How was the commute today?
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,447
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Nice to see what those kids look like in their trailer. Cute!
Yeah, weather reports ... This morning was exceptionally nice. The sun came out, the drivers were considerate, one even blew her horn approaching train tracks around a blind curve and I was able to signal for her not to pass and she obeyed! :-) :-) After the tracks I signaled her to pass and and a thank you wave, let's not forget our thank yous folks - it will go along way tomorrow when the same person has a judgment call to make while passing you tomorrow. Make friends, not enemies ... :-) Similar situation with a GIANT dump truck towing a back-hoe. Because I was fast as a car and ahead of him I was able to see before he could that a landscaper was pulling into our line of sight. I could hear the truck's engine and the indecision in the driver's foot, (about passing me and when to do it) so I signaled for him to slow down and he soon appreciated that as he was then able to see what I saw. When he caught up and was about to pass, I gave the thank you wave ...
I hope someone gets rid of the rotting raccoon, it's turning ugly.
Someone mentioned pumping tires once a week but I think I will check mine before the ride home and it's only Tuesday. I like 'm hard and fast.
Yeah, weather reports ... This morning was exceptionally nice. The sun came out, the drivers were considerate, one even blew her horn approaching train tracks around a blind curve and I was able to signal for her not to pass and she obeyed! :-) :-) After the tracks I signaled her to pass and and a thank you wave, let's not forget our thank yous folks - it will go along way tomorrow when the same person has a judgment call to make while passing you tomorrow. Make friends, not enemies ... :-) Similar situation with a GIANT dump truck towing a back-hoe. Because I was fast as a car and ahead of him I was able to see before he could that a landscaper was pulling into our line of sight. I could hear the truck's engine and the indecision in the driver's foot, (about passing me and when to do it) so I signaled for him to slow down and he soon appreciated that as he was then able to see what I saw. When he caught up and was about to pass, I gave the thank you wave ...
I hope someone gets rid of the rotting raccoon, it's turning ugly.
Someone mentioned pumping tires once a week but I think I will check mine before the ride home and it's only Tuesday. I like 'm hard and fast.
me ride bike good
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 462
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From: outside Boston, MA
Bikes: Trek 4300; Trek 1.5
It's gonna be a nice couple of days around here coming up. This morning was really nice. Cool, but not too much so, and not a cloud in the sky. I thought I was dogging it, but actually had a decent time.
The ride home should be beautiful!
The ride home should be beautiful!
Goon
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 864
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti, MI
Bikes: Rocky Mountain RC30, Soma Sport Fixed
was very sore from yesterday's kung fu training. The teacher had me lead the Warmup-workout. And I am always afraid of looking lazy, so I worked us pretty hard, particularly the legs. So today I was very sore when I woke up.
Ignored my alarm, was half dreaming when it went off, and thought it was part of the dream. But I still rode in.
The ride felt pretty good, I was hoping the ride would work the soreness out of the muscles. It did not. But the ride felt fine.
Forgot my belt. This is the first time I have forgotten an article of clothing. could be worse.
Ignored my alarm, was half dreaming when it went off, and thought it was part of the dream. But I still rode in.
The ride felt pretty good, I was hoping the ride would work the soreness out of the muscles. It did not. But the ride felt fine.
Forgot my belt. This is the first time I have forgotten an article of clothing. could be worse.
Drops small screws


Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 9
From: NYC Metro Area
Bikes: Soma Grand Randonneur, modified Xootr Swift, Trek 1000SL with broken brifter from running it into a hotel porte-cochère
Thanks. The torrential downpour doesn't quite show up, though. (Trivia: The downpour in the famous scene in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN was a mixture of water and milk so it would show up on camera.)
I do acknowledge things, but don't have much hope of seeing the same people twice. NYC is just too big.
Today got completely rearranged because of my wife's sudden freelance workload and Air calling for one of our random NYC night rides. We took the subway to preschool instead of the bike trailer, my wife will pick the boys up tonight, and I'll be home by 6:00 to get on the bike and pedal back down to Air's place for the ride.
let's not forget our thank yous folks - it will go along way tomorrow when the same person has a judgment call to make while passing you tomorrow
Today got completely rearranged because of my wife's sudden freelance workload and Air calling for one of our random NYC night rides. We took the subway to preschool instead of the bike trailer, my wife will pick the boys up tonight, and I'll be home by 6:00 to get on the bike and pedal back down to Air's place for the ride.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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Odd commute. Somehow I was 30 min early and would have just missed the earlier light rail train. Since I did not want to wait or ride to the other line I kept going. My legs objected greatly since they were tired.
Then in a park near my work that I cut through a man was riding with his dogs off leash way behind him. Very friendly dogs but they were confused when he was calling them. I pointed to their owner and off they went. In the same park a half mile away I encountered a dog walker with a 30' leash (well at least that was what it seemed to measure). I advised him that he needed a longer leash.
200 feet away from that incident I passed a panicked looking juvenile coyote standing 20 feet away.
That and I lost my rear batteries and holder for my dinotte rear light while experimenting with a new mounting method. Guess that is what spares are for. So much for that idea.
Last but not least I have dropped 6 lbs in the last month and am just about ready to drop below 160 for the first time since I was 24. 33 now.
Shorts are fitting oddly.
Then in a park near my work that I cut through a man was riding with his dogs off leash way behind him. Very friendly dogs but they were confused when he was calling them. I pointed to their owner and off they went. In the same park a half mile away I encountered a dog walker with a 30' leash (well at least that was what it seemed to measure). I advised him that he needed a longer leash.
200 feet away from that incident I passed a panicked looking juvenile coyote standing 20 feet away.That and I lost my rear batteries and holder for my dinotte rear light while experimenting with a new mounting method. Guess that is what spares are for. So much for that idea.
Last but not least I have dropped 6 lbs in the last month and am just about ready to drop below 160 for the first time since I was 24. 33 now.
Shorts are fitting oddly.
I am Joe's lactic acid.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Windsor Cyclo, and some spares.
First commute in a while. Been working 13 hour days for the past 2 weeks, so I've been taking the car every day.
Felt great to FINALLY take the new bike commuting. Shaved a good 11 minutes off my average with the old bike!
10.5 miles uphill...used to take 60 minutes, today was 49 minutes
I used to do 45 minutes coming home...I wonder how the new bike does on the downhill commute. :-)
But while commuting today I got a wave from an oncoming roadie in full spandex...I was looking right at him and gave my usual nod, but I'm not sure if he noticed since he was on the other side of the road. I didn't even think of waving back since I was booking it up a steep hill.
Felt kinda bad thinking that he waved and might not have seen me nod back. Roadies around here don't tend to be social and wave very often. It's pleasant when they do.
Felt great to FINALLY take the new bike commuting. Shaved a good 11 minutes off my average with the old bike!
10.5 miles uphill...used to take 60 minutes, today was 49 minutes

I used to do 45 minutes coming home...I wonder how the new bike does on the downhill commute. :-)
But while commuting today I got a wave from an oncoming roadie in full spandex...I was looking right at him and gave my usual nod, but I'm not sure if he noticed since he was on the other side of the road. I didn't even think of waving back since I was booking it up a steep hill.
Felt kinda bad thinking that he waved and might not have seen me nod back. Roadies around here don't tend to be social and wave very often. It's pleasant when they do.
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
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From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
Same dog that lunged at me on 7/21 was being walked by it's owner last night. They were in the driveway in front of their house as I rode by, I saw the dog, the dog saw me and decided I was prey. Unfortunately, the house is on a corner with a light and a left turn lane for oncoming traffic. I had a red light. As I approached I asked the owner "You got him?" and with a slight nod indicated the affirmative, but the dog was still pulling the owner around pretty good. The dog, fairly big and powerful (guessing 150 lbs) German Sheppard and the owner was a 200 lb male. Seemed that I was at that light for like 10 minutes, waiting for it to turn green, so I could get out of there.
There are other dogs on my route, some bark at me, some small yippie dogs chase me as I ride past their yards, but stop at the fence, but this one has me nervous. He's big and powerful, could probably knock me off my bike with no effort at all, and I fear that one night, his owner is going to loose control of him. I need to explore some dog repellent concepts... maybe a cayenne/ ammonia mix in a water bottle, cause this dog makes me nervous.
There are other dogs on my route, some bark at me, some small yippie dogs chase me as I ride past their yards, but stop at the fence, but this one has me nervous. He's big and powerful, could probably knock me off my bike with no effort at all, and I fear that one night, his owner is going to loose control of him. I need to explore some dog repellent concepts... maybe a cayenne/ ammonia mix in a water bottle, cause this dog makes me nervous.
DNPAIMFB
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,655
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From: Cowtown, AB
Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.
No problems on the way in today, and I get to go to the pub after work. WHeeee!
I am Joe's lactic acid.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Windsor Cyclo, and some spares.
Same dog that lunged at me on 7/21 was being walked by it's owner last night. They were in the driveway in front of their house as I rode by, I saw the dog, the dog saw me and decided I was prey. Unfortunately, the house is on a corner with a light and a left turn lane for oncoming traffic. I had a red light. As I approached I asked the owner "You got him?" and with a slight nod indicated the affirmative, but the dog was still pulling the owner around pretty good. The dog, fairly big and powerful (guessing 150 lbs) German Sheppard and the owner was a 200 lb male. Seemed that I was at that light for like 10 minutes, waiting for it to turn green, so I could get out of there.
There are other dogs on my route, some bark at me, some small yippie dogs chase me as I ride past their yards, but stop at the fence, but this one has me nervous. He's big and powerful, could probably knock me off my bike with no effort at all, and I fear that one night, his owner is going to loose control of him. I need to explore some dog repellent concepts... maybe a cayenne/ ammonia mix in a water bottle, cause this dog makes me nervous.
There are other dogs on my route, some bark at me, some small yippie dogs chase me as I ride past their yards, but stop at the fence, but this one has me nervous. He's big and powerful, could probably knock me off my bike with no effort at all, and I fear that one night, his owner is going to loose control of him. I need to explore some dog repellent concepts... maybe a cayenne/ ammonia mix in a water bottle, cause this dog makes me nervous.
Where on Long Island is this?
I commute from Copiague > Amityville > Farmingdale > Old Bethpage > Plainview
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
I am Joe's lactic acid.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Windsor Cyclo, and some spares.
Ah...not my area at all. I've only been to Port Jeff once. Never to Port Jeff Station. I fish in Riverhead regularly, but that's quite a bit south.
And I've never gone that far east on bike.
In any case, good luck with the dog. I'd get some mace if you run into him again. Sports Authority or Dick's will carry it at the gun section. If you go to a real gun shop, they might have more variety, maybe something designed for dogs. I don't know about repellents, though.
And I've never gone that far east on bike.
In any case, good luck with the dog. I'd get some mace if you run into him again. Sports Authority or Dick's will carry it at the gun section. If you go to a real gun shop, they might have more variety, maybe something designed for dogs. I don't know about repellents, though.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 181
From: south Puget Sound
I drove out to the dump this morning, which is near my office, so I dropped my panniers of while I was out there, drove home, then biked back w/ just handlebar bag. That was nice. No other news, which is also nice.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 121
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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
Glorious morning - just under 60F, clear and dry. Another 5 or 10 degrees cooler and I'll have to pull out the arm warmers.
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Didn't eat a good dinner last night. I had a bowl of cereal before heading out this morning, but I should have eaten more since I felt like I was on the edge of a bonk by the time I rolled into the parking garage.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 181
From: south Puget Sound
Phelps lends a new spin to the phrase "Breakfast of Champions" by starting off his day by eating three fried-egg sandwiches loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayonnaise.
He follows that up with two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes.
He follows that up with two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes.
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Wow. What is that? Like 10,000 calories just for breakfast?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
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The dude is an animal. Built like a tank.
That is more calories than I eat in a day.
That is more calories than I eat in a day.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 181
From: south Puget Sound
12000 cal for breakfast, the article says.
edit: check that, 12000 cal/day
edit: check that, 12000 cal/day
Last edited by HardyWeinberg; 08-13-08 at 12:03 PM.
Contrapuntal
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 161
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From: San Diego, CA
Phelps is amazing. Me, I had some toast & a banana & coffee. And then I rode my bike to work. Slowly.
Bronx <-> Midtown Commute
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 150
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From: Riverdale, NYC
Bikes: 2008 Specialized Sirrus
Good commute this morning. I raised my seat a bit and ultimately shaved a few minutes off my commute and increased my average speed. I guess it's a bit more efficient.
Also, i got a lumbar pack (a.k.a. fanny pack) to use instead of a backpack. Makes a huge difference. so much more comfortable and no added back sweat.
Also, i got a lumbar pack (a.k.a. fanny pack) to use instead of a backpack. Makes a huge difference. so much more comfortable and no added back sweat.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
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From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 263
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From: Kentucky
Bikes: Diamondback entry level.
Biked today but had to carry a load of papers in to work (heavy) and 1/2 of an apple pie with caramel icing on the way home. So used my backpack as originally intended - on my back and the pie on the rack. Everything neat and in its place. Stopped on way home at Walgreens and bought candy for my wife and a birthday card.
I keep meaning to bring a camera along on my commute, but usually rushed somewhat . This morning the sky was beautiful, with a single pink cloud surrounded by some white ones in a pale blue sky. No peacocks, though today.
I didn't eat 20,000 calories today but then to burn the excess 17,000 or so I'd have to work out for 34 hours. But there are only 24 hours in a day, so it just doesn't add up for me a mere mortal. Enjoying the olympics when I can stay up that late.
I keep meaning to bring a camera along on my commute, but usually rushed somewhat . This morning the sky was beautiful, with a single pink cloud surrounded by some white ones in a pale blue sky. No peacocks, though today.
I didn't eat 20,000 calories today but then to burn the excess 17,000 or so I'd have to work out for 34 hours. But there are only 24 hours in a day, so it just doesn't add up for me a mere mortal. Enjoying the olympics when I can stay up that late.
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
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From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Almost got doored by a guy getting out of a taxi in the middle of Madison Ave. Nowhere near a curb and he decides to get out in traffic. Except he didn't get out, he just opened the door. So I reached over my handlebars and closed it on him and continued on my way.
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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 123
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Last week the front derailler and ratchet mechanism died on my 1983 10 speed. No parts at the LBS. I'll probably look for a bigger bike anyways. Still I am going through biking withdrawals.
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
From: south jersey
fast (er)!
seemed like 30 minutes each way...farfignuggen?
head on passer (suv,m, age 25-30, white) unsafe pass this am, and a bicyclist against traffic this pm (i said 'hi!' and 'wrong way' in passing...)
saw 2 other bikers this am on bmx bikes, heading agaist traffic as well, on the other side of road.
i also had a pedestrian leaving from WAWA (conveniance stores here in nj) walking back to the police station state "you are making good time today!" i responded "i know!" and waved.
temp was 65degF in am, 82f pm, low humidity, wind assisting each way!
for some reason, i felt guilty for the goodness of todays rides, a ying/yang vision?
enjoy the moment!
t
seemed like 30 minutes each way...farfignuggen?
head on passer (suv,m, age 25-30, white) unsafe pass this am, and a bicyclist against traffic this pm (i said 'hi!' and 'wrong way' in passing...)
saw 2 other bikers this am on bmx bikes, heading agaist traffic as well, on the other side of road.
i also had a pedestrian leaving from WAWA (conveniance stores here in nj) walking back to the police station state "you are making good time today!" i responded "i know!" and waved.
temp was 65degF in am, 82f pm, low humidity, wind assisting each way!
for some reason, i felt guilty for the goodness of todays rides, a ying/yang vision?
enjoy the moment!
t






