How was the commute today?
#5876
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
49F & clear, the stars were bright @ 6AM today. First time out for my home brew lighting system & It works great. 55watt headlight plus a yellow xenon strobe front & rear. There were only a few drivers on the darkest part of my commute & they all straddled the center line as they passed. This is not usual behaviour. While I waited for a red light on Martin Way, a large trash truck pulled up next to me with its own larger yellow xenon strobes flashing. Driver looked over & gave me a thumbs up.
#5877
Originally Posted by ollo_ollo
49F & clear, the stars were bright @ 6AM today. First time out for my home brew lighting system & It works great. 55watt headlight plus a yellow xenon strobe front & rear. There were only a few drivers on the darkest part of my commute & they all straddled the center line as they passed. This is not usual behaviour. While I waited for a red light on Martin Way, a large trash truck pulled up next to me with its own larger yellow xenon strobes flashing. Driver looked over & gave me a thumbs up.
Ca ca ca catchuuu it was cool this mornin'!!!
Nice & breezy this afternoon, but was in too big a rush to enjoy the sun (had an appointment at a golf course).
#5878
Lance IS my Hero
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Sport
Today was a great commute. Wanna know why? Because it was my first!!!!
I spent all summer getting my big body in good enough shape to be able to ride the 8.5 miles to the office and back today, that last day of summer was it.
I felt so good, I'm doing it again tomorrow! I figure 16 miles 3 or 4 times a week is just what the doctor ordered
I spent all summer getting my big body in good enough shape to be able to ride the 8.5 miles to the office and back today, that last day of summer was it.
I felt so good, I'm doing it again tomorrow! I figure 16 miles 3 or 4 times a week is just what the doctor ordered
#5879
Great ride today,80 and sunny.Got some other guy at work to start to commmute to work . Thanks .
#5880
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Lake Conroe, Texas
Bikes: 2004 Trek 2200
Good ride, lots of roadkill and broken beer bottles but no flats yet!
The wind in the morning is killing me! My commute is uphill into the wind on the way in and downhill with the wind at night, the ride at night is 15 minutes faster so far this week
www.pbase.com/robncindi/cycling
The wind in the morning is killing me! My commute is uphill into the wind on the way in and downhill with the wind at night, the ride at night is 15 minutes faster so far this week

www.pbase.com/robncindi/cycling
#5881
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
great rides this week - weather in DC is awesome mid-70s although a little chilly in the mornings - there were so many bikers and runners out yesterday I could have sworn it was a weekend
#5882
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 106
From: Washington, DC
I'd like to echo Brennser's comments. This week has been great, and is forecast to continue to be so. It is wonderful not to be hot -- 62 F / 17 C is a welcome change.
While walking bike and daughter to the school bus stop, I saw my neighbor down the street hopping on her bike. Probably not just a fun run, because there was a pannier attached. It seems that there are now two commuters on my street.
Paul
While walking bike and daughter to the school bus stop, I saw my neighbor down the street hopping on her bike. Probably not just a fun run, because there was a pannier attached. It seems that there are now two commuters on my street.
Paul
#5883
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
I'm missing out as I wait for my sprain to heal. The weather is perfect and I have to stay off of the bike for at least a week. This is the second time I sprained my groin in the last 2 or 3 months. I did it about halfway through the first day of last weekend's MS 150 in North Carolina. I decided to complete the whole ride knowing that I would be really uncomfortable and require the week to rest up. Speaking of which, who rode which MS 150 last weekend? I did the Rockingham, NC to N.Myrtle Beach ride-the weather turned out to be ideal right on the heals of Ivan.
#5884
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
Correction, Paul H! When you're on a bike, they're all fun runs.
The weather this morning was absolutely perfect for riding. Today I wore a sweater and khakis and was super comfortable. The air was cool and calm and the drivers were relatively reasonable. Just fantastic.
The weather this morning was absolutely perfect for riding. Today I wore a sweater and khakis and was super comfortable. The air was cool and calm and the drivers were relatively reasonable. Just fantastic.
#5885
Lance IS my Hero
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Sport
Weather in Indy was chilly first thing this morning and warmed up on the way in. Was a great ride in and I'm loving commuting. My 2nd day in a row.
It's funny now that I've started commuting, I notice others around the office and in my area that are doing the same.
It's funny now that I've started commuting, I notice others around the office and in my area that are doing the same.
#5887
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Cloudy, mid fifties @ 6AM, scattered showers throughout the day. Got caught in one on my lunchtime commute home & since I brought no rain gear, I got pretty wet. Had to change into dry clothes before I returned to work.
#5888
Fixie4me
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, Iowa
Bikes: To many to list, but favor my Raleigh Fixie
So many small pleasures during my commutes. The other day I was on my way home when I noticed this little girl, probably 4 years old, riding away from her Dad on the sidewalk. She was somewhat wobbily due to the probable recent removal of training wheels, but was doing fine. The look she had on her face could only be beat by the look that her Dad had on his. He glanced over to me and I said
"you should be proud", and boy was he taking my advise......
Thats the reason I commute, I would have missed that in my car.
"you should be proud", and boy was he taking my advise......
Thats the reason I commute, I would have missed that in my car.
#5889
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: mass
This was one of those mornings where I just didn't want to ride the bike, I was up all night for some reason and I really just wanted to drive in. I rode the bike anyway, took the road bike again, I started slow and built up from there, I didn't feel much better when I got to work but I rode in. There was a lot of new glass on the side of the road and traffic was heavy but on the bright side, I didn't flat, didn't get hit, didn't get wet and rode the bike to work, that's a great start to what could have been a bad day if I drove the truck to work.
#5890
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Podunc, Minnesota
Bikes: '14 Bacchetta Corsa, '93 Ryan Vanguard, Action Bent SWB USS
Near perfect weather, 60F and no wind. I made the mistake of wearing tights, so my legs were uncomfortable. Just didn’t have it in me this morning… I couldn’t get myself motivated to sustain a push. I was 1 mph off my normal average speed. My commute was work this morning.
#5891
back on the bike this morning, still warm and dry (about 60 °F) here. mellow-reeny. i missed riding yesterday because i had to be at a meeting in toledo (oh) at 8:30, and that's 60 miles from my house - i just wasn't up for it.
#5892
Tar is not a toy.

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Austin
Bikes: Marin Verona - C'dale F5 CAD2
Today was the first time I have been able to ride all week. My ride has been in the LBS for repair. I paid $20 for someone to replace a $0.75 part. I'm ready to start learning how to do my own repairs. A thought for a different thread… I digress.
This morning was not as much light at 7:00 a.m. as there used to be… So, I get out my lamp, secure it to my handle bar, ride down the first hill, and stopping for traffic I break the lamp into a hundred pieces. My weight was on the left side of the bike and the front wheel was turned to the right. This along with not holding the break allowed the front of the bike to crash into a pole smashing my light into a hundred pieces. But, I digress.
This morning was a wonderful 72 degrees with no wind and little humidity. It felt great to be riding again. Have a great day!
This morning was not as much light at 7:00 a.m. as there used to be… So, I get out my lamp, secure it to my handle bar, ride down the first hill, and stopping for traffic I break the lamp into a hundred pieces. My weight was on the left side of the bike and the front wheel was turned to the right. This along with not holding the break allowed the front of the bike to crash into a pole smashing my light into a hundred pieces. But, I digress.
This morning was a wonderful 72 degrees with no wind and little humidity. It felt great to be riding again. Have a great day!
#5893
n00b street rider
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Area, California, USA, Terra Firma, Milky Way, Virgo Supercluster.
Bikes: Lemond Nevada City
Wednesdays 16.5 commute was stellar! Beautiful weather here in NorCal, rollng hills, the huge pigs in the field on the "hill", nice cool Fall-like breeze from the west...liked it even though it was a headwind! Unfortunatly I couldn't get out of the clips in-town, and got a chainring tattoo/piercing in the right calf 
Hope today will be faster!

Hope today will be faster!
#5894
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
Left the house a little late due to a diaper situation. Spinning along at about 17mph on 21st Street, I caught the opportunity to make up a little time: slid into the slipstream of the No.63 bus heading across town. I put it into the big ring and pretty soon I'm doing 30mph and we're hitting all the lights. I got the "WTF is a cyclist doing 30 in the middle lane?" look from a soccer-mom in a Honda Pilot.
I love that.
I love that.
#5895
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Vision R40 - recumbent, Gunnar Crosshairs
Another bummer! I have to ask myself why I am so arrogant.
I know better. Don't cross railroad tracks except completely perpendicularly. The road was in particularly bad shape on this new route to my training class. I noticed the condition, slowed down, and started trying to unclip. Suddenly, I'm on my side. My elbow is bloodied and my back hurts. I got myself up, checked out the 'bent, put the chain back on and rode into class.
Fortunately, the blood washed out of the jersey (cold water and hand soap in the building), and everything else seems to be sore muscles. We'll see by the afternoon whether I'm asking my wife to give me a lift home. :-(
I know better. Don't cross railroad tracks except completely perpendicularly. The road was in particularly bad shape on this new route to my training class. I noticed the condition, slowed down, and started trying to unclip. Suddenly, I'm on my side. My elbow is bloodied and my back hurts. I got myself up, checked out the 'bent, put the chain back on and rode into class.
Fortunately, the blood washed out of the jersey (cold water and hand soap in the building), and everything else seems to be sore muscles. We'll see by the afternoon whether I'm asking my wife to give me a lift home. :-(
#5896
Lance IS my Hero
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Sport
I dropped yesterday on the way home. I had taken the bike in the previous evening for a tuneup since my front Tiagra was rubbing a little and I haven't gotten around to relearning how to adjust them myself. Anyway, I'm on the ride home last night and crest a hill and figure I'd jump up to the big ring and get some speed going. I hit the shifter and my chain jumped completely over the big ring.
I grab the breaks and ease in a driveway, pop the chain back on and hop on and clip in, realizing I wasn't carrying any speed while trying to turn around and get back on the road......plop. Nice little piercing on my left calf.
Patience, I must remeber patience and not get in a hurry. The good news is, I printed out the spec sheet of my Tiagra front derailleur and learned how to tune the damn thing myself
I grab the breaks and ease in a driveway, pop the chain back on and hop on and clip in, realizing I wasn't carrying any speed while trying to turn around and get back on the road......plop. Nice little piercing on my left calf.
Patience, I must remeber patience and not get in a hurry. The good news is, I printed out the spec sheet of my Tiagra front derailleur and learned how to tune the damn thing myself
#5897
I had a great commute to my Thursday office, beautiful sunrise. It was 62F when I left home, lunch time it was 81F, twenty minutes later it's 58F (rain came through). It's a good thing I brought bike clothing for all occasions... it will make for an interesting ride home.
#5898
Vermonticus Outdoorsus
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, VT
Bikes: Specialized Rockhopper circa 1993
Absolutely gorgeous fall day here in the Northeast. The foliage is turning so quickly, and the weather has finally been warm and sunny. Perfect ride in and home today. Not much traffic, and I took a new way home today that a co-worker let me in on that was one of the most beautiful roads that I have ever been on!
#5899
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 30
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Got honked by one idiot driver up Yonge St. while taking the lane to avoid about 2km of bad road (3rd lane, light traffic too). On the way back while climbing a hill, got passed by a police officer on a motorcycle who shouted, "Work it, work it!". Got a real kick out of that.
#5900
Originally Posted by Lufty
and got a chainring tattoo/piercing in the right calf 

Last couple of days have been uneventful, kinda. Wussed out yesterday & wore some old sweat pants (can't afford tights), otherwise cool mornings & gorgeous afternoon rides. Oh yea, passed the 700 mile mark yesterday too.




