Yesterday afternoon: perfect. This morning: aside from going in an hour early, perfect. We're getting into Fall weather here, which of course is nice. I tolerate southern summer heat pretty easily, but cooler temps are quite welcome anyway.

Perfect morning ride! Cool temps, and warmer later today, so I could go with just a t-shirt. I've been wanting more speed, and the bike is decently deft, but that pannier really is noticeable. Had a 10-minute argument with myself about leaving it--it has my seatbag in it, since I haven't been able to attach it since I got the Champion Flyer (which rocks). And in that seatbag is spare tire, CO2 inflater, etc., etc. All my emergency kit! What if I get a flat? Oh God!

Adventure won and I just took off. Mmm, nice and light, and my hilly long way back has been paying off, I'm blasting (for me) out of the intersections, laughing maniacally. Cars are polite and I'm extra alert.

One honk on my very final turn into work's parking lot. What? We're both turning left! I think he forgot he had his signal on. Whatever, I arrive happy and only a touch damp. Whoo!

I'm thinking about getting one of those fixie things. They weigh like nothing. I need n+1 bikes.

Humid and wet in the morning on the way to the gym. Then it was misting rain between the gym and the office, so I donned the rain jacket. All in all quite a pleasant ride. Since it was later in the morning that I usually ride, the side streets were pretty free of traffic, so pretty much had them to myself.

There's a lot to be said for riding in a gentle rain. This was the first time I did it intentionally. Nice. Still have to make the trip home though, but the weather appears about the same: drizzle/light mist.

The commute yesterday sucked big time. As I was walking out of the office in full bike clothing I find my bike gone. Stolen. Taken from me. So I got exactly 0 miles in. I feel so empty inside. :cry:

That royally su*ks. What kind of bike did you have? Was it very distinctive, so maybe it'll be found. My son's bike was lifted, and fortunately he found the person riding it a short distance away and recovered. Mine was stolen about 3 months ago, never seen or heard from again. Hope you have better luck than me with recovery. Meanwhile good looking on CL or whatever for your replacement.

My 15-mile trek is devoid of significant hills, except for one short stand-up-and-mash section, which leaves me huffing for air on my single speed. This was especially true on my last commute, as I've been suffering from a touch of a cold/flu.

Unfortunately, I started huffing right when a garbage pulled up next to me and matched my pace (or lack thereof) in thick traffic. Well, whatever was decomposing / fermenting in the back of that rig had me immediately go from huffing to hurling.

The upside was that I got to enjoy more than three feet of clearance from the cagers crawling by!

Damn. so sorry for your loss.

Back in the saddle again
 

After about a month off I finally got back to riding today. Between a back injury, vacation and reinjuring my back it was a long month of driving. Then I was ready to pedal my way in and it was too dark to ride without a headlight. Went to the LBS and got the new niterider setup. Got it hooked up and rolled out of the garage and it was sprinkling. Screw it, I missed my bike. Got to work wet but with a smile on my face.

I got a night rider a couple of weeks ago. so far I love it, no problems even in the rain.

It's pretty much one of a kind bike. I would almost say it's unique in the US.
Pictures are here:
http://gallery.geekazoids.net/v/bikes/
It's the purple/neon bike.

I have been really enjoying my ride-it is not even a commute yet-but I am getting used to the path I will take before school starts. Its about 33 miles total, and I have been doing the 15 there and back this week. I have been comfortable except for my bottom and my back.... I dont know if it is because I havent ever rode that kind of distance, or if my seat might be positioned wrong. Anyone have advice or experiences like that?

^ ^^ I just got in from the dark--I kind of like the rush of cruising along the bike path with just the light and being all alone.

The morning was a bit warmer than I thoughtit was going to be, so had to stop several times to disrobe pieces. On the way home got caught in a pretty good rain the last half hour or so. It really wasn't too bad once I accepted that it was going to be a very wet ride. But I was quite chilled by the time I got home.

Bike seats... From my experience it could be several things.
- just getting the rear end used to sitting on the seat for distance.
- could be the seat needs adjusting, angle etc.
- bike shorts can make a significant difference.
- perhaps a different seat is called for.
Folks at your lbs should be able to help you out with this. Good Luck.

I had the most interesting commute so far yesterday... First I put my front wheel into some kind of drainage ditch/gutter thing and CRASHED in the middle of rush hour traffic. It was at the bottom of a huge hill and I'm pretty sure at least a few dozen people saw it happen. I may have cracked a rib, but I'm not sure, although my helmet definitely prevented a concussion... I hit the ground hard.

On the plus side, though I stopped at the LBS to drop the bike off to get tuned up. The spill knocked the wheel out of true and some stuff on the handlbars were jarred loose. They fixed it right there on the spot because I'm a commuter! The guy explained that if you use your bike for transportation they'll take care of you instantly. Do most shops do that?

Lastly I'm fairly sure I got my first 'Go Lance!' yelled at me for the first time, which was pretty cool. But I'm not sure because all i heard was "....ANCE!" as she drove by. Maybe it was "I want in your pANTS!" or "I like my eggs sANS ketchup!"

hahah bassist! Thats a story! That is embarrassing when you fall in front of cars, I ve done things like that too.
My bike shop doesnt do that! Maybe they havent warmed to me yet. I saw them talk to a few people who go in a lot and they seemed like family...that what I want from my shop :s

Some one asked me where my gas sucking SUV was,,,I told them it was at home. I could come up with a more creative response...

Jeez a cracked rib. I know the heartbreak of that. Maybe it's just a minor contusion and won't hurt for the full 6 weeks. If not, hopefully the time will pass quickly. I had a spill on my former motorcycle, now sold, to avoid hitting a jay-walking pedestrian, with a similar injury. The leather jacket was what saved the day.

Good tip on the rapid repairs from LBS. I know of one near work which specializes in bike courier (i.e. the employees do deliveries) that I'd bet would do this if need be and they open early (about 8).

My commute today was great, despite Indian Summer. Tomorrow, rain is predicted locally so may drive in, not sure yet (depends more on the prospects at the time of going in to work). My bike's holding up well but is a cheapo, and I may replace the pedals because I'm having visions of them breaking off and needing to replace the whole crank if they do.

I woke up late, I left the house late, and it was cold out! I was overdressed, though...so I was hot by the time I got to work. Could not win.

I got to work at the same time as my partner, though, and he was kind enough to use his truck to trip the stoplight.

The hot weather has finally returned! it was 28C on Saturday, and as 19C for my ride into work this morning.

Bring on the sweaty season! Love it!

I finally got a taste of real fall weather: sunny and cool. I started bike commuting in early spring, so I've never experienced that before. It was awesome! Unfortunately, I had to hurry home because I was late getting out of work.

It was 95 degrees today-I havent had to deal with that temp on my riding. I just took my shirt off-now I have a camel back tan-and my chest is still pale! Hahaa!

Big beautiful moon was up today before the sun started to rise. I almost like it better when it is pitch black. I passed the biggest box turtle I have ever seen in my life. I would have stopped to help it but it was already on the shoulder and close to gettting into the grass.

Today's commuter haiku:

The whir of the chain.
No world outside of the beam.
Darkness brings me peace.

Another late start. I really should start waking up earlier, I hate being rushed on my commute. Other than that, it was awesome. The sky was absolutely beautiful...full moon and stars everywhere!

Rear wheel out of true
Have a friend with truing stand
What is his number?

and:

Motivation gap
The excuses run rampant
Drove my car today

I was reminded that my route runs very close to a garbage transfer station. The winds were not in my favor this morning.

it felt balmy this morning so back to shorts and a t-shirt which was really nice, decided to take the route with the climb as well, this route seems to be more challenging in general with the hill and other little obstacles, keeps me alert for sure

its going to be a stellar week, stoked :)

Rode through the remnants of Ike today, no rain, but holy headwind!