Had to be at work at 7:00 this AM, so very early commute. Wow, so many cars even then! Anyway, just a bit drizzly, and I'm totally geared up for rain, turned out to be a bit excessive.

Riding my Rocky Mountain after having gone fixed all last week. Wow, such a difference. Pedaling just felt bizarre for the first while, my legs were jerky, having got used to the support of the pedal coming up under power. Lit up like Christmas with my Down Low Glow, DiNotte, and PB Superflash. That was nicely confidence-inspiring.

Though it feels like a tank compared to the iro, the big tires were a major help against a stealthy enemy: horse chestnuts! I must have squirted a half-dozen to the side under my wheels. Pok! Pok! Pok!. On the fixie's skinny tires I think I would have gone down. So, variety is a good thing.

Damp but no actual precipitation. Very wet going home last night. Stopped at the Y for the kids' swim class. Should've packed spare biking clothes so I could shower there (to warm up) and then ride home in dry clothes, but whatever.

It's cool when you get a chance to show motorists what's what. Eventually the others will start to recognize you and line up behind you.

You won't regret it.

I was rolling out of a trackstand when the light turned, a car full of kids passed me and the driver, a young woman, caught my eye and mouthed "that's cool!" I think it was that's cool. There's also the possibility that it was "that fool!"

Either way, it was a pleasant ride to work riding the fixed gear as a change of pace. I still have my cyclocross tires on it, I really should put the 25mm tires back on for the street.

I've now been biking to work for about a year.
This is the first week I've ridden 5 days in a row. It's been great - but I'm really tired.

The ride in to work was peaceful and quiet. For once, no dogs chasing me! I altered my route slightly. My new route has alittle more car traffic, but it goes through a higher end neighborhood. No potholes, no debris on the street and no loose dogs. My old route is shorter, 2 stray dogs that will chase, debris on street and all the potholes you want.
New route adds about a quarter mile to my commute but it's well worth it.
Ernest

I had an awesome and yet bittersweet ride to work today...

Fall is upon us and there will soon come a point where many of my girls will have to be stored until the snow melts so I have been taking them out to enjoy the fall leaves and balmy temperatures.

Today I rode my 1948 Rudge Whitworth roadster and the bike certainly has this power to inspire one to slow down ansd see the sights and riding it certainly lowers one's blood pressure... I stopped by my lbs to weigh the old girl (38 pounds) and both the wrenches there had to take her out around the block.

They were both gobsmacked.

Ride to work was nice. The ride back was even better. Headwinds both ways, but on the way back it was fairly strong, with occasional gusts. Burned like hell pushing through it, but I don't think I broke my rhythm by too much.

Thought I saw a dime on the way to work. Circled back (yes I went back for a dime!) and it was a quarter! I wrote it off as good luck. Great commute. Rode Am and PM like a champ. Had my rain gear ready but didn't have to use it.

66th street is re-opened, i have my full choice of cycling routes once again

The only thing that got my sorry butt out of bed on a Saturday morning to go to work was the fact that I got my re-worked rear wheel back from the shop last evening and I could ride in rather than driving!!! Is it wrong for a straight-dude to profess his love for a male bicycle mechanic? This guy just absolutely lives for the moment and would have chatted all evening about rear axle bearing races and freewheel casettes. I feel fortunate to have such a resource in the area. I've got to learn more about bicycle maintenance and repair. It ain't the cost of having the work done... it's the down time.

My hands are purple from dye leaking out of my performance(tm) gloves (it's raining a lot)

Last night was brutal. First time in heavy rain and total darkness with traffic. My headlights looked weak and my confidence waned. I'm gonna have to cut to three times per week. That was scary at times.

If it's wrong to love a bike mechanic, I don't want to be right.

I was looking forward to the Saturday commute. There were fewer cars, but there seemed to be more close passing a-holes.

It was pretty freaking awesome...after scoring some excellent schwag at the gear swap I proceeded to take a leisurely ride to work on my old CCM which as always, was purring like a kitten and the only bike I have that rides any smoother is my '48 Rudge which was yesterday's bike.

I was using a 1950 AB hub (3 speed drum brake) and although I was pretty happy with the 3 speed had decided to go back to the stock coaster hub since the AB's brake is pathetic and the coaster brake is actually quite decent... and original.

Before I could use the coaster hub I had to lace up a new wheel and not just any wheel would do...it would have to a Westwood rim in burgundy with white pinstripes... and I just happened to have one.


For as much as I like 3 speeds I found I really missed the simplicity of my old coaster bike and despite a little bit of drizzle the ride home it was perfect... I felt like Paul Newman and was singing "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" and was wishing there was a beautiful girl to ride on the handlebars.

And just because she's 75 years old does not mean that she has forgotten how to fly... a guy on a motorcycle pulled alongside me at one point and yelled at me to tell me I was doing 35 kmh...

Really not a commute but a ride to South Salinas to Attend a Dance Recital at Hartnell College. Weather was a bit cold but I warmed up pretty fast and took a favorite back route of mine to get to the main stretch that inevitably I would end up on en route to the college. It is a great route, there is a video on a part of it @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvrRF3hsJo it makes for a great ride. Keeps life interesting and it follows those great farm back roads with some climb and a roughed up road but well worth it and a nice break from the high traffic areas that I would otherwise be travelling on.

For once, I left my house on time!! I celebrated by taking my sweet time. It was so nice not having to drop the hammer and race the clock. I actually got to relax...dawdle, even! Uneventful and unremarkable, but a very pleasant commute.

Finally broke down and bought my bike for the upcoming season (DON'T WANT TO SAY IT YET). Got a really good deal on a Trek 3700 that my LBS, they had a couple of early 2008 models and gave it to me at $150 off, full set up and 10% anything else I wanted, so I added the fenders and rack and got some lube and grease.
Took it out for a spin on my usual weekend ride and this is really a nice riding bike despite some of the reviews I've read. I think with a little TLC and maybe some studded tires come January it will serve me just fine...first commute test tomorrow.

The ride home was so COOL!! It was cloudy, it was rainy, it was windy (tailwindy and crosswindy!), it was spooky, and it was just the perfect fall commute. I love the sound of leaves crunching under my tires.

I saw a fox this morning and a rat tonight. I decided since I'm getting over a cold my goal was to not break a sweat.... I took forever but was relaxed, singing to myself, enjoying the cool weather. To think I had to convince two people not to drive me home because it was "raining." (little sprinkles, I didn't even put my gloves on until I was almost downtown.)

I've fully adjusted to riding in the dark again in the mornings. Takes a while, just like adjusting to riding in the cold again. I mounted my Superflash tail-light on a seat stay to make room for another tail-light on my seat bag. Put some new tires with reflective sidewalls on my commuter for increased visibility from the side. Got out my vest, long-fingered gloves, arm and leg warmers.

Also started noticing last week a drop in my average speed. Must be the heavier density of cold air because I don't think the warmer clothes could slow me down that much.

Kudzu, you don't say how far your commute is? Doesn't matter. If you ride 1,2 or 5 days its better than not riding at all!

Meh. The wife works in the same town as me, so we're been driving in together. It makes no sense to spend $186/month on a train pass when she's driving in anyway.

Spending more time with Martha is great, but I get to ride not at all unless I have errands after work. I've been doing things like food shopping and picking up prescriptions. Today I have to be at the dentist, so I bike/trained in.