How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
06-14-11 | 10:23 AM
#2476
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,765
Likes: 3,937
From: Louisville, KY
the mid 50's was perfect riding weather so I doubled my commute from 5 to 10 miles. Will try to do the same in the evening.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
06-14-11 | 02:26 PM
#2477
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Another perfect morning commute...cool temps. Had a headwind and I was packed with more stuff in my baskets but all in all a great ride.
Someone mentioned rolling stops...I am trying hard not to do that, too many times when I do it I regret it becasue it puts me in an akward traffic situation.
Rave: my team gacve me a $110 gift card for City Bikes! Those clerks will like me now!
Someone mentioned rolling stops...I am trying hard not to do that, too many times when I do it I regret it becasue it puts me in an akward traffic situation.
Rave: my team gacve me a $110 gift card for City Bikes! Those clerks will like me now!
06-14-11 | 07:57 PM
#2479
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 833
Likes: 3
From: Taylorsville Utah
Bikes: Long Haul Trucker
I think his brother lives in my neighborhood... he tried to run my trailer over with his SUV. Had too much ground clearance and missed my tail light on the BOB..I did a bad, I flipped the bird at him,,, I was out of grenades,,,
06-14-11 | 08:02 PM
#2480
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
nice warm afternoon - near 80F, cloudless sky. Beautiful.
There were countless people enjoying themselves in Liberty Park when I rode through on the way home.
There were countless people enjoying themselves in Liberty Park when I rode through on the way home.
06-14-11 | 08:29 PM
#2481
Thread Starter
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
From Crystal City there are really two routes. I'd just use the Mount Vernon Trail and 14th St Bridge all thing being equal. It's cool to see all the things going on at the airport, and the planes come in low for landing over Gravelly Point. Also, there are good views of the DC "skyline" from across the Potomac as you head north along the trail from the airport to the 14th St Bridge, which empties out right next to the Jefferson. The alternate I used today is nice in its own way, especially for its view of the Pentagon and its surroundings, riding not too far from Arlington Cemetery and then the view of the Lincoln Memorial as you cross the Memorial Bridge, but the Old Jeff. Davis Hwy is a pathetic excuse for a paved street. I've mapped out both routes from near Crystal City metro to the Mall going both ways. Here are the links.
Along MVT: https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...&z=14&lci=bike
Alternate I took today: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...&z=14&lci=bike
I'd offer to meet up with you as a fellow BFer and ride over together to show you the routes, but sadly my riding time is generally limited to my commuting miles.
Hope the map helps, though. You might want to compare this map to the latest map of CaBi station locations to find the closest place to either river crossing to trade in your bike and/or hop onto a new one to avoid the extra cost of having a bike out for 30+ minutes.
If you want variety, I'd perhaps recommend doing a loop and going up one way and back the other?
Along MVT: https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...&z=14&lci=bike
Alternate I took today: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...&z=14&lci=bike
I'd offer to meet up with you as a fellow BFer and ride over together to show you the routes, but sadly my riding time is generally limited to my commuting miles.
Hope the map helps, though. You might want to compare this map to the latest map of CaBi station locations to find the closest place to either river crossing to trade in your bike and/or hop onto a new one to avoid the extra cost of having a bike out for 30+ minutes. If you want variety, I'd perhaps recommend doing a loop and going up one way and back the other?
Thanks for the directions.
__________________
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.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
06-14-11 | 08:40 PM
#2482
On a Mission from God
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 5
From: Thibodaux, LA
Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial
Ride home was warm, but tolerable. I'll probably ride tomorrow, and drive Thursday and Friday, resting up for a 200K brevet on Saturday. Wish me luck!
06-14-11 | 09:02 PM
#2483
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: East Coast, FL
Bikes: Kent GMC Denali
Buggy
Some time between the morning and evening commute our city was invaded by gnats. It was like something out of Exodus.
I became a human windshield. I didn't have any sunglasses or anything to protect my eyes, so I rode looking down most of the way home.
And yes, I know I look like a crazed Woody Harrelson in this pic.
I became a human windshield. I didn't have any sunglasses or anything to protect my eyes, so I rode looking down most of the way home.
And yes, I know I look like a crazed Woody Harrelson in this pic.
Last edited by douga; 06-14-11 at 09:12 PM.
06-14-11 | 11:00 PM
#2484
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
that is amazing! (and gross!)
06-14-11 | 11:23 PM
#2485
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
Got bit or stung by something on the ride home. I'm allergic to bees so I was waiting for the anaphylactic response -- didn't want to jam the Epi-Pen in my thigh if I didn't have to. Never got the hives or raspy breathing so I'm going to assume it wasn't a bee. Yay.
06-15-11 | 04:39 AM
#2486
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
A tad chilly this morning at 54 F (12 C), but when you have the sun and warmth to look for to, it is not a problem. It is a beautiful morning.
06-15-11 | 05:25 AM
#2487
Mirror slap survivor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Florida
Bikes: Gunnar Sport, Surly Pacer, Access MTB, Ibex Corrida, one day a Simple City
Last commute was Monday. Morning ride was great. Cool(for a Florida summer morning----80s). The ride home was kind of rough. Temps in the mid to high 90s, and a 20mph headwind the whole way. Definitely got my workout. LOL
06-15-11 | 05:31 AM
#2488
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: East Coast, FL
Bikes: Kent GMC Denali
What area of Florida? It was humid here this morning (I'm just north of Daytona). Most humid morning we've had yet - but there's more to come.
06-15-11 | 06:06 AM
#2489
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Southern Wisconsin US
Bikes: Schwinn DBX, Trek 820
Steady rain and 60 degrees...Not Bad! 
17 miles of pedaling bliss.
5 years ago I would have driven by myself...4 years ago I would have driven to catch a carpool...3 years ago I would have gotten a ride to catch car pool and last year I would have debated the rain and probably ridden. Today there was no question as long as there is no lightening I am gonna ride....
It's been quite an evolution.
17 miles of pedaling bliss.5 years ago I would have driven by myself...4 years ago I would have driven to catch a carpool...3 years ago I would have gotten a ride to catch car pool and last year I would have debated the rain and probably ridden. Today there was no question as long as there is no lightening I am gonna ride....
It's been quite an evolution.
06-15-11 | 06:18 AM
#2491
Car-free in the South
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: SFCA
Bikes: Surly Pack Rat, Novara Trionfo retro-mod
It was actually a bit chilly this morning, 64F and dry. I wasn't even really willing to go as fast as usual due to the temperature. The plus side, I showed up to work 100% sweat free, and I got a nice leisurely ride in this morning. I also saw a beaver near the river this morning (the animal... such dirty minds!).
06-15-11 | 06:38 AM
#2492
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Simcoe County, Ontario
Bikes: Steve Bauer Sirocco "Steve", Kawasaki Sumo 4.0 Fatbike "Black Betty", Retrospec Amok-16 "Rocinante/Veronica"
beautiful out this morning in Southern Ontario (14 C).
Had a great ride to work, thought about adding a few k at the end to get up to 30 or 35, but have to make up a little time this week so straight to work for me.
Learning to use the drops on my road bike a little more often to cut through the wind. Love that thing!
Had a great ride to work, thought about adding a few k at the end to get up to 30 or 35, but have to make up a little time this week so straight to work for me.
Learning to use the drops on my road bike a little more often to cut through the wind. Love that thing!
06-15-11 | 07:01 AM
#2493
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
48F Nice morning, but I'm ready for some summer mornings. Boise's spring has been pretty chilly and wet sort of unusual for us, they finally dropped the level of the river so now the mup no longer has detours and my afternoon ride is back to normal.
06-15-11 | 07:08 AM
#2494
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
63F/17C, sunny, no wind. Very nice. Something is wrong with my clock radio. It has decided it just wants to be a clock. I get no FM or AM reception. Volume cranked up, it "hisses", but that's it. Soooo I woke up an hour late. Saw more people on the MUP than usual, but it wasn't busy.
The city is working on a damaged section of trail. Dump trucks, men in orange, etc. Hopefully they finish the work quickly. There's an annoying (hill climb) detour for the morning ride.
The city is working on a damaged section of trail. Dump trucks, men in orange, etc. Hopefully they finish the work quickly. There's an annoying (hill climb) detour for the morning ride.
06-15-11 | 07:42 AM
#2495
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 21
From: Fort Collins CO
Bikes: Kona Dew, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007
Drove to work yesterday for the first time in 5 weeks, trying figure out a good route now that one of my streets is under construction, and got rear ended. No one was hurt.
Glad to be back on the bike this morning, it is safer.
Glad to be back on the bike this morning, it is safer.
06-15-11 | 07:58 AM
#2496
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Well I finally did it! Got out of work early enough, went down to the Bikeshare station, rented out a bike, and rode over to the National Mall. Saw the Washington Monument, White House, Congress, WWII Memorial Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial before heading back. Took the George Mason bridge both ways, mostly because I was kind of lost coming back over, about 12 miles total. Good ride. LOTS of bike commuters. Holy cow.
Thanks for the directions.
Thanks for the directions.
I had a great ride home last night. Tailwind helped. Random drops of rain here and there was nice too. Thought for a while the skies were going to open up and rain cats and dogs, but it didn't happen.
This morning was good too. Running late so I had to take the shortest of my route variations, but I made great time despite the moderate headwind. Was averaging nearly 16 mph until I hit the tourist/pedestrian clusterf**k that is the Mall these days (too many school groups). Still enjoyed the ride in and I'm looking forward to more good riding this afternoon.
06-15-11 | 08:55 AM
#2497
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
Warmest morning of the year so far, low 60's F. Beautiful, quiet. I hate waking up early, but I love it once I've pulled myself out of bed and ventured out into the world as the sun begins to show itself.
06-15-11 | 08:55 AM
#2498
Old, but not really wise
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA commuting to Washington DC
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dew Drop (the daily driver),'07 Specialized Roubaix (the sports car), '99 ish Kona NuNu MTB (the SUV), Schwinn High Plains (circa 1992?) (the beater)
Another gorgeous day for riding - - 60F according to the guy on the radio. I'd love to get used to this, but I know it won't last.
I can't decide if it was motivational or frustrating to have mytracks call out my progress every mile (it was cool hearing my average speed climb steadily for the first 6 miles, though). At least I knew what time it was, roughly, so I knew whether or not I needed to crank a bit harder. I had planned to take it a bit slower, but a late night last night (Fellowship of the Ring on the big screen again) meant I was a bit sluggish getting out of bed. worse, I decided prudence required pre-positioning the car as I need to pick my sons up from swim practice this evening, so I spent 15 minutes getting the bike on the car, driving to the community center where I parked and getting the bike back off, which is right about what it would have taken to bike there from home. However, this gave me direct access to the MUP, which meant my average speed overall was just over 15 MPH, or about 2-3 MPH better than my norm. Amazing what I gain by cutting down on street lights.
I can't decide if it was motivational or frustrating to have mytracks call out my progress every mile (it was cool hearing my average speed climb steadily for the first 6 miles, though). At least I knew what time it was, roughly, so I knew whether or not I needed to crank a bit harder. I had planned to take it a bit slower, but a late night last night (Fellowship of the Ring on the big screen again) meant I was a bit sluggish getting out of bed. worse, I decided prudence required pre-positioning the car as I need to pick my sons up from swim practice this evening, so I spent 15 minutes getting the bike on the car, driving to the community center where I parked and getting the bike back off, which is right about what it would have taken to bike there from home. However, this gave me direct access to the MUP, which meant my average speed overall was just over 15 MPH, or about 2-3 MPH better than my norm. Amazing what I gain by cutting down on street lights.
06-15-11 | 08:56 AM
#2499
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
06-15-11 | 08:59 AM
#2500
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
