2018! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#1126
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,340
Likes: 6,640
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 know it's a beautiful day, an ideal day for riding to work, but I've been stiff from not walking enough, so I took the subway and got out one stop short of my workplace stop so I could walk a bit.
__________________
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.
#1128
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,860
Likes: 213
From: south Puget Sound
52F, 24 mile route in. Partly sunny.
Also, yesterday evening, my fork got gummed w/ flower petals from the trail that had been dampened by afternoon rain. Had to scoop them out, then hose the whole frame and brakes down when I got home.
Also, yesterday evening, my fork got gummed w/ flower petals from the trail that had been dampened by afternoon rain. Had to scoop them out, then hose the whole frame and brakes down when I got home.
Last edited by HardyWeinberg; 06-05-18 at 10:57 AM.
#1129
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Little bit of a tail wind to assist the ride home last night. Enjoyed that and the 79 degrees.
Cool and comfortable this morning. Good ride!
Cool and comfortable this morning. Good ride!
#1131
Full Member

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 313
Likes: 19
From: Windham, NH
Bikes: Bianchi Campione, Specialized Diverge Comp E5
Pleasant high 50s today. Happy to note that I could average 17.5mph on my cyclocross bike as well!
But this is my second and last day of commuting for the week. Last week also I could bike commute for two days only, but it was a short week too.
This week, I need to rest for the next three days to prepare for my first ever 400K ride, the NER Boston - Portland - Boston. Just thinking about it is making me nervous.
But this is my second and last day of commuting for the week. Last week also I could bike commute for two days only, but it was a short week too.
This week, I need to rest for the next three days to prepare for my first ever 400K ride, the NER Boston - Portland - Boston. Just thinking about it is making me nervous.
#1132
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,340
Likes: 6,640
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
Maybe my day of rest yesterday did me good. Or maybe it's because I finally started stretching. I felt very strong on the way into work today. I used higher gears than usual.
__________________
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.
#1133
Beautiful morning, a bit on the cool side, but I wore long sleeves so I was okay.
Good luck! A 400 is tough. How long is your commute? If it's not too long, you might consider commuting on Friday. Someone (don't remember who) on these forums recommended doing a short ride the day before a very long ride. My own experience has shown this to be good advice. As usual, YMMV.
Good luck! A 400 is tough. How long is your commute? If it's not too long, you might consider commuting on Friday. Someone (don't remember who) on these forums recommended doing a short ride the day before a very long ride. My own experience has shown this to be good advice. As usual, YMMV.
#1134
Full Member

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 313
Likes: 19
From: Windham, NH
Bikes: Bianchi Campione, Specialized Diverge Comp E5
Good luck! A 400 is tough. How long is your commute? If it's not too long, you might consider commuting on Friday. Someone (don't remember who) on these forums recommended doing a short ride the day before a very long ride. My own experience has shown this to be good advice. As usual, YMMV.
My commute is 17.5 miles one way. It might be too much, given that I would like to check into the hotel early on Friday. The ride starts at 4AM Saturday.
I can treat the first leg of 35 miles as a warm up
#1135
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 183
From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
The other night I had an appointment on the Upper West Side, followed by another on the Upper East. So I decided to nip into Central Park and do half a loop to get to the other side. I had my Unique with the fenders (rain was predicted), reflectors, clip pedals minus the straps, big and comfy seat, plus my backpack with work clothes, lock, etc... Had a really good time blasting around with all the serious riders trying to get a workout. It's nowhere near being on my way home, but I think I will incorporate a lap or two into my commute when time permits.
#1136
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
A nice morning for the ride in. Lately I've only managed 2 - 3 days of riding per week. It looks like I'll get 4 days this week. This is good..
I never get breakfast out, but this morning I didn't have time to eat before leaving, so a Chick-fil-A biscuit was calling my name.
I never get breakfast out, but this morning I didn't have time to eat before leaving, so a Chick-fil-A biscuit was calling my name.
#1137
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,860
Likes: 213
From: south Puget Sound
Gray, feels like rain but that is not supposed to come until tomorrow; on the other hand, my phone also thinks it's 9F out ('feels like -2') but if I had to guess I would put it more like somewhere in the 50s, so who knows...
#1138
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,340
Likes: 6,640
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 felt strong yesterday, and I do again today. I wish I felt as strong on Sunday on that big ride I took. It was my weakest day in a long time.
__________________
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.
#1139
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,350
Likes: 3,551
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Two things today.
It’s my first bike commute in a month. Between the simultaneous crises of my wife’s broken foot and trying to sell our house to move to a nicer suburb, bikes have been relegated... most of them to storage.
Second, I forgot when I pedaled away this morning that I took my laptop home last night. My wife’s bringing it at lunchtime. My employer has recently done away with all desktop computers, even in conference rooms, so there’s no spare place for me to log in. I called the IT department to see if I could get my phone onto the WiFi and webmail, the hold time was too long to bother with. It’s a layoff/retirement/moving day, which we’ve been having every six weeks. The company is mostly moving to Huntsville and few went along. So there’s lots of people doing their goodbye lap and it’s killed the time.
The ride itself was MTB, sunny and warming up with a light headwind. Lovely!
It’s my first bike commute in a month. Between the simultaneous crises of my wife’s broken foot and trying to sell our house to move to a nicer suburb, bikes have been relegated... most of them to storage.
Second, I forgot when I pedaled away this morning that I took my laptop home last night. My wife’s bringing it at lunchtime. My employer has recently done away with all desktop computers, even in conference rooms, so there’s no spare place for me to log in. I called the IT department to see if I could get my phone onto the WiFi and webmail, the hold time was too long to bother with. It’s a layoff/retirement/moving day, which we’ve been having every six weeks. The company is mostly moving to Huntsville and few went along. So there’s lots of people doing their goodbye lap and it’s killed the time.
The ride itself was MTB, sunny and warming up with a light headwind. Lovely!
#1141
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
didn't get to switch my tires back to commuting tires and did not feel up to riding Monday even though it was pretty. I rode 63 miles on the New River trail State park in Virginia and my hands and arms were sore from the vibration. I need some fatter tires for gravel riding. All in all I am glad I did the ride but it was uphill and one of the toughest I have done in a while.
I have commuted Tues - Thursday and the weather in the morning has been a bit chilly finally broke down and put the vest on till about halfway to work and stuffed in my pannier. I rode 20 miles on my way to work!
Going to watch the local baseball team tonight with a group of friends.
I have commuted Tues - Thursday and the weather in the morning has been a bit chilly finally broke down and put the vest on till about halfway to work and stuffed in my pannier. I rode 20 miles on my way to work!
Going to watch the local baseball team tonight with a group of friends.
#1142
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 183
From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
#1144
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 444
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
Consecutive commute number 545: complete miscalculation.
Left the house, the sun was shining. Temp was 73. Beautiful.
Headed northwest towards the downtown area. Saw some pretty menacing clouds in the distance. But they looked far enough away that they wouldn't be a factor.
About a mile from the house the wind gusts started and it looked like those clouds were getting closer. Hopefully I could make it the remaining three miles downtown before anything started.
About the halfway point it started to sprinkle. Rats. Well, with any luck it wouldn't get any heavier.
About a mile from downtown it started to come down pretty hard. There were a couple riders taking shelter under a viaduct, but by that point I was wet and only 1/2 mile from the client's office so I decided to just wave and keep riding.
A block from the client's office and it was starting to let up. I ran into a fellow commuter I know and she took a selfie with us both caught in the unexpected rain storm.
I'm now typing this soaking wet with no change of clothes with me as it was supposed to be a nice day.
Left the house, the sun was shining. Temp was 73. Beautiful.
Headed northwest towards the downtown area. Saw some pretty menacing clouds in the distance. But they looked far enough away that they wouldn't be a factor.
About a mile from the house the wind gusts started and it looked like those clouds were getting closer. Hopefully I could make it the remaining three miles downtown before anything started.
About the halfway point it started to sprinkle. Rats. Well, with any luck it wouldn't get any heavier.
About a mile from downtown it started to come down pretty hard. There were a couple riders taking shelter under a viaduct, but by that point I was wet and only 1/2 mile from the client's office so I decided to just wave and keep riding.
A block from the client's office and it was starting to let up. I ran into a fellow commuter I know and she took a selfie with us both caught in the unexpected rain storm.
I'm now typing this soaking wet with no change of clothes with me as it was supposed to be a nice day.
#1146
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,340
Likes: 6,640
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
Last night, I worked late and it was dark on the way home. I got whacked in the eye by a low hanging tree branch I didn't see. That's what I assume it was, but I really don't know. It hurt, and opening my eye was hard for a minute. I had this negative fantasy that someone was hanging from a tree and punched me. I don't even know how it got me, as I wear glasses when on the bike. I got home, and there was blood on my brow and eyelid. It washed up fine, and the cuts were only to my brow and not deep at all. I'm fine now.
A few nights ago, on the way home, there were a few teenagers on the path on bikes, trying to make trouble, zigzagging left and right and taking up the whole path. One of them headed straight for me and made a menacing face. I just kept my line and smiled. It was a game of chicken, and he ended up swerving to avoid a collision, so I guess that means I won. He could have scared someone. Lucky I have good nerves in situations like that. I've been through a lot on the bike, so things that shake people up don't faze me much.
This morning, I rode to the post office to send out the box o' crap that we play with in the C&V section. It weighed 25 pounds and didn't quite fit on my front rack. Upon making a turn onto a street, the box o' crap fell off my rack but stayed attached by bungie cords. I stopped and reattached it and rode slowly and carefully.
A few nights ago, on the way home, there were a few teenagers on the path on bikes, trying to make trouble, zigzagging left and right and taking up the whole path. One of them headed straight for me and made a menacing face. I just kept my line and smiled. It was a game of chicken, and he ended up swerving to avoid a collision, so I guess that means I won. He could have scared someone. Lucky I have good nerves in situations like that. I've been through a lot on the bike, so things that shake people up don't faze me much.
This morning, I rode to the post office to send out the box o' crap that we play with in the C&V section. It weighed 25 pounds and didn't quite fit on my front rack. Upon making a turn onto a street, the box o' crap fell off my rack but stayed attached by bungie cords. I stopped and reattached it and rode slowly and carefully.
__________________
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.
#1148
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Cool photo [MENTION=175954]Tundra_Man[/MENTION]. Bummer about getting wet though. Wet jeans always take a long time to dry it seems.
A warmer morning at about 73F and pretty humid.
A warmer morning at about 73F and pretty humid.
#1149
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,340
Likes: 6,640
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
60F this morning, so I could wear anything. I wore a polo shirt and my new Dockers stretchy cotton trousers. The pants are a little hot but not terrible. Unusual for me, I took a pace that was neither fast nor slow. It was a pleasant but uneventful ride. Oops, I brought my office shoes home on Friday and forgot to bring them back. Now I have to wear my SPD bike shoes all day. Clop clop.
__________________
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.
#1150
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
After a week of working out of town I'm back to the grind on a very wet and rainy Monday. Great to be back on the bike!





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