Well, 1/1 as of yesterday - did the full commute both ways (15 mi. each way) for the first time. Feeling that today! Didn't get to ride in this morning, but have the bike in the truck. There's a chance I'll get to ride home tonight, since we're leaving on vacation tomorrow and I can leave the truck in the garage here at the office. Hoping that works out - would hate to fail the challenge on day two!

I had avid shorty-4s and the stock pads were HORRIBLE for squeal. After about 1200 miles I changed to kool-stop pads and that helped, but the braking power was never great and the squeal was still noticable.

I finally got tired of that and switched the front brake to a Shimano canti, and now braking power is up, as is modulation control and squeal is gone. The power thing was due to being able to select the appropriate length cross-cable (avid one was too long, so there was a big angle with little mech advantage). Anyway, I change pads at 900-1200 miles. I'm a big guy and have several hills that help grind through the pads quickly so you should probably get more life out of yours. (unless you + gear weigh in at about 250-275 lbs).

OK, thanks a lot for the info.
Me+bike+gear should be about 160-165 lbs, I think, but I ride a lot in the rain and in traffic (stopping frequently) so I figure my pads will get worn out fairly quickly. I'll buy new ones soon. Did you get yours online? I'm thinking a trip to the LBS would be better in regards to figuring out the size.

I try to shop at the LBS when I can. I get some things online because the LBS doesn't stand a chance of matching price and has to order them anyway, but stuff like pads etc. I go to the LBS.

I'm in!

work days: 18
comute days: 18
sick days: 0

total miles 252, i don't have a cyclometer right now (won't mount to my new fork and havn't gotten a new one), but i only take one route, and i know it's 7 miles each way. I also want to ride 50 miles on a weekend twice during the month (I have a specific trail that i've riden before that's about 25 miles), so make it a grand total of 352 miles!

good idea, i hope everyone can meet their goals!

1/2 for February. shoot, had to take an errand day today, but also because I was so tired i couldn't even fathom the thought of riding. Started using bigger gears on this commuting bike I have and did 18 miles on Monday with it, so maybe it's wearing me out (in addition to more lunchtime running than usual). Chainring is 28/38/48 and rear is 12-25. I'm used to the easy spinning of 22/32/42 and 11-34. Anyway, I am 3/4 out of this week so not bad so far.

I had similar.
My shorty-4's had power and modulation, when they were newly adjusted. In the summer they didnt seem to go out of adjustment much. But with january having 29 out of 31 days with rain, they seemed to go out of adjustment in 2-3 days.

Probably because with the lack of stopping power, i was applying much more force to stop, and removing the toe in. Just a guess.

Kool stops did better than the stock ones in time before replacements. kool stop lasted about 5-6 weeks, stock ones were about 3-4 weeks. (1K a month)

My biggest complaint was not the lack of power, their lifespan, or even the amount of futzing with them, but the lack of modulation. I HATED going from not quit enough stopping power, to an endo with no in between. Then again maybe i go to fast and was expecting too much

My solution...well it was expensive and is another thread

I am 2 for 3 out of Feb. so far. Had to drive on the 1st for my doctor's appointment. I am hoping to ride in at least 15 days out of 20 this month. I know I will have a day or two where I will need my car to drive to a job offsite but hopefully that will be it.

100% for 1/06!
work days = 20
commuted = 20
sick time = 0.0
165.7 miles dst total

3/3 18/20. Wet this morning...rain again. This afternoon potential for that rain to turn to freezing rain/snow. Got called an idiot in the elevator at work. Nice. Exact quote was "you must be some kind of idiot to be riding your bike in this weather." It was said with an I'm joking tone, but still. Had a different conversation when I went to get coffee, but that discussion belongs elsewhere.

3/3 15/16. A little snow this morning, which is actually kind of nice. Fun to ride in and not too cold (around 25F). Not looking forward to the ride home as there's probably going to be 30MPH wind...in my face the whole way.

Little rain/snow last night so the canyon I ride through on the way to work was slick. Little scary but just kept moving. Temperature about 25. Not bad at all. After driving yesterday, it's amazing how quiet riding can be. Very nice.

2/3 so far

Do cyclists get sick? I don't get sick near as much now that I'm out in the elements more often.

Had friday off. Stupid me didn't get on the bike at all in 3 days. I felt like death riding in this morn.

3/3 for feb.

4/4 19/21. Did my February Century yesterday. I felt like Death this morning too...Really tired legs trying to pedal into a 15 mph headwind up a slight incline....ick. For extra fun, I think my derailleur cable stretched, causing my chain to start skipping around....double ick.

I will adjust the cable tension before leaving for home today. Then its 2 days of no cycling due to work travel.

4/4 16/17. Cold this morning, around 0F, but not much wind, so it really wasn't bad at all. I'm really digging the SKS fenders and homemade mudflaps although I haven't figured out a good way to keep the mudflaps from flying back in the breeze. I'm thinking coathangers might work, but I don't know how to attach them. Ideas would be appreciated. Should be a balmy 25F on the ride home, which will be nice.

4/4. Finally got some decently cold weather, it was 16*F this morning.

It's been so warm lately (above freezing most days) that my drivetrain got destroyed in only a few weeks from the mud and sand. I had to order a new freewheel today after changing my chain on Saturday and it's skipping like mad today.

At least I'll get rid of that cursed useless 34T gear, I ordered a 14-28 to replace the 14-34. that last 24->34 shift down to "1" was way too big and useless; when I accidentally shifted into it I'd curse and shift back and just stand up.

It was weird to get to work and not be covered in mud. Of course, I did finally replace my rear fender, so even when it gets warm again it shouldn't be as bad. I even took my mud-encrusted pannier into the shower and washed it off today!

well....
been sick... so i'm still 1/5... took 3 sick days and took the car today...
i had a bit of an ear infection and maybe strep... kids are getting better... wife has touch of bronch... what a sick house we have!!

anyways, my throat is feeling better, so i plan on being back on the bike tomorrow morning... i miss biking... i get grumpy without cycling even a little.... it is a freewheeling freedom that has a sensation of flying.... all by the power of MY legs..

anyways, 1/5 so far...

oilfree: i was wondering the same thing... i hadn't been sick all winter, yet, and was kindof cocky... now im sick.. i DO believe though that cycling helps your body be stronger.. we make our bodys regulate temperature.. we go from extreme to extreme with all kinds of variations.. people going from heated houes to heated car to heated carpark to heated office don't make their bodies regulate temp as much and i think that when they do get exposed to temp diffs they are susceptible to colds... i know, probably BS.. and any kind of fitness or even "light" excersise can help boost immune system....

DogBoy: congrats on the 2nd century!! i gotta try one of those.... i think it'll kill me, but i'd like to try it...

later folks,
J

It was about -8C this morning. Forecast calls for snow tomorrow. I can't shift onto my largest chainring, have to fix that at lunch.

4/4 in feb. I'm taking another long weekend soon, so i'll drop my # of possible commuting days to 18 for feb.

4/5 19/22 Today and tomorrow are two of my designated no cycling days. I have to catch a flight out of Milwaukee so I had to drive this morning so I can leave straight from work. It felt very strange getting in the car. I felt a bit sad looking at my bike as I pulled out of the garage....Oh well. Thursday I shall get back in the saddle.

I have to share my first idiot motorist story for the year. There is a section of road by a school where a median in the middle of the road narrows the lane so much that it is unsafe to share. Its only about 50 yards long. I typically will ride down the middle so cars don't try to squeeze by me. I get a honk now and then, but when I move over after the median, pretty much everyone gets it and just goes on. Not yesterday. As I approached the light I could see a car about 100 ft behind me. I was going about 17 mph (in a 25) so I moved over to take the lane. I immediately hear the horn blare, engine rev, and the next thing I know I see a black Mercedes SL 500 hopping the curb! on my right, continuing to blare his horn and shake his fist. I moved as far left as I could so he didn't hit me as he swerved back onto the road to avoid a tree. Now it gets fun. About 50 yards after this there is a stoplight. As I was taking the lane, the light was starting to turn yellow, so this guy did all that, just to get stuck at the light. I rolled up beside him, looked right into his car, gave him (and his wife) a great big smile and a wave (the friendly kind). His wife put her hand on her face and hung her head in shame. After another minute waiting for the light he decided to turn left rather than go straight with me. When I got home my wife said..."I bet that guy's still fuming." Oh well, all's well that ends well, right? Safe riding and I'll see you on the road again Thursday!

Apparently it doesn't count (see road cycling thread Century or Century*), so I'll have to do another one... Heck-of-a training day though.

1250 km so far since start of year
25 PBJ sandwiches devoured
zero flats
5 days without rain....

I wimped out yesterday realizing that I would need to stay at work until 9:00 or later. I don't like late night riding. I sort of redeemed myself today because although I had to be in one hour earlier than usual, I rode in.

I have to say that the original post on the 'February Commuting Challenge' was a great idea. This is my first winter of cycling to work, and I have upped my days that I cycle to work just because I spotted this thread. Everyone's added posts help fuel the fire. My thanks to all of you.

speedyone, welcome to the forum and to the monthly challenge! how far is your commute? what is your goal in terms of commuting days?