Don't be too hard on yourself there Julie...most of us have to do that now and then.

Rough ride this morning, was sore stepping out of bed and never got loose. (Old age I guess - 49) Almost turned around after 2 miles (of 14) but kept going since I'm driving tomorrow (to bring home my dirty clothes). Wife was a sweetie and picked me up (raining), so no PM ride home.

God buzzed twice today! Quite amazing, given that buzzing generally happens very infrequently to me, in part because I learned to ride assertively and in part because Toronto just seems to have better drivers (in particular more respectful of us bikers) than lots of less fortunate places.

The first time it happened I was going to turn left and was actually occupying the whole lane. So what does this minivan do? Crosses the centerline, passes me on the left within a few inches, and immediately swerves right in front of me to turn right, since we are practically at the intersection already. Was I pissed off? You bet! Rode up to the guy's window (he couldn't turn right right away because of pedestrians...) and yelled a lot of obscenities at him. He actually seemed to be smiling an apologetic smile. What a turkey.

The second time it was a taxi driver. I am riding in the right lane and there is a car stopped ahead, so I turn back (there is nobody right next to me or right behind me), signal and start changing lanes, as this idiot in the car just speeds up and buzzes me. A friend of mine was riding ahead - and this moron in the cab proceeded to overtake him and buzzes him too! (And he wasn't even changing lanes, just going in a straight line.) Then the cab comes to a stop, so I sure as hell don't miss my chance to have a chat with the cabby... He seems just stupid. Also doesn't seem to believe that bicycles belong on the road. Miserable *&#!

Also had an opportunity to tell to somebody in a car to "Get off the road!" (rather refreshing to have a cyclist tell this to a driver, don't you think so? ). There was this lady who in a space of just a couple of minutes created lots of confusion on the road and about three situations with great collision potential. She was by no means malicious, just extremely unskilled and scared, it seemed. Yet she was driving along this city's major road at rush hour. She really didn't belong there.... should've gotten off the road for her own safety....

So this is how my commute and the errand-running that followed it was. However, I got to drink some superb beer afterwards, although the experience has been spoiled by a loud bunch of guys (who were smoking too) and a group of girls with really loud shrilling laughs... People really do make too much noise in general... I'm thinking of building a log cabin in the wilderness somewhere, really... The only thing that's stopping me is that it's pretty hard to ride a bike in the woods.

ima do that tomorrow. i swear.

realise why i missed that semi-trail path yesterday. i went too far down the road and didn't turn off in time. but i have it figured out now that i know the entrance is hidden behind the big dumpster, and it makes such a difference. all dirt or grass, green stuff and a section alongside some water. it's like being a kid again; i wish it was longer, so maybe on the weekend i'll get out my bike map and figure out if there's a different route that takes in more trail. i'm also actually getting to kind of like that bridge and all the air that blows over it. the first day i found myself on it, i had flashbacks all day at work and kept having to go find something to press my back to, but i think being more comfortable with the bike itself really helps.

have to rest tomorrow though. coming unglued over here.

A little cool tonight on the way home. I wish I would have worn some pants. I saw some other people riding their bikes, it was a bunch of BMXers and thugs. Still a real good ride. Have a nice night.

Rotten commute for me today -- Got cut off when an SUV buzzed over into my lane to make a turn and a car in front of me stopped suddenly in the traffic lane to drop off a passenger on my way to work this morning. When going to lunch, some guy opened his door into the street right in front of me. On my way home got rained on (not very heavily, though). I rarely ever have any problems (knock on wood) but quite a few today. Thankfully I didn't ditch or hit anything, so it wasn't terrible.

I've been a long time lurker on this forum, but thought I'd register and share tonight.

On my ride home from the lab, a public bus driver in the lane to my right (two lanes one way) opened her window and thanked me for having a visible light. I don't read too many uplifting stories here. Drivers too often don't respect me on a bike, this was a first.

Coooold this morning in Glasgow, about 6-7C (thats low 40s Fahrenheit); could have done with a pair of long sleeves. Haven't stopped coughing yet: all that cold air on the airways is vv irritating. Gorgeous blue-skied morning though, hence the cool temp I guess..

Very foggy ride in this morning with lots of traffic since I left late again. Made pretty good time though. Another warm ride home this afternoon, back up in the 90's.

Like the above poster from NC, my ride was also foggy here in SC. However, it was one of the best commutes I've had in a week or two. I had ridden hard and long Sunday-Wed, took Thursday off, and then back in the saddle this morning. I powered up my two nemesis-hills like it was nothing. In fact, when I got to the top, I thought, "...where's the rest..." (I know I'll be humbled by them on the way home after working 9 hours ). Anyway, beautiful, cool ride this morning.

Everyone have a good weekend!!

I suppose the same element exists in any given sport, but when you come in contact with The Arrogant Snot Biker for the first time, it's a bit of a downer. This guy acted like he'd get a rash just from being within five yards of...*GASP*...a commuter bicycle. Why is this bothering me so much? Ah, well. Probably not worth the minutes out of my life that I've already spent wondering. Have a safe trip home today, gang.

Could someone please explain to me what being "buzzed" is.

I'm not riding today, but I feel good about the reason why. A bunch of us from work are going to work on a Habitat for Humanity house and I have to haul a cooler full of bottled water. I can't put it on my bike so I must drive the EFB (evil fuel burner).
Oh well, tomorrow is Saturday so I can go for a ride because I want to not because I have to.

Welcome to the forum! I, for one, would love to hear more uplifting stories like yours!

1) slightly intoxicated
2) being passed by a vehicle at a distance that feels 'too close for comfort'

My commute was windy and drizzly this a.m. - then as soon as I get to work, the sun comes out, the birds start chirping...

This will be my last day commuting until next Wednesday. I'm taking a 4-day weekend and going down to the beach. This time of year is great, few vacationers, no kids, and the hurricane scared off most of the tourists. I need a break...

hope everyone else has a good weekend...

In the same vein, what's a 'cager' please??

LOL, Mr. Webster at your service (didn't I just see a 'bike slang' thread?)

1) a dancing girl at an 'adult entertainment establishment', typically in an elevated location.
2) a motorist, the 'cage' being the rolling steel box they call a 'vehicle'

(the term 'cager' is used as an insult, eg: "that bleepin' cager just buzzed me")

So... how was your commute, today?

[QUOTE=* jack *]LOL, Mr. Webster at your service (didn't I just see a 'bike slang' thread?)

oooooh, feeling chastised..
hard enough trying to understand American without the biker lingo too...Actually. for all I know it's just all common N. American parlance

I already posted about my chilly morning commute haven't gotten warm all day...

I've been commuting to and from work just over a week, and I've run into a little problem. Along my route is a little dog who is allowed to run loose, and it harasses me as I cycle by. I don't want to get bitten, nor do I want to hurt the dog. I tried ignoring it one time and yelling loudly another time, but neither had much effect. I have to do the serpentine curve swerve to avoid the critter. Does anyone have a suggestion that won't get me hurt or hurt the dog so I can avoid it? I like dogs, but this one just doesn't like me! Does anyone else have this problem?
Thanks all for your advice, Missy

A very late start this morning, as I was real tired. The ride was uneventful and 10 minutes later I was at the office.

For the week it was 2 days of 4 for me, as one day this week I was 'sick'. The two days that I drove were just because I was too tired for a 10 minute ride from my 'sickness'. Next week I am looking forward to 100% compliance.

My commute yesterday went good. It consists of a gravel trail (about 6miles) and some road. TOtal lenght right around 10miles. The thing that sucks is that my shorts (in that area) get soaked all the way through..so it looks like something happened! Oh well, the weather has been great (mid 70's) and the winds light.

'tis my abrasive sense of humour, mucker

Telecommute today. I will go a for a short ride for errands and maybe a run when it cools off at night. We're doing a charity 5K next weekend (not this one) so I need to some runs in -- haven't put on the old running shoes for a couple of months!

I rode to work and was only buzzed twice on my short one mile ride to work, but on the way home after dark, with my headlight similar to a motorcycle and tail light more so visible than that, I was almost run over by some guy in a truck that doesn't understand that when making a left turn you still have to stay in the proper lane and was drown in smoke from some papa johns driver with nos...but i did meet an interesting law enforcement officer at walmart who was, since we couldn't find the reflective tape, going to simply give me a role until i mentioned galls. He said that was a brilliant idea and he'd keep a look out for me.

That was awesome and totally made my day

Great ride to work today. It seems like it is getting a little cooler out. On my ride home only saw one other person riding. I hope the weather holds out for a couple of more weeks. Have a good night.

LOL. we got them here too. i always want to tell them 'never mind. you wouldn't like anything else about me if you knew me either,' but i don't think they think i can talk.

no ride today. i told myself i wasn't going to last night, and then i had a kind of moment of doubt in the morning, but i'm glad i didn't. i've got a heck of a sleep deficit running right now.

noticed when i got into the car that this is the same gas i bought a month ago. also noticed that i had to scrounge all over the house to come up with change for the parking machine. kind of liked that. it feels more like the sort of place cars should occupy in a person's life.