mrfix

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.

Rich Clark

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

jimlady

Well, Friday I got a flat in the rear tire. I fixed it, looked for the cause and found nothing. Halfway home, flat #2) . 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.


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 On the way home: Flat #5 (all flats in the rear tire ). I waited 30 minutes for the bus .

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

Gus Riley

Jum L,

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

cyclezealot

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.?

Allister

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?

cyclezealot

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.

cyclezealot

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.

Gus Riley

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).

chewa

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

kobyj

Today was the first time in a week I was able to ride into work. Previous days had bad weather.

Today, I had a light drizzle and a light headwind. I still felt like I was flying until I got to work and found out that I forgot my ID badge at my aparment. Spun the bike around and then REALLY flew home to get the ID. By then I would have been late for work if I rode back so I drove the truck. :-(

I'll have to drive the truck tomorrow since I am driving 75 miles right when I get off of work.

Point of advice: when riding fast, locking up the back tire on a wet road is not fun! The bike kicked sideways and I almost went down. Maybe it's time to replace the bald back tire.

cyclezealot

Gus. Taking the flats to the ocean, headwinds can be as much to blame for slowing down a commute as hills. I enjoy our California hills- mostly. However on a rush to commute to work, would not mind them disappearing for the day so I can get to work faster. Commuting 33 miles. Proud of you. Real committment.

mrfix

Mornin all
This morning I left the house on wet roads, kept my speed under 16 mph to keep the water on the tires. It was a nice 55 degree morning, traffic was light and the birds were singing. The ride was way too short. What a great way to wake up and start the day.

Teresa

As this is my first week commuting, I keep learning and enjoying new things each day. This morning I wasn't paying attention to pedestrians until I realized they were in the crosswalk I was heading for. Though I was no where near them, I felt bad that I couldn't stop in time to yield. But it made me appreciate the fact that I was able to tell them I was sorry, even though they were laughing at my expression when I realized that I should have yielded to them. There is no way I could apologize to a pedestrian if I were in a car. Riding my bike just makes everything seem more friendly.

Also, the day was gorgeous and there were very little cars to make me nervous. I definitely enjoyed the commute this morning.

Teresa

The Rob

Good on ya, Teresa! I've become very aware of crosswalks too. As a whole I find that commuting via bike has even made me a better and more courteous driver. I tend to notice more of the environment beyond the confines of the 'box'. Yet another benefit of bicycle commuting. I wonder, were it made mandatory in driver education to first learn how to cycle in traffic before earning a motor vehicle permit, if we'd see an overall decline in negative driving habits. Hmmmm...

-Rob (sorry I included the whole quotation, but I felt it relevant)

Inkwolf

Yay! Got my bike back after a week of no riding (which my sore knees probably needed.) The non-suspension seatpost and properly-fitting toe clips REALLY improve the ride.

It's cloudy today and threatening to drizzle. Nice temperature, and a slight headwind, which is always good to see. (Last week the slight headwind turned into a major wind that pushed me home so easily that I took a long, scenic detour.)

On the down side, someone got a Great Dane along the highway where I drive. Have I mentioned that Great Danes are the bane of my existence? This was a spotted Harlequin, looked to be maybe a 7 or 8-month old pup, but hard to admire its beauty when it's running at you snarling. I've never seen it before, so I assume it's generally tied up. A couple "NO! Bad Dog!"s slowed it down some. Wish I could get my water bottle out of my tight step-thru frame...

cyclezealot

Following midnight shift, left plant at 7 am. Sun was bright, air about 60 degrees. Hated to see it end , even if do need the sleep. Can't help but notice when commuting to work and pass over the Interstate how backed up it is; and how nice the environment seemed once I got away from the concrete canyon, and all that dirty air and noise being emitted by the traffic.

LittleBigMan

Well, I left work at about 4:30 pm on friday. As I left the building,
I immediately noticed that ominous look of an impending thunderstorm.

Sure enough, as I headed eastward, I headed directly towards it. I could see the lightning flashing a few miles in front of me. To the south, it was fairly clear. I was headed to meet my wife about 12 miles southeast of work, but I had to head east before I could head south.

Less than ten minutes later, I was being drenched with heavy, suprisingly chilly downpours, which soon afterwards began to sting my flesh. I thought it was hail, but I couldn't actually see any hailstones, so I wasn't sure.

At a traffic light, after swooshing through a deep, moving "puddle" that drenched my foot (funny, the water was very warm) I felt a smile coming on, so I turned and grinned widely at the motorist waiting behind me for the light to change, as if to say, "Gee, this is fun!" I met up with a fellow cyclist who was also surfing that afternoon and we exchanged some friendly shouts; he gave me quick directions (I had headed south too early and found myself in unfamiliar territory) and we parted company comrades.

After a wierd experience riding just left of "gullywashers" in the street that covered half the lane, I finally hit Second Ave., which goes straight south. In a minute or two, I left the rain behind.

I arrived brimming with enthusiasm, although sopping wet, to meet my wife. I changed into dry things (plastic bags work wonders) in the bathroom, made a sandwich and ate a great meal while waiting for her. One thing I forgot was a pair of dry shoes, but I called my wife and asked her to bring some.

mrfix

Mornin Everyone.
Fridays ride home was just about perfect, I took the long way home, 28 miles. The sun was shining and the air was just perfect, not too humid. This morning was a weather let down, I got up to ride in and it was raining and raining hard. I decided to drive to work, what a miserable day this turned into, when I drive to work it ruins my attitude for the day. I should ride in the rain, I think I'd feel better. It's suppose to rain again for the next 2 days, I may ride anyway.:confused:

brennser

Ouch!

had my first major spill this morning - took a downhill corner a little too fast considering it had rained heavily all night - before I knew it my back wheel had come out from under me and I was sliding across the road - bad case of road rash all down my right side and the right shoulder/arm of my jersey was ripped to shreds

thank god I was wearing a helmet though - I distinctly remember an audible thunk as my head hit the road - also glad it was a quiet road as I could have slid underneath an oncoming car

got up, checked the bike and myself and decided to keep riding - I was on mile 2 of 10 - the rest of the ride was very pleasant!

Theres more rain forecast for this afternoon so I think I'll leave my bike at work - I won't be cycling tomorrow either as I am being sworn in as a US citizen at 8am!

PaulH

Hey Brennser,welcome aboard! One of the things American families like to pass on from generation to generation are the stories of their immegrent ancestors. You will become one of the people who your family here will always remember.

Paul (also in DC, who often thinks of William Hamilton, even though he arrived about 330 years ago)

rhafe

Today was my first commute of the year and also the first on my new road bike. What a difference from my mountain bike. It felt real good-fast and efficient. Hope I can keep it up. Roger H

Inkwolf

Finally, today there was sunshine after a week of grey, soggy days!

I said to heck with cadence. Screw trying to get a good workout. No more rushing to be on time. I left home an hour early and went at a leisurely pace, enjoying the scenery. (Dandelions have appeared everywhere!) I got to work early enough to eat dinner and read a book out on the picnic table behind the library.
I had more energy on the ride home tonight than I have had since I started commuting, and more fun on the entire ride, too. Maybe I've been pushing myself too much.

cyclezealot

Inkwolf. you refer to eating dinner on way to work and going home tonight. Just curious. What time of day do you do your commute and how great is the distance.? You like commuting at night? Afternoon shift would make the ride home about Midnight, No?

nathank

yesterday was absolutely georgeous here in Munich! (today is as well!) i left work a little early and rode out towards the country (instead of back into the city to go home) and explored some new roads... beautiful fields of bright yellow flowers everywhere - not sure what they are but i've never seen them in the States. apparently they are used to produce oil but fill probably 2/3 of the fields here in the area. A see of yellow, with green fields of grass and trees to the sides and then deep rich blue sky with a few white fluffy clouds... wow! rode about 20 minutes then had to turn around and actually ride home since i had told my girlfriend i would meet her... great ride in shorts and short-sleeve short although there was a little too much wind for my taste...