Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

How was the commute today? Continued.

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

How was the commute today? Continued.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-30-10 | 01:28 PM
  #6401  
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Silverdale, WA

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse; CAAD9-5; Cannondale 4 29'er

54F and clear skies. The stars were beautiful. Too early to see the sunrise though. I'll be glad when we're back to standard time, I much prefer the dark in the evening.

Although I almost hit a pediastrian. He was in all dark clothes, nothing reflective, and walking almost directly on the fog line. The area is heavily wooded and very dark, and I actually heard him before I saw him.
NeuroDawg is offline  
Old 09-30-10 | 04:22 PM
  #6402  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada

Bikes: 2009 Trek 520

Its getting to be that time of year where there is huge temperature difference between the morning and afternoon ride. Today 1C / 34F for the morning ride and 22C / 72F in the afternoon. I prefer the cooler morning temperature, but not the riding directly into the sun.
gecho is offline  
Old 09-30-10 | 05:07 PM
  #6403  
Grim's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta

Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others

Saw the golden BB yesterday.

Some punk in a Jeep Wrangler driving like an idiot came flying up on a car that slammed on the brakes as they came up on me in a curve. Actually happy that the driver of the car was funtionaly ******** driver and couldn't figure out how to change lanes before catching me on the inside of the curve. Jeep locked it up for a couple seconds and got out of shape enough to get his head lights pointed right at me for a second and hearing the locked tires right behind at the same time I thought my number had just come up.

I think if the car has got passed me the speed the punk was going in the jeep he may have clipped me.

Raining this morning so I pussed out.
Grim is offline  
Old 09-30-10 | 05:22 PM
  #6404  
dcb23's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Thanks for the kind words everyone!

I was a laughable sight this morning....rain suit made for fishing, waterproof boots, reflective vest, and giant out-of-date helmet. But if I can make it in in this rain I think I'm good to go for most other weather. Really understanding the need to be aware on the street.
dcb23 is offline  
Old 09-30-10 | 05:32 PM
  #6405  
making's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

Nice, windy and pretty fast ride home.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
making is offline  
Old 09-30-10 | 10:54 PM
  #6406  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada

Bikes: Brodie Force w/ Xtracycle, Dahon Helios, Merida Folding, Pacific Carryme, Softride Classic

That happened to me this week too (the van speeding up to cut me off on the turn). I yelled at him.
puppypilgrim is offline  
Old 09-30-10 | 11:59 PM
  #6407  
GriddleCakes's Avatar
Tawp Dawg
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK

Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')

40s, grey, and drizzling for the last two days. Fall has arrived. Now come on, Winter!

Originally Posted by Grim
Saw the golden BB yesterday.
Golden BB?

Originally Posted by rex_kramer
And then there's this idiot from my ride into work...
I watched an SUV almost flip itself doing the same thing to me about a week ago. Fool was cornering so fast (he'd accelerated to beat me to the turn) that he was squealing tires and drifting all the way into the oncoming lane, which was (lucky for him) empty. Dingbat almost clipped the cars that were parked on the other side of the street that he was raging into. Some people have no patience, other have no brains. This fool had neither.
GriddleCakes is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 05:17 AM
  #6408  
fletchh's Avatar
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

Breezy, but dry. Almost like yesterday afternoon's ride home. I believe that this was the rainiest week, I have had this year.
fletchh is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 05:34 AM
  #6409  
TurbineBlade's Avatar
Kid A
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 5
From: Alexandria, VA
Originally Posted by rex_kramer
And then there's this idiot from my ride into work...
I watched an SUV almost flip itself doing the same thing to me about a week ago. Fool was cornering so fast (he'd accelerated to beat me to the turn) that he was squealing tires and drifting all the way into the oncoming lane, which was (lucky for him) empty. Dingbat almost clipped the cars that were parked on the other side of the street that he was raging into. Some people have no patience, other have no brains. This fool had neither.
The old right hook! This happens to me probably 1-2 times per week commuting into DC. It is so incredibly common that I've come to anticipate it (as you probably have) and I don't even really get too angry or worked up about it. It's just a factor of life commuting by bike.

As much as an advocate of bike commuting as I am, I am extremely patient with cars and rarely display anything outwardly toward them. Most DC drivers would be quick to point out that if they had a video camera on their dash they could probably at least once per day record some jackass cyclist doing something incredibly stupid right in front of them.

Keep the video rolling because you never know when it might be useful -- but being right-hooked to the degree shown in the video probably wouldn't be grounds for pressing any charges of any kind.

If you had some super-aggressive idiot doing something though.....
TurbineBlade is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 05:58 AM
  #6410  
tarwheel's Avatar
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

After two days (and 3 out of the last 4) of torrential rains, we are finally getting a break in NC today. The roads were still wet this morning with a little light mist, but it's supposed to clear off by noon. The winds have already kicked up, and I'll be fighting them all the way home, but that's better than pouring rain. Cycle NC -- the week long cross-state tour -- was this week and people are calling it the Cycle NC Rain Fest. I pity those poor people, especially the ones camping out.
tarwheel is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 06:00 AM
  #6411  
vtjim's Avatar
Belt drive!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Wet! 40-days-and-40-nights wet! I needed outriggers on the Trek, which is aptly named, "Liquid."

58F, which (for me) is too warm for a rain suit, but I wore it anyway, and didn't ride as fast as normal. Still got to work uncomfortably steamy but at least my underthings were dry. I saw no other cyclists.

Supposed to be raining all day, but not so hard this afternoon.
vtjim is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 06:13 AM
  #6412  
JPinWI's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Southern Wisconsin US

Bikes: Schwinn DBX, Trek 820

Fantastic commute this morning...I have a 17 mile mostly rural ride. I've noticed traffic is much lighter on Fridays and the moonlight was groovy this morning. So I switched off my headlight for about 5 miles....no cars...no wind... just me and my bike in the moonlight....it was a great change of pace. Once I got to more heavily traveled roads I turned my headlight back on...reluctantly.
JPinWI is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 07:08 AM
  #6413  
dcb23's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Windy, cool, and finally not rainy and also marked two weeks straight of bike commuting. I have never, in my 41 years, used a bike for this many consecutive days.

Still trying to figure out how best to set up my luggage for my commute through downtown DC. Really really want to avoid another "hmm...forgot to pack my boxers" moment like I had yesterday. The comments on this board are extremely helpful. I am trying to do my best to not aggrevate the drivers, and I am also trying to keep my cool as well. Yesterday a woman jogging--in the bike lane--up on Cap Hill was almost hit by a car...she was pushing a baby in a stroller. I let out a loud "oh my God!" I think that freaked more people out.
dcb23 is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 09:50 AM
  #6414  
EKW in DC's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA

Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion

Windy, cool, and not rainy anymore as dcb23 says. Temps back into the low 60s, rain clouds off and away over the horizon. Was worried parts oy my commute near creek and river would be flooded, but lucked out and was able to take the regular route. North winds 15 gusting to 25 = morning headwind. They're not supposed to change direction during the day, so I think I'll be flying on the way home. I could easily be testing out the upper limits of my bike's speed now that I have only 44 teeth on the big chainring with my new crankset with the headwind and a slight downhill run I've got on one part of the commute.
EKW in DC is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 10:06 AM
  #6415  
groovestew's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 82
From: Edmonton, AB
Last night there were a couple of fast cyclists on the trail. One guy in particular riding a hybrid - he was maybe 100 yards ahead when I hopped on the trail, but it took me over a mile to catch up and pass him. I think he must have really been givin' 'er and ran out of steam, because he dropped off pretty quickly after I got by. I don't know if he knew I was chasing him or not.

Got off to a late start this morning due to an errand I had to run, so it was another ride into the sunrise. It wasn't too bad on the roads, but on a trail it got pretty bad in one spot. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I suddenly heard a "Good Morning!" on my left from a pedestrian walking towards me on the trail. Thanks to the blinding sun, I had not seen him until he said that and was about 3 feet away. Freaked me out. Bit of a chilly breeze; 4C/39F.

Edit: 5 for 5 again this week. Doesn't happen often for me (only 4th time this year?) but it's nice when it does.

Last edited by groovestew; 10-01-10 at 10:09 AM.
groovestew is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 12:08 PM
  #6416  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC, Canada

Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15

Originally Posted by rex_kramer
That bike lane is dangerous and is part of the problem. Move over into the straight through lane or slow down to let the traffic through first.
daijoubu2k8 is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 12:16 PM
  #6417  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC, Canada

Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15

Rode with my son on the TAB and dropped him off at daycare again today. I dressed him a little warmer and loaned him my skull cap. He was happier when we got there. Pretty uneventful getting to work, no other commuters on the climb up the mountain this morning. Managed to beat my time from yesterday, but I'm not sure whether that's just from knowing the route better, or getting fitter.
daijoubu2k8 is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 02:41 PM
  #6418  
GATC
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 183
From: south Puget Sound
Had a morning thing at my kids' school today, and a lot of work, so put my bike on the rack to catch a ride w/ my wife to her office and then bike from there. 1.49 miles according to the computer (1.46 miles according to the gps on my phone).
HardyWeinberg is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 04:18 PM
  #6419  
rex_kramer's Avatar
Acts 2:38
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA

Bikes: '10 Marin Lucas Valley, '13 Scott Speedster 20

Originally Posted by daijoubu2k8
That bike lane is dangerous and is part of the problem. Move over into the straight through lane or slow down to let the traffic through first.
Nope. I had the right of way. That's pretty much cut and dry.

The travel lane (diamond lane) is 45 mph (most drive upwards of 60) and certain death should I move into it. The van needed to simply wait behind me to make the safer exit off of the expressway instead of swinging in front of me at the last possible second. And of course he/she didn't even signal.
rex_kramer is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 04:21 PM
  #6420  
rex_kramer's Avatar
Acts 2:38
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA

Bikes: '10 Marin Lucas Valley, '13 Scott Speedster 20

And my ride today...

Effortless.

Oh wait, I drove.
rex_kramer is offline  
Old 10-01-10 | 04:53 PM
  #6421  
Grim's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta

Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others

Today was outstanding!
Unfortunately it is time to break out the headlight this weekend.

Originally Posted by GriddleCakes
40s, grey, and drizzling for the last two days. Fall has arrived. Now come on, Winter!



Golden BB?

It is a Aviation term coined by military pilots. Basically means getting taken out by a 1 in a million shot. Specifically having some dirt farmer in Nam take a squirrel rifle and shoot down a cargo plane by a lucky shot. Catch "Air America" next time it is on TV. Opening scene they show exactly that.

Last edited by Grim; 10-01-10 at 04:53 PM. Reason: cnt spel
Grim is offline  
Old 10-03-10 | 10:46 AM
  #6422  
Fizzaly's Avatar
Stealing Spokes since 82'
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

Bikes: The always reliable kuwie

Very uncomfortable ride in this morning, yesterday my seat post guts finally failed, so i replaced them and now i gotta do the whole getting the seat back to where i like it thing, nice morning otherwise.
Fizzaly is offline  
Old 10-04-10 | 12:04 AM
  #6423  
SHREDTHECITIES's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: DALLAS TEXAS
Nice Commute today, weather in Dallas is finally cooling off, 65 at 630am and nice cloud cover...Seemed to be just me in downtown and the Katy Trail today, not any souls to be found!On another note...On Sep.30th a jogger was critically injured when she decided to blindly turn mid-jog in the middle of the path and collided with a cyclist.....She has head trauma(no updates yet) and the cyclist broke a collarbone. This is something that happens often, and is something I almost have to expect from the joggers on the path,I urge everyone to be safe!! Keep your chin up and eyes open!!


Also......FIRST POST!
SHREDTHECITIES is offline  
Old 10-04-10 | 04:51 AM
  #6424  
fletchh's Avatar
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

Another rainy day, but not as bad as last week. Although, the temps are cooler at 44F ( 6 C). Wore a jacket in for the first time since April, and everything stayed a bit drier and warmer. The temps are going to stay on the cool side for most of the week, then back up to the 70s ( lower 20s C) for the all important weekend.
fletchh is offline  
Old 10-04-10 | 05:59 AM
  #6425  
vtjim's Avatar
Belt drive!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

~40F / 4C this morning. The sun was rising and there was a light wind behind me. Not enough to help. Long sleeves today.

I hiked to the summit of Camel's Hump Mountain on Saturday (around 6.5 miles round trip), so my legs are a bit stiff, but I didn't feel it on the bike. Different muscles.
vtjim is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.