How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#476
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.
#478
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

Adam
#480
#481
On a Mission from God
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 5
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.
#482
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
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.
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.
#483
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
Bikes: only have one at the moment :( But at least its a CrossCheck so its multipurpose and STEEL.
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

Adam
#484
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
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.
#485
On a Mission from God
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 5
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!!
I hope I get to ride in snow!!
#486
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
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.
#490
stringbreaker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2
From: wa. State
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
Chilly this morning 25 F. Glorious this afternoon in the upper forties.
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#491
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
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.
Also nice was riding home with a little more daylight, too.
#492
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
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.
#493
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
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.
#495
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
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)
Easy ride in though, tires didnt depressurize.
We shall see how the rest of the days commutes go (to job #2 and home)
#496
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
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
#497
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Bikes: Trek 7200
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.
#498
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
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!
#499
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur




