Paul L.

This morning the road I normally ride had traffic backed up on it for 5 miles. I was amazed as I shot by everyone (cautiously of course, a frustrated driver is a dangerous driver I figure). Luckily there is a 1 mile section with a frontage road that I was able to use to get a break from shooting down the curb to car corridor. It was really interesting. One of the first days where I was pretty sure I beat everyones time getting into work. One of my coworkers said the freeway was shutdown unexpectadly and that caused the backup. It took him an extra hour to get to work! That is how long my whole trip took me. Anyway, I felt good passing three busses from the route I normally ride and they weren't even broken down this time! Tonight it will probably be different. Hopefully traffic is light because of Halloween. I was making record time until the traffic backup and I had to drop down to 16 mph so as to not catch a side mirror unawares.

tnorman

Have had a few nice commutes yesterday and today. Made record time on my ride home last night; I felt full of energy. Was a little more tired today but still enjoyed the ride. I commuted 3 times this week; I usually only do 2, but I needed to work off all the Holloween candy I ate today.

Had a slow tire leak yesterday and had to fix my first flat on my new bike. Luckily I made it to work first so could do it inside at my leisure. Managed to break the valve stem off my spare tube though.

My odomoter rolled over 1,000 miles on the new bike too! Most of that is from commuting. That makes October my busiest biking month with 649 miles and over 38 hours. I must be nuts...

Happy Holloween all! :fun:

Tim

Sailguy

Great Day! Nice trip on the way in, perfect weather again. On the way home I had the fastest time yet, by two minutes. The lights didn't even really agree with me either.

Considering that this is my first week doing all 5 days, I'm impressed with myself for bustin'-it-out on day 4. (I thought I would be tired)

Chris L

Today isn't quite as hot as yesterday, but I really hope we don't lose that sea-breeze. There is a massive bushfire to the west of us right now.

MediaCreations 

It didn't rain on me after all.

But today .....

It really bucketed last night and again this morning so I was prepared for it.

Put on the spray jacket - got on the bike - and set off singing in the rain.

We really need the rain here. It's been very very dry and the dams are quite low. We are only allowed to water our gardens two days a week. Today's rain should keep things growing at our place for a week or so.

Chris L

Is there anywhere in this country that's not having a drought at the moment? Over here they've recently banned all outdoor water use, with a $15,000 fine for anyone who doesn't comply . And at a crucial time for next season's passionfruit harvest, too.

I'm thinking of taking a bucket into the shower with me and using the residue to water the vine.

Ed Holland

Hi Folks,

Grey and damp again this morning, but at least it wasnt raining this time.
Last night I finally got around to trying out my new chain cleaning gadget. It was filled with some white spirit, rather than the citrus stuff supplied because the chain was really black & sticky. The results were very impressive, the first clean got most of the muck and oil off, followed by two further changes of solvent to rinse. Not only did the cleaning turn the solvent competely black, but there was a great deal of gritty material released too. It was essential to do this outside though, to ensure good ventilation and because of the mess. After allowing some time to dry, I re lubed the chain and rode this morning. Spinning the pedals backward showed the improvement as they took longer to come to a stop. The chain was much quieter and smoother whilst riding.

Guess that I have no excuse now for not keeping a clean chain during the winter

Have a good weekend,

Ed

mrfix

Mornin everyone, I couldn't get here yesterday for some reason, I tried many times during the day without success. Yesterdays commute was clear and cold 22 degrees when I left the house, the ride home was nice, the sun shining and the temp. 44 degrees. This morning was clear and 29 with fairly heavy traffic, no wind so the ride was fast and just a little too short.

As far as keeping your feet warm I found after spending good money on fancy shoe covers made by pearl, that you need to go to the local trek dealer in your area and buy some trek neoprene shoe covers with real rubber soles. I bought some and they really work my feet stay warm as toast down to 15 degrees while wearing road shoes and a light sock.

Have a great day.

tchazzard

Yesterday was a stunning day here in Maine. There was no wind, the temps nudged 50 F and despite the time of year, there are still a lot of leaves in the trees. It was a great day for riding.

This morning was quite warm, 38 F, but a little grey. The news is calling for rain/snow showers later in the day. So perhaps it will be a wet ride home.

Much colder temps due in for next week. Yahoo!

mrfix

Tim, you're a mad man, you're getting out of control. stay focused

brennser

mrfix - yeah I think the site was down for most of yesterday - I only got on in late afternoon

coldest day of the year today - low 30s with visible frost on cars and grass for the first time - great, invigorating ride - left earlier than usual to get in and changed for a meeting

so who's going to get the 1,000th post? :-)

Sailguy

Nice leisurely ride. Bright and sunny. Enjoyed the cool air and the birds chirping. No fires or sea breeze tho.

pinerider

A bad head cold and generally rotten day led me to wimp out and drive home last night.
I made it through East Hamilton unscathed on a late (8:00 pm)ride home Devil's night (Oct. 30), even though I knew every kid I rode by had a pocketful of eggs for throwing. I heard a few hit a bus as it drove by me, but no splatter on me or the bike.
Almost tagged a fellow biker at a light, I left a little early, he arrived at full speed a little late with no lights or reflectors.
The ride to work yesterday was uneventful, but so much more fun and interesting than the drive in this morning was.

Gojohnnygo.

Heavy wet snow, mod winds and lots of strange looks from the suvs in 4 wheel drive.If they only new.

IowaParamedic

My commute sucked today. Yep. It took 20 minutes more to battle the headwind home. My wife called me insane, because that headwind produced a 21 degree F windchill temperature. (Funny, because I pedaled for an hour - tomorrow we will sit outside for 4 hours to watch Iowa beat Wisconsin)

I still need to work on my cold weather clothing. My legs are fine, but my my top half sweats too much. Then when the sweat hits the outer layer, I get cold.

The good news is I am much more interested in climbing hills.... pedaling up the hill keeps your warm.

Ouch !

This week has been monotonous, I don't know if it's the weather grey + wet and the loss of an Hour of daylight, but this last week sucked.

There wasn't a single time that I wished I'd driven to work but it was depressing until last night.

My dreaded Friday night commute was great, sure the taxi's were speeding past me in a hurry to get to thier next fare , in fact far more than usual because the weather was so bad that nobody was out walking, but it was great. The wind was strong, the rain hard but the road flew past my wheels and everything was great in the world again.

I LOVE CYCLING

sorry just had to shout it from the rooftops

mrfix

Had a fast ride home last night, got rained on for about 2 minutes, what a strange storm, 1 cloud past over me and dumped just enough to wet the road. This morning I left the house in 22 degree temperature, pushed a raw head wind all the way in. Built some character this morning Pinerider. What a ride, can't wait to do it again.

pinerider

Mrfix, cold character is worth lots more than warm character!
My ride home last night was pleasantly cool, snow on the grass, just wet on the road. Still had a stuffed up head, but felt better just from riding when I got home.

naisme

The cooler weather here in MN, has made for the most excellent biking weather. The longer it stays snow free and relatively "warm" the shorter the cold will be. The winds have kicked up though, and the wind god is crafty, not sending wind from a point on the compass, but just off direct, so it buffets, and plays with riders in the crystal and steel canyons.
The air is crisp, and the night commutes have that special scent of autumn, fires burning in fireplaces. I had hoped the colors would've lasted a bit longer, the maples have all dropped whatever leafs they had. I thought acorns were tough, black walnuts are serious.
As always, the commute has me thinking there's no place I'd rather be than on the back of a bicycle.
I battled a cold all last week, then spent the weekend in smoky environs at an NA convention in Green Bay, got back on the bike, and felt tons better. I don't know how people can smoke like that.

Inkwolf

I biked yesterday. It's great to have the sun shining again--I think it may have gotten as high as 45 degrees. On the way home, I had to try to avoid bumps--I was carrying a dozen eggs (and other baking supplies) in my panniers. Gotta do something with all that pumpkin.....

All 12 eggs survived the journey, BTW.

Gojohnnygo.

It was a cold for the first mile 12F at 4:00am eastern.Dam I forgot the face mask,My ears are freeeeeezing had to go no handed for a few seconds to cover them.But after that ready for the next 12 miles very little traffic only 6 cagers passed me durning the ride. nice and warm almost sweating.I have to slow down just enjoy the ride.I have to say going down a 5 lane hwy with all flasing yellow lights and no cagers is something out of this world

Rich Clark

Last week mostly sucked. Chilly and wet, windy, and way too many days when I had to work late. I only rode three days; one when it would have been cold and pouring rain at both ends of a 12-hour day, and the other when I'd have been riding home during the heart of Friday night, which is the one time I refuse to ride the suburban streets (somehow Saturday isn't as bad).

I have to be in at 7:30 tomorrow for an all-day meeting, and it's supposed to be cold and rainy again, but what the heck. It's an all-day meeting; without the ride I don't know if I could stand to go to work at all.

RichC

Chris L

It may well have reached 45 degrees (celcius) here yesterday too. This morning I tried to beat the heat by having a cold shower just before heading out. It didn't work .

At least I can look forward to a headwind on the way home. :thumbup:

MediaCreations 

I still don't get that one, Chris.:confused:

I certainly enjoy the challenge of riding against the wind (and beating it) but it's not something I wish for.

Oh well, if we ever get to ride together I'll sit on your wheel when there's a headwind and we'll both be happy.

Chris L

The headwind on the way home might cool me down. In any case, I'm usually not in my best mood after work, so it's a good way to let off stress.