How was the commute today?
Seeing things
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Whew! Busy morning here in the salt mines so far.
Commute was good: 26F/~-3C I guess, clear and calm. Light traffic, too (even for 5:15-ish). Good morning to size up a few adjustments to my cold-weather gear (glove liners, different sock combination). Fingers still get a bit cold on the tips, but I think this bodes well for my comfort once winter properly arrives (last winter was OK, but I had some seriously cold hands at times).
Commute was good: 26F/~-3C I guess, clear and calm. Light traffic, too (even for 5:15-ish). Good morning to size up a few adjustments to my cold-weather gear (glove liners, different sock combination). Fingers still get a bit cold on the tips, but I think this bodes well for my comfort once winter properly arrives (last winter was OK, but I had some seriously cold hands at times).

back in the saddle
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Three inches of fresh powdery snow. I got to make the first tracks in about two of the five miles of my commute. Not looking forward to tommorrow as cold front will drop temps into single digits F and the snow will be all rutted.

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It was awesome just because I got to do it! Theres something about the days I get to ride in! So awesome! Also, I set a personal best of 26 minutes even with a heavier than normal backpack today!

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It's true, man.
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Balmy, mid 50's with a nice tailwind that made up for the fact that I left late. I almost ran over a pure-white possum that failed to heed my warnings to change course, then my light's battery ran out, about 1 block from my destination.
All in all, cant complain - especially since I have a charger at work that'll get me enough juice back to get home.
All in all, cant complain - especially since I have a charger at work that'll get me enough juice back to get home.

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38 when I left the house. That's cool for SW Florida but I loved it. The ride in was a struggle, you know one of those days when you just couldn't get a good rythem. Took 10 minutes longer than normal but it was still better than driving.

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Wurg. I just wasn't feeling it this morning, my legs felt sluggish and my speed was way down. S'what I get for missing breakfast this morning, I suppose. The ride home should be better.

You gonna eat that?
A strange commute day.
Instead of the normal 7.5 mile commute, I had a breakfast meeting. I rode 9 miles to that, with a strong wind behind me (20 mph, gusting to 30) and balmy temps in the upper 50s. Then I rode 6.5 miles to the office after breakfast... right into the teeth of the wind. What a workout.
The wind is predicted to shift by the time I leave for home so that once again I'll have a strong wind at my back. So I got that goin' for me.
Instead of the normal 7.5 mile commute, I had a breakfast meeting. I rode 9 miles to that, with a strong wind behind me (20 mph, gusting to 30) and balmy temps in the upper 50s. Then I rode 6.5 miles to the office after breakfast... right into the teeth of the wind. What a workout.
The wind is predicted to shift by the time I leave for home so that once again I'll have a strong wind at my back. So I got that goin' for me.

These go to eleven
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pushy headwind (read: my ears were flippin' COLD so I stopped and put on my winter hat). Perfect layers for today's relatively warm DC area ride: thermal top, fleece vest (nice to keep the arms not feeling bulky) and a windbreaker as the top layer. Light-medium weight gloves. Perfect amount--not cold, only broke a mild sweat.

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Nice and sunny finally after a week of fog/rain/mist.

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mine is 5.5 but i extended it a bit this morning...nothing to laugh at
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33 degrees and sleeting. Wasn't so bad.

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first rides with my studded tires. will for sure strengthen my legs. about 11 miles each way. heavy snow this am hard to see. coming home strong north winds. still beats the car.

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Cold and a bit windy. It was warmer this morning at 25F. At least it snowed a bit while I was riding home.
However, I took my mountain bike and after 46 miles my legs are shot.
Tomorrow I am skipping out on a snowy 10 degree commute and taking the train. I love riding in the snow but I make stupid decisions when exhausted. That and I get to nap on the train. Yay!
However, I took my mountain bike and after 46 miles my legs are shot.
Tomorrow I am skipping out on a snowy 10 degree commute and taking the train. I love riding in the snow but I make stupid decisions when exhausted. That and I get to nap on the train. Yay!

----
really nice weather the last couple of days. Don't know if that's why but had some great rides so far this week. Felt good- even into the wind. I can tell I'll be moving to the studded tires soon and things will start to slow down a bit- touches of ice on the river and the occasional puddle. Lovin' the rides, though.

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Really warm today...lower 50's on the way in...lower 40's on the way home. I took a quick 3 mile or so ride on my 73 Schwinn after work...very nice, light rain and perfect riding temp. Very very windy though!!!

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So it is
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Nice job DataJunkie.
I am not sure which was better. The nice weather with the wind yesterday, or the cold with the breeze and snow today. For sure had to bundle up for the ride home tonight.
I am not sure which was better. The nice weather with the wind yesterday, or the cold with the breeze and snow today. For sure had to bundle up for the ride home tonight.

The Drive Side is Within
I was going to try my first commute in today, but getting my gear together last night had me up too late, so I bagged it.
It would be a 16.5 mile ride through urban Connecticut... my failure to get it together and do it today--even when I was psyched up to do it and had no first period class to teach-- really convinced me that 32 miles r/t to my classroom with a 7:53 AM start is going to be too much to ask.

Time to look into a folding bike so I can bike/train/bike.

My ride to and from Choir rehearsal at my church (14.5 miles r/t) was nice. I'm getting my cold weather clothing dialed in, too. Over freezing tonight-- quite nice with Jupiter and Venus still nicely in view.
Today I grabbed a synthetic material shirt that I've only really ever used as a night shirt and decided to go with just a few thin layers since my construction-worker style jeep brand reflective yellow jacket doesn't breathe. I wore a beater/thin silk thermal/thin pullover.
Got to church, lost the silk thermal, hung it and the jacket up to dry, and walked in to rehearsal pretty much sweat free.
My burton snowboarding glove liners are perfect so far, very stretchy and grippy. Gloves are a problem for me since I have huge skinny hands.
It would be a 16.5 mile ride through urban Connecticut... my failure to get it together and do it today--even when I was psyched up to do it and had no first period class to teach-- really convinced me that 32 miles r/t to my classroom with a 7:53 AM start is going to be too much to ask.

Time to look into a folding bike so I can bike/train/bike.

My ride to and from Choir rehearsal at my church (14.5 miles r/t) was nice. I'm getting my cold weather clothing dialed in, too. Over freezing tonight-- quite nice with Jupiter and Venus still nicely in view.
Today I grabbed a synthetic material shirt that I've only really ever used as a night shirt and decided to go with just a few thin layers since my construction-worker style jeep brand reflective yellow jacket doesn't breathe. I wore a beater/thin silk thermal/thin pullover.
Got to church, lost the silk thermal, hung it and the jacket up to dry, and walked in to rehearsal pretty much sweat free.
My burton snowboarding glove liners are perfect so far, very stretchy and grippy. Gloves are a problem for me since I have huge skinny hands.
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The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley

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Is your normal commute 46 miles or do you add a few bonus miles sometimes?
You deserve a nap on the train regardless.
I had to commute 35 miles round trip for 18 months after Katrina flooded us out. I counted the days until that came to an end. I often work 9 hour shifts on my feet between those 17.5 mile rides. I could not do 46 every work day.
You deserve a nap on the train regardless.
I had to commute 35 miles round trip for 18 months after Katrina flooded us out. I counted the days until that came to an end. I often work 9 hour shifts on my feet between those 17.5 mile rides. I could not do 46 every work day.

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I ran into my least favorite professor while blowing a light and cutting off a taxi. I really am toast now


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I'm preparing for the commute tomorrow. -16C with a wind, but the paths are clear and dry. I think I will go with the face mask and probably take it off when I warm up.
