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Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

How was the commute today? Continued.

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Old 10-21-09 | 08:36 AM
  #2376  
jpdesjar
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Pleasant riding this morning.
I had a dentist appt, so I tried to slow things down a bit so I wouldn't arrive too sweaty.
It's supposed to be warm again this afternoon, hooray!
 
Old 10-21-09 | 09:25 AM
  #2377  
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mid 80's here in P.R. nice sunny day, lots of wind! did my 7 mile commute in 35 minutes! feeling really good about it!
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Old 10-21-09 | 09:32 AM
  #2378  
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From: Southwestern Ontario

Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB

Didn't realize it was raining until I got to the front door. Almost chickened out and asked my wife to drop me off, but realized I'll never make it through winter if I let a little rain scare me. Luckily I have my raingear hanging right there. Donned the suit (a $40 outfit from the "outdoors" department in Canadian Tire), put the raincover on my Arkel Commuter pannier, and hit the road. The hood on my jacket is so large it fits over my helmet and my leather Sketchers are keeping my feet dry so far. Love the looks I get as I pull up to school, lock up my bike, and walk in all gussied up. Took a few extra minutes to get dressed and undressed but still made it to class on time bone dry (except for some perspiration.) Pannier dry too thanks to the raincover. Feels good to be a commuter.
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Old 10-21-09 | 09:58 AM
  #2379  
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From: south Puget Sound
caged, today and the rest of the week. Too many places to take too many kids.
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Old 10-21-09 | 10:16 AM
  #2380  
Seasoned biker
 
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From: Western New York

Bikes: Jamis Aurora, 27 speed, red/silver

Great commute this morning. Mid 50's, no wind, but very dark/cloudy. I had all the lights on just to let drivers know that I was around. Not too many commuters in my area so having a bike show up is startling to many. Yesterday was a close call with a motorist starting from a side street who was obviously distracted with her cell phone conversation. I always try to anticipate these situations and take precaution, but the timing couldn't have been worse. I wound up in the oncoming lane to avoid her advancing from my right. She looked shocked but kept right on talking. Hopefully she will learn from that but then again probably not. Just need to be even more vigilant.
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Old 10-21-09 | 10:48 AM
  #2381  
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From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty

Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

Yeah, you can complain about cell-phone-talking drivers, and yes, they are definitely distracted, but they are a fact of life if you ride the roads at all. If you can't stop them (and at least in the short term, you can't) the best defense is to be vigilant.

PS: I grew in Cheektowaga; where in WNY are you?
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Old 10-21-09 | 10:53 AM
  #2382  
jpdesjar
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I make sure I let them know that they should be paying attention.
 
Old 10-21-09 | 10:57 AM
  #2383  
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From: Overland Park, KS

Bikes: 1999 Giant TCR 2T 2009 Giant Cypress DX 2015 Giant Anyroad 1

Looked like it might rain this morning but I wasn't going to get stuck driving two days in a row. Turned out to be a great ride. Low 60's and my average speed was about 2 mph faster than usual.

Now, if the rain holds off for the ride home.
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Old 10-21-09 | 12:22 PM
  #2384  
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Bikes: Nishiki Custom Sport SS/Specialized Hard Rock

To talk about the commute today, I must mention the situation that has been taking place previously...bare with me...

So I got a new 20 yr old clunker and have been riding it to work. I converted it to a single speed and gave it a general overhaul. It was/is a nice bike except for the fact that the seat post has been stuck in the seat tube, making it too short for me. I tried and tried and tried every solution possible to get it unstuck, but without success. Finally I went to my LBS yesterday and was working on the bike when I casually made note to the fact that the saddle was stuck. With a huge grin the shop owner said "Do you wanna get it out?" I said of course! So he goes and grabs a humongous pipe wrench and asks if I was sure...so I said yes once more.

Long story short we spent about 30 minutes to wrench the seat post out, but the chrome shell was left welded inside of my seat tube, so we had to peel and drill it out. Finally after nearly 3 hours I was able to put a new seat post in the tube! Then the only post they had that would fit was too long, so today I had to chop a 2 inch section off the end of it, and now the seat is perfect for me.

So...today's ride was gorgeous, 42 degrees and clear on the way in and 65 degrees and not a cloud in the sky on the way home. What a wonderful day that the Lord has made!
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Old 10-21-09 | 12:59 PM
  #2385  
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From: Tempe, AZ
nice! not too hot, not too windy. encountered two wrong way sidewalk riders.
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Old 10-21-09 | 01:03 PM
  #2386  
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Was a pretty frosty morning with temps hovering around freezing, humidity is close to 100% but the roads are dry and clear.
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Old 10-21-09 | 03:34 PM
  #2387  
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From: Vancouver, BC

Bikes: Asama "Luddite" and Kuwahara MTB from the 90s

Took the bus(es) was pissing rain this AM. Annoyingly, even though I didn't ride my bike, my appetite is annoying sky high, just from walking around campus. ARgh.

A bowl of cheerios, an apple, a banana, an orange and a huge tea should be enough to last to later than 2 pm!
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Old 10-21-09 | 05:40 PM
  #2388  
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From: Denver

Bikes: 06 Jamis Quest, 09 Surly LHT, Cannondale mtn. bike

It was snowing/raining lightly this morning. As is usually the case on cold, wet days, I debated with myself a bit before mustering up the motivation to ride. And, as usual, I was glad I did. It helps enormously in the motivation department to have a new bike. Kept mostly dry and some new gloves helped a lot. Now I'm staring out the window at a steadier rain turning to snow. Should be fun.
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Old 10-21-09 | 06:20 PM
  #2389  
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From: North Central Florida

Bikes: Giant Rincon '08, Nashbar CX Homebrew

My first day back on the bike and back to work after coming down with a cold over the weekend. The weather is warmer here in North Florida and it was a beautiful ride in and wonderful on the way out. Not quite what you'd call Fall weather, but damn close!
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Old 10-22-09 | 04:30 AM
  #2390  
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From: Columbia, Maryland

Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter

It felt good this morning and the temps the last couple of days have been very nice. This morning 44 F ( 6 C ), and this afternoon, back into the 70s F (lower 20s C). Just can't get enough of this good weather.
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Old 10-22-09 | 04:36 AM
  #2391  
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From: Winchester, VA

Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11

Love this weather! 45 degrees when I got on the bike, made for a nice crisp ride. Supposed to be 75'ish going home. Saw two other cyclists this am, I'm sure they'll be out in droves later...
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Old 10-22-09 | 06:36 AM
  #2392  
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foggy! but fun.
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Old 10-22-09 | 07:22 AM
  #2393  
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From: Brooklyn, NY
60 degrees in NYC now. Great ride. Left a little earlier than usual today, made it much easier with less cars.
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Old 10-22-09 | 07:29 AM
  #2394  
jpdesjar
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The streets were a little wet this morning, but nothing was falling from the sky. It was about 43º when I started my commute.
I added some air to the tires and put fresh lube on the chain so everything rolled along smoothly.

 
Old 10-22-09 | 08:40 AM
  #2395  
GATC
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From: south Puget Sound
surprise bonus day; my wife needs the car to get home so I drive it in for her, carrying my bike and the trailer, drop our daughter and trailer on the way, then bike home w/ daughter and pick up son. She drives home later.
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Old 10-22-09 | 08:54 AM
  #2396  
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From: Bethesda, MD

Bikes: All-City Space Horse, Trek 5000 WSD

Low 50s, cloudy but a very pretty sky. Later start than usual so didn't see too many other cyclists. It was a really nice ride this morning - I love riding this time of year!
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Old 10-22-09 | 10:48 AM
  #2397  
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From: Overland Park, KS

Bikes: 1999 Giant TCR 2T 2009 Giant Cypress DX 2015 Giant Anyroad 1

High 50's but drizzling. Arrived at the office a bit on the damp side. Looks like it'll be raining all day so a wet ride home appears to be in the cards.

I really need to get some rain gear.
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Old 10-22-09 | 10:54 AM
  #2398  
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From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty

Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

Originally Posted by ZmanKC
High 50's but drizzling. Arrived at the office a bit on the damp side. Looks like it'll be raining all day so a wet ride home appears to be in the cards.

I really need to get some rain gear.
Same for me all around. Our big rain day was yesterday though; I rode home in a pelting downpour. High 50s and drizzle this morning. Now the sun is out at least for a few days. And yes, I need some proper rain gear as well.

Assuming I ride in tomorrow, this will be my first 5-day commute-by-bike week in some time.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 10-22-09 | 11:04 AM
  #2399  
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SERENITY NOW!!!
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From: In the 212

Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce

Beautiful out. Commuting back from lunch I almost got doored by some dude exiting a taxi. I yelled at him to watch out and continued on my way. Can't wait to get outta here and enjoy what's left of the day.
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Old 10-22-09 | 11:44 AM
  #2400  
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From: Madison, Wi.

Bikes: Jamis Quest Elite; Fuji Sagres; Trek Fuel EX 8

First commute ever today! It's only 2.9 miles each way, but I start at 5am.

Finally I said, "Too early be damned!".

It was nice and crisp and cool. It only takes me 10 minutes, yet my back got a bit sweaty with a backpack. I just ordered online the Sette Messenger bag from PricePoint for $12.98, so hopefully that will help a bit with the wet back.

I'm glad I joined the club! It'll make those 60 mile rural rides on my days off that much better.
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