2018! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#1528
I'm getting a chuckle out of a couple of "new" guys I've seen during my mornings this summer - I'd caught up behind them when they were "hammering" one day and did the "casual" thing. When you sit up a little and say good morning in as normal a voice as possible
Now they think I'm super-fast because I ride every day and train on a heavy bike ... it's all harmless but kind of funny.
Now they think I'm super-fast because I ride every day and train on a heavy bike ... it's all harmless but kind of funny.
#1529
I'm getting a chuckle out of a couple of "new" guys I've seen during my mornings this summer - I'd caught up behind them when they were "hammering" one day and did the "casual" thing. When you sit up a little and say good morning in as normal a voice as possible
Now they think I'm super-fast because I ride every day and train on a heavy bike ... it's all harmless but kind of funny.
Now they think I'm super-fast because I ride every day and train on a heavy bike ... it's all harmless but kind of funny.No, I've never done it.
Yes, it was done to me.
#1530
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
Next week looks like it will be soggier especially with no fenders
yet
#1531
#1532
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 810
From: Seattle
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Obed Boundary, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem
Speaking of pedal assist, there's this younger guy on an e-bike with a reverse commute to mine, and I see him almost every morning that I ride. He rides with his saddle way too low, so his knees fly out like he's Charlie Chaplin, but he always rides with a huge grin on his face, so good for him.
I rode in for the first time this week as the smoke has mostly cleared. It was 57F, about 15F cooler than last week, so even though I was still being paranoid about not pushing too hard, I noticed a big jump in my heart rate, but got to work hardly sweaty. Drop 5F more and it'd be perfect.
#1534
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
A good Monday commute. Humid, but not super hot. We had a good bit of rain over the weekend, including a good storm in the middle of the night last night that woke me up. The roads were wet in places but mostly just damp. I avoided the MUPs as they don't dry out as fast and usually have more debris after a storm like that.
#1535
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 440
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
Back to work after having all of last week off, so I hadn't been on a bike in 9 days. On top of being a little out of practice there was a pretty stiff head wind. I conceded the fact that I was going to be slow and didn't push it real hard for my first day back.
We had more flash flooding yesterday due to heavy rains. I've lost count of how many flash flood warnings we've received this summer. It certainly is the wettest year I can remember. Last night the river had overflowed and covered the MUP in some of the lower areas, so I expected to have to take an alternate route to work. This morning the river had receded enough that the MUP was completely passable, although a little muddy in spots.
Got to the office and proceeded to change into my work clothes when I realized I'd packed two pairs of underpants but no socks. So mentally I'm still not ready to be back from vacation. I'm now going "foot commando."
We had more flash flooding yesterday due to heavy rains. I've lost count of how many flash flood warnings we've received this summer. It certainly is the wettest year I can remember. Last night the river had overflowed and covered the MUP in some of the lower areas, so I expected to have to take an alternate route to work. This morning the river had receded enough that the MUP was completely passable, although a little muddy in spots.
Got to the office and proceeded to change into my work clothes when I realized I'd packed two pairs of underpants but no socks. So mentally I'm still not ready to be back from vacation. I'm now going "foot commando."
#1536
The thermometer on my house read 10C (50F) this morning. Autumn is coming. Every year I need to be reminded (by experience) what my dressing thresholds are. I wore long sleeves, but didn't wear gloves. I should have worn gloves. Nice ride overall except for a tense moment negotiating with some merging traffic.
#1537
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
I'm getting a chuckle out of a couple of "new" guys I've seen during my mornings this summer - I'd caught up behind them when they were "hammering" one day and did the "casual" thing. When you sit up a little and say good morning in as normal a voice as possible
Now they think I'm super-fast because I ride every day and train on a heavy bike ... it's all harmless but kind of funny.
Now they think I'm super-fast because I ride every day and train on a heavy bike ... it's all harmless but kind of funny.
#1538
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Back to work after having all of last week off, so I hadn't been on a bike in 9 days. On top of being a little out of practice there was a pretty stiff head wind. I conceded the fact that I was going to be slow and didn't push it real hard for my first day back.
We had more flash flooding yesterday due to heavy rains. I've lost count of how many flash flood warnings we've received this summer. It certainly is the wettest year I can remember. Last night the river had overflowed and covered the MUP in some of the lower areas, so I expected to have to take an alternate route to work. This morning the river had receded enough that the MUP was completely passable, although a little muddy in spots.
Got to the office and proceeded to change into my work clothes when I realized I'd packed two pairs of underpants but no socks. So mentally I'm still not ready to be back from vacation. I'm now going "foot commando."
We had more flash flooding yesterday due to heavy rains. I've lost count of how many flash flood warnings we've received this summer. It certainly is the wettest year I can remember. Last night the river had overflowed and covered the MUP in some of the lower areas, so I expected to have to take an alternate route to work. This morning the river had receded enough that the MUP was completely passable, although a little muddy in spots.
Got to the office and proceeded to change into my work clothes when I realized I'd packed two pairs of underpants but no socks. So mentally I'm still not ready to be back from vacation. I'm now going "foot commando."
#1539
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 440
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
Why not just wear your cycling socks? If they're too stincky, then try washing them with soap in the bathroom sink and wring them dry. That's what I do with my skull cap since that's the most sweaty and stinky thing on my body. My feet are never as stincky as my armpits. So I guess that's my "luck."
#1540
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 11
From: Ottawa,ON,Canada
Bikes: Schwinn Miranda 1990, Giant TCX 2 2012
So my commute started with a front flat tire before even getting on the bike. Replaced the tube with a bad tube so after two tube changes, I was ready to go, so I thought. Filled my bottle with ice, but the ice dispenser was clogged so more delay before I could even go out the house! Finally! I'm able to roll! 4.7 km later, got right hooked but since I anticipated that driver's reaction, I turned with her which is when she finally noticed I was there and stopped! Then, 17 km into my commute, while I was going 35 km/h in a 40 km/h zone and in the middle of my lane, a pickup truck going in the opposite direction didn't see me as it turned left into a driveway just in front of me. Luckily, 1/4 into my lane, he finally noticed I was about to be squashed like a bug on its grille and did a hard stop. If he would have kept going, there was nowhere for me to go to avoid him so you can say I was 'lucky'.
So, that was my morning commute.Thankfully there are not many like these...
So, that was my morning commute.Thankfully there are not many like these...
#1541
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,231
Likes: 6,489
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
Why not just wear your cycling socks? If they're too stincky, then try washing them with soap in the bathroom sink and wring them dry. That's what I do with my skull cap since that's the most sweaty and stinky thing on my body. My feet are never as stincky as my armpits. So I guess that's my "luck."
__________________
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.
#1542
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Yesterday on my ride home a leaf fell and landed on my left forearm. The wind from my forward motion held it there for a good 30 seconds before it blew off. Kinda funny.
Nice 15 mile ride in this morning. Still super humid, but I think a break is coming on Thursday morning.
Nice 15 mile ride in this morning. Still super humid, but I think a break is coming on Thursday morning.
#1544
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 440
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
Chilly and windy, but otherwise an uneventful ride.
Got to work and discovered I left my brush, deodorant and razor at home. Oops. Looks like I'm business casual homeless today.
Got to work and discovered I left my brush, deodorant and razor at home. Oops. Looks like I'm business casual homeless today.
#1545
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
Good rides yesterday... though much more humid that last week. I rode in this morning. We have heavy thunderstorm last night but roads were fairly dry. I was surprised.
Today a coworker asked if I rode, she said she was praying I didn't. I said "yes I rode". The percentages for rain are highest when I am not riding, so I am hoping to dodge the worst part. I wore my old cycling shoes (they are worn out) I felt my foot sliding around inside the shoe. Maybe i will Tri the no sock look if raining this evening.
Today a coworker asked if I rode, she said she was praying I didn't. I said "yes I rode". The percentages for rain are highest when I am not riding, so I am hoping to dodge the worst part. I wore my old cycling shoes (they are worn out) I felt my foot sliding around inside the shoe. Maybe i will Tri the no sock look if raining this evening.
#1546
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Heavy overcast and heavy humidity this morning, but at least the temperature was cool (70-72F). Nice ride in. Looks like I need to head to a meeting after work tonight -- that'll add another 10 miles to the ride home. Hope the rain's done by then...
#1547
9C/48F on the thermometer this morning. I wore gloves, but my hands overheated. Can't win.
The last few commutes I have been taking a mountain bike trail for part of the way home. I'm riding a cyclocross bike, so I feel all the bumps, but the trail is mostly downhill, so it's pretty manageable. Plus, it's nice and quiet and I get to avoid riding on a busy road, not to mention it's shorter. I've tried riding that trail to work, but it's too steep for my gears and I end up spinning out and stalling.
The last few commutes I have been taking a mountain bike trail for part of the way home. I'm riding a cyclocross bike, so I feel all the bumps, but the trail is mostly downhill, so it's pretty manageable. Plus, it's nice and quiet and I get to avoid riding on a busy road, not to mention it's shorter. I've tried riding that trail to work, but it's too steep for my gears and I end up spinning out and stalling.
#1548
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
I think I'll start doing that. In my case, my stinkiest articles are my gloves. They smell like socks, even though I wash them every week or two. I think I have to do it every day. I manage the rest of my sweat by washing with witch hazel at the office. It's like magic.
#1549
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
I've been using Borax every 2-3 washes and hanging things to dry outside (when possible), but my gloves were getting unbearably stinky anyhow. I tried a load with gloves pre-soaked and Borax applied to the insides, and my wife insisted on white vinegar in the bleach dispenser. One of those seems to have done the trick!
#1550
Got honked at again, I guess I'm on a roll this year! I'm waiting in the left turn lane (got there first, not "filtered" for those who put some stock in that). He wants me to roll into the intersection, because he honked? Jump into oncoming traffic? I'm starting to wonder if this is "The Year of the Stupid" ...
This intersection if you're curious.
This intersection if you're curious.




