How was the commute today?
Rim crusher
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 290
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From: Raleigh, NC
Nice ride, though quite a bit cooler today. Yesterday's low was 66, today, as of 6AM, it was 40. Had a 5-10 mph head wind, but still eked out a 16.4 avg. Looking forward to the 10-15mph tailwind on the way home!!
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 46
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Originally Posted by tokolosh
songs: wonderful remark, van morrison, o superman, laurie anderson.
My ride was quick today, I missed yesterday due to a flat so my legs were well rested. There were four pedestrians out this morning but no other bikes.
My average time was reaching a plateau after dropping fast for the first few weeks of riding. I know that's the way it goes with any new workout but I like to see improvement to let me know I'm getting better. Today I found I could shave lots more time off my average by pedaling on the downhill parts where I used to coast. The gain is big but it isn't as satifying as climbing the hills faster.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 783
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From: Amherst, MA
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix - previously Bianchi Venice (pictured above)
Chilly. 24F but no wind. I need to keep my toes warmer, the cleat seems to act as a heat sink, as others have noted.
Bill
Bill
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
The usual commute. Usual = riding between lanes, taking lanes, running reds, dodging peds and zig-zagging around stopped or slow moving cars that don't like the lane they're in. It was about 42F when I left this morning so I wore the usual t-shirt, but threw on a corduroy jacket and left it open to let the heat escape. Brought gloves for the ice skating and ride home, just in case. Ankle still feels achy. Didn't think I'd sprained it that much. Oh well, what the hell.
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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
25F & clear, no wind, 10 -12 peds up near the college, 4 other cyclists....typical commute. Found someone's bike lock and hung it on a bridge rail in hopes that they'll find it. Still trying to find a good, warm, economical pair of gloves for the colder temps. Read all the posts and online reviews and still haven't come to a conclusion on what to buy. What a cheap skeptic ass, eh?
Earth First!
Earth First!
DNPAIMFB
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,655
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From: Cowtown, AB
Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.
I sort of missed the sunrise while I was in the shower. I've got that "Soul Meets Body" song by Death Cab for Cutie in my head. You know - "...and in my head there's a Greyhound station..." Yeah, that one. Anyway, it was nice and bright on the way in, but way colder than it looked. It's supposed to get up to 16C this weekend, so I should organize a road ride or something.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3
Monday was my last commute before this morning. That day I had come down with my cold. The way in was fine. The ride back was not. Big old wind\rain\snow storm hit when I was trying to climb a hill. The end result was me diverting to a bus.
Tues: VPNed into the office. Worked from home
Wed: over cold but did not want to risk with 15F temps
Today: rode straight to work from home. 35 miles. Still a bit tired from the cold. Took me 2.75 hrs. 2 hrs is more the normal time.
Nice commute. Interesting seeing areas I normally bike through in the dark in daylight.
Overheating with 20-25 degree temps. Better than freezing.
Later today I will bike back home to make up my missing miles.
Tues: VPNed into the office. Worked from home
Wed: over cold but did not want to risk with 15F temps
Today: rode straight to work from home. 35 miles. Still a bit tired from the cold. Took me 2.75 hrs. 2 hrs is more the normal time.
Nice commute. Interesting seeing areas I normally bike through in the dark in daylight.
Overheating with 20-25 degree temps. Better than freezing.
Later today I will bike back home to make up my missing miles.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Got soaked again yesterday for the ride home. The temperature dropped about 20 degrees in 2 hours, earlier than the weather service said it would, and all I had was my nylon jacket and shorts. Pouring rain, 40-some degrees. Oh and a light headwind. My hands were cold before I'd gone one mile, so I pushed myself to generate heat. It worked. Had a pretty fast ride home, actually.
This morning it was in the mid 30s. Crosswind. No rain though. Lots of squirrels.
I'm prepping the MTB tonight in case it snows. 30% chance.
This morning it was in the mid 30s. Crosswind. No rain though. Lots of squirrels.
I'm prepping the MTB tonight in case it snows. 30% chance.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough, MA
Bikes: Felt F85 (2007), Fuji Regis (1980's)
Nice ride in this morning after a couple of days off. Low 40's and very sunny, but had a headwind the whole way in. Should have a nice tail wind on the way home though. 20's tonight, gonna be a cold ride in tomorrow morning.
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 3
From: New Orleans
Bikes: Surly LHT x2, Raleigh Supercorse, DL1, Twenty
mine wasn't that good today. I got a flat! well, a half/flat. it was still inflated a little bit. so I put it in 1'st and rode my 1 mile [thank goodness] home.a toenail puncutured it! like a dog's one!
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Rode home quick to move the car. Ended up riding in between lanes a lot on 3rd Ave. Ride was uneventful except for being passed closer than necessary by some shmuck w/ Florida plates. Too bad I couldn't catch up w/ him to tell what a *****a$$ driver he is. Took 45 mins. to find a spot which ain't great, but ain't as bad as it could've been.
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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
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 Heyduke
25F & clear, no wind, 10 -12 peds up near the college, 4 other cyclists....typical commute. Found someone's bike lock and hung it on a bridge rail in hopes that they'll find it. Still trying to find a good, warm, economical pair of gloves for the colder temps. Read all the posts and online reviews and still haven't come to a conclusion on what to buy. What a cheap skeptic ass, eh?
Earth First!
Earth First!
I have a pair of these gloves and have been very happy with them. https://www.rei.com/product/47938535.htm
As for my commute, it was gorgeous: 50F and clear blue skies.
My morning ride in was about normal, overcast and below freezing. It's time to begin being careful about black ice here. On the way home, it was fairly thick fog in the city darkeness (not New England thick, but thick for here) and my headlight was like a light saber in the fog. Luke! I AM YOUR FATHER.
Unfortunately the fog only lasted 1/3 of the way home.
But... I have to go back down there in a few minutes to finish a project (it's 7PM here) so I will get another chance to resist the lure of The Dark Side and the four-wheeled minions of The Empire in a little while
My HID light saber is already topped off and ready for battle
Unfortunately the fog only lasted 1/3 of the way home.But... I have to go back down there in a few minutes to finish a project (it's 7PM here) so I will get another chance to resist the lure of The Dark Side and the four-wheeled minions of The Empire in a little while
My HID light saber is already topped off and ready for battle
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,188
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From: Salem, MA
Bikes: Land Shark, Level Professional, Tsunami singlespeed, Giant Reign 1
Today was the first day I commuted to work on my bike. I can't begin to describe how awesome it is to not have to deal with the T (I work in Boston). It's only 3 miles, but it's nice to be able to get from door to door in less than 30 minutes. I have to say that i'm a little out of shape, but it felt awesome nonetheless. I forgot to bring gloves and a hat, so it was a little nippy at 31F.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 827
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Originally Posted by foible
Laurie Anderson?? I haven't played her CDs for years but your post made me realize how much I miss her music.
don't you just hate that feeling of suddenly really needing to hear something you don't have with you? making a mental note to find and pack my own anderson cds for work tomorrow.couldn't sleep last night either, so it was another car day. going to drink a lot of orange juice tonight and really really hope everything's more normal tomorrow.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
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From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Finally... Some normal weather. I saw 17F on the bike computer.
Blue skies with the sunrise lighting up the snowy Adirondacks. Slight tailwind.
We had a dusting of snow last night. There were patches of ice here & there. I was riding the road bike and just took it easy when necessary.
I just noticed my water bottle has condensation on it! It started out at room temperature at my house.
Blue skies with the sunrise lighting up the snowy Adirondacks. Slight tailwind. We had a dusting of snow last night. There were patches of ice here & there. I was riding the road bike and just took it easy when necessary.
I just noticed my water bottle has condensation on it! It started out at room temperature at my house.
Barbieri Telefonico
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger
COLD! .... but invigorating ....
winter = slow down.
winter = slow down.
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Giving Haircuts Over The Phone
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imminent danger
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Got boxed in by double deckers this morning. A regular occurence by my standards but the rear one was riding a little close in my tail.
I decided to create a little more space so whilst looking over my shoulder I jammed the brakes and rocked forward making the bus driver jam his brakes. I tried falling back off the front bus a bit but the rear one just crept up again. I did this to him twice more but he just wouldn't learn to lay off for a moment.
All the people who were standing up on the lower deck were being thrown about and getting most upset. Maybe they'll learn to ride their fat carcases to work instead. Finally dumped the buses at a set of lights and after that it was plain sailing.
I decided to create a little more space so whilst looking over my shoulder I jammed the brakes and rocked forward making the bus driver jam his brakes. I tried falling back off the front bus a bit but the rear one just crept up again. I did this to him twice more but he just wouldn't learn to lay off for a moment.
All the people who were standing up on the lower deck were being thrown about and getting most upset. Maybe they'll learn to ride their fat carcases to work instead. Finally dumped the buses at a set of lights and after that it was plain sailing.
The attached pic is the weather conditions that I had this morning.
The ride was uneventful except for having to look out for ice on the roads (still running 700x23 slicks), especially in front of the Essex campus of Baltimore Community College. I was pleasently surprised to find that someone had actully salted over the worst of the ice.
The ride was uneventful except for having to look out for ice on the roads (still running 700x23 slicks), especially in front of the Essex campus of Baltimore Community College. I was pleasently surprised to find that someone had actully salted over the worst of the ice.
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 106
From: Washington, DC
28 F / -2 C here in the Washington, DC area. There was one patch of ice, so I guess I can say the winter riding season has begun. Beautiful sunny morning.
Paul
Paul
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
Cold this morning, but my new scull cap/ski mask worked excellent. Had to take it off one the sun got up over the trees. Still debating getting a pair of clear glasses to keep my eyes from watering on the faster stretches.
Nice short day planned today. Half day in the office, then over to school to finish up some lab work. Then home to kick back and get some much needed reading done.
Nice short day planned today. Half day in the office, then over to school to finish up some lab work. Then home to kick back and get some much needed reading done.
Had to go by the bank this morning on the way in. Bank has no bike racks (even after numerous letters from me and others requesting they add some), so I decided to roll through the drive-thru. Got some funny looks, breathed some intoxicating fumes, but it was still probably faster than going inside.
Got to work and the coffee was still dangerously hot in my lovely stainless thermos... (I hate the coffee at work).
Got to work and the coffee was still dangerously hot in my lovely stainless thermos... (I hate the coffee at work).
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough, MA
Bikes: Felt F85 (2007), Fuji Regis (1980's)
Cold morning in the 20's and a very slow ride in. I was warm except for my toes, they were frozen by the time I got to work. Clipless shoes do not block the wind very well, even with wool socks. Might have to get the MTB out of the storage closet and get it ready for next week with these temps. TGIF!
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 nicomachus
...I decided to roll through the drive-thru. Got some funny looks, breathed some intoxicating fumes, but it was still probably faster than going inside.
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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.




