How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#826
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
@truman: Sorry you missed your ride.
Many a morning, I've spent at least as much time hunting down my ID badge as I have making my lunch, getting dressed and packing a lunch. Just yesterday, I spent 10 minutes looking for my phone, which I had already been carrying around just a few minutes before. After I looked through everything in my bedroom, our office and the living room, it turned out I'd already thrown it into my rack trunk, which was waiting to be taken downstairs to the bike. D'oh!
Many a morning, I've spent at least as much time hunting down my ID badge as I have making my lunch, getting dressed and packing a lunch. Just yesterday, I spent 10 minutes looking for my phone, which I had already been carrying around just a few minutes before. After I looked through everything in my bedroom, our office and the living room, it turned out I'd already thrown it into my rack trunk, which was waiting to be taken downstairs to the bike. D'oh!
#828
Wheezing Geezer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: Crowley, Tx
Bikes: Bacchetta Corsa, RANS Stratus XP
Last Thursday was when we had the wind gusts to 40 mph. That's tough on any bike, but especially one with a fairing. It was a cross wind most of my ride home, trying to blow me off the shoulder and into traffic.
I didn't ride Friday, and just zombied around the house over the weekend, trying to see if a little time off my feet would help with my shin splints.
I rode to work yesterday and today. This morning, it was 32 degrees for the ride to work, and they're forecasting 72 degrees for this afternoon, a 40 degree temperature swing. How do you dress for that?
I didn't ride Friday, and just zombied around the house over the weekend, trying to see if a little time off my feet would help with my shin splints.
I rode to work yesterday and today. This morning, it was 32 degrees for the ride to work, and they're forecasting 72 degrees for this afternoon, a 40 degree temperature swing. How do you dress for that?
#829
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
yesterday on the way home, im about to cross a few lanes of traffic to get into the left turn lane, and do a head check to find some other commuter drafting me hard. scared the **** out of me to see some dood an arms length away.
granted im a good wheel to sit on since im so big, and the headwinds where pretty fierce... still...
if he would have asked, i would have said yes, and probably went as fast as i possibly could..
granted im a good wheel to sit on since im so big, and the headwinds where pretty fierce... still...
if he would have asked, i would have said yes, and probably went as fast as i possibly could..
#830
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
Ive decided to leave work a bit early and very glad to leave, currently 55f and sunny and I think I may put on a few miles today maybe its time for the long way home
Its windy but should be mostly a tail wind
Its windy but should be mostly a tail wind
#832
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 909
Likes: 2
From: The Path to Fredvana
Bikes: Long Haul Trucker 2010 , Felt Z90 2008, Rans Rocket 2001, Specialized Hardrock 1989
The weather was pleasant, +25F this morning, and sunny. A welcome change. Despite my avatar, my January-February mileage is probably <100 because of the cold, snow, rain, and general crappiness of the weather
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#833
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Excellent commute home this afternoon at 37F and sunny with winds from the W @ 7mph. When I was coming through the town before mine, I noticed a car in my mirror that was holding behind for about 10-15 secs. I could also see that there were other vehicles behind it, so I pulled off to the side to wave them around. Little did I know there was a huge line behind that one car. There had to have been at least 25 vehicles that went by one right after the other. No idea where that traffic came from because not a minute earlier, there was no one around. As soon as it was somewhat clear, I pulled back out and continued on my way. It seemed 85% of that traffic all turned left at the stop light ahead, so I passed most of them as they were waiting to turn cuz I went straight through.
#835
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
^^^ lovely
been ridding around running errands all afternoon, and got a bit wet.
been ridding around running errands all afternoon, and got a bit wet.
#836
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Patchogue, NY
Bikes: Trek Madon 4.5, Fausto Coppi Masciaghi
First "half" commute this morning. Drove just over half way and parked at a bike shop, then managed to find my way to the office. The route is quite easy, but having never done it before was a little intimidated. Had to "cross" two major highways...
Anyway, 49 minutes to do ~10 miles, then on the way home 35 minutes...
I'm now going to see if I can do the whole way. It may be a little too much to do on a regular occasion. I can't get up early enough to get to work on time!
I did enjoy it though. I just need to get some bags instead of a backpack!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/303027
Anyway, 49 minutes to do ~10 miles, then on the way home 35 minutes...
I'm now going to see if I can do the whole way. It may be a little too much to do on a regular occasion. I can't get up early enough to get to work on time!
I did enjoy it though. I just need to get some bags instead of a backpack!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/303027
Last edited by andboy; 03-01-11 at 09:31 PM.
#837
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Bikes: 2013 Carve with Rigid Salsa Fargo & 2005 Allez
First "half" commute this morning. Drove just over half way and parked at a bike shop, then managed to find my way to the office. The route is quite easy, but having never done it before was a little intimidated. Had to "cross" two major highways...
Anyway, 49 minutes to do ~10 miles, then on the way home 35 minutes...
I'm now going to see if I can do the whole way. It may be a little too much to do on a regular occasion. I can't get up early enough to get to work on time!
I did enjoy it though. I just need to get some bags instead of a backpack!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/303027
Anyway, 49 minutes to do ~10 miles, then on the way home 35 minutes...
I'm now going to see if I can do the whole way. It may be a little too much to do on a regular occasion. I can't get up early enough to get to work on time!
I did enjoy it though. I just need to get some bags instead of a backpack!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/303027
#838
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Patchogue, NY
Bikes: Trek Madon 4.5, Fausto Coppi Masciaghi
Beautiful morning, and the Campion trail is incredible. They are putting in exercise equipment along it! I saw a rowing machine and some other weird things.
I'll go looking for Panniers later this week. Maybe i'll try and cycle to REI...
I'll go looking for Panniers later this week. Maybe i'll try and cycle to REI...
#839
Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 14
From: Dublin, Ireland.
Bikes: 2026 Trek Domane SL7 2011 Felt Z4
Cold this morning....but not enough for the water bottle to freeze. A lot more trucks on the road than normal.
#843
It's true, man.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Gonne be a beautiful day. I can count the number of days I ride in where the windspeed is "0 mph" on one hand. Still. I underdressed for the mid 40's ride. Mildly uncomfortable.
I might have to take the scenic route home. It's 2.5x the distance, but OMG, it's pretty outside.
I might have to take the scenic route home. It's 2.5x the distance, but OMG, it's pretty outside.
#844
My commute is 15 miles , almost all on a bike trail. This time of year I dont see many people, but when I do:
riding my xtracycle on Monday: I got a few waves, one smile, one person ignored me.
riding my Lotus touring bike on Tuesday: few waves, a few smiles, one person ignored me (is it the same guy??)
riding my long wheel base recumbent today: no waves just blank stares, one smile, everyone else ignored me.
interesting. In my experiences riding recumbents over the past 10 years, other cycles for the most part, seem to hate them
riding my xtracycle on Monday: I got a few waves, one smile, one person ignored me.
riding my Lotus touring bike on Tuesday: few waves, a few smiles, one person ignored me (is it the same guy??)
riding my long wheel base recumbent today: no waves just blank stares, one smile, everyone else ignored me.
interesting. In my experiences riding recumbents over the past 10 years, other cycles for the most part, seem to hate them
__________________
I have some bikes.
I have some bikes.
#846
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
It was nice wake up and find the temperature only -26C instead of the forecast -33C. I tried out my new BMX style platforms with screw-in pins. They are better than my other platforms but I still had my feet slip around during rough shifts, bumps, etc.
#847
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
Most excellent commute this morning. I had to work 16 hours yesterday, so I went into work late this morning and rode all the way in daylight for the first morning in quite a while. Temps were relatively warm (low 40s F) and it's supposed to hit the mid-50s this afternoon. Rode one of my lighter, faster road bikes and clocked my fastest average speed in a while as well despite riding into a headwind much of the way.
#848
Another clear crisp morning. I'm still using the ski goggles as my eyes tear up easily.
For my work ID, I wear it around my neck each morning and tuck it into the pocket on the front of my reflective vest.
Spring, I'm starting to get very excited about it.
For my work ID, I wear it around my neck each morning and tuck it into the pocket on the front of my reflective vest.
Spring, I'm starting to get very excited about it.
#850
It's true, man.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
For whatever reason, the only recumbent I tend to encounter regularly is reluctant to move from the middle of the MUP when we overtake one another. with his panniers and other gear, he's pretty wide and cause me a little concern as to whether there will be room to pass. He doesn't get a smile.
I tend to look a little askance at people who cannot or will not ride or drive courteously.
Another 'bent rides his bike with skill and occasionally sports a Marine corps jersey. He gets a smile and an "Oohrah" from me.
I tend to look a little askance at people who cannot or will not ride or drive courteously.
Another 'bent rides his bike with skill and occasionally sports a Marine corps jersey. He gets a smile and an "Oohrah" from me.




