ryanparrish

rode the mtb today cheapo floor pump pulled the head out of the commuter bikes front wheel tube back to the LBS I need to stock up on spares after I got the shock rebuilt it seems more squishy got to fix something first time rideing in the road ( I usually take the sidewalk to chicken to jump out with cars flinging 55mph+ next to me)

Bizurke

When I left work this morning there was a thunderstorm about to hit so I took the most direct route home. I knew that a few blocks of the road was going to be hell because of potholes, cracks, uneven pavement, and it being shut down to one lane cause of construction I never saw actually happening.. After avoiding this route for weeks I was gladly surprised to see a brand new stretch of wide lane blacktop that began at the start of the second hill I have to go up on my way home. This made my morning commute SO MUCH BETTER.

As for coming to work. Great warm weather and no traffic so it was a breeze. I think I cranked it out fast enough to shave a few minutes off my usual commute time. Now I have to wait until morning to see if there's going to be another T-storm. Reports say one should start about the second I leave work....

jyossarian

Yesterday, on the ride home, I almost T-boned a knucklehead making a U-turn w/o looking in the bike path on the Hudson Greenway. I saw it happening and was going slow enough to avoid him, but the temptation to T-bone him was very strong. Today's ride was slow, but fun filled w/ lots of zig-zagging around slower moving cars. Almost got hit by the back of a turning truck because I was too close to the truck as I rode by it.

vtjim

Nice commute today. Temp around 60F, sunny, and low humidity. Saw lots of cyclists!

I spotted two cyclists far ahead of me on the MUP and eventually got close enough to see it was a 'bent and a diamond frame. After that, the 'bent passed the DF. I caught the DF and passed it. Wasn't trying to reel them in. I was just cruising faster I guess.

I came up to a woman walking a golden retriever off leash. Dog was on the dirt strip next to the paved trail. I like dogs, have a dog, and can read doggie body language, so I'm not bothered by them. I passed the dog and heard the tags on its collar start jingling faster. Head check revealed the dog was now trotting along off my right quarter, still on the dirt. I pushed a bit harder and I heard more frantic jingling. Here comes the dog up alongside me. Still on the dirt. Just running with me, not trying to "get me." I let out a laugh and poured the coal to it. 25+MPH and I'm just barely dropping the dog.

Meanwhile I'm catching up to the 'bent like a cruise missile, and I realize it'd be wise to end this foolishness for everyone's safety. I slowed way down and the dog just stopped and went back to its human, who was hundreds of yards behind us at that point. Who knows what she was thinking?

I cruised behind the 'bent into town, then we split up.

Fun morning!

cuda2k

First commute in to work this morning. A learning experience, but a good one. The new commuter rig (Schwinn Passage in Sig link) rode well. Not nearly as quick as my Gazelle, but that of course should be expected considering the wide (1 1/4") tires and weight of it fully loaded for the ride in. My commute is short (6.5mi) and is pretty nice roads most of the way. They felt even nicer with the heavier bike and wider tires too. Also had the first ride on a Brooks saddle. I'm now an offical believer.

Looking forward to the ride home.

WhiteRabbit

Nice are quick. I stopped at a light with two other cyclists, said hi before it turned green and we all headed out different ways. Traffic was fair. Nice day, not very remarkable.

luckysnafu

Had an interesting ride last night on the way home. Left work and noticed that my back tire had lost some pressure during the day. Didn't think much of it so I just started my ride home. About a mile into my ride the back tire was almost on the ground so I had to stop and change it. Changed it and was on my way home. Got home and realized I had missed most of my soccer game so I didn't even bother going to the end of it. Ended up changing the rear tire since it is very bald and has given me 2 flats in about a month. Didn't ride today since it is my gf's birthday and I have to go pick up a cake and some presents for her. I will be back on the bike tomorrrow.

pinkrobe

Today I was fast. 15% faster than usual. That's a pretty big difference for me. I sprinted pretty much every light and straight, and even though I did get stuck behind a bus, it was still one of my best rides in recent memory.

vtjim

Forgot to add that, twice in the last week, I've stopped to "help" a couple of painter turtles into the taller grass near the MUP. Must be mating season or something.

RonH

Thank goodness BF is back!!

Summer is finally here. The temp was WARM for the ride in. Had my first "sink bath" of the season at work. Found a way to sort of lock the door so I was "guaranteed" a little privacy.

Brought my bandana for the ride home. Supposed to be 95F (35C) when I leave work.

* jack *

yup, gonna be a hot one today

Wulfheir

Last night I finally wore right thru my rear brake pads and into the metal clip. This was a result of not having a front brake because it had seized and I totally neglect bike maintenance. I got the front brake unseized and put new rear pads on tuned my brakes and derailers and lubed my chain. As a result, this mornings commute was awesome. It felt like I was on a new bike.

NM-NewRoadie

BIKE FORUMS IS BACK UP! Life is good...

Had a good commute the past couple days, generally have been taking the short route in and home...my big ride is next week! I actually leave for it Friday. Should be a FREAKIN BLAST!

My wife is the best ever. My birthday is Today, and we had a party this past weekend. She had her mother get me a new pair of my favorite bib shorts for the ride, and then she got me an AWSOME Sony cybershot 7.2 megapixal camera. I'll have new pictures of my bike, and commutes coming soon! And of COURSE awesome pictures of Colorado from my tour when I get back!

I had been talking about buying a case of power bars for my trip, and she was like "ah, forget that, I'll bake you some" "huh what?" yea, I was reading some recipes for energy bars, I'll make you some (my wife is an awesome baker). So...I got two different kinds, one has chocolate chips, dried cranberry, walnuts, and apricots in it, and the other...OH BOY!! has peanut butter, honey, sesame seeds, raisins, and some other stuff...AND THEN! It’s dipped in confectioners chocolate (won't melt as easy as regular chocolate) THOSE ARE FREAKIN BAD ASS!

Anyway, she's just been totally awesome about this entire bicycle trip, from encouraging me to go, allowing me time to train, paying for it! And now all this latest stuff....I'm just lucky I guess!

indianatrails

First commute today ever: 36 miles (one-way)

Was pretty anxious about this so just had to do some bragging. Much easier than I thought! 2:15 on the '88 bianchi steel road bike, baby-wipe shower upon arrival (my 3-year old got a giggle out of that). Totally rural, quiet, straight, flat, perfect "in the zone" cruising. Stars, planets, crescent moon, heat lightning, dramatic sunrise, deer, birdsong, honeysuckle, sweet cowstuff, and OK some roadkill, but mainly a heavenly sensory feast. Mentally I actually had a hard time getting off the bike. Magic, bubbly feeling.

Thus begins the learning curve. Lots o' stuff to optimize with excellent help from all you here. Adding cost of gasoline and anti-depressants to the equipment budget

LilSprocket

ACK! Today was a cluster-foo of issues, half way to work I had to turn back and take the car WAH

but yesterday was awesome

Had to leave the O early for my annual eye doc appt.... the receptionist knows I work at a law firm and she saw me pull up on my bike.. sooo... I had quite an audience and had my opportunity to advocate

one of the girls who worked there said it might be something she'd consider trying...
I dunno if she will, but all the positive feedback was nice

jyossarian

Would your wife mind shipping a few energy bars over here? Barring that, can I get the recipes?

aadhils

I had my rear tube blow up twice today. First time was when a large metal (I'm assuming since it punctured an Armadillo) shard cut a rip in my tire that got to the tube. Fixing it was miserable. I kept sweating, and it was dripping all over my glasses. I did'nt dare wipe it cause I was wearing a white shirt for work (group picture day), and my hands were all grimy.

Second one was about 1.5 miles later. I just heard an explosion, and knew (instinct ) that my rear had blown. Turns out that the tube had squeezed through the above said rip and blown. Well then I found out that I had'nt anymore spare tubes (funny cause I could have sworn I had two spares) so I had to call my brother come in his car and drop of two spares (Thank god I had plenty of tubes at home). I cut a section out of the old tube and used it as a patch, which has held up until now. My shirt is kinda dirty but not too noticeable.

Heh what a morning...

FormerBMX'er

Nice ride today and yesterday, no dramas to speak of...that's it!

buzzman

I love NY- what can I say?

I'm living too close to the place I'm working to justify biking to work so I'm walking to work but yesterday I had my first real day off since I got here and rode for 2.5 hours all around the city. Started at 20th Street cut over to the FDR path and wound all the way around and up to the Cloisters. Stopped in Harlem for a soda and a water and cut back over to the path on the West side for the trip back downtown. Had a great ride with "nymarathonman" (who hopped on my wheel-best way to either make a friend or foe- fortunately, he was friendly) for about a 1/2 hour at a fast pace and despite the high speed drivers, narrow streets and incredible road hazards- from twisted protruding bits of metal to huge potholes- I think it's a bike rider's paradise. Why would anyone drive a car here?

caloso

You must have been listening to the News From Lake Woebegone.

caloso

My ride was wonderful. It's going to be 103F by 5pm tonight but the mornings are perfect. Left the house at 6:10, swung by the office to drop off my bag, and then out on the ARBT for a car-free ride. I rode the roadie this morning and it felt light and fast. A No-Chain Day!

On the way back to the office, I stopped at a bakery (another LBS we should always support) for an apple fritter and the girl at the counter noticed my jersey (a Rona team jersey I got from probikekit.com) and she said, "Wow. You sure have a lot of sponsors!" I was going to say that it wasn't my team, that it was just a jersey I bought off the internet, but instead I started to go with it. I know that's lying by omission, but it was a nice compliment that she thought I was a pro (or at least a serious amateur).

RonH

If they're tasty you know you're obligated to share the recipe with us.


Have a great trip.

ryanparrish

Looks like rain. MTB again today haven't picked up new tube for commuter/roadie. Cane Creek shock on MTB is still leaking air (fully suspended setup) after it being rebuit by cane creek

Mariner Fan

Nice ride to work. On the way home I got a flat. Figured I would just call my wife to get me but the cell phone was dead....oh well, put on the new tube and was on my way again but then was stopped by the longest train I ever saw. Bad part was it doubled back so I had to wait twice! Geez, doubled my commute time and I was tired and dirty when I finally got home. Note to self, need to put something in the bag to clean my hands after handling the chain getting the back tire off.

scottmorrison99

I'll second that. Recipes, please.