How was the commute today?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 197
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From: Coral Springs, FL
Bikes: Specialized Allez (2007); Fuji Finest (2002); Trek 1100 (1994); Giant Iguana
68F this morning. Got smoked by a roadie today and had to slap an SUV going into the bike lane while it tried to avoid a speed bump. Another commute in So. Florida...
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,745
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From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: S-Works Roubaix SL2^H4, Secteur Sport, TriCross, Kaffenback, Lurcher 29er
Dirty wet roads, 52 degrees F, still a few ice piles left from the plows, and my newly built commuter bike. It was great.
Thread Killer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
From: Marfan Syndrome-Clyde-DFW, TX
Bikes: Fuji Touring Xtracycle, Merlin Road, Bacchetta Giro 26 (Sold), Challenge Hurricane, Cruzbike Sofrider
The most dangerous part of my commute yet again is the parking garage. Gotta love people driving in the wrong side whipping around corners at 15+ mph while I try to get to my bike spot.
Otherwise it went well. My legs are a little beat up and the wind was a bit much but it wasn't too bad even with the high humidity.
Otherwise it went well. My legs are a little beat up and the wind was a bit much but it wasn't too bad even with the high humidity.
Freezing rain overnight, so a few icy spots.
I went down twice (doubling my total of spills for the winter), and had one spectacular save where I managed to get my foot down after doing a 180 on the ice. The first time was trying to turn left from a stop sign on a deserted residential street, the second was a wipe-out at cruising speed (probably 25 km/hr) on a local MUP. I slid a LONG way when I hit the deck on that one.
Note that this was with my Schwalbe Snow Stud tires on the bike. I believe the tire pressure may have been too high for the studs to actually bite into the road--the studs are pretty far from the center of the tire.
I went down twice (doubling my total of spills for the winter), and had one spectacular save where I managed to get my foot down after doing a 180 on the ice. The first time was trying to turn left from a stop sign on a deserted residential street, the second was a wipe-out at cruising speed (probably 25 km/hr) on a local MUP. I slid a LONG way when I hit the deck on that one.
Note that this was with my Schwalbe Snow Stud tires on the bike. I believe the tire pressure may have been too high for the studs to actually bite into the road--the studs are pretty far from the center of the tire.
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Bright blue skies this morning with a cold north wind. Now the clouds are moving in. Supposed to have rain tonight so I road the fendered bike.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
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From: East Metro Atlanta, GA, USA
Bikes: Giant Sedona (Mid 90's), Giant Seek 2, Greenspeed Anura
I wimped out on my last two work days last week because the temperature, wind chill, and complete lack of humidity were too much for the gear I have.
It was absolutely beautiful weather on the way in yesterday evening and this evening; it was a bit chilly, but not terrible, on the way home this morning.
I had drive train issues on the way in tonight and ended up with Teflon & Road Grime-infused chain grease all over my face and commuter yellow jersey. I was subjected to an attempted right-hook but I managed to swing out behind the driver and yell, "Trying to kill me?!" into her window as I passed her.
It was absolutely beautiful weather on the way in yesterday evening and this evening; it was a bit chilly, but not terrible, on the way home this morning.
I had drive train issues on the way in tonight and ended up with Teflon & Road Grime-infused chain grease all over my face and commuter yellow jersey. I was subjected to an attempted right-hook but I managed to swing out behind the driver and yell, "Trying to kill me?!" into her window as I passed her.
A beautiful day today albeit a bit windy. It was a cross wind to and from work but it was very nice! I saw a ton of bikers out today and yesterday as Chicago got unseasonably warm. Looking like a really crappy day tomorrow though.
-Chris
-Chris
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
I'm going to start carrying a billy club 
Yesterday some idiot that works for "VOLVO RENTALS" IN ACWORTH GA. Has no where to go blocks the right turn lane, bike lane and part of another lane with a big roll back. I weave past him and scream THANKS! sarcastically as I pass. so he thinks when he caches up its cute to weave into the bike lane and blow the horn. Dumbass shouldn't pull that crap with the name of the company on the side of his truck. Stupidity like that is why driving a roll back will be the best job that moron ever has.
Today some bleach blond jumping traffic in the right turn only lane about got me coming back arross the turn lane.
Other than that the weather has been great and the rest of the ride enjoyable.

Yesterday some idiot that works for "VOLVO RENTALS" IN ACWORTH GA. Has no where to go blocks the right turn lane, bike lane and part of another lane with a big roll back. I weave past him and scream THANKS! sarcastically as I pass. so he thinks when he caches up its cute to weave into the bike lane and blow the horn. Dumbass shouldn't pull that crap with the name of the company on the side of his truck. Stupidity like that is why driving a roll back will be the best job that moron ever has.
Today some bleach blond jumping traffic in the right turn only lane about got me coming back arross the turn lane.

Other than that the weather has been great and the rest of the ride enjoyable.
fast ride in this morning. fast ride home.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 263
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From: St. Louis, MO
Bikes: Steelman road bike, '81 Schwinn Le Tour single speed,
Great ride today. Unusually warm weather here (high was 70F today in St Louis). This was my first bike commute since moving here last fall. It felt great to ride in to work again, however my route needs some work! I've got my improved route worked out and can't wait to try it on Thursday. Also, it's going to take a lot more riding to get used to having hills around! I'm so used to the flat sandbar that is long island.
Seeing things
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Bikes: '73 Bertin, '04 LeMond Poprad, Miyata 1000, and counting...
Sweet! Right around 50F/+10C with negligable breezes (though that is supposed to change radically by this evening): pavement just damp from an overnight shower, eye-wateringly fast descent through the old neighborhood, the usual scattered but well-behaved motorists out on the arterial, and just slightly chilly on the shins and fingertips (both bare in the cool morning air).
Man! I'd love to bottle this morning up and break it back out again in August...
Man! I'd love to bottle this morning up and break it back out again in August...
Dark outside. Weather is cool and pleasant. I rode the LaJolla street cruiser today. A slow but comfy ride. As I neared the office, my seat starts to slide. I'll go to the LBS and get the quick-release taken off and get something tighter put on. Nothing to report.
Ernest
Ernest
45*F this morning, nice ride in. Ice is finally off the bike lane through the dangerous part of the ride.
Tomorrow not so sure with 50+ MPH winds.
But rest of the week is 30's so providing we don't get some other kind of crazy weather it looks good.
Tomorrow not so sure with 50+ MPH winds.
But rest of the week is 30's so providing we don't get some other kind of crazy weather it looks good.
These go to eleven
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Distrito de Columbia
Bikes: BF Pocket Crusoe; B Tikit; dust-gathering MTB
Great commute, though I was a bit overdressed. Could have done without my windbreaker, though it sounds like we got wind aplenty comin' our way tonight.
A guy on the Metro was falling asleep as he sat, and his head was lolling out into the aisle. It was so far over (and he was somehow still asleep) that the side of his face was parallel to the ground. I don't know how he did it. Nevertheless he woke up at his stop and went on his way.
A guy on the Metro was falling asleep as he sat, and his head was lolling out into the aisle. It was so far over (and he was somehow still asleep) that the side of his face was parallel to the ground. I don't know how he did it. Nevertheless he woke up at his stop and went on his way.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I have always stuck with the same pace commuting, and this morning I decided to really step it up just to see if I could, I ended up cutting 15 minutes off of a 13 mile commute.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Bikes: Fuji RC supreme road bike and an old reworked Raleigh Super Record mixte made in Japan for commuting
really windy this morning! and some sticks in the road from a short but intense storm last night. Otherwise good. 55 degrees and with the wind I was a little too cold (55 is COLD in TX!). Should be a beautiful ride home about 70 degrees.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 186
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From: Astoria, NY
Bikes: '09 Surly Cross Check, '05 Specialized Allez Comp, '08 Specialized Langster, Iro Mark V
Weather was great, but I got F'ing doored. Right ankle is messed up, the weird thing was the passenger who opened the door started rubbing my ankle for me.
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
A balmy, mid 40's kind of ride. It was nice to wear shorts again. I was dressed perfectly and will be able to conveniently shed layers and change shirts for the ride home (high 60's).
Fred Wannabe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Sandy, UT
Bikes: 2008 Rocky Mountain - Sherpa 30 ** 1990 Diamondback - Apex ** 199? Fixed Gear Frankenbike
28 degrees this morning.... had the most amazing ride ever... I made the entire 6.8 mile ride without taking my feet off the pedals.... I made every light and every bike path/street crossing without having to stop. AMAZING... Only incident was a applying a slight body check to one high school student who apparently thinks when he's with three of his friends he should walk four abreast on the bike path and yield to no one... What is wrong with kids these days... LOL... Oh well, that is the joy of commuting past a high school I guess.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 183
From: south Puget Sound
35F, 4" of slush compacted down to 1-2" of gelatinous slush/ice stuff. Made it most of the way fine but wiped out on black ice in the last intersection before work. I was going really slow at that point so no harm done. Left a pannier behind in the intersection, was wondering why people were honking at me. At first I thought they were annoyed that I slowed them down by falling in the intersection, but I did stop to look and noticed that something was missing. Whew.
The trip took 45-50 min vs the typical 30, and almost all on the 22t granny ring though I did go to the middle ring for a couple of quick downhills.
The trip took 45-50 min vs the typical 30, and almost all on the 22t granny ring though I did go to the middle ring for a couple of quick downhills.
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Easy ride in, wind to my back. Going to be a bit heavier pedaling on the way home tonight.
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,465
Likes: 4,547
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
HardyWeinberg - Jeez, man be careful! I admire you all that keep it going year 'round, but please be careful. The time is not worth your life.
The ride home was pleasant and cool. I'm getting to really love my LaJolla street cruiser. I've heard some bad things about cruisers but this has a light aluminum body and the smaller sprocket makes hill climbing a breeze. She has good climbing power but is slow on the flat street, I can still make her get up and go for short sprints. I think she deserves matching candy apple red fenders. I rode around and found a nice chinese food restaurant and shopping center. A rather nice evening. 
Ernest
PS: This guy at the office saw my bike and said, "Oh look! You ride a bike. Looks like too much work for me." I restrained myself but I wanted to say, "It beats having a fat ass." Ya'll would of been proud of me for holding my tongue.
Ernest
PS: This guy at the office saw my bike and said, "Oh look! You ride a bike. Looks like too much work for me." I restrained myself but I wanted to say, "It beats having a fat ass." Ya'll would of been proud of me for holding my tongue.

Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1
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The Short Commute
My weekly work commute has not worked the last two weeks because of scheduling.
I have made up for it in by taking the boys to their after school actvites on bikes. My 15 year old is starting to enjoy the freedom of movement that the bicyle provides. He will take the tandem with a friend to get many places. If it is a one way trip, they pull the extra friend on a long board.(which comes back lashed to a luggage rack

I have made up for it in by taking the boys to their after school actvites on bikes. My 15 year old is starting to enjoy the freedom of movement that the bicyle provides. He will take the tandem with a friend to get many places. If it is a one way trip, they pull the extra friend on a long board.(which comes back lashed to a luggage rack
Ready to Ride
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island
Bikes: Giant OCR2, Miyata Seven Twelve, Trek 7.2 FX
Great weather here in Staten Island, NY today. All the ice we've had here the past ew weeks has melted and the roads were suprisingly clean. Just a great day to get out and, ride, and enjoy the day




