How was the commute today?
#6477
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 701
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From: SoCal - 909
Bikes: IRO Jamie Roy (fixed-gear commuter), Gary Fisher Rig 29er SS, Trek Madone 5.5, Specialized Allez Comp, Marin Mt. Vision Pro, Specialized M2 Hardtail, beater Nishiki fixed-gear conversion, Gary Fisher Rig 29er SS
The first half was good. Bit overcast this morning, so I probably shoulda had a blinky light on, even though it was light out. Screamed at some idiot lady in a jeep that nearly pulled out in front of me, (why is it that drivers near schools are complete idiots?) but that was forgotten a block or two later.
The ride home; not so good, 'cause I *didn't* ride home. After changing into my riding clothes, I was packing up my stuff and getting the rest of my gear together only to discover I'd forgotten my headlamp. I tossed the battery in but the light somehow didn't make it into my bag this-morning. Had to beg a ride home from a coworker who lives nearby.
Oh, well. There's always tomorrow...
-Trevor
The ride home; not so good, 'cause I *didn't* ride home. After changing into my riding clothes, I was packing up my stuff and getting the rest of my gear together only to discover I'd forgotten my headlamp. I tossed the battery in but the light somehow didn't make it into my bag this-morning. Had to beg a ride home from a coworker who lives nearby.
Oh, well. There's always tomorrow...
-Trevor
#6478
Thirty-six degrees (F) and windy this morning, the first sub-forty day so far this fall. I went with double layer both for pants and shirt along with my Bike Jacket. The micro fleece layer was a little heavy and I sweat a little bit but not too bad. I was afraid the double layer for my legs was too much but it turned out to be very comfortable. Doubled up on sox and used my wind blocking booties so my feet kept nice and warm. I did 5.8 miles in 25 minutes. All in all, a great day for a bikeride!
#6479
for some reason today's mid-30s temp felt colder than the last two days' sub-30, at least at the beginning of my ride. by the end i was perspiring as usual, however. it is always great to be out there, misanthropic motorists notwithstanding.
#6480
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
25F this am, bright & crisp. I heard a few people struggling to get their steel cages started & I chuckled as I rode right on by!
Great ride!
Great ride!
#6481
Pretty wet this morning, I think I need a front fender because when I got to work it looked like a had a beard from all the black water on my face.
As a highlight though, the production manager is mopping up the bike tracks left by a lowly draftsman. Classic! He missed a spot in my cube, I better go tell him.
As a highlight though, the production manager is mopping up the bike tracks left by a lowly draftsman. Classic! He missed a spot in my cube, I better go tell him.
#6482
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: SuckaFree City
Bikes: chopper, Team Fuji, Velo Orange Polyvalent
23 degrees, and I still need to work on keeping warm enough. I couldn't find my winter glvoes, and my arms were cold, but it wasn't so bad. I bought safety glasses to keep cold air out of my eyes, and they weren't as effective as I hoped, but better than nothing.
#6483
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
Tried a slightly different route home yesterday (I've just moved house, so still figuring out the best way) and cut a couple of miles, a lot of traffic, and about 10 minutes off the commute home. I ride through the Cherry Creek State Park, just down the road from my house, so have plenty of options on a nice day to extend the ride. Slight headwind on the way home, but nothing over the top.
This morning was a bit damp. It was raining as I left home, but stopped after a couple of miles and just left a lot of water on the roads. Hooray for fenders! Rain started up again about 5 minutes from the office, and about 30 minutes after I arrived it turned to snow. Came down the same faster route this morning (took around 45 minutes rather than an hour for the alternative). It was much nicer to have less traffic, even if it was a bit more of a climb. 20mph tailwind kinda helped too.
This morning was a bit damp. It was raining as I left home, but stopped after a couple of miles and just left a lot of water on the roads. Hooray for fenders! Rain started up again about 5 minutes from the office, and about 30 minutes after I arrived it turned to snow. Came down the same faster route this morning (took around 45 minutes rather than an hour for the alternative). It was much nicer to have less traffic, even if it was a bit more of a climb. 20mph tailwind kinda helped too.
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#6484
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
55F and drizzling this morning. It would have been a really pleasant morning to go for a long detour. Too bad I had to be in early and wearing a tie to meet some new clients. Maybe I can sneak out this afternoon, but I doubt it.
#6485
Originally Posted by Merryish
Grrrrr. The one afternoon I'm *not* commuting by bike, and it's clear and warm and gorgeous outside, with a 20 mph tailwind.
Hmf. Want my bike.
Hmf. Want my bike.
If it makes you feel better, today I missed my first work day commute in a month, and it's great weather. They say it might be our last nice day for a while. I picked my old van up from the mechanic's last night on the way home. I didn't drive it at all for the last month. Pretty cool, eh?
Even with the van back I am committing to staying on the bike. I had to put gas in the van this morning and about choked when I saw the per gallon price ($2.06 per gallon). My van has become my alternate mode of transportation and it's clearly set in my mind that way. I like that!
#6486
Powered by PB&J

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA, USA
62F cloudy, windy, it had rained earlier this morning so the roads were wet. WOOHOO! Today is the first day I get to test out my new fenders!
They worked pretty good, I think I have to adjust them, my left foot is a little wet while my right foot is almost perfectly dry. I was even aiming for all the puddles in the road. The best part was watching the dirty brown water drip off the mudflap...that water would have been on my bike and body....
They worked pretty good, I think I have to adjust them, my left foot is a little wet while my right foot is almost perfectly dry. I was even aiming for all the puddles in the road. The best part was watching the dirty brown water drip off the mudflap...that water would have been on my bike and body....
#6487
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
It was quite warm this morning at 6AM, 50F & dry with no wind. Ride in was uneventful until I was cruising through our empty parking lot. It was very dark & my vistalight illuminates a very small circle. Our building has numerous 18"X18"X6' cement barriers all along the building between the walk way & parking lot (this was done after an irate citizen made our Yakima office into a drive through). The local skateboarders had dragged one of these barriers out into the traffic aisle & as I entered it was edge on & unseen by me. Missed it by that much! as Maxwell Smart used to say. We now have all the barriers anchored with L shaped steel straps. See how long it takes the kids to defeat these. Don
#6488
Right calf grease tattoo

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Bikes: '02 Alpe D'Huez
Definitely chilly this morning. So much that I wore a relatively thick polyester long sleeve stretchy shirt, with a t-shirt over that and a windbreaker on top. I think the windbreaker was a little much; when I got home tonight my arms and back were dripping wet. Yech. Still in my shorts for the bottom half, it would have to be really cold here to need tights or wind pants. Switched out the 10w halogen for the 20w for the ride home, I could tell a good difference though the 20w is more flood than the spot-like 10. I'm modifying my Cateye Opticube for rear strobe duty. That combined with my 5 led red flasher, along with a serious assortment of reflective tape on the bike, should make me a nice big target for the occasional insane driver.
#6489
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 521
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From: San Jose, CA, USA
rode to the dentist at lunch today....good ride, 5 miles one way. On the ride back my whole mouth was numb and I kept having to wipe the drool from my mouth with my sleeve. gross...
#6490
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,237
Likes: 75
From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
Left for work about 20 minutes earlier, so as to beat sunset..Rode in about 10 minutes of near dark..Temperature was a little under 60 when I got into work...Tried not to put on my arm warmer or jacket- so would not get them smelly before morining commute back home. As dark gets earlier, this will be impossible.
Good commute...Averaged 13 mph..( I have about 4 miles of significant climbing)Now, with dark getting earlier...Did not see one other cyclist- except for kids leaving schools....Standard time..Should be over 50 degrees when I leave in the morning..
Good commute...Averaged 13 mph..( I have about 4 miles of significant climbing)Now, with dark getting earlier...Did not see one other cyclist- except for kids leaving schools....Standard time..Should be over 50 degrees when I leave in the morning..
#6494
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Podunc, Minnesota
Bikes: '14 Bacchetta Corsa, '93 Ryan Vanguard, Action Bent SWB USS
27F, clear skies, and no wind… clean and crisp. I realized a couple new hurdles in regards to winter riding… You can’t spit or blow snot rockets with a balaclava! And it takes an extra 5 minutes to unlayer when I get to work.
#6495
about 40 °F, stiff wind straight from the north, makes for a quick trip in. forecast is for snow flurries this afternoon; bring 'em on! i would appreciate a little less headwind, however, god, if you're listening.
#6496
Finally I found the cause of my recent spate of punctures - the edges of a small cut in the tyre were rubbing the tube. I put a patch inside the tire to protect it for the time being, until I can swap it for a new one. Maybe it will keep going for a good while yet?
Nice sunny but chilly ride today - we are definitely getting towards frosty mornings, a time of year that I love when the weather is cold and sunny and abhor when it is mild and damp.
Still on the hunt for a new bike frame, but I may go for the Kinesis Racelight option I saw a few days ago.
Cheers,
Ed
Nice sunny but chilly ride today - we are definitely getting towards frosty mornings, a time of year that I love when the weather is cold and sunny and abhor when it is mild and damp.
Still on the hunt for a new bike frame, but I may go for the Kinesis Racelight option I saw a few days ago.
Cheers,
Ed
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Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
#6497
Back on the bike after driving one day. Felt good this morning. 40+ F and cloudy with strong headwind, although it felt good when it was a tail. Looking sunny out there even with flurries in the forecast.
My weekend riding buddies are getting worried -- I have had only one day off the bike (except for Sundays) in the last month. They are trash talking me like crazy. After ten years of getting my legs torn off, this year I returned the favor several times. It's only going to get worse for them as I am promising to make their wives "widows" or at least their wives will lose them to a painkiller addiction!
My weekend riding buddies are getting worried -- I have had only one day off the bike (except for Sundays) in the last month. They are trash talking me like crazy. After ten years of getting my legs torn off, this year I returned the favor several times. It's only going to get worse for them as I am promising to make their wives "widows" or at least their wives will lose them to a painkiller addiction!
#6498
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
Originally Posted by Jamtastic
my first commute was today. 10.22 miles total. not bad. little rainy but what can you do.
I had a very peaceful ride home through a snow shower last night. I'd put the knobby cross tires on the bike the night before which I think came in handy on a few of the wooden bridges I crossed on one of the bike trails I rode on. Didn't see another soul on a bike (usually I'll see at least one or two).
For various reasons I didn't ride in to the office today, but those reasons seem to have disappeared and I now wish I had. The sleep in was good, though...
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#6499
is chicago,
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Today I set a PR on the way to work!
50 minutes from filling my water bottle in my kitchen to pulling up to the bike cage at work - 10 miles, some hills, lots of lights. Cold enough to see my breath, and the sun was in my eyes in downtown. A beautiful morning all around.
Can't wait to see how it goes on my way home today (not much longer now).
50 minutes from filling my water bottle in my kitchen to pulling up to the bike cage at work - 10 miles, some hills, lots of lights. Cold enough to see my breath, and the sun was in my eyes in downtown. A beautiful morning all around.
Can't wait to see how it goes on my way home today (not much longer now).
#6500
Campy or bust :p
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,139
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey commuter build
Today was 61 and overcast... very nice riding weather with a slight breeze. I stopped and got some food on the way to work, too. My commute is normally only just over 2 miles so I try to throw in some intermediate destinations to make it worthwhile. Going home in the morning should be lots of fun. I get off @ 8am and it's probably going to be in the 30's.




