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How was the commute today?

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How was the commute today?

Old 03-03-04, 05:06 PM
  #4201  
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Headwinds

Im glad some people are having good rides home. Weve recently alot of heat(hit 42C just a few weekends ago) recently, and now the Autumn winds have arrived. On the way into work these are a blessing. Tail winds 95% of the way. Of course the way home is directly into those same headwinds. I keep telling myself that I should feel lucky that im able to be out riding, regardless of the weather. I was sick for a good part of last year and was unable to ride at all, just wishing that I would get better so I could ride again. Now that I can ride again, im enjoying every part of it...still wish though headwinds would go away though.
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Old 03-03-04, 07:50 PM
  #4202  
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Mud! Glorious mud! Spattery, spotty, muddy mud season. Clog my cleats, soil my new bike, promise me spring, bring me gardening time. Home to salamanders. Mud! Glorious mud! Make my mind spin out of control with thoughts of long rides. How far can I go in a day when freed of coats and gloves, boots and tights? How soon to shorts? Mud. Yeah, mud.
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Old 03-03-04, 09:22 PM
  #4203  
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Originally Posted by Recumbent_Guy
Im glad some people are having good rides home. Weve recently alot of heat(hit 42C just a few weekends ago) recently, and now the Autumn winds have arrived. On the way into work these are a blessing. Tail winds 95% of the way. Of course the way home is directly into those same headwinds. I keep telling myself that I should feel lucky that im able to be out riding, regardless of the weather. I was sick for a good part of last year and was unable to ride at all, just wishing that I would get better so I could ride again. Now that I can ride again, im enjoying every part of it...still wish though headwinds would go away though.
Personally I'm loving every minute of the headwinds. Forget about the temperature -- the biggest difference between now and a couple of weeks ago is the drop in humidity. Regardless, I've been taking the more coastal route so that I could be more exposed to these headwinds. Sadly, this is now going to be denied of me by roadwork in Broadbeach.

I'm told it's due to hit 80km/h today (although I'll be surprised if it actually does). It would be nice to ride in conditions at least a little similar to what I had in Tasmania.
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Old 03-04-04, 07:43 AM
  #4204  
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Yesterday....

Got a flat on the way to work . Patch the tube during lunch break. Inflate to full pressure, valve fails blowing its innards out . Replace tube with spare & inflate . 5 min later, tire flat . Repair tube no.2 with patch overlapping two other patches . Inflate. Ride home in state of paranoia.

Today...

Go to bike shop and buy two new spare tubes

If that is the luck of the draw, I will continue not buying lottery tickets!

Cheers,

Ed
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Old 03-04-04, 01:54 PM
  #4205  
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Great commute this morning including some extra miles. I started my day at our south office and now I'm at our north office. It's cloudy and gloomy (as usual) but the weather is mild and the roads are in great shape. I guess we could be in for a blizzard tonight and into tomorrow. I shouldn't be surprized, it is hockey/basketball tournament blizzard season here in Minnesota.
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Old 03-04-04, 03:04 PM
  #4206  
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Today and tomorrow are Parent Conference days, so, rather than riding the bus, my daughter gets to ride in the bike trailer to a different school. I'd forgotten how much of a workout that trailer can be on a long steep hill.

Cloudy with drizzle, but also warm and springlike. The trees have buds, and long skeins of Canada Geese soar overhead.

Paul
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Old 03-04-04, 05:22 PM
  #4207  
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Great morning today with the skies completly clear over the central valley. Ominous clouds at either end though and now the day has totally clouded up with dark rain threatening clouds. I had a real strong tailwind for the trail portion of my commute and made greatGreat morning today with the skies completely clear over the central valley. Ominous clouds at either end though and now the skies have totally clouded up with dark rain threatening clouds. I had a real strong tailwind for the trail portion of my commute and made great time on the trail. Of course the road portion of the commute is perpendicular to the trail and then I back track directly against it for almost a mile. These bits were not as fun against this strong wind. It was beautiful out though and I passed a section of the trail where the trees that border the trail were packed with tiny song birds, merrily sing away. Later I saw a lone goose "fighting" against a small group in the water charging at the other birds with its neck flat on the water. Toward the beginning of the ride a black bird with a long neck was racing up stream just a few feet above the water. A nice ride in for sure. time on the trail. Of course the road portion of the commute is perpindicular to the trail and then I back track directly against it for almost a mile. These bits were not as fun against this strong wind. It was beautiful out through and I passed a section of the trail where the trees that border the trail were packed with tiny song birds, I saw a lone goose "fighting" against a small group in the water and at one point a black bird with a long night racing up stream just a few feet above the water. A nice ride in for sure.
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Old 03-04-04, 07:56 PM
  #4208  
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Murphy's law strikes again. I left 20 minutes early this morning so I could do a bit of inventory work before we opened this a.m.. Of course I got a flat (it was raining for the first time in 2 weeks). Oh well, at least the mosquitoes aren't out yet. Otherwise, a very nice commute.
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Old 03-04-04, 09:21 PM
  #4209  
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Well, yesterday's promised 80km/h winds did not eventuate (as I suspected they wouldn't). They're promising 130km/h wind gusts today. Again I'm more than a little cynical.
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Old 03-04-04, 10:20 PM
  #4210  
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There was a light drizzle at 6:00 AM today but it soon cleared up and we had a bright sunny day with about 15MPH winds that were variable enough to provide a nice head wind on my Westbound trip home for lunch & the Eastbound trip back. How's that for timing? Spring is definitely on the way, I have a quite number of commutes on fenderless bikes for so early in the year. Don
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Old 03-05-04, 12:37 AM
  #4211  
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They closed our office early this afternoon on the basis of a cyclone warning. Seems the wind warning I heard earlier (130km/h) has been upgraded to something a little more spanky. Rode home in torrential rain, with some wind against me, but not nearly that much. I was pretty comfortable with it.

Actually, it was quite an awesome ride with the wind and the rain pouring in like that. We're getting closer to snapping this 3 year drought, people.
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Old 03-05-04, 07:15 AM
  #4212  
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One of those special commutes this morning, +3 C (37 F) with a NE headwind of 20 kph (12mph) and a steady rain. My Columbia nylon pants were waterproof for the first 15 minutes of the ride, for the next 15 minutes they weren't. I wore my winter mitts because my neoprene gloves were still wet from the last time, whenever that was. The lift bridge was even slicker than usual, my rear tire not following the front tire very well. To top it all off, when I arrived at work, I caught the back of my bike jacket on the door and put a rip in it.
Other than that It's a great day to be riding!!!
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Old 03-05-04, 07:24 AM
  #4213  
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A fog-bound ride today, but the conditions were otherwise great for riding. I hope to get the new wheels fitted to my better bike this weekend, ready for a test spin next week.

Have a good weekend,

Ed
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Old 03-05-04, 08:09 AM
  #4214  
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Sun barely up, strong tailwind, temps in the 50s, dramatic clouds.

Great day to ride in.
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Old 03-05-04, 10:00 AM
  #4215  
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Ohio, 66f in the a.m. march 5th ? Go figure. 21 mph tailwind!!
Plus I got a (no so good) picture of my deer friends.
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Old 03-05-04, 10:05 AM
  #4216  
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15F with the sun just peaking over the eastern ridge of the river valley. The TANK kept ghost shifting on me this morning. I guess I'll have to take a hammer to it over the weekend.
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Old 03-05-04, 10:45 AM
  #4217  
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A great ride in this morning, I can tell I'm getting back into shape as my time is improving. It felt kinda balmy at 49 degrees and I was warm in my fleece vest and windbreaker. Unusually low number of riders on the trail, I only saw one other. I would have thought there'd be more as the afternoon commute looks to be beautiful. I do tend to leave pretty early (6:20 to 6:30) but am still used to seeing at least 4 or 5 others. I know the trail is most crowded between 7 and 9 and then again in the evening after 5. Also, for the first time this spring I heard the Blackbirds chirpping in the marshy area just before the sailing marina--signs of spring-I love it. I'm going to change my front 3 chainrings this weekend as it looks like rain and cooler temps are coming our way. Looks like next week is going to be cool too but should still be riding weather. Have a great ride home everyone.
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Old 03-05-04, 03:17 PM
  #4218  
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70 degrees in dc today - happy days
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Old 03-05-04, 04:52 PM
  #4219  
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Got right-hooked this morning I've got no serious injuries, just a bit of road rash and a bruised chest where I hit something or another... so I had to take the bike out again at lunch for a good long back-in-the-saddle ride!

I'm very, very glad to have been wearing a safety hat. Until a week ago, I'd been commuting for nearly a year without wearing one - looks like I started just in time!

Beautiful weather, though... cool and foggy.

-chris
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Old 03-05-04, 05:29 PM
  #4220  
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46F and a 38MPH head wind! (higher gusts) Spent the last half of the commute in the small chain ring.
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Old 03-05-04, 05:59 PM
  #4221  
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Nice ride in this morning. It was warm enough that I took my gloves off half-way through, and I'm considering getting rid of the long sleeves next week. Looking forward to the ride back. It looks nice out there.

Tim
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Old 03-05-04, 07:13 PM
  #4222  
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Wet & windy this morning. I was about 10 minutes late & by the time I reached work, the sky was getting light & almost didn't need a light. By mid afternoon, the wind had increased but it stopped raining & we had bright sun. Don
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Old 03-06-04, 04:04 PM
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My very first commute

Friday was my first time commuting. It was a very enjoyable ride in (6.15 miles). I was jazzed and ready for the day. I work in a daycare center and it was pajama and movie day so I had to change out of the riding garb into my pj's. The riding clothes are much easier to get out of than into. At the end of the day, I changed back into the gear to go home. The wind had picked up throughout the day about 40 mph and I had never ridden in the wind before. I made it 2.25 miles and had to call my husband to rescue me. It was dark and I was freezing (I don't think I have been that cold before). What made me feel good was when I was picked up, I was told that what counts is that I tried. I will always continue to try. The ride is far from boring because I ride along the river and even though there are no leaves on the trees yet, it is absolutely gorgeous.
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Old 03-06-04, 06:30 PM
  #4224  
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Weekend Ride

It was a great day this morning so I rode my MotoBecane Grand Jubile about 12 miles south on the Chehalis Western trail & back again. 24 miles isn't much but it made a nice start for the day. Don
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Old 03-06-04, 07:26 PM
  #4225  
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Originally Posted by AG7KinMT
Friday was my first time commuting. It was a very enjoyable ride in (6.15 miles). I was jazzed and ready for the day. I work in a daycare center and it was pajama and movie day so I had to change out of the riding garb into my pj's.
Excellent! Any ride is a good ride when you can get into some jammies afterward. I don't suppose adult beverages are permitted at a day care facility. Shame.

The riding clothes are much easier to get out of than into.
Odd. I have noticed the opposite in my case. After a warm ride last summer I nearly dislocated a shoulder getting out of my gear.


At the end of the day, I changed back into the gear to go home. The wind had picked up throughout the day about 40 mph and I had never ridden in the wind before. I made it 2.25 miles and had to call my husband to rescue me. It was dark and I was freezing (I don't think I have been that cold before). What made me feel good was when I was picked up, I was told that what counts is that I tried. I will always continue to try.
A couple of months from now you'll shake your head over what you thought you couldn't do. Persevere!

The ride is far from boring because I ride along the river and even though there are no leaves on the trees yet, it is absolutely gorgeous.
That, perhaps above all else, makes the effort worthwhile. Congratulations. You are now one of us...one of us...one of us...
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