spivonious

Managed to find a break in the rain to ride in. Mid 50s...I was hot in my rain gear. Very little traffic on the roads. I didn't realize so many places were closed today.

spoiledrotten

My commute this morning was my first! I did 13.6 miles one way. The temp was about 65* and clear skies. I had been planning on taking the plunge, but hadn't had the real chance to do it, then last night, I checked the weather predictions, and told the wife "tomorrow's the day". I left the house at 5:15 am. I was a little hyper when I took off, so I started going too fast too quick (plan was to pace myself). Averaging about 18 miles for the first 4 - 5 miles. So when I hit the first good hill, I was sucking some wind, big time. Short story long, I made it in 1 hr, 10 mins, with average speed of 13.0 MPH. This afternoon will be nice, not having to sit in traffic. I'll just pedal past them in the bike lane. Another thing I realized about 4 miles from the office; I had packed my clothes in a backpack, which I wasn't used to wearing so it added a good bit of weight to me that I wasn't used to. I have a trunk bag with the sides that fold out and down for panniers. I didn't even need the back pack. I guess I just got too excited about the first ride in to work. Cheers!

Hypno Toad

Congrats! Getting started can be a mental challenge, once I got going, I started creating new goals all the time. Like bike every day for a week, or bike through the winter, etc. Now, I've moved into a home office and no longer 'need' to commute. But today, I made my 'commute' to my favorite LBS for some ChainBrite and T-9; 23 miles and temps are stupid cold, around freezing. We had temps over 80F on Wednesday and today will be lucky to get to 40F. DAMN IT Minnesota, stop toying with my emotions!

And now I will brag about the new home office set up, Friday afternoon beer at the desk Makes it easy to keep working late.

joeyduck

Awesome job! The first few rides are the hardest, then the first few rainy rides are tough. Like @hypnotoad said you'll be setting new goals before you know it. It is such a liberating feeling as you pass all the cars and feel the endorphins surge.

Good luck and keep us posted and feel free to ask for support or questions on gear or whatever.

ThermionicScott 

After five or so years, the whole "pacing myself" thing still eludes me. I don't really try anymore.

Congrats on your first commute.

joeyduck

Jerk.

Just kidding. I'm just jealous since I've not had a good beer or whisky or gin in two and a half months. But I have had a few good doses of hydromorphone daily.

I do await that luxury. Enjoy your afternoon and weekend.

Hypno Toad

I will have one for you, and hope that you get to enjoy your own good drink sooner than later! All the best to you as you recover.

And you nailed it: 'jerk'. Guilty as charged!

joeyduck

I unforunately think it will will be a few months yet, I don't want any issues with all the meds. Anyhow I'll toast with my tea, cheers.

To further brighten your spirits my love life has been equally dormant and I expect to get out of here right about when my wife gives birth. Sad face. So have some for me.

Hypno Toad

I have one of those for you too. wink, wink, nudge, nudge .

But honestly, damn!, recovery is not fun. Beats the alternative, but not fun.

spoiledrotten

Thanks for the good words and encouragement, guys! I really appreciate it. Hope you have a happy and blessed Easter weekend.

mgw4jc

Some mornings after I'm at work I have a hard time even remembering anything specific about my ride in. There was less traffic today as the local schools are on spring break. So that was good. It's overcast and about 50F right now. I saw the same walkers and dog walkers out as I rode through one neighborhood. I'm sure they're used to seeing me an probably assume I'm going to work.

I did see another cyclist going the opposite direction. That is a rare thing for my morning ride in. I'll often see some roadies in the afternoon, but not the morning.

esmith2039

Lower 50's overdressed but since the wind was out of the south kept me cool. The worse part was a bout of insomnia last night and only a hour or two of sleep, the mind tends to wander or go asleep I'm not careful. Have a dentist appointment tonight which is 9.5-10 miles along a route familiar with.. not sure if I'll attempt to ride the other 10 home or have the wife pick me up.

KCBikeCommuter

Good to be back on the bike after a week and a half off from commuting. Cloudy with some mist this morning and temps around 50F.

arsprod 

I'll add my "welcome to the addiction!" I was not feeling it this morning. Spent the weekend at the race track (cars are for fun not transportation!) and I'm whipped. Fortunately it's 51F with just a bit of headwind so was a mindless slog. Still better than driving to work!

spivonious

Pleasant ride in this morning. Supposed to hit the 70s this afternoon!

RidingMatthew

pleasant ride in this morning 50F degrees. I skipped knee warmers and regretted decision at first but did not mile later in the ride.

trying to figure out what the rain is going to do so I can see how many days this week I can ride.

mgw4jc

Watching the forecast here too. I won't decide anything for sure until about 30 minutes before I leave in the morning. But right now it says rain/thunderstorms for Tuesday, so doesn't look good.

RidingMatthew

yeah I am watchign them but Tuesday is a drive day for me anyway and secretly I hope it rains so that I dont feel bad about driving. Kind of a two for one thing. I would like to wait to decide to ride but if I know I am not going to ride I like to go the gym. That means getting up early and changes my schedule a lot.

spoiledrotten

Thanks, arsprod!

Hypno Toad

Today's 'commute' from my house to my home office, was just over 30 miles with temps around freezing and light rain. Felt damn good, still grinning! I'm really going love this new 'commute' that let's me ride where I want and then find my way home.

CJ Str3tch

I experienced a first this morning on the ride in to work. About 6:!5 am, the sun was just rising. I was about four and a half miles into my ride and just crossed over the bike bridge that crosses the highway in town. As I was coming down, going faster, I saw in the distance ahead of me a group of people. At first I thought it was a group of cyclists going out for a morning ride. Then I noticed they were either walking or running. A big group of runners, I thought. Then I saw them as I got closer. They were in two lines, the first person in line carried the American flag. I saw the camouflage outfits they were wearing. It was a group of about 20 young men out early in the morning on maneuvers. I slowed down as I approached. They said nothing, just kept marching and moved to the side so I could pass through the middle of them. About half way through them I said "Thank you guys for all you do...." and kept peddling. With my son in boot camp, it was a humbling experience, to say the least.

esmith2039

Light mist the weatherman said.. don't even think that will happen the weatherman said.. Wasn't that bad at least. Rode the 9ish miles to the dentist and the other 7.7 home for a whooping 22.4 miles for the day, and only on 2 hours of sleep! That's a first ever for me on a bike. Between raising my T level and this new bike going to be awesome year!

heywood

Temps still suck, good ride home this morning, bit of a headwind in tonight (i'm on nights)..I wish it was more spring like but heck at least i've been lucky with the wind conditions.. Starting to see more bikes on the road, which is nice.

heywood

wow.. that was worth the ride in..

joeyduck

Yeah I got a grumpy text from my friend in Ottawa with a picture of it snowing. It's seems to be a long winter this year. All the best come warm weather and may it be soon.