How was the commute today? Continued.
#2101
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Upper 30s / low 40s. Crosswind. It's getting darker & darker every week. I went with full leg covering this time, and my heavier-weight long sleeves. No jacket.
There was some old ratty mountain bike lying on its side in the middle of the MUP. I stopped, picked it up, and put it on its kickstand off on the grass next to the MUP. No bodies seen nearby.
Saw a couple of cyclists heading the other way, both regulars. Squirells too numerous to count.
There was some old ratty mountain bike lying on its side in the middle of the MUP. I stopped, picked it up, and put it on its kickstand off on the grass next to the MUP. No bodies seen nearby.

Saw a couple of cyclists heading the other way, both regulars. Squirells too numerous to count.
#2102
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
Warm.... really warm, like almost 80.... this morning, and plenty humid. I started out and there were broken clouds but as I rolled into work a few of those great big drops that come with thunderstorms were starting to fall, and there was lightning on the horizon. The storm still hasn't blown in yet, but I think it's coming.
I rode for several blocks with a fellow commuter. He said he used to live in Austin and found that Fort Worth drivers are far more polite and accommodating than they are in Austin.
I rode for several blocks with a fellow commuter. He said he used to live in Austin and found that Fort Worth drivers are far more polite and accommodating than they are in Austin.
#2103
It's true, man.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Yeah, been awhile since I had such a fast tailwind on the morning ride. I left 2 minutes late and got to the station 2 minutes earlier than usual.
Supposed to be pretty stormy for the ride home - high winds, hard rain, lightning and large hail....
I agree that, in the main, Ft W drivers are more considerate of bikers than any other Texas city I've ridden in.
Supposed to be pretty stormy for the ride home - high winds, hard rain, lightning and large hail....
I agree that, in the main, Ft W drivers are more considerate of bikers than any other Texas city I've ridden in.
#2104
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
#2105
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Westlake Village, CA
Pretty windy here today and yesterday. Ride home last night was superfast, but still only makes a few minutes difference in travel time. Slower ride in this morning. Morning sunrises are great.
We also have pretty wide temperature swings between morning and evening, so I'm lugging a bunch of gear home each night.
Finally, I'm having some issues with my shifters in the colder temps. I may need to replace the cables and housings.
Paul
We also have pretty wide temperature swings between morning and evening, so I'm lugging a bunch of gear home each night.
Finally, I'm having some issues with my shifters in the colder temps. I may need to replace the cables and housings.
Paul
#2106
Count me as one of the ones who've NEVER had any issues with PB clips (superflash, rack blinky 5, helmet 3 or any others)
#2107
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Woke up to an inch of early season snow on the houses, grass and cars. Streets were wet. 34-35 degrees F (2C) and cloudy. Schools were out today, which was nice since I left the house later than usual.
I rode most of the way in with a guy on a Specialized Sirrus with a flat bar, and we kept a strong pace the whole way in. He showed me a route that includes a series of lights that are timed PERFECTLY for a 23-25 MPH cruise. It was GREAT! I'd say we hit about 8-9 lights on solid green, and he told me it works every time - it is one of the few streets in the city that still uses timed lights. I will now use that street every morning.
I placed my order last night with J-G in portland - jacket, pants, helmet cover and booties. I'll be damned If I let another 40 degree rainy morning keep me off the bike
I rode most of the way in with a guy on a Specialized Sirrus with a flat bar, and we kept a strong pace the whole way in. He showed me a route that includes a series of lights that are timed PERFECTLY for a 23-25 MPH cruise. It was GREAT! I'd say we hit about 8-9 lights on solid green, and he told me it works every time - it is one of the few streets in the city that still uses timed lights. I will now use that street every morning.
I placed my order last night with J-G in portland - jacket, pants, helmet cover and booties. I'll be damned If I let another 40 degree rainy morning keep me off the bike
#2108
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 184
From: south Puget Sound
caged today, 2 of 4 of us home sick, stayed home too late to verify all that and still bike in. Trusting 8 yr old to have put down his DS 20 min ago and walked to school.
#2109
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
Maybe this has been posted on the forums today, but if not, this is as good a place as any to post it. Today's Yehuda Moon comic strip:

Disclaimer: I'm sure Rick Smith does not condone that kind of game coming to real life. But it made me snork.

Disclaimer: I'm sure Rick Smith does not condone that kind of game coming to real life. But it made me snork.
#2110
Yeah, saw that this morning... thought it was awesome.
#2111
Lone Ranger
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Middlesex County, NJ
Bikes: Trek 7200FX(unfortunately)
I didn't think I was going to cycle in today; I had knee pain yesterday and the evening before due to some hasty adjustments I made to my handlebar and seat positions. I should have known better. Thankfully, when I woke up, my knee felt fine. Just in case, I kept myself in a lower(?) gear and spun up slowly so there were no strains on my knees. I went pretty slowly, and aside from the fact that my 12 mile commute took me 1 hour and 20 minutes today, I didn't have any pain. I have to stay healthy because my car was sold and I'd have to borrow one to get to work otherwise so my bicycle is now my primary form of transportation. It's okay if I can't ride in, but I'm trying as much as possible to be self-sufficient. I love that my friends will offer to drive me home when I visit, saying "you don't have to ride the bike home tonight, don't worry..." as if they are saving me from such a horrible fate.
#2112
Really? I've had mine for a while now and frequently switch between bikes, and no problems (yet). If you have any piece of the light, even just the clip, and you bought it at a brick-and-mortar store, take it back. They might give you a new one (this happened to me with a different brand and the LBS took care of me).
#2113
SoldierCyclist
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton, Texas (Dallas Metroplex)
Bikes: 2011 Motobecane Vent Noir Road Bike, 2012 Motobecane Elite Sport 29er Hybrid Bike, 2011 Kestrel Carbon Road bike
Today in Dallas was about mid 70's in the morning at 6:30am, now at mid day it's down pouring with rain. I threw my rain parka just in case without much thought now I'm so glad I did. I'm looking at a nice wet ride. To me it's a little spice and challenge away from my cushion office job. Face the elements and power threw some inclines. lol
Last edited by Magnificent777; 10-01-09 at 12:16 PM.
#2114
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
None today. My wife had an early meeting and left it to me to get the kids to kinder. Timing didn't work out that we could ride to school, so we did the minivan thing. Bleh.
#2115
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, IL
Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 0, Rivendell- Sam Hillborne, Montague folding bike.
35 this morning, rain forecast for this afternoon. Dug out the rain gear. Looks like a good test for my DIY lights, curious if the new LED bulbs will work in rain.
__________________
"Why is there a hill after every meal, but not a meal after every hill?"
--Overheard on Grabaawr
"Why is there a hill after every meal, but not a meal after every hill?"
--Overheard on Grabaawr
#2116
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 4
From: London, UK
Bikes: 2006 road bike, 2012 cx bike, 2012 carbon rb, 2014 hardtail
On the way home, temp was 18C, dark out there but all city stuff except the last little bit. The moon looked good through the clouds. Reminded me of werewolves. Told my wife a werewolf story when I got back, she told me to shut up.
Got new batteries for rear light. Been riding without an airpump. Better fix that for tomorrow. Little traffic when leaving later in the evenings. Thinking next week I'll start using the Tricross (I've put it off long enough).
Felt like bike needs lubing so I'll do that this weekend as well as give bike a wash if have time, but def clean/lube chain.
Got new batteries for rear light. Been riding without an airpump. Better fix that for tomorrow. Little traffic when leaving later in the evenings. Thinking next week I'll start using the Tricross (I've put it off long enough).
Felt like bike needs lubing so I'll do that this weekend as well as give bike a wash if have time, but def clean/lube chain.
#2117
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
The ride home today made me feel like R A N T W I C K. Rain, wind, the rumble of thunder, more rain, wild temperature swings. I love it.

The blurriness is a testament to how wet the cell phone was.

Cats & dogs...

The blurriness is a testament to how wet the cell phone was.

Cats & dogs...
#2118
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Little chilly this morning at 49f. Nice on the way home. 
On vacation starting tommorrow through next week. Planned a dental cleaning at 11:30am so that I could ride to it about 10 miles away. Visit my mom one day so I can get some miles in.
On vacation starting tommorrow through next week. Planned a dental cleaning at 11:30am so that I could ride to it about 10 miles away. Visit my mom one day so I can get some miles in.
#2119
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Glorious weather for the ride home today. 47 degrees and blue, blue sky with brilliant sunshine and a lovely blanket of fresh snow on the mountains.
packed all of the cooler weather gear into the panniers and donned my shorts, wicking tee and wind jacket for the ride home.
Stellar.
packed all of the cooler weather gear into the panniers and donned my shorts, wicking tee and wind jacket for the ride home.
Stellar.
#2120
Retired Commuter

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Mostly Maine and some in the west or south
Bikes: Specialised tri-cross
42 in Columbia seems awful cool for this time of year>
I lived down there about 10 years ago prior to moving back to Maine.
I lived down there about 10 years ago prior to moving back to Maine.
#2121
Meh... Feeling under the weather. Experienced closest buzzing in a few months (albeit not at very high speed).
#2122
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Hastings, Nebraska
Bikes: Mongoose Paver
It was 53f when I headed to work at 3:20 pm today with a 30 mph headwind gusting to 45! It was my first time commuting when it was so windy. Felt like I was riding up hill the whole way. First time I've been gald my commuting was only two and a half miles. Hoping the wind will push me on my ride home at 12.
#2123
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Naples FL
Bikes: Madone
on the way to work, it was pretty nice, an unusually low number of close calls with idiots (boston college students are terrible drivers.)
the trip home though was awful. 3 exceedingly close calls.
1) Idiot pulls out of his parking space (well technically he pulled out of where he parked in the middle of the bike lane) and didn't see me coming, which I had properly expected...so i pull out into the lane to pretty much the dotted yellow line in the center...assuming this would be more than enough space for him to pull out...well apparently this guy was terrible at both parking and driving all together so he keeps his wheels turned until he's managed to not only miss me by a few inches but also put half of his car in the oncoming traffic lane causing an oncoming vehicle to screach to a hault narrowly missing captain bad driver
2) Some dimwith dropped their cell phone out their window while driving...screached to a hault and the passengers and driver proceeded to run a chinese fire drill in the middle of the road. In other words, I almost got doored by 2 passengers.
3) MIT shuttle bus driver apparently was in too much of a hurry to stop, so he guns it past me, slams on his brakes and cuts over the bike lane, WITH NO SIGNAL, to pick up ONE FREAKING PERSON missing me by a foot or so. So I ride up next to his window...tap...proceed to yell at him while a cop drives by. Explained what happened, and thankfully the police officer gave the big mean bus driver a ticket. One thing I'm quite happy about is that since the mayor started biking around the city, there's been a HUGE increase in friendliness of police towards cyclists, especially in situations of an argumentative nature.
OK....so theres my rant. On the positive side, it was perfectly cool out today, shorts and jacket cool with no sweat...absolutely perfect weather.
the trip home though was awful. 3 exceedingly close calls.
1) Idiot pulls out of his parking space (well technically he pulled out of where he parked in the middle of the bike lane) and didn't see me coming, which I had properly expected...so i pull out into the lane to pretty much the dotted yellow line in the center...assuming this would be more than enough space for him to pull out...well apparently this guy was terrible at both parking and driving all together so he keeps his wheels turned until he's managed to not only miss me by a few inches but also put half of his car in the oncoming traffic lane causing an oncoming vehicle to screach to a hault narrowly missing captain bad driver
2) Some dimwith dropped their cell phone out their window while driving...screached to a hault and the passengers and driver proceeded to run a chinese fire drill in the middle of the road. In other words, I almost got doored by 2 passengers.
3) MIT shuttle bus driver apparently was in too much of a hurry to stop, so he guns it past me, slams on his brakes and cuts over the bike lane, WITH NO SIGNAL, to pick up ONE FREAKING PERSON missing me by a foot or so. So I ride up next to his window...tap...proceed to yell at him while a cop drives by. Explained what happened, and thankfully the police officer gave the big mean bus driver a ticket. One thing I'm quite happy about is that since the mayor started biking around the city, there's been a HUGE increase in friendliness of police towards cyclists, especially in situations of an argumentative nature.
OK....so theres my rant. On the positive side, it was perfectly cool out today, shorts and jacket cool with no sweat...absolutely perfect weather.
#2124
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
Humidity must be up, because it was a warm 44 F ( 6 C) this morning. I started off dressed warm, but
quickly ditched everything into the bags. It started to drip, but it didn't keep it up, but there is rain
in the forecast. Yesterday afternoon going home was the typical displays of road rage of people
trying to get ahead of everyone else in their cars. Sometimes not paying attention to someone riding
a bike as close to the right curb as possible. Nothing new, but it does make you skittish sometimes.
quickly ditched everything into the bags. It started to drip, but it didn't keep it up, but there is rain
in the forecast. Yesterday afternoon going home was the typical displays of road rage of people
trying to get ahead of everyone else in their cars. Sometimes not paying attention to someone riding
a bike as close to the right curb as possible. Nothing new, but it does make you skittish sometimes.
#2125
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
Yes, it has been a cool summer and an earlier fall. I don't know what the means for winter, but I'll be
riding in it regardless of the temps. You would probably not recognize Columbia anymore. They are
into building on top of everything that is already built. Rouse's vision seemed to die with him. They
are now discussing developing symphony woods into a park and of course more buildings. One has to ask
what is wrong with a small patch of woods in a densley populated area that it has to be made into a park?





