How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#1776
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
I killed an old Free Spirit like that when I was in college in the 80s. Handling felt a bit "off"....
#1777
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Getting ready for the ride home. After strong headwinds home yesterday and back in to work this AM I should be enjoying a 20 mph tailwind home! Might not even need to pedal. 
Heading to coop this evening. With any luck I'll get my new Surly LHT's headset install issues taken care of and riding in on it tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Heading to coop this evening. With any luck I'll get my new Surly LHT's headset install issues taken care of and riding in on it tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
#1778
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Little chilly this morning and a little windy on the ride home but I'll take it.
Tomorrow I may wimp out. Suppose to be back in the 30f!! Its May for God sake! the cold needs to go away!. Some stuff I need to drag home from work so I can get that done.
Tomorrow I may wimp out. Suppose to be back in the 30f!! Its May for God sake! the cold needs to go away!. Some stuff I need to drag home from work so I can get that done.
#1779
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
really hungry..... about ready to ride home too
#1782
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Temecula, CA
Bikes: Giant FCR-3
Today was interesting... About half way to work the bike started making a terrible sound. Having just gotten the bike from it's annual tune-up I was getting a little pissed. Stopped and looked over the bike but nothing jumped out at me... Another mile down the road back off the bike for a look. This time I found that the guts from my Super Flasher had fallen out and jammed on the brakes....
Other than that....beautiful day in San Diego...but not enough people on bikes... What will it take folks.... $5.00 gas?
Other than that....beautiful day in San Diego...but not enough people on bikes... What will it take folks.... $5.00 gas?
#1783
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
If I had the money to live anywhere in the world I wanted I would probably move to San Diego. Love that place.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#1784
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: CA Central Coast
Bikes: 2012 Public T7
When I got to work this morning I forgot my undershirt, but it wasn't too bad. I think I figured out why my ride was so tough today, when I put my wheel back on last night I think my brakes were too tight. The rim kept rubbing on the brake pads.
The ride home this afternoon was pretty tough. There is an awful hill on my way home. Even in the lowest gears I was struggling up the hill and had to dismount halfway up.
Hopefully the rubbing brakes had to do with a bit of the problem.
The ride home this afternoon was pretty tough. There is an awful hill on my way home. Even in the lowest gears I was struggling up the hill and had to dismount halfway up.
Hopefully the rubbing brakes had to do with a bit of the problem.
#1785
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Tahoe
Bikes: Motobecane Single Speed, Trek Mountain Track Xtracycle
So, I have an Trek Xtracycle conversion, a Motobecane single speed both beautiful expensive bikes...what have I been riding all week and having a blast doing it? A 1984 Montery cruiser. A kids bike, 24 inch knobbies. Bought for 50 bucks at the Reno Bike Project for my daughter who decided public transportation is more her speed so I got the bike. Single speed and coaster brake and I laugh all the way to work and back, big grin on my face. I feel like a kid again.
As for the commute, Tahoe is warming up yes!! Capri weather which means leg warmers too much but still 31 to 40F in the am so using my wooly armwarmers to keep lower legs warm and getting compliments from kids who think my strippy socks are sooo cool.
tomorrow back to the X as I have to ride someone home.
As for the commute, Tahoe is warming up yes!! Capri weather which means leg warmers too much but still 31 to 40F in the am so using my wooly armwarmers to keep lower legs warm and getting compliments from kids who think my strippy socks are sooo cool.
tomorrow back to the X as I have to ride someone home.
#1786
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 bit of a chill in the air this morning at 42 F ( 6 C). Now, that I can see a bit better with the lighter sky, I now understand why some of those SUVs blow off a highway ramp, expecting me to stop or not challenge them, which is what I do. Most have phones glued to their ears.
#1788
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
Chilly temps this morning (low 40s F) after two weeks of morning lows about 60. Took me a while to warm up even though I was wearing enough clothes, I guess because my body had started acclimating to the warmer temps. Legs felt great because I drove yesterday due to rain.
#1789
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
first IED of the season last night, a goathead in the rear tire. Went flat 3/4 mile from home and just walked it the rest of the way. Saw the fox kits again before the flat happened and waved at them.
#1790
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Great commute this morning at 44F and overcast with winds from the WNW @ 11mph. I brang the rain gear because there's a slight chance that there could be scattered showers passing through later on. Hopefully the wind keeps up and doesn't change direction so that I have some nice assistance on the way home.
#1791
5C, clear, calm. Ran into my pastor out for an exercise ride in the river valley, so we stopped to chat for a bit. Almost hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk, but she tricked me...she had only run into the crosswalk to return something that someone else had dropped, then turned around just as I was trying to ride by. Whoops. Made pretty good time today.
#1792
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
+1
Today is looking to be the most beautiful of the year so far.
The ride in was wonderful. 35F (2C), clear skies. Forecast is 70F 21C with sunny skies. I think I am going to ditch work a couple of hours early (As in, after being here 8 hours - I got here an hour early and will work through lunch).
Today is looking to be the most beautiful of the year so far.
The ride in was wonderful. 35F (2C), clear skies. Forecast is 70F 21C with sunny skies. I think I am going to ditch work a couple of hours early (As in, after being here 8 hours - I got here an hour early and will work through lunch).
#1793
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)
Now I remember why I have fenders on my commuter, even though I'm a mostly fair weather cyclist: because the day after the rain is almost as muddy as the day of the rain. Because I am riding the backup/recreational MTB, my backpack is wearing some dirt this morning.
About 47f and sunny this morning, supposed to be heading to the high 60s by the ride home. Almost wanted my jacket starting out, esp. on some downhill stretches, but I was fine by 3-4 miles into the ride. Fewer cyclists and runners today than Monday and Tuesday -- I guess 5-10 degrees makes all the difference.
About 47f and sunny this morning, supposed to be heading to the high 60s by the ride home. Almost wanted my jacket starting out, esp. on some downhill stretches, but I was fine by 3-4 miles into the ride. Fewer cyclists and runners today than Monday and Tuesday -- I guess 5-10 degrees makes all the difference.
#1794
½ Throttle
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 1
From: Ellicott City Md
Bikes: 2006 Tirreno Razza 3.0, 2007 Schwinn DH 2.0
well today was my first commute to classes almost 30 miles away, route took me through downtown baltimore and i had always been worried about the not so nice areas. It was a beautiful ride and a great morning. 26 miles took me just under 1:40:00 and i look forward to the ride home.
not sure how my body will like commuting over 50 miles a day, but im gonna give it a try and drive on the days when i feel like i need a break
safe riding!
not sure how my body will like commuting over 50 miles a day, but im gonna give it a try and drive on the days when i feel like i need a break
safe riding!
#1795
I would describe the ride in this morning as crisp. Temps were only low 40's, and there was definitely an un-Spring like chill in the air. Still great to be out on the bike again, and the path was surprisingly crowded with other riders and joggers, etc. So the chill didn't keep them away either. Promises to be a warmer (65), but windy ride home later today.
#1797
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 945
From: Looney Tunes, IL
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
I was second in line at a red light in the left turn only lane. I watched the small car in front of me start inching forward slowly, brake lights still on. They continued across the stop line, and into the intersection right in front of a full size dump truck doing 50 mph who was forced to slam on the brakes and come to a complete stop! 
I have no idea why the driver did this, (although fiddling with their cell phone comes to mind) and thought for sure there would be a nasty collision. I was never in any danger, but later kicked myself for not being quick enough to think of hollering out to the driver.

I have no idea why the driver did this, (although fiddling with their cell phone comes to mind) and thought for sure there would be a nasty collision. I was never in any danger, but later kicked myself for not being quick enough to think of hollering out to the driver.
#1798
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Bikes: 2000 Raleigh C40, 199? Trek 520
This morning was the first morning in a while that I've felt like the Baltimore roads and drivers are truly in harmony. Ran into a guy riding a dutch style cargo bike with his kids in the wheelbarrow part, which pretty much made my day.
Bakfiets guy -- if you happen to be reading this, you rock!
Glad to see so many other Baltimore guys here this Spring. Honestly, I've found that there are a lot of routes through SE Baltimore that aren't as crime-ridden as I was led to believe. I often ride out Washington Blvd myself. 3 hours a day for the commute seems pretty rough, though!
Bakfiets guy -- if you happen to be reading this, you rock!
well today was my first commute to classes almost 30 miles away, route took me through downtown baltimore and i had always been worried about the not so nice areas. It was a beautiful ride and a great morning. 26 miles took me just under 1:40:00 and i look forward to the ride home.
not sure how my body will like commuting over 50 miles a day, but im gonna give it a try and drive on the days when i feel like i need a break
safe riding!
not sure how my body will like commuting over 50 miles a day, but im gonna give it a try and drive on the days when i feel like i need a break
safe riding!
#1799
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Got the LHT build finished last night, so this AM was not only the inaugural commute but the first ride on it...PERIOD! Absolutely loved it through and through. Loving the more stretched out riding position afforded, which also kept me a little lower and out of the wind. Despite 15-20 mph headwind made good time in. Felt less wind resistance than I would have expected.
Here's a picture of the new bike safely parked in the3 basement at work today. bit.ly/liRgZP
Here's a picture of the new bike safely parked in the3 basement at work today. bit.ly/liRgZP
#1800
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
Gorgeous, gorgeous day. Left early and got in 30 before work. Ditched the armwarmers halfway to work. Might even hit 90F for the first time this year. I'd like to get in another 30 on the way home.






