Today I decided to try my old, old Schwinn Sierra "MTB" bike instead of the road bike I have been using. I think it qualifies as a Classic & Vintage model.

The thing is the Sierra is too small a frame and the seat doesn't go high enough. We'll there was quite a difference between the two! I usually use this bike to run our dogs on Springers and we don't go that far and at an easy pace.

But, actually, it wasn't a bad ride. Traffic bulges worked in favor today and so lane changes and left turns were all good.

Here in Northern Florida the weather was nice this morning, but it promises to be brutal later today.

great ride in today- the weather was perfect spring weather.

Had to stop for an appointment on the way home and a woman was taking photographs. As I parked the bike I heard her say to her companion, "Look at that cool bike. Let's get some shots of that when he's gone."

I should post a pic of the bike but it's really not much but it is "interesting" looking. All black- everything on it is black, front and rear racks, spokes, rims, bell, lights but a honey colored leather Brooks seat. I'd just locked it to a black metal staircase. To me it looks cool I'm amazed anyone else finds it of interest.

well................................................did she?

Only counts if she did.

rain rain rain... I pansied out and after biking home, got in the car and drove to retrieve my daughter and her trailer from the daycare. Just too tired to lug her up the hill in this weather. Oh yeah plus I came home early enough that I had dried out and warmed up before I left to get her.

I am going back out to bike to my son's school though, ride home w/ him.

Nope. Fail. She probably couldn't hear me because she was talking on the phone at the same time.

Itjustbe - Is that in Durham? Raleigh is having a breakfast for bikers on Friday morning, but I'm not sure if I will go. It would add 10 miles to my commute and make me late to work.

Faster than normal - 18.9 mph. Off and on drizzles, 72. I love being able to get by without winter gear. Best of all, I didn't flat!

On my commute home today four (!) cars made a right turn in front of me without signaling at all. And that was all within 10 blocks or so. Nowadays I pretty much assume that a car will turn right as I approach it from behind, so I only overtake on the right when they really can't go anywhere but straight.

Oh man, did I have a nice ride in today! Nothing different or notable about it, really, but the conditions (~60F/15C with light southerlies), the light traffic (a truck driver gave me a friendly toot as I was spinning my top gear down a long grade), and my simply feeling pretty strong all conspired to leave me feeling just great about riding.

I often feel sorry for people who "have to" drive a car (either for logistical reasons, or just plain incompetence), but never more so than today. (three big grins from the Michelin guide)

The headwind wasn't as bad as predicted, but it was still pretty harsh. Hopefully I'll have a nice tailwind for the ride home! Temp about 60F. Cloudy.

the ride in was lovely this morning
it was about 50 or so when i left the house and i made good time too

i have been seeing more bikers too!
i think i need to tinker on the bike a little bit tonight...adjust chain tension and clean chain and check tire pressure...all that good stuff

Got a late start and had to hammer most of the way to work. I was up to 14MPH at times.

I had two showers this morning, one with hot water and soap and the other with cold water and a driving wind. Had to be inventive at work building a clothes line from an extension cord and stringing it between two parts bins. I hope my cycling clothes are dry for the ride home. I dislike pulling on wet clothes. Plus 14 degrees C high today of 19.

Find a small desk fan and aim it at them. Helps a lot.

Saw many bikes out this morning, sight for sore (tired) eyes. I'll be at the RTP Headquarters breakfast tomorrow morning, rain or shine. Should get there by 8.

It was snowing this morning. Okay, i guess it was just little ice crystals that disappeared on contact with the ground without even making the pavement wet, but still.
I left early and the streets were deserted. It was awesome.

Yes, it was over here in Durham, where South Miami becomes 54. We didn't have nearly as big a turnout as usual--maybe 5 or 6 of us, where in years past we've had 12-15. Strangely enough, we saw a solid 6 or more cyclists ride past the restaurant. We waved to a few but no one stopped in.

I'll be there too, probably a little after 8 o'clock. Hope to see you there, as I've only ever met one other BF member (Big Ron). I'll be riding a red, white, and black Scattante or a Fuji Touring if the weather's really bad.

I heard from the BtWW breakfast coordinator this morning. She's arranged for us to have sausage and bacon biscuits.

Nice weather today, but very heavy traffic. Long backups at most of the lights. Slows down the commute quite a bit, as the backed up traffic often blocks the shoulder. Spotted another commuter going in opposite direction. That's the fourth or fifth this week, could be start of a trend.

Looks like the highway crew finally got out and cleaned the glass off the shoulders.

20 mph headwind promised for the return ride.

crumpled newspaper in shoes works really well...just replace with dry paper every hour or so
i keep a pile of already crumpled paper with my shoes at home so if my shoes are wet i just stuff em'

Right on, see ya there. Is Big Ron the guy that rides the Heron?

Nice. After putting in the full ride to work and back every day this week (48 a day), I am starving. I didn't think a "Clyde" like me would get this hungry, but it's happening. Been eating clean food so the biscuits will be a treat for sure.

really crummy, had to use car yesterday and today. the car is no fun at all. too dam slow; no wind; no excitement; can't pass people in the shoulder; have to follow morons in their cars. can't wait 'till tomorrow!

True. Took it easy on the way in, caught a new guy, another new guy caught me. Threatening thunderstorms, temp was nice and comfy. Felt bad for another commuter's bike I lock up, next to. Chain has gone from a deep brown to that blaze orange rust, nice orange Peugeot, too. He should take better care of it.

Bike to Work day in Mpls. Cold (45F) for this time of year. NO more bikers today, and no rides organized from my part of town (shoulda done it myself). Lots of people in cars failing on bike to work day, tho.

50F, damp

Change of pace.

The weather has been very mild in the mornings all week, about 60-70 F and moist. This morning there was virtually no mist; it was just muggy from last night's rain which had mostly evaporated. So from that standpoint, pretty much the same as the previous several commutes.

The change of pace came from my ride. I took a break from my standard commuter (94 Nishiki hybrid) and rode my 1983 Raleigh Marathon. I had done some maintenance and upgrades since the beginning of the year and frankly wasn't too happy with the bike anymore. This week I finally got the bottom bracket cups adjusted just right- no drag, no slop, no ticking on every revolution, no lateral movement in the chain ring relative to the front derailleur. It was heaven. I still find it hard to believe that someone threw this bike into a dumpster. It runs so well, the wheels are so true, the bearings so smooth. Love it.