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How was the commute today?

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How was the commute today?

Old 11-26-08, 12:35 PM
  #28876  
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Originally Posted by Itsjustb
...When I opened my clothes locker this morning there was a note saying that the lockers are for day use only and any items left in the locker after 12/19 will be donated to charity...
At my work, they changed the locker policy to the same as yours a couple of years ago (though no mention of charity). I would have started commuting all the way to work sooner had I known that they make a few exceptions--one of which is for bike commuters (I learned of it from the only other regular commuter). I chose a full-height locker close to the showers and put a combo lock on it. Might be worth asking (and noting the overall benefits of cycling--reduced parking pressure, traffic, pollution, the whole spiel...). Ya never know. And if you're so inclined, make an issue of it. (and good luck with physical thing)

My commute today? From my warm bed to the computer (using use-or-lose today and Friday). I did have to struggle into my fuzzy slippers, though.
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Old 11-26-08, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by HardyWeinberg
Cold! Fast(ish)

I'd been leaving my pants in the office and putting them on when I get here. This morning I went to the bathroom to change w/ my pannier of clothes and forgot to grab the pants. Fortunately nobody really here today so I could dash back in my underwear and grab them. Whew. Most of my morning will be on a conference call so it's not like clothing is that essential anyway, but I am prepared for anything now.
You had the perfect chance to live the dream: To attend a conference call while not wearing pants!
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Old 11-26-08, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by MIKEnDC
At my work, they changed the locker policy to the same as yours a couple of years ago (though no mention of charity). I would have started commuting all the way to work sooner had I known that they make a few exceptions--one of which is for bike commuters (I learned of it from the only other regular commuter). I chose a full-height locker close to the showers and put a combo lock on it. Might be worth asking (and noting the overall benefits of cycling--reduced parking pressure, traffic, pollution, the whole spiel...). Ya never know. And if you're so inclined, make an issue of it. (and good luck with physical thing)
Thanks folks for the moral support.

I spoke to the guy who runs our fitness centers and they have the same policy--they make exceptions for bike commuters. Whew!

He's asked me to reduce my stuff down to one locker (I currently use two half-height lockers). His request is reasonable, I guess, but I'm still coping with having reduced from 3 to 2 when I moved to this building. Add the fact that my lockers were free in the old building and I have to pay $8/month now and overall I'm not happy.

Monday I start looking for lockers elsewhere in this building.
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Old 11-26-08, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by FredOak
Just to prove that I do read other's posts....

habernac...congrats on the baby!!!! (having had 6 kids I can relate to that being tired!)
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Old 11-26-08, 01:26 PM
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I just want to say that tonight I plan on going on a grueling pre-Thanksgiving training ride until I pretty much am about to pass out from exhaustion. That should take away any feelings of guilt from tomorrow's planned indulgences.
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Old 11-26-08, 01:29 PM
  #28881  
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Nice, I am riding after work and running a 4 mile race tomorrow morning so I should be fine eating extra pie and drinking a few brews
 
Old 11-26-08, 01:34 PM
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It was frosty - at least relative to Florida - which is to say I only thought it was cold. But hey, i found a vise-grip tool in the bike lane so yet another benefit to cycling .This afternoon's commute looks to be done in 65 degree weather - sublime.
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Old 11-26-08, 03:11 PM
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May first official commute

Today was my first official commute!
27deg when I left, I need something for my feet...everything else was good. I need to tweak my route to eliminate a few hills hopefully. Taking stuff to work in order to lighten the load is a beautiful idea, worked perfect for me! Riding in the dark and quiet at 4:30am is really neat/scary riding through the country.

50deg on the way back home, not a cloud in the sky. Thinking about how things went today...not a whole lot to adjust, just minor things. I work 4 day weeks so Im thinking Tues/Thurs for the commute.

This is totally doable!
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Old 11-26-08, 04:33 PM
  #28884  
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4SEVEN3, officially welcome! I think tweaking the little things is one of the things I like best about it (I'm so ridiculous about it that I have a set order of motion for taking off my shoes and socks at work).

And I am certainly of the one of the sherpa trip aficionados--often I do a leisurely Saturday morning Beverly Hillbillies run to the office before setting sail for the day. It lets me run light and fast all week.
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Old 11-26-08, 05:32 PM
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The sides of the roads were full of ice this morning. I rode VERY carefully, as I have yet to put my studded tires on.
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Old 11-26-08, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by MIKEnDC
4SEVEN3, officially welcome! I think tweaking the little things is one of the things I like best about it (I'm so ridiculous about it that I have a set order of motion for taking off my shoes and socks at work).
ROFL! Me too! Otherwise I do stupid things. Mind like a steel sieve, ya know?
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Old 11-26-08, 09:52 PM
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Ride in was fine, decided to put wald baskets on, but I tried to use zip ties to keep it on the rack. The problem came in when my feet kept hitting the baskets, I lost one just as I reached my destination, the other was hanging on by one zip-tie. Soooo I ran into a store and bought some heavy duty zip-ties and re-attached them farther back on the rack. When I took off again I barely had enough room for my feet to pass the baskets, but they stayed on for the ride home.

As for the ride it was chilly, right at 32 degrees F. But the skies were clear and the ground was dry so I can't complain too much. I know that I want to invest in a Balaclava soon...the lower part of my face hurt when I got home.
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Old 11-26-08, 10:25 PM
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First commute in perhaps a month, and the first to my new apartment. 23 miles, mostly in the dark. I got chased by a dog on a pitch-black road - I couldn't see it, but I could hear very well that it was about half a foot behind me.

My MiNewt got a workout, since this was my first commute in the dark. The battery started to wear out a few miles from home, but it lasted all the way through locking the bike up in the garage.
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Old 11-26-08, 11:45 PM
  #28889  
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I had a great commute today (0 degrees C). Can you believe I still have my slicks on in Calgary?!? There is just one small ice patch I have to be careful riding over. The knobbies will go on this weekend. I am dreading the day when there will be too much snow and ice for a fair weather commuter like me to cycle to work. Right now I enjoy riding on a cycle path parallel to the freeway and seeing the hundreds of cars crawling along slower than me! I do not look forward to joining them! But that will only be for a few months of terrible winter weather and then I will be free again. I found two heavy duty hammers on the road today! Bonus.
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Old 11-27-08, 07:15 AM
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A chilly commute into the office this morning for a few hours. Traffic was fantastic, I saw a few cars, but it was nice!
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Old 11-27-08, 07:52 AM
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No commute today, but I'm going to ride out for some breakfast in a few.
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Old 11-27-08, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by CrocDundee
I had a great commute today (0 degrees C). Can you believe I still have my slicks on in Calgary?!? There is just one small ice patch I have to be careful riding over. The knobbies will go on this weekend. I am dreading the day when there will be too much snow and ice for a fair weather commuter like me to cycle to work. Right now I enjoy riding on a cycle path parallel to the freeway and seeing the hundreds of cars crawling along slower than me! I do not look forward to joining them! But that will only be for a few months of terrible winter weather and then I will be free again. I found two heavy duty hammers on the road today! Bonus.
where do you ride, Croc? I'm still sporting the slicks as well.

Decent ride in, felt a little sluggish. I may have some trouble on the way home as my headlight was already getting weak on my way to work. My fault for not taking my extra battery with me.
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Old 11-27-08, 10:47 AM
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Good ride, cloudy but no rain. November has actually been pretty good rain wise for Vancouver Island. Normally november is a month of pure rain but I've been lucky so far. That being said there is rain on the forecast for tomorrow but it shouldn't faze, it's supposed to be light. I used to never care about the rain, but that all changed when I started commuting 60 km round trip. Going that distance it doesn't really matter what you wear, you're getting damn wet no matter what.
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Old 11-27-08, 04:54 PM
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Beautiful ride today, I rode my newly acquired '73 Schwinn Continental for the first time. It fits me so perfectly, so I am really happy with it. My only complaint is that it is freakin heavy!!! It weighs about 40lbs...with nothing on it.

About halfway through my commute the stem came loose and I nearly wrecked though...the bars went way left, the bike fell to the right and I just came to a stop hovering over the frame in the middle of the road, with a cop behind me none-the-less. I just picked it up and moved off to the side of the road and pushed it for the remaining half. Once I tightened the bolt everything rode smooth...60 degrees today
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Old 11-27-08, 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by habernac
where do you ride, Croc? I'm still sporting the slicks as well.

Decent ride in, felt a little sluggish. I may have some trouble on the way home as my headlight was already getting weak on my way to work. My fault for not taking my extra battery with me.
I ride from Panorama Hills to McNight Blvd and Deerfoot. Only 10km, but a nice ride mostly along cycle paths. The big problem in winter is the city doesn't clear this path of snow and ice. Where do you commute?
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Old 11-28-08, 08:55 AM
  #28896  
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Had a good ride this morning although my legs felt a little heavy probably due to the turkey trot 4 mile running race yesterday morning...got some really good sleep last night so I had good energy but the legs were still waking up I guess.
 
Old 11-28-08, 09:03 AM
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No commute today.. instead I slept in late..woke up and here I am..
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Old 11-28-08, 09:19 AM
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Good ride into work today. One of those mental struggles though where it felt hard, legs felt week and the lungs just were not there. Although when I checked my stats against the last ride, it was better. Go figure. Little nippy for south Florida in the low 40's. Reminded me of riding back in NC.
Have a great day and keep riding.
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Old 11-28-08, 09:26 AM
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Welcome 4SEVEN3!!! Your glee at riding in reminded me of why I do it too! I've got a similar commute... dark rural roads... it's just an awesome experience.

It was great riding in today in the light! And traffic was light too! I only have to work part of the day today and will also get to ride home in the light!!! It feels like summer, except for the temperature I guess.

I struggeled today like floriderron. Not sure why. Probably too much turkey.
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Old 11-28-08, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by neilfein
...I got chased by a dog on a pitch-black road - I couldn't see it, but I could hear very well that it was about half a foot behind me....
That's freaky eh? I was chased by a dog this morning on a pitch black road too. I was more worried for the dog getting hit by a car though. I yelled "Hey!! Get back!" and the dog stopped giving chase.
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