How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#4151
TortoiseNotHare
Join Date: Sep 2011
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My extra layer of fat is probably a blessing in these temps, and I'm a warm body in general. My body fairly breathes it's heat out and sucks the cool in. I still get soaked with sweat during my eight mile ride in. Shorts and long sleeve cotton tshirts will likely be all I need until we drop below 40°.
One of my favorite things about cold weather and rain/snow is the fair weather cyclists re join the cagers. More room in the bike lanes and on the bridges is fine by me.
I think I want a sign or jersey that reads, "where were you in january?" to wear in april as I go over the bridges when the fair weather riders return.
One of my favorite things about cold weather and rain/snow is the fair weather cyclists re join the cagers. More room in the bike lanes and on the bridges is fine by me.
I think I want a sign or jersey that reads, "where were you in january?" to wear in april as I go over the bridges when the fair weather riders return.
#4152
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Philly
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Flat at 630, in the rain. What a way to start my morning.... lucky for me, it held air well enough to get to the bus, then the train and I was able to patch it in my warm, dry (and light) office. Stopped by the LBS between offices at lunch and used their floor pump to get the final 30psi in and she's all set for the ride home. Another commuter stopped on the trail to make sure I was ok with the flat, which is always appreciated, even though I've had fixin's with me anytime I've gotten a flat.
Old tires, especially the rear, are getting kind of worn. This is a welcome development since I hate them (RiBmos, really horrendous off pavement handling and pretty heavy) but am too cheap to upgrade until they're at least mostly worn out.
Old tires, especially the rear, are getting kind of worn. This is a welcome development since I hate them (RiBmos, really horrendous off pavement handling and pretty heavy) but am too cheap to upgrade until they're at least mostly worn out.
#4153
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Western NY
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Coming off a 10 day long illness(virus) and felt good enough to ride my regular 5 mile commute to work. At mile 3 right inner thigh began to cramp. Then soon after there goes my left leg. Thought I was thoroughly hydrated enough but first time in my life i had to climb off the bike and hobble to work. I have been riding 70 miles a week too. Have been drinking water all day and eating fruit, especially bananas. The weather really is perfect for commuting so i am forcing myself to ease back in while building back my endurance.
#4154
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Monson, MA
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Good commute home at 57F with light rain and winds from the N @ 8-14mph. It was a slower ride due to the wind and tomorrow is supposed to be even more windy with gusts to 30mph or so.
#4156
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Columbia, Maryland
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Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter
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The warming trend has begun at 52 F (11C), and just in time for the weekend. Easy ride in and too much exhaust too early.
#4157
Senior Member
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Another day with beautiful weather, morning lows about 50 and highs in the 70s. It's so nice that it's hard not to ride. I've got a bunch of laundry piling up in my office as a result because I take that home on the days I drive. I might have to run some errands in my truck after work some day this week just to clear out my office. My appetite is going wild lately with the cooler temperatures, which happens every year about this time.
#4158
Belt drive!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Burlington, Vermont
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52F/11C, overcast, no wind. Pleasant. Tomorrow it may be the first sub-freezing ride of the season if the forecast is accurate. We'll see! I might actually have to put on long sleeves.
#4159
TortoiseNotHare
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NYC
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58 this morning, clear with a strong breeze.
Twice now I have arrived at the wards island bridge to find the gate closed and had to wait for one of the construction workers to show up with the key.
Technically they don't have to open until dawn, and come october thirty first the bridge will close for construction until spring putting me back on the fifty ninth street bridge both ways.
I'm contemplating just going back to the fifty ninth street bridge a little early so I don't get stuck waiting for the key master.
Twice now I have arrived at the wards island bridge to find the gate closed and had to wait for one of the construction workers to show up with the key.
Technically they don't have to open until dawn, and come october thirty first the bridge will close for construction until spring putting me back on the fifty ninth street bridge both ways.
I'm contemplating just going back to the fifty ninth street bridge a little early so I don't get stuck waiting for the key master.
#4160
Back in the game...
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Keller, TX
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Beautiful again this morning. Great ride - drivers were mostly nice and mostly patient, hit a few lights the right way, temps and wind perfect, and a nice sunrise to greet me as I rolled up to the office. Quite a cornucopia of roadkill these days - coyote last week, HUGE raccoon yesterday, opossum today. Someone must be cleaning them up, though, because I don't see them two days in a row. And so far have managed to avoid them (as well as their "I'm not dead yet" brethren...)
#4161
Stealing Spokes since 82'
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50f Raining and wet, not a bad morning though, did get to learn early in the season that my rain pants are done for so I guess it's time to get some new ones.
#4162
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Warmer day today. All week I have been experiencing an odd sensation of being followed in the woods. The air that I displace creates little zephyrs behind me that stir up the leaves, making it sound like there is somebody is about 10 feet behind me.
Poor little guys, caught like rats in a trap:
Poor little guys, caught like rats in a trap:
Last edited by Surrealdeal; 10-05-11 at 09:11 AM.
#4163
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Beautiful fall morning. About 50 on the way in, will be 70's on the way home. And did I mention that the sun will be out all day. After one of the rainiest Septembers on record, its supposed to be sunny for the next 7 days. Good riding weather for sure.
#4164
The Rock Cycle
This is slacker week for me. I haven't been on my bike at all yet this week. Had a mild cold, achiness and cough; plus the weather turned cooler and rainy. So I've been driving my 4.5 mile commute. I usually do a 1/2 hr run sometime during my workday, but I have either skipped it or just walked so far this week.
As I was driving to work went by a neighbors house as he was getting on his bike to go to work (2 miles). He was asking me why I wasn't riding today.
I'll be back at it next week.
As I was driving to work went by a neighbors house as he was getting on his bike to go to work (2 miles). He was asking me why I wasn't riding today.
I'll be back at it next week.
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#4165
Senior Member
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I got hit by a cold/sore throat a couple nights ago so even though the weather's great, I decided on a partial commute. While driving to where I park my car I saw plenty of traffic and decided "eh, whatever" and parked the car further out, and rode most of the way in anyway.
It was a bit more tiring than usual, although that's possibly because I always get the urge to keep up with the roadies on the MUP. I am gonna switch out my 26x1.95 XC knobby tonight though for a 26x1.25 slick. Should make a difference. It's funny because when I first got my road bike I thought "there's no way I'm going back to a MTB for commuting". Now that I've done a century on my road bike, the commute distance is so short that I almost prefer the MTB for the extra workout.
It was a bit more tiring than usual, although that's possibly because I always get the urge to keep up with the roadies on the MUP. I am gonna switch out my 26x1.95 XC knobby tonight though for a 26x1.25 slick. Should make a difference. It's funny because when I first got my road bike I thought "there's no way I'm going back to a MTB for commuting". Now that I've done a century on my road bike, the commute distance is so short that I almost prefer the MTB for the extra workout.
#4166
Commuter Newb
Join Date: Oct 2011
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On my 3rd day of bike-commuting ever, I encountered a minivan-dad who didn't bother to look both ways before exiting the elementary school drop-off zone. Thankfully I had a feeling that would happen and slowed down.
To make up for that idiot, the weather was a sunny 65 degrees.
To make up for that idiot, the weather was a sunny 65 degrees.
#4167
Old, but not really wise
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA commuting to Washington DC
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Overall a pretty nice day; sunny, but reasonably cool temps (but not cold - shorts and a technical tee for me), so the ride felt good. Best part? Bailing on the car part of my commute early, and parking in the first available location, getting on the bike and being ahead of the cars that had been ahead of me (this included parking, unracking, affixing panniers, etc...) Even so, I had to deal with more car traffic than I like!
However, I was pooped on for the second time in the past few weeks, and I think I ate a bug. Yuck!
However, I was pooped on for the second time in the past few weeks, and I think I ate a bug. Yuck!
#4168
Senior Member
I think we're all experiencing a bit of a warming trend these past couple and for the next couple of days. Although this weather is nice for walking (or as my son is doing, camping and canoeing for his Outdoor Education high school course) but I find it a bit challenging for biking because I have to wear warmer clothing during the dark morning ride (5C, ~40F) and have room in my rack pack for the jacket and tights for the sunny, afternoon ride (20C, ~68F).
The ride this morning was OK. A couple of driveways from my house, I discovered that my front brakes were rubbing but I was already running late so I couldn't stop (in the dark) for any significant repairs/adjustments so I just battled the extra "rolling friction". This afternoon at break, I will take a look at it or just take the short route home.
The ride this morning was OK. A couple of driveways from my house, I discovered that my front brakes were rubbing but I was already running late so I couldn't stop (in the dark) for any significant repairs/adjustments so I just battled the extra "rolling friction". This afternoon at break, I will take a look at it or just take the short route home.
#4169
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Join Date: Oct 2010
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rode to the east side today.
got mildy wet. kinda nice to have to commute some distance again.....
got mildy wet. kinda nice to have to commute some distance again.....
#4170
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Felt like I was riding in Portland... cool and wet with a little drizzle and fallen leaves everywhere.
#4171
Senior Member
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A nice ride home last night plus the shorter rides to and from class. 7.4 miles of pure bliss this morning.
[cue the music] It's the most wonderful time of the year... [/music]
Leave out the mistletoe and holiday cheer... Cool weather riding is the best. Vive octobre et novembre!
[cue the music] It's the most wonderful time of the year... [/music]
Leave out the mistletoe and holiday cheer... Cool weather riding is the best. Vive octobre et novembre!
#4172
Senior Member
Oh, and my sincere apologies to any commuters behind me this morning, my methane-based gas propulsion was working overtime. I don't know what I ate yesterday to cause it but again, my apologies.
#4173
The Drive Side is Within
I felt fast as heck today. So I took a right turn through a green light empty intersection at the bottom of a hill at something north of 20. GNARLY SKID-OUT, DUDE!
I felt bad. Behind me, at the top of the hill, was a coworker who caught up to me when I was dusting myself off.
She had lost her son in a car accident last year. What must have been going through her head when she saw me go down....
Even when you're nowhere near someone, I guess you can still shock and hurt folks being a daredevil....
I felt bad. Behind me, at the top of the hill, was a coworker who caught up to me when I was dusting myself off.
She had lost her son in a car accident last year. What must have been going through her head when she saw me go down....
Even when you're nowhere near someone, I guess you can still shock and hurt folks being a daredevil....
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The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
#4174
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nice day .. partly coudy .. 54 F ... 10 mph wind .... small sun breaks .....
#4175
Senior Member
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Great commute this morning at 46F and dawn/mostly cloudy with no wind. Made pretty good time and felt great. My cyclocomputer was showing cadence but no speed because the magnet was turned the wrong way on the wheel. I was still able to see my speed because I had my gps on.
This afternoon it was 67F and partly cloudy with winds from the NNW @ 12-15mph gusting to 19-25mph. I pushed myself a little harder than I usually like to because I was trying to make it to my friend's shop before she had to go into work. The winds definitely made it difficult and slow, but I did make it in time even though she wasn't there yet. When she did arrive, we weren't able to talk for too long because she had to go in. She was riding as well and left her house later than she normally does and the headwinds really slowed her down.
This afternoon it was 67F and partly cloudy with winds from the NNW @ 12-15mph gusting to 19-25mph. I pushed myself a little harder than I usually like to because I was trying to make it to my friend's shop before she had to go into work. The winds definitely made it difficult and slow, but I did make it in time even though she wasn't there yet. When she did arrive, we weren't able to talk for too long because she had to go in. She was riding as well and left her house later than she normally does and the headwinds really slowed her down.