How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.
06-07-11 | 08:09 AM
#2351
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,765
Likes: 3,937
From: Louisville, KY
used up my daily allotment of shouted profanities when a woman chose to cross the bike lane to the right turn lane from a stopped position without looking in her mirror just as I was there. Barely avoided an accident. Of course she was driving a gas guzzling suv with the windows up chattering away on her cell phone, so she probably didn't even hear me or know why I was screaming if she did.
__________________
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(?),
06-07-11 | 08:15 AM
#2352
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 0
From: Virginia/DC
Bikes: quite a few
Easy ride in, weather beautiful, finally starting to feel like I'm fit enough to do this every day. Only problem is the high pollution warning which I read about after getting in. Guess I should wear a mask or something.
06-07-11 | 09:03 AM
#2353
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
hot, hot, hot, hot. and so disgustingly humid. we're seeing a heat spike here in chicago that the weather people are saying will be the warmest heat wave we've had in 5 years, and could potentially break records.
but the heat wasn't enough, i was nearly killed not once, but twice, by two errant cyclists who were not anywhere close to acknowledging the fact that there are other users of the road. one ran a red light and nearly collided into me at an intersection (i had the green) and another on the bike path who swerved into my lane to pass TWO other cyclists leaving me nowhere to go and nearly running me off of the path into a wrought iron fence. what a jack-a$$.
it sure is amateur hour out there these days.
the other 9 months are so pleasurable to ride in chicago, but summer is far and away the worst. oh what i wouldn't give for a nice 20 degree january morning and have the entire lakefront all to myself.
but the heat wasn't enough, i was nearly killed not once, but twice, by two errant cyclists who were not anywhere close to acknowledging the fact that there are other users of the road. one ran a red light and nearly collided into me at an intersection (i had the green) and another on the bike path who swerved into my lane to pass TWO other cyclists leaving me nowhere to go and nearly running me off of the path into a wrought iron fence. what a jack-a$$.
it sure is amateur hour out there these days.
the other 9 months are so pleasurable to ride in chicago, but summer is far and away the worst. oh what i wouldn't give for a nice 20 degree january morning and have the entire lakefront all to myself.
Last edited by Steely Dan; 06-07-11 at 09:30 AM.
06-07-11 | 09:03 AM
#2354
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 82
From: Edmonton, AB
Pleasant ride in: 10C, cloudy, a little drizzly in spots and wet streets and trails. Took it slow today since I'm still feeling the 400 km (250 mile) ride I did on the weekend. I probably should have done some light spinning on Sunday and Monday to keep my legs limbered up, but my rear end didn't want to be even close to a bike saddle. Still doesn't, apparently.
06-07-11 | 09:25 AM
#2355
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC, Canada
Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15
Nice ride in at 13C/58F and overcast. It's been a couple of weeks because of some business travel and I'm just getting back into my routine. I really feel for all of the commuters that don't have showers! My new office is still working on the showers and I've been trying to change in the handicapped stall in the washroom and making do with having a sponge bath. Not fun at all!
06-07-11 | 10:41 AM
#2356
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
I'd be tempted to show him he's #1. But then I can probably get into my building (with my bike) faster than he could turn around to come get me. (And our doors can only be opened with card keys...)
06-07-11 | 11:08 AM
#2357
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
I do like the solitude of Winter, knowing that any other cyclists I see are more likely to have their wits about them.
In the Summer, I get torn between the excitement that so many people are on bikes and the despair that such a high percentage of the ones I see are clueless and/or dangerous.
06-07-11 | 11:11 AM
#2358
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
*Cop (motorcycle) chewed me out as I was turning into work for turning left from the traffic lane and not the bike lane. I had also moved into the traffic lane to go around a sloooooow bike in the bike lane (it's uphill) and the cop saw that and gunned it up behind me to yell at me, even though I signaled both my pass and my turn and if he would've been behind me a block earlier he would've seen three bikes blow past me while I waited for the red light to change....... guess it's time to figure out Philly bike laws since what I did is legal in other places I've ridden and that's a turn I make every day....
) if the move was in fact legal.
06-07-11 | 11:30 AM
#2359
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
The weather has been so perfect that several (like 20 I have never seen before on my route) other people have been biking to work in the past two weeks. So naturally the city has started closing down bike lanes for construction, closing off the entrance to the bike path portion that I use, and the river has flooded several parts of the trail. It is a great week to commute by bike if you like the scenic route?
06-07-11 | 11:38 AM
#2360
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
It was a seriously hot day to get lost trying to bike the 14 miles to school...the breeze from biking kept me cool but as soon as I'd stop to consult my map the sweat just started pouring. Drank my entire 3L MSR bladder today, feeling beat to say the least but at least I know how to get there now!
06-07-11 | 11:59 AM
#2361
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Had a nice ride home last night. My legs felt great and I really rode hard for the last couple miles... cruising along at 20ish mph w/o a tailwind or elevation change to help. Good I did it... the good workout made me feel less guilty about the fish, chips, and fried Snickers I had at my favorite chipper.
Took an alternate route to the Mount Vernon Trail from home that I'd only ever used to ride home before. It adds some mileage and didn't really end up adding much time at all. I think I'll have to go this way more often. The change of scenery was refreshing.
Lots of commuters out these days. Ended up catching a couple going about my speed as me, so instead of pushing past I just rode along behind them for a couple miles. Nice to ride in a bit of a convoy, even though we didn't talk at all.
Took an alternate route to the Mount Vernon Trail from home that I'd only ever used to ride home before. It adds some mileage and didn't really end up adding much time at all. I think I'll have to go this way more often. The change of scenery was refreshing.
Lots of commuters out these days. Ended up catching a couple going about my speed as me, so instead of pushing past I just rode along behind them for a couple miles. Nice to ride in a bit of a convoy, even though we didn't talk at all.
06-07-11 | 01:02 PM
#2362
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
Beautiful day here -- temps in the mid-60s during my morning commute and low 90s expected this afternoon. Fortunately the humidity isn't too high so the heat doesn't feel so bad. Missed my bike commute yesterday due to some plumbing repairs at home, and then had to drive to work to wrap up some tasks that needed completing.
06-07-11 | 01:19 PM
#2363
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
Ugh. Nice enough weather and the legs felt good but two detractors this morning.....
*Commuter passed me on the right on the MUP--I had moved left to avoid a piece of 20' long piece of failing trail that everyone rides around, but apparently not this guy because he was right on my right hip when I went to move back right....you can't wait 20' to pass me???? and he wasn't on my left shoulder when I moved left....
*Cop (motorcycle) chewed me out as I was turning into work for turning left from the traffic lane and not the bike lane. I had also moved into the traffic lane to go around a sloooooow bike in the bike lane (it's uphill) and the cop saw that and gunned it up behind me to yell at me, even though I signaled both my pass and my turn and if he would've been behind me a block earlier he would've seen three bikes blow past me while I waited for the red light to change....... guess it's time to figure out Philly bike laws since what I did is legal in other places I've ridden and that's a turn I make every day....
*Commuter passed me on the right on the MUP--I had moved left to avoid a piece of 20' long piece of failing trail that everyone rides around, but apparently not this guy because he was right on my right hip when I went to move back right....you can't wait 20' to pass me???? and he wasn't on my left shoulder when I moved left....
*Cop (motorcycle) chewed me out as I was turning into work for turning left from the traffic lane and not the bike lane. I had also moved into the traffic lane to go around a sloooooow bike in the bike lane (it's uphill) and the cop saw that and gunned it up behind me to yell at me, even though I signaled both my pass and my turn and if he would've been behind me a block earlier he would've seen three bikes blow past me while I waited for the red light to change....... guess it's time to figure out Philly bike laws since what I did is legal in other places I've ridden and that's a turn I make every day....
[3301(b). Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed.
Upon all roadways, any vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at
the time and place under the conditions than existing shall be driven in the right-hand
lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge
of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the
same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley,
private road or driveway. This subsection does not apply to a driver who must
necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his intended
route.]Upon all roadways, any vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at
the time and place under the conditions than existing shall be driven in the right-hand
lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge
of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the
same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley,
private road or driveway. This subsection does not apply to a driver who must
necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his intended
06-07-11 | 01:33 PM
#2364
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
From: seattle, too many links
Bikes: fixed gear recumbent trike
pretty nice day for march...
06-07-11 | 01:34 PM
#2365
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Philly
I don't see anything in Pennsylvania state statutes that prohibit making a left turn from a traffic lane or passing a slower rider. This is from the statutes regarding bicycles:
[3301(b). Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed.
Upon all roadways, any vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at
the time and place under the conditions than existing shall be driven in the right-hand
lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge
of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the
same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley,
private road or driveway. This subsection does not apply to a driver who must
necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his intended
route.]Upon all roadways, any vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at
the time and place under the conditions than existing shall be driven in the right-hand
lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge
of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the
same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley,
private road or driveway. This subsection does not apply to a driver who must
necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his intended
I will give some major props to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, I emailed them within minutes of posting here and had a response within an hour or so... the short of it is:
*There is a regulation in Philadelphia stating that bicycles must use a bike lane/trail if available and not use the roadway.
*There is a PA state law (which supersedes local rules) which states:
"Section 3501. Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles.
(a) General rule. -- Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title, except as to special provisions in this subchapter and except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application."
So basically state law trumps local and what I did is correct, and the local folks are trying to amend/repeal the bike path regulation in the Philadelphia rules since it's not practicable... there are additional pieces of state law that specifically refer to slower-than-traffic vehicles and left turns, so I may have to make a little cheat sheet and stick it in the panniers for future law-enforcement interactions
06-07-11 | 01:46 PM
#2366
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 871
Likes: 115
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000
It was a seriously hot day to get lost trying to bike the 14 miles to school...the breeze from biking kept me cool but as soon as I'd stop to consult my map the sweat just started pouring. Drank my entire 3L MSR bladder today, feeling beat to say the least but at least I know how to get there now!
06-07-11 | 02:18 PM
#2367
The Flying Scot
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 0
From: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
Bikes: Custom (Colin Laing) 531c fast tourer/audax, 1964 Flying Scot Continental, 1995 Cinelli Supercorsa, Holdsworth Mistral single speed, Dahon Speed 6 (folder), Micmo Sirocco and a few more
Was a lovely, sunny, still, morning in London and I had a very pleasant run in. Around Hyde Park passed two sets of the household cavalry exercising horses.
Tonight on the way home the weather had turned a bit muggy and the traffic, particularly east of Park Lane and across Oxford Street, was very heavy.
Nearly ran into the back of a car which stopped in the middle of the road as it's owner was lost and then got held up at the Abbey Road ped crossing as various japanese tourists did the "Abbey Road" beatles picture. Ah well, summer is here!
Tonight on the way home the weather had turned a bit muggy and the traffic, particularly east of Park Lane and across Oxford Street, was very heavy.
Nearly ran into the back of a car which stopped in the middle of the road as it's owner was lost and then got held up at the Abbey Road ped crossing as various japanese tourists did the "Abbey Road" beatles picture. Ah well, summer is here!
__________________
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
06-07-11 | 02:55 PM
#2368
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Nice! I'm thinking of a ride down to the National Colonial Farm across the river from Mount Vernon. By my rough estimation, I think it's gonna be around 45 miles round trip from my place in Del Ray in Alexandria and back. That's a few miles to grow on.
06-07-11 | 04:45 PM
#2369
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: East Metro Atlanta, GA, USA
Bikes: Giant Sedona (Mid 90's), Giant Seek 2, Greenspeed Anura
*Cop (motorcycle) chewed me out as I was turning into work for turning left from the traffic lane and not the bike lane. I had also moved into the traffic lane to go around a sloooooow bike in the bike lane (it's uphill) and the cop saw that and gunned it up behind me to yell at me, even though I signaled both my pass and my turn and if he would've been behind me a block earlier he would've seen three bikes blow past me while I waited for the red light to change....... guess it's time to figure out Philly bike laws since what I did is legal in other places I've ridden and that's a turn I make every day....
06-07-11 | 07:11 PM
#2370
Less is more
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Western Massachusetts
Bikes: Trek 7.1 FX (2011)
Day 2 was just as good but the morning was a bit foggy. There was report of rain and thunderstorm for the afternoon but luckily it didn't come when I was coming home.
And my boss gave me my a spot near the front entrance of the building to lock up my bike too. That was nice of him.
And my boss gave me my a spot near the front entrance of the building to lock up my bike too. That was nice of him.
06-08-11 | 04:30 AM
#2372
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
It was a pleasant ride in at 69 F ( 21 C). The warm air going downhill felt very nice. The gnats are back, so cars on the left and gnats on the right. They taste pretty neutral, the gnats that is, so no problem.
06-08-11 | 05:45 AM
#2374
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
warm ride, early runners out by the dozens trying to beat the heat. Front tire was seriously low, noticed just as I was leaving my building. Sure hope it's not a leak but my gut tells me this will be flat #2 in the past month or so.
06-08-11 | 05:55 AM
#2375
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
You know it's going to be hot when the temperature is already in the mid-70s at 6 am. The high is supposed to reach the mid to upper 90s and the humidity has gone up. Sounds like a nice day. I was feeling sluggish on my ride this morning and didn't realize until I saw the flag at work that I was fighting a headwind all the way. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.