completely overcast, (mostly empty) threat of rain, mid 60s - in other words, ideal! the stiff headwind bugged me at times, but the bicycle is still the best way to start the day.

Ok, you can all beat me. I drove today.
Lack of sleep and day number 6 of gloomy, gray skys put me off.
I don't know how the PNW folks do it, riding day after day in the rain or gray overcast skys. That's why I told myself when I was in high school in Olympia, Washington that if I ever got out of that part fo the country I'd never go back. Very beautiful country but I hate rain. If I still lived in Washington I would probably be dead (suicide). I need light and sunshine to keep me out a depressed state.

But I promise I'll ride tomorrow and Sunday. I have to work.
We're promoting bike safety, etc. at the Virginia-Highland Festival. The streets are already blocked and biking and walking are the only ways to get through the area.

There were a few storms around here yesterday, so I had a pretty big headwind the whole way home. Added an extra 10 minutes to my 12 mile commute.

This morning was much nicer. Mid- to high-50s, light breeze. I took my broken rear fender off this morning, so the ride was much quieter without the rattling! And thanks to my new toy (altimeter watch), I now know that I climb about 590ft on the way to work.

Woke up late today, crawled out of bed and into my bike clothes. As I was leaving my place at 8:30, a colleague phoned to remind me of our big meeting this morning with the third level boss, at 9 am - Attendance not optional. DAMN! Driving the 12 km to work would have taken even longer than biking it. I had my fastest commute ever, arrived at 9:02 and went straight to the meeting, sweaty and still in my bike clothes. There were a few raised eyebrows and a "well, that's unusual business attire" comment, but my boss just thought it was funny, and they had catered in a fantastic breakfast. All in all a pretty good morning!

Had a beautiful exchange with a small child this morning. I had just pulled up to a light and the dad and child, in buggy, were crossing in front of me to the corner on my right and then waited for the light to change so they could go the same direction as me.

So they are waiting there and my colors really caught the kid's eye. I was wearing a Primal jersey with a roadrunner on it. The kid must have thought I was a cartoon character... red bike, and gloves, bright bold jersey... Wow!

Anyway so the child keeps looking at me and pointing... the child is perhaps 20 months or so... and then starts waving. Totally cute... made my day. Of course I waved back... what cartoon character wouldn't?

I had a nice exchange with a child today too. Coming down a smoothish section of road with no traffic, I was hauling pretty good. Several kids were playing in the street, and one of them, probably a first- or second-grader, stuck out a hand and gave me a high-five as I spun past.

another child story...

was crusing along there were 2 kids (5yr and 10yr old?) doing the truck driver honking arm gesture to the cars driving by. Cars were gone, then I came by. the 10yr old started back up to the house, the 5yr old kept doing it so I made a "beep beep" noise. The 10yr looked back and kinda looked at me funny.

Another first, my first front tire flat. All the rest have been rear tires. Front's are so quick and clean!

Yesterday it was pouring out. I don't own a car, so it was either ride or walk. I bought the bike as my primary mode of transportation, so by golly, I was determined to use it as such. I put garbage bags in my panniers, covered the Brooks saddle, stuck a plastic bag on my head (under my helmet), turned my head- and tail-lights on "blinky" mode and rode to work in the pouring rain. First time I've ever ridden a bicycle in the rain. Drivers were actually courteous to me and I was hella proud of myself for just getting on with it. Must buy some fenders, though...

Stopped by the LBS on the way home from work. What a pleasant detour!

My ride was wet and windy, but I would not trade it for a train or car. I really felt great to be out and about. My trip into work is 22 miles. I am now in my 6th week of commuting to work....also rewarded myself with a Topeak seat post rack and bag. Very handy to put change of clothes into night before...forgot about them last week

A fast ride in this morning on fresh legs, it was a nice change from the fatigue I've been feeling for the last couple of weeks. I guess I'd been trying to cram too much riding (is there really such a thing???) in these last few weeks with: daily commuting, weekend training, and mountain biking. I didn't do anything athletic this weekend and I think my body is benefitting from the break. I think my allergies may have finally released their grip on me too. Anyway, it was about 70 deg. when I left home, with cool, balmy, air and patchy fog. I blew in effortlessly averaging around 18-19 mph and hit 30 near the airport (slight downhill section). I'll be doing a 62 mile Tour de Cure this Sunday so I'll probably ease up by Wednesday and concentrate on spinning in to work the rest of the week. I will also convert my commuter for a four day trip along the C&O Canal in the next week or so, so I'll be fender-less with 700x42 cyclo tires for a while-that will make for some slow riding.

humidity has reared it's ugly head. Warm and sweaty today with a late commute flat. First flat on my Specialized Armadillos in 4000 miles. I had to run the last 0.5 miles to make the train on time. Had I missed it, I would have to ride another 7 miles to another stop or wait 1.5 hours for the next train. I made it but when iI go home I'll have to fix the flat.

MJW16: I also have the dead leg feeling going on, time for a break...na

I changed to slicks on my Specialized Hardrock Comp because most of my commuting is roads and paved trails. Realized a while back I do not get off the road like I originally thought I would so I changed the tires. What a difference. Would that mess up the odometer distance?

I have been averaging 17-18 mph since the change. This morning was a beautiful sunny breezy commute. I took it very easy and still managed 17.3 mph. I have decided I am going to jump in a bike race before the year is over. Any suggestions from any Chicagolanders?

Dammit!! It was bound to happen: left for work without any clothes to change into.
Luckily I am mostly 'remote' and my meetings are on the phone. I don't want to drive to get my clothes! Maybe I should take my lunch hour to ride home and back!
On the list: bring extra set of clothes for work!

If the slicks have a smaller circumference, then yes, they'll mess up the odometer as well as the speed. It will read high. Probably not by much though.


Are more people admitting to this now, or has there just been a dramatic upswing in clothing-forgetfulness lately?

It's getting warm and pleasant around these parts. Almost wish it would rain on me sometimes. I should be careful what I wish for. Thunderstorms are predicted this afternoon.

46 degrees and rain! Made for quite the sloppy ride in, but what fun spinning through the puddles!

The temps were a little low this morning (low 50s) but there was no wind. It was such I nice morning I seemed to have not kept a good count of others, seems I saw about 8 others out on bike. Though I haven't posted in a while, I've been riding most every day.

Last week, I had my bottom bracket go out and was riding fixed gear. On Saturday, I got the frame threads fixed and replaced the bracket. The ride was smooth as butter.

Lots of other bike commuters out there. I had some fun pretending I was racing them. Not intentionally. I was hobbling up a hill and this dude on a mountain bike goes flying by me. Instinctually, I popped it up a couple gears and held a distance perhaps 20 m back for the rest of the climb. Quick shoulder check, he saw me. Flats, blows through a stop sign. He's bouncing up and down like a trotting horse, must be maxed out in his top gear. I shift up to my big chain ring. Green light ahead, straightaway. I fly by him. Light turns red. He pulls up next to me breathing hard. "Nice day for a ride" he deadpans. Yep. Nice one. We are taking up the whole lane and a truck wants to turn right in the shared right/straight lane. I tell my new friend that I usually pull over to the left and let them turn right. "Good to make friends with the natives", I say. He pulls ahead of me and the truck turns. No words. We wait awkwardly at the red. His right leg is bobbing up and down on the pedal, like a drag racer revving his engines. Green. Go! He's off like a shot. But I've got him in my sights. Downhill. He's maxed out again, bouncing off his seat like a rabbit. I can pass him, but my turn is coming up. So I turn off and he bounces away. Until next time Racer X . . . .

The ride this morning was very warm, above 70, and very muggy. Pretty uneventful, but I was drenched in sweat by the time I got to work. Gonna be in the mid 90s on the way home

The definition of muggy:

Durham, North Carolina
Currently: 93°F Partly Cloudy
Wind: South at 8 MPH
Humidity: 45%
Dewpoint: 69°F
Barometer: 30.01 inches and falling
Heat Index: 97°F

Had to skip the ride this morning. Today was restocking day at the office. Stocked the fridge with yogurt, Myoplex, bagles. New bottle of shampoo for the locker, and a change of clothes to leave at the office. (In case I leave home without them).
That ever happen to you?

Funny you should post that, I ride to work just outside Raleigh...lol

So nice to see so many more bikes in the bike cage these days, including some really nice roadies. I occasionally see a Specialized S-Works and there was even a Colnago one day. I spoke to one woman who has been riding a 46mi roundtrip 2 days a week. She just got a new Trek Madone WSD. Very nice bike.

Excellent, we can start a commiseration society... the Very Damp Commuter Club!