2017! The how was your commute thread!
#301
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
#302
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
#303
After riding with studded tires for the last two months or so I took the chance and put on 37-mm Conti Contact non-studded tires. Man, what a difference. The first thing I noticed was how quiet they were. So much so that I heard a creaking noise that seem to come from the front end which got me a bit worried.
Studded tires: Love them...but hate them too.
Studded tires: Love them...but hate them too.
#304
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
28F, sunny. Can't really leave the house in time for sunrise anymore, still making breakfast for the kids. No collisions or honk-fests so that is peaceful.
Last edited by HardyWeinberg; 01-27-17 at 10:37 AM.
#305
Pedal Stompin'

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 15
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2014 Metrofiets w/EBO e-assist; 2007 Trek 7300; 1986 Peugeot road bike w/downtube shifters
Beautiful morning, and cold (-12C/10F).
As I was heading out the door, I grabbed my favorite wool blend hoodie, and I'm glad I did. In temps 20F and above, I'm fine with a wicking base layer, my wool zip-up jersey, with a high-viz wicking shirt over top (and a few layers on my legs).
With the hoodie and: safety glasses, earband, hat, and Buff neck gaiter, 2 pair light gloves, Columbia Bugaboot, wool socks, bike shorts, lycra leggings, and wind-blocking tights--I was toasty the whole ride!
As I was heading out the door, I grabbed my favorite wool blend hoodie, and I'm glad I did. In temps 20F and above, I'm fine with a wicking base layer, my wool zip-up jersey, with a high-viz wicking shirt over top (and a few layers on my legs).
With the hoodie and: safety glasses, earband, hat, and Buff neck gaiter, 2 pair light gloves, Columbia Bugaboot, wool socks, bike shorts, lycra leggings, and wind-blocking tights--I was toasty the whole ride!
#306
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)
Had a morning meeting near my house Thursday, so I split my commute between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Thursday going home was fine, no problems. Not as much help with wind but not too bad. Friday morning was cold, but again not too bad. Instead of my long bib tights, I wore my bib shorts with 2 pairs of regular tights over them. Worked well because those are my most comfortable bibs anyway (Performance Ultras
).
Both commutes, no problems with motorists. One house had their stupid dog out in the front yard roaming AGAIN!
).Both commutes, no problems with motorists. One house had their stupid dog out in the front yard roaming AGAIN!
#307
Shimano's Shaman

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 210
Likes: 8
From: Italy
Bikes: TFCT Starion Class Hull n. 312 "Thunder Child" - Sport Touring & Utility


Anyway, welcome again to both of the two newly arrived baby Darthies, and all the best to the Lefty family!
#308
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,516
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Twins and Mom came home yesterday after lunch, toddler at dinner time. Dogs coming back around noon today and then we'll have the whole zoo present.
__________________
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."
#309
Thread Starter
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
#310
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1,464
From: Merrimac , MA
A quiet uneventful commute this morning with the temp at 23f degrees when I left the house. The roads were dry and no winds that I noticed. My hands were so cold I stopped at and warmed them up in a coffee shop for a few minutes.
#312
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I broke up the commute with a layover at the gym this morning. It was about 27F for the first leg and 31F for the second. I forgot to charge my headlight last night so it was fading the whole ride. Once I got into town with street lights I was fine, but it was a little dicey there for a bit. I can charge it at work though so will be fine tonight.
#314
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
Today is my last bike commute as I'm retiring tomorrow and will need to drive so I can clear out my office. The morning ride was tough, with temperatures about 30 F and a stiff NW wind. It was a slow commute due to the cold, wind and my legs still tired from a long ride on Saturday. (My annual birthday ride, 63 miles this year!) Unfortunately, the ride home is likely to be just as tough as I'll be riding into the wind most of the way and the forecast is calling for 30 mph gusts.
#316
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Norman, OK
Bikes: IZip E3 Path+, Specialized Diverge A1, GMC Denali, Roadmaster Quarry Ridge
37F w/hazy skies and light, cold wind. Traffic very thin, but I had started the commute earlier than usual. Came across 2 other cyclists out on the road, the first of which didn't really seem to know how to properly ride on the street. At least they were using lights. Going home the temp is supposed to be 66F. Will be nice!
#317
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
Pretty easy ride to work. 30°F with about a 10 mph cross-wind. Sun was out. Traffic was unusually light.
Temps are supposed to get all the way up into the low 40s today, but the winds are supposed to pick up this afternoon and reach speeds of 40-50 mph. I'll mostly have it coming from the side again on the way home, so while I won't get much advantage from it, I also won't have to fight directly against it. The weather guy on TV this morning said, "Say goodbye to your garbage cans." lol
Temps are supposed to get all the way up into the low 40s today, but the winds are supposed to pick up this afternoon and reach speeds of 40-50 mph. I'll mostly have it coming from the side again on the way home, so while I won't get much advantage from it, I also won't have to fight directly against it. The weather guy on TV this morning said, "Say goodbye to your garbage cans." lol
#318
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Was colder this morning (around 32F). Was running a bit late as seems to be usual for me on Mondays. Had to replace the tube in the rear wheel since it had a slow leak. I heard that we may get an inch or more of snow tomorrow. So it might be a train day since I suspect that the GWB sidewalk will be closed.
#319
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
I recall the first seven months after my son was born. Wife did most of the work getting up at times during the night. I tried to support off and on for other nights. Then after seven months, he started sleeping through the night. We were ready to celebrate that. We also finally got the "try to give him enough formula/breast milk before 6pm" feeding schedule down a little better. One of the best pieces of advice from the neighbor was to put the baby straight into the crib. No bastinet (sp?). We also had the crib on another room but you could keep it in your bedroom if you have more space (we didn't). But we did have a day bed in the baby's room. So I could sleep there and do the "baby on-call" for a night if needed. It also allowed mom to sleep in the other room with both doors closed.
Last edited by ptempel; 01-30-17 at 09:52 AM.
#320
Pedal Stompin'

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 15
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2014 Metrofiets w/EBO e-assist; 2007 Trek 7300; 1986 Peugeot road bike w/downtube shifters
This morning, a large owl swooped past me in my final approach to work. It perched high up nearby, silhouetted against the lightening sky in the east, then took off across a field. When perched up high, its profile almost looked like that of a large housecat. So beautiful, and surprisingly large! I am always amazed at how silent their flight is.
About a month ago, on a different section of my commute, an owl was perched in a large cottonwood tree, hooting, as I rode underneath it. So majestic, and what a thrilling part of my ride!
About a month ago, on a different section of my commute, an owl was perched in a large cottonwood tree, hooting, as I rode underneath it. So majestic, and what a thrilling part of my ride!
#321
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,516
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I got a note from a former colleague congratulating us on the babies and telling me he'd just bought a new bike and thought of me. It's a Trek Allant 7.4, a commuter-targeted variant of the FX. He believes, because the salesman told him, it has carbon fiber spokes. I've decided not to disabuse him of the notion. I want him to be happy with 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."
#323
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I got a note from a former colleague congratulating us on the babies and telling me he'd just bought a new bike and thought of me. It's a Trek Allant 7.4, a commuter-targeted variant of the FX. He believes, because the salesman told him, it has carbon fiber spokes. I've decided not to disabuse him of the notion. I want him to be happy with it.
#324
Pedal Stompin'

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 15
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2014 Metrofiets w/EBO e-assist; 2007 Trek 7300; 1986 Peugeot road bike w/downtube shifters
I got a note from a former colleague congratulating us on the babies and telling me he'd just bought a new bike and thought of me. It's a Trek Allant 7.4, a commuter-targeted variant of the FX. He believes, because the salesman told him, it has carbon fiber spokes. I've decided not to disabuse him of the notion. I want him to be happy with it.
#325
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,126
Likes: 6,342
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=339610]Darth Lefty[/MENTION], you could surreptitiously leave a magnet on one of his spokes.
__________________
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.




