Sailguy

Good to hear about the rain Chis.

This is a pre-commute email, because I know if I commit to riding here, I'll do it I am in no mood to ride today, probably whatever was lingering from yesterday is telling me to stay home. So now that I said I will ride, I guess I have to.

I'll confrim the story once I get to work.

tchazzard

Another birght day here in Maine. Temps were once again in the upper 40's F. My trailer was virtually empty today, as compared to the approx. 65-70 pounds I was towing yesterday, so I made really good time.

Headed home to grab my car in a bit. Temps now at 54 F and not a cloud in the sky. Gotta love it.

mrfix

I had a great ride in this morning, the weather man was wrong again, I dressed for 20 degrees and it was 40, I kept the speed down and dry from the inside. All in all it was a nice morning with light traffic and no wind. Looks like the weather road is going to get rocky this weekend, this may be the end of the clean roads and time to put the good bikes away till spring.

tchazzard

My thoughts exactly. Going to mount studded tires on the front of one of my two commuter bikes this weekend.

Snow tires go on the car next week....ski season is almost upon us.

mrfix

My thoughts exactly Tim, the snow tire go on the commuter tonight, I hate the thought of all that salt getting into my drive trane, this may be the last winter for this drive line, it's do for a rebuild in the spring. be carefull out there.

tchazzard

My lunch time ride home went OK. Temps were and still are very close to topping 60F, which is likely to set a new record for this day. My legs took a little longer than normal to get pumping and the wind had shifted so that I had a moderate head wind to contend with. It was a wonderful ride just the same.

Keep the rubber side down!

Sailguy

Okay so I made it.. VERY HAPPY I DID!.. Best time again, and unbelievably warm weather. I actually felt like I was overheating when stopped, and I didn't have any winter wear on at all.

Gojohnnygo.

tchazzard The temp is already falling here it should be close to you soon.The forcast of a noreaster on sunday or monday will make for a hard commute.I'm ready for it, Be safe and ride warm.

PaulH

I'm still enjoying the wonderful, clear fall weather here in Washington. This morning, I caught another commuter as I passed the Navy Annex on Columbia Pike. We rode along together, and he thanked me for providing him some "inspiration" on the hill. I assured him that he would pass me on the downhill, and he did. It was fun to have company for part of the trip. I look forward to the waxing silver moon on my trip home tonight.

Paul

Sailguy

Again, awesome ride tonight. Getting out on the unmotivated days seems to be the way to go

tchazzard

Yes indeed...the temps were just about freezing this morning and it is spitting snow. Unfortunately I will be unable to ride on Monday, as I will be at a Board of Directors meeting at the Sugarloaf ski resort. Life is grand!

mrfix

No bike for me today, deep puddles of water with loads of salt and sand and 2" of fresh heavy snow, I just can't do that to my bike. Tomorrow the puddles will be gone but the salt and sand will be there, I will do that and the bike will like it. All you commuters that live in the south where snow is not an issue, enjoy your commute, wish I were there.

pinerider

5" of snow yesterday, nice ride in this morning. -3 C, roads just wet mostly, some were almost dry. Had to "take the lane" on a 4 lane part of the commute, not enough road had been cleared for people to get around me. No complaints from the motoring commuters today. Actually saw 2 other bike commuters on the way in this morning - 1 smart (helmet & lights) 1 not so smart (no helmet, no lights, no reflectors)

Not much in the way of slush or slush splashing today, guess it's my lucky day. Had a short 2 block trip through deep snow and slush near my house, wasn't pretty with slicks on the bike. The back wheel did not want to follow the front. I need 1 more bike for commuting!! Payday Thursday, Police auction Saturday, could be my lucky week!!

tchazzard

I decided to go in a tad late this morning. It was still freezing rain when I woke up, so went back to sleep. Finally headed out a little after 9pm. It was 33 F, but the weather station said the feel's like temp was around 21 F. It was plenty warm on the ride. A lot of fallen trees, slush and water. The worst thing was the wind. I was met with a steady 20 PMH head wind, which gusted to over 30 MPH. I think it took about 80 minutes to get to work. Felt good just the same.

Andy Dreisch

Brilliantly sunny today in SJ. A little brisk but it's supposed to get to low 70s by this p.m. Took a different route that included a ride on SJ's notoriously slow bus-n-wheels -- the Light Rail system. I used to take this a lot, so it was like deja vu all over again.

Only 7 miles biking, but my knee feels fine. That's the important thing.

Ouch !

It was cold this morning, no ice but it couldn't have been much above freezing point, set off as normal and everything was okay but when I got to work found that my back light batteries were nearly dead, lucky I had a flashing light on my backpack.

the batteries are recharging right now in readiness.

Sailguy

Very nice ride this morning. I was thinking that to myself when I was almost flattned by a minivan backing out of its driveway. Sprinted a bit and got out of the way.

With perfect weather Saturday, getting in some sailing time w/ friends, and then the nice commute, the week has started nicely.

tchazzard

What a difference on the ride home. I had 20 less pounds in my trailer and the 20 to 30 MPH head winds were now tail winds. I flew home. And thankfully I installed a studded tire on the front. All the water from this morning's commute was now black ice. And the cream on the coffee was the bright moon. It was truly a ride to remember.

Hants Commuter

Wonderful ride in this morning. Dry, not too cold and dawn was just about to break. I had the added pleasure off my road bike which was back from the LBS.

vssn

Tough commute into a stiff headwind, wet leaves on the road. Took a different route home yesterday, more climbs but a better road surface and not as much traffic, made a pleasant change.

Ed Holland

Hi Folks
Yesterday it was really foggy here, cold too. By the time I made it to work there was condensation on my hairy knees! Apologies to anyone of a nervous disposition for that image.
Unfortunately not one but two stupid drivers tried to sideswipe me, fortunately they missed. Lights front and rear, high visibility jacket and they still can't see me?
This morning was cold again, but brighter. Very slow going through town, with heavy traffic, but I really opened up once I got to the open road and had a good mash on the gears - it felt great.

Cheers,

Ed

mrfix

Nice ride in this morning, 31 degrees and a slight head wind, the bike weighed about 65 pounds when I left the house. There was a lot of wet sand that the state had spread for the snow the other day, I actually enjoyed listening to the tires roll through it. I think I'm getting used to this cold weather and I'm getting my cold weather dress down to a science, I find it hard to not over dress, I check the temp by feel on the front porch and dress accordingly, I think too warm is worst than too cool, once I start to sweat I start to get cold while riding.

tnorman

Well, I think my bike commuting is done for the winter. I had a nice ride in this morning: 28F and calm, moderate traffic. The roads were mostly dry, but when I got closer to work, the roads were well-coated with ice and patches of road salt. I'm not ready to scratch up my new road bike with salt or take chances on the ice, so I think I'll call it quits. It's a big accomplishment for me to have made it this long!

Tim

pinerider

Even though temp of +3 C and light rain, it was a nice, uneventful ride in. Had problems with headband/glasses/helmet/mirror coordination, didn't get it right the first time, headband was pushing down on glasses causing misalignment of helmet and mirror. Slight headache, but a nice ride anyways!

Found out my easy commuting will end the beginning of January. The lift bridge will stay up for cable repairs from Jan. to March. Bike commute will be about 22 kilometres instead of 12!! I might have to think about that one for winter commuting!

tchazzard

Tim; I used to quit for the winter for the same reason. Three years ago I walked into a LBS and picked up a MTB for $100. I three studded tires and fenders on it. For less than $300 I was out and about. I have never looked back. You obviously enjoy bike commuting...so stick with it....it is even more fun in winter than in the warmer months.

As for my ride this morning...It was a balmy 22F with a muted sun and only a slight breeze out of the south (quite a change from yesterday). There was a lot of black ice, but my two year old M&G's performed nicely. Only problem is that my rear brake pads have finally warn down to, gulp, metal. Will need to hit the shop tonight and pick up some new ones.