How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#2677
the reformation
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Berkshire, UK
Bikes: giant hardtail. want a roadbike.
not had a bicycle for about 13 years when i purchased a 2nd hand Giant MTB a year or so ago. told myself when i'd lost 15kg i'd get myself a roadbike like i used to have when i was a much slimmer kid.
first commute today on my 2011 trek 1.5. can't stop grinning. hottest day of the year in the UK so far, so obviously, had to cycle hard to muster up a breeze
first commute today on my 2011 trek 1.5. can't stop grinning. hottest day of the year in the UK so far, so obviously, had to cycle hard to muster up a breeze
#2678
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 in was muggy, but nice. I saw a field rat crossing the highway, and I ran into an old friend out riding his bike! We had a good chat, I hope to see him again soon.
I took a different route today, passed by the Laurel Valley plantation. I love that place. They have antique tractor shows there all the time.
I took a different route today, passed by the Laurel Valley plantation. I love that place. They have antique tractor shows there all the time.
#2679
Attempt #2
After my ancient rode bike lost several spokes on my first attempt to get back to it, I found myself on my full suspension mtb on semislicks. Not as easily racked, the backpack got old quick, so unless there are many communicyclers on here, I will throw my hat into the ring for today's edition of most miles no handed.
#2680
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
#2681
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
60f Decent morning as far as the temp. goes, but I woke up 15min before I had to be to work so I was running a bit behind. I think my 6$ alarm clock finally died, I'm gonna give it another chance tomorrow with a back up alarm and see how it goes, I've kinda gotten used to the cheap bastard as it keeps time terribly and every morning I wake up a bit earlier because of it, and every two weeks I just set it back 20 or so minutes and it's good.
#2682
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
Felt fast... rode the Kuwahara for the first time in 6 weeks since the threat of rain is low today. So much lighter than my hybridized Hardrock. Weather was clear, lots of sun, little breeze, moderate humidity. I felt bad that I had to go to stop at work when I got there.
I heard a ping when accelerating from a stoplight... will have to investigate what broke, hoping it's just a tooth either on the cassette or on the crank, although the drive train is pretty new so any damage of that type would be mildly disappointing.
I heard a ping when accelerating from a stoplight... will have to investigate what broke, hoping it's just a tooth either on the cassette or on the crank, although the drive train is pretty new so any damage of that type would be mildly disappointing.
#2683
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Large dump truck coming up behind me. I spend too much time looking in my helmet mirror and go off the lip of the road (about 1-2 inches) into grass and swerve back to the left and come back onto the road. Luckily truck was a ways back and I didn't fall. Pull up to driveway to let the truck pass (crap for shoulders at this part of my 28 mile commute - mile 25.5). Road starts to feel rough/squishy - pinch flat. Get off at a safespot in the trees and replace tube only to find out either crappy little bike pump is shot or the replacement tube is shot. Ended up running/jogging the rest of the way to work. Borrowed a decent bike pump to find out I must have pinched the replacement tube while changing. Borrowing some stuff so I can go to the bike shop and get some tubes so I can make it home... Other than that, today is great out in eastern PA.
#2684
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 0
From: Virginia/DC
Bikes: quite a few
Ack, I hate pinch flats. I keep a spare tube in my office as well as on my bike so I can replace 2 tubes in a day (only 1 per ride though), if I have to.
Monday morning is never great, even on a bike, but I managed to only get to work 30 mins late
A bit wet here and there but nothing to stop my commute in.
Monday morning is never great, even on a bike, but I managed to only get to work 30 mins late
A bit wet here and there but nothing to stop my commute in.
#2686
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
#2687
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
LOL.
Check for broken spokes.
LOL. He's been called worse!
LOL. He's been called worse!
#2689
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
@FunkStickMan yeah, I know, but I want to be in denial that I may have popped a spoke on this wheelset. However, it is highly likely the problem...
Checked at lunch, spokes OK, will diagnose further when I get home.
Checked at lunch, spokes OK, will diagnose further when I get home.
Last edited by Aeneas; 06-27-11 at 12:16 PM.
#2690
The Flying Scot

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 0
From: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
Bikes: Custom (Colin Laing) 531c fast tourer/audax, 1964 Flying Scot Continental, 1995 Cinelli Supercorsa, Holdsworth Mistral single speed, Dahon Speed 6 (folder), Micmo Sirocco and a few more
Flew down today and first commute for two weeks - back to my digs.
It was hot and humid in London - traffic unreal and the heat coming off buses intense! Having been on "normal" bikes for a couple of weeks I noticed the extra drag of the folder (Dahon) but still better than being on the tube.
It was hot and humid in London - traffic unreal and the heat coming off buses intense! Having been on "normal" bikes for a couple of weeks I noticed the extra drag of the folder (Dahon) but still better than being on the tube.
__________________
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
#2691
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Raining, bigtime. Nice ride, but I am going to tie an anchor to my cable lock next time, brakes aint worth a damn when they are wet. Then there was the van that didnt see me. I seen him backing down the driveway so I got stopped in plenty of time. He backed all the way out into the street in front of me. He looked out his passenger side window, seen me sitting there, in the rain and pulled back up in the drive way, jumped out of the van, in the rain, and started apoligizing profusely. Poor guy, I think it scared him to think he could have run over me without even seeing me. In his defense, what kinda dummy is out riding a bike in a thunderstorm.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2692
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: East Metro Atlanta, GA, USA
Bikes: Giant Sedona (Mid 90's), Giant Seek 2, Greenspeed Anura
I nearly got creamed a 1/2 mile after leaving my subdivision by a lady who pulled out from a road on my left into my lane just as I was trying to occupy the same space. She had no reaction to my whistle or yell. I think I need to look at getting an AirZound. I'm glad I had two fingers on each brake...
I only rode 4.0 of the 9.25 miles to work. The heat/humidity was already wearing me out by that point.
I hopped a bus for the remainder.
I only rode 4.0 of the 9.25 miles to work. The heat/humidity was already wearing me out by that point.
I hopped a bus for the remainder.
#2693
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV
Bikes: Giant Defy 2
Large dump truck coming up behind me. I spend too much time looking in my helmet mirror and go off the lip of the road (about 1-2 inches) into grass and swerve back to the left and come back onto the road. Luckily truck was a ways back and I didn't fall. Pull up to driveway to let the truck pass (crap for shoulders at this part of my 28 mile commute - mile 25.5). Road starts to feel rough/squishy - pinch flat. Get off at a safespot in the trees and replace tube only to find out either crappy little bike pump is shot or the replacement tube is shot. Ended up running/jogging the rest of the way to work. Borrowed a decent bike pump to find out I must have pinched the replacement tube while changing. Borrowing some stuff so I can go to the bike shop and get some tubes so I can make it home... Other than that, today is great out in eastern PA.
#2694
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV
Bikes: Giant Defy 2
A lady on a cell phone stopped in the bike lane completely blocking me from my trail ramp. I pulled up beside her, gently knocked on the top of her car. She rolled down the window. I wasn't menacing and she sensed it. I said "Please hang up the phone and please don't stop in the bike lane." She smiled and with a perfect Valley Girl said "OK". Then she hung up the phone and damn near backed into the car behind her. I almost died.
#2695
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, CA
Bikes: Lynskey R230 DA DI2 ENVE 3.4 SES, 6KU Fixie, Cheap Aluminum Slapstick Trainer only bike
Nice and warm on the way back... 93F... at least humidity is usually not an issue.
Took it nice and easy going at slow pace through out the day as I had a lot of errands and I feel I am starting to get into "over training" region after some long intervals I've done last week. Was nice running errands around, etc and heat wasn't much of an issue as long as I was moving. Think I netted 45-50 miles today with all those side errands I had to run.
Took it nice and easy going at slow pace through out the day as I had a lot of errands and I feel I am starting to get into "over training" region after some long intervals I've done last week. Was nice running errands around, etc and heat wasn't much of an issue as long as I was moving. Think I netted 45-50 miles today with all those side errands I had to run.
#2696
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Bikes: Ryan Vanguard
Very first commute to work today. Lucky for me it's only 4 miles. 59F this morning with 14 mph winds against me. My front derailleur kept wanting to down shift itself. Had to keep tension on the shifter with my left hand.
Found my city has great bike paths and lanes. The next city over I have to go through has lousy or no bike lanes, and pot holes everywhere. The last two miles are hectic with bad roads and drivers. I chose to "take over" the lanes when I felt unsafe at my options.
Took a different route home, winds jumped to 25 mph. Rain expected tomorrow.... I guess I could have picked a better day to start. Than again, its always windy here.
Found my city has great bike paths and lanes. The next city over I have to go through has lousy or no bike lanes, and pot holes everywhere. The last two miles are hectic with bad roads and drivers. I chose to "take over" the lanes when I felt unsafe at my options.
Took a different route home, winds jumped to 25 mph. Rain expected tomorrow.... I guess I could have picked a better day to start. Than again, its always windy here.
#2697
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Great morning, except my new chain fell off. Just now got all the grease scrubbed off my hand. Only took a second to fix the chain. This is suppose to be a beautiful day today so I am hoping for a nice ride home too.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2698
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 nice ride in at 71 F (22 C). Scattered stuff later on today, so the roullette wheel will spin and who knows on what number it will stop. I packed for downpour, and brought a rain cover.
#2699
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 780
From: Shanghai, China
Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk
I'm a teacher and today was the last day before summer holiday, so I won't be commuting again until the end of August. Still, nice day for a ride, despite the nasty headwind on the way home.






