How was the commute today?
#8501
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
I was able to take a nice 14 mile detour this morning: Freeport Blvd, south past Executive Airport, to Pocket Road, big loop of the Pocket area, and then Riverside back into Downtown. Perfect riding weather with a jersey and armwarmers. Saw a handful of other commuters and the motorists were respectful and well-behaved. A good start to the day.
#8502
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
Great weather plus a slight tailwind. I cruised easily at 18/19 and hit 30 on the downhill side of one of the overpasses by the airport. Hope to sneak out a little early today and will ride this weekend, some road, some dirt-sweet. Also planning on checking out the race in Clarendon and shooting some pix. Have a great weekend!
#8503
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
56F at 6AM, 80F by lunch time & it topped 90F this afternoon. For today's wakeup alert, I survived a close call this morning: bike lane has 2 lanes of traffic left plus a freeway on ramp/merge lane to my right after crossing the intersection of Martin Way & College St. Its a slight downhill, so I was moving right along. Gal in a little rice burner looked right at me from about 5' away as I paced her at 26 mph then swung left & gunned it across the bike lane, the lane to my left & into the fast lane! I swerved & ended up in the middle of the street yelling at her & shaking my fist. Guess we really are invisible! Have a great holiday weekend! Don
Last edited by ollo_ollo; 05-27-05 at 06:02 PM.
#8504
Senior Member

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 59
From: Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Bikes: Giant easy e, Priority Onyx, Scott Sub 40, Marin Belvedere Commuter
Working weekends is bittersweet. Doing something else would be much better, but the money is good too.
I haven't commuted much since the blizzard back in February. Got plenty of riding done, but not the commuting type, which made this commute surprisingly quick and easy.
Today was pretty good if I say so myself. Refreshingly cool at the beginning and took the hills without a huff. Being in much better condition, the ride was quite a bit quicker, So.... I rode around a bit before headding into the office. Usually a 9.5 mile ride ended up just under 12. Nice.
No work tomorrow and wifey wants to go for a long ride in Little Compton RI.
Later
I haven't commuted much since the blizzard back in February. Got plenty of riding done, but not the commuting type, which made this commute surprisingly quick and easy.
Today was pretty good if I say so myself. Refreshingly cool at the beginning and took the hills without a huff. Being in much better condition, the ride was quite a bit quicker, So.... I rode around a bit before headding into the office. Usually a 9.5 mile ride ended up just under 12. Nice.
No work tomorrow and wifey wants to go for a long ride in Little Compton RI.
Later
#8505
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Perhaps a degree or two warmer, and the temperature would have been perfect. Other than that, a great ride and I think a bit faster than normal too.
I find myself imagining what the ride would be like on a trike, though...
I find myself imagining what the ride would be like on a trike, though...
#8506
There are no short cuts
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Just something to ponder...
I was riding into work last Friday and was going through the park. It just so happens there are about 30 pigions in the road as always.
They took off before I got there and flew to the left and as I peddled under them the flew back to the right and I recived a message from one of them in my lap :-(
So the mystery to ponder is,,,,, "why do the pigions take off in one direction and then come back the other way when you ride under them....."
I was riding into work last Friday and was going through the park. It just so happens there are about 30 pigions in the road as always.
They took off before I got there and flew to the left and as I peddled under them the flew back to the right and I recived a message from one of them in my lap :-(
So the mystery to ponder is,,,,, "why do the pigions take off in one direction and then come back the other way when you ride under them....."
#8507
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Cool again at about 8 C, and overcast. Temp up to 22 in the afternoon, with a 30% chance of thunderstorms. Hmmm, I hope I don't get caught in that...
#8508
Senior Member

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 59
From: Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Bikes: Giant easy e, Priority Onyx, Scott Sub 40, Marin Belvedere Commuter
Uneventfull 10.2 mile commute from mall (where I leave my car). Foggy and cool.
#8509
Cool, humid, and slow.
__________________
The few, the proud, the likely insane, Metro-Atlanta bicycle commuters.
The few, the proud, the likely insane, Metro-Atlanta bicycle commuters.
#8510
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Second non-rainy commute in a row!
Lots of litter on the trail from the Marathon that took place here in Burlington on Sunday. Empty cups. Spent packets of "gu". You'd think they could at least clean up after themselves.
Last year people complained to the local newspaper. I guess the hint wasn't taken.
Lots of litter on the trail from the Marathon that took place here in Burlington on Sunday. Empty cups. Spent packets of "gu". You'd think they could at least clean up after themselves.
Last year people complained to the local newspaper. I guess the hint wasn't taken.
#8511
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: eastern Idaho
Bikes: '04 Specialize Dolce Elite
Ouch! My quads are still achy from a half marathon on Sunday. Left the house a bit early and just took it slow. Beautifully clear sunrise, cool temps heading for the mid sixties later.
#8512
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2005 Orbea Dauphine, 1997 GT Timberline
Back in the saddle after a one week vacation from work where the weather afforded me little oppurtunity for even a recreational ride. However, I did take the oppurtunity to get my ride tuned and the transmission cleaned. I also got an Arkel Bug Pannier for my Birthday. All of this made the ride in this morning very enjoyable.
I no longer watch my rear wheel wabble as I ride. When I turn the shifter, the chain actually moves. I'm a bit faster than I was a week ago. No more bungie-ing my old backpack to the rack. I'm loving life!
I no longer watch my rear wheel wabble as I ride. When I turn the shifter, the chain actually moves. I'm a bit faster than I was a week ago. No more bungie-ing my old backpack to the rack. I'm loving life!
#8513
Dude On Bike
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Spartanburg, SC
Bikes: Raliegh C40 Hybrid Bike. Cannondale R900 Triple. Schwinn World - Fixie Conversion
Today's commute had a frustrating start, as my dog got out of the fence and chased me up the street. After getting her back in the yard and patching the hole in the fence, I picked up the pace and made it on time for work.
It was very foggy. I could see fine, but I was glad to have my blinker on the back.
It was very foggy. I could see fine, but I was glad to have my blinker on the back.
#8514
Newbie
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I commute in Chicago everyday. It's not that far to work (only 3 miles each way) but the satisfaction I get from whipping by all the cars stuck in traffic is just as enjoyable as the ride itself.
#8515
Good ride to work and home . I all most did not have a parking spot today on the bike rack . Because of all the motor cyclist packing there motor bikes to close to the bike rack . I wish they would move the motor bikes parking space . Most of them only ride a hand full times a year . Have a good nite .
#8516
Just a commuter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Bikes: Scott Metrix 20 for commuting, Specialized Dolce Elite for fun
Newbie here -- both to the forum and to commuting. I'd just like to express my gratitude for all the great advice on the forum, all the inspiring commuter stories, and share my beginning experince as a commuter:
I have a varying 17.5 km to work: first through the center of Stockholm (Sweden, btw) and then gradually more countrysidish until the last 5 km on a more or less MTB trail with deers and horses as curious spectators.
I've been lucky with the weather so far, no wind and sunny (but chilly) in the mornings, and some wind and light rain in the afternoon to make it interesting. My intention is to keep it up through summer and fall so that I am prepared for the Swedish winter!
(Sorry for any mistakes in the writing, I am Swedish and English is therefore not my first language
I have a varying 17.5 km to work: first through the center of Stockholm (Sweden, btw) and then gradually more countrysidish until the last 5 km on a more or less MTB trail with deers and horses as curious spectators.
I've been lucky with the weather so far, no wind and sunny (but chilly) in the mornings, and some wind and light rain in the afternoon to make it interesting. My intention is to keep it up through summer and fall so that I am prepared for the Swedish winter!
(Sorry for any mistakes in the writing, I am Swedish and English is therefore not my first language
#8517
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Originally Posted by spidercyclist
Good ride to work and home . I all most did not have a parking spot today on the bike rack . Because of all the motor cyclist packing there motor bikes to close to the bike rack . I wish they would move the motor bikes parking space . Most of them only ride a hand full times a year . Have a good nite .
Anyway, fantastic morning for riding. About 10 C, light traffic, no wind. Just super. It made me wish the ride was twice as long. I did almost fall over because of my clipless pedals, though...
#8518
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Originally Posted by stockholm
Newbie here -- both to the forum and to commuting.
Riding through a Swedish winter sounds like fun. Buy some studded tires. Today was my first really summer-like commute. It was about 55F degrees (15C) and I had plenty of sunshine. Yesterday I ordered 3 jerseys and two new road tires. I thought commuting by bicycle was supposed to save money!
#8519
yes, welcome stockholm! your english is certainly better than my swedish.
today skies are fair, 59 °F but headed for the 80s. couldn't help but notice, however, that the motorists did not, in general, share my elation over the glorious morning. why do you suppose that is?
today skies are fair, 59 °F but headed for the 80s. couldn't help but notice, however, that the motorists did not, in general, share my elation over the glorious morning. why do you suppose that is?
#8520
Senior Member

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 59
From: Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Bikes: Giant easy e, Priority Onyx, Scott Sub 40, Marin Belvedere Commuter
The usual commute today in miles but sluggish. I felt kind of like riding with the emergency brake on.
I saw 3 people get off the bus up the road. All three simultaneously lit up as soon as their feet hit the ground. All three began coughing after the first puff. All three were under 40. All three would be much better off quitting smoking and using the money to buy a bike. At $6/pack, they would have a new bike in no time.
I saw 3 people get off the bus up the road. All three simultaneously lit up as soon as their feet hit the ground. All three began coughing after the first puff. All three were under 40. All three would be much better off quitting smoking and using the money to buy a bike. At $6/pack, they would have a new bike in no time.
#8521
I am not a car

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 1
From: Decatur, GA
Bikes: Giant Revel 1, Surly Ogre
I personally want to thank each and every one of our bike commuting colleagues in the Northeast and Northwest for sending us here in the South this week of rain.
The ride in wasn't too bad. A brief shower at the beginning got me fairly damp, but it soon ended and just had a bit of mist the rest of the way in. 62°F
Happy trails!
The ride in wasn't too bad. A brief shower at the beginning got me fairly damp, but it soon ended and just had a bit of mist the rest of the way in. 62°F
Happy trails!
__________________
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
#8522
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Originally Posted by Map tester
I personally want to thank each and every one of our bike commuting colleagues in the Northeast and Northwest for sending us here in the South this week of rain.
#8523
Glorious ride today. 3 deer ran across my path as I rode through the local state park on the way to work. Vtjim: first warm day....bummer, your winter/springs are just tooo long, do like your snow tho'
maptester: sorry about the rain, we, just north of you, have been soaking up the rays
maptester: sorry about the rain, we, just north of you, have been soaking up the rays
#8524
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 6
From: Salida, CO
Bikes: Ibis Hakka MX, Ibis Mojo 3
2nd time commuting today. Have ridden over 100 mi since the first time I rode to work. Final hill was MUCH easier
A balmy 53* on June 1
A balmy 53* on June 1
#8525
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: eastern Idaho
Bikes: '04 Specialize Dolce Elite
Gads, I thought it was suppose to warm up once we got to June! Wet and cool ride in this mornig, aiming for 58 degrees this afternoon. Nasty wind out of the southwest, that will make for a slow ride home. Oh well, at least I am not driving!!





