How was the commute today?
07-03-06 | 09:14 PM
New! With Self Loathing!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,618
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From: Fairfield, California
Bikes: 2013 Jamis Xenith T time trial bike, 2013 Jamis Xenith Elite
Great ride both ways, I hope tomorrow is as nice. Just wish I had put on sunscreen for the Vacaville Gran Prix. Bad burns.
07-04-06 | 03:54 AM
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 41
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I have finally done it. I sold my house and moved closer to work 7 Kilometers one way now instead of the 64 kilometers one way and have started commuting. It might have cost me 1/4 of a million dollars but it feels damn fine riding to work. Although in the four days so far it has rained on all except one way this afternoon. However I was prepared after reading this website and have not gotten seriously wet or cold yet.Although I did work overtime yesterday and the light situation was a bit tricky by the time I got home.I need to always carry a small light as an emergency light for overtime situations. I hope to go car lite so that I use the bike for the overwhelming majority of all my journeys in town.My goal is to ride to work every day unless I am sick with something (one thing I know I will not get sick of and that is riding)
I have purchased a second hand GT from the LBS and intend to make it my main commute.Mountain bike
with slicks and rack for panniers with mudguards(I will post pic when setup). It will give me a bike to ride to the shops too, as if it gets pinched it will not be as painfull as having one of my good bikes pinched.
Thanks for the inspiration guys and happy commuting.
I have purchased a second hand GT from the LBS and intend to make it my main commute.Mountain bike
with slicks and rack for panniers with mudguards(I will post pic when setup). It will give me a bike to ride to the shops too, as if it gets pinched it will not be as painfull as having one of my good bikes pinched.
Thanks for the inspiration guys and happy commuting.
07-04-06 | 06:48 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 362
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From: Marlborough, MA
Bikes: Felt F85 (2007), Fuji Regis (1980's)
What a GREAT morning for a ride. Temps in the upper 70s and the sun rising was beautiful. Hardly any traffic out which was so nice, had the whole road to myself most of the time 
Saw an older fellow riding a bike along the sidewalk on my way in. I am one of the few working today in the area based on the minimal amount of people out this morning. It's nice to have the whole office to myself to get some stuff done though. Gonna be a nice hot ride home again, temps in the mid 90s this afternoon.
Saw an older fellow riding a bike along the sidewalk on my way in. I am one of the few working today in the area based on the minimal amount of people out this morning. It's nice to have the whole office to myself to get some stuff done though. Gonna be a nice hot ride home again, temps in the mid 90s this afternoon.
07-04-06 | 08:38 AM
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
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From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Warm and humid this morning, with water on the roads from last night's rain. Not enough water to spray up and get me wet, but just enough to reduce the road friction and get me to work just a little bit faster than usual. Nice.
07-04-06 | 01:03 PM
July fourth-- independence day here in the states-- lots of people off work--not much traffic, though. a few more peds than usual. passed a homeless guy with a full shopping cart who was talking to someone I couldn't see. cloudy and humid today (for AZ, that is)... took it easy... good ride in. pretty uneventful. but that's a good thing.
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"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
07-05-06 | 06:08 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 362
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From: Marlborough, MA
Bikes: Felt F85 (2007), Fuji Regis (1980's)
Well the traffic is back this morning for sure. Had to wait at a stop sign about a minute to turn onto another street since there was so much traffic. Still hot and muggy as can be here, it was 78 degrees with 77% humidity when I left my apartment this morning. Yesterday morning I got caught in some sprinklers on the golf course but it was nice to get some spray and cool down. Might get some storms this afternoon or rain which wouldn't be bad to get rid of the sun and coo me off.
07-05-06 | 06:26 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
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From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
Nice ride in this morning, quiet and (relatively) cool. I guess yesterday's storms brough in a cold front and cooled things down (thankfully). I took the long way in (using the Memorial Bridge instead of the 14th St.) and checked out all the debris from last night's fireworks on the Mall. In addition to all the trash, I saw: chairs, tents, even grills-some still with hot dogs and sausages on them, what a mess. I also managed to hit two big @$$ pot holes that I've never seen before, I think I may have knocked my rr wheel out of true on the 2nd one. I guess we'll have some on/off rain today but temps will be cooler, in the low to mid 80's.
07-05-06 | 06:46 AM
Nice commute. Fair weather, light traffic.
Took a slight detour to feed a friend's cats this a.m.
- good to have a change in scenery and to add an extra mile or so to my ride in.
p.s.
this is what I was riding yesterday:
Took a slight detour to feed a friend's cats this a.m.
- good to have a change in scenery and to add an extra mile or so to my ride in.
p.s.
this is what I was riding yesterday:
Last edited by * jack *; 07-05-06 at 06:52 AM.
07-05-06 | 09:33 AM
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 was so tired this morning, I couldn't be bothered to catch a known scofflaw this morning. SIgh. I did get this entertaining e-mail from a friend of mine who just started commuting recently. Here's an excerpt:
I had to chuckle...
So...I have been riding my bike faithfully 4 days a week to work (unless its pissing outside to the point where biking might be painful/cold from the drops of hell). Now....last I mentioned that I got up the "HILL"....but it was not graceful. Well it's almost been two months....and I am still not graceful. Much better though (down to 1 *** a day...except Fridays when I work at Brewsters...it's a social thing 
. Anyway....I could not understand for the life of me why ppl were sitting on their bikes passing me. I mean....At one point I have no other choice but to do the standing leg grind. Then ZOOM another F*er sitting passing me. Well...I am going home the other day and I am going up the 3 tier field (after the big hill....I lack juice to get up this field) and the fact that it is so steep at some points that I usually giv'er a good run and then stall halfway up the hill....get-off and walker the rest of the way. WELL....the other day.....I'm groovin and sweatin and stall halfway up the hill....and then *swoosh* some biker I almost killed cause he wasnt expecting me to stall (and I had my mp3 player on and didn't hear him). So I did the "I'm Sorry!"'s and being the nice guy he was...says;
"Gear down. You will just cruise up the hill"
I give him the "look". The look consists of a blank stare that washes over my face and then the scrunch of pessimistic eyebrows and nose flare as a sarcastic remark floods through my head and says "Uh....do you not see I am on my LOWEST gear.....duh guy".
"Um.....okay?" (he can see the panic in my eyes)
"Turn that one upwards....you will get another set of gears." (refering to my right gear switch)
"Um.....okay?" And off he goes.
Well....BY GOLLY! Did you know that if you actually turn that right gear....You have MORE gears. LOWER gears!!!!!!! So my legs are spinning like a gerbal on a wheel and I'm givin'er up the next two tiers...........SITTING!!!!!!
I get to the top and "guy" is far ahead of me...but I still extended my appreciation with a big "THANK YOU!!!!" down the neighbourhool street.
That's a lot of typing to tell you how dumb I am. So...basically I have been peddling up this hard ass hill on a middle gear and basically nearly giving myself a mild hear attack. Just kidding...it's not that bad....I actually might prefer it.....burns the F out my legs...and shapes the butt!
. Anyway....I could not understand for the life of me why ppl were sitting on their bikes passing me. I mean....At one point I have no other choice but to do the standing leg grind. Then ZOOM another F*er sitting passing me. Well...I am going home the other day and I am going up the 3 tier field (after the big hill....I lack juice to get up this field) and the fact that it is so steep at some points that I usually giv'er a good run and then stall halfway up the hill....get-off and walker the rest of the way. WELL....the other day.....I'm groovin and sweatin and stall halfway up the hill....and then *swoosh* some biker I almost killed cause he wasnt expecting me to stall (and I had my mp3 player on and didn't hear him). So I did the "I'm Sorry!"'s and being the nice guy he was...says;"Gear down. You will just cruise up the hill"
I give him the "look". The look consists of a blank stare that washes over my face and then the scrunch of pessimistic eyebrows and nose flare as a sarcastic remark floods through my head and says "Uh....do you not see I am on my LOWEST gear.....duh guy".
"Um.....okay?" (he can see the panic in my eyes)
"Turn that one upwards....you will get another set of gears." (refering to my right gear switch)
"Um.....okay?" And off he goes.
Well....BY GOLLY! Did you know that if you actually turn that right gear....You have MORE gears. LOWER gears!!!!!!! So my legs are spinning like a gerbal on a wheel and I'm givin'er up the next two tiers...........SITTING!!!!!!
I get to the top and "guy" is far ahead of me...but I still extended my appreciation with a big "THANK YOU!!!!" down the neighbourhool street.
That's a lot of typing to tell you how dumb I am. So...basically I have been peddling up this hard ass hill on a middle gear and basically nearly giving myself a mild hear attack. Just kidding...it's not that bad....I actually might prefer it.....burns the F out my legs...and shapes the butt!
07-05-06 | 09:50 AM
I worked the 4th and got out at 11:45 PM. My commute home was like riding through downtown Baghdad with the bombs bursting in air. It was cool and scary at the same time.
A lady in a SUV leaving a big party almost hit me. Then when she saw she missed, she threw it in reverse and tried to get me again....TWICE!! Why did she get mad at me when it was her own damn fault we almost crashed? She started yelling at me, and I got worried because her drunk friends at the party were all watching. then one drunk yelled at her, "how come you're trying to kill ******* on the street? Leave the poor ******* alone!" I sped off and made it home in near record time.
A lady in a SUV leaving a big party almost hit me. Then when she saw she missed, she threw it in reverse and tried to get me again....TWICE!! Why did she get mad at me when it was her own damn fault we almost crashed? She started yelling at me, and I got worried because her drunk friends at the party were all watching. then one drunk yelled at her, "how come you're trying to kill ******* on the street? Leave the poor ******* alone!" I sped off and made it home in near record time.
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07-05-06 | 09:53 AM
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
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From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: '06 Kona Dr. Dew
torrential downpour the entire ride. The traffic was light though and there were plently of open spots to lock up my bike..
07-05-06 | 10:51 AM
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
I'm a staunch supporter of toe clips and street shoes on commuter bikes. Yet after my tour this past weekend, I put my SPDs and Sidis on my commute bike and had a blast this morning. I'll be going back to toe clips this weekend, but for the next few days clipless is fun.
Nothing to comment on the commute. Hopefully I'll get to try out my new raincoat on the ride home tonight.
Nothing to comment on the commute. Hopefully I'll get to try out my new raincoat on the ride home tonight.
07-05-06 | 10:56 AM
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
I think your buddy might be a good candidate for a single speed or fixie. I love it!
My ride in was very nice today. I raced yesterday so the legs were a bit sore, but still have a little bit of life in them.
We're in a bit of a down time at work and the weather has been just perfect. I'm tempted to send an email to some coworkers offering to ride in with them. Just the ones who've expressed an interest in commuting before.
What do you guys think? Has anyone done something like that?
My ride in was very nice today. I raced yesterday so the legs were a bit sore, but still have a little bit of life in them.
We're in a bit of a down time at work and the weather has been just perfect. I'm tempted to send an email to some coworkers offering to ride in with them. Just the ones who've expressed an interest in commuting before.
What do you guys think? Has anyone done something like that?
07-05-06 | 02:26 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 1
From: Beantown
Bikes: 2011 Tsunami, 2004 Fuji Team Issue and More!!!
Easy ride today, not much traffic. It's becomming a real chore not get too sweaty.
07-05-06 | 03:24 PM
Today I took a machete and cut some weeds and long grass that impede bike travel through an oft-used neighborhood shortcut. While I was clearing the offending vegetation, another commuter rode through and thanked me. 
Last edited by * jack *; 07-06-06 at 06:07 AM.
07-05-06 | 05:11 PM
New! With Self Loathing!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield, California
Bikes: 2013 Jamis Xenith T time trial bike, 2013 Jamis Xenith Elite
Ride in was fast and sweaty, thankfully my employer has a shower in the locker room. I may start riding full out to work, it felt good. Ride home started with a creak, loose bottom bracket. I dropped the bike off at the LBS because it came loose previously and it's a free fix. I'm thinking about upgrading from my Tektro dual pivot brakes to Ultegra, I'm not satisfied with the Tektros. Does anyone have a cheaper fix for this? Ride on.
07-05-06 | 08:05 PM
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 38
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From: Newtonville, MA
Bikes: '96 GF Wahoo w/ 26x1.5 City Slickers
Originally Posted by FormerBMX'er
Easy ride today, not much traffic. It's becomming a real chore not get too sweaty.
07-05-06 | 08:54 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
From: south jersey
5th day this year non commute (monday flat tire-rear. and today had to transport consumer to ect electro-convulsive therapy).
plan to re-enter road bike-driving tomorrow!
plan to re-enter road bike-driving tomorrow!
07-06-06 | 01:07 AM
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Yorba Linda, CA
My commute this morning was pretty non-eventfull. Not very many people out on the trail, although the ones I do see are starting to look familiar. It started out nice and cool and overcast, and about 1/3rd the way through the sun came out and started heating things up.
07-06-06 | 06:34 AM
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
I was just skipping along - la la la - with no idea that imminent doom was coming. Evidently we're expecting thunder this morning, hopefully it blows over before the Black Crowes/Drive-by Truckers show (!!!!!) tonight.
07-06-06 | 07:23 AM
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Newtonville, MA
Bikes: '96 GF Wahoo w/ 26x1.5 City Slickers
I also had a wet commute this morning. I woke up to find it raining outside, and decided to tough it out and ride anyway. That took some will power; today was only my third day cyclocommuting. It stopped raining about halfway to work, and this afternoon's forecast is looking good: blue skies, sunshine, and seventy-five degrees.
Last edited by e_a_olson; 07-06-06 at 07:50 AM.