How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#3802
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 21
From: Fort Collins CO
Bikes: Kona Dew, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007
raining and 48 F. forgot to bring dry shoes and my cell phone. Get to make the kessel run in 5 parsecs at lunch to retrieve the phone, might as well get some dry shoes for the afternoon.
rain pants over boxers and rain jacket over t-shirt, wool cap with brim, comfy and dry, except the feet.
metro 205, most jackets that breathe dont breathe at the arms, so the ones with arm pit vents work the best.
rain pants over boxers and rain jacket over t-shirt, wool cap with brim, comfy and dry, except the feet.
metro 205, most jackets that breathe dont breathe at the arms, so the ones with arm pit vents work the best.
#3803
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
#3804
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
Coldest day this fall at +1C (~34F) here in Sudbury, overdressed a bit (standard jersey and shorts plus tights, jacket and a UnderArmor sweat beanie under the helmet) so I was sweating a bit but not so much that I got a chill, I was still producing more heat than losing it. Hands fine (long fingered cycling gloves, no real insulation) but toes on right foot started to tingle at the end of the ride.
Re: the toes. Since I don't ride much into November because of snow on the road, I don't face extreme cold. However, between now and the end of my riding season, it does get cold, -10C (~15F), especially if you consider wind chill. What would you recommend for protecting my toes from the cold?
Re: the toes. Since I don't ride much into November because of snow on the road, I don't face extreme cold. However, between now and the end of my riding season, it does get cold, -10C (~15F), especially if you consider wind chill. What would you recommend for protecting my toes from the cold?
#3805
Wow, looks like Edmonton is warmer than Minneapolis or Sudbury. 6C/43F at my house. Sunny and a little breezy. Didn't dress quite warm enough, but a windbreaker at that temperature makes me swelter.
Last night, as much as it pains me to admit it, I think I was beaten in a Cat6 race. There's a woman I've seen on the trails a few times, even passed her a few times, but last night, I guess she decided to give ol' groovestew a run for his money. We traded leads a couple of times, but in the end, it was all I could do to hang onto her wheel. For all I know, she could have just been toying with me. She is now my nemesis!
jrickards: If it's just your toes you're worried about, these things work okay and work with clipless pedals. You might find your ankles getting cold though, in which case go for the full shoe covers (expensive, though).
Last night, as much as it pains me to admit it, I think I was beaten in a Cat6 race. There's a woman I've seen on the trails a few times, even passed her a few times, but last night, I guess she decided to give ol' groovestew a run for his money. We traded leads a couple of times, but in the end, it was all I could do to hang onto her wheel. For all I know, she could have just been toying with me. She is now my nemesis!

jrickards: If it's just your toes you're worried about, these things work okay and work with clipless pedals. You might find your ankles getting cold though, in which case go for the full shoe covers (expensive, though).
#3806
[QUOTE=groovestew;13229688]
Last night, as much as it pains me to admit it, I think I was beaten in a Cat6 race. There's a woman I've seen on the trails a few times, even passed her a few times, but last night, I guess she decided to give ol' groovestew a run for his money. We traded leads a couple of times, but in the end, it was all I could do to hang onto her wheel. For all I know, she could have just been toying with me. She is now my nemesis!
Probably ran into my mom...
Looks like we are getting a few more nice days here and we can take all we can get... was really nice coming back at 9pm last evening and think the early evening has been nicer than the mornings as far as temps go.
Last night, as much as it pains me to admit it, I think I was beaten in a Cat6 race. There's a woman I've seen on the trails a few times, even passed her a few times, but last night, I guess she decided to give ol' groovestew a run for his money. We traded leads a couple of times, but in the end, it was all I could do to hang onto her wheel. For all I know, she could have just been toying with me. She is now my nemesis!

Probably ran into my mom...

Looks like we are getting a few more nice days here and we can take all we can get... was really nice coming back at 9pm last evening and think the early evening has been nicer than the mornings as far as temps go.
#3807
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Plus 6C with a 30 gusting to 40 km/h headwind this morning. In many spots I was struggling to do 20km/h. Riding in the drops on the road bike is much faster going into the wind. I need to get a fit done on my touring bike, as I currently find it next to impossible to use the drop position.
I took the long route down the highway home yesterday. The section I thought would be paved by now, still isn't. I had to ride about a km on dirt washboard with gravel on my skinny tires. A bit tough on the hands.
I took the long route down the highway home yesterday. The section I thought would be paved by now, still isn't. I had to ride about a km on dirt washboard with gravel on my skinny tires. A bit tough on the hands.
#3809
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
jrickards: If it's just your toes you're worried about, these things work okay and work with clipless pedals. You might find your ankles getting cold though, in which case go for the full shoe covers (expensive, though).
#3810
Found that with wool socks, my touring shoes, and the covers I could handle -10C with clipless shoes which are sealed on the bottoms with silicone to prevent water from seeping in from the clips.
If you keep your ankles warm your feet will be happier as like your wrists, your ankles are a significant point of heat loss.
#3812
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Excellent commutes today.
68F and dawn/overcast with winds from the S @ 4mph this morning. Tried yet again another route, and it was great. It was the quickest one that I've taken this semester. This will be the route I will be taking from now on.
62F and overcast with winds from the NW @ 7-13mph on the commute home this afternoon. The roads were pretty damp from the rain earlier. Tried a bit different way this afternoon, which was pretty good. I don't think I'll make that one a regular route though.
68F and dawn/overcast with winds from the S @ 4mph this morning. Tried yet again another route, and it was great. It was the quickest one that I've taken this semester. This will be the route I will be taking from now on.
62F and overcast with winds from the NW @ 7-13mph on the commute home this afternoon. The roads were pretty damp from the rain earlier. Tried a bit different way this afternoon, which was pretty good. I don't think I'll make that one a regular route though.
#3813
I moved a couple miles farther away from work, my commute now is right at 12 miles. Enjoying the slightly more substantial ride so far. Also because the way the new route works out, I have to stop less, which is nice, and there is a road that used to be a pain to cross that I don't have to cross anymore. So yay for me.
#3815
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 really didn't want to get on the bike to get home but it was either that or wait for the bus. Taking the bus takes the same amount of time or more.
I also didn't feel like riding back to work this evening but see above. 30 km (18.5 miles) total today.
275 km remaining of my 1000 km year goal. I'm thinking I need to raise the bar again.
123 km remaining of my 2500 km lifetime goal before I get celebratory tattoos.
Oh, and I've lost 20-ish lbs, so far, this year.
I also didn't feel like riding back to work this evening but see above. 30 km (18.5 miles) total today.
275 km remaining of my 1000 km year goal. I'm thinking I need to raise the bar again.
123 km remaining of my 2500 km lifetime goal before I get celebratory tattoos.
Oh, and I've lost 20-ish lbs, so far, this year.
#3816
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Puyallup WA
Bikes: 2009 Bianchi Via Nirone; 2010 GT Transeo W4F; 1985 Raleigh ElkHorn;1987 Schwinn Sierra
Nice ride home tonight. Light wind, sound of fall leaves crunching under the tires, some meatball in a Ford F150 yelling at me to get off the effing road. I really missed riding this week!
#3817
I let the dogs out
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 2
From: Boulder, CO
Bikes: 2011 Fuji Roubaix 1.0, 2003 Ti Merlin Solis, & 1994 Raleigh MT200
I just ordered some leg warmers on amazon for $15. No more cold legs on my rides anymore! Well, starting Tuesday (when the leg warmers arrive), no more cold legs an my rides anymore!
#3818
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Cold, gray, windy skies, making it difficult to build up speed, but still loved being in the elements. Encountered a couple considerate car drivers on the way home, holding traffic for me and giving me the right of way.
#3819
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 3
From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: Surly Steamroller FG, Trek 800 SS MTB, Omega Tandem Sport
45/55degrees morning/evening in Chicago today. Perfect weather, not the real story of my commute today, though. While downtown I was accelerating to merge and change lanes and then immediately brake behind a car. Whoops - no brakes!
My front brake housing on the bar had rattled loose leaving no braking power. My back brakes are kept loose to minimize rubbing if wheels go untrue so not the best at breaking fully. I slowed to about 5mph with my back brake before rear ending an SUV. Broke most of the impact by turning at the last second and stiff-arming the back of the car.
First time I've ever had a motorist apologize when I hit them!
Anyways, no damage to the car or my bike just a little bruising on my end. All's well that end's well. Just a reminder that you might be a good commuter and fully confident in your abilities but all it takes to get hurt is a loose screw, misaligned gear slip, or a flat when in traffic. Ride safe!
My front brake housing on the bar had rattled loose leaving no braking power. My back brakes are kept loose to minimize rubbing if wheels go untrue so not the best at breaking fully. I slowed to about 5mph with my back brake before rear ending an SUV. Broke most of the impact by turning at the last second and stiff-arming the back of the car.
First time I've ever had a motorist apologize when I hit them!
Anyways, no damage to the car or my bike just a little bruising on my end. All's well that end's well. Just a reminder that you might be a good commuter and fully confident in your abilities but all it takes to get hurt is a loose screw, misaligned gear slip, or a flat when in traffic. Ride safe!
#3821
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV
Bikes: Giant Defy 2
#3822
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV
Bikes: Giant Defy 2
45/55degrees morning/evening in Chicago today. Perfect weather, not the real story of my commute today, though. While downtown I was accelerating to merge and change lanes and then immediately brake behind a car. Whoops - no brakes!
My front brake housing on the bar had rattled loose leaving no braking power. My back brakes are kept loose to minimize rubbing if wheels go untrue so not the best at breaking fully. I slowed to about 5mph with my back brake before rear ending an SUV. Broke most of the impact by turning at the last second and stiff-arming the back of the car.
First time I've ever had a motorist apologize when I hit them!
Anyways, no damage to the car or my bike just a little bruising on my end. All's well that end's well. Just a reminder that you might be a good commuter and fully confident in your abilities but all it takes to get hurt is a loose screw, misaligned gear slip, or a flat when in traffic. Ride safe!
My front brake housing on the bar had rattled loose leaving no braking power. My back brakes are kept loose to minimize rubbing if wheels go untrue so not the best at breaking fully. I slowed to about 5mph with my back brake before rear ending an SUV. Broke most of the impact by turning at the last second and stiff-arming the back of the car.
First time I've ever had a motorist apologize when I hit them!
Anyways, no damage to the car or my bike just a little bruising on my end. All's well that end's well. Just a reminder that you might be a good commuter and fully confident in your abilities but all it takes to get hurt is a loose screw, misaligned gear slip, or a flat when in traffic. Ride safe!
#3823
I let the dogs out
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 2
From: Boulder, CO
Bikes: 2011 Fuji Roubaix 1.0, 2003 Ti Merlin Solis, & 1994 Raleigh MT200
I wasn't sure what size I'd need, so I ordered two pair. One small and one medium. With free 2 day shipping (I have amazon prime) and free returns, it's pretty risk free doing that.
#3824
Left too late to do the bike path commute today. I took the streets route in and rode a pretty good pace. Tonight I rode to meet my wife after a long day for both of us. She was so wiped out that I sent her to a restaurant to eat while I rode home and grabbed the car. Rode hard into a damp headwind, got home, got in the car and was back just as she got the check. Got home at around the same time as we would have if she had ridden with me.




