Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

2014!! How was your commute today?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

2014!! How was your commute today?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-28-14, 06:33 AM
  #501  
Senior Member
 
dcb23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,264
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Winter...it's back. 16F / -9 C coming in this morning.
dcb23 is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 07:58 AM
  #502  
Senior Member
 
arsprod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2,043

Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 183 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by locolobo13
Leash law covers the whole state. Plenty of loose dogs. Most of them don't bother me. Even the ones that do I can usually get by without stopping. This morning tho, the angles and speed (and dog) were against me and I felt it better to stop. I haven't stopped for a dog, except in a friendly way, in years.

Mr Hairy Legs: I've wondered about the effect of an airzound too. May try that. If nothing else it will wake the neighbors at 5:30 AM.
I'm getting these horns, mounting both on bars for MUP dog walkers. We're back to single digit temps with high winds. I didn't ride yesterday or today and totally fine with me - I'm sick of this... and we're supposed to get 10 in of snow over the weekend. argh
__________________
I'm slow, go around
arsprod is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 08:21 AM
  #503  
Senior Member
 
jrickards's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sudbury, ON, CA
Posts: 2,647

Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 133 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
First post of this season and what a day to start bike commuting this year: -28C (-18F) with a standing windchill of -34C (-29F) (assuming I rode at a speed of 15kmh/10mph, the windchill would be -39C (-38F), https://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/de...n&n=0F42F92D-1).

I am using my 29er with no modifications for winter: because it is cold today and will be cold (but not so much) next week, I won't be getting it dirty with slush and salt but when it gets mild, I'll either have my beater bike ready or I'll continue walking until the slush is essentially gone and then I'll get back on my Kona Sutra again for the spring/summer/fall season.
jrickards is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 09:34 AM
  #504  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
All right! So I was prepared to ride into work yesterday morning. Then I looked at the weather at 5 AM. 19°F. Nope, not gonna do it. So I decided to drive and take the bike, and split up my commute like I used to do.

The ride home yesterday was pretty uneventful. Mid 40's. Slight wind from my front left (northwest), but not nearly as bad as it was Tuesday afternoon.

This morning it was 32F, much better than 19. I still layered up, though, which made me pretty slow. Saw an AMAZING sunrise about 6:30. I wanted to snap a pic but didn't want to stop and remove my gloves, dig for my phone, take it out of the plastic bag, etc. etc. Light wind again from my front left (east-southeast) which picked up a bit as I went on. That gave me a little boost on the portions traveling west, but not so much when going south.

I'm really tiring of having to get all gussied up in all these multiple layers in the mornings. I long for the days when I just throw on my shorts and short-sleeve jersey and go, and it's not dark outside when I leave.

But this marks my first full commuting week (full week meaning 2 round trips) since the 2nd week of November. So that's good.

Last edited by PatrickGSR94; 02-28-14 at 09:43 AM.
PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 12:35 PM
  #505  
Senior Member
 
tarwheel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Best week for commuting since early January, riding 4 out of 5 days. I took a rest yesterday because my legs needed a break but rode today after finishing a doctor's appointment first thing in the morning. It was nice riding in full daylight for a change and the temperatures had moderated after dipping into the mid-20s overnight. The winds have been my real challenge this week, with tough headwinds every afternoon.
tarwheel is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 01:11 PM
  #506  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
Posts: 1,851

Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm getting tired of the extreme cold. 20 days until Spring!

Is everyone in the northeast ready for another foot of snow on Monday?
spivonious is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 01:43 PM
  #507  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 157

Bikes: They have two wheels!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 7 Posts
I had a great commute in this morning, road testing the most recent xtracycle set-up that I put together late last night. Everything worked great right out of the gates. I love when that happens. Smooth sailing.

The work has proven to be stressful and terrible, but guess what... I get to ride home afterward!

vaultbrad is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 03:40 PM
  #508  
Bicycle Commuter
 
Bluish Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Springfield, IL
Posts: 726
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Good commute in to work this morning, but my legs are shot. 5 out of 5 this week! My first polar 5-for-5 on studded tires.
Bluish Green is offline  
Old 02-28-14, 05:13 PM
  #509  
Senior Member
 
Krellon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 56
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Being from the UK today was pretty typical of most days. 2 hours 15 in Pouring freezing rain, puddles and crazy drivers hell bent on doing you harm everywhere

My typical commute! https://youtu.be/CaPNgPPJxUY

Br
Krellon is offline  
Old 03-03-14, 09:01 AM
  #510  
Senior Member
 
arsprod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2,043

Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 183 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 14 Posts
8F with -10 wind chill, BUT - the 15mph wind was behind me on the way in so fun ride
__________________
I'm slow, go around
arsprod is offline  
Old 03-03-14, 10:24 AM
  #511  
Senior Member
 
timvan_78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 498

Bikes: Trek Fuel EX8, Caad10, Marin BearValley, WTP BMX, Norco Tandem

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
light rain 6degC (43degF).

Part of my route is underneath an elevated commuter light rail line (Skytrain) where it doesnt rain. I was behind a woman on a FS mtn bike being towed by a big bull-dog type dog 20-25km/hr. Another bike was coming the other way so she tried to steer around the concrete skytrain pedestal... I hung way back because i knew this was a recipe for disaster, and sure enough: The dog went one way, she went the other way and whammo! She faceplanted into the concrete pedestal. Shaken up but she'll be OK--probably a sore neck/shoulder.
timvan_78 is offline  
Old 03-03-14, 11:03 AM
  #512  
ouate de phoque
 
dramiscram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Posts: 1,781

Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by jrickards
First post of this season and what a day to start bike commuting this year.
It's about time!!!

It was a cold ride this morning at -20° celcius when I left home, with a good headwind. It's spring break here so no traffic at all this morning. Nice sunny sky.
It should get warmer as the week goes by and I will gladly take a mild -5° celcius or something like that.
dramiscram is offline  
Old 03-03-14, 01:50 PM
  #513  
Senior Member
 
tarwheel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
After a brief reprieve from the foul weather, winter has returned this week with a vengeance. Forced to drive today due to forecasts calling for plunging temperatures and rain turning to sleet, ice and snow. Forecasts currently calling for black ice tomorrow morning, and another front on Thursday/Friday with more frozen precip, so I might miss several more days this week. Sux.
tarwheel is offline  
Old 03-03-14, 03:54 PM
  #514  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by timvan_78
light rain 6degC (43degF).

Part of my route is underneath an elevated commuter light rail line (Skytrain) where it doesnt rain. I was behind a woman on a FS mtn bike being towed by a big bull-dog type dog 20-25km/hr. Another bike was coming the other way so she tried to steer around the concrete skytrain pedestal... I hung way back because i knew this was a recipe for disaster, and sure enough: The dog went one way, she went the other way and whammo! She faceplanted into the concrete pedestal. Shaken up but she'll be OK--probably a sore neck/shoulder.
43F in BC, Canada, meanwhile we had mid-teens this morning with sleet, ice, and snow in the Memphis area. Crazy.
PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Old 03-03-14, 10:22 PM
  #515  
IguanaFred Rider
 
WillynHook's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 112

Bikes: Giant Iguana - Freded-Up since 1992

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
WillynHook is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 06:39 AM
  #516  
Senior Member
 
dcb23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,264
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by WillynHook
Wow...looks scary on those roads I have to say.


The winter that never ends, 16F / -9 C again. Main streets in DC were fine but sidestreets were slippery. But I stayed upright the whole way in.
dcb23 is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 08:20 AM
  #517  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
Posts: 1,851

Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
@WillynHook - is that a fat bike?
spivonious is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 08:49 AM
  #518  
Senior Member
 
CommuteCommando's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Southern CaliFORNIA.
Posts: 3,078

Bikes: KHS Alite 500, Trek 7.2 FX , Masi Partenza, Masi Fixed Special, Masi Cran Criterium

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 11 Posts
I've been given the job of interfacing with our Mexico facility. Yesterday I had to go to the warehouse we keep this side of the border, so decided to bike it. Pretty easy nine mile route from the trolley station, except the last half mile, due to really torn up roads, and the hoards of semi's that tore them up. https://www.strava.com/activities/117698466
CommuteCommando is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 10:12 AM
  #519  
ouate de phoque
 
dramiscram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Posts: 1,781

Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Another cold morning, -20° celcius (-28° with windchill factor) sunny morning, nice ride
dramiscram is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 10:16 AM
  #520  
Senior Member
 
arsprod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2,043

Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 183 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 14 Posts
Very cool and what we looked like Sunday (before work week fortunately), you're welcome! 8F with NO WIND CHILL... thank goodness for small miracles. Actually a really pleasant ride
__________________
I'm slow, go around
arsprod is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 01:49 PM
  #521  
IguanaFred Rider
 
WillynHook's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 112

Bikes: Giant Iguana - Freded-Up since 1992

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
@WillynHook - is that a fat bike?
Yep!
WillynHook is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 01:58 PM
  #522  
Senior Member
 
jdswitters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fort Collins CO
Posts: 848

Bikes: Swobo Fillmore, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 9 Posts
32F this morning, rode in from the GFs house. First morning in several weeks that I did not have to put on the windpants and an extra jacket and wear the dreaded baklava. Did not have to take the lane to avoid any ice ponds, green lights the whole way, never had a chance to sip my coffee.

Bliss.
jdswitters is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 02:07 PM
  #523  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
Posts: 1,851

Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by WillynHook
Yep!
Nice! I saw one in my LBS and thought it looked made for the snow.
spivonious is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 02:41 PM
  #524  
Senior Member
 
enigmaT120's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Falls City, OR
Posts: 1,965

Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Dark but dry! I did learn that my goretex pants aren't leaking when I ride in the rain and my lower legs get wet, because they got wet this morning and it wasn't raining. Just sweat, oh well. It was just cold enough this morning that I wanted pants instead of shorts, but this evening it will be warm enough for shorts. Nice ride and I was only passed by two cars in 9 miles.
enigmaT120 is offline  
Old 03-04-14, 09:16 PM
  #525  
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
Forgot some medication at home and forgot to take some others, result 9.5 mph on the way home.
Darth Lefty is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.