groovestew

Woohoo! I got my wish. Just lightly raining when I left work, but a full-fledged downpour and a good headwind by the time I got home. I got soaked to the bone! I don't really mind riding in the rain now and then, but next time, I need to remember to wear a headband or something. As water started dripping into my eyes, they started really stinging, to the point that I could barely see where I was going. That kinda sucked.

fletchh

Yep wild rains yesterday, but I got in the front door 5 minutes before it opened up. As I was bringing in my bike for the night, it was dripping. I woke up around 1050 pm, and it started it all over again. This area needs the rain. Nice ride in the this morning, a couple branches down and debris from gutters that couldn't handle the water flow.

jhhall

Got soaked last night!! Rain held off all day until I decided to ride home. And of course, when it rains...... I flat!!!

I didn't ride today since they're calling for rain all day and most of my stuff is still drying out.

mjw16

I hammered all the way home and got in just as the rain started, it really unloaded a couple of hours later. I had a decent ride in this morning, the bike is, once again, a pleasure to ride. Looks like dodging the rain drops may be a challange this afternoon-will keep a close eye on the radar.

Itsjustb

I read all these reports of rain yesterday afternoon. Nothing happened here yesterday, and we're not THAT far from VA. We did get a slight shower late last night, but NC really needs rain.

Commute was too short again. Since my rear shifter is broken I don't want to risk taking the long route. In addition, the bike's currently in such a low gear that riding the long downhill into work will be pointless--I'll just be spinning uselessly after 100 yards.

I'm still deciding what to do about my "2-speeder". I don't want 3 bikes but it's looking like I'm headed that way. Bike 1: commuter. I'm thinking single speed for this, since the short route is only 3.5 miles each way. Not enough of a workout, and even the long route is only ~8 miles each way. Bike 2: Recreational bike for pulling my kid's trailer, riding on the local MUPs, etc. I'm thinking hybrid for this. Bike 3: road bike for riding group rides, charity rides, etc.

I'd like to get people's thoughts on this. I'll bet I'm not the only person who has faced this kind of situation. What would/did you do?

Pogoagogo

Two beautiful days in Madison, WI so far, after returning from a two week vacation sans bike. Two weeks off seems to have actually helped a bit. Average speeds on my commute have been upped by 2-3 MPH. Beautiful morning, hardly encountered anyone else on the capitol city trail. Quiet, lake was glass smooth. Loving it.

Bat22

Heading into a busy intersection a bug flew into the right frame of my sunglasses. Hard shelled and it
filled 1/3 the size of the glass,started walking around. I pushed the frame forward on my nose and
it walked over to the left frame. I enjoyed the 3D effect on my orange tint glass for another block
before it flew off.

daijoubu2k8

Nice ride in this morning, extra cool, down to 11C. I had to break out the arm and leg warmers. The bike's running well with the rebuilt freewheel, but it feels a little tight. It's nice to have that 28 tooth cog for the climb up to work though!

Absenth

I had a good ride into work today. Attached the Joby Gorilla Pod to the handlebars of my bike and snapped a few photos along the way: https://www.flickr.com/photos/3618930...7624360575637/
Sorry they're so dark. It was pretty early, and the camera isn't anything special.

Yesterday the two owners of the company I work for offered to leave the door to the guest apartment in their basement open so I could use the shower before coming into work. They're only two blocks down the road, and it worked out great. The ride home tonight is going to be pretty rough, unless it rains on me. ~87F for a high today, and 99.95% humid.

My bike outside the office. (one of my favorite photos )

groovestew

Why do you need your stuff to be dry if it's just going to get wet again?

HardyWeinberg

54F and gray, pretty nice

jhhall

Ha - good point! If I could just get past that initial ick factor of putting on wet shoes, gloves, etc...

caloso

Windy as heck.

HardyWeinberg

d'oh! Forgot to pack clothes

tarwheel 

You might want to consider bar-end shifters. They are considerably less expensive than STIs and more reliable, long-lasting. They take a little getting used to, but I really like mine for commuting. You can buy bar-end shifters from British websites like PBK and Wiggle for about $75 including cables.

Absenth

+1 for bar end shifters! I test road a Jamis Aurora with Brifters, and the Surly Long Haul Trucker with Bar End Shifters. I'll agree that Brifters are pretty convenient, but I don't find reaching to the end of the bar to be a difficult process at all. I also thought the brakes felt better as the brake lever didn't try to shift away from my hand when reaching around from the hood. (This is likely my fault and not a fault of the Jamis)


As for the Commute this afternoon, it was a lot hotter than this morning, but I managed. Bit more traffic, but that was expected as well. A roadie turned onto the road in front of me about a half block ahead or so.... he proceeded to drop my loaded commuter like a hot potato. About a mile down the road he looked back to see me maybe three hundred yards behind him and falling I don't feel bad though. I've only been on the bike ~ 150 miles in the last 12-15 years. All of that has been since May 30th

groovestew

Itsjustb - If you really don't want 3 bikes (but it kinda sounds like you do ) then there's no reason why Bike 1 and Bike 2 couldn't be the same bike. A hybrid would make an excellent commuter, and many on this forum use them. Or, if you like drop bars, a cyclocross would work well for both commuting and recreational riding, though potentially at a higher initial purchase cost.

I have 3 bikes, but my cyclocross sees the least amount of use these days, mainly because most of my riding has been commuting. If the weather is nice, I use my road bike, which I just love for its speed and handling. If the weather is crummy, I use my mountain bike (converted to drop bars) which has full fenders. The cyclocross I use for weekend recreational rides, which I haven't had much time for in the last couple months.

And just to throw my 2 cents in regarding shifters, my road bike has down-tube shifters, my MTB has bar-end shifters, and my cross bike has brifters. My favourite by far are the brifters. I have my reasons for keeping all my bikes as-is shifter-wise, but if it was reasonable and practical to put brifters on all my bikes, I would.

fletchh

A good ride in, with post rain coolness and a wet road. Lots of rain last night and early morning. So far this week, there has been one day where there were 3 bikes on the rack, maybe now that the threat of downpours has eased, we will get back to having 3 or maybe 4 bikes on the rack. Yesterday, was also the first day where I road part way with two seperate riders. It's nice to have numbers at bad intersections.

daijoubu2k8

It was a nice ride in today, but my bike is caked in mud. I thought construction was bad when they put down the gravel before paving... This site soaked it all down and turned it to muck. If I'm home early enough, I'll be spending a bit cleaning and lubing my bike.

Itsjustb

Thanks, groovestew and others, for the input. It is much appreciated.

Commute today was short again, but I'm riding at lunch to play in the local pickup Ultimate game.

groovestew

15C, a bit breezy. It felt cooler than 15C normally would. No precipitation, but the streets were wet in places from all the rain we've had in the last 36 hours.

Pogoagogo

Temp 77, humidity 74% 15 MPH S Wind.

Part of the trip I had a tail wind, the other part it was in my face. 15.8 average speed. Not bad considering. Definitely needed a shower when I got to the office. It should be 90 degrees and 80% humidity when I leave today, for a heat index of at least 100. Uggh.

Last night, took the long way home. It was hot, but I had some time to kill. 16 miles into my 22 miler, I bonked a bit. I suppose that's what happens when you haven't had anything to eat since noon. (It was about 6pm). Snack, a and a liter of water later and I was back on the road...until i needed to fix a rear flat. Oh well. It was bound to happen eventually!

Doohickie

On the plus side, I set a new personal best on the longer commute (1:04- better than a 14 mph average). I had about a 10 mph tailwind/crosswind which didn't hurt, and from my driveway to my office I managed to keep the wheels rolling constantly, even at stop lights. It was a charmed ride. On the minus side: BOY was it humid this morning. After getting to work and showering, I was soaked for another 20 minutes after getting to my desk.

Absenth

Ride into work today was about an hour later than yesterday. more light, but more cars too. It was still pretty enjoyable. Didn't set any records for speed.
The ride home is going to be pretty hot. I'm not looking forward to it from a weather standpoint. I am going to take a different route, which has a lot more shade than my more direct route, at the expense of adding two miles.

I think the Trucker finally has enough miles on it it's ready for it's first tune-up. I'm going to try to take it to the shop tomorrow after work.

wreq5

Saturday - Ride from Santa Ana to Irvine = beautiful ride out along the Santa Ana Trail/Pacific Coast Highway 15 mile ride | Nice and cool weather 76Degrees

Sunday - Santa Ana to West Covina = my first looong ride out 28 mile ride along arterial roads | morning ride, not alot of traffic specially with the World Cup going on

Monday - rest, jogged 2 miles

Tues - ride into work began to feel the effects from Sunday's 28 miles

Wed- no ride today as I will choose the next two days to rest....any input on this choice would be great as I have been doing some massive riding for a beginner