How was the commute today?
Biking to the Pits
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, Arizona
Bikes: 1991 Rock 'n Road with two wheel sets, 1980 Univega Viva Sport with TA triple
Although it was 56 at sunrise in Tucson, the temp had climbed to 86 by the time I rode one mile to work. The morning cool lingeried in the shade of mesquite and eucalyptus. The shadows were long, and I thought: summer's over.
COMMUTE OF THE YEAR!
60 degrees, medium rain, 20 mph tailwind. Cruised down the path at an easy 25 mph. Met up with some other random commuter guy and we talked and rode together a while. Didn't go any faster because I was scared to under the conditions. Totally fun, and a nice bookend to a ride at the begining of the year, which had the same conditions except it was a 20 mph headwind.
60 degrees, medium rain, 20 mph tailwind. Cruised down the path at an easy 25 mph. Met up with some other random commuter guy and we talked and rode together a while. Didn't go any faster because I was scared to under the conditions. Totally fun, and a nice bookend to a ride at the begining of the year, which had the same conditions except it was a 20 mph headwind.
Guest
Posts: n/a
This morning it was in the low 70's but really humid here but there was a strong northwest wind which was tough but I loved it going home and I ended up just riding with traffic some where around 30-35 mph on my mtb (18-25mph tail wind helped). First time when I had wished my gearing went a little lower. Plus there were some people walking the wrong direction in the bike lane. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to tomorrow though.
that strange guy
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Nishiki Century (frame only for now), Costco mountain bike
Beautiful day. Rode 30 miles, then my legs gave out....I literally couldn't pump any more...I was so mad/embarrassed that I had to call my wife to come get me...this is the most that I have ridden in one sitting so far...I kinda feel like crap, I think I might have over exerted myself...but I'll rest tonight and see how I feel tomorrow. 

I came as close to bonking as I ever have. I decided to actually do some work on the ride home since I'd been taking it easy, getting over a cold. I didn't take in to account that fact that I haven't been eating as much as usual the past couple days including today. I was keeping a quick pace and felt good for most of the ride. About three miles away I thought, "I'm really tired, I better get home so I can eat!" A couple blocks later I stood on the pedals at a stop sign and my arms and legs were shaking, so I coasted down to the store. I got off my bike and felt like I was going to pass out. I stumbled in to the store, grabbed an OJ and a sandwich ($7.00!!), then sat at the picnic table outside and devoured my dinner. Much better now.
I'm running out of daylight. The sun was disappearing behind the mountains as I rode home down the MUP. I'm guessing I have three to four weeks of daylight at best. Then it'll be dark on the way in and the way home (I work 0600-1800), and that will be a little bit of a bummer.
Good ride, though. Lots of friendly people. A few good dogs. I got a friendly hello from another bike commuter on a nice Specialized road bike.
I've noticed myself going really fast on the way home. Maybe I have to work out more stress than I realize.
Good ride, though. Lots of friendly people. A few good dogs. I got a friendly hello from another bike commuter on a nice Specialized road bike.
I've noticed myself going really fast on the way home. Maybe I have to work out more stress than I realize.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield, CA
Bikes: '72 peugeot PX10
Beautiful day. Rode 30 miles, then my legs gave out....I literally couldn't pump any more...I was so mad/embarrassed that I had to call my wife to come get me...this is the most that I have ridden in one sitting so far...I kinda feel like crap, I think I might have over exerted myself...but I'll rest tonight and see how I feel tomorrow. 

Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield, CA
Bikes: '72 peugeot PX10
Had an awesome commute both ways! Went a little out of my way on the way home to buy a good beer for the debates. Rode home with another random commuter for a block! I was excited. He had a bad ass fixed gear Italian bike with a sweet set up. Great commute. I am now going to try to re dish my rear wheel after a couple beers!
<user defined text>
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Bikes: 80's peugeot. Somewhat knackered. Lovely new Salsa Casseroll singlespeed.
The clocks went forward! This means I now ride home in the light. Much nicer.
And warmer, too. It was 35C in Sydney the other day, although it's gone cooler again now the sun is still shining.
And warmer, too. It was 35C in Sydney the other day, although it's gone cooler again now the sun is still shining.
Large and in charge
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: Mokena, IL
Bikes: At one point it was a Trek 700 something. Now it have Velocity Psycho wheels, a tape job. Thumb shifters (Shimano Deore). Corncob grouping, and drop bar ends all wrapped up in tape.
Nothing out of the ordinary this morning. The weather said few showers for my commute home so I didn't worry. What actually happened was torrential rain. My pants got soaked, but I was ok under my poncho. I do hope my shoes dry out before tomorrow.
Cool and clear at 44 degrees this morning in Dearborn. I wore several layers that I want OFF by the end of my three miles. Homeward at 6:00-ish, breezier and feeling cooler than the morning even though it was 62. Wore jeans and regretted it halfway home; should have worn shorts. How can I get so warm in such a short distance, you ask? I'm over 50 years old, I'm 20 pounds overweight, and I'm pedalling a 45-pound Schwinn Suburban in the city, that's how. But I'm looking forward to doing it all over again tomorrow.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield, CA
Bikes: '72 peugeot PX10
Chilly this morning (40) but this afternoon is suppose to be up to almost 70, but they say it might rain, so I brought all the combinations I could think of in clothing, typical Buffalo wait 10 minutes and the weather will do a 90 degree turn.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011
Pretty smooth, which was a big step up from yesterday. Not much traffic at all, the weather was overcast so a good riding temperature. I placed a complaint with the city about these overgrown bushes that clip me everyday on my commute. I got a generic response saying that the issue I reported will be addressed within 14 days. I'm skeptical, but we'll see. The rain clouds are looking pretty menacing right now, so it looks like I'm going to get wet on the ride home.
I'm going on my 5th year of bike commuting to work. The ride has been expanded from 22 miles round trip to 30 miles round trip. By sometime in the year 2010 work will be moving to another location. My RT will be 44 miles.
Anyway, this morning, it was rather cool--somewhere in the mid 40's F. I saw no other bike commuters. This is not surprising since most seem to be fair-weather riders only.
This is the coolest it's been in a while. I overdressed--not by much, but enough to create more of a sweat than I appreciated.
The ride was uneventful and slower than usual--I guess because I wanted to slow perspiration and because I was wearing more and heavier/baggier clothing.
Anyway, this morning, it was rather cool--somewhere in the mid 40's F. I saw no other bike commuters. This is not surprising since most seem to be fair-weather riders only.
This is the coolest it's been in a while. I overdressed--not by much, but enough to create more of a sweat than I appreciated.
The ride was uneventful and slower than usual--I guess because I wanted to slow perspiration and because I was wearing more and heavier/baggier clothing.
Yesterday's ride home was my first ride in the rain. The temp was in the upper 50's so it wasn't all that bad. The only problem was the car that didn't give me the right of way at an intersection and forced me to swerve and jump to the sidewalk. No harm but it did freak me out a bit. And yes it was still light out and yes I did have my strobe light on and yes I was wearing my neon yellow safety vest. Saw a deer on the path again. Tomorrow is a golfing day so no ride in unless someone has a suggestion on how to lug around a set of golf clubs.
Who farted?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V
Warmer than yesterday, here, as well. Allegedly, rain impending, yeah, right. Took it easy on the way in after yesterday's small scare. Didn't see any other commuters, saw a roadie, though.
Batüwü Griekgriek


Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 7
Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000
wwwwwiiiiiiiinnnnnnnddddddddyyyyyy
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.
I dodged a windy bullet on the way home last night. We were experiencing sustained 60 km/h winds around noon out of the West. I work on the 32nd floor and saw plastic bags, horizontal rain and an unattended child whizzing by the window. By the time I rode home, the sun was out and the wind had been cut in half.
The ride in today was calm, and warmer than I expected. I need to remember to grease and oil my bike this weekend, plus dig out all my cold-weather bike gear. It's getting a little frosty out...
The ride in today was calm, and warmer than I expected. I need to remember to grease and oil my bike this weekend, plus dig out all my cold-weather bike gear. It's getting a little frosty out...
42F and clear. 10 miles along the Boise river at 05:30 is a nice start to the morning.
invisible friend
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Alabama
Bikes: Gary Fisher Tassajara hardtail mtb, '01 Rans Wave, '98 Raleigh R700, Mid-80's Takara Professional, '91 Bianchi Alfana
Very little wind, 56 degrees with an added bonus. I've always crossed a major highway with traffic, so I never knew if the sensors would work from my bike alone. Well, today, there were no cars coming, I rode over the the sensors, and the light changed! Life is good!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
Been away from BF for several months now (busy at work, stress, etc.), but I'm back.
Started a new job (same company) last week. My already-short commute is now even shorter.
I'm looking at ways to add on a little more distance.
Hope you've all been well.
Started a new job (same company) last week. My already-short commute is now even shorter.
I'm looking at ways to add on a little more distance.Hope you've all been well.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 181
From: south Puget Sound
I would say cold. Full-finger gloves would have been good. 39F apparently.
And, oh yes, foggy.
Experimenting w/ headlight down on forkblade since I can't think of any other way to get it to see around the handlebar bag (which I just took off for last year's headlight season). I was never really aware of its value for being seen, and right now I'm not necessarily threatened by its absence from up high but I am wondering about that more and more.
And, oh yes, foggy.
Experimenting w/ headlight down on forkblade since I can't think of any other way to get it to see around the handlebar bag (which I just took off for last year's headlight season). I was never really aware of its value for being seen, and right now I'm not necessarily threatened by its absence from up high but I am wondering about that more and more.
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Yelled at a teenager riding on the sidewalk. Told him to ride in the street like a big boy, but I doubt he heard me. He had the hood of his sweatshirt up and I suspect he was listening to his damn iPod.
(See, this what I get for listening to McCain for 90 minutes last night. Now I'm a cranky old man too!)
(See, this what I get for listening to McCain for 90 minutes last night. Now I'm a cranky old man too!)




