93 in Seattle???

Yesterday must of been the day for flats. At first I thought I only had one. Had the wife come and pick me up. After I patched the back tire realized the front tire was also flat. It was a sharp sheet metal screw. Almost 200 miles of commuting and two in one I guess that's not bad. Couldn't get the front to hold and I was tired so I'll work on it tonight. I take it as a sign I need to take a break.. chest pains seem to be getting worse.

I got caught in the rain on the way in for the first time. It was very brief and I could see where it was raining hard a half block in front of me but was still dry where I was. I ducked under cover so I wouldn't get soaked as I was only a half mile from the office.

On the way home, either the heat or the wind slowed me down. I just couldn't get myself going.

Cool ride in at 3:30 this morning. Started out and almost wondered if I should have been wearing a shell. In the winter mid-60's would have been warm, I guess I've started to adapt to these 90-100 degree days. Still like the cold better.

Yep, cooler here too. It was a good ride in and no issues.

Another week of 90+ days with high humidity ahead. I'm actually starting to get used to it though. My commuting times are slowing down because that's the best way (for me) to beat the heat.

After a week of making excused, I was up early this morning. I had packed my bags, prepared all my clothes, and laid them out the night before. Having set everything out the night before, I was able to prepare at a leisurely pace.

I checked weather.com before setting out. It was 68⁰ Fahrenheit at 5:30 a.m. with the wind coming from the North at about 5 mph.

"I'll have a tailwind, at least," I thought to myself as I put on my jacket.

Most of the cyclists I see are comfortable with a short-sleeved jersey. I get a little bit of a chill when the temperature is in the sixties, so I wear a jacket. I end up sweating a little more but it manages to keep me warm.

I set out at 6:00 a.m. and set a brisk pace for myself. I am beginning to regain some level of fitness. Although I do have a ways to go.

At the five mile mark, about half way through my commute, I thought that I was on pace to set a personal best for this season. I kicked my cadence up, just a notch, and finished in just over 43 minutes. After checking, I found that I was about a half minute slower than this season's PB.

Been watching the Tour all week. So couldn't resist riding the road bike this morning. Could almost hear the cheering as I led in team Astrada. ;^)

Ok, no flats or loose hubs for me today (I'm keeping my fingers crossed). I got my new wheels last week and, after having the rr. wheel trued by a local shop (the builder must have forgotten to tension the drive side spokes) for $20, I mounted the wheels and they were ready to go. I adjusted the brakes and did a quick clean, the bike looks sharp. I thought about going out for a shake down ride yesterday but didn't have the time. Luckily, everything was fine this morning although, I didn't really hammer on them. I like the ride of the Open Pro's, nice and taught without feeling rigid or harsh and, the bike, once again, has the classic lines of an old school road bike-the bright yellow Deep V's made it look like a hipster's idea of a Packer's-themed mascot mobile. Other than that, I felt surprisingly strong and zipped in on the wheel of some roadie who appeared to be out for a training ride. Again, the toughest or, most unpleasant, part of my (new) route is the fish market on Maine Ave-after a weekend of cooking trashed seafood in 90 degree heat, the smell can be unbearable-I try to hold my breath for a block or two as I pass. Looks like evening thunderstorms today and tomorrow.

My bike is now a 2-speeder.

I’d been having problems shifting into the top 2 or 3 gears plus some other issues. I took the bike in to the shop Friday. The guy was very nice, worked on it right away, but at the end he told me the shifter is broken, but it’s “mostly rideable”. I should have asked what that meant. I left the garage this morning and could barely get into a gear…and once I did I couldn’t get out of it. All I can do is use the front shifter.

Anyone got a good deal on an Ultegra Flight Deck brifter? :(

Not a good day overall. In addition to the mechanical issues the arthritis in my lower back was pretty bad this morning. At least there I have hope. I start PT this afternoon.

Forecast said rain, rain, and more rain, and gusty winds too. So I rode my all-weather bike. Ride in was dry, calm, 16C. I'd better get soaked on the way home or I'll be bummed that I didn't ride my road bike. That said, my beater is running better than ever (thanks 65er) so it's actually pretty nice to ride.

57F and sunny, glorious spring morning.

Nice ride home... in a MONSOON! :) Started raining cats and dogs as I left the office. Didn't stop the whole darned way. Ran into a couple others headed the opposite way, we all had silly grins on our faces :P

had an enjoyable ride home other than the obnoxious 15 year old yelling out the window just to scare me. i really wanted to drag him out of the car at the stop light just to beat manners into him....sheesh. oh and a nice headwind :(


in other news....i'm officially in the crowd of "crazies" that call themselves bike commuters. i got several "you are crazy", and a few other "Dang you saved that much in gas already" and even more still "i wish i could do that!" and even a couple "i bet thats great exercise! you probably feel great afterwards!"

i am having a slight pride issue right now :)

First day back in the office after 2 weeks off. Not happy about it, but at least I have a daily excuse to ride my bike.

Woohoo! I got my wish. Just lightly raining when I left work, but a full-fledged downpour and a good headwind by the time I got home. I got soaked to the bone! I don't really mind riding in the rain now and then, but next time, I need to remember to wear a headband or something. As water started dripping into my eyes, they started really stinging, to the point that I could barely see where I was going. That kinda sucked.

Yep wild rains yesterday, but I got in the front door 5 minutes before it opened up. As I was bringing in my bike for the night, it was dripping. I woke up around 1050 pm, and it started it all over again. This area needs the rain. Nice ride in the this morning, a couple branches down and debris from gutters that couldn't handle the water flow.

Got soaked last night!! Rain held off all day until I decided to ride home. And of course, when it rains...... I flat!!!

I didn't ride today since they're calling for rain all day and most of my stuff is still drying out.

I hammered all the way home and got in just as the rain started, it really unloaded a couple of hours later. I had a decent ride in this morning, the bike is, once again, a pleasure to ride. Looks like dodging the rain drops may be a challange this afternoon-will keep a close eye on the radar.

I read all these reports of rain yesterday afternoon. Nothing happened here yesterday, and we're not THAT far from VA. :( We did get a slight shower late last night, but NC really needs rain.

Commute was too short again. Since my rear shifter is broken I don't want to risk taking the long route. In addition, the bike's currently in such a low gear that riding the long downhill into work will be pointless--I'll just be spinning uselessly after 100 yards.

I'm still deciding what to do about my "2-speeder". I don't want 3 bikes but it's looking like I'm headed that way. Bike 1: commuter. I'm thinking single speed for this, since the short route is only 3.5 miles each way. Not enough of a workout, and even the long route is only ~8 miles each way. Bike 2: Recreational bike for pulling my kid's trailer, riding on the local MUPs, etc. I'm thinking hybrid for this. Bike 3: road bike for riding group rides, charity rides, etc.

I'd like to get people's thoughts on this. I'll bet I'm not the only person who has faced this kind of situation. What would/did you do?

Two beautiful days in Madison, WI so far, after returning from a two week vacation sans bike. Two weeks off seems to have actually helped a bit. Average speeds on my commute have been upped by 2-3 MPH. Beautiful morning, hardly encountered anyone else on the capitol city trail. Quiet, lake was glass smooth. Loving it.

Heading into a busy intersection a bug flew into the right frame of my sunglasses. Hard shelled and it
filled 1/3 the size of the glass,started walking around. I pushed the frame forward on my nose and
it walked over to the left frame. I enjoyed the 3D effect on my orange tint glass for another block
before it flew off.

Nice ride in this morning, extra cool, down to 11C. I had to break out the arm and leg warmers. The bike's running well with the rebuilt freewheel, but it feels a little tight. It's nice to have that 28 tooth cog for the climb up to work though!

I had a good ride into work today. Attached the Joby Gorilla Pod to the handlebars of my bike and snapped a few photos along the way: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3618930...7624360575637/
Sorry they're so dark. It was pretty early, and the camera isn't anything special.

Yesterday the two owners of the company I work for offered to leave the door to the guest apartment in their basement open so I could use the shower before coming into work. They're only two blocks down the road, and it worked out great. The ride home tonight is going to be pretty rough, unless it rains on me. ~87F for a high today, and 99.95% humid.

My bike outside the office. (one of my favorite photos :) )
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/...51bd1df4_b.jpg

Why do you need your stuff to be dry if it's just going to get wet again? :innocent: :)

54F and gray, pretty nice

Ha - good point! If I could just get past that initial ick factor of putting on wet shoes, gloves, etc...

Windy as heck.

d'oh! Forgot to pack clothes

You might want to consider bar-end shifters. They are considerably less expensive than STIs and more reliable, long-lasting. They take a little getting used to, but I really like mine for commuting. You can buy bar-end shifters from British websites like PBK and Wiggle for about $75 including cables.