How was the commute today?
#9051
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Iceland
Renewed my front derailer yesterday, from older XT to a new XT. After the switch I can't shift to the smallest chain ring. The chain line is really toasted. I really didn't miss the chain ring, I can't remember when I used it last time. The new shifter makes wonders though, the shift is very effortless and smooth. A nice ride in good weather, but looks like a strong headwind on my way home...
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My advice is free of charge and of respective quality.
1982 Miyata 912
1998 Wheeler 5900 with front and rear air cushion suspension
2015 Canyon Spectral 7.0 EX
My advice is free of charge and of respective quality.
1982 Miyata 912
1998 Wheeler 5900 with front and rear air cushion suspension
2015 Canyon Spectral 7.0 EX
#9052
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
Originally Posted by vtjim
Question for racers or group riders: Is there some sort of signal I can use that tells a rider, "I see you behind me and I won't move as you pass?"
Speaking of impatient motorists (we were, weren't we?), I was nearly taken out this morning by a guy in a white Plymouth Voyager minivan. I was riding through a section near Freeport where the public works department is putting in a new water main. There are a lot of trucks carrying huge sections of pipe. Minivan guy is behind one of these trucks and decides that he can't be bothered to drive behind the truck, so he whips out into my lane. I make the international WTF? gesture and minivan driver holds up his cellphone.
What the heck does that mean? "Look out everybody! Out of my way! I got an important call and I've gotta go!"
Since there's no shoulder on that stretch, I'm literally riding on the paint stripe as he goes by. Sheesh.
#9053
Full Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Camarillo, The VC, California
63 degrees, humitity at 88% and a dew point of 61f, there was also a nice overcast. Today I took a different route and rode the the US Navy housing project. A lady smiled at me there. I smiled back. Then I ended up behind a garbage truck which didn't smell to good. But I made progress and was soon at work at the same time, late.
Now that it is summer time I can use this new route, I didn't like it during the shool year as I pass by a school where moms are dropping off kids. The route I have been taking consisted of three straight lines while this route has some curves, and a wicked downhill curve, its kind of nice.
Now that it is summer time I can use this new route, I didn't like it during the shool year as I pass by a school where moms are dropping off kids. The route I have been taking consisted of three straight lines while this route has some curves, and a wicked downhill curve, its kind of nice.
#9054
'Code Orange' ozone warning today. Yippee!!
Heard something on the radio about the temps and humidity reaching a critical point when
the body cannot cool itself enough by perspiration... sounds fun.
Gag... I hate getting behind garbage trucks in the summer.
Especially ones that have a stream of liquid muck dripping out...
Heard something on the radio about the temps and humidity reaching a critical point when
the body cannot cool itself enough by perspiration... sounds fun.
Originally Posted by eastbaybob
<snip> Then I ended up behind a garbage truck which didn't smell to good. <snip>
Especially ones that have a stream of liquid muck dripping out...
#9055
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 0
From: Out there, on my bike
6:30 am ride was nice. The afternoon ride was a different story. I took it easy, drank plenty of water, but my face started to get all tingly when I was close to home. I went inside and my face was red like a tomato, and still tingly. I drank some more water and cooled down. I'm glad I didn't have further to go. Tingly is usually not good when it applies to faces on extremely hot days.
#9056
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 106
From: Washington, DC
At 7:45 it was already 80 F / 27 C. The first ride of the day involves taking my daughter up some steep hills enroute to Arlington Science Focus school. That's the hot,tough part, and I was much more tired than usual. The trip home in 93F/34C was unloaded with no real hills until the end. I was a lot less tired.
Paul
Paul
#9057
Burnt Orange Blood
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Dripping Springs, Texas
Bikes: Trek 7200, Lashout Electric Bike, Raleigh Talon
No need to talk about the heat in Texas -- or I'd be a broken record every day from May to October!
What I'm excited about is how much fun my commute is on the electric bike. I'm still getting a fantastic workout but not flirting with cardiac arrest on the major hills. I made it to work in 27.5 minutes this morning and back to my car in 30. This is 20 minutes faster than when I started two months ago!
Even with the motor and my pedaling, I barely make it up the big hill behind my campus. Maybe it will be easier when I lose some weight.
What I'm excited about is how much fun my commute is on the electric bike. I'm still getting a fantastic workout but not flirting with cardiac arrest on the major hills. I made it to work in 27.5 minutes this morning and back to my car in 30. This is 20 minutes faster than when I started two months ago!
Even with the motor and my pedaling, I barely make it up the big hill behind my campus. Maybe it will be easier when I lose some weight.
#9058
Lots of rain on the way home tonight, and some lightning too. In some spots on the way home, I could hardly see where I was going. Still had a good commute. Have a good night.
#9059
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?
Hot humid ride home yesterday. Traffic was light so that was a good thing. Just did not seem to be many people on the road. There was a nice little breeze on the way home too. At least it was a tail wind
Ride in this morning was decent. Still pretty warm, and a chance of rain todaybut it does not look like it will.
Ride in this morning was decent. Still pretty warm, and a chance of rain todaybut it does not look like it will.
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Fear is never boring
Fear is never boring
#9060
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
It was 95F for the ride home last night. Not a problem. I filled my water bottle before leaving work and managed to empty it by the time I got home. That's the key to riding in the heat. Lots of water.
Today's smog forcast is
Should I ride? You bet I will.
Today's smog forcast is
Should I ride? You bet I will.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#9061
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
About 70F this morning. Damp. Rained a lot last night so the pavement was somewhat wet but not enough to spray water on me. Saw a cat.
#9062
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Well, the ground was wet and there was a sprinkle of rain, but I decided not to wimp out. Good thing too, because it was quite an enjoyable ride! Nice and cool, and thanks to my rear rack I didn't get a muddy stripe up my back. I got a bit of dirt on my shoes and shorts from the front tire, but it would have been a lot worse if I hadn't been riding on slicks. I think the weather is supposed to clear up this afternoon...
#9063
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough, MA
Bikes: Felt F85 (2007), Fuji Regis (1980's)
Had a nice ride this morning. On the hottest day of the summer I saw about 5 other cyclists
I usually see maybe 1-2 on an average ride. Nice to see others riding.
I usually see maybe 1-2 on an average ride. Nice to see others riding.
#9065
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Today's ride was great!! Only ~80F when I left home.
This "hot" weather has made some of the bike commuters I usually see in the AM or PM find other ways of getting to work and home because I haven't seen many of them in a week or more.
This "hot" weather has made some of the bike commuters I usually see in the AM or PM find other ways of getting to work and home because I haven't seen many of them in a week or more.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#9066
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
Ron, I'm sorry to admit that I am one of those bike commuters. A combination of hot weather, a Code Red smog aleart, and my last week of work before three weeks of vacation put me on the train this morning. So no commuting report for today, but I'll be back on the bike on Friday and then hopefully looking forward to cooler temps when I'm back towards September.
#9067
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Originally Posted by GTcommuter
... a Code Red smog aleart ...

Originally Posted by GTcommuter
.. but I'll be back on the bike on Friday...
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#9068
dangerous with tools
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,502
Likes: 0
From: minneapolis
Bikes: fat, long, single & fast
Originally Posted by Walkafire
Ever feel like the bike weighs a TON?
Come on legs !
Come on legs !
But today was my first 'consecutive days' commute, which may be part of the problem...
In other news, its a beautiful cool morning in Minneapolis today.
#9069
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by halfbiked
yes.
But today was my first 'consecutive days' commute, which may be part of the problem...
In other news, its a beautiful cool morning in Minneapolis today.
But today was my first 'consecutive days' commute, which may be part of the problem...
In other news, its a beautiful cool morning in Minneapolis today.
Way-To-Go!!! I am on 5 weeks consecutive commuting! Had some rain yesterday... Today is NICE!
#9070
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
Record high here of 105F (40.5C) last week.
62F (17C) riding home yesterday afternoon at 5pm.
57F (14C) leaving home this morning at 6:30am.
This is summer?
62F (17C) riding home yesterday afternoon at 5pm.
57F (14C) leaving home this morning at 6:30am.
This is summer?
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#9071
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
Originally Posted by RonH
A code RED smog alert doesn't worry me as much as the "code FAT" alert I get from driving. At least you took the train. 

#9072
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by Stubacca
Record high here of 105F (40.5C) last week.
62F (17C) riding home yesterday afternoon at 5pm.
57F (14C) leaving home this morning at 6:30am.
This is summer?
62F (17C) riding home yesterday afternoon at 5pm.
57F (14C) leaving home this morning at 6:30am.
This is summer?
#9073
Full Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Camarillo, The VC, California
It was nice this morning, low 60's with the ocean fog hanging over everything. Very humid though and I rode as slow as humanly possible to stay as dry as personally possible.
#9074
LOL, this thread should be titled: "How was your weather today?"
For me, ridiculously hot. I've lived in NC my whole life, and I'm well-accustomed
to the heat and high humidity, but these last few weeks have been something else.
I keep hearing news stories of farm workers and road workers passing out and dying...
I stopped by my LBS to hang out during my lunch break, and their digital thermometer by the
sidewalk read 125 degrees F. Screw the wicking jersey. I could be wearing a Dune stillsuit and suffer.
For me, ridiculously hot. I've lived in NC my whole life, and I'm well-accustomed
to the heat and high humidity, but these last few weeks have been something else.
I keep hearing news stories of farm workers and road workers passing out and dying...
I stopped by my LBS to hang out during my lunch break, and their digital thermometer by the
sidewalk read 125 degrees F. Screw the wicking jersey. I could be wearing a Dune stillsuit and suffer.
#9075
Hot I miss the fall
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The few, the proud, the likely insane, Metro-Atlanta bicycle commuters.
The few, the proud, the likely insane, Metro-Atlanta bicycle commuters.




