Day off yesterday, but rode to a friend's house about 5 miles away where I am installing ceramic tile. Stopped by the LBS on the way home and bought a pair of cycling gloves. Very stuffy riding in at 8 this morning, but I was able to go up a couple of minor hills in a higher gear than normal. Very nice ride home, just took it easy and spun.

Today was my first full commute. I've been "training" for the last few weeks trying to get used to a modern bike, the whole cadence thing, etc. The commute is down a steep bike unfriendly (if you are going up) hill, along a public bike trail and then up to the corporate campus along one of two routes -- both of which are steep for me. I'm OK on the flats but suck on hills even in the granny gear.

Anyway, the 9.2mi outbound commute took about an hour -- most of that spent dying (pedal, pant, rest, pedal) on the hills at the end. Inbound commute which is a slightly different route was 7.4mi at 36 minutes and skipped the big hill at this end.

Had a good time -- left the car at work so tomorrow will be similar. A good start to something that will hopefully become a daily activity.

Had a good ride in this morning, however, I didn't see much as I spent most of it stuck to this guy's rear wheel who could've handed me my a$$ on a platter if he wanted too. I wanted to see if I could keep up and we must've been pushing 30 for a while. We each passed eachother twice and I know that one his second pass he could've poured it on a dropped me, fortunately I had a good excuse, I had to make my turn where he kept going straight. I also re-packed and adjusted my headset last night, replaced my bottom bracket (the 68x109 was too narrow and causing poor shifting and chain chatter on my big ring's teeth), and adjusted both derrailleurs. I test rode it last night and was happy to see that it's riding much better now. I also have been having some numbness in my groin and just replaced my saddle and lowered it as well-things seem to be improving.

This morning was a good ride... very humid with temps around 76… very low for this time of year. 50% chance of rain with isolated storms... I may have to catch a ride home. :(

We have the same route... I'm right at 17.5 miles each way with some killer hills that are close to the house. My goal is to be able to ride both ways 3 times a week... It will be a while before that happens. Plus, with the temps in the mid to high 90s it may not too smart for me to try. Later

Sure was a nice morning to be on a bike! Temps around 55F with a bit of a breeze. I rode the Raleigh Grand Prix for a change this morning. Coleen was to meet me at the office with my clothes for the day since the Grand Prix doesn't have a rack for the panniers. I'm almost to the office when the cell rings. She has a flat. So, I was glad to have my "emergency" clothes in the office. :D

The skies here are getting smoky from the wildfire SW of us. Worse today since the winds have picked up.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I've had a great week of bike comuting. Three of those days having over 30 miles. Tomorrow (Saturday) my wife and I will doing our weekly morning coffee or breakfast run on our tandem. That will make seven weeks in a row that we've done this, we really enjoy it (it's not allot of miles but it's fun). Have a great weekend!

Well the rain is coming and I am out of here. Everyone have a good weekend and be safe.

Got an unseasonal storm on the ride home last night. Another awesome light show, and a short, sharp downpour. Just beautiful!

No rain here this time of year...Had a break in the heat...For almost the whole week the highs have been mid-80's, during the inland part of my ride. Nice.
Slowed down getting to work..Ran into an intersting touring type..Talked for about 8 miles instead of riding at my normal pace...Good rider - a bike policeman who works the beach on a mountain bike......Gets to be a good rider..Has from time to time to out race someone trying to escape on another bike..Says, have to ride pretty strong in such situations.

This thread is 217 pages long. Amazing!

This week was kinda crappy for my 40k commute. It rained three of the five days. Its not so much I hate the rain, I just hate a filthy bike. So I cleaned it last night and just before the ride home today it poured for 1/2 hour. Bike is filthy again. :(

Went the "long way" this morning about 8 semi-hilly miles instead of the 7 mile mostly flat route I usually ride. First time I've gone that way since I started commuting. I remember that first commute last month being harder than I thought it should be the ride this morning was easy by comparison due to increased fitness I believe. :) Coming home I pushed harder than usual since a tasty pasta dinner was awaiting me.

Ride in this morning was incredible. Had to be at work by 6, still dark out while I was on the road. Beautiful full moon, nonexistent traffic. Surprised a fox who was checking out some roadkill on my route.

On the way home this morning I took the long way through Temecula's Wine Road.
Love that road..But, normally traffic is awful and rough about it's hilly terrain.
BUt Saturday, 6:30 AM..I was mostly alone...Hilly but only two miles further. I had thought it more. Too early to stop by some of the vineyards great deli's..
Since it is the higher route(elevation) way home; the fog was much less severe.
Liked the ride...That early sun is pretty rough on the eyes.

Took a few days off to catch up on our gardening & visit the grandkids down in Salem. Thursday afternoon was fairly hot (86F) but before we left, I went for a 12 mile ride. Nearly home, I was riding through an intersection where the cross traffic had to stop. Fellow in a Buick was distracted by a load of active kids & started his right turn without seeing me. I must have skidded a bit because my rear tire suddenly blew with a sharp bang, sounded like a 22 or 38! That got his attention but I had to walk the remaining distance home. Put in a new tube this afternoon & also prepped one of my touring bikes for Monday's commute.

20 degrees C this evening, humidity made it feel much warmer. I might have to get used to that in the coming months :( . Lane-splitting the Sundale Bridge faster than usual this evening -- 33km/h was the minimum recorded speed, then I accelerated continually for the rest of the bridge. Just as well, because it gave me enough speed to avoid a driver who quite deliberately swerved at me (fat chance in the gridlock, moron!).

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Felt tired today. I rode a bit with buddies of mine on tour from Cardston, Alberta Canada to Salt Lake City, UT. They took it easy on me and still kicked my a$$. So, that is why my legs felt tired this morning.

Today was the first day to ride my "new" Bianchi San Remo tourer to work. Boy oh boy, what a plush ride. :D

Is everyone on vacation today? Geeze!

The ride home was interesting. Pushing through a gust front from a nearby thunderstorm. Plenty of lightning, although not very near me. No rain either. I hate dry thunderstorms. All they are good for is starting forrest/range fires. I also learned that cross winds and aerobars are not a good match. :rolleyes:

Sticky, humid, 84F/28C, but at least it wasn't the 90% humidity we had yesterday. August has arrived and brought steamy summer temperatures. The ride was extra quiet and smooth as I spent yesterday detailing and installing a new chain, general tune-up. No faster than usual, just smoother. I have given up on fast.

Patches of light drizzle this morning and 15 degrees C (I don't even want to know what the humidity was). Looks like the end of "winter" well and truly -- assuming anyone seriously believes it ever started!

Overcast & about 58F this morning but burned off by Noon & we had a nice, sunny day with a high of 78F. The light breeze kept me cool on the way home. Saw 11 or 12 fellow commuters today. They are finally coming out larger numbers. I wave to all of them & some wave back.

Hit a huge storm on the way to work the other day, got there soaked from head to toe. Too bad my usual commuter with full fenders was unavailable (couple of broken rear spokes - fixed yesterday), so I had to use my winter bike (old rusted MTB) with the seat completely lowered - I had to stand up the whole way (not so bad, only 4 km's). What really got annoying was stopping every 30 seconds to wipe my eyes. No shower at work, so my hand towel and a pair of dry shoes and socks came in handy, even though they were a little wet (they were in a bag in a schoolbag and still got wet). At least my uniform stays at work, therefore dry at all times.

Today was a nicer commute, though it was to the mall, not work (about 30 km's round trip). It was hot and humid, and I got caught without my cycling clothes for some reason. Still a nice ride, but some idiot actually ripped off my "third-eye" helmet mirror! Just when I thought I was theft-proof... I had thought of everything: well-locked bike with helmet attached, and with my lights, computer, bottle, and wallet all brought with me. Guess when I buy another mirror I'll have to think of bringing that with me as well... *Sigh*

Another night, another crazy Gold Coast commute. I could handle the morons driving down the wrong side of the road if they could make up their mind that this is where they want to be. Still, I'm so arrogant these days that I didn't even slow down for the "obstacle" course. I just flew straight around/through it while the rest of the traffic banked up for miles behind Queenslanders who haven't figured out how to park yet. Looks like I get to use this emoticon again tonight...

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No traffic obstacles here, but it is mighty humid & hot here in Oxford. At the moment, we're all hoping for a good thunderstorm to clear the air. Otherwise a good speedy commute this morning.

Cheers,

Ed

Had a good commute this morning in. Rode in on my old 1989 Schwinn Woodlands. Spent Saturday Taking it apart and giving it a complete overhaul. It rides great and did the job this morning. I will probably go out and get some Planet Bike fenders and go ahead and make this my permanent commuter.

I had a great ride to work this morning. The temp is a mild 78F but with 98% humidy. That is midwest weather for you. It will probability be raining this afternoon. I am starting to hear noises on my bike. It has about 2500 miles and I haven't done anything to it, not even oil the chain. I'll see how much further I can go