2019! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#1101
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 223
Likes: 10
From: NW, WI
Bikes: Salsa Fargo, Surly Disc Trucker, Surly ECR, Cannondale Cujo, Rocky Mountain Blizzard
Finally warm enough to ditch the knee warmers. Was nice. Calm but after a night of rain things were damp and foggy. Glasses kept fogging up. The rain helped get the gravel into better riding condition though. The swan was off the nest again. Hoping to see some little ones.
#1102
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I saw a skunk on my morning run today. I wasn't sure what it was at first. Cat? It stopped in the road about 20 yards in front of me and I thought maybe it was an opossum. I crossed to the other side of the road and continued going by. Luckily it decided I was not a thread and had not raised its tail.
A wet ride home yesterday in the rain. It was a little cool too at 64F, but I never got uncomfortable.
Good ride in this morning. Cool but humid.
I saw a Dr. Pepper can on the ground beside a trashcan. That triggered the old commercial jingle in my head for most of the remaining miles.
"I'm a Pepper . He's a Pepper. She's a Pepper. Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?"
A wet ride home yesterday in the rain. It was a little cool too at 64F, but I never got uncomfortable.
Good ride in this morning. Cool but humid.
I saw a Dr. Pepper can on the ground beside a trashcan. That triggered the old commercial jingle in my head for most of the remaining miles.
"I'm a Pepper . He's a Pepper. She's a Pepper. Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?"
#1103
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
#1104
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
After 3 picture perfect days this morning was nasty - 55F, grey, 17mph wind gusts (fortunately headed my way). It felt a lot colder than it was. I'm hoping for an improvement but the forecast shows little change other than higher wind speeds... argh
#1105
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
^ similar story here in chicago.
52, light rain, with an 18 mph north wind blowing straight into my face for the ride into work this morning. that N wind penalized me an extra 8 minutes.
that's a pretty crappy morning for a bike commute in mid-june. it felt like october or something.
52, light rain, with an 18 mph north wind blowing straight into my face for the ride into work this morning. that N wind penalized me an extra 8 minutes.
that's a pretty crappy morning for a bike commute in mid-june. it felt like october or something.
#1106
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
It's like spring again here. Low 60s, very welcome after a couple weeks in the 90s. I could get used to this!
Yesterday was interesting; south winds (headwind) in the morning brought moisture up from the Gulf, which turned into thunderstorms right after lunch. After the front came through, the winds reversed and I had headwinds both ways.
At least the north wind held through this morning. Tailwind! 
I need to start nagging city hall over the repaved street on my route. The pavement is lovely, but they've put in bike lanes that aren't so nice. 4.5' lanes in the plan have turned into 2.5' lanes around the storm sewers. Maybe if I yell loudly enough, early enough, they'll get those straight before the final coat of paint goes on.
Yesterday was interesting; south winds (headwind) in the morning brought moisture up from the Gulf, which turned into thunderstorms right after lunch. After the front came through, the winds reversed and I had headwinds both ways.
At least the north wind held through this morning. Tailwind! 
I need to start nagging city hall over the repaved street on my route. The pavement is lovely, but they've put in bike lanes that aren't so nice. 4.5' lanes in the plan have turned into 2.5' lanes around the storm sewers. Maybe if I yell loudly enough, early enough, they'll get those straight before the final coat of paint goes on.
#1107
Full Member

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 479
Likes: 35
Someone fell off his bike while escaping reality. Music sometimes hurts ;-)
#1108
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
drove yesterday and we got buckets of rain in the afternoon through evening to early AM. i think it stopped around 3am Severe flooding warnings. I rode this morning and only found a few rain drops and 56F in JUNE! seems crazy it did feel like October or something [MENTION=109583]steely_dan[/MENTION]
#1109
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Two things I saw yesterday morning that I forgot to mention. A guy walking a great dane. The dog's head was as high as my handlebars!
In another neighborhood I saw a pick-up truck parked with decals / paint advertising it's lawn care business.
It clearly said, "Weed Man."
Hilarious.
On yesterday's ride home a guy caught up to me and we took turns pulling for the next 3 or 4 miles. This made me go much faster than normal, but it was fun.
Beautiful morning today. Sunny and 60F. Could've ridden many more miles.
In another neighborhood I saw a pick-up truck parked with decals / paint advertising it's lawn care business.
It clearly said, "Weed Man."
Hilarious.
On yesterday's ride home a guy caught up to me and we took turns pulling for the next 3 or 4 miles. This made me go much faster than normal, but it was fun.
Beautiful morning today. Sunny and 60F. Could've ridden many more miles.
#1110
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 103
Likes: 11
From: Carmel, IN
Bikes: Trek Verve 2, Trek 4900 MTB
A little cold but a nice ride this morning. I've started to use a slightly different route which takes me on the newly designed Midtown MUP. The section I'm on is designated for bikes only, the red bricks to the right are designated for cars. To my left there is a pedestrian path along where the wooden benches are. I only take this route in the morning because the evening is a lot more congested and people are still confused on what is what. The whole trail is not fully completed so once completed it should start to get better. This area is becoming the popular place to be with the addition of Sun King Brewery and a few other restaurants and shops. The trail has always been there, this is just a redesigned portion of the trail.
#1111
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 239
From: Mid Atlantic / USA
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
20mph head wind going uphill this morning.
My legs are dead right now....but when they recover I think I'll be able to kick down large trees.
I just hope the wind holds up for the ride home...going downhill. I'll get home before I leave the office!
My legs are dead right now....but when they recover I think I'll be able to kick down large trees.

I just hope the wind holds up for the ride home...going downhill. I'll get home before I leave the office!
#1112
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
^ similar story here in chicago.
52, light rain, with an 18 mph north wind blowing straight into my face for the ride into work this morning. that N wind penalized me an extra 8 minutes.
that's a pretty crappy morning for a bike commute in mid-june. it felt like october or something.
52, light rain, with an 18 mph north wind blowing straight into my face for the ride into work this morning. that N wind penalized me an extra 8 minutes.
that's a pretty crappy morning for a bike commute in mid-june. it felt like october or something.
There was a group of hand-crank trikes at a street crossing this morning. It's impressive to see folks who ride without the use of their legs.
#1113
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Supposedly down into the lower 50s this morning, so I dug out my heavy wool (but still short sleeve!) jersey. Didn't need it, as it was warming quickly. Nice riding with just a breeze instead of a gale. While I like my job, if I hadn't committed to working today I'd be 15 miles west of here. Or 30 miles north. It's just beautiful cycling weather!
It might take a day or two to recover!
OT Story: 10 years ago we were touring in northern Montana, and got to talking with a logging trucker. He told us his brother hated cyclists, and would like to kick our ass if he were there. I smiled, and told him, "He could probably do it, unless he slipped and fell down. Then these legs that bicycled 3,000 miles to get here would work HIM over." Our trucker got a thoughtful look on his face, grinned, and we parted amicably. (He gave us a cheerful toot towards the end of the day as he was going home.)
OT Story: 10 years ago we were touring in northern Montana, and got to talking with a logging trucker. He told us his brother hated cyclists, and would like to kick our ass if he were there. I smiled, and told him, "He could probably do it, unless he slipped and fell down. Then these legs that bicycled 3,000 miles to get here would work HIM over." Our trucker got a thoughtful look on his face, grinned, and we parted amicably. (He gave us a cheerful toot towards the end of the day as he was going home.)
#1114
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
Had to wear a suit to work this morning (not typical for me these days), and rode the first block before I realized that my pant leg (it's an older suit, so a little baggier than current style) was at serious risk of getting chain muck all over it. Quickly tucked it into my sock like a dork, and everything was find after that.
They just did something similar in a small section of my neighborhood, and people seem to have no clue that it's not ideal for them to walk in the bike lane. There is a bicycle painted like every 50 yards, and it is only separated from the regular sidewalk by a couple of feet of grass, but I'll be damned if they wouldn't prefer to walk side by side in the bike path. Ghostrider is getting temped to do a flyby or two...
88 miles per hour!
88 miles per hour!
#1115
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 1,500
From: Merrimac , MA
Well here we are and it is another Monday. It was a very pleasant commute to work this am with the temp in the mid 60's f.
#1116
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Warmest morning in a good while, possibly this year, at 73F. Humid too, but not horribly so. A nice breeze kept me cool and kept me slower than normal. No worries though.
#1118
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Overcast and cool again this morning. So cool, I started wondering if I would see the kids lined up waiting for the school bus today. Then I realized I was too early. Took a few more pedal strokes to realize school let out last month. Whether that diversion was a result of the weather, or a result of getting up too early, I can't say.
#1119
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
Only the second or third morning I ride only with a t-shirt.nice and sunny.
#1121
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,341
Likes: 3,530
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
SWMBO had a dr appointment in the morning so I took the trike in once the nanny arrived. Feeling ok-not-great, it's warm but not brutal. Nothing noteworthy except the number of people using the SRA on a non-holiday midday. Lots of SUP-ers
__________________
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."
#1122
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Heavy rain and thunderstorms woke me up a couple of times early this morning. It cleared out around 3:30am, so the ride in was fine, but humid.
Traffic while schools are out for summer is much nicer.
Traffic while schools are out for summer is much nicer.
#1123
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Light shower came in between breakfast and the start of the commute, but (since it didn't cover my glasses) it was free sweat, a nice respite. Cleared up mid-commute, so I thought I'd add a few more miles. As you might guess, if you're a regular bike commuter, that made it rain before I got to the office.
I think the last rain we had was Thursday night, so it's not been that long. Still, riding down a back road, I got the feeling that the lawns and fields were taking a relieved breath to get a bit of moisture.
I think the last rain we had was Thursday night, so it's not been that long. Still, riding down a back road, I got the feeling that the lawns and fields were taking a relieved breath to get a bit of moisture.
#1124
It's MY mountain

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,175
Likes: 4,236
From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Got a flat on my way home last night... first one since I've started a new job in new office with new commute about 9 months ago, probably even a couple years before that. Happened in a nice shady spot. Finding the offending shard of metal inside the tire took longer than I expected, but changing the tube was fast and the CO2 inflator worked perfectly. Hands got a bit dirty. And then I re-loaded my flat-fixing pack when I got home. I think I might add a tweezer to my kit for those tiny pieces of wire and such.
#1125
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,341
Likes: 3,530
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I actually got passed by another tadpole trike rider this morning. I wasn't feeling good, waved him around. He was feeling his oats and had a lower and quicker-looking trike. Friendly, though. As he passed he made an inside joke about how trikes are slow...
It was already warm at 8, forecast breaks 100 in the late afternoon.
It was already warm at 8, forecast breaks 100 in the late afternoon.
__________________
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."





