How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#2252
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
Chillier morning today. I ate too much over the long weekend so I thought that I would punish myself yesterday by eating very lightly.
It turned out that I was actually punishing myself TODAY, as I was bonking the whole way in (I don't eat breakfast until I reach the office). :-(
It turned out that I was actually punishing myself TODAY, as I was bonking the whole way in (I don't eat breakfast until I reach the office). :-(
#2253
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
7 miles of pure joy, I finally decided to go clipless and made too manyadjustments to my riding position over the weekend
. My seat has to go higheronce again but the ride start to come together. I used clipless in the past buthate it, I had trouble at times to unclip my self, happy that crank brotherswork like a charm no issues very easy to unclip on stops. Can't wait for theride back I am hitting my favorite big hill on the way back so we see ifclipless are really that much more efficient
.
#2254
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Bikes: 2013 Carve with Rigid Salsa Fargo & 2005 Allez
Good ride this morning, yesterday I took a lap to and around the lake after my commute home to add another 16 miles to my regular 27 mile commute. I'm going to try to do that every night this week and in the mornings too next week. Gotta lose some LBs!
#2255
First commute for me after the long weekend. Managed to get in a hilly, 35 mile "fun" ride on Monday in the oppressive heat. Made the ride in today seem a little easier. Still hot and muggy, though. I guess summer is here a few weeks early.
#2256
Fat Guy Rolling
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Kentucky
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, 80s Raleigh Record single-speed, Surly Big Dummy
Yesterday I rode the recumbent for the first time in a while. I'm having neck/shoulder/back issues.
It was warm and sticky in the morning, and downright hot in the afternoon.
The pain from my shoulder was bad enough that I couldn't think straight. I drove today, it was still very painful. <sigh>
It was warm and sticky in the morning, and downright hot in the afternoon.
The pain from my shoulder was bad enough that I couldn't think straight. I drove today, it was still very painful. <sigh>
#2257
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 96
Likes: 53
From: Massachusetts
Nice ride in this morning, with temps in the upper 60s and it didn't seem too humid. I started to hear thunder when I was within a few miles of work and the sky was getting dark as I was locking up the bike. By the time I changed and made it to my desk it was pouring rain and I saw a few flashes of lightning. I'll be watching the radar this afternoon as they're calling for a chance of storms later on too.
#2258
Took a different route today on a faster, busier road than I'm usually on, but thanks to a bit of a tail wind, I was able to hold my own in traffic. A few cars passed a little close for my liking. Not a route I'll choose often, but not horrible. About 9C and sunny this morning.
#2260
i ride falls church to mclean so i'm feelin ya on the hot an muggy. i think it was 85 ("feels like 90") at about my commute time. goin home to a pool should be nice.
#2261
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
This afternoon I have softball so I strapped my gear bag to my back and rode with my helmet hitting the bats the whole way. Not really fun, but not really pleasant. I will be happy when I get my new freewheel delivered and installed tomorrow. In the meantime, the ride was a bit sticky but not unpleasant.
#2262
Ride home was a surprisingly good ride considering my 35km(22mi) trip was in 28oC feels like 38oC (82oF feels like 100oF) humid weather. This was the first time I didn't really mind a headwind since it was nice and cool.
#2263
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
Cool with a bit of a SW breeze and high fluffy clouds. Might rain this afternoon so I was happy to get in some decent miles before work.
#2264
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Sherman Oaks, CA
Bikes: Specialized Crossroads Elite, Specialized Trcross Comp
Rode both directions yesterday, (23 miles each way), rather than the usual bike-subway-bike commute. Perfect riding conditions, in the morning, about 50 F but it warmed up quickly, and on the way back, low 70's and sunny. I know those 95 F + summer days are right around the corner, but for now, this is as good as it gets!!
#2265
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
wonderful ride in, warm but not too. Fairly strong headwind, unusual in early morning but normal on the way home. It will probably change directions, hehe.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2266
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
The heat is still on. Hoping that today's cold front brings some relief. Drier air at least would be nice. It is supposed to be 10-15 degrees F cooler beginning tomorrow, so it sounds like relief is on the way.
Have started noticing a little bit of a clicking noise when I crank hard the last couple days. Disconcerting since everything's so new. I'll have to keep tabs on that and try to get it sorted out. It does it in the same types of situations it used to on my old BSO hybrid when the no-name bottom bracket was messed up only this time it's a Shimano UN-54 BB and a Surly frame... and it's been only a month or so and a couple hundred miles on the bike.
Have started noticing a little bit of a clicking noise when I crank hard the last couple days. Disconcerting since everything's so new. I'll have to keep tabs on that and try to get it sorted out. It does it in the same types of situations it used to on my old BSO hybrid when the no-name bottom bracket was messed up only this time it's a Shimano UN-54 BB and a Surly frame... and it's been only a month or so and a couple hundred miles on the bike.
#2267
Today is the start of Bike Month 2011 which is a month long celebration of all things bike... took the girls the 7km to school and when we arrived the parking lot was overflowing... with bikes !
Have never seen this many bikes parked at the school and we had to lock up on the rail.

Have never seen this many bikes parked at the school and we had to lock up on the rail.

#2268
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
This deserves to live on forever in the interwebs.
Last night on the way home, my first commute after flying all over the east coast last week, I had a tail wind.
almost overshot an intersection.
For those of you who have never had a tailwind, it was glorious. Around here we have a very dependable afternoon wind out the northwest, having a tail wind was like seeing the aurora Borealis from Miami.
Last night on the way home, my first commute after flying all over the east coast last week, I had a tail wind.
almost overshot an intersection.
For those of you who have never had a tailwind, it was glorious. Around here we have a very dependable afternoon wind out the northwest, having a tail wind was like seeing the aurora Borealis from Miami.
#2269
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
When we had those thunderstorms a few weeks ago I had a really great tail wind for just less than a mile. I could pass cars. I will tell my grandchildren about it, I never thought it would happen to me. Today wasnt that good but still the fastest ride home by about 6 minutes. I dont know why except I rode my backup road bike instead of my Crosscheck and I have really been riding a lot. THe little pleasures.
This deserves to live on forever in the interwebs.
Last night on the way home, my first commute after flying all over the east coast last week, I had a tail wind.
almost overshot an intersection.
For those of you who have never had a tailwind, it was glorious. Around here we have a very dependable afternoon wind out the northwest, having a tail wind was like seeing the aurora Borealis from Miami.
Last night on the way home, my first commute after flying all over the east coast last week, I had a tail wind.
almost overshot an intersection.
For those of you who have never had a tailwind, it was glorious. Around here we have a very dependable afternoon wind out the northwest, having a tail wind was like seeing the aurora Borealis from Miami.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2270
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 very nice ride in at 70 F ( 21 C). The humidity is down, so it was a perfect morning.
I have had bursts of tailwinds, but never steady. And yes they make you feel very strong going up a hill. I have an area of the ride where if I tilt my back to the right a little, I get a nice push up one of the hills. One of the little thrills you miss, if you drive a car.
I have had bursts of tailwinds, but never steady. And yes they make you feel very strong going up a hill. I have an area of the ride where if I tilt my back to the right a little, I get a nice push up one of the hills. One of the little thrills you miss, if you drive a car.
#2271
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Tailwinds are full of win, yes.
I had a sketchy one this morning. It came & went, but when it was around, it was nice and strong. Also had some light rain at the beginning, and in the middle, of my ride. Nothing soaking. Temperature around 55F / 13C.
Yesterday I got home and there was dirt on my Soho!
I hosed it off. I love that I can do that, and not lube or clean a chain, cassettes, rings, etc.
I had a sketchy one this morning. It came & went, but when it was around, it was nice and strong. Also had some light rain at the beginning, and in the middle, of my ride. Nothing soaking. Temperature around 55F / 13C.Yesterday I got home and there was dirt on my Soho!
I hosed it off. I love that I can do that, and not lube or clean a chain, cassettes, rings, etc.
#2272
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 125
Last night on my commute home I had a 10-15 mph tailwind. It was great. At one point I was riding up a relatively long, shallow grade - about 2 or 3% - and maintaining 27-28mph!! Dang, when did I get this fast??
This morning, same wind. But I'm riding into it. Going down slight grades I have to pedal hard and I'm still not at the speed I woudl be without wind. Dang, when did I get this slow??
This morning, same wind. But I'm riding into it. Going down slight grades I have to pedal hard and I'm still not at the speed I woudl be without wind. Dang, when did I get this slow??
#2274
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Today was it first day I have had to drive in for quite a while. Since last time I drove we have had to start parking off station and get bused in from another parking lot. It has always taken me 35 minutes to drive and less than 1 hour 10minutes to ride my Surly. Now with the shuttle I have to take the drive this morning took 1 hour and 5 minutes. Guess when I am running late I will just have to take the road bike.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2275
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 780
From: Shanghai, China
Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk
Hot and sweaty today. Bit of a headwind this afternoon.
Also had a route improvement today, as some previously closed roads were just opened today, cutting 0.5km and around 5 minutes off a one-way trip. I can now go all out for close to 20 minutes, as the new route has very few traffic lights and very little traffic.
Also had a route improvement today, as some previously closed roads were just opened today, cutting 0.5km and around 5 minutes off a one-way trip. I can now go all out for close to 20 minutes, as the new route has very few traffic lights and very little traffic.





