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February Commuting Challenge

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Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

February Commuting Challenge

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Old 02-07-06 | 04:57 PM
  #51  
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Commuter
 
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Hoddesdon, UK

Bikes: Handsome Dog Titanium (Work) Santa Cruz Superlight (Play) Kona Stinky (Real Play)

I aim to ride every work day.

Target

280 miles

8 gym sessions

4 swimming sessions

Februrary total to date:

66 miles

2 gym sessions

0 swims
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Old 02-08-06 | 07:47 AM
  #52  
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From: winter-peg, manitoba
morning folks...
s'morning was -20c with no wind....
it was my first ride in a while so i dressed a little warmer on my legs and head... i should've added another long sleeve shirt.... i was a little chilly at first and i didn't really give 'er... i didn't want to make my throat sore again and knew i'd be a little sluggish...
it felt REALLY good though to get back on the bike... i need it... i'm a junky, i'll admit it....

welcome to new "members"!!

i like the idea of adding gym times too!
i try to do a full body workout when i get home on MWF. i will divide this into 2 or 3 separate body area specific workouts in mid-feb.
on TTh i go up the gym at work on break and do my abs and calfs.... i hate doing abs so, this way i'm doing 3sets of 5 excesises of abs and 3 sets of 1 excersise for my calfs in about 15-20mins, and twice per week... somtimes i ride the bike machine too...

again, i haven't worked out since last wed since i've been sick, so today will be back on the bike and back in the gym!!

jimmi
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Old 02-09-06 | 07:45 AM
  #53  
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From: Calgary

Bikes: '04 Kona Fire Mountain

6/6 for feb.

this morning was very windy and i don't think I ever got going faster than 10miles/hr. traffic was light, and what ever cars were out, left lots of room. some dude was in the alleyway this morn with a flashlight going from house to house. I watched him for awhile with my lights off, then lit him up. then he walked into the street and just walked on the sidewalk. made me kinda nervous, but then again, my wife was still at home, ready to come out of the garage.
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Old 02-09-06 | 08:30 AM
  #54  
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From: winter-peg, manitoba
morning folks!
only -11c this morning with a windchill of -25cish.... crazy wind in winterpeg this morning too... S37kms..
wore extra layers this morning and my goggles.... nice ride...
did my workout yesterday after i got home and going to do my abs workout this morning some time...

be cool folks!!
jim
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Old 02-09-06 | 09:14 AM
  #55  
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No one carries the DogBoy
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Upper Midwest USA

Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem

5/7 20/24 Cold this morning...13F leaving my house. Felt good to be back on my bike. As a plus, I learned I don't ever want to live the consultant lifestyle...Home, work, plane, taxi, motel (11:30 pm), wake (6:30 am), walk, work, taxi, plane, home at 11pm. Yuck. How do people live like this every day!
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Old 02-09-06 | 09:32 AM
  #56  
Commuter UK
 
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: North East of Englan

Bikes: Claud Butler Mountain Bike (adapted for commute) and Ridgeback road bike/light tourer

I'm still in there every day this year...but cold n' windy here this am.

Already topped 100 miles in Feb, 350 in Jan.

Keep the faith everyone
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Old 02-10-06 | 08:28 AM
  #57  
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From: Calgary

Bikes: '04 Kona Fire Mountain

7/7 (11 to go)
I over dressed today.
I'm going out drinking after work on the other side of downtown, so I'll get some extra km in today. But I'll reverse the benefits by having too many crown floats.
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Old 02-10-06 | 08:59 AM
  #58  
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From: Upper Midwest USA

Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem

6/8 21/25 Warmer this morning. Snow. After the crappy day I had yesterday, it was quite peaceful to glide silently through the light dusting (1" or so) of snow on the road. The only bad thing is that the ride ended and I'm back at work. Snow will be gone probably by end of the day so I'll get to hear the studs roar on the way home...Its just not the same.
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Old 02-10-06 | 09:08 AM
  #59  
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From: winter-peg, manitoba
sheesh....
i forgot to post!!
-9c/-17c windchill
wore a few extra layers still as im still feeling a little crappy.....
glad its friday.... carzy hockey this wknd for the boys.... 6 games and 1 practice... i'll have to miss 1 game, but should make everything else...

had a bunch of snow yesterday, but it was mostly hardpacked this morning and was nice to ride on... smooth and qucik... studs bit niceley... with a little dusting of snow here and there to add the slippery element....

have a good wknd everybody!!

bike safe.

J
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Old 02-10-06 | 12:50 PM
  #60  
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Commuter
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
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From: Hoddesdon, UK

Bikes: Handsome Dog Titanium (Work) Santa Cruz Superlight (Play) Kona Stinky (Real Play)

Target

280 miles

8 gym sessions

4 swimming sessions

Februrary total to date:

100 miles

2 gym sessions

0 swims

Still no swimming, but I'll hit the gym tomorrow after work. Then maybe a swim. And some MTB on Sunday.
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Old 02-10-06 | 01:23 PM
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Before I spotted this thread, my goal was to commute to work by bike two times a week. Now, though, I've raised the goal to 4-5x a week, especially now that I have rain gear to help with this really wet winter we've been having in Oregon. My specific February goal is now 15/17...My favorite discovery from this new commuting pattern is riding into work at daybreak -- when there are few cars and beautiful colors in the sky. From March onward, I'll aim for 5x weekly.
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Old 02-10-06 | 03:46 PM
  #62  
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From: Michigan

Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)

Well, I took the day at home today, working from home and housecleaning/puttering, so I'm 7/7 for the month.
Got the new freewheel yesterday, and was going to try it out this morning but that'll have to wait until Monday at this point. It'll be interesting to see if I now have 7/7 useful gears, due to the 28T instead of that useless 34T low gear.
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Old 02-10-06 | 04:40 PM
  #63  
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20 Anniversary
 
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From: Upper Midwest USA

Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem

Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
...due to the 28T instead of that useless 34T low gear.
All you needed for the 34T to be useful is a 19% Grade. I had a 29-32 and was begging for lower gears...
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Old 02-13-06 | 06:40 AM
  #64  
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From: winter-peg, manitoba
well, i'm 5/9.... those sick days really hurt my numbers!!
oh well... feeling much better and had some good speed this morning... got to daydreaming while riding and forgot about the chill, the wind, the lungs, the legs and just crusied along...
-16c/-25c windchill
2 layers on the legs and about 4 thin layers (poly/poly/cotton/polarfleece) under my windbreaker... warm enough..

keep safe y'all.....

jim
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Old 02-13-06 | 07:55 AM
  #65  
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From: Michigan

Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)

Originally Posted by DogBoy
All you needed for the 34T to be useful is a 19% Grade. I had a 29-32 and was begging for lower gears...
If I need that many gear inches, I might as well get off and walk, I'd probably go faster. I just had my first ride with the new gearset, and the 28 is perfect. I can keep up a good cadence going up hills. I don't know what the grade is, I just ride up the hills. The 34T was so low it was silly, and I never even used the little front chainring.
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Old 02-13-06 | 08:14 AM
  #66  
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From: Calgary

Bikes: '04 Kona Fire Mountain

7c and windy.
The forecast calls for snow during the day so I put on the studs. It's probably overkill for fresh snow on otherwise clear roads.

8/8 for February. I feel I'm setting myself up for a car-commute soon. Just feeling worn down, and my wife is off for 2 weeks so I can take the car if I want.
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Old 02-13-06 | 09:03 AM
  #67  
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No one carries the DogBoy
20 Anniversary
 
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From: Upper Midwest USA

Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem

7/9 22/26 Cold (13F when I left the garage) and windy. Nice to have the wind coming from the southwest when I need to go south and west to get to work . Back to riding the cross bike since the roads have been dry for quite a while. Its amazing the difference between a hybrid with 700-37 studs and a cross-bike with 700-28 slicks when it comes to speed. I'm a good 3-4 mph faster on the cross bike!
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Old 02-14-06 | 06:41 AM
  #68  
Sofa King Cool
 
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: not too far from here
I like this idea. It's a good motivator.
I'm not perfect so far but i'll try harder. I had the flu everyone has been getting and missed a few days.

Be cool.

D
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Old 02-14-06 | 08:25 AM
  #69  
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From: Calgary

Bikes: '04 Kona Fire Mountain

-8c, nice commute.
forecast is calling for an overnight low of -21c later in the week, i guess we'll find out soon if there is any truth to that.
after fiddling with my RD last night, i was actually shifting this morning, like, not randomly.

edit: oh yeah, i forgot, the shop needed some parts immediately, and my boss asked me if I had a driver's license, to use the company truck to pick them up. he probably didn't mean it as a compliment, but i'm taking it as one. and yes, i have a license.

Last edited by Wulfheir; 02-14-06 at 08:35 AM.
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Old 02-14-06 | 09:43 AM
  #70  
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20 Anniversary
 
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From: Upper Midwest USA

Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem

8/10 23/27 Short ride today since I had to drop the truck off for service. Service tech looked at me strange when he asked if I needed a curtosey ride and I said "no thanks" as I pulled my bike out of the bed. Pretty warm day with temps in the 20s. I'm still on track for the month, with my 2 non-ride days being my only no-ride days. My schedule has shifted a bit so I'm not sure my days will be the same as my initial goal. I only have one more day in question...I have an RMR test during the day, and I'm not supposed to have exercised prior to going. I may have to drive that day to ensure an accurate reading. I'll figure it out though.
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Old 02-14-06 | 11:06 AM
  #71  
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From: Michigan

Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)

9/9, 30/30.
Riding has been pleasant lately, 12-20*F in the morning, 20-30 in the afternoon.
I get a bonus 6.5 miles today as I sidetrack to get some flowers to take home. Luckily the forecast is for above-freezing weather this afternoon so the flowers will make it on the nearly-hour long ride home. I also have an extra 5 miles on Thursday when I'm scheduled to give blood and have to sidetrack to that on the way home.

So far boosting to 5/5 commute weeks has been great; I don't even feel like it's much of an effort anymore, and I have not caught any of the colds and stuff that have been going around for the last few weeks, even in my own house.
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Old 02-14-06 | 12:57 PM
  #72  
Back in the game...
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 302
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From: Keller, TX

Bikes: 1985 Trek 400; 1999 Specialized Rock Hopper (rigid, slicks); 2007 Crosscheck

Great to see so many of you doing so well on the challenge! I'm finally back from a great and long vacation in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. All of you blessed enough to live up that way can thank my wife for the sunshine last week - every time she (a native Texan) visits my family up there, the sun comes out, the water is clear, and the mountains are beautiful. And yet she still won't move!!!

I'm 1/2 for the month. Tomorrow is the next commutable day. I haven't been on the bike in 12 days... looking forward to the ride in tomorrow morning, and so not looking forward to the ride at the same time, if you know what I mean.
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Old 02-14-06 | 01:56 PM
  #73  
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10
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From: Northern Virginia

Bikes: Trek MTB

new to the site...but i've ridden every work day so far in Feb...

19 workdays
1 sick day (kid was, not me...)
Goal 100 miles (70 to and from work...30 for lunchtime fun)
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Old 02-15-06 | 08:06 AM
  #74  
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From: Calgary

Bikes: '04 Kona Fire Mountain

Welcome to the forum phreak, and to the challenge.

-12C/-20C windchill

31/31 for '06.

Thin layer of light snow on the road. A guy from work tailgated and tried to intimidate as he fish-tailed past me this morning. If I say something to him, he'll probably say something lame like, "I didn't know it was you.", and then I'm going to have to say something like, "Other cyclists have families who would miss them if you ran them over too.".
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Old 02-15-06 | 08:21 AM
  #75  
Sofa King Cool
 
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: not too far from here
Good Morning,
I too am from Winnipeg.
Our weather this morning was -29c with a -38c windchill.
Nice and cold!! Nice fast ride too. Fingers and toes got a little cold, otherwise nice and toasty.

Some people are truly stupid. Wulf, you should say something. I'm not sure how you should say it, but he should be told. i'd, personally, have trouble keeping my cool with that guy.

Bike safe,

D
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