Steady rain at 42 F ( 5 C ) and somewhat warm. The rain got heavier about halfway through the ride. Everything is soaked and draining on the floor in my cubicle. Before I went to bed the weather
did not include rain until this afternoon, so I didn't pack for the rain. So this morning, I had to repack
my clothes. I had to try out some new shoe covers, as my older ones are getting ratty. They looked like
they wouuld be easier to get on, but they weren't and my shoes had wet spots, so I hope they prove to be warm in the cold weather. As I was typing, I noticed a river coming out from under my laptop. I had
to hang my gloves under my lights, but now I need to find another place because they have too much water in them.

I have never seen the Crescent Trail without loads of people. I usually try to take the C&O canal when
heading down to Gerogetown, because the Crescent trail is so packed with people coming and going.

I know, but it was a different world at 9pm. And I didn't see anyone on the Canal towpath on the stretch where they're side-by-side.

Routine fall ride. Damp roads & puddles from the night's rain but otherwise dry. mid-40s. Still enjoying my new headlight.

Rain, rain, rain. Drove in. And I even lubed my bike last night. Wimp.

And this is why I keep wimping out when it rains... stories like these. Also, one of the MUPs I use has tons of leaves on it right now, and wet leaves scare me. I said I was a wimp...

How much does your Garmin thingy cost? You like? From that link you sent it makes me feel like I know a little too much about you

Dark and wet, but not particularly cold. I wore all my rain gear, and stayed pretty dry, but I was way too warm by the time I got to the train station. And then I froze on the train.

Most interesting thing, I heard an animal screaming in the woods next to the canal towpath. It was high up in a tree, and made a sound like an electric motor with a bad bearing. Very creepy.

Nice riding this morning, it was about 40º when I left the house.
I see other bikers in the morning wearing shorts and no ear covering, it makes me cold just looking at them. I scarfed some leftover cake before the ride, I don't usually eat until I get to work, but I was especially hungry this AM.

Yikes!

It was cooler here this morning: about 73F, but still very humid. Got out just as it started to sprinkle, but got ahead of the rain and had a dry ride all the way. SE wind meant tailwind for the Northbound portions of my ride (first 6 mi and last 5), but vicious headwind crossing Tampa Bay (7 mi). Had to wear my sandals again. I'm still arriving at the parking garage completely drenched in sweat. Cooler weather has been promised for next week. Maybe then I get to try my new bike shoes that actually cover up my toes, and my new bright yellow long sleeve Under Armor top.

1st truly dark, complete before sunrise, of the season

Another nice riding morning, temp around 40 deg, light wind, and rising gas prices. Within a week gas prices jumped nearly ten cents. I saw it posted at $2.86 at a self serve this morning on my in to work. Makes you want to keep biking.

It was about 35 deg when I left this morning. Since I ride East, the sun is usually blinding, but not too bad today. I actually met up with two other cyclist this morning. Typically, I'm the only one.
Going home it should be in the 60s with a crosswind (as always!)

No ride today. Home with sick kid. Fretting that snow is moving in for Wed. and Thurs. Not sure if I'll be able to ride. Glum.

Left late, put the panniers on the wrong side and had to switch them around, stopped to remove two layers and somehow got to work in less time than usual. All in all a good ride that ended with the question of "don't you know it's supposed to rain this afternoon?"

That's a monster commute. I salute you. You do that daily?

Should be interesting in the next day or so:

"Tuesday's high is expected to be 88, and drop to 63 by Wednesday. Winds are expected to hover around 25 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 45 to 58 mph, the Weather Service said. Strong and gusty winds is forecast to generate widespread blowing dust that may result in local coarse particle concentrations that pose a health risk"

My normally 60F morning commute will be about 35F Thursday morning. No period of adjustment!

Windy.

Thursday night 10-22-2009, around 8:30pm, I was hit by a van and knocked off my bike.

It was around UTD campus where the roads are super wide and pleanty of room for vehicles and cyclists. The area is well known for many cyclist that train on those roads with minumal car traffic.

I was doing some cycling training, I was wearing a reflective vest, blinker light on my bike and helmet and I was on my far right. The road lane one way is about 4 cars wide one.

All I heard was a reved motor, and a corner of my left eye a white van with green trim side swiping me at my left hip and dead on my left arm ,on my tricep.

He/ or she hit me so hard I was unclipped from my bike rolled hard head first to the tar mat. I was wearing a helmet but I still seen sparks as I hit the road.

A car stopped behind me and woman from across the park ran to my aid . I laid for a few seconds to come to, then realize what happen and rolled myself of the street unto the grass/curb.

The van never stopped. It was a hit and run. I missed work the next day and got medical attention. No broken bones just soft tissue damage. Friday and all weekend it was ice and motrin.

I still get headaches and My left sholder, arm and left hip are sore. I am back at work and I'm getting range of motion in my arm back slowly.

My bike belive it or not didn't suffer damage. The chain fell off with the impact and back break had to be adjusted. Funny that this first thing I asked after I came too I was asking if my bike was ok.

I could be angry but at who? I was hit by surprise and from behind so I didn't even get a chance to see a face. I pray before riding and I feel it could of been much worse.

I give myself another week to lay off riding then get back to training, provided that I'm pass most of the pain and my arm is good enough to steer.

Rainy this morning, and looking like rainy tonight. Or at least still wet. Missed the worst of the rain, though and was OK just wearing my long sleeve tee (which got a little wet but is druing in my office now). I need to look into getting a lightweight rain shell. I've got a heavier jacket that's water resistant enough to use when it's colder and rainy, but these 50-60 degree rainy days are too warm for it...

I'm excited about my ride home, though. I'd neglected my brakes a little too long, and finally got a set of new pads and a replacement cable for the rear. Rotated front pads to the back, installed the new pads up front (so as to have the best, most reliable stopping power up front) and replaced the cable at lunch. (Nice to have bike parking in the basement of my building by the maintenance department - no one cares if I'm tooling around on my bike in the middle of the day).

I'm a dorky nerd, I guess, but I'm actually excited about riding with the new brakes (sadly it's the first thing I've changed/added on the bike in MONTHS).

No downpours, but I'm sure I'll have to quick clean/lube the chain tonight... rain, rain go away.

Magnificent777, sorry to hear about your crash, but I'm glad to hear that you weren't hurt more seriously and the bike is OK. Take it easy and I hope you're back to 100% ASAP.

My commute today... 1001 miles.

The word for my commute today was "Slush". I need some shoe covers or winter spd boots.

I just had to repost this from my local forum:

Wow! I'm glad you weren't hurt worse!