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How was the commute today?

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Old 09-03-08 | 07:24 AM
  #26976  
vtjim's Avatar
Belt drive!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Sunny and comfortable. Low 60sF. Just a slight headwind off Lake Champlain. There was a Squirrel Critical Mass on the MUP. They were running around blocking traffic as they collected nuts, raising their little paws angrily at me and insisting, "We are traffic!" Or something.
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Old 09-03-08 | 07:28 AM
  #26977  
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Nerd
 
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Wheat Ridge, CO

Bikes: K2 T-9 Crosswind

It was cold, I was late, so I dropped the hammer and then I was warm. Not the most pleasant commute, but I made it to work in time to make coffee.
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Old 09-03-08 | 07:55 AM
  #26978  
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Fat Guy Rolling
 
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Louisville Kentucky

Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, 80s Raleigh Record single-speed, Surly Big Dummy

I had a wonderful commute. Cool, but not cold. Dark at the beginning, cloudy, so no sun in the eyes as it got lighter.

No wind to speak of, the hills seemed to flatten out for me, and traffic was light. I hit very few red lights.

All was great, until I got to work, and had to get working. <sigh> At least I'll get to ride home.
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Old 09-03-08 | 08:02 AM
  #26979  
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Neat - w/ ice on the side
 
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From: Big Ring. Little Cog.

Bikes: 2005 Dahon Speed TR, 2006 Dahon Mu SL, 2000 GT XiZang, 1999ish Rock Lobster, 2007 Dean Animas CTI

I only stopped at one light - incredible luck. I probably could have made that one too but I didn't feel like bombing up the hill. It's my first light and if I had know, I'd have bombed!!

Hit a rabbit on the Greenway :-(

Learned another crazy driver move today. Pull across a double yellow line to pass on the left with an open lane on the right. I'll glance over the left shoulder before turning left in the future.
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Old 09-03-08 | 08:20 AM
  #26980  
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Joined: Apr 2007
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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 ride today. 63F, dry, clear - shorts and a short-sleeve jersey were just perfect.
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Old 09-03-08 | 08:21 AM
  #26981  
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DNPAIMFB
 
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cowtown, AB

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

Dodged a squirrel this morning - I don't think it would fare well against a larger vehicle. The commute was chilly, although not anywhere near as cold as yesterday. Things look to be picking up for the week, but I can tell this is the beginning of the end. The Fall is coming.
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Old 09-03-08 | 08:37 AM
  #26982  
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Edmonton, AB

Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3

I could not drad my worthless butt outta bed this morning. Well, not on time anyway so i left late. I was riding during the school rush-hour. Almost got right hooked by a school bus, one of those half length yellow bird deals. My spidy senses were tingling the moment it passed me so when it initiated the right turn i was already death gripping the brakes, i dunno if it even qualifies as a close call.
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Old 09-03-08 | 08:55 AM
  #26983  
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Salt Lick City
Cold. I wore a fleece hoody. It was also dark. So I've got every light in my arsenal hooked up. Makes my bike look very ghetto. Still saving for the Blackburn System. I might need to find something cheaper sooner though.

I also had my first roadside flat repair. Must have been a nail or screw because it put a nice dinger in my tire liner. Didn't puncture the liner, but probably had enough impact to get to the tire.
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Old 09-03-08 | 08:58 AM
  #26984  
jpdesjar
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quite pleasant and sunny...wore a wind breaker since it was a bit chilly
i felt fast today as i did when i ran last night, i guess i am just getting speedier
 
Old 09-03-08 | 10:10 AM
  #26985  
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SA[in]NE
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 576
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From: WNY

Bikes: Trek 7200

I drove yesterday and had a brick thrown from a hill through my windshield at 60 MPH, so I was glad to take the bike today...and was almost creamed by a freaking SUV making a left when I had the right of way...but the rest of the ride was fine and it felt good after last nights shock.
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Old 09-03-08 | 10:14 AM
  #26986  
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I am Joe's lactic acid.
 
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Long Island, NY

Bikes: 2008 Windsor Cyclo, and some spares.

FredOak, dude, that is horrible! Please tell me whoever threw the brick is in custody?

I've heard way too many stories of stuff thrown through windshields, be it from an overpass bridge, other cars, whatever. Anyone who does that should be tried for attempted manslaughter.
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Old 09-03-08 | 10:15 AM
  #26987  
Biker, Lover, Fighter
 
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: CA

Bikes: My own hand built frames

Any day I get to ride is a good day. Even if the ride is less than pleasant the endorphin high I get, the mood it puts me in at work, and of course the exercise more than makes up for a bad ride. Having said that...

Riding the LA River north out of Long Beach there was a bit of high fog, but that either burned off or I rode out of it within 10 minutes. There was an abnormally large number of gnat clouds to ride through this morning, I think I ingested 1/2 lb. of the little buggers rather than my normal 1/4 lb. I'm getting a new bike that should be here and built up in just over a week... I can't wait.
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Old 09-03-08 | 10:30 AM
  #26988  
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20 Anniversary
 
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From: Sacramento, California, USA

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

This morning I rolled up to an intersection and smelled pork. I thought "That's weird. That truck smells like pork."

Then the light changed, the truck pulled away, and I saw the trailer which was a huge smoker with the sign "Leon's Ribs" on the back. I thought about drafting it, then thought better not lest it hit a bump and launch a hot side of ribs at me.
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Old 09-03-08 | 11:07 AM
  #26989  
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Vancouver, BC

Bikes: 2007 ICE Trice T; 2008 Brompton M6L; 2009 Surly LHT; 2010 Surly Cross Check

My commute is too short now I'm staying at a friend's place practically next to the e/w artery I take to work. I'll have to make sure to calibrate for that when I'm looking at a new place.

Jerk in a sports car went within inches of me, illegally passing cars on the right. Total gain for risking my life: 2 cars. Idiot.
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Old 09-03-08 | 11:35 AM
  #26990  
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From: south Puget Sound
New seatpost, moved me forward an inch or so from where I was. Feel the power! At least, I felt like it. I actually rode in really slowly w/ my wife after dropping the 7 yr old for his 1st day of 2nd grade.
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Old 09-03-08 | 11:42 AM
  #26991  
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A shrinking member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Tucson
I just recently started commuting and today I pushed back my starting spot to 3 miles one way. Had to pass under a freeway and almost got side swiped by a driver who was really excited to get on the highway.

Other than that, the ride was really nice. The weather was pretty cool for Tucson, I love starting out my day in the saddle. Unfortunately is won't be so cool when I go home this afternoon. The high is supposed to be around 97. That is what showers are for I suppose.
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Old 09-03-08 | 11:51 AM
  #26992  
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From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

Left one hour eailer today, very nice ride, at 0500 there is almost no traffic. this afternoon is gonna be a hot one
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Old 09-03-08 | 12:51 PM
  #26993  
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Holy crap it was almost *cool* outside today! That gets me excited. If this area wasn't so damned beautiful, the heat is enough to make me want to move sometimes.

It's only my second day, which I know is usually the most painful in any type of daily workout. I figured if I can make it today, I'm good to go for the long haul. So far so good.
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Old 09-03-08 | 03:05 PM
  #26994  
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Minneapolis, MN

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Miyata 310 (conversion)

on the way in it wasn't to bad, nice sunny, moderate temp, but my messenger bag was a lil heavy and my shoulder was feeling it.

On the way back (which i'm glad i left early, albeit 91F) i saw a un forecasted weather front moving in. So along with the weight of my bag previously i also had another large text book i just purchased today added into the weight of my bag. Well about have way through my commute is started to get rained on (which was fine) but then huge head winds and my left shoulder going numb from the weight of my bag. Which was great. Can't wait to get some nice panniers and a rack to get that weight off my body and also still be able to carry what i would like to school.

17mile round trip today with 30lbs on my back.
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Old 09-03-08 | 03:46 PM
  #26995  
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From: Greenwood Indiana

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck

Yep, it was hot. But still a very nice ride.
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Old 09-03-08 | 04:59 PM
  #26996  
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Strong with the Fred
 
Joined: May 2008
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From: Dallas, TX
The ride home was pleasant. A cool breeze and cloudy skies. Traffic was heavy but I'm kinda proud of the drivers in my part of town. At the worse, they ignore me but are never hostile. Got home in good time. Now if I could just remember what it is I had to do! Stopped for a sandwich, picked up the new cellphone, la-de-da-da-da....
Ernest
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Old 09-03-08 | 05:06 PM
  #26997  
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From: Chicago
18 mph headwind was brutal on the Lakefront path but once out of the exposed zone it was managable. Threatened to rain the whole time but never did.
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Old 09-03-08 | 05:15 PM
  #26998  
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----
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,578
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From: Becket, MA
Back in Boston for Newton to Beantown commute.

Bike pathed in with my wife in the am and got to use the new Comm Ave bike lane on the way home.

They're making some nice improvements to the Charles River path (on the Boston side) and I liked the bike lane on Comm. but I do wish people wouldn't park and stop in it!

Great weather.
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Old 09-03-08 | 05:38 PM
  #26999  
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my nose itches
 
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Temple, Texas

Bikes: 1986 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2013 Redline Conquest Disc

Nothing like a 19mph NW wind on your NW ride home.
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Old 09-03-08 | 08:55 PM
  #27000  
that strange guy
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 108
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From: Denver, CO

Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Nishiki Century (frame only for now), Costco mountain bike

Pretty chill ride in. Then I had a bad day, lots of things to get my adrenaline going and nowhere to let it out, resulting in stupid mistakes and all the related frustration. I decided rather than go to the bar with my work friends I'd ride intervals on the way home. Now I'm eating and stretching, I was still sort of tense when I got home.

-I tripped a speed sign at 27 mph climbing (I ride a LHT with almost full panniers), I was pretty proud of myself.
-At one point the sky was literally glowing to the east, I think the sun was reflecting off the clouds.
-Lots of other cyclists out, and lots of them said hi to me.
-My bad day wasn't cancelled by the ride, but I feel a lot better.

Last edited by robinthehippie; 09-03-08 at 08:56 PM. Reason: typo
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