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How was the commute today?

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How was the commute today?

Old 10-15-08 | 06:16 AM
  #27901  
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From: Jacksonville, NC

Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.3FX

Rode home 5 hours later than usual last night (10pm instead of 5pm). Riding in the complete darkness is very...Different than riding at 5pm. Or even 5am. Lots more stuff is awake at 10pm. Like deer. Like the several deer that nearly hit me as they ran across the MUP. Good times.

This morning's ride in was ok. Nothing really interesting, though it was a little cool (high 50s). Nice bright moon, too.
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Old 10-15-08 | 06:35 AM
  #27902  
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From: Wheat Ridge, CO

Bikes: K2 T-9 Crosswind

I was literally whining as I walked out to my bike this morning... "I don't waaaannnnaaa....." It was cold, and all I really wanted to do was curl up in my warm cozy bed.

Still, it wasn't bad, especially since the sky was clear and the full moon was lighting everything up in that diffuse, eerie way. My work partner pulled up right behind me to trip the last stoplight before work, too. Thx!
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Old 10-15-08 | 06:54 AM
  #27903  
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From: Miami, FL

Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011

Yesterday: Wet roads, drizzle, and headwind.
Today: Good weather, damp roads, still a headwind. Legs feel about 60%
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Old 10-15-08 | 07:19 AM
  #27904  
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From: Durham, NC

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL

Why oh why do drivers feel the need to close-pass when there's a wide-open lane next to me?
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Old 10-15-08 | 07:19 AM
  #27905  
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had a good ride in, it was a bit brisk but really sunny also which is a great combo
 
Old 10-15-08 | 07:24 AM
  #27906  
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From: Jacksonville, NC

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Originally Posted by Itsjustb
Why oh why do drivers feel the need to close-pass when there's a wide-open lane next to me?
I have this problem too, Itsjustb. Usually in my case, it's a couple of young-n-dumb Marines trying to be macho.
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Old 10-15-08 | 07:26 AM
  #27907  
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From: Marfan Syndrome-Clyde-DFW, TX

Bikes: Fuji Touring Xtracycle, Merlin Road, Bacchetta Giro 26 (Sold), Challenge Hurricane, Cruzbike Sofrider

It was very slow today. My bike just keeps getting heavier and heavier. Today I added a gallon jug of water to bring to work since the water there makes me sick with 20 minutes after drinking even if cut with something powdered.
I wonder if those filtered jugs would take out whatever is wrong with the water here.
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Old 10-15-08 | 07:32 AM
  #27908  
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From: Malden, MA

Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi San Jose, Redline 925

My commutes this week have been depressing and no fun at all due to chain slippage. My bike has only 950 miles or so on it, so I'm surprised if it turns out that the slippage is because of wear on the drivetrain. I tried fine tuning the derailer hoping that might be the problem, but no luck. So it's off to the LBS tonight to see what they say about it.

I'm seriously bumming about this. My commute is often the best part of my day and it sucks beyond all belief to not be able to accelerate effectively.
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Old 10-15-08 | 07:46 AM
  #27909  
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From: houston, tejas

Bikes: 2009 motobecane messenger

i'm sick and tired of commuting at night. for some reason cars decide it's cool to blow past me, cutting into the opposite lane only to be stopped at a traffic light 150 yards ahead, at which point i calmly ride past them and snicker.

i have yet to be clipped by a car or forced up the curb or worse and i know it's going to happen eventually.

that's why i keep my u-lock on my left side, in my belt.
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Old 10-15-08 | 08:23 AM
  #27910  
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From: Calgary

Bikes: 07 Rocky Mtn ETSX-70, 00 Rocky Mountain Hammer (commuter) 98 Lemond Chambery

nice and brisk this morning. I was quickly reminded that my regular full finger mtn biking gloves suck when it's below zero.
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Old 10-15-08 | 08:24 AM
  #27911  
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Last commute into this office. We move saturday a half mile to a new office.
Anyhow, my injury is bugging me as usual. Due to that I have to drive into work for the first time in ever so that I can drive to a specialist.

This morning was the same old same old except for when I noticed a cyclist pulled over. A lady was chasing her ankle biter of a dog in the street screaming at it. The other cyclist was helping her wrangle it while I and a motorist sat and watched.
I would have helped but my injury makes it difficult to run. Walk and cycling are okay. Nothing else much is.
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Old 10-15-08 | 08:48 AM
  #27912  
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From: Lost South of Nowhere East of Edan On the Waterfront Far from the Madding Crowd (Biloxi, MS)

Bikes: 1992 Specialized Crossroads Trail

Got a late start riding home last night and had a 10mph headwind most of the way. Legs felt tired and close to cramping, so I had a long stretching period (something I've gotten away from ). Felt physically exhausted last night, so I went to lay down about 8:00 last night with the intent to get up at 9 to watch "Eli Stone". Instead, I woke up at 6:00am.

I was intending to ride today, but my body felt differently (my Wednesday schedule has changed to 10am - 7pm, so a night ride is now feasible). Drove the car instead, first time I drove it in a week. I figure I should give my body a day or two to recover. Not feeling guilty, but the weather is glorious out and I have to wait just a little longer for a proper night ride.
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Old 10-15-08 | 08:57 AM
  #27913  
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From: Edmonton, AB

Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3

Coldest morning yet. I had to swap out my gloves mid-ride, the cool weather ones weren't cutting it, had to go to the cold weather ones. I had a mild headwind the whole way and i just took it ez. I'm alittle sore from yesterday.
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Old 10-15-08 | 09:36 AM
  #27914  
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From: Cowtown, AB

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

It was a whopping -4C this morning, so out came the balaclava and the mittens. I'm still getting over a cold, but I felt much better today compared to yesterday. My wife now has the cold, but tends to recover much faster than I do. I'm coughing up a fair bit of leftover lung goo, but that's par for the course for me.
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Old 10-15-08 | 09:40 AM
  #27915  
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From: Miami, FL

Bikes: Giant Sedona

got a new cycle computer...here's the data..
top speed 25.5 (downhill!) avg speed 13, time 37min... 7.5 miles is trip...tough headwind this am.
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Old 10-15-08 | 09:43 AM
  #27916  
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From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V

Darker, cooler, damper. Drizzled on me.
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Old 10-15-08 | 10:07 AM
  #27917  
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From: WNY

Bikes: Trek 7200

I have to agree with all of you, I've just taken getting buzzed as part of my morning commute even, like you said, I have taken the lane and the one next to me is empty and then they immediatly cut in front of me and race to that red light &@#$^*&#%$ (why does always seem to be a maroon colored van or SUV too?)
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Old 10-15-08 | 10:11 AM
  #27918  
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From: "The Last Best Place"

Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho

Originally Posted by pinkrobe
It was a whopping -4C this morning, so out came the balaclava and the mittens. I'm still getting over a cold, but I felt much better today compared to yesterday. My wife now has the cold, but tends to recover much faster than I do. I'm coughing up a fair bit of leftover lung goo, but that's par for the course for me.
Thanks for the visual PR!

28 here this morning but it sure sounds like I'm a lot tougher if I convert to Celsius!
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Old 10-15-08 | 10:33 AM
  #27919  
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From: Gradyville, Pennsylvania

Bikes: DiamondBack Approach, Diamondback Outlook, Giant Cypress, Schwinn Sprint 10 speed

spooked

Originally Posted by FredOak
I have to agree with all of you, I've just taken getting buzzed as part of my morning commute even, like you said, I have taken the lane and the one next to me is empty and then they immediatly cut in front of me and race to that red light &@#$^*&#%$ (why does always seem to be a maroon colored van or SUV too?)
I just started commuting to work on bike about 2 months ago. Yesterday, I got "buzzed" twice, both times by BMWs and it was on purpose, too.

I was a little spooked on the ride in since the second driver yesterday only missed me by a couple inches at the most.

No incidents this morning, thankfully. It's getting chilly, though, I'll have to scan the forums for cold weather riding gear ideas.
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Old 10-15-08 | 11:40 AM
  #27920  
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From: south Puget Sound
Brisk, baby! 35F and foggy. But I was prepared, first day rockin' the hi-viz chartreuse. Amazing to bike through the fog and see the hi-viz people looming out of it at me (and the ninjas appear like icebergs to the titanic...)
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Old 10-15-08 | 12:38 PM
  #27921  
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From: Sacramento, California, USA

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

None today. I had an interview and decided to wear my business suit. As in "I am the BUSINESS." So I had my wife drop me off on the way to taking the kids to preschool.
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Old 10-15-08 | 08:01 PM
  #27922  
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Ride to classes was fine. First time with a full pack on with the fixed, so it was a bit of a shock but made it through fine.

Coming home was hilarious though.

Got the typical honk, gave the typical finger. Guy rolls up next to me, some ex metalhead with greasy curly long hair and some hilarious wolf/eagle shirt with his girl in the passenger seat, pacing me screaming how I better do something or other before he hits me in the head. I just stare at him and make an angry face and give him the turn of the century Irish boxer 'whats for!' fist moves. Still staring at me, so I go for my bag to grab my U lock, and he drives away... I eventually pass him at a light though.

I get one of these every couple of days.
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Old 10-15-08 | 08:05 PM
  #27923  
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From: East Falmouth, MA

Bikes: 2008 Jamis Satellite

The ride in was fine. Does anyone else here tap their handlebars as if they were drums? I caught myself doing that today. Anyway, I worked until 9 PM. The night's foggy and I was a little clammy when I pulled into the driveway.
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Old 10-15-08 | 08:50 PM
  #27924  
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From: Central Jersey (USA)

Bikes: '91 Trek 1100, '98 Mongoose RX100, '06 Giant TCR Composite 2

Originally Posted by dannygoot
I have to tell you how lucky I am. My 8 mile work commute is about 95% on the bike trail. I see wild turkeys, burrowing owls and cross over a bridge with a beautiful river underneath.

<p>This reminds me of a ride I did Saturday. My friend and rode to Plumstead NJ (aka New Egypt) and on New Egypt - Allentown Rd we came across two young wild Turkey Toms and a half dozen Guineafowl. For those not familiar with the area it's s light residential area at the edge of farm land. The Toms had no fear of us despite being only three feet away.</p>
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Old 10-16-08 | 03:32 AM
  #27925  
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From: Tampa, FL
I got transferred with my job and now work a lot closer to home and am finally able to leave the car at home and take the bike. I had my first commute today, only 4 miles! Now I need to make my road bike a little more commuter friendly (lights and stuff). the ride is pretty nice, there's bike lanes the whole way there, there's barely any traffic until I get closer to my work, and theres a bridge over an interstate right before I get to work so after pedaling my legs off in first gear all the way up I coast the other side all the way to work. I'm in FL so I'm hoping it will start cooling off soon to make the ride that much nicer.
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