2018! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#301
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
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.
#302
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,201
Likes: 6,459
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'm hopeful for your family, [MENTION=447810]kellichou[/MENTION].
__________________
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.
#304
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 2,603
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
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.
#305
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
Temp was about 35F when I left home. I soon realized I was a bit over dressed and started pulling the balaclava down off my chin. That helped, but with about two miles to go I had just turned off a main road into a neighborhood. Riding no-handed, I unclicked the helmet, removed my glasses, took off the balaclava and put the others back on. Much better. My ears got a little cold, but it was worth it.
A high of 63F this afternoon. I'll be stowing some layers for that trip home.
A high of 63F this afternoon. I'll be stowing some layers for that trip home.
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.
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.
#306
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,201
Likes: 6,459
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
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.
__________________
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.
#307
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Oh, and @kellichou congrats on the new baby!
Last edited by ptempel; 02-14-18 at 02:44 PM.
#308
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,201
Likes: 6,459
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=25132]ptempel[/MENTION], 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.
It's not a baby.
__________________
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.
#309
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.
#310
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
@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.
It's not a baby.
D'oh! Sorry, @kellichou. Hope your little girl recovers quickly. Slight case of no read-itis, I guess.
#311
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
#314
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 434
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
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!
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!
#315
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
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
#316
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
Bikes: Klein Quantum Race; Cannondale Supersix EVO Di2; Trek Crossrip LTD; Trek Boone 9 Disc
60-degrees at 6am... awesome!!! Strong head-wind, and the streets were really sloppy... but did I mention 60-degrees!!!
#318
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
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.
#319
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 239
From: Mid Atlantic / USA
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
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.
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.
#320
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 434
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
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.
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.
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.
#321
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 2,603
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
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.
#323
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
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!
#324
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,332
Likes: 3,520
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
First time since Tuesday I’ve felt good, no cardio discomfort, but I’ve got no initiative to pedal. What the heck, self?
__________________
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."
#325
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 239
From: Mid Atlantic / USA
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite




