2018! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#2226
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Not my best commute - 27F, snow, and at about 3 miles into my 11 mile ride I got tagged by an SUV crossing an intersection. The good news is she just got my back wheel so the bike is fine. Bad news is I'll be off the bike at least for a few days. I have to admit that technically it was my fault - I should have stopped and waited, but the car coming the other direction stopped and I'm lit up like a Christmas tree on steroids. The young lady driving the car said "I guess I didn't scrape my windshield well enough." Well I guess you didn't!
#2227
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,350
Likes: 3,551
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Not a good feeling day for the bum ticker. Slowww ride in.
But I’ve been referred for surgery... septal myectomy. As I age with this disease my atrium is becoming dilated and I’m at risk of afib. After nearly 10 years dealing with angina and blood pressure pills keeping me slowww, and 15 years before that of clues in hindsight. So maybe I can come back here in February and tell you I lived, and in April I can tell you I feel all better now.
But I’ve been referred for surgery... septal myectomy. As I age with this disease my atrium is becoming dilated and I’m at risk of afib. After nearly 10 years dealing with angina and blood pressure pills keeping me slowww, and 15 years before that of clues in hindsight. So maybe I can come back here in February and tell you I lived, and in April I can tell you I feel all better now.
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 12-05-18 at 05:33 PM.
#2228
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
Take care, [MENTION=339610]Darth Lefty[/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.
#2229
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Scary stuff [MENTION=322871]arsprod[/MENTION].
Even scarier stuff [MENTION=326413]darth[/MENTION]_Lefty. Do check in and let us know how you're doing.
A cold morning today at about 24F. I was good for the first 40 minutes and then my toes got cold. I only had about 2 more miles at that point. I think the part about my winter commute is the last 2 miles going home. It's dark and on a bit busier section of road with no shoulder. For some reason when it's light out the rest of the year that part doesn't seem as bad.
Even scarier stuff [MENTION=326413]darth[/MENTION]_Lefty. Do check in and let us know how you're doing.
A cold morning today at about 24F. I was good for the first 40 minutes and then my toes got cold. I only had about 2 more miles at that point. I think the part about my winter commute is the last 2 miles going home. It's dark and on a bit busier section of road with no shoulder. For some reason when it's light out the rest of the year that part doesn't seem as bad.
#2230
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,694
Likes: 2,617
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Cold here as well, and frosty. Hurray for bike commuting, I don't have to scrape the windshield! (Sorry, honey...)
Not as bad as what others had to go through, but I think the frost got on my shoe soles this morning. Coming into the building, I had to stop short as somebody came flying around a corner in the hall, and my shoe lost traction. No fall, I was able to balance on the rear foot for a second, but I've only had that happen when the shoe soles were wet.
Not as bad as what others had to go through, but I think the frost got on my shoe soles this morning. Coming into the building, I had to stop short as somebody came flying around a corner in the hall, and my shoe lost traction. No fall, I was able to balance on the rear foot for a second, but I've only had that happen when the shoe soles were wet.
#2231
local yokel

Joined: May 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 6
From: Idaho Panhandle
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey SS, Surly Grappler
23*F when I left my friend's apartment this morning, now its about 42*F so my commute home in three hours will be a little warmer! I love commuting in Chattanooga, my only complaint is there seems to be an abundance of broken beer and liquor bottles on our city streets. It is like the freaking Trailer Park Boys live around here sometimes!
#2232
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
A bit warmer than yesterday morning, though still under freezing. Of course cold temperatures mean I dress warmer. Cold temperatures also seem to mean that I have to pee more urgently upon arrival at either work or home. It's not so bad on the ride, but once I start transitioning from awesome bike rider to normal desk jockey, I gotta GO!
Big winter forecast for North Carolina this weekend. Several inches of snow and/or ice starting late Saturday night and continuing all day Sunday. I have a feeling my office will be closed on Monday as a storm like this generally shuts everything down around here. I anticipate schools will be closed at least Monday & Tuesday, probably Wednesday too.
Big winter forecast for North Carolina this weekend. Several inches of snow and/or ice starting late Saturday night and continuing all day Sunday. I have a feeling my office will be closed on Monday as a storm like this generally shuts everything down around here. I anticipate schools will be closed at least Monday & Tuesday, probably Wednesday too.
#2233
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,694
Likes: 2,617
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
My personal view is that 35 degrees and raining is the worst possible bicycling weather.
It was a whole 5 degrees warmer than that.
It's a light shower instead of a heavy rain.
And back to standard time, so it wasn't dark.
Oh, and I made it in just fine (if a little damp). So that's four good things about riding to work today.
I was surprised to see two other bike tracks on the MUP this morning. I thought I'd be the only one riding this way today!
It was a whole 5 degrees warmer than that.
It's a light shower instead of a heavy rain.
And back to standard time, so it wasn't dark.
Oh, and I made it in just fine (if a little damp). So that's four good things about riding to work today.
I was surprised to see two other bike tracks on the MUP this morning. I thought I'd be the only one riding this way today!
#2234
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
This morning's commute was hard. I took Citi Bike. I had a strong crosswind which was slightly from the front so it felt like a strong headwind. The bikes make you sit upright, and they weigh 50 pounds. I felt like I was moving in slow motion. My average speed for 6 miles was 9.4 mph, much lower than normal.
__________________
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.
#2236
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
Thankfully, I had neither of these today.
18F and a light wind. Most of the sheet ice has finally evaporated. There's still enough of it that I have to ride studs, but I'm not constantly on ice now.
#2237
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've never cycled when temperature was below 5°F, and I've found it to be quite difficult when it's below 15° or 20°. So yes, sub-zero (F) sounds worse than 35° and raining, but I have no experience in it.
__________________
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.
#2238
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 579
Likes: 285
From: Southern California
Bikes: Historical: Schwinn Speedster; Schwinn Collegiate; 1981 Ross Gran Tour; 1981 Dawes Atlantis; 1991 Specialized Rockhopper. Current: 1987 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott Master; 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper FS; 2026 Salsa Confluence.
I took the day off yesterday. I won't say I wimped out or anything, but it was raining, and I needed to be at work to meet other folks for a field trip. Of course, in the rain, it took forever to get to the office. I would have been fast (but miserable) on the bike.
Wednesday was the beginning of the storm, so I got a little wet on both ends. Nothing too bad, but I did break out the helmet cover on the ride home. Put my bike in the van, locked it up, then proceeded to leave the keys in the car as I closed the (locked) gate. So there I am in cotton and nylon, trying to get hold of my wife as the rain got worse. She eventually brought me a key, but it wasn't fun.
Wednesday was the beginning of the storm, so I got a little wet on both ends. Nothing too bad, but I did break out the helmet cover on the ride home. Put my bike in the van, locked it up, then proceeded to leave the keys in the car as I closed the (locked) gate. So there I am in cotton and nylon, trying to get hold of my wife as the rain got worse. She eventually brought me a key, but it wasn't fun.
#2239
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,694
Likes: 2,617
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
#2240
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
I attempted to ride yesterday. It was 19F according to the app when i left. I rode down a hill hitting 32mph THAT IS COLD but i felt good until i attempted to stop at a light at the top of the next hill. My rear disk brake locked/ froze up. I had to call my wife to come get me. I sorta got it lose but it was causing some serious drag. Rolled fine from the back of the van to the garage.. I took it to the shop and they did not see anything wrong. Rode this morning most of the ride was under freezing temps but new insoles kept feet toasty and it was a good ride.
#2241
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1,552
From: Merrimac , MA
It was a cold 17 f degrees with clear dark starry skies this am. It has been quite a while since I have been able to commute by bike and the ride was pleasant yet uneventful. I think this is the only day this week I can ride to work but I will take what I can get at this point.
#2242
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Back on my regular commuter.. it's so much easier to ride I almost want to hug it! Unfortunately it's also faster and since it was 20 degree's had to add another layer! Weather looks good till Friday.
#2243
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 work commute number 664:
Not much to report for this one. 13F with a light cross/slight tail wind. Trees were glistening with frost. Drivers were relatively calm. Rode the winter bike with studs, although there was only a 1/4 mile shaded patch on the MUP where I really needed them. The rest of the ice patches could have easily been ridden around.
Not much to report for this one. 13F with a light cross/slight tail wind. Trees were glistening with frost. Drivers were relatively calm. Rode the winter bike with studs, although there was only a 1/4 mile shaded patch on the MUP where I really needed them. The rest of the ice patches could have easily been ridden around.
#2244
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,694
Likes: 2,617
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
10 degrees too warm for snow this weekend, although my wife spend hours watching streaming webcam of the snow in Boone, NC.
You'd have thought this was the Monday after Thanksgiving from the traffic and red lights this morning. Damp, cool, and overcast. I was a bit overdressed so I took it easy to compensate. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
You'd have thought this was the Monday after Thanksgiving from the traffic and red lights this morning. Damp, cool, and overcast. I was a bit overdressed so I took it easy to compensate. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
#2245
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
28°F looked like a low temperature when I headed out, and I saw that I would be facing a headwind, so I bundled up more than ever, knowing it might be too much. Well, it sure was, and every part of me was very warm except for my toes. I'm still wearing summer cycling shoes with cleats. I didn't feel like peeling layers off, so I just kept going slowly so as not to build up much heat.
I record all of my rides on my phone. Somehow, my phone shut down in the middle of the ride. The battery indicator said 60-something percent, and then it suddenly went to zero. Second time in two weeks this happened. I think I need to get it repaired. What a pain. So it thinks I rode only 4 miles instead of 6.5 miles. Not a big deal, really.
This week at work will be very stressful and difficult. Even the ride didn't make me feel particularly good.
I record all of my rides on my phone. Somehow, my phone shut down in the middle of the ride. The battery indicator said 60-something percent, and then it suddenly went to zero. Second time in two weeks this happened. I think I need to get it repaired. What a pain. So it thinks I rode only 4 miles instead of 6.5 miles. Not a big deal, really.
This week at work will be very stressful and difficult. Even the ride didn't make me feel particularly good.
__________________
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.
#2247
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Snow and sleet hit us starting early Sunday morning and into the afternoon. Schools in many counties around are all closed. More snow was coming down when I got up. My office originally announced they would open on a two hour delay at 10am. I knew I wasn't biking and also decided to hold off and go in at noon.
I drove my bike route to see the possibility of biking tomorrow. It is mostly clear of snow, but the roads are quite wet with the melting runoff. That will most likely freeze tonight and make the morning bad again. Probably another delayed opening they already told us. Most likely I won't be able to bike tomorrow either.
I drove my bike route to see the possibility of biking tomorrow. It is mostly clear of snow, but the roads are quite wet with the melting runoff. That will most likely freeze tonight and make the morning bad again. Probably another delayed opening they already told us. Most likely I won't be able to bike tomorrow either.
#2248
on your lawn
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 175
Likes: 19
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: 1995 Trek 370, 1997 Trek 800 Sport, 2013 Specialized Crossroads Elite, 2016 Trek Emonda ALR5, 1991 Fuji Roubaix
16F with 15 MPH headwind in light snow/freezing fog this morning. Lots of pedestrians in dark clothes walking the dark MUPs this morning. 22F with 12 MPH headwind tonight coming home. I just can't win.
Today was my first day trying CopperFit sleeves on my bad knees. There was almost no pain while riding, at work, or now that I'm home. There seems to be more swelling than normal though, so I'll see how they do long term.
Today was my first day trying CopperFit sleeves on my bad knees. There was almost no pain while riding, at work, or now that I'm home. There seems to be more swelling than normal though, so I'll see how they do long term.
#2249
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,694
Likes: 2,617
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Freezing fog frosted the landscape this morning. Lots of variations in the roads; some were clear, some were wet, and a half mile looked like it had had a quarter inch of snow. I don't know if it was there (either light snow or frost falling off the trees), or just the cold fog along the ride, that I collected a fine dusting on the front of my panniers, jacket, water bottle, and gloves. And maybe my glasses, though that melted.
The fog made me aware of a couple things. First is how nice it is to turn your lights on in low visibility (especially when everyone seems to drive gray or black vehicles!). The second is how far ahead I'm used to seeing. I've been riding this route for 20 years, and I know it forward and backward in sunshine, rain, and dark. But today, with visibility down to about a block, I was lost until I saw the bike route sign. I don't know if my autopilot flipped off unexpectedly, or I'm just used to seeing houses (or lights in the dark) for 2-3 blocks, but things looked much different in the fog.
The fog made me aware of a couple things. First is how nice it is to turn your lights on in low visibility (especially when everyone seems to drive gray or black vehicles!). The second is how far ahead I'm used to seeing. I've been riding this route for 20 years, and I know it forward and backward in sunshine, rain, and dark. But today, with visibility down to about a block, I was lost until I saw the bike route sign. I don't know if my autopilot flipped off unexpectedly, or I'm just used to seeing houses (or lights in the dark) for 2-3 blocks, but things looked much different in the fog.
#2250
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
12°F but the wind was at 0 mph. Wind that calm is rarer than a Sasquatch sighting here in South Dakota.
I took a gamble and rode the hybrid without studs today, even though there's still plenty of ice on the pavement. For the most part I was able to just ride around the patches, but there were a few long sections where I had no choice but to cross the ice. I kept it upright, so all was good. My routes today have me going around 21 miles and I really didn't feel like fighting the winter bike that distance so I opted to take the risk. I figured that over 21 miles I'll save myself about 1/2 an hour of riding by taking the faster bike. Indeed, the first 8 mile stretch from home to our office was more than 10 minutes quicker on the hybrid.
I took a gamble and rode the hybrid without studs today, even though there's still plenty of ice on the pavement. For the most part I was able to just ride around the patches, but there were a few long sections where I had no choice but to cross the ice. I kept it upright, so all was good. My routes today have me going around 21 miles and I really didn't feel like fighting the winter bike that distance so I opted to take the risk. I figured that over 21 miles I'll save myself about 1/2 an hour of riding by taking the faster bike. Indeed, the first 8 mile stretch from home to our office was more than 10 minutes quicker on the hybrid.




