Today's Commute
 

Out of the house a bit late 5:10 instead of 5:00. Had to spin a bit faster than usual to not be late. Did not meet another bicyclist-a first this season's morning commute. I usually meet one guy who must have a nuclear-powered headlight, but not today. I often meet couple of DUI bicyclists without lights or helmets, but they must have called in sick. Weather was OK, around the freezing point, no wind, so I guess it is that most bicycle commuters are summer soldiers.

I ride because I'm 66 and trying to stay alive.

Coldest commute yet for me - 26 degrees with a wind chill of 18 when I left the house this morning.

Geeze. Slow ride home. 2.5 more hours. That's 5 fricken hours on the road today. I'm glad it's over. Tomorrow is a day off the bike - completely.

Chilly around 34 F but not too bad, no real wind to speak of. Although the weather.com says it is going to be subfreezing on the ride in tomorrow.

And then, the ride home. Not fun. Not much warmer (around 34 when I set out, but dropping as the sun was setting). Gear kept me warm enough, but man, what a headwind, and - I forgot to mention - first time on the bike in 2 weeks, and it was rough. I was pretty tired. Usually, i can cruise on the flat part of the commute at about 18.5 mph, but couldn't get over 15 with that wind, and I'm feeling my legs now. On the plus side, my new Cygolite Hi-Flux II headlight works real nice.

Warmer than yesterday...36(F) when I left this morning.

The other evening I went to my local big box store (Wal-Mart) and got a pair of lightly insulated wind-pants, slightly larger long-sleeved athletic shirt and a hooded jacket that's fleece on the inside and some crazy smooth yet thick technical fabric on the outside.

The shirt and jacket worked great...The wind-pants are too small (I'm wider than tall, so I got mediums hoping the waist would stretch, which it did) in the...Uh...Crotchal area...When I wear my riding shorts underneath. There was too much pressure...Uh...THERE...While riding. So. Back to get larger pants.

And smaller riding shorts. Anyone have any experience with those underpants with the chamois?

Well my one car died from lack of use (good news/bad news). So I was all set to go this morning and they are calling for icy conditions and the studded tires aren't suppose to be here until tomorrow, so I drove the other car.

I hate the car now, but given my route I don't want to take unnecessary risk, so I did what I thought best, so I could ride again another day...being dead or injured would really cut into my bike riding.

Had a couple of beers last night, so I woke up dehydrated and not wanting to get out of bed. I had thoughts of driving in, but once I got on the bike everything was fine. I even took the long way to work and picked up breakfast again for the 3rd time this week. Temperature was in the 50's and the traffic was light.

42°, calm and clear skies. Broke out the termal underwear and full finger gloves for the first time. Nice, pleasant ride. :thumb:

It was a cold one this morning at 19ºF but I wore just the right amount of clothing. My fingertips got pretty cold about halfway so I shook them to get the blood moving around. I still haven't broken out the long underwear but I feel like I will be very soon.

A bit chilly but the 8 miles went pretty quick. I just feel so much more alive in the morning at work when i ride in. Gotta love it!

Yesterday's commute was pretty cold for this time of year- 24°F on the way in and 19°F on the way home. With wind!

Today feels a little warmer (27°F) and less windy.

I am sooooooooooo glad I have on my studs!!!! Monday's ride in on new knobbies (mtb) proved a little slick (1/4" ice on all the side roads), so I put the studs on - rode in with 3" of snow the next day - and so it's been 24F in the mornings with snow the night before. But I'm dressed for it. As I was getting dressed for bicycling (takes a while to get all the gear on and off!) - I looked out and saw ...

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1889/1120007yr6.jpg

brr!

2nd bad morning commute in a row. After yesterday's wheel problems, today it was this.

FYI for those in Columbus, Ohio there's a group that rides from Westerville to Arena district every 3rd Thursday of the month. Here's where you can get more info http://wadbikeway.blogspot.com/

Rode into work with them today and it's was nice for the 1st time to have someone to talk to as you pedalled in.

BTW we took the entire right lane coming in... it was awesome

Oddly smooth ride this morning. I say that cuz traffic was backed up, but the lanes between the cars were wide enough for me to ride through at a decent clip. Backed up traffic crossing the intersections were in just the right place for me to slip through and ride unobstructed while cars sat there inching along. No complaints here.

Catching up on yesterday's commute into DC -

In the morning, clear, cold, fingers and feet got cold the last two miles. Not match traffic on the Capital Crescent Trail anymore.... I'm finally at the point where I get to work, shower, and don't feel the ride in.

In the evening, had to ride to two grocery stores looking for broccoli slaw for dinner. It was about 40F out, good temp for the extra 15 minutes riding. But dinner was hot and waiting when I got in the door, so I'm not complaining!

37 degrees, not much wind. tree had fallen on bergen st somewhere in cobble hill, so all the cars were backed up for blocks... and i just breezed by :)

Down around 20F. Bit of a tailwind. Didn't see any cyclists.

My ride home yesterday was fun. I saw a headlight behind me on the MUP and it seemed like it was gaining on me, so I cranked up the leg power. Didn't see the light again until I was stopped on the MUP bridge watching the last of the sunset. Turns out it was some dude with panniers and a couple of blinkies on the back. I followed him off the bridge and up a hill before we parted ways.

cold (40F), rainy and windy.

This morning felt relatively warm at 30 degree F after the 27 F low we had yesterday. The high is supposed to hit 55 F this afternoon, which means I'll be sweating in the cold-weather gear I wore today.

Another beautiful day in the Eggo. It was probably 50 or so, I have no idea about those things... Had to break out the light jacket again. One of these I should probably go find my gloves... It can't stay this nice for much longer!

Sitting in my office just waiting for the day to be over so I can ride home. Of course. Again. I should do a study to see how productivity is affected by biking to work. I know I have a lot more in me when I get here and I'm ready to take on the day, but I still spend a serious amount of time wistfully staring at my bike over there... It's probably a wash.

I started my ride home with a frown today--when I went to the gym to change clothes, I discovered someone had stolen my shorts!! I always hang them on a stand near my locker after the ride in. I had to ride home in my work pants but thankfully it was a fairly cool day. I won't be leaving any clothes outside my locker anymore!

31 degrees F on the way in, 31 degrees F and snowing hard on the way home. We have about 1/2 on the grass and things but nothing on the road, although it is supposed to freeze tonight...too bad I only have slicks :( But I will just take it easy at 6:40 when I take off. Hopefully it won't be too icy.

On a side note I got to ride in the snow for the first time :) The problem came when my "Windproof and Waterproof" weren't really wind or waterproof, also the cold toes, and wet butt (from wearing jeans and my bike sitting out in the snow all day), but I had a blast riding in the snow!!!

Anyone know where you can get some cheap but good gloves for winter? Or some good weather proof pants? Also I am wearing running shoes with clips, would wool socks help the toes?

nice and cold, lots of frozen ice, black ice, and snow all over the place.

it was a fun ride, none the less.

however there were a few places the rear wheel slid off for a bit, but it was manoeuvrable and i did not lose control.

I do have spike tires on my bike.