2017! The how was your commute thread!
06-01-17 | 02:09 PM
#1326
Back In The Saddle
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 205
From: NorCal
Bikes: N+1
Fog, mist, rain. Warm though. It was 56° when I left the house. First ten miles and I got soaked. Eight miles of mist and then two miles fog. I actually thought it was kind of nice. As long as the rain isn't cold, I kind of like it.
-Shin
-Shin
__________________
In life there are no mistakes, only lessons. -Shin
In life there are no mistakes, only lessons. -Shin
06-01-17 | 02:11 PM
#1327
Back In The Saddle
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 205
From: NorCal
Bikes: N+1
Taking kiddo to daycare, about a mile from home when I hit something, hard. "I hope I didn't get a pinch flat," I say to myself. A half mile further and the tire is flat as a pancake. I walk bike and kiddo to safety (a bridge overlook with guard rails on both sides so kiddo can play), and check out the tube. While I do that, kiddo steals the aerosol sunscreen to play with, and I just let him. Massive pinch flat, four holes. The only wonder is that it didn't flat immediately. I can't get it to hold air at all, if I pump the tube it just breathes out. I get out the spare tube - it's the wrong one, with a too-short valve stem. I get out the patch kit - one patch left. I make the call to Mommy, I'm lucky she even has her phone because just then she's feeding the twin babies. It's a solid 40 minutes til she arrives, kiddo and I retreat to a nearby gas station. We take kiddo to daycare. As I walk away from him he announces his need for the little boys' room, and instead of falling for this stalling tactic, I make the daycare teacher deal with him and listen to him cry as I flee. Mommy and I go for coffee/brunch. On the way home from that we stop and run into traffic to shoo some ducks across the road who have also run into traffic. Then I go to retrieve the bike, drive to work, and the morning is pretty much spent.
Wow, that was quite the morning. Glad it worked out in the end.
-Shin
__________________
In life there are no mistakes, only lessons. -Shin
In life there are no mistakes, only lessons. -Shin
06-02-17 | 05:01 AM
#1328
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 1,466
From: Merrimac , MA
Glad you're able to commute!
A thunderstorm popped up at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon. It was small enough that the worst of it was gone by 5, but I did start out in the lingering rain. It stopped a little after halfway though. Not too bad at all.
A cooler morning today in the low 60s. Quite nice.
A thunderstorm popped up at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon. It was small enough that the worst of it was gone by 5, but I did start out in the lingering rain. It stopped a little after halfway though. Not too bad at all.
A cooler morning today in the low 60s. Quite nice.
A very nice uneventful ride this morning with the temp at 49f degrees and a bright sky.
06-02-17 | 06:28 AM
#1329
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
Left for work extra early this morning because I have to make up some hours I missed yesterday due to my son's activities. Was riding my usual route on the MUP when I came across this:
There was a broken board missing from the middle part of the bridge floor. Where this bridge was located was about a mile into a park. So it was going to be backtracking a mile out of the park, then taking a different route to work which would put me on some pretty busy roads and add an additional couple of miles.
Then I realized that it would be possible to lift one's bike over the caution tape, squeeze through the tape, walk across the bridge being careful not to step in the hole left by the missing board, then lift one's bike back over the caution tape on the other side and squeeze through again.
It was very possible to do that. I'm not going to say that's what I did. I'm just saying it's possible. It's very, very possible...
There was a broken board missing from the middle part of the bridge floor. Where this bridge was located was about a mile into a park. So it was going to be backtracking a mile out of the park, then taking a different route to work which would put me on some pretty busy roads and add an additional couple of miles.
Then I realized that it would be possible to lift one's bike over the caution tape, squeeze through the tape, walk across the bridge being careful not to step in the hole left by the missing board, then lift one's bike back over the caution tape on the other side and squeeze through again.
It was very possible to do that. I'm not going to say that's what I did. I'm just saying it's possible. It's very, very possible...
06-02-17 | 06:36 AM
#1330
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
After work yesterday I rode to meet some friends for a run. I found an alternate use for my water bottle holders.
After that I biked home and was hungry and tired.
A good morning for a ride today.
After that I biked home and was hungry and tired.
A good morning for a ride today.
06-02-17 | 06:39 AM
#1331
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
It would be tempting to get a little speed and just bust right through those. I'm just saying it's possible.
06-02-17 | 08:56 AM
#1332
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
i was sick as a dog the last two days. i even stayed home from work altogether yesterday because i was feeling so lousy.
i woke up today feeling better, well enough to go to work, but i thought i would drive because my body was still feeling achy.
then i took a hot shower, my aches eased, and i changed plans last minute and decided to take my bike instead of the car.
i'm so glad i did, because it was an utterly gorgeous morning for a bike ride here in chicago, with a decent tailwind to boot!
i woke up today feeling better, well enough to go to work, but i thought i would drive because my body was still feeling achy.
then i took a hot shower, my aches eased, and i changed plans last minute and decided to take my bike instead of the car.
i'm so glad i did, because it was an utterly gorgeous morning for a bike ride here in chicago, with a decent tailwind to boot!
Last edited by Steely Dan; 06-02-17 at 09:04 AM.
06-02-17 | 10:00 AM
#1333
55F, dry. Cloudcover breaks up to the east so bottom of mtn is there...
06-02-17 | 01:06 PM
#1335
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
You have a good memory! We were last in Parksville three years ago. My truck got broken into in Nanaimo that year. We considered coming back this year, but we decided to try out Salt Spring Island instead. An acquaintance told me about an 85K cycling loop that he recommended I try (details here: Saltspring Island under "Longer Route"). I don't know if you can vouch for any of the route...maybe you'd like to join me?
Anywho I don't know that particular route but it is a nice island and would be great. When are you heading this way? You're welcome to try and meet up if time permits. I will swing the idea by my wife, I don't know I will be able to do this year physically. I am hoping to do some rides with my wife's work group; they are very relaxed rides from the sounds of it.
Are you planning to camp out or have you booked places? It will be awesome.
In other news, I have acquired a new bike! By new bike I mean late 80s early 90s Specialized Hardrock. I personally haven't seen it but it is in my van (which we were hoping would not get broken into last night). It is a friend's bike which he bought in Charelston, SC when he was there for a Post Doc. I helped him buy it on craigslist as his first foray into commuting. Anywho, he loved it and recently bought some carbon Specialized and is getting a hybrid to share with his wife to replace the Hardrock ans be their new kid hauler. He was going to donate it but I said I would like it. He says that it needs a bunch of work, but that doesn't worry me. I am excited to get it though.
Picture link. https://goo.gl/photos/uTiJwwRCGt67EkXC8
Last edited by joeyduck; 06-02-17 at 01:10 PM. Reason: link
06-02-17 | 09:32 PM
#1336
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Then I realized that it would be possible to lift one's bike over the caution tape, squeeze through the tape, walk across the bridge being careful not to step in the hole left by the missing board, then lift one's bike back over the caution tape on the other side and squeeze through again.
It was very possible to do that. I'm not going to say that's what I did. I'm just saying it's possible. It's very, very possible...
It was very possible to do that. I'm not going to say that's what I did. I'm just saying it's possible. It's very, very possible...
__________________
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."
06-03-17 | 04:06 PM
#1337
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Yesterday on my commute home I rode past an ice cream store and couldn't resist the smell of waffle cones. I bought an ice cream cone despite my efforts at eating healthy and being frugal. I slightly regretted it (it was very delicious though), but apparently god didn't like that I went against my own goals because as soon as I hopped back on my bike it started pouring rain...
06-04-17 | 11:53 AM
#1338
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Not a commute but I'm proud of it and had a good time and wanted to spread the idea around.
https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cyc...ety-blind.html
A pretty good palate cleanser for my sour Thursday!
https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cyc...ety-blind.html
A pretty good palate cleanser for my sour Thursday!
__________________
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."
06-05-17 | 06:09 AM
#1339
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Bailed on the bike ride this morning. It was raining and looked to be continuing. So I drove to the gym and drove back home. My wife was already having to get out early so she brought me and the bike to work. There is supposed to be more rain this afternoon, but I'll ride home if it's not too heavy or thundering at the time.
06-05-17 | 06:57 AM
#1340
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
Cool 9C/48F, overcast with a bit of wetness on the roads but a nice quiet ride in.
June is cycling month and this week is the commuter challenge week, I have to remind my friends of this to try to get them to try alternate means of commuting.
June is cycling month and this week is the commuter challenge week, I have to remind my friends of this to try to get them to try alternate means of commuting.
06-05-17 | 07:35 AM
#1341
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
Thought I was just going to a client's office for the day which was only 4 miles from home, so I wore my work clothes and rode slower to not sweat them up. That would save me the hassle of hauling extra clothing and changing after I arrived.
It was a sound plan until I arrived at the client's office and then was reminded that I'd spaced off a company meeting all the way across town at lunch time.
No time to head back home and grab different clothes. I guess I'm going to get good and sweaty today.
It was a sound plan until I arrived at the client's office and then was reminded that I'd spaced off a company meeting all the way across town at lunch time.
No time to head back home and grab different clothes. I guess I'm going to get good and sweaty today.
06-05-17 | 07:44 AM
#1342
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,446
Likes: 4,538
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
cpl days ago rode to the office (& back) late in the day on a Saturday. doesn't count as a commute really, but kinda. after mostly off road rides this past fall & winter w a cpl road bike rides here & there, it was an ugly reminder about commuting routes & the BS on the roadways. also the number of possible hazards sky rockets ranging from debris in the road, poor pavement conditions & auto & truck traffic. so much safer off road or on routes planned for joy rides where you can pick & choose based on road quality & width & low traffic interaction
06-05-17 | 10:37 AM
#1343
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Late start for daycare. Kiddo compounds it with a request for the WC, which results in a stop at Dunkin Donuts. He pulls the same stunt as last time at daycare - I take him to the potty again, but after he finishes and I deliver him to teacher, he says he needs to go again! Stalling, doesn't want the weekend to be over. I get it, kid.
Fast ride after that. It's going to be hot this afternoon.
Fast ride after that. It's going to be hot this afternoon.
__________________
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."
06-05-17 | 11:28 AM
#1344
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,446
Likes: 4,538
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
06-05-17 | 03:54 PM
#1345
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I always wonder if I'm doing something wrong. For two years now I've been putting him to bed at night and he cries when I leave his room. Visions of tucking him in and reading him half a story and he drifts off quickly - nope. Straight up wrestling to get him in pajamas and cajoling and fighting to brush his teeth. Three stories and bathroom and sing me a song and bathroom and you can't shut the door, daddy!
__________________
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."
06-05-17 | 05:27 PM
#1346
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,446
Likes: 4,538
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
if it helps, know that you're not alone. my son wouldn't fall asleep unless I sat next to his crib w my hand on his back. that too passed
be present & do your best. there is no perfect parent
be present & do your best. there is no perfect parent
06-05-17 | 06:23 PM
#1347
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
lol, I think mine won't stay in bed unless I keep an elbow on his back to hold him there
__________________
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."
06-06-17 | 05:58 AM
#1348
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...
Primary election day in NJ, and the polls opened at 6 AM. I normally ride past there at 5, so I stayed in bed an hour longer today. But when I went to leave, it was pouring rain, really coming down hard, so I went back to bed for another hour. Even so,I got pretty wet, especially my feet... and am now finally on the air conditioned train.
06-06-17 | 06:07 AM
#1349
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,509
Likes: 2
From: SW Ohio
Bikes: 3 good used ones
Odd year for me. I rode more miles in Feb and March than I did in April and May. A combination of things interfered: weather, outside commitments, lethargy, and perhaps burnout from riding too much in Feb and March. I certainly was sick and tired of riding in rain, cold, dark and battling 15 mph headwinds for 20 miles. Seriously, I really burned out on riding in conditions which required lights, leggings, jacket, shoe covers, gloves and a hat. Yeah, that was probably it 
Perfect morning for a bikeride today though. Upper 50's, slight tailwind, bright sunshine at 6AM. What's not to like?
Perfect morning for a bikeride today though. Upper 50's, slight tailwind, bright sunshine at 6AM. What's not to like?
06-06-17 | 06:16 AM
#1350
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I ended up with no riding yesterday and it just felt weird. Oh well, back on the bike this morning for 16+ miles. Plenty humid still. I only have work today and tomorrow and then the family and I are off to a college graduation in Wisconsin. I won't be back on the bike until Tuesday.
