2016! how was your commute today?
07-01-16 | 06:25 AM
#1651
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
If I'd been the cyclist I probably would have done as you mentioned and slowed my pedaling down a bit. I would assume you had not seen me and would do what is needed to not get hit. I would like to think that after seeing you pull out as though you were turning around, I could anticipate your next movements. After doing your final reverse and starting to go forward, I would have opted to go behind, not in front.
07-01-16 | 06:28 AM
#1652
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Decent ride this morning. Traffic seemed lighter as I'm sure some are taking off to extend the 3 day weekend to 4 days.
Mid-year mileage came to 2,510. I'm on track to hit 5,000 again this year. However, next week will be a big zero as I'll be in Florida with the family. I hear Gulf Coast beaches are closing due to algae and bacteria, so I'll see how that goes.
Mid-year mileage came to 2,510. I'm on track to hit 5,000 again this year. However, next week will be a big zero as I'll be in Florida with the family. I hear Gulf Coast beaches are closing due to algae and bacteria, so I'll see how that goes.
07-01-16 | 06:31 AM
#1653
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
I got yelled at by a cyclist this morning.
I live on a busy bike route. I can't/not allowed to bike these days, so I drive to work.
My street is blocked at one end not allowing cars to go through, cars only can turn right. I tend to park facing away from the blocked end. Yesterday I parked facing the blocked end. It is easier for me to execute a K-turn then to go all the way down and around the block to head to work.
So this morning a K-turn is what I did. I have attached a diagram. I noticed the cyclist over a block away as I was starting, he was far enough for me to complete my turn with him just stopping pedaling for a beat or two.
Get to point three as I am finished and getting ready to pull ahead and clear the lane with my car(truck) when he passes directly in front of me. I sound my horn. He stops and starts yelling at me.
He says I need to pay attention and wait. I told him it was stupid to pass in front (or behind) of a vehicle executing a K-turn. He said I needed to pay attention, I said I was paying attention and that is why I sounded my horn. It went back and forth him saying I was wrong for not looking and sounding my horn. Me saying it was a foolish, dangerous, and poor decision to pass a vehicle doing a K-turn. It ended with him saying maybe we are both wrong. Me, not wanting to concede the last word said nope you're wrong.
Anywho, would you guys pass a vehicle mid K-turn?
I live on a busy bike route. I can't/not allowed to bike these days, so I drive to work.
My street is blocked at one end not allowing cars to go through, cars only can turn right. I tend to park facing away from the blocked end. Yesterday I parked facing the blocked end. It is easier for me to execute a K-turn then to go all the way down and around the block to head to work.
So this morning a K-turn is what I did. I have attached a diagram. I noticed the cyclist over a block away as I was starting, he was far enough for me to complete my turn with him just stopping pedaling for a beat or two.
Get to point three as I am finished and getting ready to pull ahead and clear the lane with my car(truck) when he passes directly in front of me. I sound my horn. He stops and starts yelling at me.
He says I need to pay attention and wait. I told him it was stupid to pass in front (or behind) of a vehicle executing a K-turn. He said I needed to pay attention, I said I was paying attention and that is why I sounded my horn. It went back and forth him saying I was wrong for not looking and sounding my horn. Me saying it was a foolish, dangerous, and poor decision to pass a vehicle doing a K-turn. It ended with him saying maybe we are both wrong. Me, not wanting to concede the last word said nope you're wrong.
Anywho, would you guys pass a vehicle mid K-turn?
I see a few guys making dicey decisions through busy intersections and other places. Some common turns I encounter over here are illegal U-turns. Still have to slow down and/or stop since I don't know that the driver sees me and if they will take up more than the lane doing the turn. Cop cars still do it too. Last close encounter with a car was on a side street (98th between Madison and 5th Ave). I usually turn on there toward the end of my ride. Was on the right side (its a one way), came up on a black SUV. No blinker as usual to indicate that he was going into an open parking space. I also slowed down but almost got squeezed into the parked car next to me right before the open parking space he was trying to go into. I was looking straight into his driver side mirror but I guess he didn't see me. A lady on the sidewalk told him he cut me off. I held my right arm up doing a silent Italian version of "Cosa fai!" We exchanged a few words. Glad I usually try to stay behind the cars since most drivers around here don't know the meaning of a turn signal. Fun times...
Last edited by ptempel; 07-01-16 at 06:58 AM.
07-01-16 | 07:04 AM
#1654
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Was a good park n' ride in this morning, around 71F. Am expecting rain later this afternoon. They claim up to half an inch with the heavy part around 5pm. Maybe I can beat it. Maybe it will be me second shower. Will see... 
Did the shorter ride today since I rode in from home the last two days. So will still have ~120 miles for this week. Not bad for three days (was off Mon and Tue).
Did the shorter ride today since I rode in from home the last two days. So will still have ~120 miles for this week. Not bad for three days (was off Mon and Tue).
07-01-16 | 07:26 AM
#1655
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
It was dark, windy, and raining when I woke up but by the time I was ready to hit the road it was sunny and calm. I'll take it! Good and safe holiday weekend to my fellow Americans
07-01-16 | 07:37 AM
#1656
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 4,092
From: Phx, AZ
Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike
Actually sprinkled on me this morning. Just the right amount too. Just enough to cool me down so that when I got to work I was dryer than yesterday.
07-01-16 | 08:26 AM
#1657
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)
Nice ride home, way lower humidity, and I was a good bit quicker than Tuesday.
Mid-year mileage is just shy of 2,000, and usually I have big numbers from August into October, so hopefully I'll be able to hit 4,000 miles this year. I've had a banner year so far. I kept my miles up nicely throughout the winter unlike previous years. The lowest month in the last 12 months was December in which I logged 256 miles. Highest month so far this year was 397 for May.
Mid-year mileage is just shy of 2,000, and usually I have big numbers from August into October, so hopefully I'll be able to hit 4,000 miles this year. I've had a banner year so far. I kept my miles up nicely throughout the winter unlike previous years. The lowest month in the last 12 months was December in which I logged 256 miles. Highest month so far this year was 397 for May.
07-01-16 | 08:58 AM
#1658
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
good ride even if it was super humid. (glasses fogged, water condensed on the lenses, and super sticky) I do think it rained a little on me on a couple points while along the greenway under the trees. (could have just been dripping off trees) We had a big storm last night wife and I both awakened to the terrible sound our phones make for ALERTS. It scared us both. I enjoyed the even less traffic of people making it a longer weekend too.
mid year mileage for me is 3057 and 2468 of that commuting mileage. I think I might be on track to break 5000 miles this year.
June I had my highest month ever with 812 miles
mid year mileage for me is 3057 and 2468 of that commuting mileage. I think I might be on track to break 5000 miles this year.
June I had my highest month ever with 812 miles
07-01-16 | 11:24 AM
#1659
Steel City, Steel Bike
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 16
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2012 Jamis Coda Sport
I took the bus today, but yesterday's ride was lovely. Usually when I ride to work in the morning I'll ride to downtown in the afternoon and catch a bus from there (I live at the top of a hill), but I'm trying to expand how much the commute I cover by bike. Yesterday I left downtown, rode about 3 miles of trail along the river then took a long back and forth ramp up to an overpass where the bus stop is. It was actually kind of pretty, in a concrete and steel kind of way. I think I'll make this part of my regular route.
07-01-16 | 12:28 PM
#1660
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Drove today.. I was so tired last night it hurt! Have the next 4 days to recover.
07-04-16 | 02:29 AM
#1661
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool
Bikes: Cannondale Caad8
TIL that road shoes have absolutely 0 grip on certain surfaces and went absolutely flying down a ramp onto the ferry. Bike in one hand and coffee in the other meant the coffee went flying in the air and soaked me in the process. Hahaha.
Good commute though.
Good commute though.
07-04-16 | 11:34 AM
#1662
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 82
From: Edmonton, AB
Where are all the commuters today? Is there some kind of holiday or something?
Us Canadians had our holiday on Friday, so I'm back to work today. Nice uneventful ride in. I didn't get much sleep last night, and there was a moment during a nice chill part of the ride where I think maybe I possibly entered the very early stage of dozing off, only to be jolted awake by my fixie pedals refusing to stop rotating.
Us Canadians had our holiday on Friday, so I'm back to work today. Nice uneventful ride in. I didn't get much sleep last night, and there was a moment during a nice chill part of the ride where I think maybe I possibly entered the very early stage of dozing off, only to be jolted awake by my fixie pedals refusing to stop rotating.
07-05-16 | 04:59 AM
#1663
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 1,468
From: Merrimac , MA
After having a nice long weekend off from work but so much extra time riding I am tired today. Though I did commute by bike and it sprinkled the last two and a half miles to work.
07-05-16 | 05:46 AM
#1664
That Huffy Guy
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 161
From: Ashtabula, Ohio
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
It rained over night and the roads were wet. I just got done washing the bike here at the shop.
07-05-16 | 07:13 AM
#1665
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
My first commute since June 23 as I've been on vacation since then. I did lots of riding while on vacation, on roads and rail trails near Madison, WI. The weather was great aside from a couple of days of heat and humidity the first weekend we were there. It's going to be tough reacclimating myself the high heat and humidity of North Carolina. Temps are supposed to be in the mid to upper 90s all week here with very high humidity and heat indexes over 100.
07-05-16 | 07:18 AM
#1666
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
A nice and quiet ride, as always since I switched job last year. I'm now able to take the bike path almost all the way. the bike path is 300 meters away from home and 500 meters away from work. no more cars and not a lot of other cyclists/runners/anybody at 6h30 in the morning.
07-05-16 | 10:14 AM
#1667
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)
Super duper humid this morning. Chased a bit of rain, and it actually started raining about 5 minutes after I got to work. When it's this humid my gloves get so wet in the morning that it gets fairly uncomfortable. I actually brought a 2nd pair of gloves with me, and switched them out when I was about 4 miles from the office. Felt much better to have dry gloves for most of the remaining commute. *edit* also, headwind. May have some showers this afternoon but should have a nice tailwind.
I rode a little bit over the weekend. Took the utility bike and trailer to the grocery store on Saturday evening, and then hooked up the Trail-a-bike yesterday and took my son 8.7 miles round trip to my parents' house and back. He enjoyed it, but got pretty hot. And he had a black backpack on his back with some toys in it, which I'm sure wasn't very comfortable. The one thing I don't like about the TAB is that I can't use my trunk bag with it. I guess I need to get some real panniers for that purpose.
I rode a little bit over the weekend. Took the utility bike and trailer to the grocery store on Saturday evening, and then hooked up the Trail-a-bike yesterday and took my son 8.7 miles round trip to my parents' house and back. He enjoyed it, but got pretty hot. And he had a black backpack on his back with some toys in it, which I'm sure wasn't very comfortable. The one thing I don't like about the TAB is that I can't use my trunk bag with it. I guess I need to get some real panniers for that purpose.
07-05-16 | 10:22 AM
#1668
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Brought a bike in the back of the truck for another lunch ride, since the day care situation was looking chancy when I left home. I thought I might need to hurry home and deal with it. I guess I'd rather have a long lunch ride than the shorter ride home at max heat, so it's ok.
__________________
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."
07-05-16 | 11:23 AM
#1669
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
Today is the first work day in a while I didn't ride to work. I was sleepy, and the forecast called for rain. As often happens, I look back and realize I could have done it.
__________________
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.
07-05-16 | 12:27 PM
#1670
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Malden, MA
Bikes: Bianchi Cortina Dama
Got caught in heavy rain riding in. First time I've commuted in the rain and it made me realize I REALLY need to get a poncho. Also really need to get a rack on my bike, even if I just stick a milk crate on it. I hate having my backpack on my back while I ride.
07-05-16 | 12:33 PM
#1671
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
Folks, this is my periodic reminder that if you put your location in your profile, we will enjoy reading your posts more, knowing where you are. It gets displayed every time you post.
__________________
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.
07-05-16 | 12:35 PM
#1672
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
Sorry about getting caught in the rain.
But great attitude and seeing that it isn't all that bad.
I always found fenders and shoe covers were an excellent investment. Even if you just do the grocery bag socks to keep you feet dry (you will need another set of shoes at work)
07-05-16 | 12:37 PM
#1673
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
Please do this. As fellow commuters we like to know where you are so we can help you with issues or other things that come up. Or we can mention the comments to someone in the geographical area. Or meet up for a coffee.
07-05-16 | 12:38 PM
#1674
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
Haven't commuted in a little while. Not very motivated while it's so hot out. I have found myself wanting to do more Fred Sled rides. The commuting I have been doing is just the short ride from the Better Half's office to mine...but the afternoon ride puts me in peak heat. No relief in sight this week
07-05-16 | 12:40 PM
#1675
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
Haven't commuted in a little while. Not very motivated while it's so hot out. I have found myself wanting to do more Fred Sled rides. The commuting I have been doing is just the short ride from the Better Half's office to mine...but the afternoon ride puts me in peak heat. No relief in sight this week