How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#1376
Thread Starter
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Perfect going in, should be even better going home. We've had strong winds out of the south for several days. A line of thunderstorms rolled through during the night. I slept through them but they were apparently potent based on the amount of debris on the roads (leaves, small branches, etc.) But by the time I hit the road, it was just wet roads and an ever so slight breeze in my face, with temp about 60. Going home time will be in the 70s with a strong tailwind... woohoo! The only downside was that I had to ride a few extra miles to get over the river because the crossing I usually use was flooded from the rain the night before. As if riding extra miles is a bad thing
#1378
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)
warm. 60f or warmer. I should have skipped the wind layer, and just gone w/ a long sleeve tee (or, probably, the short sleeve would have been fine. I was sweating a bit more than is comfortable by mile 8. Other than that, though, it was a pretty darn nice ride. Made good speed, hit many lights green, and didn't have to avoid too many clueless tourists. Even managed all of my lane transitions pretty nicely, with minimal tightness of sphincter.
Had a guy riding my tail for a good 2-3 miles on the CCT. I gave him a couple of clear opportunities to pass, but he elected not too, and stayed closer than made me entirely comfortable. I'm sure I'm an attractive draft horse-- not because my butt is nice to look at, but because I slice a big ole' hole in the wind -- but seriously, dude!
Not really commuting related, but I registered for my first century -- civil war century -- which has me terrified. Almost 7000 feet of climbing... Which intimidates this flat-lander.
Had a guy riding my tail for a good 2-3 miles on the CCT. I gave him a couple of clear opportunities to pass, but he elected not too, and stayed closer than made me entirely comfortable. I'm sure I'm an attractive draft horse-- not because my butt is nice to look at, but because I slice a big ole' hole in the wind -- but seriously, dude!
Not really commuting related, but I registered for my first century -- civil war century -- which has me terrified. Almost 7000 feet of climbing... Which intimidates this flat-lander.
#1379
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Good, but windy commute this morning at 55F and overcast with head/crosswinds from the S @ 14mph. Took a different route in and this will be the one that I take tomorrow for the early morning commute.
#1380
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
#1383
After commuting through sand, mud and water on Sunday i found that i need some nice rear fenders if i wanna keep using Pletscher kickstands, but at 700cx38 Kona couldn't use full covered rear fender.
So i have to DIY again or leave nice kickstands behind, with a piece of inner tube and some cable-ties.I finally made it!




Not a good looking fender(actually, an ugly one.)but work well enough imo.
So i have to DIY again or leave nice kickstands behind, with a piece of inner tube and some cable-ties.I finally made it!

Not a good looking fender(actually, an ugly one.)but work well enough imo.
#1384
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
Heavy, heavy legs after Sunday's ride in the hills, so I just took it easy this morning. Super mellow ride.
#1385
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
More wind, but the weather felt great. 71F and partly cloudy with cross/tailwinds from the S @ 16mph. Took the new route with a slight detour. Next time I'm just gonna take the straight thru roads instead of all the different roads that I took this afternoon. Had to pull off with about 3 miles left because my feet were killing me. I tightened the laces way too much before I left, so I loosened them up a little so they didn't hurt for the climb to my house.
#1387
80+ degrees when I rode home today, unreal. I have got to devise a way to get through the National Mall...just choked with tourists now. The streets are pothole filled so my options are not good.
#1388
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
so sunny on the way home, but a bit chilly. I DONT MIND THO NO RAIN
#1390
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
It was a great ride in at 68 F ( 20 C). I cut 15 minutes off the ride this morning, because there is a thunderstorm out there somewhere, and in the dark it is more difficult to see it coming. I usually have buildings with overhangs picked out that are a few minutes apart from each other, in case I get caught in the middle. It is amazing how fast I can go when there is a thunderstorm in the picture.
#1391
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 780
From: Shanghai, China
Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk
Beautiful sunny day here in Shanghai - perfect day for my first cycle commute. 
Had to wait a few minutes for the ferry in the morning, plus the traffic lights were almost all red, so the morning commute clocked in at 1:20 total.
In the evening it was much better, though I had to cut through a headwind on part of the journey which slowed me down. Still, caught the ferry just as it was about to leave, so I got home in 1:10.
Taking the subway tomorrow, but can't wait until Thursday's ride!

Had to wait a few minutes for the ferry in the morning, plus the traffic lights were almost all red, so the morning commute clocked in at 1:20 total.
In the evening it was much better, though I had to cut through a headwind on part of the journey which slowed me down. Still, caught the ferry just as it was about to leave, so I got home in 1:10.
Taking the subway tomorrow, but can't wait until Thursday's ride!
#1393
Thread Starter
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
It cooled off about 10 degrees compared to yesterday...back to leg warmers and merino jersey. I won't need them this afternoon, though.
#1395
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
First set of back-to-back commute rides in several months yesterday and today. Still riding my hybridized mountain bike due to the potholes and debris on the roads. Yesterday felt OK, if slow, but that's not unexpected. This AM the legs were a bit heavy, but once I got warmed up I felt good. Headwinds riding home and on the way in this AM didn't help.
Made a move this AM that I normally avoid by filtering along a turn lane and blowing a red to make a left turn, not sure why I did this, just felt like it, made sure that I didn't put myself or others in danger doing so.
I've been using my Rivendell Shopsack to carry my stuff the past couple weeks. This has proven to be much easier to load and unload than panniers or trunk bags. Basically just open it up, toss stuff in and roll. No more fighting with attachment systems or dangling webbing. When I get to work, I unclip it and carry it into the building with me.
This afternoon promises to be a bit wet.
Made a move this AM that I normally avoid by filtering along a turn lane and blowing a red to make a left turn, not sure why I did this, just felt like it, made sure that I didn't put myself or others in danger doing so.
I've been using my Rivendell Shopsack to carry my stuff the past couple weeks. This has proven to be much easier to load and unload than panniers or trunk bags. Basically just open it up, toss stuff in and roll. No more fighting with attachment systems or dangling webbing. When I get to work, I unclip it and carry it into the building with me.
This afternoon promises to be a bit wet.
#1396
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Strong tailwind this morning. Unfortunately there will be a much stronger headwind for the ride home, 40-60km/h. The creek has risen enough that several more parts of the MUP are under water. I'm starting to get a decent tan from recent walks / rides. Soon enough I'll have to put sunscreen on for any ride that has me on the road between 10am and 5pm.
It looks like by the time I get my touring bike back, the nice weather will be over. After today, the highs for the next several days are going to be near freezing.
It looks like by the time I get my touring bike back, the nice weather will be over. After today, the highs for the next several days are going to be near freezing.
#1397
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)
Let me know if you come up with any great ideas - I haven't identified any likely alternatives yet, but no shortage of time spent looking. Perhaps the construction on Constitution will push cars off that, and make it a cycling paradise? (just a little joke, there...)
#1399
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Bikes: 2010 Trek FX 7.2, 2006 Felt F80
A little on the brisk side @ 33f, but I had a tailwind (2 days in a row) - so no complaints.
traffic was light and the sun is just about to peek over the mountains when I park my bike - summer, here we come!
traffic was light and the sun is just about to peek over the mountains when I park my bike - summer, here we come!
#1400
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Another windy but great commute this morning. 54F and dawn/mostly cloudy with mainly headwinds and some crosswinds from the WNW @ 14mph. Took the same route today that I tested yesterday morning, and it was pretty much perfect. This is now going to be my new Tues/Thurs route. I'll probably stick with the original route MWF though.





