How was the commute today?
zombizon - Dude! You win! Heat can either be a serious drag, or just another element to your ride. It all depends on attitude.
My ride home this afternoon was awesome. The commute started with me turning down a ride from my partner. It was raining, and he offered to put my bike in the back of his truck. I said no, and hit the MUP. The weather was beautiful. It was warm, it was cloudy, and the rain was coming down just hard enough to make its presence known. I decided to skip the rain gear, since I knew I would only be pleasantly cool (instead of soaking wet) by the time I got home. I just wish the rain and the wind would have been at my back.
My ride home this afternoon was awesome. The commute started with me turning down a ride from my partner. It was raining, and he offered to put my bike in the back of his truck. I said no, and hit the MUP. The weather was beautiful. It was warm, it was cloudy, and the rain was coming down just hard enough to make its presence known. I decided to skip the rain gear, since I knew I would only be pleasantly cool (instead of soaking wet) by the time I got home. I just wish the rain and the wind would have been at my back.
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 780
From: Shanghai, China
Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk
Ride today was good. I set off a little earlier than usual, so I was on the subway 10 minutes before I usually am (multimode commuter). Nice and hazy this morning, but comfortable (around 23). Saw the strangest thing I've ever seen commuting this morning - two motor scooters carrying (no joke!) a whole pig carcass each! Eww. And I thought the guy I saw last year toting a refrigerator on the back of a motor scooter was strange...
This afternoon was a little warmer (28) with high humidity so I was really sweaty by the time I came home. But all together, a good day. As a teacher, I've been off for the last two months, so it's nice to get back into the swing of things.
This afternoon was a little warmer (28) with high humidity so I was really sweaty by the time I came home. But all together, a good day. As a teacher, I've been off for the last two months, so it's nice to get back into the swing of things.
I know I mention this for just about every morning commute, but I love the early morning. The sky looks so cool when the sun is just thinking about coming up. On top of that, the weather was gorgeous, and I had tons of energy. There's not much to report, but that's a good thing...just a fast ride under a pretty sky, lots of crickets and birds, and hardly any traffic.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I fully concur with the early morning sentiment. It was those early morning rides that made me fall in love with bike commuting. So many moments of joy (sorry for the cheeseiness of that statement) that wouldn't have happened if I had been passing those miles in a car.
My commute was terrible! (Yes, I'll have some cheese with my whine thank you!) In spite of the knowledge shared by the elders of this forum, I took the bait and bought a cheap schwinn Letour roadbike. I wanted a cheap commuter and found this on craigs list. Good grief! Those things should be outlawed. Give me my mtb anytime.
I rode my regular 21 mile commute that I do each weekend and I thought I was gonna die. I'm taking that bike back to the seller and GIVE it back to him if need be. He did say he would be willing to work with me if I didn't like the bike for a few days. He is a seller on craigs list and has a small wearhouse full of bikes.
Ernest
I rode my regular 21 mile commute that I do each weekend and I thought I was gonna die. I'm taking that bike back to the seller and GIVE it back to him if need be. He did say he would be willing to work with me if I didn't like the bike for a few days. He is a seller on craigs list and has a small wearhouse full of bikes.
Ernest
Share the road.

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 45
From: Marysville, CA
Bikes: 1992 Rocky Mountain Fusion, Yuba Mundo, Specialized Venge
I just got back from tech training in the States and was really interested in seeing how my goodies I bought would work out. I purchased the Topeak Explorer disc rear rack and two Detours toocan grocery style bags to on my Kona Blast. The bags made it easy to transport my uniform, boots, and lunch for the week; it was a snap picking up groceries after work from the commisary.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Southern Orange County
Bikes: Specialized Crossroads Sport
Well, I finally did it - two rides into work in the same week. Really tired. Not sure why I made it home in almost the same time as I made it in, even though I felt bad, bad, bad on the way home. Kinda nice to leave the computer at work for the long week and not have to haul it home.
Traffic in was busier than normal, even though I left at the same time. Weird - wonder what it's going to be like once school's back in.
If I can figure out how to do this w/o being ravenous for two days following the ride, I'd do it more!
Traffic in was busier than normal, even though I left at the same time. Weird - wonder what it's going to be like once school's back in.
If I can figure out how to do this w/o being ravenous for two days following the ride, I'd do it more!
I've been negligent in properly maintaining my bike... I think both wheels are slowly going out of true, probably need to overhaul and repack hubs. Some worrying noises on the ride in today
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Rim crusher
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
First ride in a week. A busted spoke and rains from TS Fay kept me off the road last week. The ride in today was very nice though ~60F, low humidity and no cager encounters
Live without dead time
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
I am about ready to give up. I busted another spoke this AM. Not headed for work but jsut a nice sunday morning ride. About 6 miles out another spoke snapped. I have a 2005 Grand Prix. I have ordered a new back wheel my LBS says will be very dependable, but I am losing confidence. It is very important I amke it to work in the AM. Are most of your rides really dependable? This is just so frustrating. I have a flat or bust a spoke a week. I have put about 650 miles on this bike this year becasue it is always broke.
Sounds like your LBS thinks a new wheel is gonna help, which likely it will.
My ride in was a bit ridiculous this morning. I got sucked into one of those "I ride a fast bike so obviously I'm racing everyone when I'm on the road" races. Some doofus kept passing me and then slowing down, then speeding up again when I tried to pass him. At one point I was passing him and he almost cut into me going around another cyclist on his right. I decided at this point I'd take the bait and full on make it a race so I said to him "dude, you need to check before pulling out if you're going to be riding so damn slow" and started mashing the pedals. Dude was quick too, I kept slowly pulling away from him the rest of the ride but he never got really far behind.
I did get to work five minutes earlier than normal though, haha
The ride home yesterday was hot and sunny and slow. It was pleasant, though.
The ride in this morning was chilly! It was only about 45 degrees out! After talking to my brother last night about cadence and gearing and other stuff that I'm just now figuring out, I decided to switch to the big chain ring and slow down my cadence a little. I ended up going really fast and feeling good.
The ride in this morning was chilly! It was only about 45 degrees out! After talking to my brother last night about cadence and gearing and other stuff that I'm just now figuring out, I decided to switch to the big chain ring and slow down my cadence a little. I ended up going really fast and feeling good.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
First commute after vacation. 
Really nice weather.
Saw 2 or 3 cyclists going the other way. Passed a woman on a cool cherry red comfort bike with fenders and a basket.
Suicidal squirrels are back. Be careful out there.

Really nice weather.
Saw 2 or 3 cyclists going the other way. Passed a woman on a cool cherry red comfort bike with fenders and a basket.
Suicidal squirrels are back. Be careful out there.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Today was my first commute to work on a bicycle. It wasn't bad, the roads I take are pretty bike-friendly (large shoulder, or bike lane). However, it's incredibly uncomfortable changing into business attire while still hot and sweaty.
Bromptoneer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: Brompton S2L
Tough commute, a bit nauseous. Spicy curry for dinner, then an early morning 20 mile commute don't mix apparently.
Who knew???
Who knew???
Thread Killer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
From: Marfan Syndrome-Clyde-DFW, TX
Bikes: Fuji Touring Xtracycle, Merlin Road, Bacchetta Giro 26 (Sold), Challenge Hurricane, Cruzbike Sofrider
Today was an odd commute. Saw one bike commuter at my halfway point with nothing reflective/lighting except for a little arm band with a few blinking LEDs. I don't think I would have even seem them except I was waving my helmet light about watching for bunnies. Probably headed off to school and I hate to say this but I was actually thinking they probably should have been up in the bike path 2ft away which leads all the way to school with only 3-4 intersections (no driveways). Later at about the 3/4 point I looked in my left rear view and saw what I thought was a bike coming up from behind.
I was doing a pretty good 24 at the time and they were keeping about even but they were between the left tire mark and the middle of the lane while I was in the right tire mark. Kind of like how motorcycles travel when they are close except we were at least 100ft apart *shrug* I hit the overpass which heads over 635 pretty hard and they stayed with me. Everytime I looked back though it seemed they weren't pedaling. I kept my eye on my mirror for a bit and they weren't pedaling at all. I turned off after they had been following me for a few miles and looked back as they passed by and no pedaling motion? It was pretty dark so I couldn't make much out perhaps someone got an electric or really quite gas assist. Either that or the best coasting bike ever!
I made it in 1:25 which is really good for me. I averaged a heart rate of 104 on the ride so I wasn't pushing it but everything seemed to flow really well.
I was doing a pretty good 24 at the time and they were keeping about even but they were between the left tire mark and the middle of the lane while I was in the right tire mark. Kind of like how motorcycles travel when they are close except we were at least 100ft apart *shrug* I hit the overpass which heads over 635 pretty hard and they stayed with me. Everytime I looked back though it seemed they weren't pedaling. I kept my eye on my mirror for a bit and they weren't pedaling at all. I turned off after they had been following me for a few miles and looked back as they passed by and no pedaling motion? It was pretty dark so I couldn't make much out perhaps someone got an electric or really quite gas assist. Either that or the best coasting bike ever!
I made it in 1:25 which is really good for me. I averaged a heart rate of 104 on the ride so I wasn't pushing it but everything seemed to flow really well.
Goon
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 864
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti, MI
Bikes: Rocky Mountain RC30, Soma Sport Fixed
Very humid this morning, but wasn't too warm yet. However, It's probably going to be hella hot for the ride home... What a way to kick off september.
:-(
:-(
Good ride in today. It was chilly, but not too bad and I made it to work on time, even though I left a bit late.
Great commute in this morning. First one on the new Brooks B17. SOOOO much more comfy than the pos I was using.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,798
Likes: 1
From: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.
I was grumpy all the way in. First day back after an awesome weekend camping trip, and I'm expecting a not-fun day today.
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Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
- Uke On! - ukulele duo - Videos
- Ukulele Abyss - ukulele cover videos - Videos
- Baroque and Hungry's (Celtic fusion) full-length studio album Mended.
- Artistic Differences - 8-track EP Dreams of Bile and Blood.
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
"Winterized" the bike this weekend. That includes: mounting fenders, lights, bottle cages (to hold battery for light), general cleaning, application of WD-40 to all bolt heads as rust preventative, and brake adjustment. I also clean/lube chain and check the tires for wear. I'll ride my slicks until snow is predicted then change to CX tires, I'll also probably have to replace chainring/chain/cassette in the Spring.
Other than that, it was a nice ride in this morning. Cool and dry with tons of energy (I've actually been getting to bed on time), was at work by 6:07. Just ordered a hitch for our new suv and will soon order the rack. Soon I will ride directly to the car in the afternoons, throw the bike on the rack, and head out to pick up our son who'll soon be at the babysitter. I don't see why I won't be able to continue commuting.
Other than that, it was a nice ride in this morning. Cool and dry with tons of energy (I've actually been getting to bed on time), was at work by 6:07. Just ordered a hitch for our new suv and will soon order the rack. Soon I will ride directly to the car in the afternoons, throw the bike on the rack, and head out to pick up our son who'll soon be at the babysitter. I don't see why I won't be able to continue commuting.
Nice cool weather this morning, and I get the sunrise view on the lake now that winter is fast approaching. Excellent time going into a headwind.
Of course, its supposed to be 90 degrees this afternoon.
Of course, its supposed to be 90 degrees this afternoon.
Grand Poobah
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: Trek Navigator 300
Not too bad. Humidity was down for Houston. LOTS of bugs along the bayou/mup today! I didn't eat any of them, though!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Not too humid today in North Carolina.
I can't get the hang of this new helmet-mounted mirror. I don't see what possible advantage it can bring me. Not sure how patient with it I'm going to be.
I can't get the hang of this new helmet-mounted mirror. I don't see what possible advantage it can bring me. Not sure how patient with it I'm going to be.
Great ride coming back off the long weekend. My back was sore from all the labour my wife had me doing this weekend and i think the ride really loosened it up and made it feel better.
DNPAIMFB
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,655
Likes: 0
From: Cowtown, AB
Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.
Gah! 3C today on the way in. I had to wear a jacket. Boooooo!




