How was the commute today?
05-11-09 | 05:59 AM
SA[in]NE
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: WNY
Bikes: Trek 7200
37*F this morning, which was good as I was carrying an extra 20 lbs of things needed for the week.
05-11-09 | 06:13 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,451
Likes: 4,541
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Picture perfect. Temps in 40s but the torn Hawaiian shirt made into a head sweat was perfect for a thin layer of warmth and then did a fine job to contain my sweat. Cheap running pants over the bike shorts, base layer under the day-glo windbreaker. The cagers were fine. At one traffic light I found a homemade screwdriver and picked it up, I paused before tossing it to see that a cager was watching me and waiting for me to get ride of whatever it was. I showed it to her and smiled and she smiled back and I tossed it tot he sidewalk. Hopefully the cagers learn that cyclist have all wheeled vehicles in mind when we help clean up the roadways.
I'm liking my old steel bike with steel wheels and many spokes. Still waiting for my 700c wheel to be fixed for my main-duty commuter. That wheel has to go and so I should shop.
I'm liking my old steel bike with steel wheels and many spokes. Still waiting for my 700c wheel to be fixed for my main-duty commuter. That wheel has to go and so I should shop.
05-11-09 | 06:32 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Yikes! -1 degrees C this morning with a frost warning in the area. Back to looking like a Ninja.
05-11-09 | 06:36 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,451
Likes: 4,541
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I like the ninja look - when I was partially undressed I was down to my black base layer; bike shorts & headsweat and I liked the look.
05-11-09 | 06:37 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Epilogue:
Must've been the adrenaline keeping me from hurting too much. I rode home Friday with pretty much only elbow pain, but when I woke up Saturday morning, EVERYTHING was hurting. I think even my eyebrows were sore. I'm a little better today, but didn't ride in. I think I'll give it a go tomorrow. Yeesh. I guess my body doesn't bounce off asphalt like it did when I was 15.
Sam
Must've been the adrenaline keeping me from hurting too much. I rode home Friday with pretty much only elbow pain, but when I woke up Saturday morning, EVERYTHING was hurting. I think even my eyebrows were sore. I'm a little better today, but didn't ride in. I think I'll give it a go tomorrow. Yeesh. I guess my body doesn't bounce off asphalt like it did when I was 15.
Sam
I took a BIG tumble this morning. I was on the Kelly Drive path and there's a big regatta going on. Lots of people, support vehicles, boats, TV crews etc. There was a metal speed bump (the kind that protects big heavy TV cables from being run over) and I decided to go around it instead of over it (I was traveling around 14 mph). Bad move. My wheels slipped on the cables (they were wet) and the bike went out from under me. I slammed into the ground (at least I know now that the SPD pedals actually do release quite well upon impact) and tumbled. In mid-tumble I did some sort of a flip and landed on my feet, Jackie Chan-style. It must've been quite a scene. My only injury is a badly scraped elbow. The chain fell off my bike, but after resetting it and running through the gears, checking brakes, wheel true, etc. I saw that the bike was absolutely fine. The panniers absorbed the impact, protecting the bike. One of the panniers is an Arkel Commuter, which is designed to hold laptops. The laptop is also fine (obviously, since I'm typing on it right now). Anyway, nice way to start the morning...
Sam
Sam
05-11-09 | 06:49 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I think I might start bringing a few days worth of clothes out once every two weeks or so...it would be nice to not carry a shirt, pants and shoes every day...
05-11-09 | 06:54 AM
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Recovering from a virus. I'm easily-winded and felt overheated and sweaty before I even left the house this morning. I considered working from home, but I rode in anyway. High 30sF. No wind. Bright blue sky. The ride was okay but I forced myself to ride slowly to avoid taxing my lungs. Saw a big Siamese cat.
05-11-09 | 07:12 AM
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
There were a lot of bike commuters out this morning. I wasn't expecting that since most of the college kids have gone home for the summer. At one point I was a part of a convoy of about 10 or so cyclists. We took up the whole right lane. That lasted maybe 3 or 4 blocks before people started turning off onto different streets. That was pretty neat.
05-11-09 | 07:22 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,451
Likes: 4,541
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I keep shoes and clothes. The shoes are easiest. Clothes are so changeable - I'm getting quite the selection going and started shopping for a set of nice looking plastic drawers. I also made a trip in by car yesterday to stock up food supplies.
05-11-09 | 07:26 AM
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
The ground was dry but the air was wet this morning- 100% humidity. Not exactly raining, more like a heavy mist. Kind of nice actually, but chance of thunderstorms this afternoon for the ride home, which kinda sucks. If it's just rain I'll ride, but if there's lightning in the air, I'll get a ride home from someone.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
05-11-09 | 07:45 AM
Recreational Commuter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 5
From: Central Ohio
Bikes: One brand-less build-up, and a Connondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Disc. A nicer bike than I need, but it was a good deal, so... ;-)
Nice ride this morning. For once, I didn't go through the "I don't want to do this - yes I do - no I don't - yes I do" argument I just got on the bike and rode. Left about 10 minutes late, still got downtown on time.
05-11-09 | 08:07 AM
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,798
Likes: 1
From: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.
Great! The train was very quiet, and everything went smoothly. I feel far too good for a Monday morning.
__________________
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
- Uke On! - ukulele duo - Videos
- Ukulele Abyss - ukulele cover videos - Videos
- Baroque and Hungry's (Celtic fusion) full-length studio album Mended.
- Artistic Differences - 8-track EP Dreams of Bile and Blood.
05-11-09 | 08:13 AM
Clyde that Rides
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Aurora,1988 Specialized Hardrock, 1980? Kuwahara Carrera
Slow and frustrating, but also interesting.
Got buzzed twice, once within my 3 feet! Had to stop twice to reposition my seat because it slid on the seatpost making the tilt uncomfortable. During the first stop, in the parking lot of an abandoned diner, a tourer came by and stopped for a bit. He was on a tour from Florida to Rhode Island, with 2-3 days left in the tour. It was a nice interaction and I'm kinda glad the seat tilted at the time it did, so I was in the place I was when he came by.
Hopefully the ride home will emphasize the pleasant aspects of riding more than the frustrating.
Got buzzed twice, once within my 3 feet! Had to stop twice to reposition my seat because it slid on the seatpost making the tilt uncomfortable. During the first stop, in the parking lot of an abandoned diner, a tourer came by and stopped for a bit. He was on a tour from Florida to Rhode Island, with 2-3 days left in the tour. It was a nice interaction and I'm kinda glad the seat tilted at the time it did, so I was in the place I was when he came by.
Hopefully the ride home will emphasize the pleasant aspects of riding more than the frustrating.
05-11-09 | 08:18 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, AB
Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3
Took a slight 50km detour on the way to work today for a total of 60km. I went from one end of our river valley trail system to the other and then on to work.
05-11-09 | 09:05 AM
Who farted?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V
49F. Colder than I expected, and I dressed poorly. Started sprinkling near work. Passed some other commuters, saw a guy's light behind me in the distance, he never closed.
05-11-09 | 09:25 AM
Soul filled with grease
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Hills-Vegas, NC
Bikes: Early Surly XCheck;1960 Schwinn Speedster;1996 Giant CroMo Camper;1986 Fuji
Wet, soggy, and wet & soggy. 69* when I left and it was 59* when I arrived. The rain wasn't heavy at all, just a constant spit. 23 miles, give or take a tenth. It will be cooler this afternoon, so the ride home will be pleasant, temp wise.
05-11-09 | 10:29 AM
Mekanicul Enjuneer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish, WA
Bikes: Specialized Sequoia
Great commute for the first 14 miles, then a rear flat. This is the 3rd flat I've had in a month or so: front a few weeks ago, front explosion Saturday, and rear today. I don't know what I'm doing wrong here. The roads I ride are fairly clean, I try to be on the lookout. I may need to look into some bulletproof skins.
05-11-09 | 10:34 AM
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Great commute for the first 14 miles, then a rear flat. This is the 3rd flat I've had in a month or so: front a few weeks ago, front explosion Saturday, and rear today. I don't know what I'm doing wrong here. The roads I ride are fairly clean, I try to be on the lookout. I may need to look into some bulletproof skins.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
05-11-09 | 10:36 AM
50F and damp.
05-11-09 | 12:49 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, ON
Bikes: Giant Tcx1
Saw a coyote on the way home at 2pm. Next to a 4 lane road by the mall. They've been spotted along the beach strip and from where he was there is pretty much a straight run down there. Little bit north of us is the escarpment which runs all the way to Georgian bay, so hopefully he makes it through.
Wonder how many of the drivers saw him.
Wonder how many of the drivers saw him.
05-11-09 | 01:18 PM
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
Feeling fine and fast lately. Gotta love May.
05-11-09 | 03:28 PM
Older I get, faster I was
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 654
Likes: 3
From: santa cruz
Sunny, blue skies and fast......
I have been riding on my crappy Shimano RS10's I use for commuting for a few months, even for my longer weekend rides. Well, I broke another rear spoke on Sunday.......So, today I rode up the mountain to work with my Rolf's on my bike. Those wheels, plus that little 22mm tire up front, sure made the climb quick.
I can't wait for the run down the mountain to get home
I have been riding on my crappy Shimano RS10's I use for commuting for a few months, even for my longer weekend rides. Well, I broke another rear spoke on Sunday.......So, today I rode up the mountain to work with my Rolf's on my bike. Those wheels, plus that little 22mm tire up front, sure made the climb quick.
I can't wait for the run down the mountain to get home
05-11-09 | 04:18 PM
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Golden Isles, Georgia
Bikes: Bianchi Alante
Today's ride was hot- 97+ on the way home. I wore my camelbak to ward off dehydration- it worked. I really put down good time (for me) 15 miles:50 minutes +/-. My old Alante lived up to its name. I can't wait for my new saddle to show up...
No other commuters-
Rode with the IPOD (jury is still out)-
No rain-
Close pass with a logging truck (3'). No one to his left, he just didn't get over...
*Failed to mention a fox that ran in front of me Friday. We startled each other pretty throughly. Its a lucky thing no traffic was coming
No other commuters-
Rode with the IPOD (jury is still out)-
No rain-
Close pass with a logging truck (3'). No one to his left, he just didn't get over...
*Failed to mention a fox that ran in front of me Friday. We startled each other pretty throughly. Its a lucky thing no traffic was coming
05-11-09 | 05:43 PM
I've been watching the weather radar online lately, but today I took off right as a fairly thick rain started, and it ended when I got to my daughter's daycare. But there was a brutal headwind the whole way, both with and without the rain.
Oh yes, tearing down the main drag as fast as possible to get to the daycare, I was noticing the road was *really* bumpy, then THUMP, that was my pannier w/ my 6 month old laptop sailing away and crashing to the pavement. It starts up fine, anyway.
Oh yes, tearing down the main drag as fast as possible to get to the daycare, I was noticing the road was *really* bumpy, then THUMP, that was my pannier w/ my 6 month old laptop sailing away and crashing to the pavement. It starts up fine, anyway.