2019! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#651
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 58
Likes: 13
Bikes: 2016 Charge Plug 2, Citizen Miami folding bike
#652
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: North of LA, CA
Bikes: FX3 Frankenbike, Emonda SL5
46F and clear this morning. It's one of those weird days where no matter what the thermometer says, I can't get warm. I'm feeling pretty good, though. Strava seems to think this is the right amount of effort for this week to improve fitness, so there's that. I'm debating with myself whether I want to upgrade my tires and saddle this weekend. We'll see how I feel after the 10k I'm running tomorrow.
#653
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 233
Likes: 30
From: netherlands
Bikes: van moof dropdown, btwin triban 100
About 15 MPH south wind this morning. Good thing I am riding mostly west to east. Commute about 14.5 miles each way. Generally finish in about 60 to 65 minutes. I did not take the MUP this morning as there are a number of dog walkers and such that have no lighting of any sort...let alone the rabbits, skunks, and possible coyotes that inhabit sections of the trail. I have a very good headlight that lets me see quite a ways ahead, but rabbits will run right along with you and then suddenly cut across the trail.
Anyway, I took to the streets (three lanes wide, no shoulders, 50 MPH traffic) this morning and was only honked at 4 or 5 times. At least no one ran over me.
Anyway, I took to the streets (three lanes wide, no shoulders, 50 MPH traffic) this morning and was only honked at 4 or 5 times. At least no one ran over me.
#654
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
#655
45F, mist, and a 15mph headwind on the way in. I was soaked and beat by the time I got to work, but not cold. No traffic drama.
#656
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 233
Likes: 30
From: netherlands
Bikes: van moof dropdown, btwin triban 100
So i did this.
Last edited by phile; 03-29-19 at 05:22 PM.
#657
Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 95
Likes: 47
From: Copenhagen
Bikes: S-Works Tarmac SL6, Custom Carbon Flatbar, Giant XTC Composite 29er, Trek FX 7.6
Messy, but sunny!... had a doctor's appointment before work, so needed to park in the street, so drove my "expendable-can-park-it-in-the-street" red Trek FX 7.6 the 4km there... drove it back home - with a mixed plan of either taking my carbon flatbar to the office (where I bring it inside, next to my desk) or getting a coffee and a bus to the train... I had the urge so opted for the coffee and bus... it so happens that the city rail system was inoperative due to a union strike - so had to reroute to a 2nd bus instead of transferring by train... but due to the trains not going - the second bus was heavily congested... so I ended up walking 10 mins from the transfer stop to the station - where I grabbed one of the 25kmph electric public city bikes (that I have a subscription for... $6/month!) the rest of the way to the office. And I still made it in good time, the ease of getting around Copenhagen is really one of the key perks of living here. Should probably note that I could literally walk to the office from home in about 40 minutes... so each of these rides was like a ~1-2km / 5 minute affair.
Last edited by nuxx; 04-01-19 at 06:27 AM. Reason: grammar
#658
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
After the warm weekend, up into the 70s!, it was freezing again this morning. I'm getting tired of bringing in the second pannier just to pack all the warm clothes I need to ride in in the morning, so I can take them home when it's warm in the afternoon, only to repeat the next day. Grr.
But it was bright, crisp and clear, the wind was either a tailwind or not too strong, and the pink cherries are blooming now that the white ones are gone. Redbuds are still here, and the dogwoods are coming out. Traffic drama was only, "Can I make that next light?" so a peaceful morning ride.
But it was bright, crisp and clear, the wind was either a tailwind or not too strong, and the pink cherries are blooming now that the white ones are gone. Redbuds are still here, and the dogwoods are coming out. Traffic drama was only, "Can I make that next light?" so a peaceful morning ride.
#659
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Yeah, cold here as well after a lovely warm weekend. Par for the course.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#660
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,288
Likes: 4,243
From: The Le Grande HQ
Bikes: Gängl, Trek 938, Raleigh Professional, Paramount, Allez, Guerciotti, Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek 750, Miyata 1000 < Huffy
Lovely commute this morning. No complaints!
#661
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
Seeing more and more of the Cit-E (electric) bikes around here. Or maybe they are just more noticeable because they are going curiously fast.
I'm making the prediction here and now (mostly for you [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]), they will become an "issue" by the end of the summer, with the general public and/or city deciding that some sort of intervention is needed.
I'm making the prediction here and now (mostly for you [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]), they will become an "issue" by the end of the summer, with the general public and/or city deciding that some sort of intervention is needed.
#662
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,341
Likes: 3,529
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Phile, I like your stickerbomb. I just discovered a brand here in Sacramento called Squid Bikes and yours makes me think of them.
#663
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
Seeing more and more of the Cit-E (electric) bikes around here. Or maybe they are just more noticeable because they are going curiously fast.
I'm making the prediction here and now (mostly for you [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]), they will become an "issue" by the end of the summer, with the general public and/or city deciding that some sort of intervention is needed.
I'm making the prediction here and now (mostly for you [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]), they will become an "issue" by the end of the summer, with the general public and/or city deciding that some sort of intervention is needed.
__________________
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.
#664
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 233
Likes: 30
From: netherlands
Bikes: van moof dropdown, btwin triban 100
as for topic:
had a bit of trouble at first with ipod in pocket but once i switched it to backpack side pocket commute was fine. Brought rain gear with me as rain is expected by the time i head back home
#665
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I've been riding, jut hadn't been able to post here. Good week last week with 135 miles - highest for this year. Monday afternoon was a rainy, but warm enough ride home. Friday morning I went to work early and rode by a high school that was starting soon. I saw tons of kids walking toward the school. Kind of suprised to see that many because I didn't think the neighborhood they were coming from was big enough to have that many. Also saw several of them crossing with no crosswalk. I waved two girls to cross ahead of me, but then warned to watch their right as a car coming from the other direction wasn't slowing at first. It did, but that's just a bad area every morning I guess.
Cool mornings here still. Right at or just under freezing yesterday and today.
Cool mornings here still. Right at or just under freezing yesterday and today.
#666
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 58
Likes: 13
Bikes: 2016 Charge Plug 2, Citizen Miami folding bike
Great commute this morning. Around 38 degrees and no wind to speak of. Saw 6 little bunnies and saw my first coyote on the trail this morning. The trail I ride is a paved, striped MUP that runs through the backside of many neighborhoods before it comes out and runs alongside some main roads. So, a lot of the houses have back fence entrances onto the trail. Always watching for early morning joggers, dog walkers, etc..
However, nothing to complain about. I am grateful the city provides and maintains the trail.
However, nothing to complain about. I am grateful the city provides and maintains the trail.
#667
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
oldgeezerjeff, love that tag line!
My ride in was nice. Half an hour after official sunrise, when I left, the sun was just about to come over the ridge to the east. It was comforting to hit a patch of sunlight as I heard a vehicle behind me -- no way they're going to miss the bright yellow with the sun hitting that reflective strip! Then it was back into shadow, hop-scotching between "no sun yet" and patches of sun until I got through downtown. For no chance it'll rain last night, the shower that came through knocked the pollen down nicely, and it was calm so it hadn't been replenished this morning.
I wasn't sure I was recovered for a fast ride until I saw the green turn signal on the "long light" from 200 yards back. Yes, I can push and ride hard, and yes, I made the green.
My ride in was nice. Half an hour after official sunrise, when I left, the sun was just about to come over the ridge to the east. It was comforting to hit a patch of sunlight as I heard a vehicle behind me -- no way they're going to miss the bright yellow with the sun hitting that reflective strip! Then it was back into shadow, hop-scotching between "no sun yet" and patches of sun until I got through downtown. For no chance it'll rain last night, the shower that came through knocked the pollen down nicely, and it was calm so it hadn't been replenished this morning.
I wasn't sure I was recovered for a fast ride until I saw the green turn signal on the "long light" from 200 yards back. Yes, I can push and ride hard, and yes, I made the green.
#668
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
Consecutive commute number 727: Ride to the office for the morning, ride to meet my wife for lunch, ride to a client for the afternoon and then home for a total of about 21 miles.
This morning was chilly. 26F with a light drizzly mist in the air. Not really rain, but just enough moisture to make things damp and really put a chill in the air. It snowed a little last night, so there was some accumulation on the ground in spots and areas of ice. After the long winter I'm so sick of the winter bike with studded tires that I decided to just risk it with my hybrid. Was able to ride around the obvious slick spots and kept the bike upright, so it's all good.
Google lied to me. It said I would have a 7 mph headwind on the way in today. As I was riding I kept thinking, "This feels a lot more than 7 mph." When I pulled into our office the flags were sticking straight out at me. It suddenly made sense why I was feeling a little cold.
Nearly three weeks after our flood event a good portion of the MUP is still underwater. The river is down about two feet from what it was a week ago, but still well above flood stage. I'm still riding alternate routes to avoid the flooded areas. Last Friday they did open 11 miles of the MUP on the west side of town where it's higher, so this morning I was able to ride about a mile on that section. The city is discussing cleanup plans for the parks/MUP once the flood waters to finally recede, as they've been underwater long enough that I think it will take some heavy equipment work to remove the layer of mud that will likely be covering everything.
This morning was chilly. 26F with a light drizzly mist in the air. Not really rain, but just enough moisture to make things damp and really put a chill in the air. It snowed a little last night, so there was some accumulation on the ground in spots and areas of ice. After the long winter I'm so sick of the winter bike with studded tires that I decided to just risk it with my hybrid. Was able to ride around the obvious slick spots and kept the bike upright, so it's all good.
Google lied to me. It said I would have a 7 mph headwind on the way in today. As I was riding I kept thinking, "This feels a lot more than 7 mph." When I pulled into our office the flags were sticking straight out at me. It suddenly made sense why I was feeling a little cold.
Nearly three weeks after our flood event a good portion of the MUP is still underwater. The river is down about two feet from what it was a week ago, but still well above flood stage. I'm still riding alternate routes to avoid the flooded areas. Last Friday they did open 11 miles of the MUP on the west side of town where it's higher, so this morning I was able to ride about a mile on that section. The city is discussing cleanup plans for the parks/MUP once the flood waters to finally recede, as they've been underwater long enough that I think it will take some heavy equipment work to remove the layer of mud that will likely be covering everything.
#669
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: North of LA, CA
Bikes: FX3 Frankenbike, Emonda SL5
59F and clear. Now this is the kind of morning commute weather I can endorse!
Buuuut... I installed my new saddle this weekend and made the mistake of only taking a cursory ride to check the adjustment. I eyeballed the leveling and just made sure my front-back position was the same. On the way in today, I was definitely uncomfortable and was sliding backwards a ton. I pulled out a level app when I got to work, and the nose of the seat is 11 degrees up (!!!!). I'm kicking myself for not throwing my tools in the bag today to adjust it.
Buuuut... I installed my new saddle this weekend and made the mistake of only taking a cursory ride to check the adjustment. I eyeballed the leveling and just made sure my front-back position was the same. On the way in today, I was definitely uncomfortable and was sliding backwards a ton. I pulled out a level app when I got to work, and the nose of the seat is 11 degrees up (!!!!). I'm kicking myself for not throwing my tools in the bag today to adjust it.
#670
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Seeing more and more of the Cit-E (electric) bikes around here. Or maybe they are just more noticeable because they are going curiously fast.
I'm making the prediction here and now (mostly for you [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]), they will become an "issue" by the end of the summer, with the general public and/or city deciding that some sort of intervention is needed.
I'm making the prediction here and now (mostly for you [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]), they will become an "issue" by the end of the summer, with the general public and/or city deciding that some sort of intervention is needed.
#671
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Commuting from Long Island today because I took the folding bike out yesterday to get the gardens ready for planting. This morning I got on the bike at 5 AM, leaving plenty of time to catch the 5:25 train... and discovered that my rear tire had gone flat. Straight back into the house, where I extracted a tiny piece of wire from the tire, put in a new tube, and eventually caught the 6:37 train. Sheesh, it's cold out there!
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#672
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,341
Likes: 3,529
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Today is 5 weeks post-op. My recovery is really on a plateau. I'd like to go back to work soon. I think that will happen on the 15th or maybe earlier if I go stir crazy.
__________________
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."
#673
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
As I said, when they catch my eye the first thought that usually occurs is, "that guy is really moving along." As in, their speed seems disproportionate to the situation, and they don't look at all like they realize that.
#674
Uneventful commute again today. I swapped the knobby winter tires I'd been using with some lighter slicks. I can't say I rode any faster, but in a 15-20mph headwind it's the difference between "I'm pretty sure I'll make it home OK" and "I could keep riding like this for 3 days". On a lunchtime ride I remembered that I should stay away from loose sand with these tires, which was good, but I didn't remember until after I rode through some loose sand and just about spilled. It didn't look like anybody saw me. It's somewhere in the 50s, clear skies, south breeze.
#675
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
[MENTION=390976]Phamilton[/MENTION], sand has been the cause of my last several crashes. It terrifies me.
__________________
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.




