Zin: What kind of tires are you using for winter riding? I live in Minnesota and I'm thinking of swapping out my tires (which are 700c by the way) for better traction in the winter. I'm just curious. Oh and congrats on the 49 pound weight loss! Good for you!

Like the pink line I added - if you can't get to back of line, negotiate with driver to get in front of one (i.e. cut in line). Stop where the larger dots are (between cars) and go with traffic on green light.

Al

In this situation, I usually take the pink route. It's been the best compromise between VC and efficiency.

Can you make a right turn and then make a U turn? What's the traffic like on the street that's running horizontal on the drawing?

On the way home last night I had a funny run in with a dog. A sheltie that lives in a house that backs up to the MUP that I take home always has something to say when I go by. He's usually on the deck, but last night he was in the yard. There must be an invisible fence cause there's no real one. Anyway as he was tearing through the yard towards me barking his fuzzy little head off he just sort of tripped and fell for no reason. He never stopped barking or "pedalling" his legs through a complete roll and kept barking as I rode away LMAO. I laughed all the way home.

Nice ride in this morning. Cool but very humid. Wednesday mornings are usually the mornings I ride with the kids to their school on my way to work. Well, my 10 year old son just started cello lessons every Wednesday, so we've moved it to Thursday. Can't imagine carrying a cello on a kids MTB.

Mike

Hi Quickbeam. Right now still on rain slicks. (700cX23) Once we get into a more snowy pattern, I'll switch to CX tires. (700cX30/32 knobbies) I am also thinking about picking up a set of Nokkian 106's for when I have to deal with snow pack and ice. Most of the time around here the snow is not on the ground for long so have not shelled out the cash for the Nokkians.

Be sure to check out the WINTER CYCLING FORUM here on Bikeforums. Tires have been discussed quite a bit. Also, there are several Twin City winter commuters who are willing to give you specifics for the harsh Minnesota winter.

Good luck and enjoy the winter commuting season.

Thanks for the tip on the winter cycling forum Zin. I didn't realize there was one on here!

This morning it was raining and I got a flat. Other than that it was a good ride in.

Nice looking commute, truman. Thanks for sharing.


I suffered my first "non-commute" day in months. Had some out-of-town errands to run. Dammit

My legs still felt tired coming home, adding a minute extra to my commute. Then I spent almost 4 hours! looking for a parking spot that was legal all day tomorrow. Then I have to do it all over again tomorrow. Makes me wanna go psycho some days.

ride in was totally uneventful, but I decided I need more light in the morning.

SO...
On my way home (not really) I went to my LBS to get a light. I got there picked out the one I want and went to the register to pay for it....no plastic. We only have one card and my wife had taken it out of my wallet and never put it back.

So I had an extra 2 miles added to my commute today...oh well, I hope this doesn't ruin my standing in the short commute club.

drove today. every time i do it i'm amazed at the hills. never happens when i'm actually on the bike for some reason.

Driving rain in the morning and light rain in the evening. Not my favorite ride because the rain was cold. Still I arrived at work this morning feeling great. My co-workers, however, are still amazed that I ride rain or shine and can't believe the rain doesn't make me miserable. They don't know what they're missing.

Good ride to work & home .Saw two other commuter today going the other way . It good to see other people commuting . Have a good nite .

Trying to outrun tropical storm Tammy this morning... made pretty good time, despite the windy conditions and heavy air. I thought Autumn was coming... guess it was just a tease - back to muggy and humid conditions for the rest of the week, it seems.

I had an anonymous tail last night. Followed me for a good three miles or so then disappeared. Meh.

This morning had to stop behind a school bus flashing its red lights. The idiot drivers next to me tried to get around but fortunately there was traffic coming the other way (single lane each way, double-yellow), incredible.

It was cool and humid this morning and my legs felt heavy going up the hill early in my ride so I took it easy into work and added 2 mins. to my commute. Even in easy mode I still have to dodge traffic and veer all over the lanes to get around cars and buses. Still beat the car traffic and I'm still not fully awake. Saw someone who might be famous outside my building getting her picture taken by tourists and one papparazzo.

Every day has been great... even when I got poured on!

I go today to a location to see what I have WON for Commuting since "Bike to Work Day" (June 22) The (Boulder) County, along with some other businesses, Had this Incentive Contest for Clean Air. I got an e-mail the other day saying I won something... A guy I work with won a New Gary Fisher MTB years back, I doubt I will win something that big, I might get 10.00 - 50.00 Gift Card (thats like 2 cups of coffee @ StarBucks right?)

Good ride in. My buddy replaced his chain last night and rode in with me for the first time. We left extra early and took it easy. He was pretty worn out by the end. I told him to give it a week

First year commuting. Every cool day is a record for me. Was 40F this morning. Nice and cold. Went very well. The new problem is that the cycling part of my commute is too short. Time to extend it.

40ºF and clear skies this morning. The river was calm and shrouded in the brilliant colors of Autumn. It looked much like a reflecting pond. Wish I would have had my camera with me.

First commuting report here...started riding to the train station in early May. Now I don't even like to drive there!

Heavy fog this AM..it was like driving in a snowstorm. The headlight was illuminating the "fog drops" like driving a car in falling snow..what do they call that tunnel effect?
Got to leave 5 minutes earlier and than made a significant change in traffic. Only 2 cars today vs 12 yesterday!

The ride was good this morning. It was a little bit warm but not windy. There was a lot of stuff in the street from yesterdays winds though. This morning I had to spped up for a bit but I hit the stop light perfectly. After around 10 minutes I was at the office. Tomorrow I am going to walk to work, so thats the last commute for the week, so it was a 4 of 4 week for 100% bike commuting.

Crazy summer weather we're having, must've been at least 30 degrees C. Anyways, I had a barrage of comments from drivers including GET OFF THE ROAD! (which I should have replied with, YOU GET ON THE SIDEWALK) and SPANDEX SUCKS! All of these comments were in the span of 30 minutes on my way home from school. Oh for those people with a Costco on their way to/from work or school, I suggest stopping by to get free samples, excellent use of the membership.

Rain again this morning ... and one nut case driver.

I'm on a two-lane street with solid center line. I'm stopped heading downhill at a traffic light, taking the lane to avoid being right hooked. About 30 yards ahead is a stopped school bus, lights flashing. When the light turns green the car behind me, horn blowing, tries to pass. But she doesn't have enough room to cut back in front of me so she just shoves me onto the shoulder . I slow down to creep speed, ease past the cars and bus, and continue on my way. To be perfectly legal I probably should have walked my bike past the bus. A half mile down the road she still hasn't caught up with me. But as I turn right I hear her coming (probably doing 40 in a 25 mph zone) horn blowing. Luckily she went straight.

Oh, and she had a bumper sticker. "Problem? Just try Jesus" it said. I wanted to tell her that my immediate problem would be solved if she would just try acting like Jesus. At one time there was a "What would Jesus drive?" campaign aimed at promoting more fuel efficient cars. For me as a bicyclist, however, a more helpful question for drivers to ponder would be "How would Jesus drive?". Maybe I should put that on the back of a tee shirt.