noglider 

When I got to my bike yesterday after work, I saw I had left my tool bag attached to my saddle, and no one stole it or messed with it.

On the way home, I found the non-stairs path between the street and the park so I won't have to carry my bike. This morning, I couldn't find it before doubling back, but I'll get the hang of it soon.

Then I rode around the outside perimeter of the campus looking for a way to wheel in without using stairs. I thought I found it, but I didn't, so I still have more exploring to do. At least I did park in one of the bike racks on campus instead of on the public street.

I feel I've really got the hang of winter cycling. Then again, I'm only going seven miles instead of 13-1/2 miles. It makes a big difference.

kellichou

No bike commute today--but for a hopeful reason! My wife wanted me to drive today, because hopefully today or tomorrow our little toddler can come home from the hospital! It's looking like tomorrow, probably, but I'm glad I drove just in case I need to go get them from the hospital. And I'll be able to get there more quickly after work, anyway.

noglider 

I'm hopeful for your family, @kellichou.

arsprod 

Pleasant 38F but warmer temps came with rain

pdlamb

Bare legs today! Temperature was somewhere between 57° (weather app on phone), 54° (weather channel), and 50° (Goofy the Garmin). It had just stopped raining when I left, but it was dripping, so I had on my jacket. Made it 10 of 11 miles to work before another shower hit. The jacket was warm, even with the zipper just barely engaging around my waist.

RidingMatthew

I debated stopping yesterday because I fogged up my glasses if I stopped or rode to slow. Today felt colder I was disappointed that it was not in 40s like I was expecting.

bare legs riding I do not remember what is like. I am glad I went with what wore yesterday since the temps were about the same except there was not RAIN..


all in all a good ride.
it was such a pretty sunset that I stopped to take a picture. after put the phone away and turned away from the sunrise. it seemed even prettier in my rear view mirror.

noglider 

It might be nearly 50°F on the way home. My winter gloves will be too hot. I might just wear my hands, as I didn't bring other gloves.

ptempel

I just wore the light gloves even though it was ~38F this morning. They were still ok. Am looking forward to the 10 degree or more jump this afternoon. How's your new job? It looks like you're back in the cyclecommuting groove again.

Oh, and @kellichou congrats on the new baby! Is it your first? Newborns are nice since they basically sleep most of the time. Some advice we got and followed from our old neighbor/friend was to put the baby straight into the crib (forget the bastinet). We also had the crib in a separate room which allowed us to close both doors and let at least one of us to get decent sleep. I did "baby on-call" some of the time (some weeknights but mostly weekends if I recall?). But the wife did most of them. Oh, and we found out that Viva paper towels were soft enough to replace baby specific wipes. Finally, we used to have a recurring amazon order for the baby formula powder. Maybe they might have good prices for baby diapers?

noglider 

@ptempel, yes, I started this job on Monday, at Columbia University. What a place this is! And the commute is ideal. I might be able to do it five days a week.

It's not a baby.

locolobo13 

Leaving work for home. Just wanted to report it's strange out there today. Dark and cloudy and there's this strange stuff falling from the sky. It's cold and wet kinda like water. Ya'all have fun out there.

ptempel

Glad to hear that you like your new job. Cyclecommute 5 days a week for the WIN!


D'oh! Sorry, @kellichou. Hope your little girl recovers quickly. Slight case of no read-itis, I guess.

ptempel

Wow. Life's getting tough in the land of the sun...

essiemyra

A very nice uneventful commute in this am with the temp at 29 f degrees with dark partly cloudy skies.

mgw4jc

Warm enough for shorts only today - 58F! And supposed to get over 70 this afternoon. Roads were wet from overnight rains.

Tundra_Man 

Yesterday afternoon the sun came out and temp spiked to 43°F which meant on the way home from work I saw people on the MUP in t-shirts and shorts, and on the roads I saw some motorcycles. Here in South Dakota people go crazy the first nice day we get after a couple of months of single degree temps and below.

However, we still have some significant snow accumulation built up, which meant yesterday's temp melted off some of it and made the roads and MUP quite wet. Subsequently on this morning's commute at 23°F there was quite a bit of sheet ice on the pavement. I'm glad I rode the winter bike, as even with carbide studs there were a few spots where I felt the rear end get a little loose. Never went down though, so it's all good.

Temp is supposed to stay below freezing, so I'm guessing the ice won't melt off super quick. Wind is supposed to pick up this morning as well. Of course it's out of the north, which is the direction I'm heading to ride across town to a client location over lunch. Headwinds! Yay!

arsprod 

A taste of Spring - 53F and rain, supposed to be near 65F this afternoon. Apparently warm weather ald=so encourages drivers to act like idiots... well more than usual

KCBikeCommuter

60-degrees at 6am... awesome!!! Strong head-wind, and the streets were really sloppy... but did I mention 60-degrees!!!

HardyWeinberg

36F, gray & clammy

ptempel

Was 57F and a slight spritz of rain this morning. Commute was a-ok. Just have to clean the bike later due to the usual road grime. The traffic was also really light in Manhattan. It was mostly because the schools are out today and all next week for winter break. Good for them. Well, at least we have Monday off from work. Yeeay. But we're supposed to get 3-5 inches of snow late tomorrow. Booo.

Skipjacks

Wet and sloppy the whole way. (Puddles and mud on the ground, rain had stopped 5 minutes before I left for work! Score!)

Gave my new fenders their first real sloppy wet test and they proved to be the best $30 I've ever spent on a bike part! Worked like a charm to keep me from getting disgusting.

Tundra_Man 

I was absolutely astounded the first time I rode after putting fenders on my bike. I realized how much more moisture comes up from your wheels than falls down from the sky. The rain from the sky is relatively clean. The stuff thrown up from your wheels is anything but. Having fenders actually makes riding in the rain enjoyable.

On a different note, I made an interesting observation this morning compared to yesterday morning. Most all factors (wind, bike, traffic, etc.) were identical. The big difference was the temp. Yesterday morning it was 23F, this morning it was 3F. I felt like I was expending the same or maybe slightly more effort this morning.

Yesterday's average speed: 13 mph.
Today's average speed: 10 mph.

More confirmation to my hypothesis that the colder it gets, the slower I get.

pdlamb

Fenders and dyno lights are two things I refuse to skip on a commute bike.


Last night was crazy: 71° in February? Today it was all the way down to 64° -- skipped the dull winter jerseys for some bright ones, even if they're not as warm.


It would be nice to see that bright thing up in the sky, though. Dull gray overcast, I may as well be in the Midwest.

HardyWeinberg

40F, heavy mist.

arsprod 

Ride started out tame enough, 38F and wet but not raining, pretty nice tailwind. And then a flat. At least it was in the front. Time for new tires... I hate to replace them when the LOOK just fine!

Darth Lefty 

First time since Tuesday I’ve felt good, no cardio discomfort, but I’ve got no initiative to pedal. What the heck, self?