2017! The how was your commute thread!
08-18-17 | 07:50 AM
#1951
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
[MENTION=439013]Amitoj[/MENTION] - That sucks. Glad you weren't hurt worse than you were.
Today I swam to work. At least that's what it felt like as the humidity was so high. It rained a good chunk of the night and it had just finished up prior to me heading to work. The streets were still wet so I took the hybrid with Fenders. Outside of getting sweaty from the humidity, it was an uneventful ride.
Today I swam to work. At least that's what it felt like as the humidity was so high. It rained a good chunk of the night and it had just finished up prior to me heading to work. The streets were still wet so I took the hybrid with Fenders. Outside of getting sweaty from the humidity, it was an uneventful ride.
08-18-17 | 08:51 AM
#1952
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 190
Likes: 8
From: Louisville, Ky US
Bikes: 2007 Kona Caldera
@Amitoj Glad to hear you're mostly ok. I got run off the road by a sedan back in 2009 (punishment pass - when the vehicle intentionally passes way too close in order to force you off the road) it damaged my lower back to the point I had to walk with a cane for awhile and kept me off the bike from July 2009 to June 2017. <sarcasm>bouncing off concrete is really fun</sarcasm>
Again, really glad to hear you had a better outcome than I did.
My commute, I caught a lift home with a coworker last night due to heavy rain (I'll ride in rain, but only to an extent, because I need to replace my lights.) This morning was 75f with 98% humidity so I showed up at work as a human sweatball again. I might need to start investing in some actual cycling clothes, vs blue jeans and a visibility t-shirt (the kind construction workers wear.)
Again, really glad to hear you had a better outcome than I did.
My commute, I caught a lift home with a coworker last night due to heavy rain (I'll ride in rain, but only to an extent, because I need to replace my lights.) This morning was 75f with 98% humidity so I showed up at work as a human sweatball again. I might need to start investing in some actual cycling clothes, vs blue jeans and a visibility t-shirt (the kind construction workers wear.)
08-18-17 | 09:26 AM
#1953
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 82
From: Edmonton, AB
Cool, clear, calm, the usual. Rode a geared bike (instead of fixed) due to a forecast of stiff headwinds this afternoon - figured I might be glad for a lower gear on the ride home. Coasting...what a novelty!
08-18-17 | 09:36 AM
#1954
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
No cycling for me yesterday and today. I worked from home yesterday to get my car to the mechanic. Its still there and wimped out riding all the way in with the rain. I still did about 135 miles in the first three days. Even with the wife having to pick me up in Hackensack on the way home Tuesday. The Michelin Pro4 Service Course tires roll well. But they are not the best choice for flat resistence. I got two flats in two days (1 Mon and 1 Tue). I might try the Pro4 Endurance at some point. But I still have at least two lightly used Continental Gatorskins so will use them up first.
Last edited by ptempel; 08-18-17 at 09:41 AM.
08-18-17 | 12:24 PM
#1955
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: SA, TX
Bikes: Ridley Fenix AL
here is my first video recording of my morning commute. Nothing too crazy, especially since schools are out for summer right now. I started commuting by bike a couple of months ago and I'm waiting for cooler weather in South Texas. Mornings aren't so bad but evening rides are constantly in the upper 90's, which can make a ride seem twice or even three times as long as it is.
08-18-17 | 05:15 PM
#1957
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Amazon emailed to tell me my Marathon has arrived... tubeless goo for the MTB coming next week. Box O Crap shipped out. I also recently got a kid stoker kit for my tandem, and coincidentally I'm doing another blind tandem event tomorrow. But generally this has been a week off, or an off week, for actually riding. Aches and pains, bum ticker, adverse schedule, broken bike. I only have half a commute to show for 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."
08-20-17 | 02:20 PM
#1958
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I got my Marathon mounted. It's noticeably smaller than the Vittoria Voyager Hyper even though it's the same listed size.
Adding to my insane flat tally for the year, got a goathead on a well traveled paved levee trail yesterday, on my tandem. I didn't even know it until the bike was back on the hitch rack. Brushed past it and felt a tug on my shirt... psssssh
Adding to my insane flat tally for the year, got a goathead on a well traveled paved levee trail yesterday, on my tandem. I didn't even know it until the bike was back on the hitch rack. Brushed past it and felt a tug on my shirt... psssssh
__________________
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."
08-21-17 | 05:02 AM
#1959
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 1,466
From: Merrimac , MA
Amitoj- I am glad to hear you were not hurt more than you are. And wishing you a quick recovery.
A very nice uneventful commute this am. The temp was 59f degrees with darker skies as I left the house.
A very nice uneventful commute this am. The temp was 59f degrees with darker skies as I left the house.
08-21-17 | 06:47 AM
#1960
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Happy Moonday!
Some schools have started in the area, but the public onslaught will be next week. I felt like there was a few more cars than normal today. Still summertime.
Some schools have started in the area, but the public onslaught will be next week. I felt like there was a few more cars than normal today. Still summertime.
08-21-17 | 07:39 AM
#1961
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Woke up this morning and thought the eclipse had come early - it was dark! I'm not ready for a season change... not yet! Otherwise an uneventful ride in
08-21-17 | 08:16 AM
#1962
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 190
Likes: 8
From: Louisville, Ky US
Bikes: 2007 Kona Caldera
So I made 9/10 commute rides last week with the one rain out, for a total of 49 ish miles (app 79 km). This morning was again in to 75f ish range with high humidity, I'm ready for fall and cooler weather.
08-21-17 | 09:16 AM
#1964
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
CRASHED! 
So, I was well on my way to hit 18.7mph average 14 miles into my ride, when an SUV/minivan overtook me a bit too close for comfort. I veered to the right instinctively, but went off the road. Next thing I know, I am down on the road bumping and sliding.
Did an assessment to see if anything was broken. Thankfully nothing but road rashes on both knees, left elbow and some on the left shoulder. And the right hand was hurting without any visible damage. And my right calf cramped up as well. Had to sit for a few minutes before i could bend my right leg to get up.
After some more initial body check, including ability to open and close my right hand, got up, picked up my bike, fixed the chain, and finished rest of the ride back home. Still managed 18.4 mph
Quite a few good samaritans stopped to check on me. One cyclist even decided to follow me just to make sure i was ok. God bless him.
Anyway, went to Immediate Care mainly to have my right hand looked at, since that was the one that took the first hit when I fell. They did an x ray and all came out well. Got rest of me patched up while I was there.
Have to stay off the bike for a few days now
So, I was well on my way to hit 18.7mph average 14 miles into my ride, when an SUV/minivan overtook me a bit too close for comfort. I veered to the right instinctively, but went off the road. Next thing I know, I am down on the road bumping and sliding.
Did an assessment to see if anything was broken. Thankfully nothing but road rashes on both knees, left elbow and some on the left shoulder. And the right hand was hurting without any visible damage. And my right calf cramped up as well. Had to sit for a few minutes before i could bend my right leg to get up.
After some more initial body check, including ability to open and close my right hand, got up, picked up my bike, fixed the chain, and finished rest of the ride back home. Still managed 18.4 mph
Quite a few good samaritans stopped to check on me. One cyclist even decided to follow me just to make sure i was ok. God bless him.
Anyway, went to Immediate Care mainly to have my right hand looked at, since that was the one that took the first hit when I fell. They did an x ray and all came out well. Got rest of me patched up while I was there.
Have to stay off the bike for a few days now
08-21-17 | 01:31 PM
#1965
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I said the Marathon was smaller... not exactly... it's about a tenth of an inch narrower but it's also taller by the same amount.
i had to circle back this morning because I forgot to get my backpack. I realized this because kiddo was playing spider fingers up my back. He was fun this morning, he talked to the clouds and invited them to come to school and ride the swings with him.
i had to circle back this morning because I forgot to get my backpack. I realized this because kiddo was playing spider fingers up my back. He was fun this morning, he talked to the clouds and invited them to come to school and ride the swings with him.
__________________
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."
08-22-17 | 06:05 AM
#1966
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
What a week so far.. Yesterday got stopped by a train again. I've hit a train one route or another every day last week. It isn't fun to go around. But speaking of going around.. Part of that route I have to take on the sidewalk portion of a bridge. A rather large heavy set woman was standing right in the middle. I had to say excuse me and she said "granted" and move over.. LOL.
Last night was some heavy rains. One area it was up to the crank and I thought it might be fun to sing row row row your boat, gave those truckers a laugh. The second spot was actually a mud slide. All the cars were too chicken to go through it. That was above the crank... And I'm covered in mud but MAN was fun! I don't condone riding through water, I know my route and there are areas I wouldn't attempt in anything.
Last night was some heavy rains. One area it was up to the crank and I thought it might be fun to sing row row row your boat, gave those truckers a laugh. The second spot was actually a mud slide. All the cars were too chicken to go through it. That was above the crank... And I'm covered in mud but MAN was fun! I don't condone riding through water, I know my route and there are areas I wouldn't attempt in anything.
08-22-17 | 06:42 AM
#1967
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
You're pretty tough to hit so many trains and keep going.
In other words, "Professional rider - Do not try this at home."
A decent 15 miles into work today. I often take a longer route on the way to work, but only by a mile or three. The weather people say it is supposed to be cooler and less humid starting Thursday morning. I think I'm ready for that.
A decent 15 miles into work today. I often take a longer route on the way to work, but only by a mile or three. The weather people say it is supposed to be cooler and less humid starting Thursday morning. I think I'm ready for that.
08-22-17 | 07:26 AM
#1968
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Yesterday I left at 3p to miss storms predicted for 4p - got soaked and at 4 the sun came out. This morning I got all geared up for rain and nary a drop until I walked into the office and the skies let loose. Who knew I had such power to control the weather?!
08-22-17 | 07:35 AM
#1969
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
So yesterday we were supposed to be viewing the eclipse around 1 PM. Instead, it started raining hard at 11 AM and continued until well after 2 PM. It got dark outside, but the rain was so heavy I think it would have been dark eclipse or not.
My wife got stranded at a flooded intersection. She made it into the parking lot and then sat in a restaurant for a couple hours until the waters receded enough for her to make it home.
Officially we got a little over 5" of rain in those 3 hours. Unofficially, there were parts of the city with much more than that in their rain gauges. At 5 PM when I left work there was still lots of flooded areas. I found many places on the MUP that were impassable due to flood waters, so I had to backtrack and take different routes around the water. For one stretch I had to travel down a couple major arteries for about a mile because there was no other practical route other than the MUP. I made it, but my normal 1/2 hour 8 mile commute took nearly an hour and turned into 11 miles.
My wife got stranded at a flooded intersection. She made it into the parking lot and then sat in a restaurant for a couple hours until the waters receded enough for her to make it home.
Officially we got a little over 5" of rain in those 3 hours. Unofficially, there were parts of the city with much more than that in their rain gauges. At 5 PM when I left work there was still lots of flooded areas. I found many places on the MUP that were impassable due to flood waters, so I had to backtrack and take different routes around the water. For one stretch I had to travel down a couple major arteries for about a mile because there was no other practical route other than the MUP. I made it, but my normal 1/2 hour 8 mile commute took nearly an hour and turned into 11 miles.
08-22-17 | 07:46 AM
#1970
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 4,081
From: Phx, AZ
Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike
^^
Wow!
This morning I almost collided with a ninja salmon. I saw him in plenty of time and moved from the center of the bike lane to the left edge. But he was weaving like a drunk. My lights were on. At the last second he weaved straight at me. If I hadn't dodged into the traffic lane he would have hit me. I just yelled, "Watch where your going!" and kept going. Fortunately there was no traffic.
Wow!
This morning I almost collided with a ninja salmon. I saw him in plenty of time and moved from the center of the bike lane to the left edge. But he was weaving like a drunk. My lights were on. At the last second he weaved straight at me. If I hadn't dodged into the traffic lane he would have hit me. I just yelled, "Watch where your going!" and kept going. Fortunately there was no traffic.
08-22-17 | 08:45 AM
#1971
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Officially we got a little over 5" of rain in those 3 hours. Unofficially, there were parts of the city with much more than that in their rain gauges. At 5 PM when I left work there was still lots of flooded areas. I found many places on the MUP that were impassable due to flood waters, so I had to backtrack and take different routes around the water. For one stretch I had to travel down a couple major arteries for about a mile because there was no other practical route other than the MUP. I made it, but my normal 1/2 hour 8 mile commute took nearly an hour and turned into 11 miles.
My car is still in the shop since last Thursday. I hope to pick it up after work today. Will see. So I have been riding from home yesterday and today. Felt a bit knackered on the Ft Lee Rd hill this morning. Will have to gear down and take it easy for the ride home. I rode the Orbea yesterday and the Octalink crank bolts were coming loose. Also could not tighten the bolts too much since they feel like they could strip the threads. Good lord. I still have an FSA K-force crankset lying around. So will happily replace the Octlink with the K-force when I get the chance. I like everything about Shimano 9 speed (Ultegra 6500) except the crankset and BB. What a design mistake those were.
08-22-17 | 09:40 AM
#1972
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 82
From: Edmonton, AB
Cool, clear, calm...again...I ain't complaining. The boss and a couple co-workers are on vacation, everyone else in this small company is working from home today, I doubt that anyone would know if I took off for a bike ride...
08-22-17 | 09:57 AM
#1973
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 190
Likes: 8
From: Louisville, Ky US
Bikes: 2007 Kona Caldera
Normal, hot humid ride home yesterday, and cooler (but still hot) and humid ride in this morning. I've been wearing bike short liners under my work pants and then changing the undergarments when I get to work, I might have to go back to packing the work pants and just wearing shorts again.
The weather report is calling for rain this afternoon/evening so I don't know if I'll be riding home or seeking a ride yet.
The weather report is calling for rain this afternoon/evening so I don't know if I'll be riding home or seeking a ride yet.
08-22-17 | 11:27 AM
#1974
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,517
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Injured nanny = unwanted day off :-/
__________________
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."
08-22-17 | 01:05 PM
#1975
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
Amazingly, both of my sump holes in my basement were still dry.