How was the commute today?
This morning was amazing! This was the first day I brought music with me, and that one little earbud is like night and day!
If I keep leaving this early, I'm going to have to get some lights here pretty soon.
If I keep leaving this early, I'm going to have to get some lights here pretty soon.
L T X B O M P F A N S R
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 5
From: Malden, MA
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi San Jose, Redline 925
I was running late to begin with, and then I got a flat on the way to work. Bah. At least is was warm out. And now I feel justified for lugging around that wrench all the time since getting my Redline 925 (no QR wheels).
When I had the rear wheel off, I found out that the freewheel on the flip-flop hub is frozen solid. No huge loss, but interesting. (Well, I'm sure riding the free wheel side would generate enough torque to get it moving again.)
When I had the rear wheel off, I found out that the freewheel on the flip-flop hub is frozen solid. No huge loss, but interesting. (Well, I'm sure riding the free wheel side would generate enough torque to get it moving again.)
FNG
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Quarry Stone
Bikes: Raleigh Special * Nishiki MTN Winter Commuter * Trek Soho 3 * Specialized Langster Seattle
Great morning. Though only 20 degrees the sun was shining and the wind was still. Listened to the pixies "trompe le monde". I rode my langster but was prepared for rain if needed with my new fenders (sort of -- a bent license plate under my rack) for my soho.
Yesterdays ride home was brutal. It was sunny, It wasn't cold, but it was WINDY. The last 4 miles of my commute were straight into a brutal west wind. I was in the granny gear for most of it. Top speed was 12 MPH going downhill.
This mornings ride in was perfect.
This mornings ride in was perfect.
Guest
Posts: n/a
today was my first brakeless commute...it was fun
it was misty and about 40º
good stuff
it was misty and about 40º
good stuff
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Bikes: Trek XO1 (Commuter), Trek Madone 6.5, older Trek 850 hardtail MTB, crashed Kestrel 200SCi I can't toss
40 degrees, misting and somewhat foggy at 5:15 today. I overdressed though - leg warmers with the bike shorts would have been all I needed on my legs instead of full wind pants.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 182
From: south Puget Sound
42F and misty (very heavy mist at times...)
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
I'm on the fence re: tomorrow's ride. On the plus side, it's supposed to be sunny and 74. On the down side, the forecast calls for sustained winds between 20 and 30 mph with gusts over 40.
I'd be willing to do it if I'd get a headwind the whole ride (yeah it would suck, oh well), but my route is such that I'd be guaranteed winds blowing me into traffic at some point.
I'd be willing to do it if I'd get a headwind the whole ride (yeah it would suck, oh well), but my route is such that I'd be guaranteed winds blowing me into traffic at some point.
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
I wimped out today, couldn't sleep last night so in the middle of the night I reset the alarm (I only got 20 extra minutes) and had DH bring me in today. I guess it worked, I feel decent today even though I didn't get much sleep. But it won't help me on the mileage board! Tomorrow is also a no biking day since I have a triathlon on Sunday.
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 3
From: Montreal
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
First commute of the season, because they opened the bike path on the bridge over the St Lawrence yesterday. It was 43F when I left home just before sunrise. Beautiful blue sky and no wind. I stopped on the island in the river to remove my jacket and winter gloves. The forecast is for 57F this afternoon. The 17 miles took 1 hr 30 mins as I have taken no exercise since Nov.
Who farted?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V
2nd day of commuting for the season...brisk and clear out, beautiful sunrise at my back. Saw two other folks coming in easy. Shifting is off, though.
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
There was a mist and some fog as I rolled out of the house this morning... Had all the lights on and wore the rain jacket to add visibility. Got a pant leg caught in the chainring despite the reflective ankle strips holding down the fabric. A quick stop to reposition and no further problems. I'll mend the pants tonight. The ride felt good, spun most of the way.
So it is


Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 22,878
Likes: 6,382
From: Westminster, CO
Bikes: Luzerne, 684, Boreas, Wheelhouse, Alize©®, Bayamo, Cayo
Crisp this morning
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
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
.....snow.....sigh
__________________
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
A little windy this morning. Very windy this afternoon. It was at my back this morning and is swinging around such that it will be at my back on the way home.
Blasted Weeds
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 2
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Trek 1200C, Specialized Rockhopper, Giant Yukon FX, Giant Acapulco
45F this morning and sunny, quite nice ---- had to run errands at lunch - and it was about 60F ---- I did not want to go back, and as soon as I hop off the bike later this afternoon after commuting home - I'll be on the go so no chance to take the roadbike out for a spin.
__________________
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
Beautiful day but no bike commute today. Mrs. Caloso had an early meeting so I had minivan duty. I did throw the bike in the back, hoping to be able to go on the Airport Ride at 5:30 tonight. If I can get out of here at a decent time.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
El Gigante, around here, if there is a collision of that type, the person operating the moving vehicle is responsible, not the person who opened the door of the parked vehicle. In your case, that means you. It may be the same in California. Check it out. Another moral, besides courtesy, is that it's your responsibility to ride far out enough that a door opened "out of nowhere" doesn't affect you.
Better check NJ traffic laws. I think you will find that you will be prosecuted if you cause an accident by opening your car door into traffic.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Astoria, NY
I know for a fact it's like that in Nassau County in New York. I plead a ticket down to unsafe door opening.
Trainer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara, Ca
Bikes: Right now Trek 1600
I had a great ride today. It was only 9 miles to my gym but I rode well and it was a very nice day. Does 9 miles each way count as commuting?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, VA
Bikes: A "Dynamic" Runabout chainless drive commuter bike.
Tomorrow will be my first day of commuting for the season! Just wanted to say that this thread is inspiring me to get started early
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 182
From: south Puget Sound
crazy headwind coming home, but the sun was nice for a change.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: LeMond Sarthe, Schwinn Voyager 11.8, Specialized Hardrock
Wet, cold and fast. Commuting is training for me. I'm a Clyde trying to lose my Clyde status. I was in one higher gear than usual and really cranking the entire trip. How fast? I'll never know. I couldn't find my bike computer this morning. Personal best I'm sure but I'll never know.
The Drive Side is Within


Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,344
Likes: 47
From: New Haven, CT, USA
Bikes: Road, Cargo, Tandem, Etc.
I got a big fat "Get out of the road" at a stoplight on the way into choir practice last night. I shot the Pickup driver a look and dusted everyone upon leaving the intersection.
On the way home, two different teenagers pulled right out in front of me entering the road. Niether kid expected a bike in the rain. A 5 LED white blinkie with brand new batteries didn't make a difference. Both of them looked, but didn't even register me.
Today was beautiful. I stayed late at work and missed the sunniest part of the afternoon, but it was still a fine ride all around. I'm having the nicest chats with folks on the train & at the station, too. I feel more human.
It's funny-- where I work, this new bike commute thing seems to leave me feeling a little alienated from my co-workers, while out in the real world, I get a positive reaction from people, and have even felt a good vibe in general from drivers. Today some kids were revving their engine going by me --- goofing on my 16" folder. I played along, and dusted them, too.
Clearly, where I work sucks. Tons of negativity going on.
On the way home, two different teenagers pulled right out in front of me entering the road. Niether kid expected a bike in the rain. A 5 LED white blinkie with brand new batteries didn't make a difference. Both of them looked, but didn't even register me.
Today was beautiful. I stayed late at work and missed the sunniest part of the afternoon, but it was still a fine ride all around. I'm having the nicest chats with folks on the train & at the station, too. I feel more human.
It's funny-- where I work, this new bike commute thing seems to leave me feeling a little alienated from my co-workers, while out in the real world, I get a positive reaction from people, and have even felt a good vibe in general from drivers. Today some kids were revving their engine going by me --- goofing on my 16" folder. I played along, and dusted them, too.

Clearly, where I work sucks. Tons of negativity going on.
__________________
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
nice ride in this morning. Despite a bit of a headwind it was a 171 on my MBTA rating scale- that means I passed 3 #57 buses on my way in between Watertown Square and Kenmore Square. Always a reminder that it's much faster to ride the bike in than take that particular bus.
The ride home was a great river ride. Overcast but nice. Stopped at home then rode to the grocery store, shopped and discovered, as I was checking out, that I had forgotten my wallet back at home. Did the sprint home and back to the store.
The ride home was a great river ride. Overcast but nice. Stopped at home then rode to the grocery store, shopped and discovered, as I was checking out, that I had forgotten my wallet back at home. Did the sprint home and back to the store.






