How was the commute today? Continued.
11-03-09 | 07:51 PM
#2576
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Williamson NY
Bikes: 2008 Trek 520
Getting cool and windy
Getting cool for tonights ride home. Wore the Lake winter shoes in today. Windy 10 to 15 out of the NW and 45. It should be around 38 and same winds heading home.But it will be at my back. 
The shoes are quite comfortable. Getting the cleats adjusted in shouldn't take long.
The shoes are quite comfortable. Getting the cleats adjusted in shouldn't take long.
11-03-09 | 08:01 PM
#2577
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Williamson NY
Bikes: 2008 Trek 520
Hi. I ride from Webster to Williamson NY. at night also. I have me deer , but I just yell at them and stop. So far so good. Don't watch the one in front though. Look for the one behind it. They tend to travel in pairs. Other than that I've only had to dodge skunks, road kill, and an occasional garbage can left out for pick up. They sneak up on you..and don't glow in the dark.
11-03-09 | 08:12 PM
#2578
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
I realized something.... My commute is topsy-turvy! I was used to riding to work before dawn, then riding home in the bright afternoon. Since we've turned the clocks back, I ride to work in the sunshine and ride home after dark. Still, this is the best time of year to be riding to work in Texas.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
11-03-09 | 09:16 PM
#2579
Guest
Posts: n/a
I've started tempering myself again to avoid flu infection this winter. So cold weather became more enjoyable and cool. Saw deer and fox on my way home at dark. Made nice hill ride on lunch on 66F.
Nice weather.
Nice weather.
11-03-09 | 09:35 PM
#2580
Internal gears FTW!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
Bikes: 1986 Raleigh Reliant, 2010 Schwinn Sporterra NX8
Fell today. Hurt my left arm. Don't think it is broken because I can still move it, just sore. I have been using older pedals because of the rough weather lately and the left one seized up and would not release my cleat. Sigh. Good ole standing still and topple over routine.. Done it before when I was a newbie, remember now the good ole humility that goes with it. Probably a dumb question but anyone else ever done it? Thankfully the bike had no damage. On the bright side, time for new bad weather pedals! 
11-03-09 | 10:06 PM
#2581
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Williamson NY
Bikes: 2008 Trek 520
I fell more times than I can count when first started. Especially from a full stop when I would forget to unclip. It looks more like I'm having a seizure and fighting it all the way to the ground. 
I just hit the pedals with WD 40 and hope for the best.
I just hit the pedals with WD 40 and hope for the best.
11-03-09 | 10:31 PM
#2582
Pedal Pedal
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Pacific NW
Foggy morning, slippery pedal and one slightly bruised shin. As if that's not enough, I fell on my way home.
11-04-09 | 12:55 AM
#2583
Truck Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
It was a windy day, pretty clear skies. Worked form noon-8:30pm. Great ride both ways. A slight head wind on the way to work, but a clear sky with bright moon, and about 10mph tail wind all the way home from 190th on Marine Drive to 33rd and Marine Drive. Held 23-30mph for the ~10 miles.
Everyone at work thinks I'm crazy, but this is FAR more fun then driving. I stopped and checked out PDX airport while removing the knee warmers I thought I'd need, I was getting too warm. I'm guessing it was around 53 degrees out. I can only hope for more of the same.
Oh, and the Fenix LD20 works great, have used it the last 3 commutes. The ~10miles of which I mentioned earlier, has not one street lamb, the flashlight lite the road/MUP (MUP covers 8-9 miles of the route) up very well. I'm quite happy with it.
Everyone at work thinks I'm crazy, but this is FAR more fun then driving. I stopped and checked out PDX airport while removing the knee warmers I thought I'd need, I was getting too warm. I'm guessing it was around 53 degrees out. I can only hope for more of the same.
Oh, and the Fenix LD20 works great, have used it the last 3 commutes. The ~10miles of which I mentioned earlier, has not one street lamb, the flashlight lite the road/MUP (MUP covers 8-9 miles of the route) up very well. I'm quite happy with it.
Last edited by Totaled108; 11-04-09 at 08:43 AM.
11-04-09 | 05:50 AM
#2584
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Maryland
Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter
It was a cold start, at 28 F ( -2 C) this morning. I believe the cold is finally starting to set in. The ride started off rather strange. I brought my bike from the back of my townhouse between the end
houses as always. As I came up, a Lady was across the street and since it was dark, I could only
see the profile. Not too strange at 5:10 am, but she looked taller than anyone on my end. As I
approached the street from the sidewalk, she shined a flashlight on me, then I understood that she
was the police. As she walked toward me, she looked up the street for her partner who had already
popped out from behind some cars. They both shined lights all over me, of course I was just going to
stay still. They explained that the had been called about breaking into cars. I just offered that I was going to work, and they seem satisfied with my answer. Although, I have to admit, coming from the
shadows of row homes on a bike in 28 F weather, at 5:10 in the morning, I am not sure that I would have
believed me. I tried to remember where I parked my car on Sunday, but couldn't rememeber, so I will check it when I get home. Although, if they managed to break in, they wouuld have been disappointed.
houses as always. As I came up, a Lady was across the street and since it was dark, I could only
see the profile. Not too strange at 5:10 am, but she looked taller than anyone on my end. As I
approached the street from the sidewalk, she shined a flashlight on me, then I understood that she
was the police. As she walked toward me, she looked up the street for her partner who had already
popped out from behind some cars. They both shined lights all over me, of course I was just going to
stay still. They explained that the had been called about breaking into cars. I just offered that I was going to work, and they seem satisfied with my answer. Although, I have to admit, coming from the
shadows of row homes on a bike in 28 F weather, at 5:10 in the morning, I am not sure that I would have
believed me. I tried to remember where I parked my car on Sunday, but couldn't rememeber, so I will check it when I get home. Although, if they managed to break in, they wouuld have been disappointed.
11-04-09 | 06:01 AM
#2585
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Maryland
Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter
When I first started with the clipless pedals and shoes, I fell 6 times, although none turned out too
bad, except the first one, and two were embarrassing. On one fall, I took my left foot out of the clipless
pedal and coasted to the bike stand in front of where I work. I leaned too far to the right and I could not
recover, and I went down in the parking lot, and looked like a beached fish trying to get my right foot
out of the clipless. Everyone had a good laugh that day. The second time was on a path where no
one was around, I misjudged my gears on a steep hill, and the bike stopped near the top of the hill,
but rather than go backwards, I just went down. That was several years ago, and I love the clipless
pedals, but getting used to them is not always easy.
bad, except the first one, and two were embarrassing. On one fall, I took my left foot out of the clipless
pedal and coasted to the bike stand in front of where I work. I leaned too far to the right and I could not
recover, and I went down in the parking lot, and looked like a beached fish trying to get my right foot
out of the clipless. Everyone had a good laugh that day. The second time was on a path where no
one was around, I misjudged my gears on a steep hill, and the bike stopped near the top of the hill,
but rather than go backwards, I just went down. That was several years ago, and I love the clipless
pedals, but getting used to them is not always easy.
11-04-09 | 07:07 AM
#2586
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Tailwind!
Temperature in the upper 30sF. Sunrise was lighting up the eastern faces of the Adirondacks in a reddish glow. Very pretty from across Lake Champlain. Reeled in a woman on a bike.
Temperature in the upper 30sF. Sunrise was lighting up the eastern faces of the Adirondacks in a reddish glow. Very pretty from across Lake Champlain. Reeled in a woman on a bike.
11-04-09 | 07:07 AM
#2587
Older than dirt
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,342
Likes: 2
From: Winchester, VA
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
31 degrees this am baby! I had no freaking motivation whatsoever. Alarm went off, and mama was all warm and snuggly, so 45 minutes after my norm I finally got up.
Nice crisp ride in, but no desire to push it at all. So just made it a nice easy leisurely ride.
Nice crisp ride in, but no desire to push it at all. So just made it a nice easy leisurely ride.
11-04-09 | 07:52 AM
#2588
Guest
Posts: n/a
Bright and sunny, these are some of the best commutes of the year.
11-04-09 | 11:11 AM
#2589
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
It was right below 40 and sunny. All was great as i pulled up to the manhattan bridge, and my chain snapped. Saw a bike shop on my iphone about a 1-2 miles away. Didnt have a website and no phone calls. It was about 8:40 or so. Waited at the bike shop till about 9:15 and figured they open at 10 am. So then walked another 20 min. to the train and took the train and bike home. Got to work 2 hours late. But hey, the first 50% of the ride was great, lol.
11-04-09 | 11:32 AM
#2590
8speed DinoSORAs
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, UK or Mountain View, Ca
Cool and foggy this morning, so I broke out the lighting. Also some bits and bobs of roadwork in preparation. Perhaps they are going to fix the problems I called in?
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
11-04-09 | 11:42 AM
#2591
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
Cold this morning and I was tired, legs just wouldn't fire. I was content to make it a leisurely ride until I saw a rider ahead. It took me a while to catch him, that's when I decided he was probably fairly fast. I drafted for a little while, admiring his fixie, then decided to pass at the airport. Since we were doing about 20 he decided that it was on. I worked really hard to stay ahead, the whole ride in he was stuck to my wheel and I was wrapped in the beam of his headlight. I stepped on it hard a couple of times, even scraping a pedal on a turn (which could have easily high sided me), hitting 25 or so, but could only barely pull away a couple of times. I eased back down to 18 mph or so on the stretch by the rugby fields and he was all over me. I slowed, took a hard left to get up the to 14th St. bridge and stood on it, I just couldn't lose the guy. Luckily he turned off at Maine Ave, I didn't have anything left. I was huffing and puffing the rest of the way in trying to recover. A couple of sleepless nights, a cold, and not eating well really hammered me today. I've been trying to find the time to add a couple of miles in the mornings but, it never seems to happen. It may be time for more Advil Cold and Sinus, I'll force myself to take it easy on the way home.
11-04-09 | 11:46 AM
#2592
Pro Paper Plane Pilot
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 3
Cccccoooolllldddd.... Brrr! Adding to it, I haven't ridden for about 2 weeks due to the typical autumn rain showers. My legs got the worse of it as I didn't layer at all. So is my face particularly my dumbo-like ears that sticks out like antennaes.
Apart from that, not too bad. the road was dry mostly. Now that DST is in effect, evening will be darker. Hopefully my lights and my reflector vest will do its job!
ps: Anyone has pointers on how to get rid of snot mid-ride? How do I launch "snot-rockets" without having the gooey strands stuck all over me?
Apart from that, not too bad. the road was dry mostly. Now that DST is in effect, evening will be darker. Hopefully my lights and my reflector vest will do its job!
ps: Anyone has pointers on how to get rid of snot mid-ride? How do I launch "snot-rockets" without having the gooey strands stuck all over me?
11-04-09 | 11:50 AM
#2593
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
It was a record high of 96F yesterday which peaked at about the time (3pm) I left for home yesterday. But it was a very cool 96F due to low sun and dry air. Felt more like 80s, really nice.
11-04-09 | 11:56 AM
#2594
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
The weather was supposed to be cold around 40's but when I got outside it wasn't that bad. Didn't need the long leggings I wore today, probably will need it after I get off of work and then out of class at 9pm. Weatherman was threatening sleet and rain. I hope he's right, I love riding in bad weather.
Looking forward to when the snow starts.
Traffic was pretty light today, no ******s in cars zipping to fast under the EL like yesterday.
Overall a pretty great ride for the middle of the week.
Looking forward to when the snow starts.
Traffic was pretty light today, no ******s in cars zipping to fast under the EL like yesterday.
Overall a pretty great ride for the middle of the week.
11-04-09 | 12:19 PM
#2595
Numb Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: Denver
Bikes: 06 Jamis Quest, 09 Surly LHT, Cannondale mtn. bike
Good weather all week. Will take it while it lasts.
Bought a good flashlight and strapped it to my handlebars to compliment my front blinkie for the ride home. With the front taken care of, I'm wondering if I should add a second rear light. Feeling better about night riding.
Bought a good flashlight and strapped it to my handlebars to compliment my front blinkie for the ride home. With the front taken care of, I'm wondering if I should add a second rear light. Feeling better about night riding.
11-04-09 | 01:35 PM
#2596
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Westlake Village, CA
Haven't posted in a few days, but still riding daily. This morning was about 28F. Nice to ride in day light in the morning. Ride home last night was interesting. I think I'll need a few days to get used to the darkness at night.
Paul
Paul
11-04-09 | 02:14 PM
#2597
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, IL
Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 0, Rivendell- Sam Hillborne, Montague folding bike.
Cool today, getting to use my revised light system. I think we've had more sun in the last couple of days then the entire month of Oct.
__________________
"Why is there a hill after every meal, but not a meal after every hill?"
--Overheard on Grabaawr
"Why is there a hill after every meal, but not a meal after every hill?"
--Overheard on Grabaawr
11-04-09 | 02:34 PM
#2598
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
11-04-09 | 03:01 PM
#2599
Bianchi Buzz Bomber
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '05 Bianchi San Mateo, '07 Novara Buzz
I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival tomorrow of my Terralux 220 lumen flashlight, which I plan to mount DIY on my handlebars. I've seen some really good comments about it in the Electronics forum. Less than $30 including shipping on eBay. At a manufacturer-claimed 220 lumen, it's about three times brighter than the NR Ultra Fazer 5.0 which claims 70 lumen. I'll be glad to provide a more complete report along with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on it. (FYI, I ride the MVT from 14th St Bridge to 4 Mile Run and sometimes Old Town Alexandria. There are stretches of that where the path is completely unlit, which can be made worse by the blinding effect of headlights of oncoming cars next to the trail. So I figure if it'll work for me for that, it should be pretty good.)
On to my commute. Last night's commute was, shall we say, dark. I have a "be seen" Planet Bike 1 LED front light, which, until I have said flashlight, I am complementing with an LED headlamp we have for camping. The headlamp is woefully underpowered for lighting the trail, so the flashlight can come none too soon. Lots of times I had to go VERY slow to be sure I knew where the path was going, that despite the fact that I ride it almost every day!
What almost got me as much as my issues with my current light setup, though, was the number of ninjas! Come on, people, get some lights of some kind. Please. I beg of you! If you can't see the trail, that's mostly your problem. If no one else can see YOU, that's everyone's problem, and you need to use your brain and put on a light of some kind.
Lighting and ninjas aside, though, I really enjoy riding at night. It feels completely different than riding in the day. Must be like riding roller coasters - riding at night is a whole different beast.
Ride in this morning was nice. Brilliant sunshine, temps in the upper 40s. I was perfectly comfortable in my shorts, a tee-shirt, and my fleece for most of the ride.
On to my commute. Last night's commute was, shall we say, dark. I have a "be seen" Planet Bike 1 LED front light, which, until I have said flashlight, I am complementing with an LED headlamp we have for camping. The headlamp is woefully underpowered for lighting the trail, so the flashlight can come none too soon. Lots of times I had to go VERY slow to be sure I knew where the path was going, that despite the fact that I ride it almost every day!
What almost got me as much as my issues with my current light setup, though, was the number of ninjas! Come on, people, get some lights of some kind. Please. I beg of you! If you can't see the trail, that's mostly your problem. If no one else can see YOU, that's everyone's problem, and you need to use your brain and put on a light of some kind.
Lighting and ninjas aside, though, I really enjoy riding at night. It feels completely different than riding in the day. Must be like riding roller coasters - riding at night is a whole different beast.
Ride in this morning was nice. Brilliant sunshine, temps in the upper 40s. I was perfectly comfortable in my shorts, a tee-shirt, and my fleece for most of the ride.
