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How was the commute today? Continued.

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Old 08-27-10 | 08:09 AM
  #5951  
EKW in DC's Avatar
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From: Alexandria, VA

Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion

Flat front from the other day got inside my head. Front of the bike felt squirrely on the way home, as if getting low on air. I kept looking and it was fine. Hooked up the pump/guage when I got home and pressure was what it should be. Checked the QR... everything was and is seated properly. Guess the squirelliness was all in my head. Still a nice ride home.

Good ride in today, too. I think the brake squeal fairy paid my bike a visit last night. One of my weekend projects was going to be cleaning front rim and brake pad and adjusting the toe b/c the squeal from the front brakes was getting embarassing. Well, fast forward to this AM and they didn't make a sound amy time I stopped or slowed along the way to work... Works for me. I seem to be developing some other sort of drivetrain-related mystery noise in its place, though. :-\

Bit of a headwind this AM, but I gladly accepted it since it meant it was still only 66 when I left home at 8:30. Nice and cool for a DC August morning. I tried to relish the cool weather, since the longer term forecast seems to indicate it's going bye-bye this weekend and will be gone for a while.
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Old 08-27-10 | 08:31 AM
  #5952  
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From: Edmonton, AB
9C and windy. Tail wind for the most part, but at times it felt like it was coming from all directions at once. If the forecast is correct, it'll be a stiff headwind for the ride home.

I rode my drop-bar converted mountain bike for the first time in two weeks today. Heavy beast compared to my road bike. As I was climbing the main hill of my commute, I had this weird sensation like something was tugging me backwards with each pedal stroke. I checked the wheels when I got to my destination, and they spin freely under no load, so there's no obvious brake rub. Dunno.

5 for 5 this week, only the second time this year.
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Old 08-27-10 | 08:39 AM
  #5953  
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From: Burnaby BC, Canada

Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15

Left for work at 3am this morning. Decided to push myself for a long ride and headed out east to take the Golden Ears bridge. Meandered through some farm roads and along a nice bike route under a power line right of way. Saw about 8 rabbits and crossed paths with a skunk. I'm very, very happy with my new flashlight bolted to my bike. Way better headlight than the bike specific headlight next to it at the same price. Rolled in to work on time despite having taken a total wrong turn. 77km and 3:22:22 moving time.
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Old 08-27-10 | 09:48 AM
  #5954  
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From: Long Island, NY

Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera

Last commute of the relatively relaxed summer season for me. After a late night, I felt kinda crappy before I left home, but felt good on the bike. I'm really enjoying the freshly repaved roads along most of the ride. There's one section I really wish the town would do something about, but I'm not going to complain since the improvements that happened were needed badly. Spun in most of the way, but the breeze held me up a bit.

10 motorcycles in bicycle parking again this AM. Of the approximately 25 bicycle parking spots, only 4 or 5 were accessible (enough room to safely park and lock my bike without risking damage to either my bike or the motorcycles) between motorcycles. I can't wait for these fair weather, motorcycle posers go back to their cars for the winter. Ya know it's funny, Monday/ Tuesday this week were cool and drizzly... not a single motorcycle to be found... Sunny warm Friday and there's 10 of 'em.

For the season, I did pretty good averaging 3 or 4 commutes a week thru the summer semester including a some days when I played softball after work and rode home after 8 PM. Dropped a couple lbs this summer, and pushed my equipment a bit trying to figure out where I go next with my next bike set-up.

On Monday I'll be entering the Thunderdome as the kiddes will be back on campus, sleeping in then rushing to make their classes and gobbling up parking spaces like ravers gobble E. I foresee a rough couple weeks until apathy sets in, then I get to worry about darkness.
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Old 08-27-10 | 11:41 AM
  #5955  
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The weather was incredible this am 63 degrees when I got to the office. I had flat #5 on the way home Wednesday, and #6 on the way in this morning. I was a couple miles to work and not wanting to mess with it decided to stop and pump it up every mile. Not sure if it was the greatest plan but I got here and will fix before leaving this afternoon.
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Old 08-27-10 | 11:56 AM
  #5956  
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From: Thibodaux, LA

Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial

Had a good commute this morning... no yelling, no close calls. Weather was cool and overcast, which is a relief for the massive heat we've been having. I seriously thought about driving today, but bit the bullet and got on the bike instead, and I'm glad I did.
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Old 08-27-10 | 01:59 PM
  #5957  
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From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

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Good ole boise weather 106 yesterday 51 this morning with a high of 77 today, these temp changes really mess with my head. The only place ive been worse than boise is laramie wy.
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Old 08-27-10 | 02:17 PM
  #5958  
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From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Huge day on the bike yesterday: an hour of tempo on the way in, then the Airport Ride (aka Thursday Night World Championship) in the evening. Of course the ride home was into a headwind.

This morning, very easy spin.
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Old 08-27-10 | 04:32 PM
  #5959  
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From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

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Well i managed to hit a cat on my way home, dont worry the little guy was fine thankfully i hit him with my crank arm and foot and not the tire. Im not even sure where he darted out from but one sec nothing the next bam a little white kitty is bouncing off my foot i stopped to make sure he was ok, seemed more pissed than hurt i waited till he started to walk away and he was walking fine so i continued on my way. That makes two animals this year
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Old 08-27-10 | 05:45 PM
  #5960  
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From: south Puget Sound
17 miles with the trail-a-bike to/from my job's summer picnic. First 9 miles were also w/ my 9 yr old on his bike, but he ate himself sick at the picnic and, combined w/ a weird mechanical, he and his bike got a ride to my wife's office for the rest of the day.

5 yr old on t-a-b got sooo excited when we were pushing 40mph down this one hill. She claims to be shy and tremulous, but she is the biggest nut in the family.
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Old 08-28-10 | 03:47 AM
  #5961  
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From: South Jersey, that's in the USA

Bikes: Motobécane Grand Record, Surly LHT, and LHT Deluxe Build

Today and yesterday were cooler, long sleeves over the short sleeve shirt I road in wearing on the ride home. Tonight it was almost cold on the way home. I had a doctors appointment this AM and put the bike on the rack for the ride there, took the wife with me and left on the bike and she took the car. I didn't want to arrive in a sweat, also she wanted to take my blood pressure and I didn't want to effect the reading. Beautiful weather and as I said almost cold on the way home. This time of year I have to take an extra something to wear in case it's colder then expected. Speaking of riding in cold weather, does anyone else ride wearing goggles in the winter? My eyes tear when riding in winter weather and I wear them for that reason.
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Old 08-28-10 | 05:53 AM
  #5962  
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From: Thibodaux, LA

Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial

When I lived in colder climates, I used to wear safety goggles to ride when it got below freezing. Helped a ton with the wind.

I actually wussed out yesterday on the way home. I had ordered some Axiom full fenders, and LED bulbs for my lights.... wouldn't you know, they came in a day too late. By the time I got off work, it was full-on pouring. I packed everything in my panniers with huge zip-lock bags, and headed out to my dad's house a mile away. I fixed their computer, and then he gave me a ride home. Fenders are on the bike now!
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Old 08-28-10 | 08:59 AM
  #5963  
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From: Atlanta

Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others

Pretty good week now that the heat broke. Really been off my riding for almost 6 weeks. Managed 4 days commuting this week. Had to drive one day to haul some stuff. The Rain gods were kind and left me clear ride home on Thursday after a brutal 2 hour storm that parked over where I was. Rained so hard we had to drop all the dock doors and they sounded like snare drums as the rain hit them for nearly an hour.
Been going in a little early to beat some of the heat and on the verge of breaking out the headlights. Hate having to drag the extra weight.
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Old 08-28-10 | 06:04 PM
  #5964  
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From: Florida

Bikes: Trek 7500

I just got back from vacation so it has been a long couple rides getting back into things. To make things worse I had a wipeout today on my way home from work. I had a nice slide on a turn when I was going about 20 mph. Damn sand on the roads. I was lucky the car that was getting ready to pass had enough time to stop. A little road rash was the only damage besides my pride. I had a several cars watch it happen. But I hopped up and kept on going. Tomorrow's ride is really going to hurt.
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Old 08-29-10 | 07:18 AM
  #5965  
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From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

Bikes: The always reliable kuwie

Raining this morning Thankfully i at least bought a cheap front fender yesterday, made in with out getting too wet Note: those planet bike clip on fenders suck bad, i ended up using the rear fender as the front to at least provide sorta full coverage. Maybe the rain will stop for my ride home.
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Old 08-30-10 | 05:14 AM
  #5966  
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From: Columbia, Maryland

Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter

A very nice ride in the summer warmth. The bike just plows through the darkness.
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Old 08-30-10 | 05:20 AM
  #5967  
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From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

If it wasnt for the rides in, I could take days like this off and drive in. It was beautiful on hte way in. Had to stop twice to tighten my mirror but still made in in the usual time. But it is suppose to be 91 or more this afternoon. I dont really care, I have ridden 94 or better is seems like all year, but soooooo many hot days, I really thought about taking this one off. But alas, it is just too nice in the morning not to ride.
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Old 08-30-10 | 05:22 AM
  #5968  
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From: East Fallowfield, PA
Another super ride in. Weather was great, low 60s, and the roads were pretty empty. School starts this week here, and I am a little anxious to see how the afternoon commute will be affected.

I'm riding my mtb these days, as I am outfitting my new commuter. I was simply awestruck this morning as to the difference between small fat tires and large hard tires. The chubbies really dampen the road shock and vibrations from the hard-packed gravel. I'm putting serious thought into putting 700 chubbies on the commuter.
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Old 08-30-10 | 07:04 AM
  #5969  
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From: Antioch, IL

Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 0, Rivendell- Sam Hillborne, Montague folding bike.

Beautiful day in Northern Ilinois this morning. Getting a bit warm and the forcast is calling for high 80's. Traffic unusually heavy even for a school day. Backup at Mundelein HS easily 1/2 mile maybe longer. No school buses. I suspect they had some type of contract issue. Odd thing was that there were no, as in absolutely none, kids on bikes. What's with that? Are bikes banned from schools these days?
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Old 08-30-10 | 07:33 AM
  #5970  
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From: Thibodaux, LA

Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial

The ride to work this morning wasn't the greatest... lights malfunctioned, I fixed that, then got a flat in the middle of the ghetto. Changed the tire in a canefield, got covered in mud, and only got to work 10 minutes late. Shazam! Looks like I'm going to spend my lunch hour cleaning up my bike and patching tubes.
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Old 08-30-10 | 07:56 AM
  #5971  
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From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Comfortable, 60sF, slight headwind. Sunny. Summer is back! Mid-to-upper 80sF most of this week.

School starts today, I think. I saw more younglings on bicycles than usual this morning.

And there's this very cute woman runner, well I think likely she's "too young" for me, she's starting to recognize me and she always smiles and waves and says hi when we pass. I return the greetings and try not to crash into anything.
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Old 08-30-10 | 08:12 AM
  #5972  
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From: Madison, WI

Bikes: Trek FX series, somewhat modified.

This morning's madison commute

Warm, 72. Not much wind. Fast commute on a beautiful late summer day around the lakes. Starting to think about winter rig, unfortunately. The only negative was the 4 gang banger looking youths walking line abreast on the MUP when I came around the turn at 22 MPH. I yell "On your left" and they don't move. I look to the left, and pedestrians are walking in the opposite direction at well. I hit the brakes, and go far around to the right, almost losing it on the rough ground and rocks. I notice all four of the jerks are wearing headphones. I cheerily exchange pleasantries and take off again. That just pisses me off.

Last edited by Pogoagogo; 08-30-10 at 08:23 AM.
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Old 08-30-10 | 09:33 AM
  #5973  
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From: Edmonton, AB
About 7C/45F this morning on wet roads. I lucked out as it had stopped raining before I started my commute, and didn't start again until after I got to work. Admittedly, when it's this cool and raining, I feel a little less motivated to ride, but then I remind myself that I almost never regret riding my bike. A bad day on the bike is still better than a good day on public transit.

Actually, riding home on Friday afternoon was a pretty bad day, particularly near home where there's something about the area where wind seems to get funneled down this one street I take. I had a good headwind most of the way home, but the last mile felt like a hurricane. I couldn't believe how hard I had to work to keep up a road-worthy speed and maintain a relatively straight line. I was really tempted to hop onto the sidewalk.
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Old 08-30-10 | 09:55 AM
  #5974  
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From: Thibodaux, LA

Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial

Originally Posted by Pogoagogo
Warm, 72. Not much wind. Fast commute on a beautiful late summer day around the lakes. Starting to think about winter rig, unfortunately. The only negative was the 4 gang banger looking youths walking line abreast on the MUP when I came around the turn at 22 MPH. I yell "On your left" and they don't move. I look to the left, and pedestrians are walking in the opposite direction at well. I hit the brakes, and go far around to the right, almost losing it on the rough ground and rocks. I notice all four of the jerks are wearing headphones. I cheerily exchange pleasantries and take off again. That just pisses me off.
Sounds like you need an Airzound...
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Old 08-30-10 | 10:00 AM
  #5975  
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From: Pittsburgh

Bikes: 2009 Windsor Wellington

Pretty cold this morning, or it felt like it anyway. I think this was the first 'cold' commute I've had since the summer. My ears were aching a bit when I got to work. I wore some bright white khaki pants and my right pant leg got quite chewed up in my chainring and is torn and black now. It was pretty windy as well.
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