How was the commute today?
12-19-08, 08:10 PM
Drops small screws
Thank you, thank you. And I got to promise my three-year-old we'd have to clean it again, so everyone wins.
12-19-08, 08:11 PM
You gonna eat that?
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Hey, I forgot to post this morning. I think.
Anyway, it was 56 and scattered clouds. The ground was still wet from rain yesterday. It was a very easy commute in a t-shirt and shorts, even on my Raleigh 3-speed. Very pleasant 70 degree temps in the afternoon. I wanted to get out of work early, but since I'm taking all of next week off too I had to take care of several things that came up at the last minute, so I just did about 10 miles in the afternoon when I was hoping to do about twice that.
I have to ride the 3-speed until my hybrid gets new cranks due to the 1997 Shimano recall that I just found out about. Well, I could also ride one of my 80s road bikes but none of them is really fit to ride. I could ride the old Olympic 12 but the frame is bent; I haven't had a chance to get the other two roadworthy yet.
Anyway, it was 56 and scattered clouds. The ground was still wet from rain yesterday. It was a very easy commute in a t-shirt and shorts, even on my Raleigh 3-speed. Very pleasant 70 degree temps in the afternoon. I wanted to get out of work early, but since I'm taking all of next week off too I had to take care of several things that came up at the last minute, so I just did about 10 miles in the afternoon when I was hoping to do about twice that.
I have to ride the 3-speed until my hybrid gets new cranks due to the 1997 Shimano recall that I just found out about. Well, I could also ride one of my 80s road bikes but none of them is really fit to ride. I could ride the old Olympic 12 but the frame is bent; I haven't had a chance to get the other two roadworthy yet.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
12-20-08, 03:15 PM
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Friday was my "long" commute (17 miles each way) and nice winter temps (56F). I was on track for my fastest ever ride in right up until I flatted about 2 miles from work. That was on a 2-lane country road with no shoulder and ditches or tall weeds alongside. By the time I walked the bike to somewhere I could safely fix it, it was less than a mile to work anyhow and I was already very late to work. I decided to deal with the flat later and just finish walking in. I ended up just mooching a ride home and picked up the bike Saturday when running errands. It needed to go to the LBS for a 30-day new bike checkup anyhow so I let them fix it the tire along with some other tweaks. I haven't changed a flat for probably 20 years and it took me an hour back then. I just didn't have that kind of time trying to finish stuff up before the holidays.
I did email one of the other bike commuters at work asking him to supervise me at lunchhour while I changed the flat myself (to give me a few tips to speed it up!) and to also retrieve the floor pump stashed in the mens lockerroom, but he was unavailable.
I did email one of the other bike commuters at work asking him to supervise me at lunchhour while I changed the flat myself (to give me a few tips to speed it up!) and to also retrieve the floor pump stashed in the mens lockerroom, but he was unavailable.
12-20-08, 04:43 PM
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The ride in was great. I'm back at it after a week away from work and cycling.
Drivers were polite, the weather was in the high 60s (F), and I had occasional brutal headwinds counteracted by catching a higher number of greenlights than usual.
I got to work about 25 minutes earlier by taking a longer road route rather than the shorter but far hillier bike path route.
I passed a couple of lycraed-up folks on really pretty bikes (yes, going in the same direction) but thankfully for my ego, my route took a turn immediately after I passed them.
I'm still cooling down from my ride as I type this and, let me tell you, I feel GREAT. It was nice to get back in the saddle today.
Oh, I've finally passed that threshold where you feel crummy when you don't ride and where you feel great when you do ride. I'm finally addicted.
Drivers were polite, the weather was in the high 60s (F), and I had occasional brutal headwinds counteracted by catching a higher number of greenlights than usual.
I got to work about 25 minutes earlier by taking a longer road route rather than the shorter but far hillier bike path route.
I passed a couple of lycraed-up folks on really pretty bikes (yes, going in the same direction) but thankfully for my ego, my route took a turn immediately after I passed them.
I'm still cooling down from my ride as I type this and, let me tell you, I feel GREAT. It was nice to get back in the saddle today.
Oh, I've finally passed that threshold where you feel crummy when you don't ride and where you feel great when you do ride. I'm finally addicted.
12-20-08, 06:27 PM
The Drive Side is Within
i've only been "commuting" to Church choir rehearsals and Deaconate meetings so far (15 mi r/t). I showed up to the Christmas Concert reharsal by car and just about everyone in the choir asked me if I biked in.
Someday I'll be that hardcore, but there were 8 inches of snow on the ground....
I brought my friend to hear the rehearsal. He lives in Davis, CA and bikes to work. He was cracking up at what a celebrity I am around church just for riding a bike. Totally normal to him. Not so common in the wet and snowy northeast I95 corridor, I guess.
Someday I'll be that hardcore, but there were 8 inches of snow on the ground....
I brought my friend to hear the rehearsal. He lives in Davis, CA and bikes to work. He was cracking up at what a celebrity I am around church just for riding a bike. Totally normal to him. Not so common in the wet and snowy northeast I95 corridor, I guess.
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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
12-20-08, 09:03 PM
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I rode to my group ride today -- does that count as a commute? Saved me about 25 miles of driving, and stretched out my ride to 64 miles. After the crappy weather this week, I needed some saddle time. It was supposed to be sunny today, but the clouds never cleared and the roads were wet for the entire ride. I can't complain though because it didn't rain during my ride, but started pouring about 30 minutes after I got home.
12-20-08, 09:57 PM
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Mid 40's and dry. Nice Ride.
12-21-08, 06:44 PM
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Haven't posted in a while. Well I haven't driven to work since August and have been riding my bike since May. The weather is a total trial and error thing for sure! One thing I have learned is it is better to leave the house with too many layers than not enough. Granted I don't live in the cold temps some of you do but it is still cold at 6 A.M. Now time to update my greenlight.
I am still having fun...
I am still having fun...
12-21-08, 11:00 PM
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No more commutes for me till Jan 5th. Burning up the last of my vacation days. Neeneeerr Neeeeneeeeerr Neeeneeeerr 
Did go on a 30 mile ride with Atlanta Bike Campaign today. Ran from Little 5 Points out to Stone mountain and back. Little blustery but it was a fun ride. Plan to ride everyday the next two weeks but X-man eve and day. Going to eat like a viking those days and lay around rubbing my belly.
Did go on a 30 mile ride with Atlanta Bike Campaign today. Ran from Little 5 Points out to Stone mountain and back. Little blustery but it was a fun ride. Plan to ride everyday the next two weeks but X-man eve and day. Going to eat like a viking those days and lay around rubbing my belly.
12-22-08, 05:43 AM
Seeing things
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Alright already, I'm convinced!--it's winter: 18F/-8C with a steady 20+mph headwind all the way in. And since we'd had a fair amount of rain right through the weekend up to Sunday morning, I had studs on to boot. Almost didn't have a low enough gear... 
12-22-08, 06:19 AM
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37° here, with 20-25 mph wind gusts. The temp felt good.. but the winds were awful at times. Supposed to be in the low 50's for a nice ride home. I have to bring christmas gifts in tomorrow, so I wont ride in tomorrow 
I love the light traffic though.. yes everyone stay home!! Makes my commute that much nicer.
I love the light traffic though.. yes everyone stay home!! Makes my commute that much nicer.
12-22-08, 07:13 AM
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Holy freakin crap! 0F, -20 windchill with a headwind out of the west at around 15mph, gusting to I AM A FREAKIN IDIOT TO BE RIDING TODAY mph. OK, I conceed...NOW it's FREAKIN COLD!
I was dressed ok for it though...Grumpy Old Men hat, balaclava, goggles, log sleeve wool base, 2 wool sweaters, Yellowjacket shell, wool long johns, patrol pants, thin and thick wool socks, Answer boots, glove liners and ski gloves.
Every car that passed me gave me a honk, two actually stopped and asked if I wanted a ride, everyone here at work is looking at me like I'm nuts (it's my first winter at this company).
Temps should be up near 20 for the ride home...and a tailwind.
I was dressed ok for it though...Grumpy Old Men hat, balaclava, goggles, log sleeve wool base, 2 wool sweaters, Yellowjacket shell, wool long johns, patrol pants, thin and thick wool socks, Answer boots, glove liners and ski gloves.
Every car that passed me gave me a honk, two actually stopped and asked if I wanted a ride, everyone here at work is looking at me like I'm nuts (it's my first winter at this company).
Temps should be up near 20 for the ride home...and a tailwind.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
12-22-08, 07:37 AM
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We have over 2 feet of snow, drifts to 4 feet and temps like Chips's. Not worth it, but I drove my bike route just to check out the prospects for tomorrow...
The right lane is still buried, my dangerous part that has a bike lane, buried...and everything else is chocolate mush...not looking good.
The right lane is still buried, my dangerous part that has a bike lane, buried...and everything else is chocolate mush...not looking good.
12-22-08, 08:16 AM
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Chilly here in Eastern NC (low 30s).
Lovely ride, though, as the Marines are mostly gone for the holiday and traffic was nonexistent.
Lovely ride, though, as the Marines are mostly gone for the holiday and traffic was nonexistent.
12-22-08, 08:18 AM
Isaias
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It was 11F when I arrived at work after fighting the 15 mph westerly wind for much of the time. Going home should be fun if the wind keeps up.
12-22-08, 08:40 AM
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Didn't know if I'd get to ride in this morning (I have no rain gear and it rained most of yesterday and last night). But it stopped raining and I could see the moon the whole way.
It turned out to be a very pleasant ride. It was 28-30F last week and that was a little too cold for my taste but this morning it was 44F - very comfortable. Now I just need to get some fenders...
It turned out to be a very pleasant ride. It was 28-30F last week and that was a little too cold for my taste but this morning it was 44F - very comfortable. Now I just need to get some fenders...
12-22-08, 09:19 AM
Drops small screws
17°F, wind gusting to 40 mph.
My B17 is oddly discolored and I can't feel my toes.
My B17 is oddly discolored and I can't feel my toes.
12-22-08, 02:59 PM
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The ground was wet from last night's rain and I wiped out taking a turn on a well-worn wooden bridge. Bent the rear wheel pretty bad, but still rideable. No damage to myself (besides my pride). Note to self: slow down on that turn.
12-22-08, 03:02 PM
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Roads mostly plowed after 14+ inches of snow yesterday. Most surfaces were hard-pack snow - perfect for the new studded tires! Made it in with minimal slipping and one major rutted downhill section.
12-22-08, 04:14 PM
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Holy freakin crap! 0F, -20 windchill with a headwind out of the west at around 15mph, gusting to I AM A FREAKIN IDIOT TO BE RIDING TODAY mph. OK, I conceed...NOW it's FREAKIN COLD!
I was dressed ok for it though...Grumpy Old Men hat, balaclava, goggles, log sleeve wool base, 2 wool sweaters, Yellowjacket shell, wool long johns, patrol pants, thin and thick wool socks, Answer boots, glove liners and ski gloves.
Every car that passed me gave me a honk, two actually stopped and asked if I wanted a ride, everyone here at work is looking at me like I'm nuts (it's my first winter at this company).
Temps should be up near 20 for the ride home...and a tailwind.
I was dressed ok for it though...Grumpy Old Men hat, balaclava, goggles, log sleeve wool base, 2 wool sweaters, Yellowjacket shell, wool long johns, patrol pants, thin and thick wool socks, Answer boots, glove liners and ski gloves.
Every car that passed me gave me a honk, two actually stopped and asked if I wanted a ride, everyone here at work is looking at me like I'm nuts (it's my first winter at this company).
Temps should be up near 20 for the ride home...and a tailwind.
12-22-08, 04:14 PM
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I've got the week off, so my "commute" consisted of riding a 23-mile loop from my house. Very cold and windy in NC, like everywhere else. Our high was about 34 F, about the temperature when I rode.
12-23-08, 05:45 AM
Seeing things
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Clear and cold: 17F/-8C with no real wind to speak of. Pretty smooth sailing after yesterday's test of endurance...
Weather is supposed to get fairly mild for a stretch, so I think the studs are coming off when I get home. I imagine I'll feel like I've just won a Stage for a bit!
Weather is supposed to get fairly mild for a stretch, so I think the studs are coming off when I get home. I imagine I'll feel like I've just won a Stage for a bit!
12-23-08, 07:10 AM
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Ok. I give. It was cold this morning. 24F as I pulled into my office. Nice and dry, though, and it was a really nice ride.
