How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#501
Tawp Dawg
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')
Upper 20s and overcast, with about an inch of fresh this morning on top of the 4 or so that've dribbled in over the last couple of days. Counted an even 10 bike commuters during the 2 mile ride home; and, even better, I passed a middle-schooler this morning as he rode his bike up the Hillcrest hill, at 22F and through fresh snow, on his way to school. Good job, kid.
#503
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, but it doesn't feel too bad at 23 F (-5 C). Some more melting again yesterday, so black ice everywhere. I actually stopped in one area and walked the bike across, which was a task in itself. We are supposed to get rain tomorrow, and I hope that it comes late enough to actually be just rain. That would help get some more of this stuff out of her. I have come to detest white lanscapes.
#504
On the way out, the roads were all very slushy, and there was a lot more traffic than usual. Some drivers also seemed to think I should ride in the deep slush (impossible) so they could take the tire tracks
There was a terrible headwind, too.....but I was warm because I had to work so hard.
The way home was much better, still lots of slush, but I tried to stick to one-way streets to avoid traffic. It was a beautiful night....but in the teens and single digits, so breathing through my nose gave me brain freeze....
I got to work all stressed from the terrible ride, and got home feeling much better....I was able to enjoy the ride home
There was a terrible headwind, too.....but I was warm because I had to work so hard.

The way home was much better, still lots of slush, but I tried to stick to one-way streets to avoid traffic. It was a beautiful night....but in the teens and single digits, so breathing through my nose gave me brain freeze....
I got to work all stressed from the terrible ride, and got home feeling much better....I was able to enjoy the ride home
Last edited by i wish; 02-04-11 at 07:13 AM. Reason: clarification
#507
I had a great bike commute yesterday. It was -1F when I left in the morning and 20F on the way home. Plus, I had daylight all the way home! It was nice having a sunny day, we've had very few of them the last couple of months.
#508
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
I bailed today... 34 degrees, driving rain and wind. The cold I don't mind, the wind I dislike... freezing rain I am not prepared for.
#509
Wheezing Geezer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: Crowley, Tx
Bikes: Bacchetta Corsa, RANS Stratus XP
Monday was the only day I rode to work this week........sheesh. Schools here have been closed for four days now; I don't remember that ever happening before. There was a little less ice today, but we got 5 inches of fresh snow on top of it. That's not as slick as the ice, but still seemed like too much for 24 miles of riding on a recumbent. Maybe next Monday....
#510
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Beeeee-eautiful ride in. I hit snooze a few times too many apparently and was running late, so I had to ride pretty hard, but I was aided by what felt like a slight tailwind, cool temps (in the 20s), and brilliant sunshine. Lifts the spirit.
I get an extra commute for the week in tomorrow - have to support a meeting going on here at work. I hate working Saturdays, BUT at least it's an excuse to ride!
Gotta call the LBS if I find time today re: my LHT frame order. It had been placed beginning of last week and was supposed to come in within about a week. Still no word from them, though.
I get an extra commute for the week in tomorrow - have to support a meeting going on here at work. I hate working Saturdays, BUT at least it's an excuse to ride!Gotta call the LBS if I find time today re: my LHT frame order. It had been placed beginning of last week and was supposed to come in within about a week. Still no word from them, though.
#512
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
A warm -6C for the ride in, and the MUP is packed smooth and fast. I've got a bit of a cold but didn't want to pass up riding in the warm weather. When I got to the university my keycard wouldn't open the bike cage. Either they gave me one less month than I paid for or my memory is not so good. I had the parking lot guy radio security to let me in, and later renewed my card to the end of the semester.
Its supposed to be +1C for the ride home. The roads will be really sloppy but the MUP should be fine.
Looking out from the 6th floor of the library I see the city has cleared a huge section of ice on the lake, maybe 1000-2000 feet long. Its looking awfully tempting
Its supposed to be +1C for the ride home. The roads will be really sloppy but the MUP should be fine.
Looking out from the 6th floor of the library I see the city has cleared a huge section of ice on the lake, maybe 1000-2000 feet long. Its looking awfully tempting
#513
What EKW said 
Flags were still at Washington Monument, always a good sign for me since I catch the am headwind usually.
I know this has been discussed many times...what to wear. was set to go with the lighter apparel...thought about it, put on the ski jacket...regretted it quick. Overheated the whole way in!

Flags were still at Washington Monument, always a good sign for me since I catch the am headwind usually.
I know this has been discussed many times...what to wear. was set to go with the lighter apparel...thought about it, put on the ski jacket...regretted it quick. Overheated the whole way in!
#514
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
zero energy today, dont know why.
rode really slow, took me 30min longer then usual
rode really slow, took me 30min longer then usual
#515
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
#516
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
#517
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
The +1C ride home was great. However drinking a bottle of Coke before heading out wasn't. I had a cramp in my stomach about half way home. I took it slow and enjoyed the ride and even managed to get home before it started raining.
I detoured over to the skating rink. Since it was covered in puddles of standing water I opted to not do any speed runs on the ice flats.
The snow on some of the wooden bridges on the MUP was melting much faster than the stuff on the path. What was rock hard this morning, I sunk completely through making it difficult to navigate. I'll have to keep that in mind the next time it gets warm.
By the time I got home the bike was wet and grimy with snow wedged everywhere so I had to give it a good cleaning and relube. It was warm enough to wash outside so the cleaning went faster than the indoor cleaning I did earlier in the week.
Next week is supposed to be back to the normal cold temps, so it should stay clean for a while. Unfortunately its supposed to snow again on the weekend which will mess up the roads and MUP which are both in great riding condition.
I detoured over to the skating rink. Since it was covered in puddles of standing water I opted to not do any speed runs on the ice flats.
The snow on some of the wooden bridges on the MUP was melting much faster than the stuff on the path. What was rock hard this morning, I sunk completely through making it difficult to navigate. I'll have to keep that in mind the next time it gets warm.
By the time I got home the bike was wet and grimy with snow wedged everywhere so I had to give it a good cleaning and relube. It was warm enough to wash outside so the cleaning went faster than the indoor cleaning I did earlier in the week.
Next week is supposed to be back to the normal cold temps, so it should stay clean for a while. Unfortunately its supposed to snow again on the weekend which will mess up the roads and MUP which are both in great riding condition.
#518
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Rare Saturday commute for me. Happens once every couple months. Cold misty morning with temps in the mid 30s F. No icing at least. According to the weather service, I can expect the same conditions going home now in a few minutes.
Funny how few cars are out at 7 AM on a rainy Saturday in February. The roads seemed practically empty of cars, and I didn't see a single bike besides mine the whole 7.5+ miles in. Guess I can't blame anyone. Most of my riding is commuting, and you wouldn't usually find me anywhere other than my bed at 7 on a Saturday!
Happy Super Bowl weekend all. Go Steelers!!!
Funny how few cars are out at 7 AM on a rainy Saturday in February. The roads seemed practically empty of cars, and I didn't see a single bike besides mine the whole 7.5+ miles in. Guess I can't blame anyone. Most of my riding is commuting, and you wouldn't usually find me anywhere other than my bed at 7 on a Saturday!

Happy Super Bowl weekend all. Go Steelers!!!
#519
Firm Believer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
Bikes: Rocky Mountain Element Race, Azonic DS1
I am in love with commuting now...
I moved to Spokane Washington to go to school, and i don't have a car. All i have is a 93 Gary Fisher Advance.
Living 10 blocks from downtown is a huge perk. And living 2 blocks from my school is even Huger!
Should i invest in a fixie?
I moved to Spokane Washington to go to school, and i don't have a car. All i have is a 93 Gary Fisher Advance.
Living 10 blocks from downtown is a huge perk. And living 2 blocks from my school is even Huger!
Should i invest in a fixie?
#521
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
Just cold at 25 F (-4 C). After the decent weather yesterday, the sides of the roads are back. Black ice was at it's normal level this morning, so I guess that some storm drains must have appeared yesterday. There will be some more melting today, and hopefully, the two events this week will bring only little or nothing.
#522
On a morning like this, make that two of us.
Still, just above freezing in the city. Shed my outer layer and balaclava so I was cool but not perspiring for once.
I hear big winds are headed our way so I will enjoy today while it lasts. Actually got out on my bike yetserday after some brake maintenance, perfect day for Feb: Sunny and 40+.
Still, just above freezing in the city. Shed my outer layer and balaclava so I was cool but not perspiring for once.
I hear big winds are headed our way so I will enjoy today while it lasts. Actually got out on my bike yetserday after some brake maintenance, perfect day for Feb: Sunny and 40+.
#523
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
The past few weeks the weather has been bouncing between extremes with temperatures ranging between -30C and +1C. Back to the cold today at -29C, so no bike commute. By Thursday the temperatures will be near 0 again. -24C on Wednesday so I'll probably put the platform pedals back on.
#524
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
36f?? I generally rely on my bike computer for the temp but it broke, damn now I gots to go by what the weather guessers say it is outside. The weather channel says its 36f but im thinking they are off, who knows
#525
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
Legs tired this morning after riding 75 miles over the weekend. For the past week, the temperatures have been milder than most of the winter so far, but it's also been more humid, which makes it feel colder. Amazing how 30 F with high humidity feels colder than 23 F and low humidity, plus your eye glasses fog up a lot more.




