How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#3176
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
The rains came last night, so it was pleasant this morning at 75F (24C). It is supposed to stay pleasant for the rest of the week.
#3177
Support JDRF
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 925
Likes: 3
From: Arkansas
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Specialized Roubaix Elite
Record highs last night 115F with heat index close to 120F. I got to ride 2 extra miles because a brush fire blocked my main route. The ride was actually nice overall.
#3178
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
Very warm 80 F this morning, but it felt nice because I rode at a very easy pace. I have pushed it the past couple of days, so today is my recovery ride. The heat index is also supposed to hit 105-110 this afternoon, so there's no point pushing it.
#3180
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
#3181
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
Cooler than yesterday evening but near 100% humidity. My normal pace is finally getting close to feeling comfortable, again.
This afternoon is supposed to have a heat index like tarwheel's. Hopefully I can pace myself slower this afternoon (I'm not very good at riding slower deliberately).
EDIT: rode home with a co-worker again. :-)
This afternoon is supposed to have a heat index like tarwheel's. Hopefully I can pace myself slower this afternoon (I'm not very good at riding slower deliberately).
EDIT: rode home with a co-worker again. :-)
Last edited by dygituljunky; 08-04-11 at 06:20 AM. Reason: forgot somebody
#3184
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Bikes: 2012 Surly LHT, 1995 GT Outpost Trail
Great weather out. Sunny with some clouds, About 70 degrees (will get up to 80). Was making my best time ever (16-17mph), when at mile 16 my rear wheel decided to spontaneously untrue itself. Had to wobble the last 3 miles into work at a slower speed, making the final average 15mph. I have no idea how I'm going to get home.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/103985278
One more thing of note: today was the first day I commuted since I got my rear light. Set it to blinky mode, and it was amazing how many more cars were in the left lane to pass me than usual (as opposed to staying in the right lane to try to squeeze by me). It is truly astounding how much more visible it made me. And I thought that wearing brightly coloured orange/yellow shirts would be enough in the past, but this is a whole new experience for me. Visibility rocks.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/103985278
One more thing of note: today was the first day I commuted since I got my rear light. Set it to blinky mode, and it was amazing how many more cars were in the left lane to pass me than usual (as opposed to staying in the right lane to try to squeeze by me). It is truly astounding how much more visible it made me. And I thought that wearing brightly coloured orange/yellow shirts would be enough in the past, but this is a whole new experience for me. Visibility rocks.
#3185
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 had a doctor appointment this morning, so I had to drive the car to work today. I'm reading through these so I can live vicariously through you guys for the day.
Although last night, knowing that I wouldn't be able to ride, I took a new, more scenic (and over twice the distance - 15 miles) route home just for fun.
Although last night, knowing that I wouldn't be able to ride, I took a new, more scenic (and over twice the distance - 15 miles) route home just for fun.
#3189
Insane Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, TX
Bikes: Huffy Grand Prairie 15sp MTB (don't hate!), 1980 Schwinn World Tourist, 1976 Schwinn Traveler, 1974 Romic Custom (project bike!)
#3191
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
Rode my first 5-day commute week in a while due to holidays, vacations, weather, appts., etc. The weather was warm and very humid and cloudy this morning. Forecasters are calling for 30% chance of rain, but my inner forecaster says it's gonna do it. Temps are supposed to cool off to the low 90s after nudging the century mark all week. Legs felt much better today after riding recovery pace yesterday, so I pushed it.
#3192
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
But it's a dry heat! 
63F/17C and sunny this morning. The weather was nice, but I got into a road rage incident, suburban Vermont style.
Long & short of it: Residential street. 25MPH. Yard crew truck towing trailer approaches me from the rear as I'm slowing way down for a blind stop sign. I notice he's already started a pass even though there's a stop sign. I get to where I can see there's no opposing traffic so I accelerate. No sooner had I started pedaling again than I hear the roar of a diesel engine behind me. Not only is this guy flat out running the stop, he's trying to pass me down a hill approaching a blind curve.
Naturally the instant he pulls around me, he gets in front of me and throws up the right turn signal. Great, now he's trying to right hook me, I guess.
I make a controlled evasive swerve left to blow by him. His back cab window is open. I yelled (using complete words), "WHERE THE EFF ARE YOU GOING, D-BAG?!" I get alongside his truck and he's rolling down his window. He got a face full of middle finger. The end. Gangsta!

63F/17C and sunny this morning. The weather was nice, but I got into a road rage incident, suburban Vermont style.
Long & short of it: Residential street. 25MPH. Yard crew truck towing trailer approaches me from the rear as I'm slowing way down for a blind stop sign. I notice he's already started a pass even though there's a stop sign. I get to where I can see there's no opposing traffic so I accelerate. No sooner had I started pedaling again than I hear the roar of a diesel engine behind me. Not only is this guy flat out running the stop, he's trying to pass me down a hill approaching a blind curve.
Naturally the instant he pulls around me, he gets in front of me and throws up the right turn signal. Great, now he's trying to right hook me, I guess.
I make a controlled evasive swerve left to blow by him. His back cab window is open. I yelled (using complete words), "WHERE THE EFF ARE YOU GOING, D-BAG?!" I get alongside his truck and he's rolling down his window. He got a face full of middle finger. The end. Gangsta!
#3195
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
I have to drive somewhere after work tonight so I caged it again today. I got up at my usual commute time and jogged/dragged myself for 4 miles. My body rejected this like a bad organ transplant. Ye gods it was awful.
On the bright side I am wearing pants today that have not fit me in 9 years. Yay commuting!
On the bright side I am wearing pants today that have not fit me in 9 years. Yay commuting!
#3196
It was finally cool and dry enough this morning that I didn't feel like a heaping bowl of sweat stew upon arriving at work. For the past month or so all I had to do was go outdoors, sit down and not do a single thing yet within minutes I'd be bathing in sweat... can't wait for summer to get outta town.
#3197
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Didn't get a chance to post yesterday. Finally back on the bike since a couple broken spokes Monday. One front which I fixed myself. The other was rear which I let the LBS redo. Cautious clyde in me likes rear spokes handled by the pros.
Good to be riding again after a couple days on metro!
It was the first rides with a new stem I'm trying out for a more comfortable riding position. Realized I needed to try something after long miles put in for an overnighter a couple weeks ago left hands numb. Overall an improvement. I'll have to keep playing with it.
Off today and out of town so no more riding until Sunday @ the earliest... or maybe Monday's commute.
Good to be riding again after a couple days on metro!It was the first rides with a new stem I'm trying out for a more comfortable riding position. Realized I needed to try something after long miles put in for an overnighter a couple weeks ago left hands numb. Overall an improvement. I'll have to keep playing with it.
Off today and out of town so no more riding until Sunday @ the earliest... or maybe Monday's commute.
#3199
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 186
From: south Puget Sound
55F and misty, crap. 2 wks of gorgeous weather and this is only my 4th day biking. I had to talk my wife out of biking to get her to drop the car for an oil change, I feel guilty about that but hey, 2 days biking this week! And she will still bike from the shop to work.





