How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#3852
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 780
From: Shanghai, China
Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk
A bit windy today, especially in the afternoon. Still good, though.
My new wheels (Shimano RS10) are holding up pretty darned well since I bought them just over a week ago, and they definitely seem to spin up faster than my old wheels did.
My new wheels (Shimano RS10) are holding up pretty darned well since I bought them just over a week ago, and they definitely seem to spin up faster than my old wheels did.
#3853
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Another chilly morning. By mid-week the afternoon temperatures will be quite high.
Yesterday wasn't my day. Out riding on the highway I got caught in a bit of rain, the wind was 15km/h stronger than forecast and I got a flat. While inflating the tire it blew off the rim and I noticed strips of the bead falling off. I managed to get the tire to stay on and made it back home without another flat. So today I'm riding with a 700x28 rear tire I had in the basement instead of the usual 700x25.
I'm guessing a bead on a 5 week old tire shouldn't look like this:
Yesterday wasn't my day. Out riding on the highway I got caught in a bit of rain, the wind was 15km/h stronger than forecast and I got a flat. While inflating the tire it blew off the rim and I noticed strips of the bead falling off. I managed to get the tire to stay on and made it back home without another flat. So today I'm riding with a 700x28 rear tire I had in the basement instead of the usual 700x25.
I'm guessing a bead on a 5 week old tire shouldn't look like this:
#3854
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 184
From: south Puget Sound
50F, clammy. Definitely the right weekend to put the fenders back on.
On the other hand, it was the wrong weekend to try SKS fenders, so I went back to my battered planet bike cascadias. Won't make that mistake again.
On the other hand, it was the wrong weekend to try SKS fenders, so I went back to my battered planet bike cascadias. Won't make that mistake again.
#3855
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Lady, I don't know why you're slowly walking across the street w/ a dazed smile on your face and staring at traffic that's coming right at you but maybe you should get the **** out of the way before you get runned over.
__________________
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
#3858
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Back on the bike after a week off due to it being in the shop for a fender install/general maintenance work. Mid 50's and a bit breezy. I left before sunrise to avoid riding into the sun(I ride due west) and having no visibility. After a record summer, it was one of the most pleasant rides I've had in a while.
Glad I got those fenders, the grocery store that I cut behind to get out of my neighborhood was power washing their loading docks. The entire side lot was covered in water.
Glad I got those fenders, the grocery store that I cut behind to get out of my neighborhood was power washing their loading docks. The entire side lot was covered in water.
#3859
Yesterday and today I commuted on Big Momma (Giant Cypress) instead of Cecilia (Specialized Allez). The ride is only 3.5 miles, but the ride is totally different on the two bikes. Panniers versus backpack, speed, sitting position, etc. I don't know which I like better, but to me it's hard to even compare the two they're so different. Love them both.
Last night I almost got right hooked at two adjacent intercections. On the first I was like "eh, happens". Second, "WTF?"
Last night I almost got right hooked at two adjacent intercections. On the first I was like "eh, happens". Second, "WTF?"
#3860
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
A little cool this morning, but was a great commute. 41F and dawn/sunny with no winds.
67F and sunny this afternoon with winds from the SSE @ 6mph. I felt slow climbing the hills coming home and my knees were a little sore afterwords. Last night I made an adjustment to my cleats and pedals that I shouldn't have done. I need to learn that if it feels good, I shouldn't mess with it.
67F and sunny this afternoon with winds from the SSE @ 6mph. I felt slow climbing the hills coming home and my knees were a little sore afterwords. Last night I made an adjustment to my cleats and pedals that I shouldn't have done. I need to learn that if it feels good, I shouldn't mess with it.
#3861
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Henderson/Las Vegas NV
Bikes: Giant Defy 2
Another chilly morning. By mid-week the afternoon temperatures will be quite high.
Yesterday wasn't my day. Out riding on the highway I got caught in a bit of rain, the wind was 15km/h stronger than forecast and I got a flat. While inflating the tire it blew off the rim and I noticed strips of the bead falling off. I managed to get the tire to stay on and made it back home without another flat. So today I'm riding with a 700x28 rear tire I had in the basement instead of the usual 700x25.
I'm guessing a bead on a 5 week old tire shouldn't look like this:

Yesterday wasn't my day. Out riding on the highway I got caught in a bit of rain, the wind was 15km/h stronger than forecast and I got a flat. While inflating the tire it blew off the rim and I noticed strips of the bead falling off. I managed to get the tire to stay on and made it back home without another flat. So today I'm riding with a 700x28 rear tire I had in the basement instead of the usual 700x25.
I'm guessing a bead on a 5 week old tire shouldn't look like this:

#3864
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Warm and kinda steamy. Foggy north of here, but visiblity good for entire ride in, except when glasses steamed up. Nice to ride in after not riding Monday.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#3865
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
Back after a 4 day weekend, and riding and camping on different trails. I packed my trailer too heavy, so that caused problems, but as the weekend wore on and I finished a bottle of wine or so, it got lighter. Easy ride in, but with some lower left back strain. Rain for most of the week, but I won't know how much until I ride in it.
#3867
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, KY
Bikes: Surly Cross Check, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Trek FX 7.2
Easy ride this morning. 63F/17C, cloudy, no wind, wet pavement, and a few puddles left from the rain yesterday and overnight.
Yesterday on my way home, in the rain, had a flat. That was fun. That was my sixth flat in 1000 miles with the Hypers.
Coincidentally, my new Marathon Plus tires arrived in the mail yesterday too. So this morning was the first morning I got to ride with them. They are very quite. I wouldn't even know I'm moving from the sound of them. Stealthy. Maybe too stealthy! I scared a dog this morning. A big one. A German Shepard, who didn't appear to appreciate being startled.
As far as ride goes, I'd say the Marathon's are a tad more harsh than the Hypers. Like if the Hypers had 5 or so more pounds of pressure in them.
When I put the front tire on, I must have had a brain fart and put it on backwards (not that it really matters). I was much too lazy to take it back off and turn it around so I had the clever idea that I'd just put the wheel on the bike backwards instead. It is the front wheel after all. About 4 miles into my ride this morning I noticed the speedometer wasn't working. After a few seconds it finally dawned inside this slow noggin' of mine what happened!
Yesterday on my way home, in the rain, had a flat. That was fun. That was my sixth flat in 1000 miles with the Hypers.
Coincidentally, my new Marathon Plus tires arrived in the mail yesterday too. So this morning was the first morning I got to ride with them. They are very quite. I wouldn't even know I'm moving from the sound of them. Stealthy. Maybe too stealthy! I scared a dog this morning. A big one. A German Shepard, who didn't appear to appreciate being startled.

As far as ride goes, I'd say the Marathon's are a tad more harsh than the Hypers. Like if the Hypers had 5 or so more pounds of pressure in them.
When I put the front tire on, I must have had a brain fart and put it on backwards (not that it really matters). I was much too lazy to take it back off and turn it around so I had the clever idea that I'd just put the wheel on the bike backwards instead. It is the front wheel after all. About 4 miles into my ride this morning I noticed the speedometer wasn't working. After a few seconds it finally dawned inside this slow noggin' of mine what happened!
#3868
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
#3869
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
Got my new (used) Waterford back from the shop yesterday built up with parts from my touring bike plus a few new items. Of course, the forecast calls for showers all week now that I have a new bike to try out. I spent a while in the garage last night installing fenders, but realized that the bracket that attaches the rear fender to the frame will have to be replaced. So, I got the front fender installed but will have to wait on the part to install the rear. Fortunately I have some SKS RaceBlades (detachable fenders) that I can use in the meantime.
Rode the new bike this morning and it really rides nice. One of the reasons why I got the Waterford is that it's a sport touring frame and should provide a nicer, more compliant ride than the touring frame. It certainly felt smoother on the maiden voyage, using the same wheels and tires as previously. It also should be a little lighter. So far, so good.
Rode the new bike this morning and it really rides nice. One of the reasons why I got the Waterford is that it's a sport touring frame and should provide a nicer, more compliant ride than the touring frame. It certainly felt smoother on the maiden voyage, using the same wheels and tires as previously. It also should be a little lighter. So far, so good.
#3870
Back in the game...

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Keller, TX
Bikes: 1985 Trek 400; 1999 Specialized Rock Hopper (rigid, slicks); 2007 Crosscheck
Wow. The morning temps here in N Texas are cooler (again) after a return to the heat last week. Cooler temps and no wind this morning made for a beautiful ride in. At least it felt great - i couldn't see much due to the dark, and there were a couple places where the fragrance of skunk was fairly strong. But no complaints from me this morning. Now it's time to buckle down and take it to this pile of work on my desk!
#3871
It's still right at 60F in the morning which to me is close to perfect. Just a slight drizzle and again oddly no other cyclists out. I guess the big spike in morning commuters was a summer thing after all.
#3873
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 184
From: south Puget Sound
45F and sunny, then I crossed a rise and it was HEAVY fog the rest of the way.
This is supposed to by my 6 yr old's 1st day riding to school on 2 wheels (no training wheels). Hope it works, my wife will let me know later.
This is supposed to by my 6 yr old's 1st day riding to school on 2 wheels (no training wheels). Hope it works, my wife will let me know later.
#3874
Very nice rides out and back so far this week. Although I see some drizzle coming down now...eh, not so bad. DC riders can rejoice in the newly repaved strecth of Constitution from 23rd all the way down to Washington monument.
One year anniversary approaches.
One year anniversary approaches.
#3875
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
C'mon presidential motorcade, I'm trying to get to work! Get outta the way!
__________________
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!






I was worried you were going to say, "My front (disk) brake didn't work!" 
