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 07-14-11 | 04:31 AM
  #2926  
fletchh's Avatar
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 66 F (19 C). I believe that we are in for a stretch of nice weather. Hats off to the US women's team in the world cup with another exciting win, and a chance to play in the finals on Sunday.
fletchh is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 05:58 AM
  #2927  
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

Fantastic ride to work this morning after taking two days off cycling. It was extremely hot and humid here the past couple days with the heat index about 110 in the afternoons, so I gave my legs a much-needed rest. I rode 240 miles last week and over 800 the past month, and my legs were feeling it. A cold front came through yesterday afternoon, so the air was cool and dry this morning with a nice tailwind much of the way. Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer.
tarwheel is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 05:59 AM
  #2928  
vtjim's Avatar
Belt drive!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Originally Posted by Surrealdeal
it was cool this morning, low 60's. I actually wished I had on arm warmers for the first couple miles till my blood got pumping.
You're in Minnesota and low 60s is cool?

57F/14C this morning, tailwind, sunny, and fast. Saw several riders I've never seen before. A few going the other way. A few others getting passed. Blonde Trail Hottie has been out almost every day this week.

Yesterday I rode home post-thunderstorm. Still raining but not stormy. Followed another commuter who wasn't afraid of the rain. Arrived home wet and happy.
vtjim is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 06:50 AM
  #2929  
Fizzaly's Avatar
Stealing Spokes since 82'
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

Bikes: The always reliable kuwie

60f Got sprinkled on a few times on the way in, supposed to be thunderstorm in the late am. On day three on riding the 3speed and I'm still liking it, the seat really needs to go but money is a little tight at the moment so it shall wait, on the plus side tomorrow is the closing date on my new house and it has a garage so I have a feeling the number of bikes I own will increase
Fizzaly is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 06:52 AM
  #2930  
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"

Great ride this morning! About 13C (64F?) in Southern Ontario with a light breeze and sunshine!!

I took about 7 days off from riding due to various commitments, then this morning had my fastest commute-ride to date at 60 minutes for 28km. Felt really great! Looking totally forward to riding again tomorrow and hopefully snagging a good ride this weekend too.

Cheers,
Scott
scottsmith is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 06:55 AM
  #2931  
idc
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 0
From: Virginia/DC

Bikes: quite a few

Very nice day for a ride, better than any in the last week or so, and no incidents. Also, first ride on my new bike!
idc is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 07:00 AM
  #2932  
iheartbenben's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Tehas

Bikes: Raleigh R600 105/DA, Specialized Allez Elite 105

Rescued puppy weenie dog from crossing highway traffic. Gave him some of my sandwich and put him in my jersey pocket in back, he rode pimpin' for a few miles and hopped out in some neighboorhood. I hope he is okay, but I had 25 miles to go and already have two pit bull pups. Don't need more dog food.

Bonked on my 30 mile return around 22 or so miles in 100 F.

Got rained on, thank you Jesus.

Witnessed a hydroplaning wreck on an overpass I was next to. Made me wonder if I should have thanked God for it raining, when it made someone's day possibly deadly. Selfish me.

Burped subway ham, jalapenos, bell peppers, and tobasco the whole way home. Massive puking occured while attempting to hauk loogie on back porch.

My digestive system apparently blows. That was obviously a sandwhich.

I'm driving today.

(This was the strangest, most bi-polar commute ever. I was laughing and smiling, then sucking eggs and watching highway accidents first person.)

Last edited by iheartbenben; 07-14-11 at 07:05 AM.
iheartbenben is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 07:04 AM
  #2933  
bagxlee's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis

Bikes: Surly Cross Check | IRO Mark V fixed | Mercier Kilo TT SS | '74 Viscount

I was out a little too late last night so my 8 mile commute was slow and required this:

bagxlee is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 07:08 AM
  #2934  
walnutz's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 642
Likes: 145
From: Kanagawa JP

Bikes: Soma ES

I have been house sitting for my brother, which has doubled my commute, but I'm actually loving it! Getting started earlier when it's cooler is a really nice way to start the day.
walnutz is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 07:26 AM
  #2935  
Mithrandir's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY

Bikes: 2012 Surly LHT, 1995 GT Outpost Trail

Just took my very first commute to work ever. I'd thought about it in the past but always dismissed the distance (19mi) as ridiculous. After a few months of getting into shape, I now bike 25 miles almost every night as my daily exercise, and suddenly realised 19 miles doesn't seem so ridiculous anymore. After receiving assurance and advice from other members of the forum I felt confident enough to try bicycle commuting and decided today was the day.

Started off cold; 8mph headwind is usually not bad at all, but when it's 58 degrees that gets cold quick. But I warmed up fast, and over the next hour so did the ambient temperature. Pretty much uneventful ride except for one incident where a lady almost t-boned me while smoking a cigarette and texting at the same time. She was completely oblivious to my existence, and never once looked in my direction, even after she took off. I am certain she never even realised I was there; and I'm grateful that I had replaced my brakes a few weeks back so they're in top condition and allowed me to stop in time.

Got to work in 1:25. My normal car commute is 40 minutes, so I consider this an incredible victory. I feel great, I cooled down within minutes, and I can't wait to ride back home!

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/99066921
Mithrandir is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 08:14 AM
  #2936  
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

WTG Mithrandir!

Cool again today and slight rain at the beginning. The legs felt tired this morning so I laid back a bit and didn't push it too hard. I don't want my body to start pushing back.
Surrealdeal is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 08:21 AM
  #2937  
bagxlee's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis

Bikes: Surly Cross Check | IRO Mark V fixed | Mercier Kilo TT SS | '74 Viscount

Congrats on the first commute Mithrandir. 19 miles one way is a good ride.
bagxlee is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 08:54 AM
  #2938  
groovestew's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 82
From: Edmonton, AB
Warmish air, but a cool mist.

Finally decided to check the air pressure in my commuter bikes' tires last night. They were feeling a little soft. On the road bike, I like to keep the pressure at 90-100 psi, they were 60. On the mountain bike, I like the tires around 70-80 psi, they were 40. That's what happens when you wait over a month between top-ups.

Edit: just noticed according to my records, I just passed 1000 commuting miles this year. Modest compared to some, but I think I'm on track to exceed last year's total.

Last edited by groovestew; 07-14-11 at 08:59 AM.
groovestew is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 09:15 AM
  #2939  
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

Second straight extremely pleasant day. Yesterday's breeze became more wind. Everything was basically right this AM. hope the same can be said after the ride home.
Aeneas is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 10:48 AM
  #2940  
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

This morning, I had a headwind gusting to 20 mph, so pace was a little slower than normal, but it was relatively cool and comfortable as a result of the northerly wind so I'm not complaining.
EKW in DC is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 11:08 AM
  #2941  
no motor?'s Avatar
Unlisted member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Another great day for a ride, and the ride home should be just as nice.
no motor? is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 11:08 AM
  #2942  
javal's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 1
From: Örebro, Sweden

Bikes: Monark sportser 1970, Monark sportser 1970ish, Monark folder, Mustand 1985, Monark Tempo 1999, Monark 318 1975, Crescent 319 1979, Crescent 325 c:a 1965, Crescent Starren 2002 (hybrid/sport), Nordstjernan 1960`s cruiser.

A spring report on my work commuting/60 km two way trip. My commuting started in late March with 5 trips(dreadful winter!). I could do April every second or third day. In May I continued to accomplish two/three days a week. Then June came and I did 3/4 days a week the first two weeks. The two last weeks prior to my holiday I rode every day. Together with my exercise riding and three sportives I´ve done a tad more than 2.000 km this year.
javal is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 01:05 PM
  #2943  
Headphones's Avatar
Less is more
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Western Massachusetts

Bikes: Trek 7.1 FX (2011)

It was a bit busier than normal this morning. Saw a guy walking his dog, three teenage girls running, and there were about 5 or 6 cars on the road. This was around 5:30-45 AM. After noon ride was good with exception to being yelled at by a driver. She said, "look both ways before you pull out." or something along that line.

That's a sex joke there somewhere I could have used but I just kept my mouth shut.
Headphones is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 06:14 PM
  #2944  
dcb23's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
heavenly rides out and back. Low humidity and mid 80's, can't ask for much more than that.
dcb23 is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 07:29 PM
  #2945  
Igo
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV

Bikes: Giant Defy 2

76 going in this morning on the MUP. Not a sole at 6AM ever, just as the sun pops up over the mountains.
A very dry 94 on the way home on the MUP with a 10 mph tailwind on the downhill commute. I was in my glory.
Igo is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 07:47 PM
  #2946  
himespau's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,765
Likes: 3,937
From: Louisville, KY
only a half commute today (after the same yesterday). Big downpour when I tried to leave work to go for a meeting, so I had to take public transit there and home and again this morning.
__________________
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"





himespau is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 07:55 PM
  #2947  
making's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

Such a beautiful day I went exploring on the way home. Wandered through an inner city park, a very bad neighborhood, and through some very nice areas too. very nice ride home in the day time, but I certainly wont ride it in the dark in the morning. I think I will take this way home for a while, a very nice and pleasant ride.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
making is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 11:15 PM
  #2948  
reducedfatoreo's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 325
Likes: 4

Bikes: Old Cannondales: '85 ST400, '85 ST500, '85 SR900, '01 R600 CAAD4

Saw Ghostbusters outside in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The movie was great, and Transportation Alternatives had bike valet service (AWESOME). Beautiful ride there, and back, too, but I lost my rear blinky I've got spares, but I need to get me a solidly mounted Planet Bike light!
reducedfatoreo is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 11:18 PM
  #2949  
reducedfatoreo's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 325
Likes: 4

Bikes: Old Cannondales: '85 ST400, '85 ST500, '85 SR900, '01 R600 CAAD4

Originally Posted by bagxlee

Love this shot
reducedfatoreo is offline  
Reply
Old 07-14-11 | 11:36 PM
  #2950  
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG

Bikes: See my sig...

Originally Posted by groovestew
Warmish air, but a cool mist.

Finally decided to check the air pressure in my commuter bikes' tires last night. They were feeling a little soft. On the road bike, I like to keep the pressure at 90-100 psi, they were 60. On the mountain bike, I like the tires around 70-80 psi, they were 40. That's what happens when you wait over a month between top-ups.

Edit: just noticed according to my records, I just passed 1000 commuting miles this year. Modest compared to some, but I think I'm on track to exceed last year's total.
Excellent... especially since you don't ride through the hell that is winter.

I have ridden a little more than 4000 km since the start of the year... have been ensuring I average 20 km a day / 140 km per week and got to rack up some extra daily mileage when I was in Portland this winter since the weather was so much nicer.

Am hoping to hit 10,000 km this year which will be the most riding I have done since I fragged the back... will have some of those 100km commutes coming up this weekend and those really crank up the total mileage.

One of these days we will actually have to get out for a ride... seems like we'd be riding at a pretty similar pace and could ride some vintage steel.

We might find a few other people who were interested and need to get in shape for the TdP in September.
Sixty Fiver 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.