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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 02-02-11 | 09:41 AM
  #476  
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From: Queens, New York
Originally Posted by walnutz
Today was the coldest commute I've ever had (Austin, TX). I'm glad I did it though. I've been slowly collecting cold weather stuff for a while, I'm happy I did.
Yeah, it's hard in the beginning. But as you accumulate more proper clothing and gear over time, it gets easier. This is my second Winter and I'm definitely more comfortable and better prepared than the last one. I have at least two of everything down to Sealskinz socks. I expect following Winters to be even easier. Man, I'd love a Pugsley with studded Endomorph tires for Winter!!! Although, Winters in NYC aren't usually as snowy as this Winter.
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Old 02-02-11 | 09:43 AM
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From: Burnaby BC, Canada

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Nice chilly ride in this morning, -2C/28F. Some of the mud in the trails has frozen into very rutty terrain but it's only in short sections.
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Old 02-02-11 | 09:47 AM
  #478  
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Originally Posted by fsc
I think the cold is causing my tires to drop in pressure
Yeah, I think so too. That's enough temperature difference, I think, between indoors and outdoors to cause pressure drop. That reminds me. I pumped my 120psi road bike tires once while outside, the temperature was in low 40s. Then, later in the car, going back home, after turning the heat one one tire exploded. I almost drove off the highway and my ears were ringing for like an hour! Stupid enough, I didn't think to lower the pressure in the other one, it exploded later at home

Adam
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Old 02-02-11 | 10:11 AM
  #479  
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From: Potomac, MT, USA
Windy. It was like riding uphill almost the whole way.
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Old 02-02-11 | 10:16 AM
  #480  
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Originally Posted by scroca
Windy. It was like riding uphill almost the whole way.
I know the feeling.

See: https://mile-high-mark.blogspot.com/2...h-descent.html
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Old 02-02-11 | 10:17 AM
  #481  
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From: Thibodaux, LA

Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial

Wind this morning was probably the worst it's ever been... I averaged less than 9MPH. Wind chill in the teens, and spinning in granny gear = suckage.
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Old 02-02-11 | 11:26 AM
  #482  
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From: Sacramento, California, USA

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

Got a late start this morning. I wanted to bring my race bike so I could do intervals at lunch time. Came out to the garage and realized I still had my race wheels on. Switched out wheels, then realized I had to switch out the brake pads too. Not a time consuming thing, but messy since I hadn't gotten around to washing my bike after the race.

Anyway, the ride to work was pleasant enough. I left at the same time as my neighbor in his car -- I passed him twice. I love that.
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Old 02-02-11 | 12:27 PM
  #483  
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From: Bozeman, MT

Bikes: only have one at the moment :( But at least its a CrossCheck so its multipurpose and STEEL.

Originally Posted by AdamDZ
Yeah, I think so too. That's enough temperature difference, I think, between indoors and outdoors to cause pressure drop. That reminds me. I pumped my 120psi road bike tires once while outside, the temperature was in low 40s. Then, later in the car, going back home, after turning the heat one one tire exploded. I almost drove off the highway and my ears were ringing for like an hour! Stupid enough, I didn't think to lower the pressure in the other one, it exploded later at home

Adam
Cool, i figured I was going all "bats in the belfry" for a bit there... Probably still am, just not about this.
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Old 02-02-11 | 02:01 PM
  #484  
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From: Tahoe

Bikes: Motobecane Single Speed, Trek Mountain Track Xtracycle

so cold my bike did not want to move at all, think it was protesting. Might need to lube my chain and clean up a bit. Think it was frozen, poor bike. I was warm enough as I was layered up for skiing this afternoon, but I was way out of breath today. But we are supposed to heat up to low 50s by the end of the week, it was 8 this morning but everyone said more like 5. Whatever it was I had to wear a jacket when I ran this morning.
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Old 02-02-11 | 02:32 PM
  #485  
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From: Thibodaux, LA

Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial

They are forecasting snow for tomorrow morning here... and it only snows once about every 10 years.

I hope I get to ride in snow!!
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Old 02-02-11 | 02:54 PM
  #486  
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From: SouthWest Washington State

Bikes: Schwinn Broadway Hybrid (2010)

The ride this morning was 3C's ... Calm, Clear and Cold, 24F. Was excited to try out my new light (Planet Bike Blaze-1 watt) and gloves Pearl Izumi. Both worked great, too bad I have to wait 9 hours before I get to ride home ... should be mid 40's for the return trip.
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Old 02-02-11 | 05:33 PM
  #487  
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Cold cold cold. Windchill was in the neighborhood of -4. Felt good getting to my stops, though.
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Old 02-02-11 | 05:49 PM
  #488  
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31f Sunny, head wind the whole way but not too bad
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Old 02-02-11 | 06:10 PM
  #489  
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What a difference a day makes, yesterday's horrid return trip was today's partly sunny, 40 degree+, tailwind express. Got a nice push all the way home.
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Old 02-02-11 | 06:24 PM
  #490  
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Chilly this morning 25 F. Glorious this afternoon in the upper forties.
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Old 02-02-11 | 08:09 PM
  #491  
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From: Alexandria, VA

Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion

What a delightful ride home. I had my good ol' commute route back! Thanks to a warm day with a high near 50 and some afternoon sunshine, I decided to see how my regular route on an unplowed MUP looked (the Mount Vernon Trail from 14th St Bridge down to Four Mile Run); it was almost entirely cleared up! There were a few patches of slush on the airport overpasses and lots of snow melt runoff washing over the trail which could make for a little ice in the morning, but a very welcome improvement indeed. Let's hope Punx. Phil was and winter is ending! And like dcb, I had a heavenly tailwind in places. Always nice to cruise along at 18 mph w/ little effort! Also nice was riding home with a little more daylight, too.
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Old 02-03-11 | 05:46 AM
  #492  
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From: Columbia, Maryland

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

Cold this morning at 25 F (-4 C). There was some melting yesterday, but it produced frozen ponds of black ice this morning. No issues other than having to slow down many times. Yesterday, coming in in the rain, I noticed that both my Planet bike superflashers were having problems. One was completey off and the other went spastic on me. Today they are fine. I will have to pay more attention to them when riding in the rain, because I do not remember having this problem before.
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Old 02-03-11 | 07:02 AM
  #493  
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From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

Relatively warm this morning (34 F) but the humidity and wind made it feel colder. However, I love riding when temps are in the 30s so it felt great. Took the day off yesterday for some recovery and legs felt much better today. My diet is finally starting to pay off, and I've now lost 6 lbs. since Christmas. Tracking all of my food intake and exercise is the trick, which is easy with the iPhone I got for Christmas.
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Old 02-03-11 | 08:21 AM
  #494  
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16f and windy, why is it when it's cold out it has to be windy? Wheres all this wind when it's 105f out?
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Old 02-03-11 | 09:13 AM
  #495  
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From: Bozeman, MT

Bikes: only have one at the moment :( But at least its a CrossCheck so its multipurpose and STEEL.

1.4F when I left the house. I know Im kinda "off" when I think "Sweet! Warm morning!!!"

Easy ride in though, tires didnt depressurize.

We shall see how the rest of the days commutes go (to job #2 and home)
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Old 02-03-11 | 10:33 AM
  #496  
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35F, 6miles to the office this morning, no wind, great ride! co-worker caught up to me and tried to give me a ride but I only had 1 mile left and ended up pulling in around the same time haha! Did 25 miles for my day off yesterday. Felt like head wind both ways i swear! I also work at a restaurant in the evenings and absolutely loathe riding home at 1AM through the not so safe areas
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Old 02-03-11 | 12:59 PM
  #497  
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From: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

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I did not ride today, 5F here. Since the normal lows are in the 30's I just have not accumulated enough winter clothes to ride on days like this, or I am a wimp, one or the other. Off tomorrow and temps are supposed to be back to normal on Monday so I will be enjoying my ride again.
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Old 02-03-11 | 03:39 PM
  #498  
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Originally Posted by Fizzaly
16f and windy, why is it when it's cold out it has to be windy? Wheres all this wind when it's 105f out?
Be careful what you wish for. Pedaling into a massive headwing when it's 105 outside probably isn't too fun...

Another early ride in to work (all week I've had to be in an hour or more earlier than I normally come in), but happily back on my normal commute route. The melting yesterday and freezing overnight did lead to some icy patches here and there along the MUP, but all except for one were less than about three feet wide/long, and I just went around that one in the grass. Bit of wind to contend with, but generally a nice ride in.

Been a super busy day and week here at work. I'm so ready to leave for a relaxing ride home. Praise be to bike commutes for helping to keep me sane!
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Old 02-03-11 | 04:21 PM
  #499  
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Originally Posted by Fizzaly
16f and windy, why is it when it's cold out it has to be windy? Wheres all this wind when it's 105f out?
It's in Sacramento.
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Old 02-03-11 | 06:37 PM
  #500  
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Had a heavy headwind to battle coming in this morning, ride home was nice, not too cold. Faced some distracted drivers but overall a good one.
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