55F, cloudy. A rare no-kid day.

Cloudy and overcast, so the cool wind was nice.

A truck passed extremely closely, and as the tail-end of his truck was near me, his tailpipe let out a cloud of black exhaust basically right in my face (don't know if it was consciously controlled by the driver or not). I pulled toward the shoulder because of the exhaust, and then as I saw a wide trailer (like a shed on wheels) pass right beside me. If I hadn't pulled to the right the trailer would have clipped me, and I didn't even see it coming. This probably is the closest call I've had in a while.

The rest of the ride went smoothly. I got off to a late start and so I rode a little faster than usually, and definitely spent more time in my top gear. I'm using a single-chainring track crank right now, and now I'm beginning to think about switching to a larger chainring on that, as it seems like I am topping out more often now (perhaps I am getting into better shape?).

Second commute this week, after last week at EAA Airshow in Oshkosh. Perfect weather, looking forward to ride later. Rode the road bike today. It's fun to ride but not the greatest idea for commuting. I don't like to leave it outside if I need to run an errand.

Bought a new LED bulb for my DIY lights.

How was Oshkosh? A fellow pilot went out last week and had a good time. One of these years I've got to get out there. Flying in there scares the bejesus out of me though.

Going to be a sticky ride home today. I'm planning to be in the woods as much as possible.

82F at 7 am. It'll be 104F going home. Uphill. With a 10-15 mph headwind. And I forgot my waterbottle.

Still beats driving.

Just got home an hour ago, had a bite and will do it all again tomorrow at noon. Worked till 2AM; weather was warm near 80 and humid. Didn't see any cars all the way home. I'm riding a new route, all most all residential streets.

Finally a break in the humidity. The winds shifted to the west, pushing the moisture out. 67F when I left. I made good time. Saw lots of cyclists heading the other way. Almost caught one going my way but he turned.

Friday!

Are all of the weather forecasters as bad as the ones in Raleigh, NC? The weather guys predicted a high temperature of 100+ yesterday, but it struggle to hit 95 F. Due to the predicted heat and humidity, I drove to work and was surprised to see such "cool" temperatures. No real problem as I had some errands to run, mainly stocking up food supplies in my office, that I can't do when I cycle to work. Plus I was able to ride today as the earlier forecast for extensive showers today seems to have been wrong as well. I might find out otherwise this afternoon. We have had massive thunderstorms the past two evenings, and hopefully I won't get caught in another one this afternoon.

Very nice, around 70 degrees and low humidity. I almost wore my gloves and ear covers. Well not really, very nice ride.

Sunny, 15C, a little breezy which made me feel sluggish at times. The days are getting shorter, and the sun is pretty low on the horizon when I head to work now. Before long, it'll be shining right into drivers' eyes below their visors, and that's when I start getting nervous on the east-bound portions of my route.

Left later than normal to head home last night. As a result, mother nature gave me quite a show. It was still twilight, so I could see a ginormous cloud sitting out over the painted desert that was obviously storming. It kept lighting up in different areas from lightning. Very cool to watch!

No bike today though Needed my truck to run some errands.

I rode in today for the first time in 3 weeks. Take heat & humidity and throw in a week of vacation in the middle and I just hadn't had a chance. I made through almost all of Brooklyn without stopping at a light, even the ones that always catch me. Just luck today, but it saves a lot of time. Manhattan was not as lucky, but I did get to ride on the almost complete 1st Avenue bike lane. I'm now on bike lanes for 9+ of my 10 miles going in. 2nd Ave is still under construction but should be done by fall.

The big problem with 1st avenue is that at 8:30am all the delivery trucks are there, and not all of them recognized the bike lane. A few complaints to the right people will make sure the truckers get the word via parking tickets.

The weather was great on the way home. I got off an hour early today, within 2 miles of leaving work some lady came about as close to running me over as I have had for a while. I would have thought it was intentional but the lady was really really old. She came up beside me and pushed me out of the bike lane, I hit the breaks, her front fender was about even with my pedals and she shot past me and pulled directly in front of me with her car completely accorss the bike lane. We were probably going 20 or so. Man I was just dang lucky I glanced down in my mirror when I did. I dont think the old lady ever knew. The guy in the pickup in front of her looked like he thought sure I was gonna get hit. Just glad to get home today.

Weird summer. Most of North America is baking, but this is the coolest summer in decades here in NorCal. The tomatoes aren't doing so well, but it's been great for riding. Another cool (59F) and calm morning today.

Cooler today with less humidity. Funny thing happened on the way home the other night, a guy on a road bike came up to me and said something but I couldn't hear him so he repeated it three times before I understood him. He was telling me I needed to lube my chain, he said it was squeaking. I told him I couldn't hear it, I think he believed me. I've been using Dumonde Tech but am not sure I ever got all the lube off before I applied it originally. The chain was relatively new and it's was hard to get all the grease off of it so my initial application my not have been applied as instructed. Anyone else use this lube? I like it because it doesn't pick up dirt like my old lube does but I guess I need to reclean the chain and reapply.

On the way home yesterday a guy comes up to me on a similar bike to mine (Trek 8000), and comments on how he doesn't see many bikes as 'old' as his from the early 90s. He looked to be all of 25. I tell him that I bought mine as a 40th birthday present for myself. He does the quick math in his head and gives me a look. I don't think he realized how old this guy he was talking to really was. With a helmet on you don't see my greying hair, but at least I still have it all. I then left him behind me as I crossed the Manhattan Bridge.

As for his comment about not seeing bikes like this, I see them all the time. They're pretty common. OTOH, when I saw another Davidson in Brooklyn I went up to the guy and chatted with him for a while. Davidson's a Seattle builder and I never see any here in NY.

Humid this morning, rained last night dry this morning, trying to get used to it being darker in the morning been throwing me off a little. Pretty sure i was asleep for most of my ride some how took me thirty mins to ride a little over 3mi, i guess i was tired.

I moved back to hilly Cincinnati from flat Cleveland. Today I thought I was going to have not such a good commute. I rode my fixed gear yesterday and my legs were a little sore and tired. There is one hill that is quite difficult for me. All hills are hard for me since I haven't had to ride on any for such a long time. Today was the easiest for me to take that hill. I was pleasantly surprised.

This hill usually kills my legs and the rest of the ride is more difficult than it should be. But not today!

On the way home there is another hill, not as bad but it still gets me. It was also the easiest I have ever went up it. I actually got home and didn't feel very tired. I took the dog out for a longer than usual first walk.

I had my third flat in two weeks yesterday on the ride home. I ended up walking the last 4 miles of the 9 mile ride because I didn't want to waste another tube and didn't feel like messing with changing it. I had also left my cell phone at home that morning. One guy saw me walking and offered a ride but I was already about a quarter mile of home. I'm going to buy a new tire. Bad day over all. Hopefully next week will be better.

A few years ago I was about ready to quit commuting because I had flat after flat with busted spoke after busted spoke. I had so many, sometimes 2 or 3 flats per week adn bust more than one spoke a day. Finally it was quit commuting or get new wheels and tires. I did, and have not had a single problem since. Sometimes I think wheels just arent built right to start with and spokes poke the tube and stuff. Anyway dont let it get you down.

It was nice weather coming in. Some of the street lights have not kept up with the encroaching darkness, and the rides will continue to be in the dark until next May.

70F and somewhat humid, again. Nice ride though. Hardly anyone on the MUP. Only a few cars on the streets. I stopped at a stop sign to let a pedestrian cross and he looked at me like he wasn't quite sure what I was up to.

Great commute this morning. Green lights almost the whole way, moderate temperatures, light wind. I was running late, but got to work at my usual time since I wasn't held up by the usual red lights. Then I encountered a snag at work. Someone else was using the shower already, and I had to 15 minutes for the guy to finish. I guess I've just been spoiled. In 3-1/2 years of commuting, I've never had to wait for the shower before. I don't think the guy is a bike commuter, but for some reason has decided to run before work and then take a shower in the office rather than home. Guess I need to start leaving earlier in the morning (or on time).

new apt! new commute! gone is the 13 mile ride ... :-(

3.31 miles hahahahahahaha
22.7 max
15.6 avrg
12 min saddle time ...

at least I can still rack up miles at nite - did 48 rnd trp to Boston Sat to check out the harbor and Shakespeare on the common. I don't like Othello though and walked (rode) out when he started getting abusive after the intermission

back to work after tons of vacation time. I'm fat again and need to ramp up the ole workouts again!

There are few days when the commute is such a peaceful trip. Light traffic, perfect weather with a little light fog in the low-lying areas, and dawn broke just about the time I got to work. I rode in on the (still under construction) Chester Valley Trail. A fantastic trail that I hope sees completion some time soon. I rode 20+ miles this morning for the first time in a few months – recovering from moving the piano. Felt great.