2016! how was your commute today?
#2051
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
It was great! Low traffic, great scenery and it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. I live about a mile and a half away from my work, so I ended up getting there 30 minutes early. Part of my ride was uphill and it killed my legs so I think it's going to be awhile before I'm completely used to this.
#2052
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Hopewell, NJ
Bikes: Early 2000's cannondale r2000, gary fisher rig 29er single speed, giant tcx advanced sx
Not bad...yesterday, when I drove to work, it was 63* and crisp/cool for August. Today muggy and sticky but still nice to get out and ride in to work...
#2053
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
a warm but very humid morning. Big storm clouds shadowed me the whole way in. Knew it was close by the way the wind picked up. Head wind of course. Depending on the forecast the rain moves through by early after or not until 5. Road my touring bike with full fenders and brought the raincoat just in case.
#2054
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
Warm and extremely humid this morning, like every morning this summer. A layer of fog/clouds was hanging about 10' above the ground the entire way to work. Threat of afternoon thunderstorms is supposedly much lower today, so I rode one of my bikes without fenders. Temperatures are climbing again, and heat indexes are supposed to be 100+ in the afternoons for the rest of the week.
#2055
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
About 3 miles from home yesterday I see 2 tow trucks, and a police car with lights flashing stopped on the road up ahead. Just off the side of the road in a field was a large dump truck laying on its side. It was on a curve, but not a sharp one. It was gone this morning, but from what I can tell he must have gotten his right wheels off the road and found some soft ground that tipped him over.
I kinda wanted to stop and get a picture, but the police man waving traffic through may have gotten annoyed. I didn't see an ambulance nor could I identify who may have been driving. He may have already been taken somewhere.
Another muggy morning. Going with the squirrel theme, I had one dart in front of me this morning. I was inches from hitting him.
I kinda wanted to stop and get a picture, but the police man waving traffic through may have gotten annoyed. I didn't see an ambulance nor could I identify who may have been driving. He may have already been taken somewhere.
Another muggy morning. Going with the squirrel theme, I had one dart in front of me this morning. I was inches from hitting him.
#2056
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
Warm, humid, and another heat warning today: there have been several this summer, which is unusual but perhaps unexpected given global warming. However, at least the nights, over the past couple of weeks, have been cool so the morning ride is in reasonable conditions.
Beautiful sunny morning. For our local cycling advocacy group, I stopped at one of the intersections along the way and counted cyclists and pedestrians for 30 minutes (another member joined me and continued for another hour until 9am). I'm going to do this again tomorrow morning at another corner. We're trying to gather data with which to argue for more cycling infrastructure and also to compare figures from year to year.
Have a great day!
Beautiful sunny morning. For our local cycling advocacy group, I stopped at one of the intersections along the way and counted cyclists and pedestrians for 30 minutes (another member joined me and continued for another hour until 9am). I'm going to do this again tomorrow morning at another corner. We're trying to gather data with which to argue for more cycling infrastructure and also to compare figures from year to year.
Have a great day!
#2057
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
#2058
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
LOL, for the 30 minutes while I was there, it was only about a dozen. My partner was keeping the records as she was staying for the additional hour. Not as many as I thought but who knows if we were too late or if the heat is deterring some. She said the numbers were small compared with other locations on Monday and Tuesday.
#2059
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Well the cool down was definitely an anomaly, a co worker just said it's stinkin' hot - good description. Humidity is 200% (I know, that's not possible). August in Indiana!
#2060
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
that skunk I've been keeping an eye on every morning, milling about just off the side of the road, was lying squished on the pavement this morning.
Deer.. lots of them and the new "bikes May Use Full Lane" sign posted in the most useless location ever.
I would wager no motorist will ever see it, much less understand the intent/reason behind it being there.
(bike lane suddenly ends because of a utility pole, on a 5 lane 45mph (suggested minimum) state highway)
It was humid but overall a tranquil ride.
Deer.. lots of them and the new "bikes May Use Full Lane" sign posted in the most useless location ever.
I would wager no motorist will ever see it, much less understand the intent/reason behind it being there.
(bike lane suddenly ends because of a utility pole, on a 5 lane 45mph (suggested minimum) state highway)
It was humid but overall a tranquil ride.
#2061
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Bikes: Road Bike, Mountain Bike, Commuter Bike, Gravel bike
It was great! Low traffic, great scenery and it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. I live about a mile and a half away from my work, so I ended up getting there 30 minutes early. Part of my ride was uphill and it killed my legs so I think it's going to be awhile before I'm completely used to this.
#2062
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 679
Likes: 148
From: Plano, TX
Bikes: Fahrradmanufaktur Trekking Bike, Lightning Phantom, bikeE AT, Radwagon3, HP Velotechnik Scorpion
Hot and humid. We have been under heat advisory for some time now. The morning commutes are not that bad with temperatures in the 80s. But the evening commutes are a beating with temperatures at 100+. On top of that we have high humidity right now. Tonight I probably will make a small detour via my favorite beer garden to make sure to get enough hydration...
#2063
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Humid but fairly cool with the wind. Going to be a scorcher on the way home. Supposed to rain tomorrow.. I think I'll put my bathing suit on and ride in!
#2064
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I thought we might be in for a cooler morning because last night the temp was down to 80 at 8pm and breezy. But not so much as it was about 75 this morning and the same 99% humidity it has been the past several weeks.
School will be starting soon and adding traffic. It has been nice having that much less for the summer.
School will be starting soon and adding traffic. It has been nice having that much less for the summer.
#2065
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
Hot and humid here as well. The big excitement on my commute this morning was a rare front-tire flat. I probably get 5 rear flats for every one in the front. My bike felt kind of funny going around a corner, like the tires were slipping. Noticed it again on the next corner and realized that the front tire was getting very low on pressure. I couldn't find any glass, wire or other suspicious items in the tire but went ahead and replaced the tube with my spare. It's certainly a slow leak and those are usually the hardest to find.
#2066
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,465
Likes: 4,547
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
#2067
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,465
Likes: 4,547
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
#2068
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
Another very humid morning commute. Add a strong headwind, and I was pretty sweaty by the time I arrived at work. Heat index should be around 110-degrees (F) for the ride home, but I will have a nice tailwind. Cold front comes through tonight, which should bring cooler temps and lower humidity... for a while anyway.
#2069
Steel City, Steel Bike
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 16
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2012 Jamis Coda Sport
Left the house late 'cause I was feeling sluggish this morning, and wearing long pants because for some reason I thought it wouldn't be that bad. Well it was already hot and that hill that usually doesn't bother me, bothered me. It's this really nice hill though, long and gentle with a bike lane, so I can just go at my own pace and not get stressed out by cars passing too close. Can't wait for autumn, I think riding this route on a chilly morning is going to be lovely.
#2070
meh

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 1,129
From: Hopkins, MN
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
My kinda commute from last night: our team was having a CX clinic, I biked the 16 miles to the park during rush-hour. It was a steamy 90F afternoon, sweat running off the bill of my cap.
My time at the CX clinic was mostly changing two flats (grrr).
The ride home was the exciting part, lighting was starting to flash as we wrapped up the clinic. I met a new team member that was riding home to the same area as me and he didn't know the route well, so we rode together. I was riding hard, I'm a little freaked out about lightning. I was setting a high pace (and on CX tires), he was riding my wheel for the draft. At one point I dropped him (and he's a Cat 2 rider... recovering from an injury). About a mile from splitting off, the skies opened up, it was sheets of rain. I was soaked to the bone in no time. It felt good, it's been so hot. The ride home reminded me of many crazy, stormy rides to/from the office.
I miss my daily commutes and posting here. I still get tons of rides and miles, but I'm turning into a fair-weather rider.
My time at the CX clinic was mostly changing two flats (grrr).
The ride home was the exciting part, lighting was starting to flash as we wrapped up the clinic. I met a new team member that was riding home to the same area as me and he didn't know the route well, so we rode together. I was riding hard, I'm a little freaked out about lightning. I was setting a high pace (and on CX tires), he was riding my wheel for the draft. At one point I dropped him (and he's a Cat 2 rider... recovering from an injury). About a mile from splitting off, the skies opened up, it was sheets of rain. I was soaked to the bone in no time. It felt good, it's been so hot. The ride home reminded me of many crazy, stormy rides to/from the office.
I miss my daily commutes and posting here. I still get tons of rides and miles, but I'm turning into a fair-weather rider.
#2071
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Had a doc's appointment and by the time I left it was mid morning and the heat and humidity were in full force. Add to that a nice headwind and it was a slog getting to work. Ride home should be ok if I can dodge the thunderstorms
#2072
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Started in on my backup bike this morning, and I had to turn around and get my Surly. My Newest needs a tune up, real bad. Funny how they go from working just fine to can't ride in no time.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2073
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,171
Likes: 6,398
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 rode in on Tuesday morning, and while at work, someone offered to sell a ticket to a Mostly Mozart in Lincoln Center in the evening. I took up her offer. Lincoln Center is two-thirds of the way between work and home, and I didn't want to rush home on the bike, change clothes, and then shlep back up to the concert, so I left my bike at the office and kept my Clark Kent outfit on. I took the subway to the concert and then home and did the reverse yesterday morning. The concert was actually all Mozart, his first symphony, his 12th piano concerto, and his last symphony!
Yesterday after work, I rode to meet a friend halfway along the way home and sat with him at a sidewalk table at the Hungarian Pastry Shop near Columbia University. I was wearing my Superman outfit, all hot and sweaty. Why do these clothes feel great while riding and sweating but awful when sitting still? Can't they do anything about that? After getting home, I took my second shower for the day and tried to stay cool for the rest of the night. We don't have A/C in the apartment, and it was a challenge. Maybe I should put a unit in the bedroom for these worst nights of the summer.
Yesterday after work, I rode to meet a friend halfway along the way home and sat with him at a sidewalk table at the Hungarian Pastry Shop near Columbia University. I was wearing my Superman outfit, all hot and sweaty. Why do these clothes feel great while riding and sweating but awful when sitting still? Can't they do anything about that? After getting home, I took my second shower for the day and tried to stay cool for the rest of the night. We don't have A/C in the apartment, and it was a challenge. Maybe I should put a unit in the bedroom for these worst nights of the summer.
__________________
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.
#2074
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Bikes: 1990 Specialized Hardrock Sport, 2007 Pinarello Galileo 105, 2014 Raleigh Cadent 2, 2017 Jamis Renegade Expert
I've been really enjoying bike commuting this Summer, though DC has been brutally hot and humid. However the past two days I guess I haven't had my head in the game. Tuesday I was in a rush and forgot my helmet, which is really out of character for me. And yesterday I had my first clipless moment while stopped in traffic. And of course my 0mph fall was on the drive side. I've been riding clipless for a few months without incident and perhaps I got a little cocky and lazy.
#2075
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I had a pretty bad spill on my way home tonight. I went off this curb that looked normal but as I got closer it was way higher than the average curb. But I went off it anyways, and ended up getting falling on my face. I scratched up my arms and legs, but at least the sunset was nice to look at the rest of the ride home.




