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How was the commute today?

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Old 08-12-08 | 06:56 AM
  #26526  
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Over the next couple months it is going to get plenty chilly. My low is 5F in Feb.
Anyhow, yesterday I finally managed to wave with all five fingers at a motorist that annoyed me.
An old lady honked at me while I was sitting at a light waiting for it to change. I was already positioned to the right side of the lane. However, there was no room to pass me. You can't pass cars waiting for a light so no big deal. I turned around and she motions me to the right. Gave a little annoyed smile. Pulled out my cell and took a picture of her license. Don't ask just one of my odd habits and then sat there for the remaining 5 secs it took for the light to change. Rode off and waved.
I still need to work on the less obnoxious part of waving.
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Old 08-12-08 | 06:57 AM
  #26527  
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From: outside Boston, MA

Bikes: Trek 4300; Trek 1.5

Wet and a bit chilly until I started working up some steam, then I had to unzip the shell. Legs were a bit chilly as well, but not too bad. Problem is that I am without a car until tomorrow, and I need groceries on the way home tonight, and it is going to be pouring. Looks like I will need to triple bag the panniers.
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Old 08-12-08 | 07:12 AM
  #26528  
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From: Marfan Syndrome-Clyde-DFW, TX

Bikes: Fuji Touring Xtracycle, Merlin Road, Bacchetta Giro 26 (Sold), Challenge Hurricane, Cruzbike Sofrider

I got my new bag installed on my bike and TWO.. count em TWO stop signs were removed from my route. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
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Old 08-12-08 | 07:30 AM
  #26529  
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From: Austin

Bikes: 97(?) GT Richochet, 00 Schwinn SuperSport

Cool and humid (for Colorado) ride in. Too many (!) bikes on the MUP today.
I think I see Zin coming down the Platte/BearCreek Trail in the mornings. I see a guy that resembles his Avatar anyway. Im thinking he is the only one who 'dips' his lights for oncoming bikes and has bells on his ride somewhere. Really good idea with all the skunks/fox/rabbits out these days.
Almost got taken out by some dumb*** on a MTB who decided to crowd me almost off the path. Got angry and still a bit pissy but I'll write it off to them being asleep and hauling ash from the looks of it...

Off the next two days so I think I'll reasses my forward light situation and go to the road more often. I seem to be the only rider going out of town when everyone else is coming in.
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Old 08-12-08 | 07:40 AM
  #26530  
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From: North Texas

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

Beautiful morning, cool and breezy - a nice break from Summer in Texas. Really enjoying commuting by the light of my new HID light.

Oh, but the BUGS along the Trinity Trail! Teeny little gnat-critters traveling in big swarms. I haven't seen them this bad since I started commuting three or four years ago. In a lot of places, it's like someone is throwing big double handsful of grits at you as you ride past. When I commuted on a mountain bike, I had a lot more problem getting them in my nose and mouth as well as my eyes. Now on a roadbike, the eyes are the main concern. In the dark, with other people on the path, you have to keep your head up to see everything, and the bugs go right in. I've used some clear, close-fitting safety glasses in the past (as well as a bandana over the nose and mouth in the old days)- time to break those out again.


Rumrunr6, yeah, definitely cover your knees if they're starting to bark. I use some wool knee warmers so I don't have to wear tights or knickers on the warmer return trips. Also, Glucosamine/Chondroitin seems to have a good effect on creaky joints.

Last edited by truman; 08-12-08 at 07:46 AM.
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Old 08-12-08 | 08:00 AM
  #26531  
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From: Bethesda, MD

Bikes: All-City Space Horse, Trek 5000 WSD

Cool morning, feels like Sept/Oct, but what a fantastic day. Nice, slow ride in on my mountain bike. I really need to keep that bike in better shape. I cleaned the mud off the frame last night, but neglected the chain so it was really squeaky. I found some WD40 in my office so that might have to do in a pinch. I was able to limp home with a broken spoke on my comuter bike yesterday. It took about 10-15 minutes longer -- what a great workout when your wheels don't turn! This is my last post for a few weeks - I'm off to a bike trip in Montana next week, followed by a week on the Outer Banks to recover. See everyone in Sept.
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Old 08-12-08 | 08:06 AM
  #26532  
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From: NYC Metro Area

Bikes: Soma Grand Randonneur, modified Xootr Swift, Trek 1000SL with broken brifter from running it into a hotel porte-cochère

Towed my kids to preschool for the first time in about a week--and got to try out my new Grip King pedals. They don't seem extremely grippy (they're not in the same league as my FUNN Soljam Vipers), but they may be good enough for my needs. I'll know for sure after I tackle the nasty hill on the way home.

Other than that... 70ish, fair, geese along the greenway, helicopters landing when we passed the helipad, and found a pretty decent sidewalk route after leaving the greenway.
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Old 08-12-08 | 08:45 AM
  #26533  
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From: TORONTO , ONT , CA

Bikes: 1 x Raleigh Grand Prix (bought 1975) ; 1 x no-name ruster MTB ; 1 x unused new Raleigh MTB (Avenger?)

Less hot than usual. 68F.

My rear rack lost a screw sometime. Noticed it today. Last time I just rooted around my dad's toolkit, found a screw and nut and replaced it. This time I was passing the LBS so dropped by. They charged $5 for parts and labor! That's the first and hopefully last time I pay for labor for my bike. I was hoping they'd just pull a screw from a box and give it to me for free. Oh well. No biggie.
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Old 08-12-08 | 10:33 AM
  #26534  
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From: Connecticut

Bikes: Trek XO1 (Commuter), Trek Madone 6.5, older Trek 850 hardtail MTB, crashed Kestrel 200SCi I can't toss

Ride home last night was just after a huge thunderstorm, so I had some flooding to ride through.

65F and humid this AM around 8:00, chances of more T-storms this afternoon.

Seems like this has been the wettest summer we've had in some time.
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Old 08-12-08 | 10:51 AM
  #26535  
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From: south Puget Sound
Nice sunny morning ride.
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Old 08-12-08 | 10:56 AM
  #26536  
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

commuting in and out of Boston

77midget - I think we are going to be dry on the way home home! What's your ride? I'm Maynard - West Newton. I take 117 across 128 then use main Street / Route 20 through Waltham and go right on Moody Street in to the back roads of Auburndale and Newton.
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Old 08-12-08 | 10:58 AM
  #26537  
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From: Lost South of Nowhere East of Edan On the Waterfront Far from the Madding Crowd (Biloxi, MS)

Bikes: 1992 Specialized Crossroads Trail

Stayed up too late last night, overslept this morning, didn't ride.
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Old 08-12-08 | 12:17 PM
  #26538  
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From: Cowtown, AB

Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.

Really smooth ride in this morning. Traffic volume was very reasonable, and it was cool enough that I didn't get sweaty! Good times...
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Old 08-12-08 | 12:26 PM
  #26539  
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From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

It was hot yesterday afternoon so I changed back into my jersey and bibs for the ride home. Was riding casually home yesterday when I caught up to a pair of Midtown hipsters. I had to dial it up to 400W and drop them hard just so I wouldn't have to read the "I smoked a roadie" thread in the SS/FG this morning.
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Old 08-12-08 | 12:33 PM
  #26540  
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From: Ypsilanti, MI

Bikes: Rocky Mountain RC30, Soma Sport Fixed

Originally Posted by harleyfrog
Stayed up too late last night, overslept this morning, didn't ride.
yea, I overslept today too, but when confronted with the idea of driving, I decided not to. I figured, if i was driving, and woke up late, then I'd be late to work, So why should I drive?
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Old 08-12-08 | 01:37 PM
  #26541  
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From: Southern Orange County

Bikes: Specialized Crossroads Sport

Newbie Question - Taking the Lane

What does taking the lane mean?

Yesterday's ride in was very cool (ok, maybe 65); morning marine layer was still hanging out by the time I got to work.

Co-workers think it's nutty to ride 10 miles in, so they took pix of me right before I left for the night. I'm afraid of year end presentations....

Had crazy tummy cramps all the way back home, though. Worse on the hills. Need to watch what I eat for lunch on ride days.

I think next week I'll try riding in on Wednesday's, too. I'm not hobbling with soreness anymore and I seem to be OK for my pilates class.

Last edited by TippyFan; 08-12-08 at 01:48 PM. Reason: wanted to add yesterday's commute info
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Old 08-12-08 | 02:44 PM
  #26542  
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Taking the lane means occupying it so a car can't share it with you. If traffic behind you wants to get around you, they have to change lanes first. If you're riding to the right, they'll try to pass you while staying in the lane which is more dangerous for you.

This morning's commute included being honked at by a truck which I totally deserved.
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Old 08-12-08 | 03:07 PM
  #26543  
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From: Highlands Ranch, CO
I had to stop myself from laughing. Someone came up next to me at the light wearing the same jersey and bibs as me. Looked like we were in the same commuting cycling club. Performance does make affordable and comfy clothing though...
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Old 08-12-08 | 03:27 PM
  #26544  
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From: Charlottesville VA

Bikes: 2014 Giant Trance

Today was my first day biking since I've moved. My commute used to be about a mile, and now it's a bout four. It was different, but, I definitely noticed my energy level being higher, and myself being more alert from it. My one mile commute was barely enough to keep me awake, now, It's a half an hour ride in what is usually pretty brisky wind (it was a cool 60 degrees this morning and I realized not long after that a light jacket couldn't hurt).
I enjoyed it though, and looked forward to the ride home (despite that it's mostly uphill home).
I think I'm gonna enjoy it even more once I get a new bike.
GR
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Old 08-12-08 | 04:37 PM
  #26545  
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We're having unseasonably cool, dry weather here, which makes for a pleasant commute. I'm sure we'll be back to hazy, hot, and humid before long, but I'm enjoying this while it lasts. The LHT continues to perform beautifully.
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Old 08-12-08 | 05:46 PM
  #26546  
me ride bike good
 
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From: outside Boston, MA

Bikes: Trek 4300; Trek 1.5

wet, cool, windy, and GREAT! I did my first grocery run on the way home tonight, and still the commute time was less than 40 minutes. Groceries totaled over 25 lbs, so not that much, but they were with me for 8 miles of the 10.25 mile trip. Felt good to be stocking up the bike ready for a rain ride home when people were scrambling to get to their cars. Packed everything into my panniers and my trunk bag, lined with plastic bags, and everything was bone dry when I got home.
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Old 08-12-08 | 06:10 PM
  #26547  
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From: Odenton, MD
Great ride in, was nice and cool.

Forgot to bring food in, and was starving all day. (I was supposed to leave work early today) So I had to stop by BK and get a chicken sandwich to make it through... but it was nice to finally be under 90 degrees!
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Old 08-12-08 | 07:14 PM
  #26548  
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Tonight I made a Personal Record for my journey home.



It was, without doubt, the slowest time I have ever posted.

Energy levels were dropping from 3 o'clock on. By the the time I got on the bike....
Sooooooo tired, sleep now.

Still a good ride though.

Last edited by coldfeet; 08-12-08 at 07:58 PM.
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Old 08-12-08 | 07:31 PM
  #26549  
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From: NYC Metro Area

Bikes: Soma Grand Randonneur, modified Xootr Swift, Trek 1000SL with broken brifter from running it into a hotel porte-cochère

Let's just say weather.com has been less than accurate lately.
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Old 08-13-08 | 05:56 AM
  #26550  
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From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Sunny, high 50s, some headwind. I reeled in some dodgy-looking woman with upturned handlebars (drops pointing up) and a milk crate on the back.

Saw a kitty, and a squirrel with a mouth full of grass. Probably building a nest somewhere.

Wife is riding in after work. Free wings!
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