Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.

Search
Notices
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? 2011 Edition.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-23-11 | 05:58 AM
  #2626  
JPinWI's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Southern Wisconsin US

Bikes: Schwinn DBX, Trek 820

A little wind....A little rain...another beautiful day for the bike commute. If this weather keeps up I may have to upgrade my waterproofing....covering my rack pack with 4 plastic walmart bags gets to be alittle tedious. Got splashed by a cager this morning...don't think it was intentional but I did get a little rage on...quickly quelled the urge to chase them down and pummel them. Broke 2011 miles for 2011 on the way in...that may be my new annual mileage game...pick the day I will break the "year" in miles. Enjoy!
JPinWI is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 06:29 AM
  #2627  
Fizzaly's Avatar
Stealing Spokes since 82'
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

Bikes: The always reliable kuwie

67f Warm morning a little humid as we had pretty big lightning storm come through last night.
Fizzaly is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 06:34 AM
  #2628  
abracapocus's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA

Bikes: '95 Specialized Hard Rock, '03 (?) Fuji Finest

It was about 70 F when I left. Got hit with a little light rain but it wasn't bad enough to stop and bag my electronics. Others in the metro area weren't so lucky.



Hopefully my luck holds out for afternoon commute. 30% chance of t-storms when I leave. Saw quite a few bike commuters out there taking their chances too.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
062311_1.jpg (65.7 KB, 4 views)
abracapocus is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 06:42 AM
  #2629  
vtjim's Avatar
Belt drive!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Originally Posted by cyclokitty
Overcast and a bit chilly today but my ride home included a stop at the grocery store for a container of ice cream. Happy!
One benefit of commuting by bicycle: The cyclist can sit down and consume a pint of Ben & Jerry's in one sitting, and not gain any weight. (Phish Food was my last victim, a few days ago.)

This morning's ride was damp, and I got to work just before it started raining again. About 65F/18C with a headwind. The blonde trail hottie was nowhere to be found.
vtjim is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 07:13 AM
  #2630  
Car-free in the South
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: SFCA

Bikes: Surly Pack Rat, Novara Trionfo retro-mod

Originally Posted by abracapocus
It was about 70 F when I left. Got hit with a little light rain but it wasn't bad enough to stop and bag my electronics. Others in the metro area weren't so lucky.



Hopefully my luck holds out for afternoon commute. 30% chance of t-storms when I leave. Saw quite a few bike commuters out there taking their chances too.

Yep. I am in Clemson, and not only did I get hit hard with this batch of storms this morning, but I also got rocked by the INSANE storms yesterday evening. It felt great though, even if I had to ride out the worst of it in a parking garage yesterday. This morning felt amazing though, and I made the best time thus far!
robyr is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 07:37 AM
  #2631  
abracapocus's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA

Bikes: '95 Specialized Hard Rock, '03 (?) Fuji Finest

@robyr our wed. afternoon storm included high winds that battered my car around. don't even want to think about being on the bike in that. rain, no prob., high winds and close lightening strikes, i'd rather not.
abracapocus is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 08:12 AM
  #2632  
EKW in DC's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA

Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion

80 degrees at 7:30 and a dewpoint over 70 made for a sticky commute in. Yuck. At least I had a slight tailwind and made good time despite a short night's sleep.
EKW in DC is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 08:16 AM
  #2633  
Surrealdeal's Avatar
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA

Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T

The MN people have been quiet all week on this thread.... It's been crappy rainy weather all week here. It' supposed to be nice tomorrow but of course I need to be somewhere right after work, so I'm driving.
Surrealdeal is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 08:26 AM
  #2634  
CptjohnC's Avatar
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)

This morning's temp wasn't bad, but it was sooooo humid. I managed to not get rained on (after throwing my cell phone into a bag) which was good. But, I was as wet as I would have been if I had been rained on, because it was humid. Did I mention that it was humid? One bright spot was that I made most of my lane changes and other traffic crossings very smoothly.

I had a smooth ride both ways yesterday, though I definitely was feeling the heat - heavy legs esp. on the way home. This should be my 4th 100 mile plus week in a row, and I think perhaps I need to focus a little more on nutrition and on taking real recovery time.
CptjohnC is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 09:29 AM
  #2635  
Aeneas's Avatar
Clyde that Rides
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY

Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera

Humid! First bike commute in a couple weeks. Legs felt fine, bike seemed good. I'm thinking I might have to repack some bearings in my rear wheel at some point in the near future. That will be a new experience for me.

Looks like a good chance thunderstorms will cancel softball game today, so I may get to ride home during or immediately after a thunderstorm.
Aeneas is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 09:35 AM
  #2636  
no motor?'s Avatar
Unlisted member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Back in the humid 60's this A.M., really nice. We had some big storms here Tuesday night, and I rode around a bunch of downed trees/branches. As well as only 2 meanderthals on the bike path, I'll take this ride again anyday!
no motor? is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 11:23 AM
  #2637  
caloso's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

No-chain day.
caloso is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 12:10 PM
  #2638  
Banned.
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Jamis, WA

Bikes: Jamis Aurora Elite

Originally Posted by Surrealdeal
The MN people have been quiet all week on this thread.... It's been crappy rainy weather all week here. It' supposed to be nice tomorrow but of course I need to be somewhere right after work, so I'm driving.
Sorry but us Seattle folk are laughing our arses off. Funny you guys do snow so well but cower in the rain.
toddles is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 12:18 PM
  #2639  
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Grey chilly and damp - typical UK summer! Roadwaorks along most of main road section so no cycle "path" - "path" in inverted commas cos it's not a path, just a road section too narrow to be safe. There are no houses - or even buildings on this stretch, so it would be reasonable to use the pavement - no one walks there - but no - this is illegal. On the stretch where there are houses, there's a very deep verge that could easily accommodate a cycle path - but no, we're supposed to take our chances with the juggernauts that thunder down the road. Yeah - am angry! The UK goverment keeps going on about how good cycling to work is but do f-all to make it safe.
tbreen is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 01:29 PM
  #2640  
Surrealdeal's Avatar
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA

Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T

Originally Posted by toddles
Sorry but us Seattle folk are laughing our arses off. Funny you guys do snow so well but cower in the rain.
That is a spot-on analysis except for the part where my bike sits on a trainer all winter. :-p
Surrealdeal is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 07:11 PM
  #2641  
Igo
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV

Bikes: Giant Defy 2

78 going in. Wonderful.
109 coming home and with a 20 mph headwind. Still, I did just fine.
Igo is offline  
Reply
Old 06-23-11 | 09:14 PM
  #2642  
Antaresia's Avatar
Snakes on a bike
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC

Bikes: 80's CCM Mixte ~ SS 70's Apollo ~ Soma Extra Smooth

First time I've ever commuted in the rain (lucky timing this summer mostly). I only ran into two other cyclists on my way in, usually l see maybe 10 so I felt pretty hard core. And my new aluminum back wheel is breaking great!

Since the sky was doing that sunny/drizzle thing there was a rainbow too. I noticed when I was on the bridge, so it was over the water, mountains in the background, beautiful sky. Great start to the day.
Antaresia is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 05:25 AM
  #2643  
tarwheel's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

No bike commute today. Off work and heading to Bike Virginia for a 6-day tour in New River Valley.
tarwheel is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 05:56 AM
  #2644  
Banned
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Didn't commute today, did a non-stop 50km ride yesterday (was a holiday in Germany.) Still a little stiff from that. Need to build some endurance.
acidfast7 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 06:38 AM
  #2645  
vtjim's Avatar
Belt drive!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Damp again, from overnight rain. Temps in the low 60sF/~16C and overcast. Caught one regular commuter. Passed him eventually and we exchanged hellos, then I caught another commuter I haven't seen before.

Oh, and in Vermont, we don't cower at rain OR snow!


TGIF!
vtjim is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 06:43 AM
  #2646  
dcb23's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Good ride in, cooler than past few days. I was loaded in both baskets with food for the office.

I may be getting rid of my car in the coming weeks which will make me car free...we'll see.
dcb23 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 06:49 AM
  #2647  
Fizzaly's Avatar
Stealing Spokes since 82'
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

Bikes: The always reliable kuwie

Also a bit cooler here this morning 48f, nice morning though very glad it's friday.
Fizzaly is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 06:50 AM
  #2648  
scottsmith's Avatar
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"

Had a very nice ride in. Wet roads with no rain for the first 10-ish km, light-drizzle for the last 5, with a dry, windy stretch in the middle. Head-wind the entire time to keep the sweat to a minimum, and light motor traffic along my route.


I wasn’t racing the clock or pushing it this morning, but still managed 69 minutes, which equals my 2nd fastest super-pushing-it time from last year.
scottsmith is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 07:04 AM
  #2649  
Mardmakarm's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Thailand

Bikes: Kona Sutra

Traffic jam as always, and bicycle lane has been flooded by motorcycle as always.



Btw, there's a new cargo bike "Trek Transport" arrived at Probike in Thailand today.Look very interesting!




Last edited by Mardmakarm; 06-24-11 at 07:11 AM. Reason: fix words
Mardmakarm is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-11 | 07:06 AM
  #2650  
Aeneas's Avatar
Clyde that Rides
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY

Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera

Moist... yesterday was humid with temps a bit warmer than today's but over night we got some rain and the thick clouds seemed to keep the temp down a bit. Nonetheless today's ride was surprisingly fast. Nothing unusual to report other than a freshly squished opossum in the bike lane. I find it disconcerting when I see roadkill in the bike lane, because clearly, some motorist had to be in the bike lane to run over the animal.
Aeneas is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.