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How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.

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How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.

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Old 09-12-11 | 08:35 AM
  #3726  
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From: Kansas City

Bikes: Specialized Awol Elite

It was a beautiful morning ride at 61f and a light breeze. I love riding in the dark and this morning was dark almost all the way into work!
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Old 09-12-11 | 09:06 AM
  #3727  
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From: Tucson

Bikes: 2010 Specialized Allez Elite

Today's commute was great! I got up early to get to work early and get some extra work done before everyone else gets here. The commute started in the dark, which is usual, but what was unusual is that I got to work before sunrise! The temperature was a lovely 75 degrees - cool for this time of year in Tucson. On my 3.5 mile journey, I saw only a handful of cars when I usually see so many that I couldn't possibly count them all. The only downside was that I didn't see one other cyclist.
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Old 09-12-11 | 09:42 AM
  #3728  
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Today was my first commute in three weeks. I had two weeks of vacation. When I got back after Labor Day, we were getting drenched with the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. So I didn't ride last Tuesday. Or Wednesday, when everyone was goign home early as the creeks and rivers started to spill over. Work, and pretty much everything around here, closed Thursday and Friday due to massive flooding - our second 100 year flood in five years. So this morning's commute was weird, kind of eerie, very quiet. Riding past mounds of refuse from homes that had nasty muddy river water in the basement and first floors, seeing the railroad tracks with one rail six inches lower than the other, few cars on the road, the river still swollen but receded by many feet from it's historic crest on Saturday night.
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Old 09-12-11 | 11:05 AM
  #3729  
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From: south Puget Sound
1st commute in 2 wks and I only forgot my helmet, and to turn off the gps app on my phone when I got into the office.

Also 1st commute w/ new 1x9 setup on former fixie. I can really see the logic of 2x9 because right now both ends are cross-chained. On the other hand, w/o a 2nd chain ring, while there is cross-chaining, there is nothing to rub on so there is no annoying buzz.
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Old 09-12-11 | 12:00 PM
  #3730  
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From: Northern Nevada

Bikes: Lemond Big Sky SL, Electra Townie

It was a nice crisp moring, with a few rain drops during the last two miles. Not enough to soak me, just enough to make the ride that much more enjoyable.

However, when I walked in the door at work, my secretary pointed out that there is a flash flood warning today! I hope that I don't get too soaked on the way home.
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Old 09-12-11 | 02:07 PM
  #3731  
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From: I wish I were in South Dakota
34 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes-- 26.5 mph average. Yeah!! (Had a 25 mph tailwind)

I don't get to commute as often by bike as I once did (7 mile 1-way commute is now 34), so I envy many of ya'll greatly.

Good Riding everyone!
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Old 09-12-11 | 02:15 PM
  #3732  
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From: Sacramento, California, USA

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

Haven't posted in this thread in awhile. I left my job in June and have been on a sabbatical since, but today I rode with my son to his elementary school. He's in grade 2 (7 years old) and a few of his classmates also ride to school. It's encouraging!
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Old 09-12-11 | 03:12 PM
  #3733  
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From: south Puget Sound
Yes I did get to ride to school w/ my kids Friday and today, that was good. Always a fair number of bikes in the rack in September.

I can't get my 10 yr old to leave his bike unlocked so his 6 yr old sister can lock her bike to it. I have to unlock his bike and then lock them all back together, 'cause he's inside and at his desk by the time she and I get there. I suppose we could spring for a lock for her own.
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Old 09-12-11 | 03:46 PM
  #3734  
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From: Lancaster, PA

Bikes: Cycle Genius LTX

Beautiful ride today after several commutes in the rain. I thought I heard it raining last night and thought "Oh no, not another rainy ride."
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Old 09-12-11 | 05:12 PM
  #3735  
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From: Monson, MA

Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike

Great commute home this afternoon at 80F and sunny with winds from the SSW @ 6-8mph. I felt much better on today's commute home than I did on Friday's. The humidity was also way worse Friday, so that may have been why.
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Old 09-12-11 | 05:42 PM
  #3736  
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From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

Man, I just wasnt focused. I almost rear ended an SUV, it flew by me merged into the bike lane and stopped. Had I been paying attention it would not have even been close, as it was I could either hit it or take a chance of blindly going around. I did not hit it and am still alive. I hit bumps and holes I always spot and miss. I almost did not get unsnapped once, and dang near fell over. As I passed the street that is almost exactly midway to home, I hit another bump and somehow my pannier got into my spokes and flew off. I stopped and picked it up, worked on it enough to get home and took a little break to get my stuff together. The second half was uneventful. I had a normal day at work and feel fine. Damn, days like this could get a guy hurt.
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Old 09-12-11 | 06:22 PM
  #3737  
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From: Atlanta

Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others

We had a Hot summer and I really have been wussing out a lot since July. Was on vacation last week so nothing but the heat broke and the weather was great once the Hurricane let the cold front come though. Trying to get back into the groove this week. Was actually a bit chilly this morning.
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Old 09-12-11 | 06:56 PM
  #3738  
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From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV

Bikes: Giant Defy 2

Originally Posted by nathan.johnson
Today's commute was great! I got up early to get to work early and get some extra work done before everyone else gets here. The commute started in the dark, which is usual, but what was unusual is that I got to work before sunrise! The temperature was a lovely 75 degrees - cool for this time of year in Tucson. On my 3.5 mile journey, I saw only a handful of cars when I usually see so many that I couldn't possibly count them all. The only downside was that I didn't see one other cyclist.
68 in Vegas this morning. Fist time below 70ish since spring time and I saw my first other commuter today. Just one. Talk about fair weather commuters...man. Dead still air going uphill climbing 450 feet. 20mph tailwind and 90 degrees heading home on the downhill. Felt like 75. I must have been doing 90mph. I've prayed for this weather.
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Old 09-12-11 | 07:01 PM
  #3739  
Igo
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From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV

Bikes: Giant Defy 2

Originally Posted by HardyWeinberg
Yes I did get to ride to school w/ my kids Friday and today, that was good. Always a fair number of bikes in the rack in September.

I can't get my 10 yr old to leave his bike unlocked so his 6 yr old sister can lock her bike to it. I have to unlock his bike and then lock them all back together, 'cause he's inside and at his desk by the time she and I get there. I suppose we could spring for a lock for her own.
We never had bike locks when I was a kid and you never heard of stolen bikes. It's a shame the ways things have become.
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Old 09-12-11 | 10:35 PM
  #3740  
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From: Twin Cites, MN USA

Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T

Great big ol' tailwind today. Best time ever on my 20.5 mile course, 1:15 elapsed, 1:10 moving.
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Old 09-13-11 | 04:28 AM
  #3741  
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From: Columbia, Maryland

Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter

Cool morning at 62F (17C). It was a nice ride in and I have had the moon for company 2 days now. There is a section of the ride on a dark road, abandoned warehouses on the side with no lights, and the moon just sits above and to the front of me covering the whole road and woods, with that silvery haze. You just never know where nature is going to amaze you.
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Old 09-13-11 | 04:35 AM
  #3742  
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From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

I think this morning might have been even better than nice. Maybe the perfect ride in to work.
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Old 09-13-11 | 05:20 AM
  #3743  
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From: Lexington, KY

Bikes: Surly Cross Check, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Trek FX 7.2

Beautiful ride into work this morning. 61F/16C, clear skies, a setting nearly full moon, no wind, and an awesome sunrise on display directly over where I work as I pulled into the parking lot.
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Old 09-13-11 | 05:23 AM
  #3744  
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From: Alexandria, VA
Originally Posted by nathan.johnson
Today's commute was great! I got up early to get to work early and get some extra work done before everyone else gets here. The commute started in the dark, which is usual, but what was unusual is that I got to work before sunrise! The temperature was a lovely 75 degrees - cool for this time of year in Tucson. On my 3.5 mile journey, I saw only a handful of cars when I usually see so many that I couldn't possibly count them all. The only downside was that I didn't see one other cyclist.
Same deal for me today, very early start. Dark but empty streets, loved it.

Good riddance old U lock that finally stopped opening...hello onguard bulldog lock.
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Old 09-13-11 | 05:52 AM
  #3745  
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From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

I was treated to a stiff headwind this morning, but it didn't really slow me down. I just worked harder. Looks like a nice tailwind for the ride home.

65F/18C and sunny. Might rain later today. Cold front coming through, leading to a tailwind tomorrow morning!

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Old 09-13-11 | 06:53 AM
  #3746  
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From: Southern Wisconsin US

Bikes: Schwinn DBX, Trek 820

Originally Posted by vtjim
I was treated to a stiff headwind this morning....
Me TOO!

It's been great fun to ride in the dark with a full moon the last couple of mornings...I turned my front light off for a while yesterday...Cooler temps are on the way later this week...possible frost forecast around here Wednesday night. Enjoy!
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Old 09-13-11 | 07:06 AM
  #3747  
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From: Twin Cites, MN USA

Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T

55 degrees this morning, a taste of things to come. In a couple of weeks I'll be wishing it was 55. Warmed up about 8 miles into the ride. Like so many others I was treated to a setting nearly full moon.
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Old 09-13-11 | 07:26 AM
  #3748  
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From: Minnesota

Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000

Yes, 90 yesterday afternoon, 55 this morning, requiring me to find clothing I hadn't seen in a while, and a high of mid-50s tomorrow. And with trees and the Minnesota River bluff in the way, I didn't see the sun until almost to work.
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Old 09-13-11 | 07:31 AM
  #3749  
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From: Alpharetta, GA

Bikes: Nashbar Road

A huge tree had fallen across the path this morning forcing me to backtrack to an alternate route. Only a couple of miles extra though and on fast streets so it didn't cost me any time. It's still shorts and t-shirt weather here.
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Old 09-13-11 | 07:57 AM
  #3750  
GNU cyclist
 
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From: Hoogezand

Bikes: Koga Miyata Adventurer

Miserable. My jacket containing passport, wallet and cell phone had fallen off the back of my bike (my own fault for not fastening it properly) and because I'd taken the jacket off at an intersection very near home I had to ride all the way back home to look for it. I later found out I'd lost it very close to my workplace.

Oh well. It WAS the fastest 30K I'd ever cycled...
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