How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#1226
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 183
From: south Puget Sound
I've tried to convince myself I like g*****ss and rain through the power of self suggestion.....it's kinda working.
Good ride today as always. I like the fact that it is a "reverse" commute so I get to stare at traffic backed up in the other direction while only a few cars pass me on my side.
Good ride today as always. I like the fact that it is a "reverse" commute so I get to stare at traffic backed up in the other direction while only a few cars pass me on my side.
#1227
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, WA
Bikes: IRO Angus
I've only been riding my bike for a couple of weeks now, living in washington rain is just an almost everyday occurance so I make sure I wear my northface coat but everytime I do my half hour commute it seems to stop for that short period of time, Idk why lol. But so far I'm loving it, I should have been biking years ago.
#1228
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
Not too bad, at 35 F ( 2 C). We are expecting rain for the next few days, and I started wearing rain gear, although I forgot my bike cover, so hopefully, it holds off until I get out of here.
#1229
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
It's raining cats and dogs here, thunder, lightning, tornado watches, etc. The wife doesn't want me to ride in this, and I can't blame her.
#1232
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Simcoe County, Ontario
Bikes: Steve Bauer Sirocco "Steve", Kawasaki Sumo 4.0 Fatbike "Black Betty", Retrospec Amok-16 "Rocinante/Veronica"
It was COLD, but fun! 29km through sunrise with a temp range of -7 to -5 Celsius. Should have worn boots though...
#1234
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, WA
Bikes: IRO Angus
Still doesn't want to rain when I ride, passed a few cute looking joggers today.. I rode by and said "SUUUUPPP" in a stoner tone.. It made me laugh
,... since my headlight fell off last ride because the attachment broke I taped one of my led flashlights to my frame.. soo ghetto it's almost awesome
,... since my headlight fell off last ride because the attachment broke I taped one of my led flashlights to my frame.. soo ghetto it's almost awesome
#1236
I'm ashamed and embarrassed that this thread got to 50 pages before I could contribute, but c'est la vie. First cycle-commute since December. About -3C, breezy, grey. I did my old familiar route through mainly residential and trails, some main roads. The main roads were fine, residential was mostly okay - there was almost always a bare strip of pavement to ride on - but the trails were horrible. Hard, rough ice and crusty snow that rattled every bone in my body, even with a front suspension fork and 2" tires.
Also, I've apparently misplaced my hill-climbing legs.
Nice to get that first commute of the year out of the way, though.
Also, I've apparently misplaced my hill-climbing legs.
Nice to get that first commute of the year out of the way, though.
#1237
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
Bleah, warm wet and foggy here too. The rain gear was a mistake, I should have just worn swim shorts and packed a towel and dry work clothes. I'm hoping it's dry this afternoon.
#1238
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
Nearly got right hooked this morning, mostly because I was just zoned out and didn't ride assertively. Reminder to self: pay attention!
#1239
Old, but not really wise
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA commuting to Washington DC
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dew Drop (the daily driver),'07 Specialized Roubaix (the sports car), '99 ish Kona NuNu MTB (the SUV), Schwinn High Plains (circa 1992?) (the beater)
Tried a new alternate on the way home last night, because there's a designated bike lane. Not sure it enhances my safety, but I think it is a little faster. Took Metro today because of the predicted rain and 'wintery mix' though so far no sign of it coming yet. Oh well.
#1240
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: NOWHERE
Bikes: noyb
Thank WADOT for the routing. They have no idea what to do with cyclists (from experience talking with them). This is all prep-work for the new tunnel; it includes a "flyover" intersection for entry into the Terminal 46 down there.
Did you get to experience the route in the rain and ride through the lakes (I am not exaggerating) that appear in the west bike lane? I get to do that tonight. Thanks rain. When will you go away?
#1241
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, CA
Bikes: Lynskey R230 DA DI2 ENVE 3.4 SES, 6KU Fixie, Cheap Aluminum Slapstick Trainer only bike
I don't know what happened in a week but summer just showed up in S. Cal. 84F coming back home and 58F riding in. Riding around 90F+ shortly following it seems... Lot of laundry time I see coming...
#1242
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
A decent ride in the misty rain, at 37 F ( 3 C). Outside of the glasses having to be wiped, you wouldn't know it was raining. Until at least you stop and start undoing your bike, then all the rain pours off of you onto the stuff you would like to keep dry. Rain all day.
#1244
Will ride anywhere
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Louisvlle, KY
Bikes: 2009 Trek XO-1, 2006 Trek 7000
What type of rain gear do you have? I have a good water-proof shell and gloves and I know about toe coveres but my biggest concern is pants! do they make rain cycling pants? how about keeping water from going down your neck as the jackets don't seal that part very well like they do the waist and wrists. Also, I wear glasses.
#1245
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
After the nasty weather we had yesterday, the cold front came in, northerly winds and temps back down in the 50's. Ride in was okay, but my Sunlite Traveler saddlebag keeps falling into my spokes... I either need to stiffen it up, or lash something to the rack to keep it out of the wheel.
Also, laced up my dynohub front wheel last night, hopefully will get it tensioned and trued this weekend!
Also, laced up my dynohub front wheel last night, hopefully will get it tensioned and trued this weekend!
#1246
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Bikes: 2010 Trek FX 7.2, 2006 Felt F80
Outstanding ride this morning - 48 degrees, no wind to speak of. Aside from getting dropped by 2 roadies on Emerald just after the overpass (nice job if you're reading this) it was a stellar ride. Still very dark when I set out - bought a new 2w light yesterday to go with my 1/2w - what a difference!
really looking forward to 68 degrees
Fizz - most of my office went skiing today, have fun on the trails!
really looking forward to 68 degrees
Fizz - most of my office went skiing today, have fun on the trails!
#1250
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Been commuting all week, but unfortunately haven't really had the time to get on here.
This week was a great week of commuting totalling 160.2 miles. Went Monday to today and tomorrow is gonna be my driving/rest day if school isn't canelled due to the snow storm that we're supposed to get
Weather this week was pretty nice, but all the wind did make it challenging. Started taking a slightly different route, and I really like it. Got new cycling shoes on Tuesday and I think they are finally set up right.
This morning it was 38F and dark/dawn with winds from the ENE @ 3mph. On the way home this evening it was 44F and overcast with winds from the E @ 6mph.
I always seem to see the weirdest things on Bay St. Earlier this week I saw 5 guys pushing a car up the road. I guess it had ran out of gas or something. Today, I saw a car up the road hit the brakes, then I saw the reverse lights go one for about 2 seconds. The vehicle was in the dead center of the lane and it seemed that the driver just parked it there. They didn't have any hazard lights or blinkers on or anything. I stopped to try to figure out what was going on. A car pulled up behind me and a few seconds later beeped the horn at the stopped car in the middle of the road. A few moments later, more vehicles stacked up behind us and people started beeping their horns, but no response from the stopped car. The vehicles that were waiting behind decided to pass and as soon as it was clear, I passed as well. No idea why that car stopped like that but it was pretty strange.
This week was a great week of commuting totalling 160.2 miles. Went Monday to today and tomorrow is gonna be my driving/rest day if school isn't canelled due to the snow storm that we're supposed to get
Weather this week was pretty nice, but all the wind did make it challenging. Started taking a slightly different route, and I really like it. Got new cycling shoes on Tuesday and I think they are finally set up right.This morning it was 38F and dark/dawn with winds from the ENE @ 3mph. On the way home this evening it was 44F and overcast with winds from the E @ 6mph.
I always seem to see the weirdest things on Bay St. Earlier this week I saw 5 guys pushing a car up the road. I guess it had ran out of gas or something. Today, I saw a car up the road hit the brakes, then I saw the reverse lights go one for about 2 seconds. The vehicle was in the dead center of the lane and it seemed that the driver just parked it there. They didn't have any hazard lights or blinkers on or anything. I stopped to try to figure out what was going on. A car pulled up behind me and a few seconds later beeped the horn at the stopped car in the middle of the road. A few moments later, more vehicles stacked up behind us and people started beeping their horns, but no response from the stopped car. The vehicles that were waiting behind decided to pass and as soon as it was clear, I passed as well. No idea why that car stopped like that but it was pretty strange.





