pinkrobe

Damn windy this morning, and pretty chilly. I had to pedal down the big hill for the first time in ages. I had a brief chat with a fellow commuter at a light, then saw him a couple of more times as we took different routes into downtown. Traffic was heavy just outside the core, and my route-finding abilities failed me somewhat. Oh well, I made it to work in one piece. A young woman was handing out samples of "Oatmeal to Go", a ridiculously sweet breakfast bar. Not bad, but I'm glad I didn't pay for it.

RonH

Another awesome(??) day for commuters in Atlanta.

As usual, as I got closer to Emory University, I just had to pass all those "parked" cars waiting to turn onto Clairmont (just south of the VA). Why do I get a feeling of superiority when I do that?

scottmorrison99

I wasn't planning to commute today, it's my usual day off, but MSNBC called and is trying to get a news crew here to interview me about bicycle commuting. Hope it comes through. Looks like I will be riding part of my commute today. Got the fair and foul weather bikes set up. I'll try to wear my HHCMF shirt if it doesn't glare out the camera. Too bad they didn't pick someone with more experience. I've only been commuting for 6 months. I'll try not to let y'all down. Be nice, it's my B'day.Ride On.

NM-NewRoadie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! and on the MSNBC thing, wooohoooo!!! MAKE US PROUD! You should ask them at the end if you can "give a shout out to all your homies on the bike forums commute thread?" then yell "WASSUP YA'LLL!" and throw a mock gang sign. If they post it somewhere we can watch it, be sure to put up a link!

Nice ride today, woke up late, but decided to push forward with the long ride anyway, I'm glad I did. I made great time and it really felt good. Made it to work on time dispite waking up 30 minutes late. course...skipping a shave, and taking a real fast shower helped I'm sure. It's getting to warm for tights the whole way through, I think I'll start wearing them over my shorts so I can stop half way and pull them off, ordering leg warmers soon but they'll probalby get here to late (main reason I'm ordering is for widely varying temps on the BTC)

Did 468 miles in April. I'm going to really buckle down and do the long routes more in May and try to smoke that number.

caloso

A mixed bag: I was running late, but that was okay because I was talking bikes with the mason who's doing some work on our patio. He had to move my bike and when I came out to saddle up he asked me how I liked riding fixed. He mostly rides mountain bikes but sometimes rides the river bike trail on his road bike and was getting fixed-curious. So I was preaching the fixie gospel.

Then I had a nice quick ride to work, until I had to wait for a train in Midtown. How will this town ever make the big leagues when a freight train can split it in two during the morning commute?

Well, no biggie. It gave me a chance to take off my helmet and cool off for the last few blocks, where I waved to another fixed commuter. I shot him the secret gang sign and continued on to the office.

jumpr

Good commute today, but it's pouring now, so I might leave my bike here overnight and pick it up tomorrow.

I was stopped at a light when I heard a voice behind me; I must confess, it scared me a little. Turns out it was a 'bent rider who'd come up pretty quick. We waited for the light to change, and then he waited 'til traffic cleared to pass me. Makes me want to ride a recumbent; he was really cruising!

bikebuddha 

Yeah, it doesn't get any better than this but those long hot days of summer are just around the corner.

Roody

Raining buckets today. I realized I haven't commuted in the rain since last October!!! I like snow a lot better than rain. I am glad it was warm enough for shorts, since they're much less sloppy when wet. But it wasn't that warm -- the water splashed by the cars felt like needles piercing my legs.

My legs look so pale and ugly!

mister

I didn't plan on riding in this morning. Woke up feeling the onset of some hay fever. Looking at the clock I thought "well, I can take my time getting ready and drive to work or I can take a quick shower, shave and pedal my ass off. I think I'll ride this morning." I got the bike commute bug and I can't shake it!

The ride in was nice, but all the gardeners who took yesterday off were out working double duty today so my allergies were killing me for the first 5 miles. I decided to cruise in on the bike trail by the river. All the stagnant water made for a smelly ride, not to mention a ton of gnats buzzing around. By the time I got to work my eyes were swollen, watery and itchy, my nose was dripping like a faucet and my throat was tight. Any other day I would've been cranky, but I just smiled, locked up the stead and thought "can I please have more?" Only 8 more hours until I get to ride again.

allison1x1

Well...the morning commute yesterday went okay, as posted (though I forgot to mention someone pulling out of a driveway nearly hit us as he screeched to a stop - at the stop sign - though it seemed like he was planning on just careening around the right turn until he noticed us). However yesterday afternoon we got about half a mile from work on an overpass, riding in the mess on the side of the lane, and my rear tire blew. Well, tire was fine, but the tube expelled the air really quickly. Decided to ride about a mile or so over to Sport Chalet and get them to replace the tube (work has air, but we thought it might be quicker to get a new tube than deal with patching). Ended up buying 3 tubes, which was a good thing because the front tire was flat after we rolled into the garage at home. After someone at SC told us it'd be a few days before they could pump up the tire (it takes 5 minutes!) someone came over and helped us out. Might have made a new riding buddy through the experience!

Ride this morning was misty, which I haven't ridden in before (new to bike commuting), but was nice. Temps not too high. I continually have the wrong lens color for my Serfas glasses, however.

o-dog

woke up with a cold this morning, toyed with the idea of driving in, then said nah, it's just a cold, and a mild one at that. I thought I would be painfully slow because of the cold, but I actually wasn't much slower than I usually am, although I wasn't 100%. the ride was pretty much what the doctor ordered as far as I'm concerned... I would have been pissed if I had driven in. I still took it pretty easy, and took the trail route in. pretty good ride in.

got out at 12, and took a different route home than usual, up and down the Paint Branch then from there to University. there was a lot of traffic but the shoulder was wide and nobody wanted to turn right when I did so it was cool. took it really easy up the big hill. somebody walked in front of me as I was going down my street at a good clip, I was far enough away to be able to go around though. good ride back too.

DC Wheels

I'm on week 2 of bike commuting after the month of the weekend warrior thing didn't quite cut it for me. I get up at 5 to leave at 5:50. I start off with a mile ride to a bus stop where I take the bus for 30 minutes to a wonderful trail. I ride mostly down hill from Chevy Chase, MD to Georgetown, a section of Wash DC. I cut across the city to work where I am invigorated to start the day. The ride home is uphill most of the way, and then a bus and then a mile home. I am tired thinking about it but it really is a wonderful thing to use my body. I have seen so many animals along the way of the Capital Crescent Trail - deer, a fox, a beaver, bright red cardinals. As I am coming in the city I ride parallel to the Potomac River where I often see rowers doing their thing on the water. Riding has cause to fall in love with my city again. Peace

Jack Burns

68 degrees in the Lower Delta this morning with blue skies. Not too much traffic, either.
I still get some odd looks from the masses of business junkies and soccer moms trapped in their V-8's yapping on cellphones, licking lattes and tailgating. But I feel so liberated when I pass them.

Folks that stop by the office are absolutely shocked that I ride 23 miles (round trip) to work. The bike is quiet a conversation piece....

badger_bike

40-something in Salem, MA this morning, about the same now. Chilly and light to moderate rain; rain always gets me because I can either wear glasses and be blinded, or not wear them and be just plain blind. I feel so unsafe either way. Made it to and from with no mishaps, thankfully. Seemed like there wasn't much traffic coming back.

xroader

LASIK, Baby, LASIK. 30-some years with glasses and then I was able to throw them away. For me the BEST part situations like you discribed.

LilSprocket

He musta been a decent human... most of 'em 'round here AIM for the cyclist...

Gearing up for the MS150 this weekend, weather's looking good for it, partly cloudy, like 4mph winds, woo-hoo!

RonH - You Ridin' in Silence on May 17th? I'm with ya, but here

Roody

Did you ever see your commute in a totally different light?

I usually ride home just before midnight. Tonight I got out four hours early and rode home in the light. I saw some things that have changed since my last daylight commute, and especially noticed all the trees in blossom around the state capitol building. The streets seemed much narrower because there were cars parked on both sides. And the traffic signals were all still operational. Usually when I ride home they're on blinking mode. And of course there was a lot more traffic to deal with.

scottmorrison99

They filmed the interview today and taped me on part of my commute. So on my day off I commuted. Phone inteview is supposed to be live on MSNBC at about 7:30 AM- 8AM Pacific, commenting on statements by the CEO of Exxon-Mobil made on The Today Show. I won't fall for the "attack the oil companies routine", I just want to promote bike commuting. I don't know if it will air live only on the East coast, or the West coast as well. I couldn't wear my HHCMF shirt, to much glare on camera. That's why we have that color, to show up really well. I will be wearing it for the phone interview though. My boss gave me time off during my shift for the interview, but asked if I would stand by the company sign for it. Uhhhh....It's a phone interview. Ride ON!

buzzman

yeah, I've ridden in Florida and I know what you mean. Hate to say it though he was a little out of his league here with the Boston drivers- they're not satisfied with a measly bicyclist- they eat their own.

didn't have a minute to post yesterday's commute, which was a good one. Brisk and clear. Today, however, was cold and rainy. A little taste of the old winter commute. I was remembering those ice cold January days with the studded snow tires and thinking- "this ain't nothin'" I think some of the Canadian geese have hatched their goslings- they should be making their appearances soon accompanied by the proud parents.

Realized today I have biked every day for the past 24 days with no days off from cycling. Riding a minimum of 22 m/day and sometimes as much 70/day. I'm feeling it. The legs are asking for a recovery day. I'll try to resist the urge to ride on Thursday. Starts to be a little counter productive to not take a break but it's hard when the bike junkie addiction kicks into high gear. But I feel myself getting a little bit grumpy from it, a little less patient with drivers.

tomg

the usual commute, plus an extra 18 mile "just because" (weather was prime)!

rant on: at my last turn home from major 2 lane road to local back streets, there was a mail-truck turning in to mail station. no biggie! during his left turn, i positioned myself for my proceeding left turn, left arm signaling intent. this joker a-h FLEW from behind the mailtruck's post turn right on me. i did not want to change direction to make any "perceived" confusion to my intent. he eventually passed me on the right and then looked into driver side mirror (eye contact). i had all the impulse to "flick him the bird" but instead continued to signal my direction (with even more gesturing). i really hope he was able to learn from this really simple concept of direction signaling! ff rant

spidercyclist

Rain today on the way to work and dry on the way home .
Good fast commute. Have a good nite .

jeff-o

On my ride home yesterday, I had not one but TWO people - one right after the other - yell "Get off the road!" I just grinned as wide as I could, and kept riding. I hope they get stuck behind me every.single.day.for.a.week.

This morning it was juuuust warm enough for shorts, but I still wore a jacket. It's supposed to be 25C this afternoon, and I don't want to be riding in jeans in that kind of weather!

vtjim

High 40Fs and light rain. Kind of a nice commute, actually.

One funny thing happened. I'm still sort of coming down off of a mild head cold so I'm taking it easy. Well, I looked in my mirror and I saw someone on a bike coming up behind me. Testosterone poisoning overruled the head cold virus, and I went up two gears while maintaining cadence so it wouldn't look like I was doing anything differently. Speed increased by about 8MPH.

Dropped the other rider like a hot rock. I kept the pace for a couple of miles and only once saw the person when I turned around to look down a long straight section.

Then I came upon an electric company truck and a tree service truck (on the MUP), which isn't unusual since there are power lines that follow the rail trail. But what was unusual was the wide red tape tied across the bike path about a half mile further, with signs facing the other direction saying, "Bike path temporarily closed due to tree trimming."

I resisted the urge to be an @$$ and split the tape, and instead just went around it. Hopefully it's not still there on my ride home, because it's the only reasonable way for me to get home. I'll ignore it. Come to think of it, maybe they're trying to do it on a rainy day, figuring not many people will be out. Then again, I assume they think that much.

FormerBMX'er

One thing about a short 3.5mile commute is that the effort to get dressed and undressed in riding gear almost doesn't seem worth it sometime. Today was that, I couldn't be bothered with getting into my wet gear for 3.5miles only to change again once I got to work. I did it all winter but couldn't bring myself to do it today, No Commute!

Itsjustb

My ride takes me past a small golf course with a lake and a spillway. This morning the baby ducks and their mom were out on the grass in the early morning sunlight. I was tired, sore and hungry, but this Made. My. Day.