How was the commute today? Continued.
#7526
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
Decent temps but another nasty headwind, it seems I've been battling pretty significant headwinds on a (nearly) daily basis this Fall/Winter. I quickly got used to the unusually lows temps but, the winds are the type that cut right through you, stripping heat from your body, a break would be nice.
Otherwise, I felt pretty good. I'm finally over my cold and, although my legs take a little longer to loosen up, I've been feeling pretty strong on the bike. I had to pick up our car from my wife's parking garage yesterday and my sprint over to 20th and K, in traffic, wasn't as nerver-wrenching as I anticipated-that was a fun change of pace. This morning's ride was otherwise uneventful but it looks like my bottom bracket will soon need to be replaced. I had a hard time locating a metallic, scraping/sheering noise that appeared about halfway into my ride. I stopped to check tires/brakes/wheels/hubs, etc but, I discovered that the noise was only evident when I pedalled. I think leaving the bike outside last night may have frozen the grease/seals in a bb that is probably overdue for replacement. I'll give the bike a good once over before leaving today.
Hopefully they'll let us out early today, Happy Holidays everyone, ride safe.
Otherwise, I felt pretty good. I'm finally over my cold and, although my legs take a little longer to loosen up, I've been feeling pretty strong on the bike. I had to pick up our car from my wife's parking garage yesterday and my sprint over to 20th and K, in traffic, wasn't as nerver-wrenching as I anticipated-that was a fun change of pace. This morning's ride was otherwise uneventful but it looks like my bottom bracket will soon need to be replaced. I had a hard time locating a metallic, scraping/sheering noise that appeared about halfway into my ride. I stopped to check tires/brakes/wheels/hubs, etc but, I discovered that the noise was only evident when I pedalled. I think leaving the bike outside last night may have frozen the grease/seals in a bb that is probably overdue for replacement. I'll give the bike a good once over before leaving today.
Hopefully they'll let us out early today, Happy Holidays everyone, ride safe.
#7527
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
27F/-3C and sloppy. It snowed yesterday afternoon and evening. The Ice Spikers made quick work of the snow and ice but the roads had a lot of that soupy salty muck on them. I'm going to have to wash the bike when I get home.
Some woman pulled out of a convenience store and was driving so slowly that I had to slow down in order to avoid passing her. I was riding on snow.
Some woman pulled out of a convenience store and was driving so slowly that I had to slow down in order to avoid passing her. I was riding on snow.
#7528
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
29f Nice morning hardly any wind roads were a little damp but a nice quick ride in.
#7529
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)
Nice enough morning, though the winds were pretty stiff. Two days since my last ride, and although some of the ice was gone there was still plenty. I definitely felt better -- only two moments of tightened sphincter. I did switch to roads where reasonably possible to avoid some of the bigger hills and worst conditions.
#7530
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC, Canada
Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15
My legs felt very wooden today. The winds on the mountain this morning didn't help either. Every once in a while I let my guard down and share food with my son and bam! I get hit with a cold. Overall a wet windy ride in this morning.
#7531
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
whet.
#7532
Yesterday was the anniversary of my worst day bike commuting, when I wiped out on ice in the a.m. and then got smashed by a car on the way home.
So just after leaving home, I took a right too fast and suffered a minor fracture to my arm.
Next December 22, I'm taking the bus.
So just after leaving home, I took a right too fast and suffered a minor fracture to my arm.
Next December 22, I'm taking the bus.
#7533
Born Again Pagan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 2
From: Southwestern Ontario
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
^^^ Ouch! Hope you're feeling better. Taking the bus on Dec. 22 from now on sounds like a good idea. Are you using studs?
My commute today: Cold... darn cold. Weather Network said -9 degrees C with a windchill of -17 (~16 degrees F and 1 respectively), but somehow it felt colder than that. On the upside the snow has been compacted by traffic and iced over; perfect conditions for my Schwalbe MW's. I love climbing grades with ease that have cars slipping and sliding. Gotta love those studs! Had some fun in a deserted parking lot while showing off to my incredulous friends who think I'm nuts for riding my bike when I have a perfectly good car parked in the driveway. My retort was, "Maybe so... but none of you have this stupid grin on your faces like I do right now!" Not to mention the healthy glow of my ruddy cheeks and nose.
My commute today: Cold... darn cold. Weather Network said -9 degrees C with a windchill of -17 (~16 degrees F and 1 respectively), but somehow it felt colder than that. On the upside the snow has been compacted by traffic and iced over; perfect conditions for my Schwalbe MW's. I love climbing grades with ease that have cars slipping and sliding. Gotta love those studs! Had some fun in a deserted parking lot while showing off to my incredulous friends who think I'm nuts for riding my bike when I have a perfectly good car parked in the driveway. My retort was, "Maybe so... but none of you have this stupid grin on your faces like I do right now!" Not to mention the healthy glow of my ruddy cheeks and nose.
Last edited by irclean; 12-26-10 at 11:12 PM.
#7535
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')
Yesterday was the anniversary of my worst day bike commuting, when I wiped out on ice in the a.m. and then got smashed by a car on the way home.
So just after leaving home, I took a right too fast and suffered a minor fracture to my arm.
Next December 22, I'm taking the bus.
So just after leaving home, I took a right too fast and suffered a minor fracture to my arm.
Next December 22, I'm taking the bus.
I love climbing grades with ease that have cars slipping and sliding. Gotta love those studs! Had some fun in a deserted parking lot while showing off to my incredulous friends who think I'm nuts for riding my bike when I have a perfectly good car parked in the driveway. My retort was, "Maybe so... but none of you have this stupid grin on your faces like I do right now!" Not to mention the healthy glow of my ruddy cheeks and nose.
It's been single digits here all week (in Farenheit, that's -13 to -18 for you Canadians). Took advantage of the temperature inversion on Xmas to go into the backcountry and get a little elevation, climbed out of 2F and up to 22F. Skiing was meh, but the view was spectacular. Cafe was shockingly slow today, everyone must be full/broke from Xmas excess.
It looks like I'll be splitting the commute between school and work this semester, three to one and three to the other. The work commute is a paltry 5 miles round trip (compared to 15 miles round trip to campus), so those will likely double as XC ski days with the Lady. But I need to pay for this new 8-speed IGH, make enough for a White Industries ENO Eccentric flip/flop for the MTB by June (plus new handlebars, brakes, and tires; and a new wheelset, brakes, and drop bars for the 'cross bike by August), cover books and tuition for '11/'12, and raise enough to travel a bit before Fall semester next year.
Still, going back to work over this holiday break has reminded me of how much I prefer working to going to school. Stress is stress, and I work in one of the busiest restaurants in Anchorage, but with work the stress ends with the work day. With school, it ends with the semester.
#7536
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
Windy this morning with an air temp of 25 F ( -3 C), but the windchill is 16 F and (-6 C). The wind misbehaved in so many spots today, that I was in low gears that I rarely use. This area dodged the nor'easter. The eastern shore got slammed, but west of Baltimore, literally got nothing. It is nice to be on the other side of the line. Now if the winds will just calm down...
#7537
Staying home. The snow on the streets is knee-deep and nothing has been plowed as of 8am. They probably focus on highways and main roadways. I've put my studded tires on yesterday and was looking forward to the morning commute, but the snow is too deep to go through and winds are like 30mph.
#7538
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
31f Not bad this morning, a little wind nothing to complain about though, overall nice way to start the week.
#7539
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
The story of the day is, "wind" and more wind-what's new?. The temps were cold but, it was the sustained, high winds coming from the West that were the biggest factor for this morning's ride in. The winds were so strong at times-like when I was crossing the 14th Street bridge-that I thought I'd have to push the bike for a while. The ski goggles were a big help and have already proven to be one of my favorite winter accessories, not only do they keep my eyes warm and free of debris but, they keep a large portion of my face warm-saving me from having to wear a balaclava much of the time. Other than that, there was almost no snow to speak of and DC's streets were covered more with salt than any snow, much of it landing on my bike and turning the downtube and bb shell white, tires too. Someone at work mentioned that the winds were supposed to increase throughout the day-I hope that's not the case.
#7540
Sometimes rides his bike.
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
Bikes: Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon 2, Specialized Tricross Comp
17 deg F here and I'll second comment on the wind. No glasses or face mask here....just frozen tears (and snot on my shoulder LOL).
#7541
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)
I read that there could be gusts up to 50 MPH!!!
#7542
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
No commute till next year. Just sitting on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee in front of a roaring fire with the lap top and watching the to pups play in the history making snow (first white Xmas in Atlanta since the 1880's).
#7543
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Crazy crazy wind. As others have pointed out, DC was spared the snow from the big storm (it did take me 6 hours to drive the first 75 miles home yesterday from my family's place in Hampton Roads, though). We may have been spared the snow, but we have not been spared the wind. NWS reports winds of 30ish mph (50 kph) with gusts to almost 50 mph (~85 kph). That was a headwind most of the time, or a crosswind at best. At a couple points where I have a slight downhill, I even had to pedal to maintain 8 mph.
Looking forward to having something like it as a tailwind tonight!
Looking forward to having something like it as a tailwind tonight!
#7544
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, CA
Bikes: Lynskey R230 DA DI2 ENVE 3.4 SES, 6KU Fixie, Cheap Aluminum Slapstick Trainer only bike
After the wipe out a week ago, first commuting (was riding on roller for exercise in the mean time though).
Much better to ride out than doing squirrel cage. Temp in 40f not much wind. Struggled not to overheat and sweat. Got to train station only to wait for train for 40 minutes standing still after 14 mile ride... Hot apple cider in thermo kept me barely okay. I need some happy medium when this happens as it gets too cold standing still after about 20 minutes (and it does happen occasionally). Would another shell on top help enough in this situation?
Much better to ride out than doing squirrel cage. Temp in 40f not much wind. Struggled not to overheat and sweat. Got to train station only to wait for train for 40 minutes standing still after 14 mile ride... Hot apple cider in thermo kept me barely okay. I need some happy medium when this happens as it gets too cold standing still after about 20 minutes (and it does happen occasionally). Would another shell on top help enough in this situation?
#7545
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
work for myself, and there isn't any work till next year, so i took a reallllly long route to my other business to have some pastries.
no rain, light wind, light cars. lovely
no rain, light wind, light cars. lovely
#7546
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
First commute in a while. I was off the week prior to Xmas but now I'm holding down the fort until the New Year. Today was nice so I rode the race bike, just to get in some miles at lunch time.
#7547
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,162
Likes: 647
From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
18" of snow and unplowed streets in Brooklyn. You could barely walk in it. No cars had even attempted my street yet. I did see one guy walking his bike. It was cold too, with 40mph+ winds.
I had the day off anyway, and I stopped riding after an accident I had 6 weeks ago.
I had the day off anyway, and I stopped riding after an accident I had 6 weeks ago.
#7548
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
48f sooo nice out i can't even believe its winter, mostly cloudy and a little windy but very very nice afternoon in boise, i feel for ya east coasters, my grandmother said she got 22" in western MA. We still got snow in the foot hills but thats about the only place

#7550
18" of snow and unplowed streets in Brooklyn. You could barely walk in it. No cars had even attempted my street yet. I did see one guy walking his bike. It was cold too, with 40mph+ winds.
I had the day off anyway, and I stopped riding after an accident I had 6 weeks ago.
I had the day off anyway, and I stopped riding after an accident I had 6 weeks ago.



