Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

How was the commute today?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

How was the commute today?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-14-08, 10:00 AM
  #28626  
Barbieri Telefonico
 
huhenio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 3,522

Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I met up with a coworker, Simon, to commute on the roadbikes.

He clubbed me like a baby seal.

He opened a can of whoopass with a healthy dose of pain.

Strong feller ...
__________________
Giving Haircuts Over The Phone
huhenio is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 10:09 AM
  #28627  
Commuter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Denver
Posts: 43

Bikes: Specialized Epic Carbon 92', Old-school fully-rigid specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Snowy and fun in denver, I still have some work to do on my winter bike - gears are a pain
T-Hussy is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 10:27 AM
  #28628  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Pretty good actually, no rain (which is lucky for vancouver island in November). i have taken to downloading audio books to pass the time as I ride. It makes such a difference seeing how my ride can get pretty boring day in and day out, long and flat.
Brett77 is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 12:00 PM
  #28629  
Who farted?
 
Ka_Jun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,287

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

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Okay...I've been on and off this week, only twice. Last week was pretty bad, as well.
Ka_Jun is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 12:01 PM
  #28630  
Neil_B
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
There was a light drizzle as I set out. That wasn't in the forecast, of course. And my tendonitis in my left knee was acting up. My new saddle is still breaking me in. And so when three miles into my commute my front derailer broke, I turned around and spun home.
 
Old 11-14-08, 01:53 PM
  #28631  
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

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

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Went to the gym last night for the first time in a long while. My legs were HEAVY this morning. But it's a beautiful day to ride a bike. I'll be off for next week and may just work from home T'giving week, so this is a good last commute for the month.
caloso is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 02:23 PM
  #28632  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Redding, CA
Posts: 272

Bikes: Trek 7200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm just now finding time to post about my ride this morning.
HAHA... terribly busy this morning for some reason.
Woke up alot later than usual. Got on the road about 10 minutes later (cut corners out of eating, etc) and in my haste had no listened to the weather lady very well. Chita (the weather lady) would not have lead me astray.. so I must have not heard.
I get going and not 300 yards from the house it happens. The 35mph headwind. Thankfully, it was warm this morning. The new bike did well in the wind. Amazing how much the position really helps.
Lovin my 7.3fx!
Caleab is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 02:56 PM
  #28633  
Soggy PNW Winter Rider
 
AnalogDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Mountlake Terrace, WA
Posts: 20

Bikes: Trek 930 Singletrack Solid Fork

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Took my first ride to work in about 9 years. In that time, I moved away from where I used to work, lost that job, took jobs that required me to drive, then looked for a new job to ride to on the bike.

Its my second week there, and a good day for it, so I rode. Great ride, but my legs are pretty jelly-like and its a long climb at the end of the return trip home. Its 11 miles each way with a 3 mile downhill in the morning, and a 3 mile uphill in the afternoon.

Riding to work rules. I am so alive after a ride in the morning, its great.
AnalogDog is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 03:25 PM
  #28634  
Senior Member
 
Itsjustb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 991

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wimped out today. Heavy rain forecasted on and off all day (and they got it right for once). I would have ridden anyway (so I say ) but my wife had the day off AND my manager was out too. 3 strikes, I'm out.

Worked from home.
Itsjustb is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 03:26 PM
  #28635  
Riding 50 years
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hillish nearest home

"...its a long climb at the end of the return trip home. Its 11 miles each way with a 3 mile downhill in the morning, and a 3 mile uphill in the afternoon."

I have the same situation, though on a slightly smaller scale. That first downhill mile and a half is great in the morning, but coming up it at the end of a long day, in the dark amid hurrying cars, is another thing altogether. Still, it certainly beats being one of the car-bound myself, or stewing on the bus.

Day off for me today, so I had to content myself with short rides for groceries and a haircut in place of the usual 45 minutes each way to work.
miedmonds is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 03:32 PM
  #28636  
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sandy Eggo
Posts: 49

Bikes: 1996 Cannondale Delta V500 [hey, it rolls...], 2008 Trek 7.3FX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Caleab
I get going and not 300 yards from the house it happens. The 35mph headwind. Thankfully, it was warm this morning. The new bike did well in the wind. Amazing how much the position really helps.
Lovin my 7.3fx!
Wow - The only complaint I have about my 7.3FX is when the Santa Anas hit here and I feel like a sail sitting too upright... Just goes to show - no bike is perfect for everyone. Tomayto tomahto...

That said, the ride in was super nice this morning, but still too hot. The winds are picking up here and I'll be ready for some serious wind on the way home and it's supposed to get into the mid-high 80's this afternoon. But I'll still be on a bike, so I'll be smiling!
lookingforcool is offline  
Old 11-14-08, 09:56 PM
  #28637  
Senior Member
 
one_beatnik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SW Iowa
Posts: 561

Bikes: Waterford 1200, Raleigh Record converted to a single speed, Citizen folding bike, Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'll admit to being a cold weather wimp, so when I heard a low of 47 and no rain until later in the day, I had to do it. Great ride. Some drizzle when I started out, but just wet roads after. My wife and son were in town today anyway so I left the bike at work and rode home with them. Given our forcast, I may be done for awhile. Like I said, I'm a cold weather weanie!
one_beatnik is offline  
Old 11-15-08, 05:55 AM
  #28638  
Senior Member
 
pueblonative's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Pueblo, CO
Posts: 249

Bikes: Roadmaster 26 Men's Mountain Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It wasn't that bad yesterday in terms of the cold. I was able to stop about halfway home, pull off my coat, and ride the rest of the way in my sweat top and pants. That will probably change as the fall turns into winter but it isn't going as bad as I thought.
pueblonative is offline  
Old 11-15-08, 09:05 AM
  #28639  
that strange guy
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 108

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

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I had to come in to work early... 5:30am, which meant leaving at 4:15 to give myself time to warm up and drink a cup of coffee before starting. It was 20 degrees out! It wasn't as bad as I thought, I kept getting surprised by how far I'd made it since I spent the whole time focusing on keeping myself working enough to stay warm but not break a sweat. It was an absolutely beautiful morning, full moon, quiet.

My hands absolutely froze. I need to find a solution for these below-freezing days. Maybe some chemical finger-warmers, the only thing that really hurt were my thumbs, which can't be fixed by using lobster gloves or mittens. They still hurt.
robinthehippie is offline  
Old 11-15-08, 11:33 PM
  #28640  
----
 
buzzman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Becket, MA
Posts: 4,579
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 4 Posts
Wild weather tonight!

Had to go into downtown Boston for something work related at 7:30pm. Didn't leave until 6:55p and time was of the essence so it was a fast and furious streets ride with tornado warnings and bursts of warm rain. Fortunately, the wind gusts were in my favor and I managed to fly through Brighton and down Commonwealth at over 20 mph most of the time.

Left downtown for home at around 9:30 pm just as a shower came over and I rain suited up for a bike path ride home. The wind was whipping across the river and in my face for a good part of the ride. Not a soul on the path for most of the ride. Two couples walking arm in arm and a few couples nestled on benches in the misty dark. Was lucky to make 14 mph much of the time in the wind. Lots of downed branches and wet leaves.

Couldn't believe the warm temperatures. Eerie for this time of year. Sure was beautiful though.
buzzman is offline  
Old 11-16-08, 01:54 AM
  #28641  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Redding, CA
Posts: 272

Bikes: Trek 7200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by lookingforcool
Wow - The only complaint I have about my 7.3FX is when the Santa Anas hit here and I feel like a sail sitting too upright... Just goes to show - no bike is perfect for everyone. Tomayto tomahto...

That said, the ride in was super nice this morning, but still too hot. The winds are picking up here and I'll be ready for some serious wind on the way home and it's supposed to get into the mid-high 80's this afternoon. But I'll still be on a bike, so I'll be smiling!
Well the previous ride was a 7200 set up in a way non-aggressive stance.
So I'm quite a bit more aero on the 7.3fx

Sad thing is that I'm already shopping for another bike. But I have a dream...
a dream of housing at last 2 bikes in the stable.
Caleab is offline  
Old 11-16-08, 07:32 AM
  #28642  
Nerd
 
girljen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Wheat Ridge, CO
Posts: 450

Bikes: K2 T-9 Crosswind

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I bought a new balaclava over the weekend. For what I paid for it, I was expecting it to be awesome. It is not awesome, but it is satisfactory. I can layer my old fleece turtle fur over it.

The ride itself was also satisfactory, but not awesome. I could not get going for anything! (I think that's my baseline before about 0600) I found out that my taillight had burned out, threw a Knog Frog on there, and when I got to work, it was gone. Damn. I guess I'm going unlit on the way home, at least I have my safety vest.
girljen is offline  
Old 11-17-08, 06:30 AM
  #28643  
Commuter
 
JoeSoMD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 130

Bikes: Specialized Sequoia Elite

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
32F with 3mph wind. Pretty nice. A little cloudy to start with but a few stars poked through. It cleared up for a beautiful sunrise. Five deer from big to really small ran across the road in front of me. And I saw a skunk that had a really big white stripe on it. Didn't know they had that much white on it. (I wonder how they keep that stripe clean?) Wore leg warmers and a balaclava for the first time. They worked pretty good. My feet still got cold... even with shoe covers. I think I have to find a better pair of socks. My speed drops with the temperature. I was pokey today!
JoeSoMD is offline  
Old 11-17-08, 06:54 AM
  #28644  
Infamous Member
 
chipcom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360

Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Snow bike got put back into duty for the first time this season. It's been snowing since yesterday and there's a chance of 2-4 inches every day this week. There really hasn't been any accumulation on the roads, yet, but around here ya just never know.

Of course now everyone here at my new place of employment have confirmed what they already suspected...that I am nucking futs.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
chipcom is offline  
Old 11-17-08, 07:26 AM
  #28645  
Belt drive!
 
vtjim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Posts: 2,614

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nice ride this morning. Dry. Low 30sF with a crosswind off the lake. Saw one cyclist as I was pedaling around the Burlington waterfront area to kill some time before I went to the office.
vtjim is offline  
Old 11-17-08, 07:31 AM
  #28646  
SA[in]NE
 
FredOak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: WNY
Posts: 576

Bikes: Trek 7200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
28 Degrees this morning, so I tried out some of the new winter clothing...awesome!

About a mile in a full roadie pulls up next to me, unclips, waits at the red light, says good morning and takes off...and I think "I'm hunting wabbits"

Now I'm on my winter MTB, with 20 lbs of work week things in my panniers but I figure time for a good work out.

I was able to keep him within a block, but he kept running the reds, so I could never catch him and I realize if he had ever went into the drops the hunt would have been over in a hurry but I had fun knowing the stuff in my panniers probably weighed more then his bike and I kept him in sight and it made the mindless morning ride much more fun..
FredOak is offline  
Old 11-17-08, 07:46 AM
  #28647  
Senior Member
 
SouthFLpix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 1,230

Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
59 degrees and sunny with a 15mph tailwind; need I say more?
SouthFLpix is offline  
Old 11-17-08, 07:59 AM
  #28648  
Fat Guy Rolling
 
dcrowell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Louisville Kentucky
Posts: 2,434

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

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Mild headwind most of the way. I felt good and warm in my many layers (it was in the mid 30s). I still need a balaclava, but I used a beanie and scarf today. Traffic was light. I had my Christmas lights on my bike.

The was a wicked crosswind on the bridge that wanted to blow me into the other lane, so I was probably weaving like I was drunk. I'm at work now, with the endorphin glow.

I challenged myself to ride all the way, every day this week. I don't want to touch my car until at least Saturday. That is my goal.
dcrowell is offline  
Old 11-17-08, 08:09 AM
  #28649  
jpdesjar
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
It was about 35 when I left the house so a little bit cooler than last week. I rode in the rain a couple times last week so I was grateful for sunny skies this morning and dry streets. I am hoping to ride in some snow showers this week, looking forward to it. I didn't get on the bike at all over the weekend due to weather and I ran a 5k yesterday morning so my bike legs felt pretty fresh.
 
Old 11-17-08, 08:36 AM
  #28650  
Who farted?
 
Ka_Jun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,287

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

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
32F & flurries. Saw one other commuter way ahead, didn't catch him/her.
Ka_Jun is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.