Symtex

I did my first ever commute to work today. It was around 40f and windy. It started to rain half-way through. Besides the facts that I can't feel my legs anymore, It went ok. I had 10lbs of extra weight on my backpack and it definately felt it during some of the uphill section.

rumrunn6

CONGRATS and WELCOME! Practice makes perfect. try to get some stuff at work so you don't have to carry so much and try to get whatever you carry off your back. make sure you eat well before the ride home - not a lot - just smart. Just had lunch so later there will be a granola snack, then at 3 a banana, 3:30 coffee, then at 3:45 15 minutes before I leave, some canned fruit and B6 & B12.

Symtex

Thanks for the advice rumrunn. I had some good multi-grain cheerios /skin milk as breakfast. I will carry some nutribar with me as snack.

HardyWeinberg

43F and RAINING. It was just heavy mist riding w/ 7 yr old to his school. Standing outside after dropping him, the skies opened. My wife hadn't left the house yet w/ our 4 yr old in the trailer. It turned out she was busy putting the bike and trailer back in the house and getting all the gear into the car. It's actually sunny out right now. At least, there's glare off the puddles.

Doohickie

GRRRRR....

We had severe thunderstorms last night. When I woke up, it seemed like that had passed, but when I checked the radar this morning, there was another band of showers (not as intense) just about to hit. So I drove. The rain never fell. I should have ridden.

caloso

Beautiful day. 45F, blue skies, just the barest hint of a breeze.

ibcrewin

There should be a thread on how to read the weather maps. Which radar did you use? NWS?

con

No commute the last two days........Sick; cough, cough............

Doohickie

Intellicast. Not sure what the deal was, but it looked like a pretty distinct line of showers this morning, not ground clutter. It looked like it was just about over my house when I left for work and I would have been heading into it. Usually Intellicast is reliable, but not this time.

RedC

My first commute in 6 months. First my job moved from 6 miles away to 23 miles away about the time daylight began to shrink and I was afraid to go through the state park and rural area in the dark. (I might have had a Matt Lauer problem) But this morning I pulled it off. First commute here, first time on the heavier bicycle in a while and it was so slow. I've got to find a way to speed up that Navigator cause that road is way too rough for the road bike.

nebuchenezzar

Morning commute at 36. I still don't have the clothes thing figured out. Today I tried a long sleeve workout shirt, layered with short sleeve jersey, with a light jacket on top. Was way to hot. Need to find a good jacket that i can wear over my jersey, that has good temp control, that I can easily transport home.

rumrunn6

I'm trying to figure out what I'm wearing for my ride home ... ugh.

rumrunn6

OK I figured it out:
- cotton t-shirt
- bike shorts & baggy shorts
- day-glo windbreaker
- fingerless bike gloves

drummingpariah

Put some duct tape in conspicuous locations on my frame, in hopes to deter thieves, and had a great ride in:

Temp: 61F
Humidity: 48%
Wind: 6mph
Skies: Slightly overcast (still sunny)

Nobody tried to run me off the road at all, but I took the short ride in to work (running a little late).

Hopefully I'll get to ride with some other cyclists on the ride home tonight, and Critical Mass is coming up on Friday! I'm excited! I finally get to meet other Berkeley cyclists!

envane

You know, I've come to enjoy rain commutes. Even when its just 50 degrees out.

ryanwood

wind!!!! aaaaarrrrrggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!

joincoolkidclub

neb- try the Marmot Driclime Windshirt. Wind protection + breathability only leaves me (a heavy sweater) hot when I layer with sweaters underneath.

buzzman

zip-zip in. zip zip out. 'twas a speedy ride for some reason today. Some kind of commotion going on around Kenmore Square on the way into Boston. Helicopters, cop cars, paddy wagons- hmmmmm- I'll have to check the news.

MIKEnDC

Magnificent ride in this morning: 44F/6.6666667C ( ) and what little wind there was was at my back (rare for the AM around here). It was over before I knew it! <grumble aside> I knew I should have taken the long way... </grumble aside>

Big_e

Great ride in this morning. Dark as always. I'm on the Motobecane Nomade this week. Didn't stop for my donut today. I rode straight in and got some coffee here at work.
Ernest

mjw16

Well, the tourists are back, in all their spanning the entire sidewalk, darting around unpredictably, can't tell their right from their left and, acting all disoriented when you announce your pass glory. This is definitely the time of year when it's preferrable to ride in the street except for the fact that all the lights were out from Constitution to the Jefferson Mem. making for a chaotic scene with all the cars, cabs and, buses. I managed to thread the needle a couple of times and take advantage of assertive drivers who served as blockers from cross traffic. The pedestrian chaos didn't end until I hit the Va. side of the 14th Street bridge. Then, it was smooth sailing. Had to stop to remove jacket, skull cap and, full finger gloves as I was really over heating. This morning's ride was a lot less trafficy, of course, but I've no doubt this afternoon will be interesting.

yxddwry

It has been rain or fog a lot here lately. I ride over 10 miles each way on two-lane, no shoulder roadways. Even with all my lights and reflective gear, I cannot feel safe enough riding in weather when drivers have a heard enough time seeing other cars. If I had a wide shoulder, marked bike path, or a separate path, I would be out there every day. How safe do you feel sharing roads with traffic in murky conditions, maybe being noticed through smeared windshields?

Standalone 

Still getting "that's the coolest bike I've ever seen" and "how much did that set you back if you don't mind me asking?" with my Dahon Curve. Riding through the tougher neighborhoods I get a lot of looks from the truant kids on the porches that are half "we'll kick your butt, dork." and half "mad respect on that bike."

I had been riding an early train and tucking it in my seat, but the later train I took was to be more crowded, and the conductor recommended that I keep it up by the doors-- which I was avoiding b/c the MTA website said to keep them clear of doors and aisles. He was super nice about it, and helpful with ideas on bringing a bungee to help keep it upright in its folded state.

Looks like maybe rain on the way home.

jpdesjar

my legs felt refreshed today since i took a day off to rest
i need to adjust my front brake and maybe lube up the moving parts a bit...it seems to be sticking on me which is quite annoying

looks like more rain for tomorrow and friday...i might need to take out the rain cape

rumrunn6

Anybody ride in costume on Halloween?