2017! The how was your commute thread!
06-08-17 | 07:09 AM
#1376
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
A bit cool this morning at 51F but supposed to be in the high 70's this afternoon. It's been windy these last few days all in my face. Hoping that's finished.
06-08-17 | 09:44 AM
#1377
54F, raining. First day back on the bike since Friday; travel through Monday, then meetings etc... necessitated driving the last 2 days when it was 80F and sunny.
Riding the rainbike w/ a coat and panniers I am a zillion times more sweaty than with a backpack. But it is also muggy out amidst the rain.
Riding the rainbike w/ a coat and panniers I am a zillion times more sweaty than with a backpack. But it is also muggy out amidst the rain.
06-08-17 | 10:41 AM
#1378
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,128
Likes: 6,348
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
Lately, as I try to improve my performance and strength, I'm embracing the "ride so it hurts" outlook and enjoying it, too. Last night on the way home, I made my best time ever. I rode my Lemond which is too small for me, and the handlebars are too low, so it makes my shoulders and back hurt. I plan to install a taller stem. Interestingly, when I ride this bike hard, my leg (or really butt) muscles hurt in a very small area whereas on my Raleigh, I feel the exertion in a much wider area. I guess that is because of positioning, and it's not clear to me which is more beneficial. By the time I got home, I was rather stunned and really wanted some rest, but I had a whole lot of heavy furniture to move, so I did that, too. I'm taking a rest day today, though now that it's lunch time, I'm regretting the rest day. I could have ridden, at least gently.
__________________
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.
06-08-17 | 11:27 AM
#1379
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Rained out. Very unusual for June.
__________________
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."
06-08-17 | 12:13 PM
#1380
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)
Finally a commute, after a whole week last week with no bike commuting due to mid-week traveling plus the short week, and other things that required my car. The Saturday night before Memorial day we had a historically bad wind storm here in the Memphis area, with straight-line winds reaching 80-90 MPH I believe, on the leading edge of the storm. It knocked out power to nearly 200,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County, the 3rd worst recorded outage since Ice Storm '94 and Hurricane Elvis in 2003. 10 days later, even with 100+ outside utility crews working around the clock, power still has not been totally restored. The storm blew down 4 sections of my privacy fence (rotted posts I think), destroyed my metal patio gazebo frame, and did some major damage to my front yard tree.
So anyway, I've been cleaning up and repairing storm damage stuff for nearly a week, and just got the fence finished on Saturday. This week should be nice weather all week, with lower humidity, but that does mean headwinds in the afternoon mostly. This morning was pretty foggy and super humid, temps in the low 70's, so I was drenched when I got to work, even without rain.
So anyway, I've been cleaning up and repairing storm damage stuff for nearly a week, and just got the fence finished on Saturday. This week should be nice weather all week, with lower humidity, but that does mean headwinds in the afternoon mostly. This morning was pretty foggy and super humid, temps in the low 70's, so I was drenched when I got to work, even without rain.
And then, after about 11 miles or so, it seemed like I hit a sudden WALL of wind for the last 4 miles home. I was super sluggish the rest of the way home.
Today the weather is absolute perfection. Sunny, mid-upper 70's, and LOW humidity. That means a headwind going home, but I'm on the e-bike today so no problem!
06-09-17 | 05:10 AM
#1381
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 1,466
From: Merrimac , MA
A very pleasant ride to work today. Cloudy with the temp at 54f degrees. The part that makes me smile is the jacket and gloves I wear, yet I wear shorts on my legs. I will need them for later when it is warmer this afternoon.
And yay it is Friday!
We leave tomorrow am for MI to me my son and his wife for a until next Wednesday!
And yay it is Friday!
We leave tomorrow am for MI to me my son and his wife for a until next Wednesday!
06-09-17 | 08:57 AM
#1383
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 yesterday on the e-bike. Not much to report other than seeing a Lamborghini Gallardo with aftermarket wheels and exhaust turning left across from me, while I waited behind a Sheriff's car at a light. Never seen that one around town before. Got it on video. 
06-09-17 | 09:40 AM
#1384
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,128
Likes: 6,348
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've been riding my Lemond (racing bike) lately, and it's small and needs a taller stem. I gave myself a break and rode my Raleigh in again, and this time, I listened to myself when I said take it easy going into work.
I still have a lot of upper body work to do to build endurance. I'm not sure if I have to build myself up to get there or start riding with higher handlebars or a combination thereof. So far, I'm doing the combination approach.
I took the longer route which is more scenic and less trafficked. It skips a hellish segment of street traffic, so I avoided some stress. The weather is gorgeous today and started to feel summery though it's still not outright hot yet.
I still have a lot of upper body work to do to build endurance. I'm not sure if I have to build myself up to get there or start riding with higher handlebars or a combination thereof. So far, I'm doing the combination approach.
I took the longer route which is more scenic and less trafficked. It skips a hellish segment of street traffic, so I avoided some stress. The weather is gorgeous today and started to feel summery though it's still not outright hot yet.
__________________
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.
06-09-17 | 09:58 AM
#1385
50F, gray.
06-09-17 | 09:58 AM
#1386
Do you mean like work on your core so you can maintain a tolerable riding position for longer?
06-09-17 | 10:03 AM
#1387
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,128
Likes: 6,348
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
Yes. I'm doing dead lifts to strengthen my lower back. I'm doing pushups and overhead presses to strengthen my shoulders. Right now, my shoulders hurt right next to my spine. Riding makes me feel like I've been doing pushups all day, i.e. tired. My legs are in great shape and never hurt me.
__________________
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.
06-09-17 | 10:17 AM
#1388
A lot of the zillion little supporting muscles around your shoulders can be worked just with 5 pound dumb-bells. Extend arms sideways, extend arms forward, start w/ arms up and sweep down sideways. Good luck!
06-09-17 | 10:53 AM
#1389
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 114
Likes: 17
From: Tulsa, OK
Bikes: Priority Continuum; Azuki Gran Sports
It's been beautiful here in Tulsa this week (my first week of commuting)! Mornings in the 60's, mid 80's in the afternoon, and low humidity. Not looking forward to next month when it's 90% humidity all day, and 95 degrees or higher in the afternoon!
06-09-17 | 11:38 AM
#1390
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Was a nice ride in this morning at a more liesurely pace. I took more time to clean up the wheels this morning before leaving. I just checked the weather and its 84F out! Will be rocking the short sleeve jersey and bibs to give the girls a peek at my fabulous arms and legs. 
In return, all I ask is a short skirt once in a while... Ah, I like the warmer weather... 
In return, all I ask is a short skirt once in a while... Ah, I like the warmer weather...
Last edited by ptempel; 06-09-17 at 11:42 AM.
06-09-17 | 04:48 PM
#1391
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
Sounds like a nice english teacher.
The rides here have been nice. I have been enjoying the 1989 hardrock I acquired, but I am not riding it since I need the trailer regularly.
My island repair business has been good also. I have been getting a few bikes every few weeks. I just had to change a bottom bracket that was in poor shape, it came out in more pieces than it should have and it was cross threaded. So I had to buy a big 32mm wrench, a length of threaded rod, nuts, and big washers. The rod, washers and nuts were to put through the bb and hold the tool on while I forced off the fixed cup with the new big wrench. I am hoping to buy a proper stand and some cone wrenches.
But first we will move into the new house. We will get a tarpaulin garage for the golf cart we will eventually buy and I was hoping to make it into a bike garage and work shop. These are extra costs I think of when buying a home, ohh how I will be surprised when I get the real extra costs. We go to the lawyer and hand over our down payment and sign paper next week, with a plan to take possession the 29th!
Enjoy your weekend.
The rides here have been nice. I have been enjoying the 1989 hardrock I acquired, but I am not riding it since I need the trailer regularly.
My island repair business has been good also. I have been getting a few bikes every few weeks. I just had to change a bottom bracket that was in poor shape, it came out in more pieces than it should have and it was cross threaded. So I had to buy a big 32mm wrench, a length of threaded rod, nuts, and big washers. The rod, washers and nuts were to put through the bb and hold the tool on while I forced off the fixed cup with the new big wrench. I am hoping to buy a proper stand and some cone wrenches.
But first we will move into the new house. We will get a tarpaulin garage for the golf cart we will eventually buy and I was hoping to make it into a bike garage and work shop. These are extra costs I think of when buying a home, ohh how I will be surprised when I get the real extra costs. We go to the lawyer and hand over our down payment and sign paper next week, with a plan to take possession the 29th!
Enjoy your weekend.
06-09-17 | 05:51 PM
#1392
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX8, Caad10, Marin BearValley, WTP BMX, Norco Tandem
rides have been great lately. I've been riding every day so my legs are getting a bit tired. If all goes well, next Friday i'll have 25,000kms commuting since i started ~5yrs ago.
06-09-17 | 08:00 PM
#1393
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 557
Likes: 2
From: E Wa
Took a big digger today. Somehow the fixing bolt that holds my front rack and fender came loose. Weight on the front rack pulled the rack down and intersected the tire, cantilevering me up and over the bars. Luckily I was on a very light downhill and only traveling 15-18mph. Unfortunately, the fork is toast.
06-11-17 | 05:02 AM
#1394
Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Bikes: 2017 Trek Crossrip 1
Woke up late and had to rush out the door. Saw a deer s little too close for comfort on the trail. Wound up getting to work at my usual time. Practicing a faster cadence and learning to shift better with my current shifters. Ride back was on a clear warm night. Moon was nice and bright. Saw plenty of bunnies both ways.
06-11-17 | 04:30 PM
#1395
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,128
Likes: 6,348
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 Sunday, and I got a substitute gig for just today. I occasionally work as a paid church choir singer. It was a long commute. Ride bike to PATH subway (between NYC and NJ), ride PATH subway to Newark, ride 10 miles in the heat to the church, which is in Millburn, NJ.
Morning traffic was very light. It was nice riding in my old neighborhood.
It was an interesting challenge to stay sweat-free for church. I wore a Smartwool™ thin t-shirt, and it worked magic. Even in 95º heat, with a dress shirt and tie on, I didn't get wet.
Newark is a very poor city, and the contrast between Newark and the other towns is striking. People are so clearly poor and in poor physical health, and the city is in bad shape. Then I rode through South Orange, Maplewood, and Millburn, all very wealthy suburbs. There are lots of trees and mostly single family homes that are very well kept up. I lived in Maplewood from 2003 through 2013.
The PATH subway was crowded coming back, so the bike and I stood up, and traffic in Manhattan was pretty heavy, too, but it was a fun adventure.
Morning traffic was very light. It was nice riding in my old neighborhood.
It was an interesting challenge to stay sweat-free for church. I wore a Smartwool™ thin t-shirt, and it worked magic. Even in 95º heat, with a dress shirt and tie on, I didn't get wet.
Newark is a very poor city, and the contrast between Newark and the other towns is striking. People are so clearly poor and in poor physical health, and the city is in bad shape. Then I rode through South Orange, Maplewood, and Millburn, all very wealthy suburbs. There are lots of trees and mostly single family homes that are very well kept up. I lived in Maplewood from 2003 through 2013.
The PATH subway was crowded coming back, so the bike and I stood up, and traffic in Manhattan was pretty heavy, too, but it was a fun adventure.
__________________
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.
06-12-17 | 05:28 AM
#1396
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 128
Bikes: '88 Bianchi, '94ish Trek
I just finished my first ever bike commute to work. A lot of the inspiration came from lurking in this forum and reading about and learning from y'all's adventures. Thanks for the inspiration everyone!
To say I am not a morning person is to vastly understate the matter, so one of the main problems for me is getting up in enough time to make this a viable regular option, however now that I am showered and changed and sitting at my desk about to go get a cup of coffee, I can say it was most definitely worth it, and I think I might be hooked.
Y'all have a great day!
To say I am not a morning person is to vastly understate the matter, so one of the main problems for me is getting up in enough time to make this a viable regular option, however now that I am showered and changed and sitting at my desk about to go get a cup of coffee, I can say it was most definitely worth it, and I think I might be hooked.
Y'all have a great day!
__________________
"The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience."
"The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience."
06-12-17 | 07:03 AM
#1398
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Nice ride in at 78F and low humidity. Haven't ridden from home in a while so went for it today. Will be a bit of a slog for the ride home when it goes up to 95F (or so they say). Will take it easy and stop for more water along the route.
06-12-17 | 07:18 AM
#1399
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
I just finished my first ever bike commute to work. A lot of the inspiration came from lurking in this forum and reading about and learning from y'all's adventures. Thanks for the inspiration everyone!
To say I am not a morning person is to vastly understate the matter, so one of the main problems for me is getting up in enough time to make this a viable regular option, however now that I am showered and changed and sitting at my desk about to go get a cup of coffee, I can say it was most definitely worth it, and I think I might be hooked.
Y'all have a great day!
To say I am not a morning person is to vastly understate the matter, so one of the main problems for me is getting up in enough time to make this a viable regular option, however now that I am showered and changed and sitting at my desk about to go get a cup of coffee, I can say it was most definitely worth it, and I think I might be hooked.
Y'all have a great day!
06-12-17 | 07:38 AM
#1400
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 114
Likes: 17
From: Tulsa, OK
Bikes: Priority Continuum; Azuki Gran Sports
Turned muggy over the weekend (ugh!) and looks like it's here to stay for the summer. On the ride in to work this morning heard 2 loud pops, but everything seemed to be ok. That stretch of road was rough, so I thought maybe the kickstand had bounced down far enough for the pedal to hit. Three miles later (and still 2 miles from the office) I was on nice smooth pavement, but had a small, consistent bump-bump-bump from the back end. Looked down and saw that the back wheel looked warped. After getting to work and inspecting the back wheel, looks like there's 3 broken spokes! ($@&$%!) 