Hi all,

Let's see..today's commute:
Going there was easy since a lot of it is slightly downhill. Coming back in the rain was not so fun. One driver honked at me, like I was in the way or something (4-lane road). A big, fat minivan.
Have a nice day!
Brian

Well All, good morning.
No ride in to work today for me. I have to bring a large box of bike shorts to the post office, they are comming apart at the seams before their time, besides, it's going to rain like crazy here in new england, although as I've posted before, weather never stops me. As far as the shorts go, isn't great that performance bike stands behind their products so well, how can you not buy from them. I ride a lot therfore I wear things out. Whenever I have an issue with a product that was purchased from Performance Bike, they take care of it and make it good without hassle. well I can't wait till tomorrow, you can bet I'll be on the bike. I have very slow starts on mornings that I don't ride.

Keep Crankin out the miles

I failed today too. An 8:00 am mandatory meeting coupled with thunderstorms made me fear not being able to get cleaned up in time. As for Performance, I agree. I went through three Nite-Rider lights this winter. Each time I sent one back they gave me a better price.

Frog floater this morning in Washington, DC. After the first quarter mile, I decided it would be good to have the lights on, even though it was 8 AM. By the next quarter mile, I could not imagine riding without them on. The street lights were all on -- it really looked like 9 PM. However, the rain was very light for the next few miles. When it finally did hit, within a few minutes there was a foot of standing water in some spots. Fifteen minutes later, it had stopped.

Gor-tex and lights are your friends.

Paul

Paul - you're a braver man than me - I took one look outside this morning and started looking for my dogeared Metro ticket!

Today there were big, fat, scattered rain clouds pouring down water, and fierce, gusty winds.....I looked at the weather and "Ride of the Valkyries" started playing in my head--I knew I had to ride it! :)

The wind was a crosswind over my route, but just a LITTLE slanted in my favor--it seemed to actually suck me along like the wind sucks a sail. I used my downhill gears most of the way in! About a mile from home it started to snow on me, and that wind was blowing slushy gobs right into my right ear. But I got out from under that cloud after about 5 minutes, and the sun shone on me the rest of the way. I did my fastest time ever, the 8 or 9 miles (gotta measure) in 35 minutes! (Yeah, I know you're faster than me. So what? :D)

When it was time to go home, the clouds were almost all gone and the wind had died down a bit. I decided not to wear my jacket. I didn't exactly regret the choice, but it did get a bit nippy on my biggest downhill. When I was about a mile from home, big, sparkly stars started to come out.

I hugged my bike today. Gah! Am I becoming a bit of a loony? :D

well, the weather's been gloriously warm here in Munich the last week and i've ridden home 3 times this week in only a short-sleeve jersey (and pants and helmet and gloves of course)... we've had sun and intermittant clouds but no rain!

but this morning i went to the dentist before work which is only 1km away from home, so i didn't bring my gear or anything with me b/c i had planned to come back home after the dentist...

well, i left my keys inside and didn't notice b/c i didn't lock up b/c my girlfriend was still getting ready...

so i get home from the dentist, my girlfriend's already at work and my keys were locked inside...

so today i'm at work in a t-shirt and cycling shoes - my winter offroad ones with the dirt spikes in front... - fortunately i didn't change into my full commuting gear before going to the dentist, so i have jeans and a t-shirt on! and after realizing i would have to wear the t-shirt i took it off to keep it dry and rode to work in only my jacket... anyway, it's Friday so no one really seems to notice...

anyone else ever forgotten you work clothes?? usually i keep an extra shirt here at my desk just for such an occaison (happened once 3 years ago), but not today :(

Had my FIRST commute today. 8 miles in 35-40 mins. Feel much better than having fought (and Fight I do) with traffic all all the way to work.

Its great how much mental stimulation you get from riding as opposed to driving. You see much more of the world. It reminded me of my childhood in a South Indian village where a 1 mile trip can show you so much diversity (no building codes, road standards, etc).

I dont feel much of a work out from having rode 8 miles tho. I was expecting it to be much worse. Will have to find some alternate routes :)

Eldho.

Mornin Everyone
I left the house this morning at 5:30, The streets were soaked from the night rain, and the thick clouds were just starting to break up. The first 13 miles were actually a nice ride, the air was still and I kept my speed to a max of 15 mph. to keep the water on the tires. At the 14 mile mark, the sky got really dark and it rained hard for about 15 seconds, the there was clear sky and high, high winds. I guess the cold front the weatherman promised got me.. I rode the final 5 miles at a wopping 10 mph. into extreme head winds. It was an interestinng ride to say the least. Once I arrived at work and washed the worms from my bike, I gave the ride some thought, all in all, it was a great ride, Mother Nature is full of surprises. The tires rolling on the wet roads produce a very soothing sound that gives you the desire to just keep on going, past my place of employment and make it an all day affair, The rain, cool on the exposed parts of my face, felt invigorating, and the wind, forces you to stay alert while riding along side of the steel boxes you share the road with.

I guess I just described life to all of you.

Tollerance: To cope with the wet roads, the wind, the rain and humans encountered throughout the day.

Acceptance: To allow you to enjoy the experiances presented by the surprises and unexpected situations that constantly arrise.

Patience: While riding at a slow speed into the wind.

Self discipline: To get up, get out and do it and to push on through successful completion making it all worth it.

The Ability to realize and accept change: You have no control over many things or the actions and reactions of others.

Someone once said "Everything You Need To Know About Life, You Can Learn From The Seat Of A Bike"

I can't wait for the ride home.

I really liked the story of your ride! Very inspiring

I've experienced the same feelings of well-being on my commute. When it rains, you just accept it. It makes you feel powerful knowing that you are doing something that most people would consider insane.

Well said my man. I too can't wait for the ride home even though I know there will be a headwind and I only have a one-speed fixed gear bike. It will make me stronger.

Well my commute this morning was a whopping 12kms/7.5miles. Got my first flat for this year, a cut directly across the tyre from one side to the other. So I put in a new tube and pumped it up with Co2, but the hole was just too big and the tube stuck through the hole like a bubble. I deflated the tyre until the tube receded, but by that time the tyre was too flat to ride on. I had to drag out the mobile and call my wife at work to come get me, major drag.

From now on I will carry a spare foldable tyre, so my wife won't have to leave work and come and get me.

While waiting for her I had a nice chat with an elderly gentleman at the bus stop I was sitting at, talking how he wants to move house as he can't see the beach any more due to development over the past 30 years. These conversations just don't happen while driving, I have met plenty of people riding and they have all been interesting.:) It just seems a bike is always a good starting point for conversation, by total strangers.

CHEERS.

Mark

Mornin All
What a great day, clear sky and calm, no wind. I took the long way into work today, total mileage 26 miles, average speed 19.2.
Traffic was light and the air was just cool enough to me comfortable. Today is really the beat day I've had all year as far as the weather goes, the first day I could wear shorts without freezing.

Fantastic! Today was my first commute ever. It was a short 2.5 miles, and I got to work in 12 minutes instead of driving 15-20 minutes. Last week was my first week commuting from my new apartment, and I was annoyed to discover the amount of traffic that exists on my way to work.

On the commute I was able to pass a trash truck since the guys jumping off were looking out for me. Cars had to wait for a while because you couldn't see around them to determine if cars were coming at you in the other lane. It made the stretch past the truck mostly car-free for me.

I was nervous at the start but soon discovered that pedalling helps relieve anxiety quickly. :) I can't wait to go home!!!

Teresa

Cogratulations Teresa on beating the cars to work ! :) .. I also felt that drivers are not very careful - I find myself planning getaway schemes at every junction. I have a 7.5 mile one way commute.

Looks like the rest of the week is going to bring rain or at least a chance of it. I don't really mind riding in the rain, but our comany does not have a rain shelter for the parked bikes ! :( And I am not sure how good it is for the bike to be exposed to water like that.

I got wet!

It had to happen sometime. I jumped the gun and made the fateful error of thinking I could beat the storm. I should have waited an hour, like the forcast said, and it would have been dry and beautiful.

It was warm, there was no wind, & nothing short of a wonderful ride.

BOOM! BOOM!
Slipped between two THUNDERBOOMERS. Steady drizzle all the way in. IT WAS GREAT!

I saw this a few posts back....

and I had to comment on how true that is. On my way in to work today (I was also experiencing the common theme here...BIG OL' cross wind, threatening clouds, but a nice temp) I decided that every day I was going to try to notice something that I hadn't noticed before. And voila....I see a rainbow! And I was thinking, wow, if I was still driving to work I would probably still be in bed, and I would have missed that. Cool. Then, I felt the first big raindrop....and suddenly I was in the middle of a huge rainstorm, winds, lightening...between panicking and trying not to blow over I felt like I was somehow initiated into some sick and twisted club of people who will take on this crap. I felt totally awesome. So, all in all, the ride in was fantastic.:thumbup:

Sounds great. :)

Sigh.....

My bike's in the shop....took it in for the 30-day first tune-up, and the mechanic was out sick so I had to leave it. :( No commuting till probably Thursday or so.....

Who is this masked "Newbie?"

:D

I really am a newbie! Newbie to the board, newbie to commuting...Its Steph from good ol' Kansas City, MO. The most biking unfriendly city in the world. Oh, and the ride in today? Sweeeeeeeeet!:beer:

What a great day, this is the first shorts and jersey day in Mass this year. I left at 5:30, rode two miles and stopped to shed the jacket, I did an extra 12 mile jaunt on the way in to work this morning making it 31 miles total. I rode along a winding river road for about 10 miles, the river was flat calm with only a few ducks swimming along, The sun was just comming up as I rolled into my workplace, I just wanted to turn it into an all day affair, oh well, look at the bright side, I may very well get lost on the way home this evening. As for the ride in this morning,, absolutely priceless, this is what it's all about.

Usually I have a mild tailwind in the morning, which mutates into a stiff headwind going home. Not today; in my face the whole way. And because they're predicting thunderstorms this afternoon I rode Rainbike, which means panniers on the front. Heavy bike with sails, in other words. I was 15 minutes late for work.

But it was sunny and cool, and buautiful. It is all good, isn't it?

RichC

Well, Friday I got a flat in the rear tire. I fixed it, looked for the cause and found nothing. Halfway home, flat #2):mad: . Fortunately, my route takes me along a bus route, so I took the the bus home (buses in Seattle have bike racks :)), I got home, and could not find the cause in the tire. So, I fixed both flats, and set out hopefully on Monday morning. Flat #3 on the way to work. :mad: :mad:


I got to work, a friend found a tiny piece of metal in the tire. Great! (I thought), now the problem is fixed. When I got ready to ride home, I found flat #4 :mad: :mad: On the way home: Flat #5 (all flats in the rear tire :mad: :mad: :mad: ). I waited 30 minutes for the bus :crash:.

I couldn't handle fixing one more flat. So I took the bus on Tues. and Wednesday. I said, "screw it" and bought a new tire and 2 new tubes. Now I'm itching to get back in the saddle again.

Jim L

Jum L,

If you think you found the problem...great! But if I were you, I would replace the rim tape on that wheel!

I work 12.5 hour shifts. One unusual aspect of my work commute, is I can only commute going in on midnight shift- so it is in sink with sunrise/sunset... I get to work, have my muscle recovery bar and pineapple juice, and it feels good to even be AT WORK... Can't help but notice- how good I feel. Work partners complain when I commute, I am too talkative. The mind is clear of the garbage and more focused and the energy level is pretty high until at least 3 am.
On the way home, when the morning is clear and breezes balmy, it is disappointing to have the commute end. And I sleep like a babby. Boss inferes it hurts my productivity- I tell him no. My commute is 25 miles so I can only do this once a week -while on midnights. My work week is usually 3 days. Think this makes me somewhat original.
My employer is a large organization and they give away awards for those who commute by bike, during National bike to work week...- The 'day people' with shorter commutes get this award, if they commute each day of the week. Since my commute is 25 miles and due to my 12.5 hour shifts- I think my once a week commute constitutes the same merit as those that commute all five days. Would you think so too.?

I reckon a 25 mile bike commute is pretty heroic under any conditions.

Then again, as an example, mine is about half that, so to count as equal you'd have to ride at least twice a week.

Here's an idea to consider: next bike week, ride each of your three days and really put those day workers to shame.

But we don't do for awards and recognition eh? Riding is a reward in itself.

How long does it take you to ride that far by the way?

Alister. Wish a bus would take me part way. 25 miles takes about 1 -3/4 to 2- 1/4 hours to commute. Average usually like 13-15 mph. Have two fairly rugid hills on way back. What I like so much about it, is, looking at the gridlock on the roads as I cruise by.
When traffic is awful, auto commute can take 40-60 minutes. I feel sort of smug when I hear co-workers fuming at crazy drivers and traffic. Reason commuting on bike is difficult to do all three days. 12. 5 hour shift and 4 hours (round-trip) in commute time. Not much time to sleep- for the whole of the three days. Wish I could. Really be in the bragging mode then. On one midnight shift I do commute, previous day I take a melotonin and sleep until 10 am.

Oh,yes. I have been doing this for over 3 years. Figure I have saved over 5,000 miles on my Jetta and over 400 gallons of gasoline.

I'm with you Cyclezealot, my commute to school is 33 miles one way. I can only accomplish it once or twice a week with comfort. More often then that and I'm cutting into study time. I have several good size hills and a wicked wind that is usually a cross wind. My trip time is usually 1 hour 25 minutes to 3 hours (once).

Very (head)windy this morning, but it seems to have maintained direction so I'll be heading home feeling like Lance!