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How was the commute today?

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How was the commute today?

Old 06-23-08, 05:34 AM
  #25251  
theWolf
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Great weather this morning in Houston. I was killing my usual time, and then it happen. I felt a slight pull in my right quad. If I pushed to hard, it pushed right back in pain. I had to take it easy the rest of the way. I hope it doesn't bother to much on the way home.
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Old 06-23-08, 06:27 AM
  #25252  
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Originally Posted by brooklyncyclist
Nice ride; also nice to be reminded of the good things in our lives. You posted earlier this spring about your ride not getting easier. So has it? And if so, what changed it?
My ride has gotten easier! I raised my seat, that was a big part of it. I've also been making it a point to commute every day, and towing my 25-lb. toddler in the trailer on my days off. After lugging her to the playground, the ride to work is nothing.

As for today's ride...it improved my day. I had a crappy morning. I overslept, didn't have much clean laundry, spent all morning running behind, lost my keys, didn't get breakfast...and then I rode to work. I saw two cute cats, a gorgeous sunrise, and a baby fox. Now, I'm at work and in a much better mood than I was when I left.
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Old 06-23-08, 06:58 AM
  #25253  
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Nice ride this morning. Lots of rain last night but things were mostly dry. Mid 60sF. Saw a couple cyclists heading the other way. Noticed thin tire tracks after damp patches heading my way but never caught up to the person. I did see someone on a road bike just before I left the MUP, so I guess I would have caught up if I had more time.

We've had about 2 weeks of unstable weather. I almost got soaked on Friday's ride home. More of the same today.
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Old 06-23-08, 07:35 AM
  #25254  
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My ride in this morning was very sticky/muggy. I was sweating within the first mile or so and was drenched when I arrived at work. I am hoping the storms are out of the area before I head home this evening.
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Old 06-23-08, 07:41 AM
  #25255  
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Nice and easy commute today. Traffic was a little heavier than it has been recently, but not too bad. I went passed the office to the bank to use the ATM. While I was there, this lady sticks her head out the window of her car and asks me how much a bike like mine cost. She was amazed when I told her I bought it for $16 at goodwill and maybe put another $100 or so into it. I think she might be a candidate for future commuting
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Old 06-23-08, 08:04 AM
  #25256  
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Near-perfect weather, but still pretty brutal. This is my 3rd straight go at a 30mile R/T and I have some getting in shape to do. Still, I made it, and the sense of accomplishment on the home stretch always feels great. My bike (Kona Dew, in case anyone has any tips for tuning up this bike) is only 3 weeks old, but I was hearing a squeak at low RPMs and felt a slight grind at times during the downpedal. I think I'm gonna take it to the REI next door to work and have it tuned up during the day for the ride home. Hopefully soon I will be able to diagnose and fix all this stuff myself!
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Old 06-23-08, 08:07 AM
  #25257  
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It was a fast slow ride. I put 40 psi of additional air in my tires, so that was the fast part. The slow bit came when traffic caused me to miss light after light. It was like everything de-synchronized just for me.
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Old 06-23-08, 08:09 AM
  #25258  
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Beautiful day - fresh air from the spring flowers, feeling strong, great ride in.
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Old 06-23-08, 08:11 AM
  #25259  
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Very nice... I've been basically off the bike since Wednesday p.m. due to Mr. Mom duties at home, and then a busy weekend, so it was great to roll out of the driveway this morning.

Weather was perfect - 70F, cloudless sky, very light wind - hardly noticed it. Traffic was kind, and I rocked... I'm seeing definite improvement on a couple of the hills on my route (okay, not hills to most of you, but compared to most of N TX, they're monsters!)
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Old 06-23-08, 08:25 AM
  #25260  
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Originally Posted by ntm
Near-perfect weather, but still pretty brutal. This is my 3rd straight go at a 30mile R/T and I have some getting in shape to do. Still, I made it, and the sense of accomplishment on the home stretch always feels great. My bike (Kona Dew, in case anyone has any tips for tuning up this bike) is only 3 weeks old, but I was hearing a squeak at low RPMs and felt a slight grind at times during the downpedal. I think I'm gonna take it to the REI next door to work and have it tuned up during the day for the ride home. Hopefully soon I will be able to diagnose and fix all this stuff myself!
Last year it about killed me to go 13 or so both ways, now I am questioning if it is really a good work out. It does not take long, hang in there.
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Old 06-23-08, 09:23 AM
  #25261  
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Riding up Mt. Evans to 14,100 feet in elevation ruined my commute. How can it compare to summiting a mountain? It can't.
So I took it easy and made it to work quicker. My knee has been having issues so I am running the salsa as a SS. Much nicer. Love coasting. I think I may add gears eventually. I drank the koolaid. Liked it. Now am bored with it (I think).
This is my once or twice a year week that I ride in the entire way and back the entire way full time in one week.
That should make something like 280 miles for the week. Thus ending my 1000 mile month.
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Old 06-23-08, 09:34 AM
  #25262  
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brisk! 42F! Otherwise speedy.
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Old 06-23-08, 10:07 AM
  #25263  
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Smoky from the huge grass fire in Solano County. And there was broken glass in at least 5 different spots. So that sucked.

On the positive, I rode my latest neo-retro project: '86 Gazelle Champion Mondial with 10-speed Campagnolo. The 531c frame feels almost alive. I can't wait to put some serious wattage in to her and see how she responds.

And I noticed quite a few other bike commuters, despite the crappy air, including a guy who had a small wind chime hanging from his handlebars.
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Old 06-23-08, 10:38 AM
  #25264  
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Sunny and 50 this morning. I can't believe I only saw 3 other people riding this morning, it was perfect weather.
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Old 06-23-08, 11:21 AM
  #25265  
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Perfect weather on the commute in nice temps no wind. It was my first ride in a week because i was working out of town the week prior. I think i'm alittle sore (so hard to take it ez).
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Old 06-23-08, 11:45 AM
  #25266  
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Ride into work was nice today. Mid 60's, clear, polite traffic, made decent time (for me). I was really strong on the biggest hill of the commute (right at the end, of course), so I was pretty happy. I've been doing my 30 mile round trip commute for about three weeks now, and I'm starting to see improvement. I thought I was going to have to swap out my cog for something a little easier, but I think I'll be able to get away without doing that.
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Old 06-23-08, 11:53 AM
  #25267  
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Good commute today.

Tried riding with a hip pack instead of a messenger bag. Worked well and I stayed cooler.
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Old 06-23-08, 12:12 PM
  #25268  
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Still mighty warm but not as brutally hot as the weekend. Drove the kids to camp, then biked from the drop off site to the office. Made good time (12 miles; 50 minutes). And the AC feels pretty good now I'm here!
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Old 06-23-08, 01:01 PM
  #25269  
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Two asshats within maybe 200 yards today. The second one looked right at me, waved to me, then pulled out in front of me to make a left turn.
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Old 06-23-08, 02:03 PM
  #25270  
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Originally Posted by girljen
My ride has gotten easier! I raised my seat, that was a big part of it. I've also been making it a point to commute every day, and towing my 25-lb. toddler in the trailer on my days off. After lugging her to the playground, the ride to work is nothing.

As for today's ride...it improved my day. I had a crappy morning. I overslept, didn't have much clean laundry, spent all morning running behind, lost my keys, didn't get breakfast...and then I rode to work. I saw two cute cats, a gorgeous sunrise, and a baby fox. Now, I'm at work and in a much better mood than I was when I left.
Hey Jen,
You weren't down on the Bear Creek Trail last Friday morning were you? I was taking photos of the creek from one of the bridges and was passed by a gal pulling a about a 2 year old child in a trailer.

I later passed her along the trail.
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Old 06-23-08, 03:20 PM
  #25271  
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Today was my first commute ever. Guess I have to start someplace right - a new forum and a new lifestyle.

The temp was 55 and no wind. Beautiful clear skies. Going home will be a bit warmer though as it is in the 80's and I'll have a 15 mph headwind.

I don't have exact mileage but it appears to be about 12 miles one way and I made it in in 45 minutes. I guess I better pick up one of those little computers to start tracking all of this stuff.
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Old 06-23-08, 03:35 PM
  #25272  
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It was my first commute today, also! First day at my new job, too. The morning was fine. There was some not-quite-heavy rain, but I had my rain gear and lights on, and cars gave me plenty of room. I arrived a little disheveled, but certainly presentable. The ride home was fine until I got some people behind me that just laid on the horn and shouted at me for a good while. They eventually passed me, and I gave them a friendly look and a ring of my bell. All in all, though, it was a very positive experience. I'm really looking forward to it.
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Old 06-23-08, 08:05 PM
  #25273  
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This morning's ride in to the office was different. I encountered another bike rider on my way into the village at the middle of my ride. We got stopped at a light together and had a chance to talk for a little bit. He was riding for recreation and I told him I used to do that during my lunch hours but now ride twice a day.

Right there at the traffic light I saw a rainbow forming in the western sky. That meant I was headed into rain but the sight was beautiful just the same. Further down the road the rainbow got even more brilliant against a darkening sky. I stopped in a quiet side street to put on the waterproof cover on my pannier and pedaled into the rain. It was brief and not too heavy and had let up by the time I reached the office.

Closer to the office, I stopped for a traffic signal at the busiest intersection and was getting worried about a car creeping up on my left. Until it turned out to be a friend from work who lowered his passenger window to talk.
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Old 06-23-08, 10:36 PM
  #25274  
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Today was a good commute... I was at a friend's house all day and didn't leave until about 9:30 so it was dark on my commute home. It was nice though, it was cool and there was hardly any traffic so I was able to share the main roads with the cars. Made for a nice comfortable ride.
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Old 06-23-08, 11:26 PM
  #25275  
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I had my second commute ever to work today and absolutely loved it! I have a 3.2 mile commute to and from my workplace. I packed up my work clothes, a small towel, and some small toiletries for when I arrived. I took it at a leisurely 13-14 mph and when I got to work all I had to do was towel off my head from helmet hair and I was ready to go. I am thrilled to be part of the commuters out there doing this everyday.

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