We got rain here in SoCal yesterday. When it rains they (not sure who, but some gov't agency) locks the gates to the MUP's that parallel local rivers, I suppose to avoid having people fall in the river and need rescuing. So this morning I had the joy of hopping 4 fences (with my bike) during my commute. It added a bit of fun and adventure to the normal commute.. but killed my pace. :)

50 degrees, pouring rain outside, headwind part of the way home. My bag was wrapped with a ghetto poncho (trash bag), and the rest of me got soaked.

I had a blast, per usual.

Passed another cyclist just before getting home, gave him a grin and a wave. If you're out there, mystery cyclist in Tempe who passed a ninnyhammer on a yellow Motobecane, hi!

Morning commute was typical cold for this time of year in SW Ohio (mid 20's). PM commute was more exciting...freezing drizzle. Had to stop a few times to scrape the ice off my googles.

It was complete pandemonium out there. UPS truck wrecked into a FedEx truck. Cars sliding into each other, through intersections, as usual, driving too fast for conditions. Anti-lock brake sounds all over town.

One car decided to go left of another to avoid a rear end collision and nearly hit me as I was making a left turn. Of course they look at me like it's all my fault even though I was probably the ONLY vehicle under control in the entire city.

I put on the Schwalbe Winter Marathons last night, just in a nick of time. Wow! What an awesome first day on studs. Worth every penny.

still struggling with a cold but the weather has been relatively warm. Managed to get this far into the winter without studs but I think they'll go on before tomorrow's ride- snow storm coming.:eek:

I don't know why, but the UPS/FEDX thing made me smile. It's nice to be on the outside of the mayhem looking in isn't it?! Wish you had a helmet cam!

This morning was cold, but clear. Then about noon the snow started down. By the time I got on the road it was insane. I had to wait for no traffic and walk my bike to a clear spot in the center of the road. There I saddled up and took off.

I slid a few times to the side, but kept it upright. I had someone going to opposite direction yell "You're an idiot", to which I replied "**** you too!" After that I had a short bus driver lay on the horn after passing me. Everytime people do this I want to pull out my chain and smack it through their windows.

Awesome, after yesterday starting at -13 todays 34 was damn near summer like

Lots of snow and ice. No cycle commuting for this princess. :)

35F/2C with just a hint of drizzle. Road spray a little chilly on my bare shins and calves, but I don't usually head to the office expecting romance anyway. :D

Kid's stuff in comparison to some our rides here, though...

No ride this morning.. the fog yesterday riding in was horrible.. couldnt see anything, so I drove this morning for safety reasons.

Its expected to clear up tomorrow morning, I will try again then.

Made my first real commute in to work today. I have been planning it for a week or two now, but always found an excuse not to do it.

It was overcast and about 40F. 7 mi one way (not counting the bus trip) with just a few hills. It's nice to know I put 0 miles on my car today. My wife tried to talk me out of it because she's worried I'll get run over, but I called her when I got to work, so maybe she won't fuss as much next time.

It only took me an hour to get to work (1/2 that time on the bus). :thumb:

Wet, muddy, raining, full fender fun and a nice tailwind! woohoo!

Awesome! Don't that "0 Car" thing feel good!

As for the wife (I have one too), you did the best thing by calling when you arrived - you validate her feelings, let her know you care that she is worried, and relieve her stress. Be sure to tell her how good you feel riding, what a great ride you had, what you saw - include her in the event. But NEVER EVER EVER tell her about close calls, minor falls, getting yelled at, things thrown at you, etc. Did I say never? NEVER!!!! That's all on you to suck up if you want to keep riding and peace. And why worry her more anyway.

Happy Trails! Many More!

FOG season is upon is in The Big Easy.

God how I HATE fog.:notamused:...:twitchy:...:mad:...:cry:

Miserable commute today, and I agree with the hate about FOG! I drove yesterday because we had a thick, pea-soup fog with showers forecasted through the day. Today the rain was over and the fog much thinner, so I took the bike. However, the fog quickly coated my eyeglasses so I couldn't see hardly a thing by the time I was halfway out of my neighborhood. Fortunately, I had a soft bandana in my pocket, and found that I could keep my glasses reasonably clear by wiping them off every half-mile or so. Of course, my glasses then fogged up on the inside at every traffic signal.

That made for a slow commute and combined with a later start, meant much more traffic (and honking horns) than usual. The final insult was hitting a big patch of mud in the street from construction going on near my office building. I arrived at work wet and muddy.

My wife and I went riding through the neighborhood last night in the fog looking at Christmas lights. Awesome ride. :thumb:

Had a great ride in today, 60 when I left the house. Little foggy but it burned off by about 1/4 way into the ride. Took my rack and trunk bag to try a backpack. DID NOT like it at all and I will go back to the rack tomorrow. Everyone is different that's what makes the world go round. Keep riding all.

Chicagoland commuting
 

Hi there,

In Chicago and NW suburbs, about 4 in. snow came down during rush hour yesterday, 12/16... The ride was fun this morning, about 4 miles. While hilly in this area, I found my back tire slipping some- mountain bike tires. So, I had to be careful.

With ice and snow, these elements can never be taken for granted, even after commuting via bike for 12 years now. It always seems to be a fun event getting to work... Most motorists cannot begin to imagine how fun the journey to work can really be.

I drove today, for the 2nd time this year. :( My dept. pot luck is this afternoon so I had to transport the dozens of cookies my wife had made. Needless to say, it felt REALLY weird to drive to work.

The ride home yesterday was strange. The temp in the morning was about 60, so I wore shorts and one layer. I stepped out of the building at noon to ride home (doctor's appt at 1:30) and the temp had dropped about 15-20 degrees and it was drizzling. Man, were my knees cold on the ride! I got home, watched the forecast for a while, decided no heavy rain was coming, and added tights and another upper layer.

The receptionists at the doctor looked at me when I arrived and immediately offered me hot chocolate, which I gladly accepted. I was still drinking it when the nurse took me to the exam room. She said, "Oh, the hot chocolate will probably throw off your temperature, but I can note that in the file." She was very surprised when she took my temp and got...97.7. Let's hear a cheer for hypothermia! :D

Totally cool snowy day. Inches of undisturbed powder out there. So it's a snow day from school and I'm not going anywhere 'cause I'm home with the kids.

edit: I shoveled out the car for my wife and then took the pug for a spin around the block looking for kids out that my son could go play with. Found some, so he can be busy at least. My daughter wants to be a snow princess in this gauzy gown she got for her bday the other day and I am trying to talk her out of that since I don't want to deal w/ hypothermia the rest of the day.

Checked the skies this morning, clouds were breaking up.

It was just my luck that I was going fast enough to remain under one of the few remaining rainclouds the entire way to work. A fan is currently drying out my clothes. :D

Pretty dang cold (at least for us): 31F/-1C. I wore a merino wool sweater and was really comfy in my torso but my face was freezing!

I began the commute from my new house this week and the ride has been kicking my butt a little. The distance is the same, but the route is much hillier. I've lost my wide outside lanes as well which hurts some. No close calls, but the frequency of honks has increased. Oh well, I guess i just have to train a new batch of drivers.

Made it to work between rain showers and made it home between showers. hit 70f this afternoon. Made for a good commute! :thumb:

Good weather, and I left a little earlier today so I got more daylight. I got clipped by a car in Rahway, a hit-and-run. An elderly gentleman in a boat of a car tried to pass me when I was signaling left and getting over to turn. I swear, this guy sped up to get around to my left.

The point of contact was his right rear quarter panel to the magnet on my front wheel (the one that keeps the bike closed when folded). No damage to me or my bike. I hope he has a nasty scratch on his car.