2016! how was your commute today?
#376
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
Back in the saddle this morning after driving yesterday. It was a hard decision on whether to ride or not yesterday, but ultimately I made the right call. Forecasters were calling for late afternoon storms from a passing coldfront, and it arrived right on schedule. Although it was sunny most of the day, I would have gotten soaked on the way home if I had ridden.
The weather for the rest of the week is supposed to be clear but very cold, so hopefully I can close out my commuting week on a strong note. We are likely to have our coldest weather of the winter so far and it's supposed to extend into or through next week. I can handle the cold but don't like to ride in precipitation of any form.
The weather for the rest of the week is supposed to be clear but very cold, so hopefully I can close out my commuting week on a strong note. We are likely to have our coldest weather of the winter so far and it's supposed to extend into or through next week. I can handle the cold but don't like to ride in precipitation of any form.
#377
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
6F this morning with a 20+ mph headwind bringing the windchill to -13F. Add 80% humidity on top of it and the temp was pretty bitter when I opened the garage door.
I was tempted to drive again, but decided to suck it up because I only had to go 4 miles this morning. In the end I'm glad I did, as it really wasn't too bad of a ride.
I was tempted to drive again, but decided to suck it up because I only had to go 4 miles this morning. In the end I'm glad I did, as it really wasn't too bad of a ride.
#378
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
I decided against enduring sub-freezing temps and 20+ MPH winds for 15 miles this morning. No thank you. Temps tomorrow should be about the same but winds much less, so I should be able to ride tomorrow, and then on Friday since we're now closing up at 4 PM on Fridays.
#379
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Montpelier VT
Bikes: Scott Genius, Surly Crosscheck, Yuba Mundo cargo, Specialized Dolce Triple (stolen 5/8/15)
+1 totally agree with that
#380
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Montpelier VT
Bikes: Scott Genius, Surly Crosscheck, Yuba Mundo cargo, Specialized Dolce Triple (stolen 5/8/15)
yesterday the snow/hail pelleted my face as i rode home. i had to squint.
there was some light dusting and it was all plowed! hooray NYC for plowed bike paths (brooklyn bridge).
i rode in today like yesterday after being off the bike last week (went on holiday). same stuff
some crazy drivers, mostly it was fine. apparently, i convinced a coworker to get studded tires after he saw mine and saw that i was riding in snow conditions
i'm glad to convert an existing commuter to an all-weather commuter for sure. we met coming off the manhattan bridge on our commute home yest and we chatted while rode.
i like running into people i know on the way home! it happens a lot more than i would expect.
and i see the same people every morning going the opposite way on the brooklyn bridge, a woman - short haircut - with a tennis raquet, a guy that looks like john hammond from jurassic park on a citibike, this wiry looking guy on a citibike.
there was some light dusting and it was all plowed! hooray NYC for plowed bike paths (brooklyn bridge).
i rode in today like yesterday after being off the bike last week (went on holiday). same stuff
some crazy drivers, mostly it was fine. apparently, i convinced a coworker to get studded tires after he saw mine and saw that i was riding in snow conditions
i'm glad to convert an existing commuter to an all-weather commuter for sure. we met coming off the manhattan bridge on our commute home yest and we chatted while rode.i like running into people i know on the way home! it happens a lot more than i would expect.
and i see the same people every morning going the opposite way on the brooklyn bridge, a woman - short haircut - with a tennis raquet, a guy that looks like john hammond from jurassic park on a citibike, this wiry looking guy on a citibike.
#381
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Bikes: 2011 Surly LHT, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2004 Giant Cypress, 1990 Simoncini Super Professional
My 6.5 mile commute took 70 minutes today -- more than twice the usual time. I took the bus.
#382
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
i rode this morning in snow flurries for a bit and it was around 30F I was comfortable and had a good ride other than the person who pulled out in front of my and I had to swerve to miss. I guess they did not see my headlight on steady pulse Cygolite Epilion 850 :\ I also got honked at for some reason. I was about a foot off of the double yellow because i was going straight. they honked and were turning to the right. not sure why but oh well.
supposed to be a cold week of riding
supposed to be a cold week of riding
#383
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,717
Likes: 4,120
From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
Unseasonably warm in California, where we are expecting temps in the mid-70s here in the SF bay area. I rode to work this morning in shorts and a t-shirt.
#384
Thread Starter
Day trip lover
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: capital city of iowa
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
Cold. This mornin it was 11 with a wind chill of -7. The ride home was about the same.
Last edited by mr geeker; 02-09-16 at 05:26 PM.
#386
Thread Starter
Day trip lover
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: capital city of iowa
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
16 F this morning. 19 F this evening.
Last edited by mr geeker; 02-10-16 at 10:02 PM. Reason: So I didn' have to double post
#387
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
all time low
I saw 16F on my gps this morning.. it is my all time low! At about mile 7 my toes felt a little cold and my fingers/ hand had some moments of cold. I would flex my hands and that seemed to help. Cant wait until my new gloves come! I am also glad that these temps are abnormal.
The ride home will be interesting mid thirtys with stronger wind.
The ride home will be interesting mid thirtys with stronger wind.
#388
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
Congratulations on the new personal best, RM! It was chilly but not that cold in Raleigh, with temps in the mid-20s but windchill in the teens. Temps here could drop down to teens by tomorrow morning, however. The wind is what makes it tough on cold days, and it was very windy on my afternoon commute yesterday as well as this morning.
I stopped to do my good deed for the day on my way to work this morning. Water has been draining across one of the streets on my route for months, apparently from a leak at a city maintenance complex. I have sent several emails to the city about the leak but nothing has been done to address it. Today it really got me irked because there was a large sheet of glare ice across the road. I dismounted from my bike because I was afraid that the ice would take me down, and while I was at it I stopped to take some photos. I plan to send the photos to the city today as well as local news media. The leak is just an accident waiting to happen on very cold days.
I stopped to do my good deed for the day on my way to work this morning. Water has been draining across one of the streets on my route for months, apparently from a leak at a city maintenance complex. I have sent several emails to the city about the leak but nothing has been done to address it. Today it really got me irked because there was a large sheet of glare ice across the road. I dismounted from my bike because I was afraid that the ice would take me down, and while I was at it I stopped to take some photos. I plan to send the photos to the city today as well as local news media. The leak is just an accident waiting to happen on very cold days.
#389
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
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
I'm in a training seminar yesterday and today, much closer to home than work is. If I had been going to work, the forecast for snow would have kept me off my bike, but it seemed safe to ride if staying nearby. I rode my fixed gear bike for a change. I geared it down to 64 inches this weekend. I hadn't ridden this bike in a while, and it's a treat.
As I do often in cold weather, I was overdressed and got hot.
Riding home from my late night rehearsal, my chain jumped off, wedged between cog and spokes, and locked up my rear wheel. It's happened too often and I really need to investigate what causes it. I carried the bike to a lamppost to fix the bike. The chain was wedged in really hard, and it took a few minutes of grunting and pulling.
It was much more riding in MV traffic than I usually do so it required a lot of attention. I use a path for most of my normal commute.
Today I rode Citi Bike to the seminar, in case it snows and I don't want to ride home.
As I do often in cold weather, I was overdressed and got hot.
Riding home from my late night rehearsal, my chain jumped off, wedged between cog and spokes, and locked up my rear wheel. It's happened too often and I really need to investigate what causes it. I carried the bike to a lamppost to fix the bike. The chain was wedged in really hard, and it took a few minutes of grunting and pulling.
It was much more riding in MV traffic than I usually do so it required a lot of attention. I use a path for most of my normal commute.
Today I rode Citi Bike to the seminar, in case it snows and I don't want to ride home.
__________________
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.
#390
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Cold. Damn cold. For me anyway, 24F with a wind chill of 16. Toes froze as usual.
#392
Thread Starter
Day trip lover
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: capital city of iowa
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
8 F, feels like -3 F. Yaaay... On top of that it's supposed to snow during the evenin commute. 
Yep, there was snow. But hey, that means it's warm enough to snow!

Yep, there was snow. But hey, that means it's warm enough to snow!
Last edited by mr geeker; 02-11-16 at 05:24 PM. Reason: update for the evenin commute
#393
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
Very cold this morning with a low of 19F, slightly higher than my coldest commute of this winter. I know it's cold when my water bottle freezes, and it was frozen at the halfway point to work this morning. I was dressed just right and stayed comfortable without sweating a bit, which can be a hard balance to hit.
The cold doesn't bother me in winter as much as the extra effort it takes to ride. It is usually windy in the winter, which makes it feel colder and requires more work. That, along with the denser air, extra clothes and tighter muscles, leads to slower speeds and more exertion required. I was really beat after arriving home last night and battling strong winds most of the way. It wasn't very windy this morning, but the colder temperatures really sapped my energy. My commute times are a solid 5 minutes slower (each way) this week compared to last week, when it was about 10-20 degrees warmer most days.
The cold doesn't bother me in winter as much as the extra effort it takes to ride. It is usually windy in the winter, which makes it feel colder and requires more work. That, along with the denser air, extra clothes and tighter muscles, leads to slower speeds and more exertion required. I was really beat after arriving home last night and battling strong winds most of the way. It wasn't very windy this morning, but the colder temperatures really sapped my energy. My commute times are a solid 5 minutes slower (each way) this week compared to last week, when it was about 10-20 degrees warmer most days.
#394
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Around 40F going home last night. Not too bad. Had one guy who made a good pass by changing lanes, but also forced the oncoming car to nearly stop completely. Arse.
#395
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Another sunny clear eerie lonely commute. I encountered only a single jogger in five miles.
__________________
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."
#396
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
opted to drive this morning because of the cold. with the ride yesterday being my coldest ever 16F and lets not talk about the windchill. THe ride home was around 26F and 10-20 mph winds. I actually had to hold the brake at some stops because the wind was pushing me from behind. It must have been behind me a lot because i did not feel like i battled much wind. I did feel it from the side time to time one time it was like I had hit pile of snow or sand it was so sudden. #nervousbutexciting
plan to ride tomorrow for winter bike to work day.
plan to ride tomorrow for winter bike to work day.
#397
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
#399
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
#400
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
NYC had 25F temp this morning with less than that counting windchill. It was better than the 18F predicted before but was still pretty cold. At least it wasn't wet like yesterday. Had to clean the bike a bit this morning before leaving. Got the usual road grime splashed all over.



