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Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

How was the commute today?

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Old 02-25-09 | 06:51 AM
  #30176  
kegoguinness's Avatar
These go to eleven
 
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From: Distrito de Columbia

Bikes: BF Pocket Crusoe; B Tikit; dust-gathering MTB

Great ride! After taking last week off from commuting, I forgot how hot I get when I ride. Today I commuted with one less layer than the previous two days, and was better for it. No wind today, and that was a big plus after the howlers we've had the last two days. Tightened the brakes last night and the extension post/headset screws on my folder and felt a much sturdier ride.
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Old 02-25-09 | 07:07 AM
  #30177  
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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

This winter is getting rather tiresome, isn't it? I can't imagine what it must be like up North, because it has been the coldest sustained winter we've had in the Southeast in years. We haven't had any extremely cold weather, but it has been consistently cold since early November except for a week or so of unseasonably warm weather in early February.

I'm used to riding in the cold, and actually prefer it to extreme heat. However, I am really looking forward to spring this year.
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Old 02-25-09 | 07:32 AM
  #30178  
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From: Maryland, USA

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

Man, busy morning for me to be posting this late. Earlier...

20F/pushing -7C, fair and calm. Couldn't really say about the fair part (pretty dark), but the calm was very welcome.

And given the mild forecast for the next week or so heading into March, this might be the last morning for winter tights. I'm not getting misty over it or anything, but I will happily tuck them away for next year with a hearty "Well done!" and a leg shake.
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Old 02-25-09 | 08:39 AM
  #30179  
jpdesjar
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it felt good to pedal to work today since i have only been riding a couple times a week...there was still some icy spots to watch out for but for the most part the roads were clear

it was 13ºf when i left the house and sunny and my right thumb became very cold but then warmed up eventually
 
Old 02-25-09 | 09:36 AM
  #30180  
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From: Kansas City

Bikes: Specialized Awol Elite

Ahh, it's warm again today! 40*f this morning & will get to around 60*f today! Wish I could afford to quit my job...... maybe some day.
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Old 02-25-09 | 09:51 AM
  #30181  
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From: New Haven, CT, USA

Bikes: Road, Cargo, Tandem, Etc.

FIRST COMMUTE EVER! I think I've given up commuting by car for Lent.

I finally felt prepared to untether myself from the car after the advice and inspiration found here on BF. Instead of doing the 16 mile direct route, I went 3.5 miles the other way to the New Haven station and took a 22 minute train ride and walked the remaining 1.4 miles. Not being able to afford a folder had been holding me back, but I was at work with 20 minutes to spare, so a walking leg will work. Besides, there is a bus if need be.

I rode my Panasonic. The RD is very funky, I have about 5 or 6 of the 12 speeds that work anything close to properly, despite my attempts to adjust it. Whatever, they're the gears I need and I needen't worry about the $40 bike out on the rack too much.

About 24 F, glorious red orange sunrise, at its most colorful as I pedalled East over a high bridge with a grand view of Long Island Sound, waterfowl flying underneath...

Only problem was that these particular work shoes that I rode in don't work too well with my toeclips, but at least I didn't have to toe down the whole ride. I'll probably have to wear different shoes.

On my way back, I can follow a slightly longer route along a beachside MUP.

Some aspects of work have been hell these past few days, and the energy boost from my short ride and walk are carrying me through in the nicest way. Feels great! I'm an instant convert.
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Old 02-25-09 | 12:34 PM
  #30182  
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From: AZ

Bikes: I have a cheap model from walmart 'Next' brand. I hate it and I want to get a new specialized bike so I can go more places easier. :)

I had to do a bit of commuting on monday. I had a couple errands to do as well. After I had finished with my errands I noticed that my front bike tire had blown. Green goo from the tube was all over the front tire. Gross. I had to walk my bike home. Luckily I was close to home when it happened. Been warm weather this week and we've all enjoyed it. Can't wait to get my bike fixed now and get on the road again.
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Old 02-25-09 | 01:14 PM
  #30183  
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From: New Haven, CT, USA

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green goo?
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Old 02-25-09 | 01:38 PM
  #30184  
jpdesjar
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you got slimed
 
Old 02-25-09 | 03:26 PM
  #30185  
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Creamy pack filling
 
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Nine Mile Falls, WA

Bikes: Trek 8000, Co-Motion tandem, Co-motion Espresso, Yeti Cross, 9Zero7 Fat Bike

My commuting life totally sucks right now. Weather has been crap and now I've picked up a very bad virus. Just flat out called it quits until March. Hopefully things will turn around.
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Old 02-25-09 | 04:38 PM
  #30186  
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From: Atlanta

Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others

My commute.

I have had weather and time issues for the last couple weeks. Today the first day i was able to commute...Loved it. Warmer then expected this morning and beat the rain home that we were not expecting.



Originally Posted by Standalone
FIRST COMMUTE EVER! I think I've given up commuting by car for Lent.

I
I rode my Panasonic. The RD is very funky, I have about 5 or 6 of the 12 speeds that work anything close to properly, despite my attempts to adjust it. Whatever, they're the gears I need and I needen't worry about the $40 bike out on the rack too much.

Good for you!!!! to tough it out in that cold for your first one is an accomplishment!


About that Panasonic....Might be more valuable then you think. Those old Japanese lugged frames are quite sought after by many of us. Go snoop around the Classic and Vintage forum. You may find new love for that old bike. Around here a cleaned up working Panasonic will bring $125 pretty quick on Craig's.

Know any "Burke's"? I have a brother-in-law with 4 sons that lives in that area.
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Old 02-25-09 | 09:08 PM
  #30187  
GATC
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From: south Puget Sound
insane ride home, headwind, rain, sleet, hail. All starting when I rolled 200' out the parking lot onto the main drag and building from there. Before I'd gone a block, I couldn't look up 'cause my face hurt so much from getting pelted.
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Old 02-25-09 | 09:14 PM
  #30188  
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From: New Haven, CT, USA

Bikes: Road, Cargo, Tandem, Etc.

Hmm... only a Darren Burke, but he lives in NYC and is from Ireland.

yah, I love my panasonic. I'm aware that they're well enough regarded. Mine clearly did hard time in NYC before I picked it up at a Lower East Side junk shop/ thrift store for $40. it's an '81-ish dx2000. Mine is scratched to heck and generally pretty rough, so I'm hoping it has a little of the urban camouflage thing going on.

My total travel today, including my Just completed "Commute" to church choir in the next town over, was about 22 miles of riding all told and three miles of walking. The main thing that is sore are my upper arms.

The next snag I've got to worry about is picking up my kids from Day Care two days next week. My wife's put her financial foot down and won't let me get a folder so I can pick them up on the way home and take the bus. I could threaten to take them 8 miles on busy roads in the kiddie trailer....
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Old 02-25-09 | 09:36 PM
  #30189  
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From: Malden, MA

Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi San Jose, Redline 925

First day in a while with no significant wind. It was frigging beautiful. I celebrated by making a little Tour de Cambridge before finally heading home.
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Old 02-25-09 | 10:27 PM
  #30190  
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Bikes: 2007 Avanti Giro Pro with 07 Ultegra and Mavis Krysirium Wheels

Nice morning. Slight headwind. Quite warm. 21mins 10.79kms Avg 29.8kms. I want to get under 20mins. First time this week under 22mins mostly because of the southerly wind.
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Old 02-26-09 | 12:28 AM
  #30191  
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----
 
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From: Becket, MA
Originally Posted by apricissimus
First day in a while with no significant wind. It was frigging beautiful. I celebrated by making a little Tour de Cambridge before finally heading home.
That's funny every once in a while I just shoot over into Cambridge and ride around Harvard Square for a diversion. In spring and summer it's great to stop and get a beer somewhere and walk about before I ride the rest of the way home.

And Welcome to STANDALONE!

My commute was the usual leave at the last minute. Rode in on the streets and a nice ride home on the dark bike path with tons of ice but it was really fun- lots of rabbits! I also have to do an afternoon location change twice a week and ride about a mile out and back to do that. Rode to the market after I got home and did a little late night shopping.
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Old 02-26-09 | 05:23 AM
  #30192  
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From: "The Last Best Place"

Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho

hmmm, haven't done it yet. Freezing rain with about 3-4 inches of snow on top of it and a winter storm warning. Should be an interesting ride!
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Old 02-26-09 | 05:36 AM
  #30193  
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From: Maryland, USA

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

^^^Yikes! I'm hoping we're done with all of that around here. Temps around the freezing mark with a light southerly breeze (for me an unusual cross wind). Just enough to make my fingers feel cold--but then I'm easy that way.

And I, too, join in welcoming the newcomers (either to commuting or to BF or both), and also throw one out there to you lurkers, too. I remember when...
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Old 02-26-09 | 07:26 AM
  #30194  
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From: "The Last Best Place"

Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho

The commute was an adventure. 15 degrees F, a heavy blanket of snow already down and more coming, unplowed roads. I'm still trying to figure this winter riding thing out and discovered today I need a pair of goggles. Other than that, nice and comfy.

I might add that the shuffle on the ride spit out the Annie Lennox song "Why".

My answer... because any ride is a good ride.
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Old 02-26-09 | 08:42 AM
  #30195  
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SERENITY NOW!!!
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From: In the 212

Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce

It was an idiot parade today. If they weren't blocking lanes, changing lanes AND then blocking them, or pulling out abruptly in front of fast moving traffic, they were riding me into the curb so they could stop illegally in the bus lane. It was like a convention of morons.
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Old 02-26-09 | 08:57 AM
  #30196  
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I don't know.
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From: South Meriden, CT

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night, '89 Marinoni

Rebuilt wheel on touring bike felt great - solid and quiet. Fairly warm this morning, low 30s. Supposed to get into the 50s but might be raining this afternoon.
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Old 02-26-09 | 08:59 AM
  #30197  
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From: Austin, TX

Bikes: Fuji RC supreme road bike and an old reworked Raleigh Super Record mixte made in Japan for commuting

Standalone- congrats on the first bike commute!

I had a good ride in today, 60ish degrees and a little humid, headwind, which is fine on the way in since it should mean I'll get a nice tailwind for my uphill ride home.
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Old 02-26-09 | 09:09 AM
  #30198  
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From: Edmonton, AB

Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3

Coldest commute yet at -28C when i left my house. Have i earned my winter commuting badge yet? I was actually quite toasty with the exception of my toes.

My bike computer did not like the cold. I pressed a button to see the time and nothing happened. So i pressed it again thinking my gloved hand failed properly depress it... nothing, after a couple more attempts i give up. I looked down on it a few minutes later to see that it had changed 3 or 4 functions (probably the exact number of times i pressed the button). I'd like to think it was reporting the speed too slowly but i know it wasn't.
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Old 02-26-09 | 09:33 AM
  #30199  
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From: Astoria, NY
Great ride in this morning. I've ridden in when it was 17 degrees so now that it's 36 in the morning it feels like a spring day!
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Old 02-26-09 | 09:39 AM
  #30200  
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From: Alexandria, VA

Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9

Nice. 40F -ish and calm otherwise, uneventful. Oh yeah, hit 26 mph on a stop light sprint from 15th and Independance to Constitution. I did it to accomodate the traffic that had been behind me, keeps them from honking and zipping around me.
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