How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#4126
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
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From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Blissfully cool, almost cold at first. Upper 40s to around 50 F. Did 15-16 mph into a headwind and didn't even break a sweat. I love this time of year. October and November are the best riding months of the year!
#4127
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: NOWHERE
Bikes: noyb
Due to a doctor appointment this afternoon I had to take the motorcycle rather than my bike. I left home at 6:45 am to horrendous traffic backups every which way to the closest way out of the neighborhood (it's a penninsula - one major route out only). Rain, cold, dark, no fun. So I made a 180 and headed south to just get northbound again. Ended up having a pretty good moto in to work that way. But I was planning on getting to work about 45 min earlier than normal. Instead I was 10 minutes later than I would have been if I had cycled. Which I couldn't do in the first place. I was looking at the cyclists in envy...d'oh!
#4129
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Another excellent commute this afternoon at 63F and partly cloudy with light winds from the S @ 3-6mph. Not only did I have one of the fastest commutes this morning, I had the fastest commute coming home this afternoon. I told my friend that I was going to meet her at her work about 3 miles from my house. About half way I hit really bad stop and crawl traffic due to some weird road/bridge construction. I took me over 10 mins to get through that mess. I made up most the time by riding faster, which I think is why I got the fastest commute home. Unfortunately by the time I made it to her shop, it was a little past time for her to work and she was already inside. Hopefully tomorrow I can make it as long as I don't hit the same mess.
#4130
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 wasn't feeling it when I left the house but I clocked in a fast commute. Fantastic weather.
Just before I got to work, I passed through a construction zone just after a traffic light. I was the fastest vehicle to the zone with a single through-lane. A big black Chevy Suburban pulled in behind me and honked halfway through the single-lane stretch. After the construction zone, she weaved in and out of traffic to get ahead of everybody. I caught up to her while I was in the left turn lane to turn left; she was in the left travel lane. Just I was pulling off from the the light, she rolled down her window and started to say, "You should be [bla bla bla]." I didn't hear the rest of what she said because I yelled louder than her, "No I should not be. Thank you."
Yet another point in the column for rude or pushy drivers in the biggest vehicles available on the road for private drivers. Interesting trend, there.
Just before I got to work, I passed through a construction zone just after a traffic light. I was the fastest vehicle to the zone with a single through-lane. A big black Chevy Suburban pulled in behind me and honked halfway through the single-lane stretch. After the construction zone, she weaved in and out of traffic to get ahead of everybody. I caught up to her while I was in the left turn lane to turn left; she was in the left travel lane. Just I was pulling off from the the light, she rolled down her window and started to say, "You should be [bla bla bla]." I didn't hear the rest of what she said because I yelled louder than her, "No I should not be. Thank you."
Yet another point in the column for rude or pushy drivers in the biggest vehicles available on the road for private drivers. Interesting trend, there.
Last edited by dygituljunky; 10-03-11 at 04:23 PM. Reason: punctuation
#4131
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
For the last year+ my commute has been 15 miles round trip. Today I had my 1st day of my new 39 mile commute. As EKW said the the weather was nice and cool. I did sweat a ton because the new commute has 2k vertical feet. Sweaty on the up hills and cool on the down.
#4132
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Man, I have had some great riding days this year. I often think today is as good as it gets. But i truly think the ride home today was a good as it gets. We will see, tomorrw is suppose to be at least as nice. Why would anyone drive a car?
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Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#4133
I too am loving the cooler temps.
Intermittent to moderate rain showers on the way home this evening.
I didn't bother with rain gear, and it wasn't even enough to soak through my thin cross trainer sneakers.
I had not rode since Thursday, which was the first 3 day stretch without riding in a long time.
Felt awesome, real fresh legs is weird after so long staying burnt up.
I try to ride 4 days a week, minimum. In my case life gets in the way much more than weather.
After work plans that don't allow me a stop home first = take the train with the tired, huddled masses. :\
Intermittent to moderate rain showers on the way home this evening.
I didn't bother with rain gear, and it wasn't even enough to soak through my thin cross trainer sneakers.
I had not rode since Thursday, which was the first 3 day stretch without riding in a long time.
Felt awesome, real fresh legs is weird after so long staying burnt up.
I try to ride 4 days a week, minimum. In my case life gets in the way much more than weather.
After work plans that don't allow me a stop home first = take the train with the tired, huddled masses. :\
#4134
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Bikes: 1978 nishiki 2011 Kona Dr.Good 1996 trek 830, 1996 Iron Horse MT400, 89 Specialized Hardrock,
i thought i was going to get rained on today .. i lucked out on both trips .. i was prepared with rain pants and lycra shoe covers in my trunk ... im glad i didnt need them ... windier on my way home ... 60 F going and 53F coming home .... t-shirt and a light weight rei jacket and jeans .. going to be wetter tuesday
#4135
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
It was a chilly commute today at 48F (8C). I will bring out the legins, as I had problems with my left knee yesterday going home in the rain. The joints just don't like the morning chill. The weather is supposed to improve, but I will wait to see that.
#4136
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Nice ride in. One funny thing though. It was a bit chilly and I left a bit early so it was pretty quite and very light traffic. I got up in town and was in kinda a dark quiet neighborhood area. I heard this weird chirping sound. I looked around and could not see anything. I kept hearing the sound as I rode for about a block and was getting closer to it but could not see anything. I stopped at a light, the sound was close, then accorss the street one of those electric wheelchair/scooters shot out of the darkness into the light. No lights, completely dark, actually going faster than I would have expected, and making a weird chirp squeaking sound intermittently.
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Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#4138
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Haven't commuted regularly since the start of the road race season, however this week I am going to try to do my 42mile RT commute all 5 days.
Didn't take my usual rest day on Monday and the ride home was tough, hope I find my groove soon
Dragging my 40# commuter bike up the rolling hills on the way to work is a lot different than my 15# road bike that's for sure.
Didn't take my usual rest day on Monday and the ride home was tough, hope I find my groove soon
Dragging my 40# commuter bike up the rolling hills on the way to work is a lot different than my 15# road bike that's for sure.
#4139
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
This is the kind of weather I wait all year for -- lows in upper 40s, highs in the lower 70s, sunny and dry with little wind. What more could you ask for? My legs bounced back this morning after a couple of slower rides and I made great time this morning. I am loving my new used Waterford that replaced my touring bike. I can easily average 1 mph faster on my commute with the same amount of effort, and the ride is much nicer.
#4140
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
Thanks for the compliment. It's nice to know that at least one person doesn't think I'm crazy!
#4141
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
No rides since last Thursday, and for some reason I wasn't looking forward to the ride this morning. Buy my wife rearranged her schedule (training for a tri later this month) so I could ride in today, so there would be heck to pay if I chose to sleep in and drive instead. Turned out to be an awesome ride. 57F at the start. Knee warmers were great, but I need to find me some long sleeves or arm warmers or something. It was my fastest commute since I started back at it - beat the old time by over 2 minutes without even pushing hard. And the icing on the cake was the predawn skyline as I made the last turn into the office. Beautiful, deep orange/red - wish my phone was accessible so i could post up a pic. Great way to start the grind!
#4145
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
9C with a 30 gusting to 40km/h headwind. I still wore jersey, shorts and a merino pullover. Commute time was only 1 minute longer than yesterday, which I was pretty happy with considering the wind.
Last night while walking I saw another e-bike rider with delusions of being a motorcyclist. Riding slowly in the driving lane despite the curb lane being completely empty, near dusk with no lights.
Last night while walking I saw another e-bike rider with delusions of being a motorcyclist. Riding slowly in the driving lane despite the curb lane being completely empty, near dusk with no lights.
#4147
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 0
From: Virginia/DC
Bikes: quite a few
About 50F again, did the full commute (9.5 miles) so I wore one less layer overall than yesterday's part commute (3.5 miles). A bit cold at first, but entirely bearable. Problem was, by the time I arrived my base layer was soaked in sweat. Guess I don't have this cold weather riding thing down yet.
#4148
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Was about 53F/12C, no wind. Damp. I just can't wear my high-vis jacket yet. I get too hot even in a short-sleeved "Polo shirt" for work. Switching to orange/reflective safety vest.
Kept the belt-side trouser leg wrapped up tight with a velcro strap. No more guard-catching mishaps today.
Kept the belt-side trouser leg wrapped up tight with a velcro strap. No more guard-catching mishaps today.
#4149
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Had one of the fastest commutes yesterday, and this morning had the slowest commute this semester. 52F with rain and winds from the NNW @ 4-9mph. There was a lot of street flooding/standing water, which definitely made it challenging and slow.
#4150
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Yesterday I was reminded of the fact that my touring bike isn't as sporty handling as my road bike. I was flying down the MUP at 40kph then realized as I entered a corner, "holy crap I'm going way too fast for this curve". A bit of last minute braking and all was fine. That corner was never a problem on the road bike, but I felt like I'd have to lean extremely far over to take it on the touring bike.





