How was the commute today? Continued.
#126
Nice Ride In
40° F this morning here in CT. Came upon an indecisive raccoon in the middle of the road. He couldn't decide left or right. I "hissed" at him and he chose left. Funny! Broke a personal best record on this AM's commute 20 miles in 1 hour. The "green traffic light" gods shone upon me today.
#127
Who farted?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V
It was a spectacular ride in today
Today, I took the longer commute in. Normally I have about a 12 mile ride with a lot of it climbing up into the mountains to get to work. Today I took a different route; it is about 18 miles and starts with about 10 miles of very steep narrow climbing.
After that the route rewards you with a wickedly fast, steep, technical down hill that has close to 100 changes of direction in about 4 ½ miles. Here is a shot looking down at the beginning of the down hill part, it is not very steep at this point.

That is followed by a few more miles of rolling hills then I’m at my office.
Today, I took the longer commute in. Normally I have about a 12 mile ride with a lot of it climbing up into the mountains to get to work. Today I took a different route; it is about 18 miles and starts with about 10 miles of very steep narrow climbing.
After that the route rewards you with a wickedly fast, steep, technical down hill that has close to 100 changes of direction in about 4 ½ miles. Here is a shot looking down at the beginning of the down hill part, it is not very steep at this point.

That is followed by a few more miles of rolling hills then I’m at my office.
Beautiful pic! Waved it off, today. Did a 60 mile event, yesterday, and I'm cooked.
#128
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Mine is a 1973. You can find out the year based on serial number (which is on the lower right head tube) here.
Mine is 100% original except tires right now. I plan on converting it from a Varsity Sport to a Varsity Tourist (i.e. put upright bars on it). There wasn't any such model as a Varsity Tourist; mine will be unique. I plan to leave the rest of the bike as is but will be adding baskets to it. The only thing I need to do the conversion is some old-timey brake levers.
Mine is 100% original except tires right now. I plan on converting it from a Varsity Sport to a Varsity Tourist (i.e. put upright bars on it). There wasn't any such model as a Varsity Tourist; mine will be unique. I plan to leave the rest of the bike as is but will be adding baskets to it. The only thing I need to do the conversion is some old-timey brake levers.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
Last edited by Doohickie; 05-18-09 at 07:56 AM.
#129
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
It was a disappointing 42 F ( 5 C) this morning, but it felt better than it could have. It was an easy ride in on another patched tube. On friday, I picked up a very small triangular shaped piece of glass, which
went trhrough tire and tube. This is my 4th flat in 5 months and it is getting old. It is getting difficult scanning the road in front of me, while trying to keep track of cars behind me. Up until last week, it was still very dark at 5:10, and I made it to work, but coming home seems to be where I am picking up
glass and nails. One of the flats was a burst seam, so that was related to tire quality. Bring on the warmer temps.
went trhrough tire and tube. This is my 4th flat in 5 months and it is getting old. It is getting difficult scanning the road in front of me, while trying to keep track of cars behind me. Up until last week, it was still very dark at 5:10, and I made it to work, but coming home seems to be where I am picking up
glass and nails. One of the flats was a burst seam, so that was related to tire quality. Bring on the warmer temps.
#130
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 183
From: south Puget Sound
50F and sunny; felt very warm still after a hot weekend
#131
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
I hadn't gone 20 ft before I was right hooked by some jackass in an SUV pulling into a parking lot w/o signaling. If I were king, I'd put him in front of a firing squad.
__________________
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
#132
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
No arm warmers, no knee warmers, no gloves. Nice.
#133
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
It was a chilly morning for mid-May in NC, about 52F when I left.
No exaggeration, in the last 2 weeks every time I've put my winter commuting gear away, within a day the weather's changed and temps have dropped again. I hope I can keep this streak alive all summer.
I like hot weather, but temps >100F are just no fun in this humidity.
No exaggeration, in the last 2 weeks every time I've put my winter commuting gear away, within a day the weather's changed and temps have dropped again. I hope I can keep this streak alive all summer.
I like hot weather, but temps >100F are just no fun in this humidity.
#134
Guest
Posts: n/a
chilly ride this morning at 45º
it would have been a good morning for gloves
should be warmer for the commute home
the rest of the week looks sunny!
it would have been a good morning for gloves
should be warmer for the commute home
the rest of the week looks sunny!
#135
Soul filled with grease
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Hills-Vegas, NC
Bikes: Early Surly XCheck;1960 Schwinn Speedster;1996 Giant CroMo Camper;1986 Fuji
Damp roads, and 40 degrees out meant that "Mr. Creaky Knees" was in full effect. Took a break at the halfway point to eat a banana and dose the Tylenol. Head winds the last 3 miles or so, but it was sunny out so no worries. Approached by 2 large dogs today. They never left their yard .... thank you thank you thank you. Switched the M-bars out for drops last night, gotta say, they are much better on this bike.
#136
Soul filled with grease
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Hills-Vegas, NC
Bikes: Early Surly XCheck;1960 Schwinn Speedster;1996 Giant CroMo Camper;1986 Fuji
Oh yeah, nice talking with you. We should get the RTP riders together once a month, or every couple of months. Maybe a neutral coffee spot everyone can get to. What ya think? It was good to hear the routes other riders take and the dangers / warnings of each route.
#137
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
#138
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 1
From: PNW - Victoria, BC
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
Got to watch part of a parade with my son on the way into work today..... now that's a good commute.
#139
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
On my way home this evening, 2 roadies passed me along with the line of cars they were holding up. Not only selfish, but dangerous as well.
#140
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 183
From: south Puget Sound
crazyass headwind all the way home; some relief that tomorrow is not a trailer-the-4-yr-old day... (but it's supposed to be rainy, which is generally not so windy)
#141
Fortunately, my day was better. A nice roll along the Charles River. I'm thinking about taking a day and riding my usual commute and taking some pictures. I realized today it's been almost 30 years since I moved to Boston and I've been commuting at least partially on the bike path ever since. 30 years ago the Charles River was just emerging from decades as a putrid, disgusting open drain of a river. Made somewhat famous by the Standell's in the song "Dirty Water" way back in the '60's.
I remember going to the Science Museum as a kid and sitting outside to eat our lunches and the smell of the river being so bad we threw them all away- probably into the river.
When I moved here in 1980 a lot of my bike racer friends rowed crew in the off season. If they fell in the water they were advised to go immediately to an emergency room and get a series of shots to prevent infections.
It's been an amazing transformation over the 30 years to watch it's inspiring recovery. There are turtles basking on logs, cormorants, hawks, egrets, owls, foxes and huge carp abound. There was nothing like that when I first rode along it's banks. And the bike path is finally getting some much needed attention with repaving, guard rails and widening.
So, how was my commute today? Better than it would have been 30 years ago.
Last edited by buzzman; 05-18-09 at 09:19 PM.
#142
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Golden Isles, Georgia
Bikes: Bianchi Alante
Yesterdays ride was unseasonably cool and very wet. I left home with a North Face jacket on and wore it a third of the way ( I took it off at about 5 miles). I left work early into a thick rain and brutal headwind, my jacket wet from the morning. The WX people were calling for 30 knots, I don't think it was quite that but enough to set me back a bit certainly.
My new Nashbar panniers were fixed to the bike and performed flawlessly. I gave them a coat of scotch guard the night before to ward off rain karma and it seemed to work. Very pleased for 22.00-
I also attached a mirror to the bike and I realized that I should have done that long ago.
Listened to the Ipod and am settling on thinking its a good thing most of the time. Playlist this morning- Indigo girls, Ryan Bingham, Vitamin strings, WSP. (It was a hippy morning)
Be safe,
DB
My new Nashbar panniers were fixed to the bike and performed flawlessly. I gave them a coat of scotch guard the night before to ward off rain karma and it seemed to work. Very pleased for 22.00-
I also attached a mirror to the bike and I realized that I should have done that long ago.
Listened to the Ipod and am settling on thinking its a good thing most of the time. Playlist this morning- Indigo girls, Ryan Bingham, Vitamin strings, WSP. (It was a hippy morning)
Be safe,
DB
#143
Seeing things
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Bikes: '73 Bertin, '04 LeMond Poprad, Miyata 1000, and counting...
Like most of eastern North America, unusually cool @ 41F/5C, according to BWI (Baltimore-Washington International) at 5:00AM. I think their record for the date is 39F.
For some reason, I just didn't have "it" this morning. I don't think it was the cool temps; otherwise I wouldn't have had "it" all winter.
Oh wait, maybe I didn't...
For some reason, I just didn't have "it" this morning. I don't think it was the cool temps; otherwise I wouldn't have had "it" all winter.
Oh wait, maybe I didn't...
#144
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
I had a big bowl of oatmeal right before I left this morning. Wont be doing that again, very sick. I was very miserable the entire ride. but did not slow me down much. About 1 hour and 2 min, little faster than usual.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#145
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
Another chilly morning in NC, about 45 F when I rode to work. Had a tailwind much of the way, which means it will be a tough ride home unless the wind changes. I rode into a stiff N headwind all the way home yesterday afternoon, and it was my slowest commute in quite a while. My legs were also tired from lots of riding over the weekend. I'm getting plenty of use from my cool-weather gear this week. Last weekend I bought some new long-finger gloves on sale at REI (Pearl Cyclones), and they are performing well. My previous LF gloves (Pearl Gels) were my favorite pair of gloves but they were starting to fall apart and Pearl doesn't make that style any more (actually, they changed them so much that the new style doesn't suit my purposes).
#146
Nice rides yesterday, chilly AM but nice PM - though a strong headwind and a belly full of gyros slowed the home trip. Had to drive because of a PM appointment today.
#147
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Geeze, the weather guy on the local NPR station forcast stated "Sunny until at least Sunday". Surely I did not hear it right.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#148
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Sunny. Light headwind. ~40F. I was riding on the street. I reeled in a woman riding on the sidewalk, and she got all snarled up at an intersection trying to cross the entrance to a high school then having to negotiate the main intersection which has a traffic light, a right-turn lane, etc. She dismounted and walked. I wondered why she wasn't just using the road, in the straight-ahead lane, like I was.
#149
Older than dirt
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,342
Likes: 2
From: Winchester, VA
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
Sunny but chilly. 36 degrees when I got on the bike. No legs today for some reason, maybe the cold, so I just didn't try to kill myself. Took 10 minutes longer than normal to get in..
#150
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Cold wind in my face all the way in this morning but I arrived dry. Yesterday was a Provincial Holiday here in Ontario and I went for a motorbike ride to the country to check out possible bicycle rides because it was kind of cold. To my surprise I saw many cyclist riding the back rural roads. Many in tights but some braved the chill and wore shorts. Is it just me or is there a resurgence of our two wheeled sport? Is it the same in your area? Has this something to do with Lance coming out of retirement?





