Rode 29.1 Miles Today
 

I put in 29.1 miles today, raining all the way! No problems, no rude drivers. Just got a bit wet. Had to change to a dry shirt and put on my poncho. I need to find a lightweight and bright rain jacket ....

11F/-11.5C, at least according to the word of Gawd as I rode by (church marquee ticker along my route). Less wind and less ice than yesterday--I could have (and should have) done without the studs today. They will be off before nightfall!

It was a baumy 70F on my ride to Group PT for my 3.5 mile run. Rain clouds loomed but the rain never came. I rode the last long hill without dipping into single digits on my Garmin.

It was a cold ride today, 8 F, (-13 C). Most of the ice and snow had been well pushed to the side of the road. There were only a few spots that forced me into traffic. I figure that the number of these kinds of cold days are numbered, so it is something to look forward to.

Nice, clear, cool ride. I overdressed so am a bit sweaty now. Nice job Montgomery County of clearning streets and (some) sidewalks. I ride sidewalk for about 5 block where I370 dumps into 355. It was actually fun riding through the snow remains. The streets were cleared very well and I hit no ice. Beautiful day and good to be back on the bike!

Second day of Metro, I'll probably have to finish up the week that way. Not that I couldn't ride today, I didn't want to waste my rr. hub. I need to pick up some cone wrenches to tighten my hub, it's been loose (and getting worse) since I noticed it last week. I got to the babysitter's house way early yesterday and should have stopped by the Performance that was just another 1/2 mile or so away. They have a complet set for $29. I've never really attempted this repair but figure it's time I give it a shot, besides, there's plenty of info. on the Park Tool website (and others) as to this adjustment. In addition, I no longer have easy access to my preferred LBS since our babysitter moved so, I need to become even more self-reliant. Well, the good news is that this cold weather should be gone by the next time I'm back on the bike.

Warm ride at about -7C. Some guy honked as he passed me, dunno why there was plenty of room and he was never held up. I caught him at the light and knocked on his window, but he wouldn't unroll it to explain his actions.

Report:

14F, Road bike w/ skinny front. Only real snow was on the east facing hill that heads down off my own street. I took it super slow, but probably could have gone faster-- I don't have any experience on snow + road bike, well, at least I didn't....

Once it gets above freezing in the next 24-48 hrs, it's gonna get melty and black icy for tomorrow or Friday, I fear....

Story:

I was locking my bike up and another cyclist approaching the parking garage yelled very angrily at some driver not to block the sidewalk as she fumbled for whatever she needed to enter te parking structure. He was clearly late, and was asking people about the train schedule as we all walked the tunnel, his lateness, appearance, and agitation made everyone shy away from him, but I answered him.

I hate to comment on anyone's looks, but the first thing I thought when I saw him was "cadaver.." he had deeply sunken eyes and frozen, paste white/grey skin. The guy looked really rough. I cut short my advice for him as he continued to ask schedule/track questions, telling him that I'd only been at it a week.

My express wound up failing to arrive, so I cut over to the local that I had advised him to take and wound up across the aisle from him. I remained wierded out, until the female conductor came by to check tickets. He greeted her with extra-friendly good vibe-y cheer and familiarity and she returned the same as they chatted for a bit. Obviously she used to conduct the early train that he normally takes.

As a Christian, I made a point of helping him when he was sort of being ignored by the other commuters, but I still (mis)judged the guy. It WAS 14 degrees F out... I'm pretty sure that my black neck gaiter over my nose while out in the streets was as off putting as this poor guy's frozen skin. He sure looked like he'd been through some hard times, but he was a lot friendlier than I've been to anyone even as of yet today. Lesson learned.

Gear envy:

I also passed a guy folding up a sweet Brompton at the track. I sure can't wait until I get my folder!

Brrrrrr..... 3.0 degF, much ice and snow, blocked bike routes part of the way (darn snow plows)
and an icy icy bridge crossing all on slicks as I didn't spring for snow/ice tires this year. Had a guy
in a white van zoom up behind me, swerve around tossing slush and yelling $&%(# at me :mad:. But, all
was well 10 yards later when he had to stop for cross traffic and I zoomed by giving him a proper
and respectful "salute." :D All in all a fun ride in.

http://faculty.salisbury.edu/%7Ejwho...icecommute.jpg

D. Joe

I had to come in early today, made for a really nice ride, almost no traffic at all. But I'm sleepy now.

Not wanting to repeat yesterday's skunk stripe, I made sure the fender was actually over the wheel instead of off to the side. It was so no skunk stripe. Can't wait to go back to using my regular commuter. The mtb is fun, but it's not set up for commuting anymore.

I'm so glad that so many people have discovered the merits of fenders. I'm thinking of putting them on most or all of my bikes.

What about foot bindings or whatever the general term is? I refuse to ride a bike unless it has some form. They can be toe clips or clipless cleats or Power Grips, as long as they're something. Do you folks feel the same way?

Today, noglider, I rode through a dicey snowy stretch with my feet out of the clips, and pointed downward to keep the metal from dragging in the snow. I wanted my feet out incase the bike went out from under me.

3.5 flat miles isn't really long enouh to save much time by increasing my efficiency with clips, but if they're practical for the bike, I have them on. If I were to commute through deep snow regularly, I'd go w/o clips. When I get my folder, I'm not likely to put on pedals that will take clips.

Edit: Return trip: I was nailed on the side of my helmet with an iceball. I totally chased down the kids into an alleyway... the obvious thrower must have thought I was going to seriously kick his butt, b/c he was reaching into a dumpster to get something to defend himself with.

I asked him what he thought he was doing, and he came right out w/ sorry sir and so on. I asked if he'd like to see a picture of my babies, and showed him and his friend my toddlers and wife, asking them if they really want to knock me over -- under the wheels of a car on the icy road, and have my brains scattered on the road. They agreed that this would be a bad thing. I asked about his age and school (14)

I guess race is part of this-- white guy on a road bike in a black neighborhood, but I teach in a black high school, and tried to make it more of a teaching moment than some kind of road rage thing. He'll probably talk big about it to his friends, but might just take something more positive away from the experience.

My commute this morning was the coldest its been all year so far. Left at 8am. Weather was cold, icy winds with patches of drizzel. Slight head wind. Roads were slightly wet. I worse arm warmers but chose not to wear the leg warmers. I cramped up within a km due to the cold. Note to self wear leg warmers next time.

Avg Speed 29.8kmh
Avg Cadence 68
Max Speed 62.9kmh
Avg Heart Rate 158
Distance 11.3kms.

My commute today was ok. The wind was quite brutal but I still got to work on-time (1 MINUTE before the shift started :eek:). I did have to do a front derailleur adjustment when I got home from work after noticing the chain touching the derailleur.

10 degrees on the way and 34 on the way back, but the wind was a lot more gentle than the 7 degree ride the day before that left my knees aching for hours. I'd invest in some true winter gear but the weather should be turning around this very week.

Very cold this morning I think winter is making one last effort before it retires for the year. Encouraging though as it was my 2nd commute but no where near as hard as the first one. Just need to pick up a bit of speed now.

20 balmy, fun-filled degrees F (-6.5C). No wind, no ice, no studded tires:

AAaaaahhhhhhhhhhh :D

The weather was actually warm this morning. I wore biking shorts and a light windbreaker. I rode my new folder bike! A Schwinn Hinge. It was a smooth ride and she didn't fall apart with the potholes.:) She's parked under my desk at work at this time. My co-workers still think I drove in. If they ask me to take them to lunch I'll tell then to sit on the handlebars!
Ernest

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Picture623.jpg

Yes on the fenders, no on the foot attachment. I started using toe clips in '79 or so, went to cleats and clips in '82 or so, went to clipless SPD's in '96 or so. But when I started riding a folding bike (for a small proportion of my riding) in '05, I couldn't put clips or SPD's on it, so I did without; and I got to like it that way. I still have clips on one bike, and clipless on another, but for most riding I use plain old platform pedals and am perfectly happy with them.

An MBTA bus (Boston public transit) passed my on the left within less than a foot of me this morning. Usually the buses are pretty good around bicycles, IMO. When he stopped to pick up some passengers further ahead, I passed him on the left and yelled "Too close!" as I passed the driver's window. I'm sure he didn't hear me though. Sigh...

It only just now dawned on me that I could have gotten the bus number.

Third day in a row on Metro--hating it.... I picked up the cone wrenches that I need to fix my rr. hub, hopefully I'll be able to do the work on Sunday afternoon. One way or the other I have to be on the bike again next week.

Back to commuting on the fixed gear. So smooth, fast and much less work than the mtb.

How is it more work? I find a fixed gear to give a more vigorous workout.

I rode west instead of east to a train station that's twice as far away today, so that I can pick my kids up from daycare there and get everyone home on the bus. That will prove to be an adventure. I've not yet put my bike on a bus. I'm a little nervous about hanging on to my 2 year old while doing it...

It's the departure stop for the bus, though, so I should havem plenty of time.

Hope to convince the wife to let me spring for the folder this coming week. I saw a Vitesse D7HG on the way home yesterday-- exactly the bike I want.

60ish degrees this morning, but it still felt cool with the 10mph wind. Nice ride in this morning, should be beautiful for the ride home!

Was a great day today weather wise. Morning temp was mid 30's and the afternoon temps in the 50's. I was cruising along just fine then Wham! Nailed a pot hole and blew my rear tire. Had to call for a ride in for the rest of the way. Repairs will be made shortly and I will go extra distance on the way home to make up for my lost mileage.

First flat of the year and first flat on the new bike.

FG on slicks vs. mtb on knobbies. Less effort to move a lighter bike w/ less rolling resistance, not to mention different riding styles.

Gotcha.

Evil commute today. The first 99% was wonderful, but when I was about to get into my workplace, a car almost ran me down when I was turning left. I fortunately saw it, and took a quick turn and went on my feet. The cager behind that one just saw a pissed cyclist in the road, stopped and yelled at me "Are you idiot?" I answered something in the lines of "come here, you *******", rather loudly. The driver went on.

Now the problem is that I work at a high school, and I think several of my students enjoyed the exchange. So tomorrow I'll have to explain them how silly my fit was. I don't want to go down my school's history as the math teacher who calls truckers out :twitchy: .

Oh, man, what a disgrace.