Hey Mars. I am kind of biased to thinking Regina is ideal. There aren't any hills to speak of so cycling is not a matter of physical ability (contrary to the belief of Regina residents). The city isn't any more than about 15K to 20K from one extreme to the other so if you have 45 minutes you can pretty much get anywhere. Cagers are very accomodating except for a select few. In the past two years I have only been honked at once. No matter where you are going in the city you can probably ride through or by Wascana Park which is a nice scenic ride. My bike path in cleaned the day after a snow fall...usually before streets are finished. I have used my raingear probably twice in the last year as we have more sunshine days than most places. The hottest temperature in the summer is around 30C with the coldest being a little south of zero(-40C but it only lasts for a couple weeks tops). It is pretty rare that traffic flows faster than 50K and is easy to avoid those roads with a high speed limit.

As far as my t-shirt, I am starting to get worried. We haven't had winter yet. The average temperature for December was probably around -8C and the average temperature for January so far is -5 or so. We haven't received a real dump of snow since sometime in November (it was -29C at one point in November too). The long range forecast is for more of the same. According to the farmers almanac February is supposed to be cold and snowy. So that will likely be the test to see if I can make it the whole winter with no days off.

Pretty soon it will be February and you'll be back on the bike.

Cheers.

Well a bad sinus infection has kept me off the bike since New Year's day... sigh....

I am off to Trinidad next week and will be back in the saddles on the 17th. Hope everyone has some good commuting times.

A little bicycling joke from Jay Leno on the Tonight Show that I thought I'd share:

"According to a whole bunch of new studies, sitting on a a bicycle seat for a long hours at a time can reduce a man's sex drive. Fortunately this condition is offset by Sheryl Crow. "

Thanks for all the well wishes everybody. I am improving every day. I can now walk at about 80% of my normal speed and am using pain meds only after being too energetic and forgetting my delicate condition. I can see my bike from where I am typing. Sure would like to go for a ride. But as Saskcyclist has pointed out, soon it will be Feb I will be back in the saddle again.

Maryland: THANK YOU very much for the awesome links and ideas. The wheels are really spinning for me now. As for the tights, think Batman, not sugar plum fairy, for godsake. Had me laughing, again. :)

Saskcyclist: you make some good points. I kinda forgot about how seldom Sask drivers honk their horns. And they were very patient with bikes when I lived there. The flatness is a bonus... but you neglected to mention the constant howling wind. Nice when it's behind you, I guess.

You Oz guys are too much. I bet that is one lady who won't be neglecting to check wheer the cyclists are again. Yikes!

Had friends with tail fainings. They made them out of things like foamboard or 1/8" plywood. They meant them as prototypes but foound they lasted well with reasonable care. Carbon fiber by all meant. Just put a release agent on the prototype and make with the carbon fiber and epoxy. Just remember the gloves, goggles, and dust mask when cutting carbon fiber or fiberglass.

I've not noticed anything unusual (Newtown / Darlo / City). I'm having a pretty good run actually (touch wood), being treated well on the road, cars are letting me in when I need to get in, giving way when they should, it's nice. Obviously my steely eyed negotiation skills are getting good ;)

I've been extending my commute this week, instead of my short and fast commute home I'm going via the city / darling harbour / anzac bridge / Leichardt so I can ride up more hills. I feel pretty good about myself when I can overtake people on the ramp up to the Anzac bridge :D

Mars -- glad I could be of help. Nothing like a good mental exercise to keep you busy while recovering. I like the Batman tip, I guess my memory of men in tights is limited.

I must admit I have been chuckling over a humorous vision of your 'bent with it's glaeming wooden tailbox. In the vision your 'bent is parked in a line of 'bents outside the milk or juice bar (or wherever you 'bent riders hang out) when the stereotypical 98 lb weakling comes along and puts his grubby hand on your gleaming wooden tailbox. Unfortunately, for him, you and your 'bent buddies come out all hopped up on lactose or fructose and start to harass him. Sort of like a scene from "Any Which Way But Lose" except for the bicycle subculture.

I had a great ride this morning, although all this nice weather is making the CCT far too crowded. This morning there were 8 of us all in sight with about 200 yards. It's like riding on the Beltway except with fewer wheels and more colorful clothes! Maybe next week's rain will clear off the crowd. Have a great weekend everybody.

Hello.

I would like to submit my application for the extreme commuting club. Where is the form :p

I hope this thread illustrates my qualifications http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=164399

:)

By the way who is the president and the vice president? That way I know who to bribe. :p

I've seen that thread -- you're probably overqualified. We set the threshold pretty low, so if you feel you commute in some sort of extreme conditions, (weather, traffic, terrain, distance, etc.) you're in. You may well have one of the longest commutes, so feel free to post any insights or tips you gain as you pedal.

Cool. I road in 40F snowy weather 2 days ago. That was mildly odd. Sunny one minute and cloudy while snowing the next.
My traffic is fairly easy to negotiate.

DataJunkie: glad that you came over here! Very interested to hear about your experiences on your long miles.

Maryland: yeah, me and the boys have had to rough up a few for touching our hizzies. :)

Beautiful large flakes of snow falling here for the past two days. I have always loved riding in fresh snow. So peaceful and quiet.

Man I could tell it was Friday on the way home -- it seemed like the longest slowest slog in weeks. I have nothing to blame but myself. The bike was fine, weather good, trail clear, so there was no excuse. For some reason the engine wasn't putting out much power. It was one of those rides where the feet are going around, but there just is no zip. Hopefully a weekend of rest will help. Time to wash my fancy new bike clothes and rest up for next week.

I have the same issue on Thursdays and Fridays. Except that I cause it. I'm usually tired those days. Thus, I like to take my time.
Except for the last part of my ride after the bus dropped me off. The bus was late and I needed to get home to watch the kid so my wife could go to work. I don't think I have ever ridden that fast. If I had my computer I would have speeds to share. I've figured it as 3 miles in 10-12 minutes. ugh!
Plus, 2 cars almost right hooking me did not help. Each got a friendly wave. The closest one received the friendly wave plus a choice word.

Datajunkie, beware the VLC/XCC we're nothing like those limp wristed OCP girl's blouses over in the road forum, we're like the mafia... once you're in you can never get out :eek: . Bongiorno a la familia (welcome to the family) :p

I'm looking forward to hearing about your 70 miles a day adventures, I did 60 miled/day all through last winter, now I only do 45 miles/day via the direct route but I really miss my old commute so I often stretch the ride home to 50 miles making it 70 for the day. the good news is that my employer is relocating further away and from the 10th of February onwards I'll be doing 65 miles a day!! :p funny how I was the only one in the company that was happy when they announced the move :D

All you need is 1) a reliable bike, 2) with a good seat, 3) plenty of carbs, 4) plenty of water, 5) good lights, 6) a good night's sleep EVERY night, 7) carry 3 spare tubes and a patch kit.

I'm still working on the good night's sleep. For some reason I have a touch of insomnia. This is coming from a man who can sleep anywhere at anytime.

I believe that you'll find the tights make smashing storage for a pair of tightly rolled up socks and a folded spare tube.

Spoken like a man with the confidence to show it!! Sort of like the bicycle version of an Enzyte ad!