How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
#2276
Descends like a rock
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 16
From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: Scott Foil, Surly Pacer
Nice ride this morning. Fairly cool, very gentle breeze (not windy). I actually saw two other cycle commuter - seeing one is a rare thing here.
Lets not talk about the ride home - supposed to be 98 today...
Lets not talk about the ride home - supposed to be 98 today...
#2277
Had a bit of tailwind (hope it dies down before the ride home). Also had some nasty brake rub on my front canti (was all good last time I checked, so who knows what happened on the bike rack the last two nights) and was running a bit late, so I had to stop at a light and disconnect it and ride the rest of the way in with only a rear brake. Will try a quick adjust with my multitool before the ride home as I really don't like only having the rear.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
#2278
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
Ditto, except I actually saw four commuters. Two were riding together on the Trinity MUP, packed much lighter than I plus they were on actual road bikes, and I passed them with no problem at all. (Yeah, I know, not a race and all that...) The other one was in Overton Park.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
Last edited by Doohickie; 06-02-11 at 08:53 AM. Reason: I remembered a fourth bike commuter
#2279
Another gorgeous morning: 10C, no clouds, no wind; a far cry from the rain and thunderstorms predicted as of last night. Saw a bunch of other cyclists this morning, nearly collided with a couple of them (their fault).
#2281
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
First ride after a week in the hills of muggy Connecticut (no bike). It felt good to get the body going again.
50F, dry, gusty wind.
50F, dry, gusty wind.
#2282
Descends like a rock
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 16
From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: Scott Foil, Surly Pacer
Ditto, except I actually saw three commuters. Two were riding together on the Trinity MUP, packed much lighter than I plus they were on actual road bikes, and I passed them with no problem at all. (Yeah, I know, not a race and all that...) The other one was in Overton Park.
#2283
dazed and confused
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Bikes: 2011 Cube Hyde Team Alfine 8 IGH, 2007 Giant Rock hardtail mtb
After a cool, gray, and drizzly yesterday I can't believe today is perfect blue skies, low wind, almost 20C. I had the most pleasant commute! The winds recently have been averaging 30kph so I couldn't believe my luck.
#2284
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)
Gorgeous riding weather this morning, cooler than the past few days and not too humid. However, as my penance for enjoying the weather too much, I got a coughing fit (pollen?) on the MUP and then had to follow a garbage truck for about a quarter of a mile (pace -- he was too fast to pass, not fast enough to get away).
Also had a fellow cyclist run a red (solidly red by the time he entered the intersection - no doubt) in front of me. Admittedly, I had jumped the green a little, and had I waited until the light had fully changed to start, he'd have cleared the intersection well in front of me. We passed entirely without incident, but I wasn't completely happy... but willing to accept my share of the blame.
Also had a fellow cyclist run a red (solidly red by the time he entered the intersection - no doubt) in front of me. Admittedly, I had jumped the green a little, and had I waited until the light had fully changed to start, he'd have cleared the intersection well in front of me. We passed entirely without incident, but I wasn't completely happy... but willing to accept my share of the blame.
#2285
Beautiful ride today and we were so ahead of ourselves we stopped off at Tim's for some hot chocolate and coffee... upon arriving at the school there was not a single bike in the rack.
Would appear that once upon a time we all rode our bikes to school and now it has just become an annual event... the message seems to have gotten lost that if you can ride your bike to school one day, you can ride it for two... and then three...
To put some perspective on this... my daughters have been riding back and forth to school for 3 years and the round trip is 14km / 8 miles and will do this in all but the most craptastic and cold weather.
I understand that many of their classmates live much closer and think our 7km ride is epic... my youngest does not even consider this to be a good warmup.
Would appear that once upon a time we all rode our bikes to school and now it has just become an annual event... the message seems to have gotten lost that if you can ride your bike to school one day, you can ride it for two... and then three...
To put some perspective on this... my daughters have been riding back and forth to school for 3 years and the round trip is 14km / 8 miles and will do this in all but the most craptastic and cold weather.
I understand that many of their classmates live much closer and think our 7km ride is epic... my youngest does not even consider this to be a good warmup.
#2286
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
it seems to be getting harder to commute lately. my bike feels sluggish for some reason. i am getting tired on the gears that i normally have no problem with. i don't know if its mental or not.
Last edited by aprevo15; 06-02-11 at 09:45 AM.
#2287
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
There was a tornado warning and hail yesterday. I drove(motorcycle) today, which I regret as it's looking pretty nice outside right now..wish I could find a way to attach my bicycle to my motorcycle.
#2288
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
#2289
Where I grew up, the only time we didn't ride our bikes to school was during the dead of winter when the streets were icy, and then, only because the school forbade it and threatened to confiscate the bikes of anyone who rode. Now, this was smalltown Saskatchewan, not the big city, but still...
#2290
Back in the saddle after a week of vacation. Sluggish legs. Gained six pounds in a week (more eating than fishing on my trip).
Guess I missed the upper 90's that were hitting DC region these past few days.
Guess I missed the upper 90's that were hitting DC region these past few days.
#2291
This bike is cat approved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: To many to list...
Warm, but nice and sunny. I wheeled my friend's bike along with me that I had repaired and tuned up for him so he could ride it to his summer class the next few weeks. After the dropoff I was just enjoying the different route I was taking to work and a big black dog raced out of the garage and started chasing me. He got a yard or so away before I was able to pull away. I don't know if I was actually scared or should have been, but the owner was sure bellowing at the dog. At least it wasn't lost. =P If there was reason to be scared I am glad I was riding one of my road bikes instead of my little Peugeot thats slower.
#2292
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Soul-killing headwind for the ride home. Slowed me down by about 5MPH or so.
I rescued a bird on the MUP. I'm not sure what its deal was. I thought it was a rock until I got to it. I dismounted and walked up to it. Poor thing was just sitting there, a bit puffed up. I tapped its beak gently and it didn't seem bothered, so I carefully picked it up with one hand and carried it away to some tall grass next to a fence. I made a little spot for it and set it down gently. It didn't try to get away at all. Hopefully I get karma points.
I rescued a bird on the MUP. I'm not sure what its deal was. I thought it was a rock until I got to it. I dismounted and walked up to it. Poor thing was just sitting there, a bit puffed up. I tapped its beak gently and it didn't seem bothered, so I carefully picked it up with one hand and carried it away to some tall grass next to a fence. I made a little spot for it and set it down gently. It didn't try to get away at all. Hopefully I get karma points.
#2293
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
Rode the fast bike, brought my kit in my backpack, hoping to make the Thursday night hammerfest after work.
#2294
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
#2295
It was great in the morning except for the swarm of nats on part of the trail.
The ride home was hell. Its 95 outside and I had a head wind of around 15 mph
I'll crash hard tonight
The ride home was hell. Its 95 outside and I had a head wind of around 15 mph

I'll crash hard tonight
#2296
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
first sunny, 5 miles later, pouring rain... then another 5 miles, sun is out again.
#2297
The morning started later than normal, but was nice and I managed to avoid the rain. The afternoon was also nice. I managed to get my commute done in the only dryish 15 minutes this afternoon. I was pedaling crazy-go-nuts fast, but I again managed to beat the rain.
#2298
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
The ride home was pretty good. I cut across town following the rolling hills of Calmont, then climbed up to the west end of 7th Street before coasting down to dinner at the Magnolia Motor Lounge (the pulled pork is pretty kick-ass). With a few adult beverages, it was hard to get going on the last 10 miles but by the time I got home I had found my stride. By the time I climbed Brookhaven (not the biggest hill around, but significant), I was up out of the seat an pumping away. I will sleep good tonight I suspect.
I did pause at one of my favorite spots for a picture.
#2299
Where I grew up, the only time we didn't ride our bikes to school was during the dead of winter when the streets were icy, and then, only because the school forbade it and threatened to confiscate the bikes of anyone who rode. Now, this was smalltown Saskatchewan, not the big city, but still...







