How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#851
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Temperature around 35º F again this morning with what was nominally a tailwind, though it didn't really feel like it to me. Still enjoyed the ride. Was pleasantly surprised to see that the wind is supposed to shift around to the north for the afternoon. It sounds like it'll be a rare two tailwind commuting day!
(even if it doesn't feel like it)
(even if it doesn't feel like it)
#852
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
new route today: but headwinds + ~1m climb = sweatball
in general, this new route is very hilly, maybe i should reconsider :X
in general, this new route is very hilly, maybe i should reconsider :X
#853
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Bikes: 2010 Trek FX 7.2, 2006 Felt F80
posting late - had an early meeting
had a tailwind this a.m. for 6 miles (which means a header for the same stretch tonite) - mild temps tho, and a pleasant ride
had a tailwind this a.m. for 6 miles (which means a header for the same stretch tonite) - mild temps tho, and a pleasant ride
#854
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Bikes: 2010 Trek FX 7.2, 2006 Felt F80
#856
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
#857
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, UK
Bikes: Early 90s Raleigh Vitesse, early 80s Raleigh Equippe fixie conversion, falling apart cheapo mountain bike.
Not too bad; a bit windy on the way home...I was trying out a new cassette; it's pretty good, although I think I'll be using my small ring a lot more! (went from 11-28 to 11-21)
#858
Looks like everyone dealing with wind. The wind was so strong yesterday that we went from a high of 42F at midday to my bike commute home (33F when I left) to 19F by the time I got home with an added 20 minutes to my ride into the huge head wind. I really felt I earned my oats by the time I got home.
#859
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
I had no energy on the way home today. Even with a substantial tailwind it was slow going. I think it might have been because my last three meals starting with last nights supper consisted of Corn Flakes, Corn Flakes, and Donuts.
#860
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Bikes: 2010 Trek FX 7.2, 2006 Felt F80
#861
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
35F and partly cloudy for this morning with winds from the S @ 14mph. 40F and mostly cloudy this afternoon with winds from the NW @ 23mph gusting to 38mph.
#862
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
I know I had a head wind this morning head downtown, and just got home and had a head wind from downtown heading back up the bench? I don't get it, the news stills says winds SW I wonder if they mean from the SW or going SW
#863
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: NOWHERE
Bikes: noyb
Super fantastic ride in this morning, missed the rain, missed the morning wind.
But found signage along the construction route which indicated cyclists must follow bike detour route which is vastly more dangerous than the street route...working on finding out why those signs were placed there after weeks of riding through the area with virtually no problems (motorized traffic is mostly detoured out of the detour area anyway!).
So far looks like the rain and hail will hold off for my ride home. Crossing fingers. Just riding into a 20 mph headwind with a minimum of 30 mph gusts. Afterwards I get a 6 course gourmet meal with a wine pairing so I'm going to burn through the wind to earn that meal.
But found signage along the construction route which indicated cyclists must follow bike detour route which is vastly more dangerous than the street route...working on finding out why those signs were placed there after weeks of riding through the area with virtually no problems (motorized traffic is mostly detoured out of the detour area anyway!).
So far looks like the rain and hail will hold off for my ride home. Crossing fingers. Just riding into a 20 mph headwind with a minimum of 30 mph gusts. Afterwards I get a 6 course gourmet meal with a wine pairing so I'm going to burn through the wind to earn that meal.
#864
Amazing ride home, warm, sunny, light.
The biggest surprise was coming out to the parking garage and finding a FULL bike rack. I was, usually am, the first bike in and I have been the only bike many times this winter. Shared the bike lane with two others, all three of us waiting at a light, felt great.
The biggest surprise was coming out to the parking garage and finding a FULL bike rack. I was, usually am, the first bike in and I have been the only bike many times this winter. Shared the bike lane with two others, all three of us waiting at a light, felt great.
#865
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Bikes: 2010 Trek FX 7.2, 2006 Felt F80
#866
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
Another great commute this morning, clear with temps in the upper 30s F. I decided to push the pace again, and fortunately had a nice tail wind most of the way. Ended up with probably my fastest morning commute of the winter. If I get lucky with the wind and red lights this afternoon, it should be my fastest total commute of the winter as well. Yesterday was my fastest commute in a while, and I rode my morning route 1:30 faster this morning. Funny thing is, it's been windy the past two days and I've been catching nearly every red light, but still making good time.
#868
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Bikes: 2013 Carve with Rigid Salsa Fargo & 2005 Allez
Nice ride today. I took a new route so I could stop by a convenience store. Turned oout to be a little bit faster of a route than normal, but much more busy. I think I'll stick with the safer route unless I really need to set a new record or something.
#869
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 21
From: Fort Collins CO
Bikes: Kona Dew, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007
The magic coffee cup failed me this morning and I caught all red lights. 28F and a nice relaxing ride in the sun. The trail was strangely empty this morning.
#870
Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 154
Likes: 14
From: Above ground
Bikes: n+1-1+1+1-1+1-1+1-1+1-1+1+1-1...
NIce ride, but a steady northeasterly wind really made it a lot more work than usual. Even so, sunny, 40F, and all the motorists were polite (as usual!). What more could you want?
#871
Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 154
Likes: 14
From: Above ground
Bikes: n+1-1+1+1-1+1-1+1-1+1-1+1+1-1...
Another great commute this morning, clear with temps in the upper 30s F. I decided to push the pace again, and fortunately had a nice tail wind most of the way. Ended up with probably my fastest morning commute of the winter. If I get lucky with the wind and red lights this afternoon, it should be my fastest total commute of the winter as well. Yesterday was my fastest commute in a while, and I rode my morning route 1:30 faster this morning. Funny thing is, it's been windy the past two days and I've been catching nearly every red light, but still making good time.
#872
Just...One...More...Hill.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Bikes: 2006 Gary Fisher Capitola
First Commute of the year. I froze this morning (24ish, windchill of 19), but this afternoon will be 50 with a tailwind.
Two and a half months off the bike have nearly killed me. Next year (I promise) I'll stick to the trainer during Dec-Feb...
Two and a half months off the bike have nearly killed me. Next year (I promise) I'll stick to the trainer during Dec-Feb...
#873
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC, Canada
Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15
The ride home last night was windy along the river. The pannier on my bike makes a very nice sail! Nearly got run down when some guy in a mini-van decided to throw it into reverse so he could make a U-turn at a stop sign. Didn't even look for the line of traffic behind him before he started backing up...
This morning was great, flew into work. It's definitely getting warmer and lighter out.
This morning was great, flew into work. It's definitely getting warmer and lighter out.
#874
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Couldn't agree with you more. It was a beautiful ride home, and more cyclists out than I've seen in months.
Cold again this morning, though... had to get the tights back out. And a nearly 15 mph headwind the whole way in was not welcome. Gotta call at lunch, but I think I may really actually finally be getting my LHT frame from the LBS by the weekend. Fingers crossed.
Cold again this morning, though... had to get the tights back out. And a nearly 15 mph headwind the whole way in was not welcome. Gotta call at lunch, but I think I may really actually finally be getting my LHT frame from the LBS by the weekend. Fingers crossed.
#875
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
Took the 26 mile route home last night. All along the river, 90% MUP. Slightly favorable wind and just at the lower edge of tshirt and shorts temps. Plus a nice sunset. That was pretty hard to beat, as commutes go.
This morning I dropped my pickup off at the shop for new brakes and rode in from there. Had a later than usual ride along the river and found a nice hill for repeats that I hadn't seen before. I'll have to climb it tonight, going back for the truck.
Another stunning day - 50-75 degrees and sunny. I love pre-Spring. Dogwoods and Redbuds and Pears, Oh my!
This morning I dropped my pickup off at the shop for new brakes and rode in from there. Had a later than usual ride along the river and found a nice hill for repeats that I hadn't seen before. I'll have to climb it tonight, going back for the truck.
Another stunning day - 50-75 degrees and sunny. I love pre-Spring. Dogwoods and Redbuds and Pears, Oh my!




