..ugh. Caught up at a light and checked out the driver, a very scared looking little old lady. I told her to keep those eyes open.
Otherwise a nice later-than-usual ride home in the mid-forties.
Otherwise a nice later-than-usual ride home in the mid-forties.
#542
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Fantastic ride into work. 30 degrees and fog. Very peaceful! Not pleasant on the ride home though. 40 degrees and a down pour! Heres a shot of my new love right before the rain storm!
#543
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Magical ride home in a light to moderate snow storm. The temperature was about freezing with only light winds. A half inch of already fallen snow silenced the studs. The greenways and bike paths were nearly empty; I only passed eight other commuters on the nine mile route. I waved to all the stopped traffic as I went over the overpasses, and enjoyed the moment.
#544
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Great commutes today even thought there were pretty much headwinds both ways.
42F and sunny this afternoon on the commute in with mainly headwinds from the WSW @ 15-18mph gusting to 24mph. The winds definitely made it a challenging and slow ride in. Even with fighting them, I was still faster than the speeds I used to get on a calm day before before I made my coroplast velomobile. Actually saw a few other cyclists out, but they were all going the opposite way.
28F and dark this evening on the ride home with mainly crosswinds and some headwinds from the SSE @ 3-6mph. I have come to love the evening commute home. There's less traffic and it's pretty peaceful. My headlight started showing the "dead battery" warning in the beginning of the ride. I thought for sure I would have had to stop and change the batteries, but I made it all the way home without having to.
42F and sunny this afternoon on the commute in with mainly headwinds from the WSW @ 15-18mph gusting to 24mph. The winds definitely made it a challenging and slow ride in. Even with fighting them, I was still faster than the speeds I used to get on a calm day before before I made my coroplast velomobile. Actually saw a few other cyclists out, but they were all going the opposite way.
28F and dark this evening on the ride home with mainly crosswinds and some headwinds from the SSE @ 3-6mph. I have come to love the evening commute home. There's less traffic and it's pretty peaceful. My headlight started showing the "dead battery" warning in the beginning of the ride. I thought for sure I would have had to stop and change the batteries, but I made it all the way home without having to.
#546
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First day back on my commuter, was riding my old six13 while the commuter was over at Ruckus getting carbon fiber fender eyelets and custom carbon fiber fenders installed. It was wet this morning but my feet stayed dry and most of the bike clean, full fender coverage for the win! I'll get around to posting pictures at some point.
#547
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Very nice ride in today, no wind at all, 40 degrees.
#548
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Had a quiet ride into work this morning. 8 mph side wind and 20 degrees, but I was comfortable with thermal pants, cargo shorts over top and a sweatshirt. The forecast is calling for rain again this afternoon so it will be a rough commute home again, like yesterday.
#550
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12 deg F and no wind. Nice to be using the lights for making myself visible rather than making the road visible. The days are getting noticeably longer each morning.