How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#1502
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Southern Wisconsin US
Bikes: Schwinn DBX, Trek 820
dark...cold...wet
Less than ideal conditions this morning...snow, east wind, and 34...The pavement was wet so I took my time. This afternoon is forecast to be heavy rain and mid forties with a stronger east wind...should make things interesting. Enjoy!
#1504
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
31f Slow ride in not sure why though, not a bad morning slight head wind hardly a cloud on the sky, also it's starting to get some what light out at 6:15am on my ride in which is nice
#1506
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Awesome commute this morning at 45F and dawn/overcast with winds from the N @ 5mph. Played around with tire pressures this weekend and found my perfect setting. The ride was very comfortable and was also one of the fastest commutes in this semester.
#1507
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
the weather radar showed no signs of precipitation, so i allowed myself to get my hopes up despite the heavy overcast.
i then had 4 miles of dry followed by 9 miles of rain - cold, wind-driven, miserable, rain.
weather radars lie!
i then had 4 miles of dry followed by 9 miles of rain - cold, wind-driven, miserable, rain.
weather radars lie!
#1508
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)
Another basically uneventful day dodging tourists, runners and other obstructions :-/ When I looked at the weather last night, it said chance of rain 30% by this evening. Now it is saying chance of rain 70% this afternoon. So much for being a 'fair weather only' bike commuter.
#1511
the reformation
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Berkshire, UK
Bikes: giant hardtail. want a roadbike.
saw a cyclist lying in the middle of the road on his back on the other side of the road with a stopped queue of traffic behind him. beautiful morning, but it spooked me. road bike, club colours on, clearly an experienced cyclist, still had helmet on. being tended by several drivers clearly keen not to move him. kept peddling up to traffic lights.
another cyclist (club colours, nice roadbike) pulls up next to me, about 15 years my senior. gives a reassuringly cocky shrug when i point out that that's "not what we want to see" and asks where i'm cycling to. he nods reassuringly at the distance of my commute and leaves me for dust when the lights go green. i reflect that generally speaking, cycling is safe, i'm happy that the car drivers have food for thought and get on with the commute.
another cyclist (club colours, nice roadbike) pulls up next to me, about 15 years my senior. gives a reassuringly cocky shrug when i point out that that's "not what we want to see" and asks where i'm cycling to. he nods reassuringly at the distance of my commute and leaves me for dust when the lights go green. i reflect that generally speaking, cycling is safe, i'm happy that the car drivers have food for thought and get on with the commute.
#1512
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Busy afternoon on the trail yesterday headed home, but nothing too much to complain abt., esp. compared to the traffic encountered on the MUP Sunday when I took my dad on a ride along my commute route.
A very nice morning. Warm at 60ish by 7:30 AM. Slight tailwind. Some roadwork going on at an at grade trail crossing on the MUP by the airport. It is a rough patch of pavement, if only 20 feet long. Maybe it'll be resurfaced somehow and improved.
A very nice morning. Warm at 60ish by 7:30 AM. Slight tailwind. Some roadwork going on at an at grade trail crossing on the MUP by the airport. It is a rough patch of pavement, if only 20 feet long. Maybe it'll be resurfaced somehow and improved.
#1514
Somebody hit a duck! 

I guess my commute was better than that guys!
Loudoun County, VA on the W&OD trail just east of Ashburn there was a dead duck on the side of the trail. It looked like it had been hit, and not killed by a dog or something.
I bet that would leave a mark.


I guess my commute was better than that guys!
Loudoun County, VA on the W&OD trail just east of Ashburn there was a dead duck on the side of the trail. It looked like it had been hit, and not killed by a dog or something.
I bet that would leave a mark.

#1515
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Had a beautiful, really early morning commute today. At 4.40 there was no wind, the birds sang and the sky was starting to light up. The afternoon ride home was a bit windy, but temperatures were up to at least 15°C (59°F). Felt good!
#1516
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
cool and moist ride in, with a steady north breeze to remind me that I'm presently riding a 70 inch singlespeed gear.
#1519
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Great commute afternoon at 46F with rain and headwinds from the NNE @ 8mph. I was prepared for it to rain and brought my rain gear in this morning, so I stayed generally dry during the ride home.
#1520
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Bikes: 2017 Trek Marlin 6, 2021 Trek Domane AL2
Today was my second day to commute to work. 70F this morning and 89F on the way home. It was a perfect day for me. Met a guy on the way home that showed me a better route that keeps me out of traffic for a quarter of my ride home. It's only 6 miles one way so I have a pretty easy commute.
John
John
#1521
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: NOWHERE
Bikes: noyb
A great day today - no rain, no wind, mild temps! I was actually slightly overdressed for once this morning. Was interviewed by a reporter as I was waiting for a friend near a gas station (price $4.05 per gallon)...
Q: Have you been riding more now that gas is more expensive?
A: No, I ride every day anyway so it hasn't effected my commute at all.
Q: So do you see more people riding bikes because of the gas prices?
A: I don't know for certain, I do know that some co-workers and friends have been asking me more questions about riding. But that always happens in the spring.
Q: Do you think that more people will start riding when gas prices get to $4.00 per gallon?
A: Well, it's just over $4.00 now and they aren't. I think it'll have to increase a much larger amount, like $0.20 or more before people think about driving less.
Q: What about the weather? Has it been effecting your riding?
(this is funny b/c this has been the coldest spring on record since the 1940s...)
A: It hasn't stopped me from riding, but I'm tired of wearing a wool layer. It's not much different than riding in the fall.
Q: Have you encountered any frost or other slippery surfaces lately?
(this was hilarious as it's like 40 degrees)
A: Not now...but in the fall/winter ice and frost is more likely and I am careful then...
Then my friend showed up - a first time commuter! He was awesome. Rode w/in his limits and listened to my advice about certain intersections and route navigations. As we pulled up to his office he was shocked that we got there so soon. I reminded him that we were also going slow. I'm meeting him for the reverse commute which will be more of a challenge with the hills and the heavier traffic. But I think he's already won over.
Q: Have you been riding more now that gas is more expensive?
A: No, I ride every day anyway so it hasn't effected my commute at all.
Q: So do you see more people riding bikes because of the gas prices?
A: I don't know for certain, I do know that some co-workers and friends have been asking me more questions about riding. But that always happens in the spring.
Q: Do you think that more people will start riding when gas prices get to $4.00 per gallon?
A: Well, it's just over $4.00 now and they aren't. I think it'll have to increase a much larger amount, like $0.20 or more before people think about driving less.
Q: What about the weather? Has it been effecting your riding?
(this is funny b/c this has been the coldest spring on record since the 1940s...)
A: It hasn't stopped me from riding, but I'm tired of wearing a wool layer. It's not much different than riding in the fall.
Q: Have you encountered any frost or other slippery surfaces lately?
(this was hilarious as it's like 40 degrees)
A: Not now...but in the fall/winter ice and frost is more likely and I am careful then...
Then my friend showed up - a first time commuter! He was awesome. Rode w/in his limits and listened to my advice about certain intersections and route navigations. As we pulled up to his office he was shocked that we got there so soon. I reminded him that we were also going slow. I'm meeting him for the reverse commute which will be more of a challenge with the hills and the heavier traffic. But I think he's already won over.
#1522
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
nice 1
#1523
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Good news, they're cleaning the sidewalk!
... into the bike lane
At least he stopped sweeping while I passed. To be honest it hasn't made the bike lane any worse than it already was.
... into the bike lane
At least he stopped sweeping while I passed. To be honest it hasn't made the bike lane any worse than it already was.
#1525
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
Easy ride in at 50 F (10 C). Saw one other cyclist in the dark. It is supposed to get into the 80s F ( upper 20s C), but severe thunderstorms are being predicted for this afternoon. I got lucky yesterday, and we will see what happens today.





