2016! how was your commute today?
06-15-16 | 09:32 AM
#1476
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
It was an awesome ride in this morning. I felt nice and relaxed, rode 44.3km/27.5mi and wasn't pushing myself and finished with an average rate of 24.3kmh which I am happy with considering that I was relaxed as I rode. It was a beautiful sunny morning, I missed a couple of opportunities to take photos but I was a little concerned about how much work I would arrive to so I didn't stop. Another opportunity will come up on another day.
I have a long riding day planned for tomorrow, a metric century split into morning and afternoon commutes. Tomorrow is a big push day for the Great Cycle Challenge to raise money (here in Canada) for the Sick Kids Foundation to help eliminate cancer from kids.
It also is my birthday today so beer tasting tonight: a local coffee house has a liquor licence for the evenings with limited stock (they occasionally have a whiskey night) but tonight, Whitewater Brewery is having a taste testing so my wife (the designated driver), my son and I will be out for part of the evening.
Have a great day everyone.
I have a long riding day planned for tomorrow, a metric century split into morning and afternoon commutes. Tomorrow is a big push day for the Great Cycle Challenge to raise money (here in Canada) for the Sick Kids Foundation to help eliminate cancer from kids.
It also is my birthday today so beer tasting tonight: a local coffee house has a liquor licence for the evenings with limited stock (they occasionally have a whiskey night) but tonight, Whitewater Brewery is having a taste testing so my wife (the designated driver), my son and I will be out for part of the evening.
Have a great day everyone.
06-15-16 | 09:46 AM
#1477
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
Thank you [MENTION=366933]mgw4jc[/MENTION] and [MENTION=175954]Tundra_Man[/MENTION] and [MENTION=322871]arsprod[/MENTION].
__________________
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.
06-15-16 | 09:53 AM
#1478
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=152773]noglider[/MENTION] - geeze, I'm very sorry to hear about your mom and the getting towed. My thoughts are with you and sending some good vibes your way
06-15-16 | 10:17 AM
#1479
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Thursday morning I woke up and saw that my sister had left me a voicemail a few minutes earlier. I knew what it meant. It meant our mother had died. She was decaying from dementia for five years. The whole process was torturous.
I put my bike in wife's car and drove it to my mother's place so I could say goodbye to her body. She had left wishes to have no funeral or memorial service and to donate her body to science. The hospital was about to pick her up. I left to drive my wife's car to the repair garage and found that the city had towed it. In my mental haze from my mother's death, I had failed to read both parking regulation signs. The new one said that parking was for commercial vehicles only until 1pm. I took the subway and the long walk to the pound and paid the $185 towing fee. Ouch. That is separate from the fine, and I haven't even looked at the ticket for that. Ouch again.
My rode her bike and met me at the pound.
So Thursday would have to count as a bad day commuting.
We left the car at home and rode our bikes. That was good.
I took three days off from work, and today was my first day back. It was hard to decide between the subway and the bike. I chose the bike, and it was a good decision. I'm still reeling with a bad sense of time and everything. I'm bursting out crying several times a day.
Today counts as a good commuting day.
I put my bike in wife's car and drove it to my mother's place so I could say goodbye to her body. She had left wishes to have no funeral or memorial service and to donate her body to science. The hospital was about to pick her up. I left to drive my wife's car to the repair garage and found that the city had towed it. In my mental haze from my mother's death, I had failed to read both parking regulation signs. The new one said that parking was for commercial vehicles only until 1pm. I took the subway and the long walk to the pound and paid the $185 towing fee. Ouch. That is separate from the fine, and I haven't even looked at the ticket for that. Ouch again.
My rode her bike and met me at the pound.
So Thursday would have to count as a bad day commuting.
We left the car at home and rode our bikes. That was good.
I took three days off from work, and today was my first day back. It was hard to decide between the subway and the bike. I chose the bike, and it was a good decision. I'm still reeling with a bad sense of time and everything. I'm bursting out crying several times a day.
Today counts as a good commuting day.
I've been through the latter but not the former yet. At least it sounds like you're getting back in the cycle commute swing. As far as deciding whether subway or bike, you know what I'd pick in a heartbeat... 
06-15-16 | 10:58 AM
#1480
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Today was a really nice day. Rode in from home again (like Monday). Around 61F in the morning i think. So wore the baselayer and knee warmers in addition to the jersey and bibs. Recently bought some Pasco PVC pipe wrap tape (1in x 100ft 12mil). Will try it soon as a rim tape for the Velocity A23 wheels I have. Read about someone using it on another thread and thought "what the hey." For $8 for 100 feet, it may well be the cheapest rim tape around...
06-15-16 | 11:41 AM
#1481
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
Hey [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION], sorry to hear of the loss of your mother, it's always tough when a parent passes away.
06-15-16 | 11:46 AM
#1482
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
Sorry to hear about your mom [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]
Friends are going to let us Pool sit for them for about a month. I will probably be getting some extra miles in because it is PAST my house. So I will ride to and from. I am looking forward relaxing in a pool. I hope it does not rain tonight calling for THunderstorms.
Friends are going to let us Pool sit for them for about a month. I will probably be getting some extra miles in because it is PAST my house. So I will ride to and from. I am looking forward relaxing in a pool. I hope it does not rain tonight calling for THunderstorms.
06-15-16 | 11:50 AM
#1483
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 679
Likes: 148
From: Plano, TX
Bikes: Fahrradmanufaktur Trekking Bike, Lightning Phantom, bikeE AT, Radwagon3, HP Velotechnik Scorpion
[MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]: My condolences. I know how that feels. My dad passed away 2 years ago at just 73.
Bike commute was good although sweaty. Unusual humid here right now. This morning it was only in the 70s but the afternoons are getting into the upper 90s with high humidity (60% to 70%). It is like riding through a green house.
Bike commute was good although sweaty. Unusual humid here right now. This morning it was only in the 70s but the afternoons are getting into the upper 90s with high humidity (60% to 70%). It is like riding through a green house.
06-15-16 | 12:05 PM
#1484
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
Sorry to hear about your mother, [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION] . My mother died 20 years ago and it still seems like it happened recently.
I drove today because my legs needed a rest and the forecast was calling for thunderstorms. It is very hot and humid today and I'll be surprised if we don't get any rain, which we need. I rode the long way home yesterday since I was planning to take a rest today, and I ended up with 46 miles commuting for the day. I had ridden 8 straight days, totalling more than 280 miles over that period, and my legs were really feeling it. Tomorrow will be another long commute, weather permitting, as I plan to meet some friends at a local brewpub after work, which should add 5-10 miles to my afternoon ride.
I drove today because my legs needed a rest and the forecast was calling for thunderstorms. It is very hot and humid today and I'll be surprised if we don't get any rain, which we need. I rode the long way home yesterday since I was planning to take a rest today, and I ended up with 46 miles commuting for the day. I had ridden 8 straight days, totalling more than 280 miles over that period, and my legs were really feeling it. Tomorrow will be another long commute, weather permitting, as I plan to meet some friends at a local brewpub after work, which should add 5-10 miles to my afternoon ride.
06-15-16 | 12:53 PM
#1485
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 82
From: Edmonton, AB
chilly and damp this morning, thankfully no active precipitation. Rode my rain bike which has platform pedals, and man, it kinda sucks climbing without foot retention.
06-15-16 | 07:07 PM
#1486
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,278
Likes: 342
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
I found this "2016 Commuter Champion" certificate today in the mail today, from the Georgia Commute Options folks! I think they're affiliated with the Ga DoT. They also sent me a nice canvas bag with their logo, which is kind of cool.
06-15-16 | 10:23 PM
#1487
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
06-16-16 | 04:54 AM
#1488
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 1,469
From: Merrimac , MA
The commute in today was a nice uneventful commute. No extra mileage as I am so tired at night I fall asleep before bedtime.
06-16-16 | 06:24 AM
#1489
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
72F temperature + 70F dew point + 95% humidity = a muggy morning. Some overnight thunderstorms seems to have made it worse today. But I think a break is coming for the weekend.
Still an enjoyable ride in though.
Still an enjoyable ride in though.
06-16-16 | 06:37 AM
#1490
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I hope I eventually will be able to join this subject as well as the miles commuted.
06-16-16 | 06:47 AM
#1491
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Was 69F and light showers in NYC. Nice ride and took it easy since I was a bit tired when I got home yesterday. Probably should have held back a little on the ride home yesterday. But I guess its easy to get a bit carried away when you're spinning nicely up the rolling hills and feeling good at the time.
06-16-16 | 06:50 AM
#1492
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
50,000 lbs of pollution is a lot to avoid. Was that calc'd comparing you to another person using a car?
06-16-16 | 06:57 AM
#1493
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,278
Likes: 342
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
I always like the first commute with a new piece of equipment - it's purely psychological but still real. For me this morning it was the seat post, brand new black Kalloy post from Amazon. It's the basic 1-bolt aluminum post and clamp that weighs and looks the same as any other cheap post but it's kind of a mile-stone since the old one was the last not-new part I had on that bike since I built it back in 2012 I think. It probably "soaks up vibrations" better even if I can't actually feel it ...
06-16-16 | 07:13 AM
#1494
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
@ wphamilton, does that Commuter Champion card entitle you to free admission to museums, a free beer or anything? In a similar vein, my coworkers gave me a metal sculpture of a cyclist after I reached 20,000 miles commuting. That was a surprise. I'm now approaching 40,000 miles but I think that was a one-time recognition.
My commute this morning was sticky. It was already extremely humid and then we had a bunch of thunderstorms overnight, so the air was practically dripping with moisture this morning. I was completely soaked by the time I had ridden about halfway to work. Summer weather has returned to NC with a vengeance.
My commute this morning was sticky. It was already extremely humid and then we had a bunch of thunderstorms overnight, so the air was practically dripping with moisture this morning. I was completely soaked by the time I had ridden about halfway to work. Summer weather has returned to NC with a vengeance.
06-16-16 | 07:21 AM
#1495
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,509
Likes: 2
From: SW Ohio
Bikes: 3 good used ones
Ugh, 10 mph headwind for 20 miles, almost all the way in today. Terrible time, about 5 minutes over my average.
06-16-16 | 07:23 AM
#1496
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,278
Likes: 342
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
I support what they're doing so I don't want to make light of it, even though the idea of commuting "Champion" is funny for some reason. Makes me think of Ben-Hur on the mean streets ... but I'll try to plug their program as the opportunity arises.
06-16-16 | 07:25 AM
#1497
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, warm, sunny with a slight breeze. I'm riding 100km/61mi today to raise money for the Sick Kids Foundation, part of my 1,000km for the month of June. This morning's 50.2km was very nice but I get hungry in the afternoon so I have tended to take a shorter route home so today, I have to eat through the afternoon to have the calories for the 50km ride home.
06-16-16 | 10:05 AM
#1498
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Yesterday's ride home was in one of the worst storms I can remember riding. I tried to time it based on the radar but totally miscalculated and ended up in the worst of it. At one point the rain was sideways coming at me - literally stopped me cold a couple times. The roads started to flood and fortunately the MUP is an old rail line so a little higher than the streets. There were downed trees all over the place. I should have stopped but I hate stopping - kept thinking "it's gonna get better, it's gonna get better." I generally don't mind rain but that was just plain scary.
In contrast this morning was beautiful, sunny, warm, like nothing happened.
In contrast this morning was beautiful, sunny, warm, like nothing happened.
06-16-16 | 03:05 PM
#1499
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Tom, sorry I missed reading your note the other day, and sorry for your loss.
__________________
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."
06-16-16 | 06:14 PM
#1500
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)
Hottest day of the year by far. This morning the air was downright soupy, 78 degrees in some areas and nearly 100% humidity. I was drenched when I got to work, even with no rain.
This afternoon at 5 PM it was as high as 96 on my bike computer, heat index near 110. I heard the heat index hit 119 around 1:30 PM today. Wind was more or less in my favor, though, so I made good time. I really only got hot when stopped, which thankfully wasn't often. I normally only drink about half a bottle of water but this afternoon I downed the whole thing in an hour.
This afternoon at 5 PM it was as high as 96 on my bike computer, heat index near 110. I heard the heat index hit 119 around 1:30 PM today. Wind was more or less in my favor, though, so I made good time. I really only got hot when stopped, which thankfully wasn't often. I normally only drink about half a bottle of water but this afternoon I downed the whole thing in an hour.