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How was the commute today?

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Old 12-13-08 | 09:45 AM
  #29176  
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From: S. Florida

Bikes: 2008 Specialized HRXC Disc, IRO Mark V(soon)

Strong headwinds, but pretty much been like that everytime I commute, so I'll have to get used to it. At least it's not too cold to ride.

Other than that, it was pretty good today, woke up 10 minutes late, but oh well.
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Old 12-13-08 | 09:56 AM
  #29177  
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Originally Posted by Fantasminha
I want a jacket that says "this lane is taken. get your own!"
A riding bud of mine has a bright yellow t-shirt that reads: "Honk if you're a witless pig F'er" in giant black letters across the back.
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Old 12-13-08 | 08:55 PM
  #29178  
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From: Becket, MA
man, was I slow today!

I don't know if it was because I didn't ride with my cleated shoes and was dressed a little less "bike specific" than usual- had to go to another location and be a bit more "dressed for the occasion" when I got there. Did some shopping on the way home, recycling printer cartridges at 3 different Staples stores (for a maximum discount). Ended up doing about 25 miles of commuting miles today, which was nice for a Saturday. I'm so thankful to get much riding in at all at this time of the year.

It was kind of windy and a bit chilly too.
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Old 12-14-08 | 11:01 AM
  #29179  
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From: Reno, NV

Bikes: Giant FCR, Scott CR1 Team, Fuji Newest 3.0

Originally Posted by JoeyBike
A riding bud of mine has a bright yellow t-shirt that reads: "Honk if you're a witless pig F'er" in giant black letters across the back.
I LOVE IT!
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Old 12-14-08 | 01:15 PM
  #29180  
Eternal n00b
 
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Spokane WA

Bikes: Giant OCR3, Marin Mount Vision, '94 Bontrager Racelite, Mirraco Blink

The commute was SWEET!!!!



Riding in the snow with Bontrager Race-Lite tires is interesting, and challenging... Among other things
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Old 12-15-08 | 05:41 AM
  #29181  
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From: Maryland, USA

Bikes: '73 Bertin, '04 LeMond Poprad, Miyata 1000, and counting...

With apologies to my nothern-tier cycling friends, my ride in this morning was delightfully cool and refreshing: upper 40sF/8 or 9C with light southerly breezes.

It's on mornings like this that I really and truly feel sorry for those of us convinced by the luxury-merchants and lifestyle-mavens that automobiles are a necessity. Sometimes I sense that the motorists going by feel that they have missed something, but it's probably just my imagination. Besides, even if they did something on the radio would distract them from it, or they would start thinking about how much money they owe and it's gone. It's a damned shame...
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Old 12-15-08 | 06:58 AM
  #29182  
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From: Southern Maryland

Bikes: Specialized Sequoia Elite

Mid 40's for the ride in this morning! It was great to ride through patches of cool and warm temperatures. I broke a spoke though. First ride in a couple of weeks because I am a cold weather wimp!
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Old 12-15-08 | 07:26 AM
  #29183  
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From: DC Metro Area

Bikes: Dahon Speed Pro TT (2008), Jamis Aurora Cyclocross (2005), Trek WSD 2100 (2007)

Yes, it was nice riding weather today in the DC-Metro area. Cool, but not cold. A little wet this morning when I left the house at 6:15 in Maryland, but the rain stopped by the time I reached DC and it was nice riding the rest of the way to work. This is actually one of the best times of year to ride in the DC-Metro area. All the federal employees are starting to take off for the holidays to get rid of their "use or lose" and Congress is out of session. It makes traffic a lot more manageable.
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Old 12-15-08 | 07:32 AM
  #29184  
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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

I overslept this morning and briefly considered driving, but then remembered it's supposed to be relatively warm today after weeks of colder-than-normal temps. So I leapt out of bed, threw my clothes on, ate a banana and hit the road. Got lucky with the red lights and made it to work right on time.

I keep some instant oatmeal in my office at work, so I had some breakfast after I showered and dressed. It sure felt nice riding to work in mid-50s F after temperatures in the upper 20s for the past few weeks.
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Old 12-15-08 | 08:39 AM
  #29185  
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From: Chicago, IL

Bikes: '08 DiamondBack

I know you are going to say "tough it up buddy!" But man, it is tough looking out to that 6F weather out there right now and knowing that I am going to ride my bike in that! It was in the 50s yesterday, and it will be in the 20s and 30s tomorrow... wtf?? Thanks a lot Monday. Ah well it still beats scraping off the windshielf, gettin the car warm, sittin in traffic, listening to pointless mumbo jumbo on the radio, payin for gas, sittin on my *****, finding a parking spot, paying for parking and then doing it all over again on the way home.

I love my bike
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Old 12-15-08 | 08:42 AM
  #29186  
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From: Chicago, IL

Bikes: '08 DiamondBack

Originally Posted by JoeyBike
A riding bud of mine has a bright yellow t-shirt that reads: "Honk if you're a witless pig F'er" in giant black letters across the back.
That is friggin hilarious!! He should open up shop, he's got a lot of potential buyers!
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Old 12-15-08 | 09:35 AM
  #29187  
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still commuting......
 
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From: Port Hueneme, CA

Bikes: Trek 930, 97&00 Trek 6000 Trek Navigator 2.0

Rain, Rain, and a headwind. fun!
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Old 12-15-08 | 11:59 AM
  #29188  
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From: Naples, Floirda

Bikes: Trek, Giant, Schwinn, Sun Recumbant

62 with wet roads, never rained but the mist off the cars would keep you wet. Took 10 minutes longer today since I rode my Hybrid to work. That was different but I kinda liked it.
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Old 12-15-08 | 12:16 PM
  #29189  
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From: south Puget Sound
24F and icy but I had warning and got my studded tires on well in advance, so actually a nice quiet ride. 2 hr school delay and my wife stayed home w/ the kids this am but that will be me the rest of the week I believe.
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Old 12-15-08 | 12:47 PM
  #29190  
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From: Durham, NC

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL

Originally Posted by fantasminha
i want a jacket that says "this lane is taken. Get your own!"
want.
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Old 12-15-08 | 12:59 PM
  #29191  
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From: Durham, NC

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL

Good commute today--nice weather, and I caught up to friend who rides to another campus for my company. His department is moving to my building in February, so we'll be able to ride together again! Woohoo!

I also bought a new (used) bike last weekend. It's not a commuter but I hope to ride it on days I don't have as much to transport. I don't like riding with a backpack, period, but especially because it covers my high-viz jersey.

Originally Posted by Catgrrl70
I had to drive in today (my once every 6-months have to take an auto) b/c our work holiday party is today and I volunteered to bring my yummy punch which requires lots of containers. Too much for my bike panniers (I tried though!).
The one day I drive all year is for similar purposes. My wife LOVES to bake cookies, so every Christmas she makes dozens and dozens and I bring them into work. My 1st year commuting I tried doing it via bike. Fail. Now I drive in that one day....and Wednesday is the day.

It's amazing: one day of driving is enough to remind of all the reasons I hate it and stopped commuting by car. And it's only 5 miles!
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Old 12-15-08 | 01:33 PM
  #29192  
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From: Berea, Kentucky

Bikes: 1990 Specialized Hard Rock

Chilly and rainy, very very rainy. But a good ride none the less. We had a faux auction at work today and I got some pretty cool stuff, plus I got to show everyone the true meaning of utility cycling! Everyone at work was betting that I couldn't carry a basketball, comforter set, and 16 piece glass ware set on my bike, but alas I proved them wrong.
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Old 12-15-08 | 03:01 PM
  #29193  
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From: Brussels, Belgium

Bikes: Rocky Mountain Blizzard (Steel is Real!)

Good ride this morning , strong legs make for a sweet ride , round freezing temperatures, gloves , wool hat , windproof jacket and wool sweater.
I took the folder today , last week was Jakes ' week since I took the children to kindergarten and had a longer commute by bike. I ride different bikes on different days to do as much cycling as possible , but I have to take the car to take the kids.And take the groceries home on the way back , my wife is working 3 days a week , so we all have to pitch in.
Don't know about all of you , but with three bikes running and commuting all year 'round , my christmas wishlist looks like the inventory of a well equiped cycling-store.
Keep up the pace and keep the cold wind out .
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Old 12-15-08 | 03:01 PM
  #29194  
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From: Sydney, Australia

Bikes: 80's peugeot. Somewhat knackered. Lovely new Salsa Casseroll singlespeed.

Originally Posted by metalchef87
Everyone at work was betting that I couldn't carry a basketball, comforter set, and 16 piece glass ware set on my bike, but alas I proved them wrong.
Nice!

Beautiful weather for cycling here this morning. 18C, light cooling breeze, blue sky, sunshine. Lovely. I was feeling a bit groggy when I set off, as I didn't sleep too well. But after a few minutes cruising along, I was singing to myself and full of the joys of summer.
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Old 12-15-08 | 06:43 PM
  #29195  
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: DC Metro Area

Bikes: Dahon Speed Pro TT (2008), Jamis Aurora Cyclocross (2005), Trek WSD 2100 (2007)

Awesome ride home tonight. I know I shouldn't be celebrating a balmy 67 degree-day in December (what with the implications such temperatures have for global doom), but it was such nice riding weather. There was a beautiful sunset as I crested the top of a hill in my ride - the sky was an eerie red-orange against a backdrop of rain clouds that were moving out. Glad I enjoyed, too, because the rest of the week is supposed to be very rainy and much colder.
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Old 12-15-08 | 07:01 PM
  #29196  
Gray Haired Commuter
 
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx
I got that elusive but thoroughly enjoyable double tailwind today! Light breeze out of the south for the ride in before some arctic air blew through before noon. The ride home was a bit chilly but who cares when you've got 15-18 mph winds pushing you home!!!
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Old 12-15-08 | 08:25 PM
  #29197  
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From: Sunny Seattle
I had my first run in with ice today. This is the first time in three years of commuting that it has snowed and the school district has not canceled school. The main roads were fine, although I had to avoid a couple bike lanes due to ice. One section of my commute is on a road that almost no one takes, so it was fairly icy there, but I managed to stay upright just fine.
I got the inevitable fall out of the way within the first two blocks, going down a steep hill, I saw the ice, but kept my front brake on figuring it was light enough to not cause problems. I learned my lesson in the form of a ripped off back pocket, torn bar tape, and a cracked Ipod screen.
The ride back included a flat tire, the first one I have ever gotten commuting, and losing my keys (luckily I have spares, and the only thing I will miss is my garage door opener). Even with all the bad things, I'm still really glad I rode, as now I'm sure I can handle anything.
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Old 12-15-08 | 08:41 PM
  #29198  
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From: YEG

Bikes: See my sig...

Really farking cold... -34C with the wind chill.
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Old 12-15-08 | 09:48 PM
  #29199  
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From: Becket, MA
I figured out why I was so slow the other day. I thought it was riding without my cleated shoes and wearing a sports jacket. Noooooo, last night I woke up with my throat on fire, every muscle aching and sneezing and coughing- I was getting a COLD!!

Had a really busy day ahead of me at work today and had to pull myself together after about an hour and a half of sleep. I felt like crap but was in no mood to deal with buses or driving into the city so I got out and rode. Fortunately the temperature was about 50-60°F with strong wind gusts at my back for about 70% of the ride in- the downside of that being that the ride home was pretty rough and really slow.

Riding the 10 mile ride home when I feel that "out of it" is like the end of a tough double century, just keep the legs going around until you get there.
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Old 12-15-08 | 11:07 PM
  #29200  
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Originally Posted by CjBad
That is friggin hilarious!! He should open up shop, he's got a lot of potential buyers!
I found a photo of the shirt in my archives. I censored it of course.

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