How was the commute today? Continued.
#4201
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Warm morning in the Carolinas, about 50 F when I rode in, with a nice tailwind much of the way. I was feeling lazy, however, and rode at a slow pace. I was afraid that I would hit a bunch of traffic near the local high school since I was running late, but there were few cars on the road there. Then I remembered that the schools are closed for spring break. That was nice.
#4202
urban commuter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: West Philly
Strong headwinds and rain made for an interesting commute. It looked like the rain was going to hold off until I got to work, so I wore my windbreaker and not my rain jacket. It rained the last 4 miles or so, not too bad but enough to get me pretty soaked. The wind was the worst though--at times I felt like I was barely moving.
#4203
Saw something unusual on the Charles this morning: a boat full of animals.
I've been surprised to see just how much all this rain has accelerated brake wear. My salmon Kool-Stops, installed a little over a month ago, are looking nearly as worn as the ones they replaced.
I'm going to build my next commuter around a frame with pontoon clearance.
I've been surprised to see just how much all this rain has accelerated brake wear. My salmon Kool-Stops, installed a little over a month ago, are looking nearly as worn as the ones they replaced.
I'm going to build my next commuter around a frame with pontoon clearance.
#4204
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'm going to build my next commuter around a frame with pontoon clearance.

March out like a lion- I can't remember if March came in like a lamb to be honest, but it's roaring out with strong winds the next couple days. I've let strong winds keep me from riding this spring, but at least the temps will be warm, so I guess I'll put up with the wind this week. This morning, though, was the plus side- the wind was primarily at my back and I had one of my quickest rides in. Lots of joggers on the river trail this morning, even before 6 am. Spring has indeed sprung.
I plan to drive tomorrow since I also have to play a softball double header after work. See you in April.
#4205
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, IL
Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 0, Rivendell- Sam Hillborne, Montague folding bike.
A fine day. A little nippy, but light winds and sunny. Traffic very light thanks to spring break. But did get stuck by a long slow freight. I watched another cyclist go around the gates a few seconds before the train.
__________________
"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
#4206
So it is


Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 22,878
Likes: 6,382
From: Westminster, CO
Bikes: Luzerne, 684, Boreas, Wheelhouse, Alize©®, Bayamo, Cayo
Mid to high 40's this am, so there were a lot of riders out this am. You can certainly tell the folks that don't commute year round. They are bundled up in many layers, and that also includes full face balaclavas, and shoe covers. (Not a slam by any means, just an observation) But, they are on their bikes, so good on them.
#4207
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I notice the same thing around here. We will get a beautiful sunny day that brings out the cyclists who haven't ridden all winter, and they are dressed as if it was below zero.
#4208
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mid to high 40's this am, so there were a lot of riders out this am. You can certainly tell the folks that don't commute year round. They are bundled up in many layers, and that also includes full face balaclavas, and shoe covers. (Not a slam by any means, just an observation) But, they are on their bikes, so good on them.
#4209
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 186
From: south Puget Sound
wet but not biblical like yesterday
#4210
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 186
From: south Puget Sound
Also got effusively complimented on my hi-viz chartreuse coat.
#4211
Today was the first time I rode the full distance from home to work (thus far I had skipped ~5 miles of hills by taking the subway for a couple stops). I found a flat-ish route which minimizes stops, but it is almost 30 miles (and about 2 hours) each way; a bit arduous for me, but fun. It goes by an equestrian center, so I expect to be able to report a horse in the bike lane in the near future (this morning I only had to dodge some manure). Cloudy with a light breeze (5-10mph).
Expecting showers and a touch of wind for the next couple of days in SoCal - temps mostly in the 50s while cycling. Not sure if I'll ride in as I don't have a rain jacket - maybe I'll put on some light wool layers and go for it anyway. All you foul-weather commuters are quite an inspiration!
Expecting showers and a touch of wind for the next couple of days in SoCal - temps mostly in the 50s while cycling. Not sure if I'll ride in as I don't have a rain jacket - maybe I'll put on some light wool layers and go for it anyway. All you foul-weather commuters are quite an inspiration!
#4212
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,155
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley
30 miles each way is serious commuting! Getting it done in 4 hours is not bad. Does the subway save you time? If it's only a couple stops, probably so. I'd probably opt for using the train for part of that trip, but if you have the time and the grit to ride the whole way regularly, go for it, I think that's great.
I haven't read all 4217 posts, just wanted to jump onto the back of the pack here.
I usually time myself from my house to my third stop. Sometimes it takes me an hour. Today I did it in 44 minutes. My previous best was 46. A mountain biker who shares part of my route helped me go fast. I always can go faster when I'm 'racing'. Now I don't advocate racing in rush hour traffic! I rode with the usual precautions, but I used his presence to motivate myself. Going faster is safer on this stretch of Rhode Island Ave. that we both ride because the difference between car speed and bike speed is decreased.
This guy is faster than me, he has overtaken me before and I could only hang on, never retook. Today however, I was coming off a big downhill when I saw him entering the thoroughfare at the bottom of the hill. So I overtook easily and he had to fight back. When I got stuck in traffic, he caught me, passed and gained a big gap, a couple or three blocks, but the lights were with me and I came past him again at speed. After that he sat in until I turned off on 22nd. He should have passed me because I was falling behind the lights when I took my right turn on a late yellow. He powered through. We were shouting at each other but I couldn't tell what he was saying. It was something good, he was smiling. We were flying. It was fun.
Yesterday I talked to a girl I've seen a few times before. She lives on the biggest climb on my route. She followed me for a long way and pulled up next to me at lights. Two other commuters also rode along with us for a few blocks. I really enjoy sharing my commute with other riders. For many years, I rarely saw another commuter.
Oh yeah, both rides were in the rain...
I haven't read all 4217 posts, just wanted to jump onto the back of the pack here.
I usually time myself from my house to my third stop. Sometimes it takes me an hour. Today I did it in 44 minutes. My previous best was 46. A mountain biker who shares part of my route helped me go fast. I always can go faster when I'm 'racing'. Now I don't advocate racing in rush hour traffic! I rode with the usual precautions, but I used his presence to motivate myself. Going faster is safer on this stretch of Rhode Island Ave. that we both ride because the difference between car speed and bike speed is decreased.
This guy is faster than me, he has overtaken me before and I could only hang on, never retook. Today however, I was coming off a big downhill when I saw him entering the thoroughfare at the bottom of the hill. So I overtook easily and he had to fight back. When I got stuck in traffic, he caught me, passed and gained a big gap, a couple or three blocks, but the lights were with me and I came past him again at speed. After that he sat in until I turned off on 22nd. He should have passed me because I was falling behind the lights when I took my right turn on a late yellow. He powered through. We were shouting at each other but I couldn't tell what he was saying. It was something good, he was smiling. We were flying. It was fun.
Yesterday I talked to a girl I've seen a few times before. She lives on the biggest climb on my route. She followed me for a long way and pulled up next to me at lights. Two other commuters also rode along with us for a few blocks. I really enjoy sharing my commute with other riders. For many years, I rarely saw another commuter.
Oh yeah, both rides were in the rain...
#4213
Some one said something mean to me today. ;____;
I was riding home after work, and I pulled up to a stop sign right before a car, I decided to go first (prolly should have waited *shrug*). They yelled, "You're in the street!" I yelled back, "I am in the street! 8D". I continue on my way, and while he crosses the intersection (behind me) he shouts, "Nice man-purse, F*ckass!"
I am a girl... ;____;
You can't see my boobs when I'm sitting in my saddle, and I have a short haircut. I have this bag that I can attach to my rack, but it has a shoulder strap that I like to use when I'm riding at night because I can attach a blinky to the strap on my back.
He was too far away to yell back at him. *shrug*
I was riding home after work, and I pulled up to a stop sign right before a car, I decided to go first (prolly should have waited *shrug*). They yelled, "You're in the street!" I yelled back, "I am in the street! 8D". I continue on my way, and while he crosses the intersection (behind me) he shouts, "Nice man-purse, F*ckass!"
I am a girl... ;____;
You can't see my boobs when I'm sitting in my saddle, and I have a short haircut. I have this bag that I can attach to my rack, but it has a shoulder strap that I like to use when I'm riding at night because I can attach a blinky to the strap on my back.
He was too far away to yell back at him. *shrug*
#4214
Share the road.

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 45
From: Marysville, CA
Bikes: 1992 Rocky Mountain Fusion, Yuba Mundo, Specialized Venge
Wind wasn't that bad as yesterday, but I was really loaded down with groceries. I am just glad that the Dummy handles it.
#4215
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
Cool and windy, but not bad at 4 C ( 40 F). Down hills were more impeded, but there is the promise of a wonderful afternoon, and good weather days to come.
#4216
Felt colder then the supposedly 50F this morning the weatherman claimed. Bright moon was nice. The drivers were well behaved. And I almost had a not foot down commute, but at the entrance to turn into the office parking lot, the car in front of me didn't go when I thought they would....causing me to slam on the brakes and unclip...oh well....no crash, no injury, no damage to anything. It was a good commute.
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#4217
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Stiff headwind most of the way to work, but I'm not complaining because that means it will be a warm day. Headwind in the morning means the wind is out of the SW, which is always warm around here. Temps are supposed to reach mid-70s F today and the 80s Thursday and Friday. My legs are getting kind of dead from riding so much lately -- 650+ miles in March after barely topping 400 in February. I probably need to take a day or two off but I can't because the weather is so nice after a long, cold and wet winter here.
#4218
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
#4219
IguanaFred Rider
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Bikes: Giant Iguana - Freded-Up since 1992
Lovely ride. Great weather. I rear ended a minivan this morning going about 25mph. Details later. I am off to
give an astronomy exam.
give an astronomy exam.
#4220
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Good commute this morning. 46F with light rain and winds from the NNE @ 10mph. My rain gear did a great job at keeping me dry.
#4222
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
From: Overland Park, KS
Bikes: 1999 Giant TCR 2T 2009 Giant Cypress DX 2015 Giant Anyroad 1
First non-chilly morning. had a 15+ mph tailwind which made for a pretty fast ride.
The piper will get paid as that tailwind will be a headwind on my way home tonight.
The piper will get paid as that tailwind will be a headwind on my way home tonight.
#4223
IguanaFred Rider
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Bikes: Giant Iguana - Freded-Up since 1992
A story as old as Thales: typical head-in-the-clouds intellectual. Seriously, though, I hope you weren't too badly banged up.
Dr. Joe
#4224
It's true, man.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
A guy took a swing at me - apparently for not waiting for unencumbered passengers to board the train, before loading my bike on. He shoved his way in front of me and became offended when his leg contacted my front tire.
I guess I'm supposed to step out of line and let the only seats I can use fill up with people, so I can stand up all the way to work.
I guess I'm supposed to step out of line and let the only seats I can use fill up with people, so I can stand up all the way to work.
#4225
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 186
From: south Puget Sound
My son totally dug biking home in the sleet last night.
Weird blinding sun over sheet ice this morning. What fresh hell is this?
Weird blinding sun over sheet ice this morning. What fresh hell is this?







Don't let the ignorant jerks get to you.