How was the commute today?
#3551
Grrrrrreaaat ride in today.
After weeks of waiting, I picked up the parts to repair the bike I crashed back in September - new shifters, cables & housings etc. They managed to get me a really good deal that saved me at least £20 on the price of the shifters! Also had a new headset fitted by the LBS.
All fitted yesterday ready for today's ride on a damp grey miserable November monday morning. Except it was so good to get her running again in top condition that I didn't notice.
Cheers,
Ed
After weeks of waiting, I picked up the parts to repair the bike I crashed back in September - new shifters, cables & housings etc. They managed to get me a really good deal that saved me at least £20 on the price of the shifters! Also had a new headset fitted by the LBS.
All fitted yesterday ready for today's ride on a damp grey miserable November monday morning. Except it was so good to get her running again in top condition that I didn't notice.
Cheers,
Ed
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
#3552
I run real far

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Bikes: Lemond Poprad, Gary Fisher Marlin, homegrown fixie
The first cold morning of the winter: 24-degrees and dry, no wind (except for the 18mph average, self-induced). It was absolutely perfect. I was a bit disappointed that my water-bottle did not freeze.
#3553
Go Yankees

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Clarkston, Michigan
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, Trek 2300
Great ride in this morning. It was cold but luckily I got some warmer riding
gloves last week so I was set. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the cold weather
commutes but I really do enjoy them. Can't wait to ride home
Steve
gloves last week so I was set. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the cold weather
commutes but I really do enjoy them. Can't wait to ride home
Steve
#3554
A New Creation!

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Bikes: Sun EZ-1 SC ( My Truck )
The weather is really starting to get VERY NICE, cool temps and mostly clear skies are appearing more and more frequently. I'm still healing from hernia surgery, but it's coming along nicely. I am looking forward to commuting again!
#3555
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 106
From: Washington, DC
34 F (1 C) Wore my coat and gloves; travelled over some frost -- made me feel winter was really on the way. Glorious sun, beautiful view of the Capitol over my shoulder.
Paul
Paul
Last edited by PaulH; 11-10-03 at 10:33 AM.
#3556
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
yup, definitely a c-c-cold one in DC - coldest of the year by a mile and I wasn't sure exactly how much clothing I needed - left the house with tights and a couple of layers but stopped after a mile to put my botties on over my shoes to keep my toes from freezing and also put a jacket on - after that I had a nice toasty ride into work!
#3557
Slow and unsteady

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: St Louis, MO
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 520
It was cold (about 40F) and a little breezy. I used a flashing tail light for the first time since around March. But not a bad ride at all. Tonight I'll have to use my Road Toad headlight.
BTW, I've got some 26x1.75 Continental Top Touring tires on order. I've used 700x32 Top Touring tires for my touring bike, and though they are heavy they are also very puncture resistant. The generic hybrid tires on my commuter have had a couple punctures, but now that the dark/cold season has set in, I'd like more protection from unwanted flats.
BTW, I've got some 26x1.75 Continental Top Touring tires on order. I've used 700x32 Top Touring tires for my touring bike, and though they are heavy they are also very puncture resistant. The generic hybrid tires on my commuter have had a couple punctures, but now that the dark/cold season has set in, I'd like more protection from unwanted flats.
#3558
It was a nippy 17F (-8C) when I headed out this morning. There was not a cloud in the sky. And this was the first morning with black ice. We had lots of rain last week and there was still a lot of standing water on the ground.
Looking forward to winter and the first snows.
Looking forward to winter and the first snows.
Last edited by tchazzard; 11-10-03 at 11:11 AM.
#3559
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Been ridin' but no timin' for postin'.
Today, chilly and nice but not as chilly as first thought. I'm still sweating buckets 30 minutes after taking my shower!!!
Today, chilly and nice but not as chilly as first thought. I'm still sweating buckets 30 minutes after taking my shower!!!
#3560
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 3
From: Montreal
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
Fanulous ride - temp just on freezing point, but brisk following wind, so I could enjoy the sunrise and the clear blue sky. There was one 50yd stretch of road where a large puddle at the side had been splashed over the road by traffic. It had then frozen and made me rather nervous. The wind is forecast to reduce by this afternoon so it shouldnt be too bad going home.
#3561
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Norwood, MA
Bikes: Felt F-70, Terry Madeleine, Novara Safari fully customized by me
I do want to post a thank-you to all the car drivers that have thoughtfully swept away most of the leaves and pine-needles from the roadways. It is nice to be able to roll down the hills with a little more confidence at night. I love this time of year, no sweat, not too cold, and no serious ice yet. Great commuting conditions.
#3562
Every lane is a bike lane


Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,666
Likes: 16
From: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - passionfruit capital of the universe!
Beautiful ride in this morning. Overcast conditions kept the temperature down to a reasonable level. The Ocean was pretty stirred up, too.
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#3563
A New Creation!

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Bikes: Sun EZ-1 SC ( My Truck )
Hey Chris, I watched Finding Nemo the other day with my son, it made me think of Y'all there Down Under. Have you seen it yet? Ritz. Still not commuting yet. Soon!
#3564
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Last night's ride was nice but I was SLOW. Lack of the summertime tailwind knocked my speeds down by 3-4 MPH.
#3565
Nice ride today, finally the temps are back to what one would expect for this time a year. 10-12 degrees warmer today than it was the last two weeks. Of course I finally got myself setup for cold riding, with new wool jersey, tights, sweater and hat from the fine folks at the Rivendell Bicycle Works. As an aside, I have to say that I am really digging the philosophy of the Rivendell folks. The practical biking, their emphasis on reliability over newness and the avoidance of a specialized biking "uniform" gels exactly with how I feel. Also I'm almost paralyzed with bike lust over a tour equipped Atlantis.
ANYWAY, today was why I love biking in the fall, I was comfortable in my tights and sweater, the sky was overcast but not so you would think the apocalypse has arrived. Plenty of beautiful leaves still around, a bit of wind to blow them about. A few other people out, most of whom seemed to be enjoying being outside as much as I was.
ANYWAY, today was why I love biking in the fall, I was comfortable in my tights and sweater, the sky was overcast but not so you would think the apocalypse has arrived. Plenty of beautiful leaves still around, a bit of wind to blow them about. A few other people out, most of whom seemed to be enjoying being outside as much as I was.
#3566
One less car

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: The Berkshires, MA
Bikes: '08 Soma Groove (commuter/long distance tourer), '97 Lemond Zurich (road commuter/tourer),'01 Seven Axiom Ti, '03 Look KG381i, '01 Santa Cruz Superlite X
Had a good ride in to work today, even though it's been spitting drizzle for most of the day here in the NYC area, it actually stopped in the late afternoon, enough for me to have a dry ride home, albeit in my rain gear anyway..
In honor of veteran's day, I completely forgot to put my US flag on my bike, I kept telling myself last night to remember to pick up the flag on the way out so I can stick it in my panniers but I forgot!!! D'oh!
Jay
In honor of veteran's day, I completely forgot to put my US flag on my bike, I kept telling myself last night to remember to pick up the flag on the way out so I can stick it in my panniers but I forgot!!! D'oh!
Jay
#3567
Every lane is a bike lane


Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,666
Likes: 16
From: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - passionfruit capital of the universe!
Originally Posted by Ritz
Hey Chris, I watched Finding Nemo the other day with my son, it made me think of Y'all there Down Under. Have you seen it yet?
Commute was a little warmer than I would have liked today, with the usual idiots out there - and there seems to be a problem with my back wheel. Must get that checked out.
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#3568
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: mass
Nice ride today on wet roads from last nights rain, 35 degrees no ice, I haven't installed the studded tires yet, I've been trying to hold off as long as possible. It's forcasted to warm up as the day goes on, it should be a great ride home.
#3569
Nice ride today. Good weather and the last of the leaves seem to be clearing away.
Cheers,
Ed
Cheers,
Ed
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
#3570
Near the end of my ride, a large truck was following me. I felt a strange kinship as the truck driver and I both kept upshifting from the light.
__________________
No worries
No worries
#3571
Much warmer this morning with temps hovering around 37 F and a rapidly clearing sky. Tonight's ride should be toasty warm as the temps are in the mid-50's F and climbing under bright sunshine.
#3572
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Steady cold rain here in DC today - I'm sitting here hoping my stuff will have dried out for the ride home - nothing worse in my opinion than having to put on still wet clothes!
#3573
Cleared up and cooled down a bit today. Dressed the same as yesterday and just pedaled harder to make up for the temp difff. Really a nice crisp fall morning, this brought out a few more people, which this time of year is more positive than negative.
A somewhat amusing note: I do about 4 miles on a trail and a bit over a mile on the road. The road section has a bike lane for the majority of it, but it disappears at the very end. On the opposite there is a section where it (oddly) disappears. I've long wished for these sections to continue the lane as the transition from the bike lane to the road may confuse the drivers. Well this week they have been adding those lanes, which is great. Somewhat ironically they are shuttling the cars into the bike lane as they add it to the other side.
A somewhat amusing note: I do about 4 miles on a trail and a bit over a mile on the road. The road section has a bike lane for the majority of it, but it disappears at the very end. On the opposite there is a section where it (oddly) disappears. I've long wished for these sections to continue the lane as the transition from the bike lane to the road may confuse the drivers. Well this week they have been adding those lanes, which is great. Somewhat ironically they are shuttling the cars into the bike lane as they add it to the other side.
#3574
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 106
From: Washington, DC
Raincoat weather here in DC. My rainpants and raincoat are both dry -- hope you had the same experience, Brennser.
Paul
Paul
#3575
It was a little chipper out this morning (20F/-6C) but the skies were (and still are) clear. I saw a beautiful sunrise with pinks, yellows, blues making a very nice background of the city. Ahhhhh, this is why I do it, it was great.




