How was the commute today? Continued.
#7176
sniffin' glue
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Bikes: Surly crosscheck ssfg, Custom vintage french racing bike, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road
Lower 70s today for a commute to eat some turkey. Lots of wind though.
Tried out a greenway I hadn't been on before, it was really nice, such an easy and pleasant ride. Glad I rode to start working off all that food!
Tried out a greenway I hadn't been on before, it was really nice, such an easy and pleasant ride. Glad I rode to start working off all that food!
#7177
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
0C/32F and freezing rain.
Studded tires definitely useful today. I had to go over a pedestrian overpass with 7% climb and 10% descent. Managed to even use some front brake on the twisty descent.
Though I had one small mishap in my hurry to get out the door I put on my boots on the wrong feet. I wondered why they weren't fitting well but I thought it was because I had inserted the insulation part wrong... Switched my boots around 2 minutes into my ride.
Studded tires definitely useful today. I had to go over a pedestrian overpass with 7% climb and 10% descent. Managed to even use some front brake on the twisty descent.
Though I had one small mishap in my hurry to get out the door I put on my boots on the wrong feet. I wondered why they weren't fitting well but I thought it was because I had inserted the insulation part wrong... Switched my boots around 2 minutes into my ride.
#7178
A tolerable commute today. The temperature was nice at -7C/19F, but the roads and trails weren't in very good condition, at least not where I was riding. Honestly, I think my days of regular cycle-commuting are nearing an end for the year.
#7179
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: NOWHERE
Bikes: noyb
Yes, that is true! Since I go south I don't have to ride it much unless I need to get to Alki Bike. Or, Fairmount Canyon is a good option, but it's steeper; however more pleasant in the summer with less traffic and a scenic ride.
#7180
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
I was one of few, not in the retail industry, that is working today. Commute, while a bit chilly at 21°, was uneventful. Not too much traffic.
#7181
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
First bike commute since last Wednesday. -13C in the morning, would have been a really nice ride had my glasses not kept fogging up. Lots of loose snow around which make riding a bit sketchy. Rode the MUP for a bit until I realized I can't see in the dark, through fogged glasses.
For the ride home it was -7C and the roads were absolutely nasty. Loose mushy snow everywhere making me wobble a lot. Ended up riding on the sidewalk until I got to the MUP.
Last night I did a little recon ride and saw the entrance to the MUP near my house wasn't cleared. So I took my car back and shoveled it off, which took about an hour and a half last night. I shoveled from the start of the path to the other side of the bridge. I supposed I could have cleared just enough room to bike instead of the whole width of the path, but where's the challenge.
For the ride home it was -7C and the roads were absolutely nasty. Loose mushy snow everywhere making me wobble a lot. Ended up riding on the sidewalk until I got to the MUP.
Last night I did a little recon ride and saw the entrance to the MUP near my house wasn't cleared. So I took my car back and shoveled it off, which took about an hour and a half last night. I shoveled from the start of the path to the other side of the bridge. I supposed I could have cleared just enough room to bike instead of the whole width of the path, but where's the challenge.
#7182
Looks like it is gonna be a nice week for riding as we've warmed up to nearly freezing and the temperatures are more normal for November... there's a lot of brown sugar on the roads and some icy patches but with wide knobby tyres and 104 studs up front I have no worries.
#7183
Not a big fan of the brown sugar. I am impressed with how stable my bike is, and how well it stays upright, even when getting jerked around by the soft-packed snow and brown sugar, but it's still disconcerting to feel the bike go sideways.
#7184
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Northern Colorado
Bikes: Rampar R-One
Beautiful commuted today. Had to work at 6 am, and it was about 30 degrees with a very slight north wind on a straight south ride. No snow and very little traffic despite it being black Friday.
The way back was even better. Clear skies, no wind at all, and a balmy 42 or so degrees. Couldn't have asked for a better day back after a three day hiatus.
The way back was even better. Clear skies, no wind at all, and a balmy 42 or so degrees. Couldn't have asked for a better day back after a three day hiatus.
#7185
Not safe for work


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 8
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: KHS Town and Country 100 & Jamis Durango Femme 1.0
Freezing! It was -1 Celsius but felt colder once the sun went down and the wind whipped up. At least the weekend's weather looks warmer.
#7186
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: LONDON UK
Bikes: Marin Sausalito
London Frost
Another beautiful but cold London commute today. One of the coldest Novembers for thirty years today. -3 C this morning. But the sun was shining the frost was crisp on the ground and hey we're alive and well.
#7187
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
Cold and dark at 24 F (-4 C). I stopped to mail a letter, took off the glasses and forgot to wipe the the inside before heading back out, so the last couple miles were with the glasses
pulled down. Tuesday and Wed are supposed to be all about rain, but at least it is not the white stuff.
pulled down. Tuesday and Wed are supposed to be all about rain, but at least it is not the white stuff.
#7188
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: West Philly
Bikes: Brompton S2L, Trek Belleville, Kona Ute, Raleigh Twenty (1971 folder, 1969 non-folder)
It was cold this morning (32F), the first morning that I didn't overheat wearing 3 layers. I went through a huge cloud of smoke on the way in. The skyline looked hazy as I left my house, and sure enough as I headed eastbound I could smell and see smoke, and saw helicopters over the Powelton Village neighborhood. I really hope nobody got hurt, and that it wasn't one of the gorgeous Victorian mansions that burned. For a while there I wondered if I would be able to continue biking, the smoke was so thick.
#7189
These go to eleven
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Distrito de Columbia
Bikes: BF Pocket Crusoe; B Tikit; dust-gathering MTB
Beautiful, crisp morning at around 30f here in DC/MD. With no wind, this is perfect commuting weather for me. I seem to find a good layering combo at around 30: sweatpants on bottom with wool socks; long-sleeve wool-blend jersey with a fleece vest and light reflective windbreaker with vents open. Thin beanie under the helmet to cover the ears; glove liners and light-midweight gloves to complete the ensemble. Little sweat, no frozen bits. I wish it would stay 30 and windless all winter!
#7190
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
28F / -2C and calm. Clear skies with the sun coming up during the last couple miles of the ride. On Saturday I noticed my front derailleur cable was fraying.
Yesterday I installed a replacement.
This week, I will pass 10,000 miles on my Liquid.
Still leaning toward a Soho as a replacement.
Yesterday I installed a replacement.This week, I will pass 10,000 miles on my Liquid.
Still leaning toward a Soho as a replacement.
#7191
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
1C/34F calm clear skies. Was in a hurry to get out so still wore my warm jacket, and was a little too warm by the time I got to work.
Also it was the first time in forever that there was absolutely no wind.
Also it was the first time in forever that there was absolutely no wind.
#7192
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Decent commute at 27F and sunny with no winds. First time using panniers that I picked up last week, and they are awesome. About 5 mins into my commute, my RD froze up and quit shifting. It was like that for about 3/4 of the ride. It was stuck to where I was easily spinning out on the flats in the big chain ring. Usually my FD is the one that freezes, so I lubed the cable very well last night. I've never had an issue with the rear till today. Looks like I'm gonna be busy when I get home lubing the rear cable.
#7193
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
Coldest commute since last spring w/ temps in the upper 20s F. Interesting that it's colder this morning in NC than Montreal, Canada. I like commuting in the cold, and much prefer it to 90+ summer heat and humidity. My only gripe is my glasses fogging up at traffic lights. I'm also not too crazy about wide swings in temperature from morning to afternoon as it's hard to dress for. I would rather it just stay cold.
#7194
Muggy.
Also, finally flatted one of my Armadillos
Until that happened, I was actually making really good time and wasn't running late like I usually am.
Also, finally flatted one of my Armadillos
Until that happened, I was actually making really good time and wasn't running late like I usually am.
#7195
Old, but not really wise
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA commuting to Washington DC
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dew Drop (the daily driver),'07 Specialized Roubaix (the sports car), '99 ish Kona NuNu MTB (the SUV), Schwinn High Plains (circa 1992?) (the beater)
Cool. Very cool. Actually, I think cold is more accurate. At or slightly below freezing at the beginning (30f), and I thought about wearing the balaclava and warm gloves, but decided I'd overheat if I did. Rode through ice for the first time on the bridge over the Potomac -- I presume that's pretty normal, but it was quite disconcerting for this first time winter commuter.
I also could have used another layer, I think, though again, once I was warmed up I was glad I didn't have it, except when I stopped or had good speed. Winter is not going to be much fun.
Oh, and last Friday, I rode all the way home from work (20 miles). It was pretty enjoyable, but it took a long time. I'll probably save it for special occasions.
I also could have used another layer, I think, though again, once I was warmed up I was glad I didn't have it, except when I stopped or had good speed. Winter is not going to be much fun.
Oh, and last Friday, I rode all the way home from work (20 miles). It was pretty enjoyable, but it took a long time. I'll probably save it for special occasions.
Last edited by CptjohnC; 11-29-10 at 09:15 AM. Reason: afterthought
#7196
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC, Canada
Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15
2C/36F this morning. I dug out my facemask from all my snowboard gear this morning, but it was just too hard to breathe through it and it wasn't necessary to keep me warm this morning. The Brunette river trail was all hard snow except for 2 tire tracks from some of the maintenance vehicles that had been in there. The snow really reaches out and pulls you in if you get too close to it. I ended up overdressed for this morning. Maybe one less shirt if it's above 0 in the mornings.
#7197
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
Bikes: 2019 Synapse Ultegra SE; 2016 Cervelo R3
Cold
Cold in Baltimore. Frost on the ground. But beautiful all the same.
#7198
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 183
From: south Puget Sound
37F and gray. Nice and dry. I was overdressed. Funny thing, after dressing up to last week's high of 25F, spent a long Saturday at ~38F hanging on a friend's deck and F-ROZE. So today was overcompensating I guess.
#7199
Senior Member

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
Bikes: Brodie Force w/ Xtracycle, Dahon Helios, Merida Folding, Pacific Carryme, Softride Classic
2C this morning when I headed out the door. Roads wet but clear. Its been two weeks since I last commuted due to snow and family obligations. Felt terrible on the bike today. Did not feel strong and winded easily. For the first time,I actually stopped on a green light going up hill to catch my breath LOL. Anyways, I made the 20 km into the office. The receptionist was impressed I cycled in this weather. I was not impressed at my performance. Oh yeah, my gloves don`t cut the mustard. My hands are cold with the normal gloves I`m using.
Today was entirely a triumph of the will over the body.
Today was entirely a triumph of the will over the body.
#7200
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
8f this morning everything is still frozen solid, the new studded front tire is still holding up still very glad i have, most the ride this morning was over some good ole fashioned glare ice. The ride seemed to take wayyyyy longer than normal though thats probably due to the fact i had a 5day weekend




