2016! how was your commute today?
#2552
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
Overcast, 10C/50F, a bit of spray in the air. Nice morning ride in.
#2553
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Perfect weather, mild temperatures with relatively low humidity for a change. Unfortunately, the hot water is out again at my workplace for their annual maintenance, so it looks like I'll be taking cold showers for a while. It's not so bad once it quits hurting.
A bigger concern is Hurricane Matthew, which could hit the Southeast coast according to the latest models. It's a huge storm, so even a glancing blow is likely to bring a lot of rain and high winds to the eastern half of NC. We've already had two weeks of nearly continuous rain due previous tropical systems this fall, so we could get some serious flooding here if the storm tracks toward the coast.
A bigger concern is Hurricane Matthew, which could hit the Southeast coast according to the latest models. It's a huge storm, so even a glancing blow is likely to bring a lot of rain and high winds to the eastern half of NC. We've already had two weeks of nearly continuous rain due previous tropical systems this fall, so we could get some serious flooding here if the storm tracks toward the coast.
#2554
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 428
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Pouring rain this morning with a stiff wind. Rode my hybrid with fenders, but the wind was blowing hard enough that it was blowing the water coming off the back of the fender straight into my right foot.
Put a new chain on my bike last night. Discovered this morning that the two gears I use 80% of the time were skipping on the cassette, so I had to shift to a different ring in front so I could use less worn cogs on the cassette. For some reason I only get 750-1500 miles out of a cassette on this particular bike. This bike also eats chains just as fast even though I'm pretty diligent about maintaining them every 100 miles or so. My other bikes I'm getting much more typical mileage in the thousands before the chains/cassettes wear out.
I'm wondering if it's the SRAM cassette I keep using. I may try switching models/brands to see if I can extend my drivetrain life between replacements.
Put a new chain on my bike last night. Discovered this morning that the two gears I use 80% of the time were skipping on the cassette, so I had to shift to a different ring in front so I could use less worn cogs on the cassette. For some reason I only get 750-1500 miles out of a cassette on this particular bike. This bike also eats chains just as fast even though I'm pretty diligent about maintaining them every 100 miles or so. My other bikes I'm getting much more typical mileage in the thousands before the chains/cassettes wear out.
I'm wondering if it's the SRAM cassette I keep using. I may try switching models/brands to see if I can extend my drivetrain life between replacements.
#2555
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
I hate that: you push down with your foot to pedal and then as your foot comes up, your shoe fills up again, you're pumping water as much as pedaling.
#2556
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Beautiful day even had a tailwind.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2557
Why do roadies think I'm going to be a slow-poke just because I'm riding a fixed gear and sprint around me after a corner or after I pass pedestrians?? It's not like they're gonna run away from me at their 18 mph
and then I have to wait for clear stretch to get around and get up to speed.
and then I have to wait for clear stretch to get around and get up to speed.
#2558
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
New arena opens tonight with some obscure Merseyside bassist. We'll see how the traffic goes.
#2559
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 1,466
From: Merrimac , MA
Well it was an nice uneventful chilly ride with the temp at 42f degrees this am and dark starry skies.
#2560
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Excellent temp and not to much head wind. A little damp but still rode the fenderless bike. Not sure about tomorrow.
#2561
That Huffy Guy

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 160
From: Ashtabula, Ohio
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
Slightly warmer, but fought a headwind all the way in.
#2562
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
Milder than expected, 13C/55F, overdressed and arrived soaking wet. Now is the season of learning to dress again.
#2563
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 223
Likes: 10
From: NW, WI
Bikes: Salsa Fargo, Surly Disc Trucker, Surly ECR, Cannondale Cujo, Rocky Mountain Blizzard
Woke up to a surprising 63 and no rain. Until I stepped out the door and a light sprinkle started. Prefer to be wet and warm than wet and cold so I grabbed a jacket but didn't grab my touring bike with the fenders. Off and on rain, off and on wet pavement. Didn't start throwing water until the last mile so it wasn't too bad. One of those days where traffic was very light. Supposed to be nice this afternoon.
#2564
I rolled over something and flatted, the first flat this year! Or since Spring a year ago if I remember correctly. I didn't check but I'm sure it was a pinch flat since the pressure felt low yesterday and rolling out, if so I can take full credit for it.
Looking at it later, no not a snakebite so I guess it wasn't totally my fault. Except for running over something. I had intended to patch it at work but my tube of glue was dry, it being a year or more since I used it. Had to use a glueless patch. I hate it when that happens.
Looking at it later, no not a snakebite so I guess it wasn't totally my fault. Except for running over something. I had intended to patch it at work but my tube of glue was dry, it being a year or more since I used it. Had to use a glueless patch. I hate it when that happens.
Last edited by wphamilton; 10-05-16 at 06:57 PM.
#2565
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
Bikes: Klein Quantum Race; Cannondale Supersix EVO Di2; Trek Crossrip LTD; Trek Boone 9 Disc
Nice 61F morning. It rained last night, so the roads were still wet, but otherwise a nice commute to work.
#2566
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
For some reason I only get 750-1500 miles out of a cassette on this particular bike. This bike also eats chains just as fast even though I'm pretty diligent about maintaining them every 100 miles or so. My other bikes I'm getting much more typical mileage in the thousands before the chains/cassettes wear out.
Morning temps have risen to mid 60's. Bit of a headwind today but still very pleasant
#2567
Only 2C/36F, but seemed warmer than that. The air must be drying out. The afternoon temperature is forecast to soar to a whopping 3C. Guess I'll be wearing rather than packing my jacket and gloves home.
On Monday, I left work late, after sunset but before it was completely dark. In the valley where there are no artificial lights, I could see a couple largish dogs running loose around the path ahead. They turned out to be good natured labs, but in the dim light from a distance, for all I knew, they were rottweilers. A bit disconcerting.
On Monday, I left work late, after sunset but before it was completely dark. In the valley where there are no artificial lights, I could see a couple largish dogs running loose around the path ahead. They turned out to be good natured labs, but in the dim light from a distance, for all I knew, they were rottweilers. A bit disconcerting.
Last edited by groovestew; 10-05-16 at 01:41 PM. Reason: spelling
#2568
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Last Friday my ride home was just one of those rides. Started using a blinking white light in front for my rides home through the side streets but it didn't help. Had a lady pull out and she just kept sliding over into me. She before she hit me she looked over and finally seen me. Bright clothes and flashing light is no help if they aren't looking.
#2569
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Tired.. managed to get between the storms fronts. Lightening in front and back! Only sprinkled at least.
#2570
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 223
Likes: 10
From: NW, WI
Bikes: Salsa Fargo, Surly Disc Trucker, Surly ECR, Cannondale Cujo, Rocky Mountain Blizzard
46 with clear skies. The stars were awesome this morning. Temps are in that "what to wear" zone. Did add long pants and a lightweight safety jacket the wind just rips through over a long sleeved wicking shirt. Felt cool but wasn't cold.
Commute home yesterday was into 20mph winds with gusts to 30. Definitely took longer. Figure getting ticked off won't help so it's gear down and keep spinning.
Commute home yesterday was into 20mph winds with gusts to 30. Definitely took longer. Figure getting ticked off won't help so it's gear down and keep spinning.
#2571
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
Beautiful morning except when the fellow yelled at me for riding on the sidewalk, er, fellow, it's a shared path, I have every right to be here. I left early, 6:30, and didn't see the sun because it doesn't rise until about 7:45. I had a bear bell on my bike because bears have been spotted on the shared path a few times in the past couple of weeks. I'm not afraid of being attacked by a bear, I just don't want to be run over by one as it runs across the road.
#2572
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
I could get used to these low 60's mornings and near 80 afternoons
#2573
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I edited down Monday's 90 minute commute to a bit over 7 minutes and posted it on YouTube:
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#2574
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 428
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Consecutive bicycle commute number 153:
Chilly and windy ride to work this morning. Supposed to be raining when I leave for home at 5 PM so I packed some appropriate clothes.
Over lunch I have to run some errands. First I have to ride to the post office to pick up a registered letter that contains the title to my wife's new (to her) car. Then I have to ride to the county courthouse to get license plates and pay the taxes on the purchase. Then I have to ride to the bank to put the title in our safety deposit box. Lots of car related errands to be completed without a car.
Chilly and windy ride to work this morning. Supposed to be raining when I leave for home at 5 PM so I packed some appropriate clothes.
Over lunch I have to run some errands. First I have to ride to the post office to pick up a registered letter that contains the title to my wife's new (to her) car. Then I have to ride to the county courthouse to get license plates and pay the taxes on the purchase. Then I have to ride to the bank to put the title in our safety deposit box. Lots of car related errands to be completed without a car.
#2575
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Well, it looks like Hurricane Matthew is going to spare NC from its worst effects, but we could still get a lot of rain. The forecast models have been all over the place, however, so what it ends up doing is anyone's guess and it could affect our weather into next week.
I took the day off riding yesterday because my legs were really sore and tired. I had my bike all packed up to leave in the morning and concluded that my body was telling me to rest. I ended up working out at the gym after work, and felt much better this morning. There is a slight chance of rain from the outer bands of Matthew today, but hopefully I'll make it home this afternoon without getting soaked. Tomorrow is not looking very promising, with forecasts calling for 90-100% chance of rain.
I took the day off riding yesterday because my legs were really sore and tired. I had my bike all packed up to leave in the morning and concluded that my body was telling me to rest. I ended up working out at the gym after work, and felt much better this morning. There is a slight chance of rain from the outer bands of Matthew today, but hopefully I'll make it home this afternoon without getting soaked. Tomorrow is not looking very promising, with forecasts calling for 90-100% chance of rain.





