making

The good mayor had lines painted for the one way streets out of his fine city for me too. There is a very tricky street that is east bound accross center of Indy that has a bunch of right turn only lanes and lanes that may turn right or not. Pretty much look the same except the signs so you really had to pay attention and even though I was usually going the same speed as the cars they try to push me out of the lane sometimes thinking I should be over in the rtol. This year who ever the mayor had paint the lines did it exactly how I have ridden it over the last couple of years. He must be a pretty smart feller.

As for the ride home. It was a bit faster than end of last year, all those spinner classes paid off. It was warm when I left work and I had a pretty good sweat going till almost exactly the 10 mile mark. Suddenly something hit me in the right lens of my glasses, it was a huge, ice cold raindrop. The wind started blowing and it started pouring ice cold rain. My commute is 13.8 miles so I got to cool off pretty good by the time I got home. Goodness I missed this.

con

Not try'n to rub it in. It is just that I spent the first 20 yrs of my life in a Los Angeles suburb; I never ever let myself forget how lucky I am to live where I do now

Stickyrunner01

I am currently changing the tires on my bianchi.... gearing up for tonights commute... i work 11-7

it's beautiful out right now, slight rain forecasted in the morning... first time commuting in 4 months... gunna allow myself 3 hours for a 30 mile ride... ill let you guys know how it goes...

BikeSaginaw

The last few weeks breaking in my new Allant, purchased from a great LBS downtown (we just bought a new Trek for my 6 year-old daughter there yesterday as well), have been great, The temps haven been in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and I've been comfortable in dress pants and a fleece. Got buzzed for the first time today, though, on the bridge of all places, and received some encouraging words about where I could ride my bike from the passenger in the truck, which was the only other vehicle on the bridge, which has two lanes going each way. Otherwise, it's been so beautiful I'm looking for extra places to ride and lengthening my routes.

drummingpariah

Beautiful weather all the way from Oakland into Berkeley, lots of traffic, and somehow that made it even better. I had two people ask me what kind of bike I have at a stop light, took several left turns on 4-lane roads with cagers stopping for me, and even got a wave from a very pretty girl with dreadlocks. I took the long way home, hoping there would be more bike lanes on Telegraph but was very surprised to find only one that went for about 4 blocks. Quite unfortunate, really.

The only mishap was a Prius who cut me off (this was while there was a bike lane, and I was in said bike lane) and slammed her brakes right in front of me, forcing me to swerve back out into traffic. Apparently that's how she parallel parks. I suppose that counts as two mishaps, because she almost hit me while cutting me off, and almost forced me to hit her when she stopped so abruptly (her tires even chirped, it was that sudden).

There should be a law against cars stopping in the bike lane while there's a bicyclist in ... wait... there is. Should I have taken her license plate number?

larryfeltonj

Very nice commute today. Hazy and cool on the way in, sunny and a bit warmer on the return. After a few days of rain the weather here in Atlanta has been nice for riding.

vja4Him

I almost got clipped today! Was riding in the right lane (no shoulder). Several cars honked their horns, or yelled at me, then passed me. But this one truck was following me for at least two or three blocks, and very close. As I approached the intersection where I needed to turn right, the truck (large truck carrying some kind of gas!) passed me quickly, then cut in front of me, almost hitting me!

I pedaled hard to follow the driver into the Wal-Mart parking lot. Got the license number and truck number, and description of the driver. Went into Wal-Mart and told them what happened, asked for help, they told me they can't do anything! I asked for the manager, and talked to several other employees. They told me to call the police. I finally got a manager, ant they told me they can't do anything!

So, I quickly picked up a few items that I came for, and while standing in line, one of the gals gave me the number to Amerigas. I immediately called the company and reported what happened. They had me speak with the supervisor, who seemed sincerely concerned. She put me on hold, and came back to tell me that the driver said he hadn't seen a bicycle!

I know the guy is not being honest. There's no way that he could not have seen me! He was following me for at least two or three blocks!!! And I was only riding about 15mph. I gave my story, and somehow managed to stay calm. I also told the supervisor that I have a legal right to ride my bicycle in the right lane.

She told me to e-mail her my story. So I typed up my story, and also sent her a copy of the bicycle laws, and several links to the story of the German man who was recenlty killed by a truck driver. Stephen had been riding his bicycle around the world. He was also a truck driver .... Very sad.

The supervisor replied to my e-mail and thanked me for sharing my story. She said that she will share my story and bicycle laws with her employees in their morning safety meeting!

Oh yes, I had on my very bright orange with yellow stripes construction vest! I know that they truck driver saw me! I get commments about how bright my vest is. And I have lots of reflectors ....

buzzman

I'll take that as a compliment!

Today was a nice ride in- did the streets ride in because I was running late but now is the time to do the bike path. Not many people on it yet and the snow and ice have melted. Did the bike path home and it was nice. almost pulled over and stopped and watched the river flow from a bench along the shore but just kept rolling along-it was still a bit on the cool side and I was dressed perfectly for riding but a little under dressed for sitting and pondering and I had miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep.

JoeyMac

This is what I rode yesterday, my first cruiser commute of the year. My legs were spoiled during the winter riding a bike with gears... suddenly a single speed is hard to push up a hill. It will come back though.



Today I saw another bike at the bike rack for the first time all year (not counting that crappy old MTB still sitting there at the rack since last year). I guess I am no longer the only commuter here now that it's warming up a little.

SpiderMike

Lately, I have been dropping off my one year old daughter at daycare, coming home, grab the bike and then riding on to work, then vice versa.
I was feeling soo good about my commute today, when I got home, I ditched the rack bag, put on the kid seat and rode the bike to daycare. When I got home, even my daughter had a huge smile. So we did some more laps around the block. 4 hours later and I'm still stoked. Rebirth of commuter.

RobRollin

My commute today was pretty nice early start. No wind, a few peds and other cyclists on the track. I was sprinting in and out of the gates and almost clipped myself on a gate as I was out of the saddle starting to sprint. Got to work and was full of energy and adrenalin. Looking foward to tonights training ride.

MIKEnDC

Three words: dee-light-full. 54F/12C and I beat the showers in. Short pants, short gloves--I like it.

But what are all these little crazily-bright colored things starting to appear?....

YoKev

The daylight is longer now and the snow/ice on the rail trail should be gone by Monday. Can't wait to start my commuting season

FredOak

Weird morning , temp was 36*F but the fog was so thick...tried to ride but my glasses and mirror kept freezing over. After about 2 miles decided it wasn't worth the risk, turned around and drove in.

Then forgot my ID badge for work, oh yea this day is starting out good >:-(

vtjim

Quick. I felt strong this morning. High 30sF, just a bit of a headwind. I almost had a bit of a bad day though. The frozen granular snow has somehow turned into pretty smooth solid ice. I was making a go of it, but without studs, things were bound to get ugly. I lost both tires but planted a foot and dismounted in one smooth motion as the tires continued to go sideways. Very acrobatic! Fortunately this patch is only 40 or 50 feet long so I just walked the rest of it.

A pair of "business socks" (black, long) were balled up on the MUP. Someone must've lost 'em.

rlrct

Morning ride in was low 40's. The rain held off long enough so I was only 5-10 minutes fromwork when I started to see drops in the light from my headlight.

rumrunn6

Ride home yesterday was good. Just shorts and windbreaker. It appears I have a new friend called "Goodman's Hill Rd." For hill lovers it does not disappoint. Perhaps I will take my modified MTB to work next time I ride. Those gears should prove helpful.

neilfein

No bike commute today. I got out to the garage to my folding bike and the front tire was flat. With 20 minutes until my train, my wife gave me a ride to the station. (No way am I leaving a bike locked at the train station.)

It's not that big a deal to hoof it, but it adds about 45 minutes to my commute to walk instead of ride.

SweetLou

I only had a half good commute yesterday.
One of the guys at the shop called in sick. At 3:00 one of the mechanics was scheduled to be off and left. I also was scheduled to leave at 3:00. I hung around a bit to buy some things I needed and/or wanted. I then told the boss that I was leaving.

He was kind of shocked. Not because I was leaving, but because we would be a little short handed at the shop. He asked if I could stay a bit longer. I agreed and took off my cycling shoes and went back to work. I only planned to stay a couple of hours because I knew it was going to get colder and the rain was coming and I was not prepared to ride in those conditions.

Well, one thing led to another and I was there until the close of the shop. Luckily, one of the mechanics that lives somewhat near to me said if I worked until the end of the day, he would give me a lift home. I agreed, otherwise, I would have been very cold in the rain.

So, I only got to commute into work and worse of all, I lied to my dog. I told her I would be home early and I would take her for a long bike ride when I got home.

jyossarian

"Relax, take it easy, no need to rush." floated through my mind this morning as I attempted to commute w/o working hard. I ended up riding fast the last half of the commute in order to stay ahead of traffic and change 4 lanes to make a right turn. So much for taking it easy.

Standalone 

I am about to be caught out in the rain this afternoon. Completely unprepared. I had read showers the other day, and left the rain pants at home since I had to carry a ton of heavy stuff in to work today. I even wore my regular cotton pants, shirt, and tie to ride instead of poly and wool.

I have to ride in the rain, pick the kids up at daycare, and then stand waiting for a bus in my wet clothes.

Let's hope that the rain passes in time for me to miss the worst.

mjw16

Balmy and 50's, got in ahead of the rain (I may not be so lucky going home), and legs felt good. I was dressed just right and comfortable. Looks like the rain has started, fortunately just light showers so far. Gotta do some regular maintenence this weekend: adjust rr. brake/cable, adjust pedals, clean chain/cassette, but otherwise "commutosaurus" is running sweet.

Heather H

Nice ride in this morning, although I'm excited about getting my new much brighter light, its dark in the mornings now! It's spring break this week, I still have to work, but the streets are much less crowded so it's been a great week for bike commuting. Plus the weather has been beautiful after work.

duckbill

Should have phoned and told your Dog you would be late so the Dog would not worry.

jpdesjar

it was enjoyable ride this morning, it was warm and just a bit wet
i am sure the ride home will be pleasant as well

thinking about putting the skinny tires back on soon, it's probably safe