How was the commute today?
#6151
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: Oztraylya
Bikes: '03 Fuji Roubaix Pro; '03 KleinGi Attitude; '06 Soma Rush; '04 Surly Cross-Check; '06 Soma Rush; '07 Scott CR1 / Chorus
Cool and crisp ride in this morning. Left home around 7 (still pretty dark and about 38 deg F) and thanks to a few clouds, it never really got all the bright or much warmer. First day I've worn my jacket the whole way, too, though I think I could have done ok with the sleeves off.
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#6152
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: austin, tx
My first commute ever was on Tuesday - today is my 2nd. I'm about 8.5 miles from work - today it took 45 minutes.
I live in austin, so it's still t-shirt weather here (really nice). I've LOVED riding in - it's a great feeling pulling up to the office with a huge sense of accomplishment.
On Tuesday I took the bus home because it was dark and I don't know how comfortable I am with that, but today I'm hoping to leave before it's too late.
I live in austin, so it's still t-shirt weather here (really nice). I've LOVED riding in - it's a great feeling pulling up to the office with a huge sense of accomplishment.
On Tuesday I took the bus home because it was dark and I don't know how comfortable I am with that, but today I'm hoping to leave before it's too late.
#6153
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
Low 50's and balmy this morning. Only slight rain light night so the trail was in pretty good shape. I left the rain jacket at home but put my skull cap on for some added warmth (bald). I left a little later than usual but was able to make up most of the time on my ride, arriving about 10 minutes later than normal. No suicidal rats or mice this morning, however, I was careful to avoid the ever increasing number of wet leaves scattered on the path. As I'm getting used to my new commuter I'm having more fun as it's quite a bit more agile than my other bike. It really handles well and the shorter cranks (170 as opposed to 175 mm on all my other bikes) along with the 12-speed gearing and bio-pace (?) cranks, make for a really good spin into work. I might find that I like this $142 Centurion over my more expensive Surly, at least for commuting.
#6154
The Land of Living Skies
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Bikes: Kona Hahannah, Rocky Mountain RC-30
Today was a weird weather commute....windy, sunny, cloudy and 9C. There is supposed to be very high winds today but hopefully it will blow itself out by 5. I almost buckled this morning and drove the tin can. I am glad I decided to not be a wus and just get on the bike and go. It's all good after the first 5 minutes.
#6155
Hmmmm... a little chilly this morning (37F), overcast skies (I think, it was dark), but I had a nice commute into work (16 miles). More and more leaves are falling off the trees coating the trails and streets, makes it interesting. My lights are really doing the trick. I don't need lights for the trip home... well, until daylight savings time.
#6156
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Great commuting weather lately, 49F with patchy fog at 6AM today, still overcast & 59F at Noon but supposed to clear up & be sunny this afternoon. Still riding Summer road bikes as much as possible until the ineviteable change to wet Winter weather which will occur soon. Don
#6157
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 1
From: Absecon, NJ
Bikes: Puch Luzern, Puch Mistral SLE, Bianchi Pista, Motobecane Grand Touring, Austro-Daimler Ultima, Legnano, Raleigh MountainTour, Cannondale SM600
55F and pouring rain this a.m. Clothes still drying and hopefully not too wet for the ride home. Had to detour also for road construction. Not my most enjoyable commute, but I still made it.
#6158
Right calf grease tattoo

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Bikes: '02 Alpe D'Huez
Was grateful for the jacket this morn and evening although you folks in chillier climes may scoff at low 50'sf jacket weather. 
After cycling through the summer i cannot imagine having to auto-commute on a regular basis.

After cycling through the summer i cannot imagine having to auto-commute on a regular basis.
#6159
Originally Posted by sabrina
My first commute ever was on Tuesday - today is my 2nd. I'm about 8.5 miles from work - today it took 45 minutes.
I live in austin, so it's still t-shirt weather here (really nice). I've LOVED riding in - it's a great feeling pulling up to the office with a huge sense of accomplishment.
On Tuesday I took the bus home because it was dark and I don't know how comfortable I am with that, but today I'm hoping to leave before it's too late. 
I live in austin, so it's still t-shirt weather here (really nice). I've LOVED riding in - it's a great feeling pulling up to the office with a huge sense of accomplishment.
On Tuesday I took the bus home because it was dark and I don't know how comfortable I am with that, but today I'm hoping to leave before it's too late. 
Cool & dark again this am. This afternoon was 40'sF breezy (headwind) & gray, actually had to "dress up" with the warm stff for the ride home. Soon I'll have to hang it up for lack of warm riding clothes for the winter.
#6160
Every lane is a bike lane


Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,666
Likes: 16
From: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - passionfruit capital of the universe!
About the only redeeming feature of this weather is the decent headwind I get each morning. Sadly, that means it's coming from the north, which is basically the cause of most of the problems at the moment. Where is the wet season?
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I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#6162
Cyclist and village idiot

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Amelia Oh
Bikes: 2005 Gary Fisher Nirvana S 2001 Trek 2200 1999 Schwinn Mesa 1989 Mangussa?
Well call me lazy or call me a wuss, but I did not feel like riding in this morning. I got out of the house, it was windy, wet and started to rain. I have road my bike to work in weather like this before, but this morning I did not feel like it so I drove to work today.
Oh well, theres always next week.
Oh well, theres always next week.
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Fear is never boring
Fear is never boring
#6163
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Bikes: 1993 Infinity LWB, Bacchetta
Yesterday was a little chilly but not to bad. 41 degrees F (5 degrees C), 5 to 10 knot wind, dry, and cloudy. With an insulated wind breaker and gloves it was a nice ride. Cloudiness is nice too because without the clouds, the sun is in the eyes of the drivers coming up on me from behind. Today its cold, rainy, and windy so the bike will stay in the garage.
#6164
I am not a car

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 1
From: Decatur, GA
Bikes: Giant Revel 1, Surly Ogre
Nice and cool (48°F) with a 7 mph headwind. Nancy Griffith on the stereo. I feel truly fortunate to be able to commute by bike. Life is good.
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"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
#6165
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Podunc, Minnesota
Bikes: '14 Bacchetta Corsa, '93 Ryan Vanguard, Action Bent SWB USS
Originally Posted by sabrina
My first commute ever was on Tuesday - today is my 2nd. I'm about 8.5 miles from work - today it took 45 minutes.
I live in austin, so it's still t-shirt weather here (really nice). I've LOVED riding in - it's a great feeling pulling up to the office with a huge sense of accomplishment.
On Tuesday I took the bus home because it was dark and I don't know how comfortable I am with that, but today I'm hoping to leave before it's too late. 
I live in austin, so it's still t-shirt weather here (really nice). I've LOVED riding in - it's a great feeling pulling up to the office with a huge sense of accomplishment.
On Tuesday I took the bus home because it was dark and I don't know how comfortable I am with that, but today I'm hoping to leave before it's too late. 
Congrats! It only gets better!
Glasses Suck!
It started misting this morning. Not that there was much to see this moring with overcast conditions an hour before sunrise. I'm glad that I didn't check the weather before I headed out, or I might have wimped out. I feel more alive and awake, even with the hour less sleep, when I bike to work.
#6166
Originally Posted by madhouse
I feel more alive and awake, even with the hour less sleep, when I bike to work. 

Last night I road home in a light rain. It was very enjoyable as it kept me cool. Besides I like the looks I get (is that guy nuts???)
This morning temp was cool (5c) which made for a beautiful ride in. Didn't see any other bikers today. They are becoming less and less as the temp drops.
#6167
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Today was testosterone day on my commute. I don't know what came over me, but I saw two tire tracks on the trail (it had rained last night so wet tires made tracks) and I decided I needed to chase down these other people and pass them.
I caught up to one rider and he turned onto a side road to avoid being humiliated by my awe-inspiring capabilities.
(Or so I imagined, anyway.)
I caught up to the other rider but it wasn't really a fair fight. He was on an undersized-MTB. Easily dispatched.
It's Friday, so that will be my excuse for such silliness.
I caught up to one rider and he turned onto a side road to avoid being humiliated by my awe-inspiring capabilities.
(Or so I imagined, anyway.)I caught up to the other rider but it wasn't really a fair fight. He was on an undersized-MTB. Easily dispatched.
It's Friday, so that will be my excuse for such silliness.
#6168
The Land of Living Skies
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Bikes: Kona Hahannah, Rocky Mountain RC-30
Zero celcius, light snow and light wind and fewer people on the road make for an excellent ride in. The looks and comments make it all worth while. I am sure that if I told those who asked that I like biking in this weather better than 25C they would think I am more nuts than they already do.
Such is life.....if only they knew what they were missing out on.
Such is life.....if only they knew what they were missing out on.
#6169
winter is comming
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Lachine, Quebec, Canada
Bikes: Mikado kensington 2003, "commuterized" 8yr old Mongoose hilltopper SX, Baycrest Hurricane 10 speed
I am getting some of the best rides aver in the past few days. I left the office quite late yesterday and it was pitch dark. I only saw another rider on the bike path, and it was so quiet. I needed the adrenaline so I rode as fast as I could maintain for the whole time. I got home feeling so good.
This morning was raining, and the bikers were few as well. I'm really enjoying being out there when most ppl think I shouldn't. I can't wait to try and ride in the snow.
This morning was raining, and the bikers were few as well. I'm really enjoying being out there when most ppl think I shouldn't. I can't wait to try and ride in the snow.
#6170
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've been getting some terrific rides in recently too. My new bike is just alot of fun to ride and my legs have felt really strong. I love the autumn with its cool temperatures and falling leaves. It's so dark on my morning ride in that I might only see one or two other riders, often my only indication of them are the tire tracks they leave on the dry stretches of pavement or blinking red lights in the distance. I like being enveloped in almost total darkness with my headlight creating a tunnel of light in front of me and the freedom to go as fast or as slow as I want. I now have a new addition to my afternoon ritual; plugging my battery in to make sure I've got a good charge for the following day. I know it's only going to get darker with the change from daylight savings time. I'm considering studded winter tires so I can ride through the winter this year (last year I put the bike away from December to mid-February). Today's ride home looks to be a wet one, it'll give me the opportunity to wipe down my new bike for the first time.
#6171
The 'net ruined cycling

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Bikes: Steelman Eurocross, Peugeot U08 fixie, Specialized Expidition, Raleigh Sprite 27, Serotta CDA
Originally Posted by Chris L
About the only redeeming feature of this weather is the decent headwind I get each morning. Sadly, that means it's coming from the north, which is basically the cause of most of the problems at the moment. Where is the wet season?
#6172
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Podunc, Minnesota
Bikes: '14 Bacchetta Corsa, '93 Ryan Vanguard, Action Bent SWB USS
Originally Posted by vtjim
I caught up to one rider and he turned onto a side road to avoid being humiliated by my awe-inspiring capabilities.
(Or so I imagined, anyway.)
I caught up to the other rider but it wasn't really a fair fight. He was on an undersized-MTB. Easily dispatched.
(Or so I imagined, anyway.)I caught up to the other rider but it wasn't really a fair fight. He was on an undersized-MTB. Easily dispatched.
I bet you could ride on ice without changing your tires!
Rode home in a 40F rain tonight w/20 mph cross/head wind
. I was slow but at least I wasn't fast!
I need a different solution for my feet... something that include neoprene, but I don't want them to get to hot either.
#6173
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Cloudy today & much warmer but the forecast showers never came.I did a fast circuit to & from work on the Miyata. After work, I picked up the rebuilt wheelset from my LBS, The BikeStand. Now I can finish putting my cross bike back together. Have a good weekend. Don
#6174
Right calf grease tattoo

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Bikes: '02 Alpe D'Huez
Left early for work Friday am so i could stop by the local coffee shop on the way. Quite chilly so i wore liner gloves and a semi-thick polyester stretchy shirt. Not as cool coming home around 7:30 pm but i did get to try out my new 10w Nighthawk light. Now i can actually see where the potholes are in the dark spots instead of guessing.
#6175
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Durango, Colorado
Bikes: 05 Giant Reign, Sette Shadow, parts
grrrr. summer and autumn have gone (were they ever really here? I think it was just a guest appearance!)..
35 on the way in this morning, medium headwind made it feel like my cones were too tight, or my disks were rubbing. But, I did go in 1 1/2 hours late; the sun was out and it quite crisp and pretty. Hopefully I can catch a keen tailwind on the way home, and maybe even stop for a couple photos.
Windstopper tights are order...
35 on the way in this morning, medium headwind made it feel like my cones were too tight, or my disks were rubbing. But, I did go in 1 1/2 hours late; the sun was out and it quite crisp and pretty. Hopefully I can catch a keen tailwind on the way home, and maybe even stop for a couple photos.
Windstopper tights are order...




