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How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.

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How was the commute today? 2011 Edition.

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Old 06-10-11 | 09:12 AM
  #2426  
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From: Edmonton, AB
Lovely. 10C (50F), sunny, and a tail wind for the north-bound sections. Legs feeling better after a day off the bike yesterday, though not 100% yet, but I was still able to big-ring it a couple times and really fly.

On a narrow road, a car pulled along side me, and then slowed down to my pace as we approached a driveway off to the right. I figured he was going to turn in, and was bracing for evasive action in the event of a right hook. I was so intent on watching the car that I didn't see the real reason it was slowing down: to stop for a pedestrian waiting to cross the street. I saw the ped at the last second when it was too late to stop, but I did see her give me the evil eye. I deserved it, and felt bad.
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Old 06-10-11 | 09:40 AM
  #2427  
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From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

We are finishing the third straight week with daily highs in 90s and I've biked to work almost every day. I am definitely getting acclimated to the heat, but I don't enjoy it. My clothes are soaked in sweat after each commute, even in the morning, and my average speeds have dropped about 1 mph. One the plus side, I've got daylight on both commutes and haven't had to deal with any rain in quite a while.
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Old 06-10-11 | 09:45 AM
  #2428  
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From: south Puget Sound
55F, a little on the clammy side but not wet per se. Gray.
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Old 06-10-11 | 09:47 AM
  #2429  
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From: Twin Cites, MN USA

Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T

Dreary, drizzly morning. Back to long sleeves here in MN. ;-)
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Old 06-10-11 | 09:58 AM
  #2430  
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From: North Texas

Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem

Really nice. They're in the midst of building ped/bike bridge across the Trinity so I won't be forced to cross on the sidewalk of a bad bridge. Once over the river, reasonably well-planned on-street bike lanes are already appearing. Today, I rode the last mile in bike lanes that mirrored my usual route. Also ran into an old friend as soon as I rode out of the driveway and rode with him a bit.

Mid 70's with a trailing crosswind, mid 90's going home, with a crossing headwind. Texas Summer is almost here.
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Old 06-10-11 | 10:03 AM
  #2431  
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From: Leesburg, VA
First ride this week. Schedule has been crazy and have not been able to ride. Timing was good in a way since I missed all of the code orange 100 degree days from earlier in the week. Temps were great this morning. Good to be back on the bike again.
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Old 06-10-11 | 11:49 AM
  #2432  
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From: Jamis, WA

Bikes: Jamis Aurora Elite

I was burned out so I'm doing the mixed commute thing today.
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Old 06-10-11 | 12:16 PM
  #2433  
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From: Edmonton, Canada
Fun ride today. Usually I only have a couple km to go to work, down a residential road with lots of stopping.

Today, though, I had to take the car in for service, so I drove out to the dealership, dropped off my car, and did 10km, mostly on MUTs with little traffic and even less stop signs.

Awesome ride. There's a big climb at the end, so my legs were killing me (I rarely have to do hills in my normal riding), but I tell you, I'd be a happier person if I got to ride along the river like that every day.
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Old 06-10-11 | 01:05 PM
  #2434  
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From: Simcoe County, Ontario

Bikes: Steve Bauer Sirocco "Steve", Kawasaki Sumo 4.0 Fatbike "Black Betty", Retrospec Amok-16 "Rocinante/Veronica"

It was great! Nice weather, sunny and 10 C this morning. Tracking my time just for fun, I set a new personal best by 19 seconds over the 28km ride.

Got out for a ride around part of Kempenfelt Bay and back at lunch time too. Beautiful out!

Really loving the road bike (Steve Bauer Sirocco) I picked up used this spring, man that thing is fun to ride!
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Old 06-10-11 | 07:49 PM
  #2435  
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From: Maryland

Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley

The first five minutes and the last five minutes of my commute this morning. Maryland to DC. Music by Keller Williams.

Last edited by qmsdc15; 06-10-11 at 08:13 PM.
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Old 06-10-11 | 08:49 PM
  #2436  
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From: Santa Fe, NM

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Originally Posted by qmsdc15
The first five minutes and the last five minutes of my commute this morning. Maryland to DC. Music by Keller Williams.
Loved that music!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing these tidbits of your ride in. I always like seeing other commutes.
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Old 06-13-11 | 04:33 AM
  #2437  
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From: Columbia, Maryland

Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter

A beautiful morning for a ride in. The temps are perfect, 62 F (17 C). Last Thursday, I stayed home with my first case of dehydration this year. I was very lightheaded all day, and pretty much had to sit in one spot. On Wed I rode with temps at 99F ( 37 C). I always drink water on my rides, but apparently not enough. I have adjusted and added more water during the work day as that seems to be my weak spot, and
added more water on the weekend. Age may have been a part of it, but not that much. I should have adjusted my water in-take awhile back.
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Old 06-13-11 | 06:07 AM
  #2438  
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From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

They say caffine effects your hydration, I have seen studies both ways. I personally think it does.

The most perfect ride of the year. Just plain nice.
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Old 06-13-11 | 06:12 AM
  #2439  
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From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Another moist ride. No rain, but the pavement is wet. 59F/15C, overcast, no wind. Overall, pretty nice. I did get dirt on my Soho. I'm having anxiety attacks now.
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Old 06-13-11 | 06:45 AM
  #2440  
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From: Boy-z, Ideeeho

Bikes: The always reliable kuwie

58f Roads are wet and it's humid in Boise this morning, supposed to have thunderstorms most the early afternoon and forgot rain gear yay!
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Old 06-13-11 | 08:08 AM
  #2441  
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From: North Texas

Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem

Almost cool and a tailwind. The ride in was as pleasant as I expect the ride home will be nasty-hot, uphill, upwind.

Still beats driving
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Old 06-13-11 | 08:10 AM
  #2442  
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From: Bethesda, MD

Bikes: All-City Space Horse, Trek 5000 WSD

Amazing weather today, especially after last week - it was around 62F and low humidity this morning. Felt like autumn. On top of the good weather, I love my new tire! Installed a Bontrager hardcase on my rear wheel last night. I had no idea a tire could improve the ride so much. Also installed my new headlight, but won't be using it for a while.
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Old 06-13-11 | 08:19 AM
  #2443  
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From: Burnaby BC, Canada

Bikes: Velosport Appalache 15

A little dull and gray today. The office is crowded early this morning, I guess everyone wants to head home and watch the Canucks take a beating (they're not going to win on the road). I also forgot half my breakfast at home. It's Monday.
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Old 06-13-11 | 08:31 AM
  #2444  
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From: Edmonton, AB
Originally Posted by daijoubu2k8
...I guess everyone wants to head home and watch the Canucks take a beating (they're not going to win on the road). ...
Sad, but (probably) true.

Best ride in of the year so far. 11C, sunny, no wind. Really gave 'er today. Gave 'er until I couldn't give 'er anymore, then I coasted downhill for a while and caught my breath, then I gave 'er some more. Gave 'er up the big hill, then hit some lights and was forced to rest a bit, so I sipped some water. Then I gave 'er for the last few blocks to work.
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Old 06-13-11 | 08:32 AM
  #2445  
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From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Originally Posted by daijoubu2k8
The office is crowded early this morning, I guess everyone wants to head home and watch the Canucks take a beating
The other night I was winding up my Boston-fan friends (yeah yeah, I know: some friends) by randomly shouting stuff like, "Go Vancouver!"

I never got this area's interest in the Bruins. They should be Habs fans at least. We're only 90 minutes from Montreal, and about 4 hours from Boston.
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Old 06-13-11 | 08:33 AM
  #2446  
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Needed to empty the bladder, but was running late so I figured I'd do it when I got to work. Felt every bump on the way in.
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Old 06-13-11 | 08:43 AM
  #2447  
Car-free in the South
 
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Originally Posted by himespau
Needed to empty the bladder, but was running late so I figured I'd do it when I got to work. Felt every bump on the way in.
Ugh I hate it when I do that. The other day I forgot to "go" before leaving for work... that was torture.
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Old 06-13-11 | 09:00 AM
  #2448  
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Wow, almost a chill this morning! Nice ride in on my newly changed front tube, I shall never pay anyone to do that again. Fully loaded down with both baskets full and a backpack, definitely slowed me.

So on the bike shops topic...is there a code to be a total d*ck to relative newbies? Guy at the shop says I "wrote down all the wrong numbers" for my tube. No, actually I wrote down every number listed on my Continentatl tire. grrr
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Old 06-13-11 | 09:07 AM
  #2449  
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From: Santa Fe, NM

Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa

nearly perfect morning for a ride in. Mid 50's F, gentle clouds playing with the sun. Surprisingly I only saw 3 other bike commuters this morning.
I got a nice workout this morning, alternating between my 69 and 80 inch gear the whole way in. This seems to be the norm now - great for a morning wake up.

.... and, no, dcb23 - bike shop employees shouldn't be giving you any attitude. You are a customer. I'd make a complaint to the manager about the employee's attitude. Chances are he/she is an indifferent kid who is only there for the "pro-deal" discount on gear and would prefer not to have to deal with "noobs".

Last edited by canyoneagle; 06-13-11 at 09:11 AM.
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Old 06-13-11 | 09:08 AM
  #2450  
Car-free in the South
 
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Bikes: Surly Pack Rat, Novara Trionfo retro-mod

Originally Posted by dcb23
Wow, almost a chill this morning! Nice ride in on my newly changed front tube, I shall never pay anyone to do that again. Fully loaded down with both baskets full and a backpack, definitely slowed me.

So on the bike shops topic...is there a code to be a total d*ck to relative newbies? Guy at the shop says I "wrote down all the wrong numbers" for my tube. No, actually I wrote down every number listed on my Continentatl tire. grrr
My local shop is staffed with awesome guys. They not only helped me get the right bike, but every time I go in there they know just what I need. I am outside of their regular MTB/"serious business" racer guys, and as a carfree/commuter guy obviously have different needs. Not once have I been given a cold shoulder or mocked.
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