2017! The how was your commute thread!
#2676
The deer are all kind of hyper lately, it must be mating season for them. This morning a large buck was trotting down the path towards me and veered off into the trees seemingly reluctantly, when I was closer than I'm really comfortable with. There were also about a half dozen does here and there, mostly scattering about more or less randomly.
The one upside to this weather is I can don a windbreaker and stay in my work clothes without sweating. It's really nice to just park and walk in like a normal person sometimes.
The one upside to this weather is I can don a windbreaker and stay in my work clothes without sweating. It's really nice to just park and walk in like a normal person sometimes.
#2677
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,687
Likes: 426
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
I do notice that it rarely happens after I've been riding a couple miles and have had time to build up a light sweat. But that monster downhill starts about 1/2 mile from my house and there's just not enough distance for me to generate any heat before I head down it. Plus, it faces the west which means in addition to the windchill caused by my speed, I'm also frequently getting blasted by a cold winter wind. All of that adds up to my daily ice cream headache on this hill during the winter months.
#2678
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
I'm not sure if getting one once means you're more susceptible or not.
I do notice that it rarely happens after I've been riding a couple miles and have had time to build up a light sweat. But that monster downhill starts about 1/2 mile from my house and there's just not enough distance for me to generate any heat before I head down it. Plus, it faces the west which means in addition to the windchill caused by my speed, I'm also frequently getting blasted by a cold winter wind. All of that adds up to my daily ice cream headache on this hill during the winter months.
I do notice that it rarely happens after I've been riding a couple miles and have had time to build up a light sweat. But that monster downhill starts about 1/2 mile from my house and there's just not enough distance for me to generate any heat before I head down it. Plus, it faces the west which means in addition to the windchill caused by my speed, I'm also frequently getting blasted by a cold winter wind. All of that adds up to my daily ice cream headache on this hill during the winter months.
#2679
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
#2680
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,684
Likes: 2,602
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Last night's commute was unusual in that there was a small raccoon curled up in the middle of the lane. He got up and started to move as I swerved wide. I don't know if it had been hit or was just young and stupid, sitting in the road at quitting time.
Followed that up with a dead skunk in the road this morning. City hasn't picked it up yet. Otherwise calm and cloudy, but a lot warmer. I pushed a bit coming in, so my legs are trying to discuss this "exercise" bit with me.
Followed that up with a dead skunk in the road this morning. City hasn't picked it up yet. Otherwise calm and cloudy, but a lot warmer. I pushed a bit coming in, so my legs are trying to discuss this "exercise" bit with me.
#2681
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,139
Likes: 6,365
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
[MENTION=227213]wphamilton[/MENTION], isn't November deer hunting season? And is there a correlation with mating season and hunting season? I notice I see more dead deer on the road in November than in any other state.
When I got to my home neighborhood last night, it hit me that while the bad guy missed me by 15 miles and a few hours, it still feels like it was a sideswipe. Police presence is extremely increased. Parts of the highway are closed. The number of people on the path was severely reduced, though the weather could be a factor. It is cool and damp and overcast.
Physically, the ride was pleasant. I feel I'm still getting stronger, and that makes the moderately large effort feel like it's getting easier. It was good to rest my body from vigorous exercise for three days. I was feeling tired and sore, and now I'm better.
When I got to my home neighborhood last night, it hit me that while the bad guy missed me by 15 miles and a few hours, it still feels like it was a sideswipe. Police presence is extremely increased. Parts of the highway are closed. The number of people on the path was severely reduced, though the weather could be a factor. It is cool and damp and overcast.
Physically, the ride was pleasant. I feel I'm still getting stronger, and that makes the moderately large effort feel like it's getting easier. It was good to rest my body from vigorous exercise for three days. I was feeling tired and sore, and now I'm better.
__________________
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.
#2682
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,326
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Saving time ends this weekend. Got your lights ready?
__________________
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."
#2683
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,326
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
The attack in NYC was a hell of a thing. Five of the eight dead were tourists from Argentina on their 30th high school reunion tour, all 47-48yo. I'm glad we haven't heard any of our members were caught in it.
__________________
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."
#2685
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Welcome back @RidingMatthew. How long is your new commute?
Daily Ice Cream Headache < Daily Ice Cream Cone
Warm enough that I considered not wearing my jacket, but I did, and then removed it with about 3 miles to go. Good ride though.
Daily Ice Cream Headache < Daily Ice Cream Cone
Warm enough that I considered not wearing my jacket, but I did, and then removed it with about 3 miles to go. Good ride though.
#2686
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
thanks
[MENTION=366933]mgw4jc[/MENTION] thanks it is a touch shorter than the old one. maybe .2-.4 miles shorter. I have found myself looping around and stuff to get a little extra this morning.
The security guy at our building chuckled when I told him I was here to park my bike for work. I could tell he was smiling. I guess that is because we have said the same thing 7 times in the past 8 work days. haha
feels weird talking into the box and not really sure where the person is or if they can see me.
It was warmer today 50F and should be gorgeous on the way home.
today is my Friday! have a great weekend everyone.
The security guy at our building chuckled when I told him I was here to park my bike for work. I could tell he was smiling. I guess that is because we have said the same thing 7 times in the past 8 work days. haha
feels weird talking into the box and not really sure where the person is or if they can see me. It was warmer today 50F and should be gorgeous on the way home.
today is my Friday! have a great weekend everyone.
#2687
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,139
Likes: 6,365
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's ride into work:
I was hugely overdressed, as I hadn't really paid attention to the increase in temperature, so I sweated a lot.
I had a slight tail wind.
My bike is a lot lighter today than yesterday, and my weight lifting left me ready to exert hard. So I went hard and had one of my fastest times. The tail wind didn't hurt. When I climb hills, I can get into a position that is similar to the way I do dead lifts with the barbell, and I'm able to climb pretty fast now.
The landscapers are doing a lot of work on the bike path lately. They pulled some bushes and trees and marked them for removal. One tree was knocked down but not fully pulled from its stump, and it was partially blocking the path. I got off my bike and pulled the tree completely off the path and onto the grass. Passing cyclists thanked me loudly.
I was hugely overdressed, as I hadn't really paid attention to the increase in temperature, so I sweated a lot.
I had a slight tail wind.
My bike is a lot lighter today than yesterday, and my weight lifting left me ready to exert hard. So I went hard and had one of my fastest times. The tail wind didn't hurt. When I climb hills, I can get into a position that is similar to the way I do dead lifts with the barbell, and I'm able to climb pretty fast now.
The landscapers are doing a lot of work on the bike path lately. They pulled some bushes and trees and marked them for removal. One tree was knocked down but not fully pulled from its stump, and it was partially blocking the path. I got off my bike and pulled the tree completely off the path and onto the grass. Passing cyclists thanked me loudly.
__________________
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.
#2688
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 183
From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
Today's ride into work:
I was hugely overdressed, as I hadn't really paid attention to the increase in temperature, so I sweated a lot.
I had a slight tail wind.
My bike is a lot lighter today than yesterday, and my weight lifting left me ready to exert hard. So I went hard and had one of my fastest times. The tail wind didn't hurt. When I climb hills, I can get into a position that is similar to the way I do dead lifts with the barbell, and I'm able to climb pretty fast now.
The landscapers are doing a lot of work on the bike path lately. They pulled some bushes and trees and marked them for removal. One tree was knocked down but not fully pulled from its stump, and it was partially blocking the path. I got off my bike and pulled the tree completely off the path and onto the grass. Passing cyclists thanked me loudly.
I was hugely overdressed, as I hadn't really paid attention to the increase in temperature, so I sweated a lot.
I had a slight tail wind.
My bike is a lot lighter today than yesterday, and my weight lifting left me ready to exert hard. So I went hard and had one of my fastest times. The tail wind didn't hurt. When I climb hills, I can get into a position that is similar to the way I do dead lifts with the barbell, and I'm able to climb pretty fast now.
The landscapers are doing a lot of work on the bike path lately. They pulled some bushes and trees and marked them for removal. One tree was knocked down but not fully pulled from its stump, and it was partially blocking the path. I got off my bike and pulled the tree completely off the path and onto the grass. Passing cyclists thanked me loudly.
It was definitely deceptively hot this morning, and I also noticed fewer bikes out yesterday, but that might just have been the colder temps as you said.
#2689
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 182
From: south Puget Sound
44F, drizzly; oh yes, saw a spectacular spinout. I was waiting at a red light, and a not too new Suburban was coming from my left to turn to its left; it fishtailed, then went into a full 270, wound up slamming onto the sidewalk and facing backward from where it wanted to go, toward me. It drove forward, over some barriers, into the parking lot of a bar, drove around the bar (away from me) and then turned right onto the main drag continuing on its original intended path.
#2690
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
44F, drizzly; oh yes, saw a spectacular spinout. I was waiting at a red light, and a not too new Suburban was coming from my left to turn to its left; it fishtailed, then went into a full 270, wound up slamming onto the sidewalk and facing backward from where it wanted to go, toward me. It drove forward, over some barriers, into the parking lot of a bar, drove around the bar (away from me) and then turned right onto the main drag continuing on its original intended path.
Good enough ride for me this morning. I left early and went to the gym for a bit. On my route from there to work I caught the green on the first two of the three stoplights. This helped me keep up a good pace. After getting to work I see I have a Strava achievement due to being able to cruise through one of the lights. I don't get why people create such short segments (< 1 mile) in random places like that.
#2691
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Really warm yesterday afternoon!
I was on my folding bike. I have to replace the pedals. The right one has a cracked bearing or something, makes a loud grinding noise every now and then, and sometimes freezes up and rolls my foot off it. This just started yesterday. Kinda dangerous, though!
I was on my folding bike. I have to replace the pedals. The right one has a cracked bearing or something, makes a loud grinding noise every now and then, and sometimes freezes up and rolls my foot off it. This just started yesterday. Kinda dangerous, though!
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#2692
Through sometime in January but they can't shoot them on the Greenway (city park) which may explain why there are so many of them. Several of this year's fawns were out tagging along this morning, still young enough to be cute.
#2693
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
44F, drizzly; oh yes, saw a spectacular spinout. I was waiting at a red light, and a not too new Suburban was coming from my left to turn to its left; it fishtailed, then went into a full 270, wound up slamming onto the sidewalk and facing backward from where it wanted to go, toward me. It drove forward, over some barriers, into the parking lot of a bar, drove around the bar (away from me) and then turned right onto the main drag continuing on its original intended path.
#2694
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Its going to be a really nice day today! Was 63F and might be my last chance to wear shorts and short sleeve jersey. Its supposed to be a few degrees warmer than yesterday (maybe 73F or so) later on. Had a easy commute and was chit chatting with a co-worker that I see once in a while. Also no crazy GWB traffic on the NJ side lit thee was yesterday morning. The crossing guard mentioned that somehting happened on or near the bridge yesterday. Will have to look it up.
#2695
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,684
Likes: 2,602
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
I love riding to work on Friday; traffic is usually light and so I can cruise. I hit the longest light on my commute on a stale green that turned yellow half-way across, so it was worth the sprint. Then I relaxed and hit the next longest light as it turned red. Those half-easy and half-hard rides (intervals?) don't work well with traffic lights.
#2696
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 182
From: south Puget Sound
Today, 37F and raining. Dark. I made good time, did not need to cool down, changed clothes, now I have a meeting 1.5 miles away in 40 min; need to decide if I am going to wear my work clothes into the downpour to ride there, or go upstairs and see if I can check out a car.
I wouldn't have minded looking in the driver window to see what was up; mgw... I think turning too sharp definitely played a role; if he was going way too fast (like faster than everybody else already speeds on those 2 roads) I don't think he would have been able to spin the 180 after the first 90 degrees, just would have gone straight off the road (it's a T that he was turning left onto).
I wouldn't have minded looking in the driver window to see what was up; mgw... I think turning too sharp definitely played a role; if he was going way too fast (like faster than everybody else already speeds on those 2 roads) I don't think he would have been able to spin the 180 after the first 90 degrees, just would have gone straight off the road (it's a T that he was turning left onto).
#2697
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
Taken this morning at about 7:30am after arriving at work. Shot from inside on some stairs, looking east over the lit front entrance to the building.
#2698
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 326
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Trek CrossRip
I had another flat yesterday. This time I was tight on time and I had to lock my bike to a sign post and take an Uber.
This is my third puncture flat this week. I couldn't find anything wrong with my tire, I think I've just been unlucky.
This is my third puncture flat this week. I couldn't find anything wrong with my tire, I think I've just been unlucky.
#2699
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,139
Likes: 6,365
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 took yesterday (Friday) off from work to euthanize and bury my dog. 
Waffle the greyhound

Waffle the greyhound
__________________
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.
#2700
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,326
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Aw, Tom. That's a bad cap on the year.
No commutes for me this week as I'll be on travel, but I have one morning to myself and I might try the bike share in DC just for funsies. Then again I might spend the whole morning in Udvar-Hazy because rockets
No commutes for me this week as I'll be on travel, but I have one morning to myself and I might try the bike share in DC just for funsies. Then again I might spend the whole morning in Udvar-Hazy because rockets
__________________
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."




