How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#2101
Somebody in my condo stole MY bike rack spot. GRRR. I even adjusted the whole rack so I could lean my bike up against the wall. Went on a ride yetserday only to find the shiny new bike occupying the space formerly inhabiterd by my trusty old Jamis. Oh well.
Nice commute in this am, missed the rain. Oiled up my chain over the weekend so it was a smooth and quiet ride.
Nice commute in this am, missed the rain. Oiled up my chain over the weekend so it was a smooth and quiet ride.
#2102
It was a nice extended ride in this morning on my folder with the hot new BMX freestyle tires. I reduced tire pressures to 50 psi and they seemed to roll faster... or maybe I was just feeling loose and strong after yesterday morning's ride... or the planets are in alignment. Anyway, I missed the rain and arrived at work relatively dry.
#2103
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)
Its going to be HOT this week -- mid 80s for most of my rides home, according to the weather psychics.
Had a fine ride in this morning, much more peaceful than last friday's BTWD crowds (funny thing, though -- I only ran into them on the way too work... not so much heading home).
Water level was HIGH in the river, but the towpath was in good enough shape. Wish I could have said the same for the Mount Vernon Trail on Friday Afternoon -- the park police had 'closed' a section which might have been underwater at some point during the day.
Took my son for a pleasure ride this weekend -- and discovered that he can't possibly be mine: He likes riding slowly and looking at the scenery. It was a strange experience.
Had a fine ride in this morning, much more peaceful than last friday's BTWD crowds (funny thing, though -- I only ran into them on the way too work... not so much heading home).
Water level was HIGH in the river, but the towpath was in good enough shape. Wish I could have said the same for the Mount Vernon Trail on Friday Afternoon -- the park police had 'closed' a section which might have been underwater at some point during the day.
Took my son for a pleasure ride this weekend -- and discovered that he can't possibly be mine: He likes riding slowly and looking at the scenery. It was a strange experience.
#2104
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Left work 15 min early cause I heard it was gonna storm. it was crazy windy. Right downtown Indy I was crossing a busy street and watching traffic, looked back down and suddenly I was in about 3" of sand about 20 ft wide. I still aint sure why I didnt crash. I rode pretty hard but it was so windy I did not save much time and I did get rained on a bit. But by the time I got my tires aired up for the morning there was heavy storms, tornado warnings and high winds. I made it by 5 minutes or I would have had to stop somewhere.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2105
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
lovely today!
#2106
Anachronist.
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Albany, NY
Bikes: 1981 Schwinn Le Tour, 2010 Motobecane Sprint
Good commute, though mine is short. Averaged 15.1 on my way to work and 15.8 on my way home. I work in a warehouse and stand 9 hours a day, so the verve of my ride home was a little unexpected!
Soon I think I'll invest in either a brooks B-17, or a few pairs of those under-athletic-shorts style cycling shorts. I didn't feel like wearing my regular Canari spandex for commuting!
Soon I think I'll invest in either a brooks B-17, or a few pairs of those under-athletic-shorts style cycling shorts. I didn't feel like wearing my regular Canari spandex for commuting!
#2107
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
I was experimenting tonight, pushing a slightly bigger gear than normal and trying to maintain the same cadence. I thought that I was just fooling around and I turned in my third best time overall for the route.
My average speed is still down in the 14's which isn't bad considering I ride through about a 3/4 mile long stretch of packed gravel in a construction zone - I slow down for that quite a bit. I'm hoping to get my average up into the 15's and beyond on a regular basis once that section is resurfaced.
My average speed is still down in the 14's which isn't bad considering I ride through about a 3/4 mile long stretch of packed gravel in a construction zone - I slow down for that quite a bit. I'm hoping to get my average up into the 15's and beyond on a regular basis once that section is resurfaced.
#2108
Share the road.

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 45
From: Marysville, CA
Bikes: 1992 Rocky Mountain Fusion, Yuba Mundo, Specialized Venge
Took my Big Dummy to work since my 240D is in the shop. 13 miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes there and it took me 1 hour to get home. My wife was making spaghetti so I may have hurried a little on the way home.
Last edited by bugly64; 05-23-11 at 08:36 PM.
#2109
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,929
Likes: 1
From: On the bridge with Picard
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
It was in the low 60's today - perfect commuting weather. I think I'm starting to get used to the hills. I only had to use the granny gear once.
#2110
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
Rode in my favorite morning temps at 72 F ( 22 C). Back to warm air riding, and staying in mostly high gears coming up the back side of hills, except those hills that end in a red light. The logic of putting a red light at the bottom of a hill mostly defies my understandings. Everything goes fast in the warm air.
#2112
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Say, that's not a nice thing to call your wife. 
65F / 18C and another headwind howling off Lake Champlain this morning. Still enjoying the new Soho. I put toe clips on her yesterday and now I don't have any more pedal slipping issues. Plus I can get more power to the ground.
A few days ago I posted about some guy riding an unusual 'bent, almost horizontal. His story is in today's newspaper. He's competitive. Pretty fast, too! Here's a Link.

65F / 18C and another headwind howling off Lake Champlain this morning. Still enjoying the new Soho. I put toe clips on her yesterday and now I don't have any more pedal slipping issues. Plus I can get more power to the ground.
A few days ago I posted about some guy riding an unusual 'bent, almost horizontal. His story is in today's newspaper. He's competitive. Pretty fast, too! Here's a Link.
#2116
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
Warmest morning commute of the year so far with temps in the low 70s. The ride was tougher than I anticipated because of a stiff headwind most of the way, but still made decent time. Temps are supposed to hit 95 F this afternoon, hottest since late summer or early autumn here. I've been hungry as all get out this morning so ate lunch early (11:15). Guess my body is trying to catch up with all the miles I rode over the weekend. So how come my weight was up when I checked the scales this morning?
#2117
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Warmest morning commute of the year so far with temps in the low 70s. The ride was tougher than I anticipated because of a stiff headwind most of the way, but still made decent time. Temps are supposed to hit 95 F this afternoon, hottest since late summer or early autumn here. I've been hungry as all get out this morning so ate lunch early (11:15). Guess my body is trying to catch up with all the miles I rode over the weekend. So how come my weight was up when I checked the scales this morning?
i am on my 4th week of commuting and its getting harder. not in terms of physically but mentally. i guess its the boredom stage. i just need to get over this.
#2118
Had an early meeting, so I rode in 45 minutes earlier, starting at 6:15 rather than 7:00. Huge difference in traffic volume (as I would have expected), but it's still too early for me to want to do that every day. Actually, on the trails, there were more dog walkers than usual; I guess that's the trade-off for quieter streets. Chilly at 5C, cloudy, very little wind.
#2119
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)
same here, i am up one pound since i started commuting but down one belt notch. i never liked the scale it doesn't reflect the full picture.
#2120
Nice commute and starting at the other end today... sunny warm and the best thing is I am not stuck in the hospital.
Had some adventures last night that could have turned ugly but will be okay and feel like building bikes for little girls which is the order of the day.
Had some adventures last night that could have turned ugly but will be okay and feel like building bikes for little girls which is the order of the day.
#2121
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
I'm going on 10 months commuting now, I mix up my route as much as I can. Sometimes I just zone out and ride, sometimes I pay attention to what my body is doing, sometimes I just watch my speed average.. when I get bored, I take a new side street or something.
#2122
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara, CA
My friend met me near my apartment today and we rode the opposite direction from work to go to our local Bike to Work day event. A local restaurant catered breakfast and they had a bike shop out there tuning up bikes. Very low key but fun. Then we rode to work. The only downside is I am still getting used to these MKS Touring Lite pedals. They have sharp ridges on them for grip and when I dismount poorly, my calf hits the pedals and I get huge scrapes. Almost drew blood.
#2123
Another MN Bike Commuter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Perham, Minnesota
Bikes: 2015 Trek Crockett / 2013 Trek Domane / 2014 Framed MN1.0
My commute was great for the first 10 miles, light headwind, cloudy, 48 degrees. Around mile 10 I ended up with a flat. Started pumping the tire, when the valve adapter for my bike pump cracked in half (I am going to have to carry a spare or two now). Made a quick phone call and had a family member bring me the last few miles to the office.
#2124
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
thanks. working on a new route on the map now. that way i can mix it up a bit.






as long I got my lunch with me I am happy