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How was the commute today?

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Old 11-20-08 | 09:10 AM
  #28751  
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Becket, MA
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.
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Old 11-20-08 | 09:33 AM
  #28752  
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From: Rochester, NY

Bikes: Trek 1200C, Specialized Rockhopper, Giant Yukon FX, Giant Acapulco

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 ...



brr!
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Old 11-20-08 | 09:44 AM
  #28753  
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From: Durham, NC

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL

2nd bad morning commute in a row. After yesterday's wheel problems, today it was this.
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Old 11-20-08 | 09:46 AM
  #28754  
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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 https://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
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Old 11-20-08 | 10:01 AM
  #28755  
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From: In the 212

Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce

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.
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Old 11-20-08 | 10:36 AM
  #28756  
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From: Kensington, MD

Bikes: Surly LHT

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!
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Old 11-20-08 | 10:37 AM
  #28757  
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From: Brooklyn, NY

Bikes: Windsor Clockwork Plus, Raleigh Cadient i8, Scott CR1, Specialized Dolce Comp

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
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Old 11-20-08 | 10:58 AM
  #28758  
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From: Burlington, Vermont

Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

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.
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Old 11-20-08 | 11:16 AM
  #28759  
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From: south Puget Sound
cold (40F), rainy and windy.
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Old 11-20-08 | 11:32 AM
  #28760  
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From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

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.
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Old 11-20-08 | 12:17 PM
  #28761  
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From: Sandy Eggo

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

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.
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Old 11-20-08 | 06:22 PM
  #28762  
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx
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!
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Old 11-20-08 | 07:16 PM
  #28763  
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From: Berea, Kentucky

Bikes: 1990 Specialized Hard Rock

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?
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Old 11-21-08 | 12:28 AM
  #28764  
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From: GTA

Bikes: Dahon Mu SL 08 / Matrix 08

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.
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Old 11-21-08 | 06:39 AM
  #28765  
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From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

We had a surprise snowfall in NC early this morning, making it a real mess outside. The temperature was hovering just above freezing and falling, so I opted to drive today. Not worth the potential troubles for me to ride my bike. It's been one of my worst weeks for bike commuting all year. I couldn't ride on Monday and Tuesday due to an out-of-town trip, and now this. I did manage to ride on Wednesday and Thursday, so it wasn't a complete bust. The weekend isn't looking much better, with record low temperatures in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
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Old 11-21-08 | 07:26 AM
  #28766  
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From: Wauwatosa, WI

Bikes: 2000 S-Works M4 Hardtail, 2000 S-Works M4 Road, 2001 Litespeed Unicoi, 1999 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 SingleSpeed, Cheap Chinese SS/Fixed Commuter

Another chilly ride but fun as heck. Stupid clamp on rear fender got all kitty-wampus on me somehow halfway to work so I had to stop and readjust.
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Old 11-21-08 | 07:35 AM
  #28767  
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From: WNY

Bikes: Trek 7200

23 degrees, but not much wind or traffic. So I said what the heck and took it up two gears on my 1.5 mile 143 foot hill and did it seated and just a little bit of effort...that made for a great start of a day!
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Old 11-21-08 | 07:41 AM
  #28768  
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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

Last night's ride was pretty good, overall. Probably one of the strongest, if not fastest, rides I've had so far. There was one point, though, where I got a good scare. I was riding down E. Railroad and with the sun down a good 20 minutes, it was pretty dark, even with the street lights. All of a sudden I hear a dog, and I mean a BIG dog, barking in the yard across the street. Forget about being startled, I was more worried to know if the dog was fenced, chained, or running loose. If the latter, there was no way I was going to out distance him; the best I could hope for was to grab my pump and give Rover a rhinoplasty. Luckily, he was fenced, but it definitely got my heart beat raised.

Didn't ride today. I was planning on it until I read a correction in yesterday's paper saying that the Neville Brothers are playing tonight and not Saturday, as was reported earlier this week.
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Old 11-21-08 | 07:50 AM
  #28769  
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From: Durham, NC

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL

No ride in this morning for me; my wife gave me a ride and I'll bike home this afternoon.

It was in weather similar to this 3 years ago that I took the header off my bike. 15 stitches in my face taught me my lesson.


OK, they didn't teach ME anything but they taught my wife something: Don't let your husband ride on days where it rained/snowed overnight and it's hovering around freezing in the morning.
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Old 11-21-08 | 07:53 AM
  #28770  
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From: Miami, FL

Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011

As is normal for me by the end of the week, my legs were not totally there. I took it slow and didn't have any problems. It was sunny and temperatures were in the 60's.
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Old 11-21-08 | 08:03 AM
  #28771  
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From: Philadelphia, Pa

Bikes: Bianchi San Jose, BMC Streetfire, Bob Jackson Vigroelli

Started snowing here in Philly this morning. Made for a beautiful commute this morning.
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Old 11-21-08 | 08:04 AM
  #28772  
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From: Louisville, KY
Well, I'm proud to say that I did my first bike commute today. It wasn't a long one, but I did 2.5 miles to pick up my bus that drops me off about a quarter mile from work. The weather today was 24 degrees with just a hint of wind. I actually did a good job of layering on my torso, but not so much on my legs. I need a base layer that will keep me warmer. IT wasn't so bad when I was riding, but I was about 20 minutes early to the bus stop because I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss it. I wasn't sure of the exact pickup time, or how long it would take me to get there, so I made sure I had plenty of time. The only problem of course is that my legs froze while waiting. I did some clinching exercises that kept me warm.

Bus ride was unremarkable, except for busting my finger pretty bad trying to get the bike rack on the front of the bus down. That hurt with cold fingers.

Now I'm warm and toasty at work. I will definitely pick up some long underwear for monday's ride. The wife is picking me up today since we're having dinner in the area.
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Old 11-21-08 | 08:24 AM
  #28773  
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From: Milwaukee
Was 13F this morning with a 15mph tailwind. I drove my car. Last night I rode home in a 15-20 mph headwind and a 25F temp and it nearly wiped me out. I know I wimped out. I also need my car today because I am going to check out a new (used) bike later this afternoon.
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Old 11-21-08 | 08:37 AM
  #28774  
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It was a cold one this morning I decided to wear the long underwear. I felt a bit slower since I had extra layers on but it will only make me stronger.
 
Old 11-21-08 | 08:45 AM
  #28775  
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From: Michigan

Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)

7°F this morning, and a nice ride in. First day with the Dinotte 140L taillight. Oddly enough, most people passed me CLOSER than I'm used to (usually I ride with two SuperFlashes). I think the 140L might be irritating the drivers.

I still can't complain, nobody buzzed me, but usually they give me a full lane, and this morning it was more like 5 feet.

Anyway, a nice ride, and brisk temps. Didn't see any deer today. 2 days ago the radio was talking about car/deer collisions on the rise, and while they were talking I looked to the right and saw three does standing there watching me pass, about 50 feet off the road.
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