2016! how was your commute today?
#2701
That Huffy Guy

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 161
From: Ashtabula, Ohio
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
I could not ask for nicer weather!
#2702
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Bikes: R4000si, 2013 CAADX
My fourth commute today. Love morning ride! Not much wind and cool enough to dry sweat. This morning I tried something different than my last rides. I started off with some speed to get through busy traffic area. On the half way I started cool off and just cruise along with low cadence. I don't want to get too tired when I get to work so this will help.
#2703
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
You could, you just might not get it.
Good weather here for riding too. I left about an hour early and went to the gym for some strength training before work. This takes me on a different route and I was going to follow this one highway south for a bit. It was backed up with bumper to bumper traffic. I was able to pass on the right for a while, feeling sorry for all the drivers. But then the shoulder narrowed so I turned off for a different route.
Good weather here for riding too. I left about an hour early and went to the gym for some strength training before work. This takes me on a different route and I was going to follow this one highway south for a bit. It was backed up with bumper to bumper traffic. I was able to pass on the right for a while, feeling sorry for all the drivers. But then the shoulder narrowed so I turned off for a different route.
#2704
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
Cooled off a bit to mid 40's but it was dry. Easy ride in at a relaxed pace. Should be about 50 with sun for the ride home. Temps drop for the rest of the week giving me a chance to try out a different set of layering shirts and light jacket.
#2705
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
Note to self... leave 15-minutes later than normal and you WILL be behind every school bus in the city. :-(
#2706
Pedal Stompin'

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 15
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2014 Metrofiets w/EBO e-assist; 2007 Trek 7300; 1986 Peugeot road bike w/downtube shifters
Never a bad time to ride!
This morning was beautiful. I wore my wool jersey, but it was almost too warm for 43F. I am in LOVE with my Brooks saddle--finest piece of leather my butt has ever perched on.
Last night was my first night commute. I left work at around 7:45pm, and I had the trail all to myself! Only soul I encountered on that beautiful moonlit ride was a raccoon-friend, whom I startled, and who scrambled noisily back toward the river, poor thing.
Last night was my first night commute. I left work at around 7:45pm, and I had the trail all to myself! Only soul I encountered on that beautiful moonlit ride was a raccoon-friend, whom I startled, and who scrambled noisily back toward the river, poor thing.
#2707
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Norman, OK
Bikes: IZip E3 Path+, Specialized Diverge A1, GMC Denali, Roadmaster Quarry Ridge
64F this morning. Lots of cloud coverage. Only a slight breeze, thank goodness. Rode the Specialized bike since I have to be in the downtown area for a while later today, and the ebike feels like a tank when walking it around the sidewalks there. Ride in was uneventful; always good to get going just a few minutes before 6 am so as to contend with very little traffic. Only issue is that breakfast was too light and I'm starving now.
#2708
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Fall temps are back after the freak warm weather but the brutal winds are gone - I'll take it!
#2709
Temps right around freezing and no wind. Nice ride. Left earlier than usual and had a very dark start.
The last few commutes, I've taken a geared bike after riding nothing but fixed gear for the last 2 months. I've noticed a couple of interesting side effects from extended exclusive fixed riding. First, I'm afraid to coast. My leg muscles twitch every time I start coasting because they're expecting to be kicked back into motion. Second, I don't bother shifting anymore if it's not absolutely necessary. Even with a 2X10 drivetrain, I leave it in one gear for the whole trip and just power up the hills. I know, I'm not riding optimally, but on a 13km commute, I don't think it matters.
The last few commutes, I've taken a geared bike after riding nothing but fixed gear for the last 2 months. I've noticed a couple of interesting side effects from extended exclusive fixed riding. First, I'm afraid to coast. My leg muscles twitch every time I start coasting because they're expecting to be kicked back into motion. Second, I don't bother shifting anymore if it's not absolutely necessary. Even with a 2X10 drivetrain, I leave it in one gear for the whole trip and just power up the hills. I know, I'm not riding optimally, but on a 13km commute, I don't think it matters.
#2710
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 185
From: south Puget Sound
45F. Cloudy/clammy the 1st half then, once I crossed the ridge, peasoup fog the rest of the way. I had my usual shorts/shoes/socks/fingerless gloves. In a bit of rebellion against the ongoing deluge (8" of rain since Thursday) chose a longsleeve smartwool shirt rather than t-shirt + raincoat. It was fine. I also considered the roadbike but my lizardbrain prevailed and I took the cross bike, for which I definitely needed the dynohub light once I got into the fog. And the pudgier tires were handy with the rafts and rafts and rafts of leaves.
Last edited by HardyWeinberg; 10-19-16 at 09:27 AM.
#2711
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,519
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
And through the school zones too!
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#2712
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 229
From: Bronx, NYC
Bikes: '19 Fuji Gran Fondo 1.5, '72 Peugeot PX10, '71ish Gitane Super Corsa, '78 Fuji Newest, '89 Fuji Ace, '94 Cannondale R600, early '70s LeJeune Pro project
70 deg. this morning at 530AM in NYC. It was bizarre. Last week I was wearing cold weather gear. The 3PM commute should be about 83 deg.
#2713
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 5
From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
[MENTION=384662]bmthom.gis[/MENTION], many people have found that they are overinflating their tires. The sidewall rating is higher than necessary for most people. See this article. Note that the weights in the lookup chart are per wheel, not per bicycle.
Even my 32s on my commuter I don't go lower than 85 for the front. It just feels a little too squishy to me. Of course, I'm usually hauling around clothes and food and such as well, so the added weight makes me want to keep the PSI up.
#2714
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,180
Likes: 6,415
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Last night I had a strong headwind. Oh well. I'm getting used to riding into the wind, though I may not stop complaining about it for a while.
This morning, yay, I had a tailwind. Very unusual. It's also unusually warm, even warmer than yesterday. I wore a polo shirt and shorts and sweated quite a bit. The air was cleaner today than yesterday.
This morning, yay, I had a tailwind. Very unusual. It's also unusually warm, even warmer than yesterday. I wore a polo shirt and shorts and sweated quite a bit. The air was cleaner today than yesterday.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2715
Spent half of last week and the first part of this week fretting about this morning. I had a meeting scheduled at 7:30AM and had to be here before 7 to prepare for it. I couldn't miss the meeting, and also I wanted to ride to work. Basically, that required that I get myself to work an hour early.
So, I had to leave an hour early, which meant be in the saddle by 5:30 and ride under lights the whole way. It wasn't my favorite way to ride, but...in the end, it was no problem.
So, I had to leave an hour early, which meant be in the saddle by 5:30 and ride under lights the whole way. It wasn't my favorite way to ride, but...in the end, it was no problem.
#2716
That Huffy Guy

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 161
From: Ashtabula, Ohio
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
All riding season it's been riding east with a light or no headwind in the morning and riding home in the evening with a headwind most of the time. Wind makes you stronger especially when riding a single speed.
#2717
Record high today at 88° and we tied the record yesterday, great days for riding both days. It's been a great year so far, without having to drive in yet and not really any challenging weather.
On a less happy note, I ran over a squirrel again, which is my third in about a month and I'd never previously hit one. Maybe there are just more squirrels this year, or perhaps the unseasonal warmth is making them crazy.
On a less happy note, I ran over a squirrel again, which is my third in about a month and I'd never previously hit one. Maybe there are just more squirrels this year, or perhaps the unseasonal warmth is making them crazy.
#2718
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 1,470
From: Merrimac , MA
This mornings commute a nice uneventful commute with the temp at 47f degrees.
#2719
That Huffy Guy

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 161
From: Ashtabula, Ohio
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
Pouring down rain. Did not even load up the bike and just drove in. Already feeling sad
#2720
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
A bit cooler.. overdressed. The cold air was a killer on my ears though. Hit the exercise equipment 2x as hard this morning, going to be tired today.
#2721
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
Riding home yesterday the sky was clouding and a freezing cold wind picked up. Based my clothing on the temp alone and under dressed somewhat. Cold ride home. Had to go out to for a dinner so I hopped in a steaming hot shower to warm back up.
35 this morning with clear skies. Stars were amazing. Traffic was very light.
35 this morning with clear skies. Stars were amazing. Traffic was very light.
#2722
Record ride this morning. No, not the time. But I made 4.8 mi without having to stop. Usually half the lights catch me.
#2723
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
A nice ride in and managed to fit in 16 miles. My headlight battery was low though. It lasted long enough that I was fine, but will need to get into a better charging habit as it gets dark earlier.
#2724
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 430
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
35 degrees this morning, but practically no wind. Went out for a 5 mile run before I showered and dressed for work. Hopped on the bike and left the house, only to get nearly mowed down 3 blocks later.
High school kid texting while turning left at an uncontrolled intersection, not realizing I was entering the intersection from his right. I was lit up like a Christmas tree with my headlights and blinkies. Thankfully I was paying attention and took evasive action to avoid a collision. The kid sped off and I doubt he even knows what happened.
Thankfully the rest of the ride was uneventful, except for an ice cream headache that I always get in cold weather when going down a big hill close to my home. It's not far enough away that I have a chance to warm up, and steep enough that I can easily hit 25 mph without pedaling. Windchill. Brrrrr.
High school kid texting while turning left at an uncontrolled intersection, not realizing I was entering the intersection from his right. I was lit up like a Christmas tree with my headlights and blinkies. Thankfully I was paying attention and took evasive action to avoid a collision. The kid sped off and I doubt he even knows what happened.
Thankfully the rest of the ride was uneventful, except for an ice cream headache that I always get in cold weather when going down a big hill close to my home. It's not far enough away that I have a chance to warm up, and steep enough that I can easily hit 25 mph without pedaling. Windchill. Brrrrr.
#2725
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 430
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
Just got an email from a co-worker, this morning he crossed the 10,000 mile commuting mark since he started tracking in 2009. He doesn't ride every single day or in the winter, but averages 2-3 days per week 8 months out of the year. Good for him for getting out and doing it.
He showed me his detailed spreadsheet where he tracks everything. He's figured out how many miles he rode instead of driving, his per-mile expenses for driving broken down by year, and all of his bicycle related expenses. I found it amusing that after seven years he's only ahead $157.
Thankfully there are other benefits to cycling other than money savings!
He showed me his detailed spreadsheet where he tracks everything. He's figured out how many miles he rode instead of driving, his per-mile expenses for driving broken down by year, and all of his bicycle related expenses. I found it amusing that after seven years he's only ahead $157.
Thankfully there are other benefits to cycling other than money savings!




