Dickseacup

You must be west or southwest of me, then, based on my morning commute.

I bravely decided that a few sprinkles wouldn't keep me off the road today. And a few sprinkles it were, for the first five minutes. Then it stopped all together and was oppresively warm and humid. I prayed for the sprinkles to return as they, at least, were cooling me off somewhat. Five more minutes of riding in steam and then the clouds opened in answer to my silent prayers. The final five minutes of my commute were in a torrential downpour with raindrops the size of golf balls. Well, OK, maybe not torrential and maybe not golf balls, but I was soaked through by the time I arrived at work. Two of the lab ladies looked shocked to see me trudging around dripping wet. I figure they were just taken aback at how sexy a bicycle commuter looks after having ridden in the rain. (right)

Now, the ride home; if I had waited another fifteen minutes, the great big yellow spot on the weather radar would've moved northeast and I would've only had to endure a steambath ride home. But, patience is not my long suit, so off I went in to the teeth of another storm. I lost count of how many drivers shook their heads in amazement. I saw two other riders. One was a woman in her early 20s (near as I could tell), with a beat old Schwinn, no helmet and an overstuffed backpack mashing down the road in the opposite direction. She was smiling, but not near as broadly as I. She didn't wave back, though. The other rider was a commuter headed perpendicular to my line of travel, riding 'properly' and with a helmet. He was being passed by a long string of cars/trucks/SUVs and was getting a good shower in the process. He did not look happy. I waved at him, but not surprisingly, he kept his head (mostly) down and didn't wave back.

Now that I've had my baptism by rain, can I call myself a 'Real Commuter(tm)(c)(r)'?

CliftonGK1

The last/first (to work/back home) mile of my commute is on the street, the rest is on the Sammamish River Trail. The road section is no different each day: Some rocks here and there, some glass here and there, but nothing unavoidable. The bike trail is in process of re-paving. Yesterday, the paver crew was still out working on it at 3:30pm and there was about a quarter mile section where everyone had to get off the trail and walk it on the grass until we passed the paving machines and other trucks. The section that was open (and freshly paved) was still kinda soft because the asphalt wasn't setting quick enough due to the heat and humidity. It's going to be really nice when it's done, if the levelling doesn't sink too much due to the slow-setting asphalt. For now, it's kinda stinky and a bummer to need to dismount and walk it around the section(s) they're paving.

ryanparrish

I woke up this morning very sore and tired I had attempted to beat my previous commute record which I successfully did a 30 mile top speeed. With bike in hand up the stairs I trudged I heard the rain dancing on the roof zipped up the rain jacket looked down at my bike noticed my faithful comrad had a small dent which astonished me for the fact that this bike is a virgin to being crashed or fallen over. the crunch of stale bread and cold coffee was the 5 star breakfast this morning opened the door the rain was basiclly made everything white I looked down at my accomplice and trusty friend lets have some funn which reminds me of why I ride for the fact that cagers aside there are some moments that are just to funn to pass up like being soaked in mother natures washing machine and the pounding of the pedals and the tyres cutting through the rain this is why I ride

jyossarian

As I was leaving the office, I noticed a woman down the block riding her bike on the sidewalk and two guys having a smoke near me. As the woman passed, one of the smokers said, "Get on the street with that thing!". This is the exact opposite from what I usually read here. Then he mumbled something to his friend about sidewalk riders and knocking them off their bikes.

The ride home was the usual mess of traffic with lots of zig zagging across 5-6 lanes of traffic. Sometimes, the bike feels like an extension of my body, like today.

chephy

I am experimenting with routes these days 'cause there is construction on my main route, and some variety is needed anyway. I suddenly realized how well I knew the roads I usually take and how much that helps me with biking on them.

Sardu

I'm starting to learn that crappy Sora components and rough streets don't mix. If I take one of my three available routes home, it takes me over some horrible uneven streets (I've seen backcountry dirt roads in better shape), and it never fails, my junk Sora rear derailleur ends up out of whack and I have to do some on the bike adjustments. I'm also beginning to wonder what the point of resurfacing roads is when no effort is put into filling in ruts and potholes. Is this because I live in a city that's bankrupt, or is this the same everywhere? (I won't even ask why the rough streets aren't repaved, since they run through one of the poorer sections of town.)

HardyWeinberg

6.5 mph coming up the hill to home, pulling the trailer w/ 65# of kids, 20# of salmon and ice, and a 6-pack of beer. I left the tupperware from lunch at work today. I choose to leisurely spin up the wide sidewalk rather than muscle through the traffic lane.

r.jury

Have been commuting for the last 3 years, but have just recently found this site, lovin' it.

Did a 20km loop this morning on the new bike (Scott, Sub 20 Classic), came home, and took the beater into work for another 10km. (Recently had a bike stolen, so the new bike isn't going to work) Nice ride, a bit humid. Ride home (10km) - headwind, hot and humid.

Little 'game' I play - for each rider I pass +1, if I get passed -1. Today's score: +4 (didn't get passed).

Going to add another 10km or so to the morning ride tomorrow morning.

pinkrobe

I headed in to the office 45 minutes early today. Traffic was not really lighter - just different. It was more "flowy". Riding home is going to be a byatch - I was at a golf tourney all day and people kept buying rounds. I won a nice bottle of wine as a draw prize, so it was all worth it. Still, during the game, I kept thinking, "This course would be so sweet if I had my mtn bike!"

ryanparrish

love to ride I bet you could do some xtracycle mod up to cary golf bags

Wulfheir

Cracked the 2000km mark since jan 1!

pinkrobe: must've been crazy hot on the course today! and humid!

spidercyclist

Wet.

Big Ron

Ride home last night, I think I got close to heat exhaustion-was stopped at a stoplight in the 90F/humid conditions and started to feel nauseous and dizzy. Decided blacking out on the intersection wasn't a good idea, so took a hard left and very slowly rode up the sidewalk for my last 0.5 miles to get home. Spent a good 30 minutes in the AC in front of a fan until I felt cooled off. I was purposely riding a bit harder yesterday because at 90, it is cooler than it has been recently....lesson learned...Take it easy in the heat!
Very humid and sweaty ride in this AM. unremarkable excepting the carpet company van that nearly T-Boned when at a stop sign (he stopped and looked, but apparently didn't see me despite my headlights and reflective gear). No harm done though, he did a quick stop and I hard braked and swung to the right, so even if he had kept coming he would have missed me. Ride home looks to be very hot and humid, and/or getting dumped on from a rain shower.

luckysnafu

Very sticky ride in this morning. Didn't forget my water bottle today. Had a guy in a pickup truck almost right hook me last night on my way home but at the last minute he just sort of stopped and missed his turn. I saw his turn signal and was already swinging around his left by the time he stopped. I went by his driver's side window and he had this pissed off look on his face like I did something wrong. I kept going and he had to pull over since he missed his turn. He was not happy to say the least but he should have just followed me for 3 seconds till I went by his turn...oh well, they will never learn. Gonna be a hot one later on and there might be some rain/thunderstorms this afternoon.

Mr_H

This morning's ride was warm and humid. I got pretty sweaty, thankfully I can stop at the athletic center and take a shower before work.

Last night was an absolute blast, it was raining steadly: My first commute in the rain I made great time (8.5 miles in 30 minutes), but I still got soaked. My panniers aren't waterproof, but they are water resistant, so I made sure to stuff my clothes into another bag or two.

Not quite sure where you are, of the tricities, I'm in the southern one My route takes me from the west side of the township to just north of the city.

ryanparrish

Anyone from Allendale MI outside of GR? I pounded the gears this morning to make it to work other than that no problems

jyossarian

Ride to work was the usual gridlock mess. Got passed by two scooters in quick succession, both headed to different locations. I guess the price of gas has people turning in their SUVs for scooters. Or it's becoming more trendy.

pinkrobe

I rode in a little early with my wife. She didn't sleep too well, and was both tired and cranky. The traffic volume when she normally rides in is disgusting! I almost never ride at exactly that time, usually 15 minutes earlier or later. There must be some sort of critical mass of cars or something.

vtjim

This morning was slow. Brutal headwind. Warm. Humid. I just took it easy. I guess it's karma getting me back for chasing down a guy on a stripped-down roadbike yesterday afternoon. At least I had one of my fastest commutes home!

CliftonGK1

A little bit of both, I think. Scooters are just fun to ride, IMO. I can hardly wait to get a new one. I had to sell my '66 Vespa when I moved 'cross country. Not as much fun as pedalling, but riding a scooter still beats driving.


ss commuter-->geared commuter-->scooter-->car

Decreasing level of fun, left to right.

HardyWeinberg

I found a 15 min change in departure time, for me, has a huge effect on the cars. I think it's the difference between 'can still make it to work on time' and 'can't'.

Yesterday and today I stopped taking the trailer back home after dropping the kids at the daycare, taking direct road route rather than semi-circuitous trail route; yesterday I biked them home, and today I just left the trailer for my wife to pick up when she gets the kids. Saves 2.5 miles, gets me into work about an hour earlier too (not sure where all the time was going; I had been packing clothes and laundry after dropping the trailer off, and apparently dawdling a bunch too).

Anyway, back on the road I re-discovered my 'race the car to the stoplight' game. They always pull ahead, but I can still beat them to the end of the road, 'cause no matter how fast they accelerate from the 1st couple lights, by the time they get to the freeway, they're bound to be behind a couple of delivery trucks. (I'm in a bike lane doing this, w/ pretty much no burning of rubber or other gestures letting the car people know they're playing this game with me).

MyPC8MyBrain

Had to do the suckers walk last night. Came in without a spare tube, and of course the rear tube snuck around the crummy plastic rim tape and killed itself at some point during the day. The GF was involved in some sort of beautification project [nails i think] so it was wait or walk. I opted for a stroll with bike in hand. Made it 5 1/2 miles before she caught up with me.

Maybe it was destined to be...Before she met me, some stupid little poodle was running around with reckless abandon. He was running in the street, and just running around everywhere. I tried to catch him but he wouldn't come to me. I just kept walking then because I couldn't stand the thought of watching him get mushed. When the GF met me, and I loaded the bike in the car, here comes the little mutt and he jumps right in the open car door. Guess he wanted a ride home. So we called the number on his tag, and gave him a ride home.

Got some VELOX rim tape, fixed up both wheels. Rode great this morning.

Words of wisdom : ~~~ VELOX... Use it. ~~~
Plastic rim tape sucks as much as walking the bike 5 miles.

Another point of note... anytime I pass a cyclist sitting by their bike or walking, I ALWAYS ask if I can help them out. I've given away more tubes than I have ever used myself. No less than 5 fellow commuters rode past without even asking. Bad MoJo on them.

riedelmeister

Are you all feeling the heat? Even all the way up here in Wisconsin, it's getting brutal. Strong headwinds this morning on the way to work. I was dripping w/sweat only 10 minutes into my 45 minute commute. I just didn't have any strength either. It just rained here and the humidity went up even more. *groan*

At least I'll have a nice tail wind gong home. *thumbs up*

I'm done whining now.

vtjim

+1 (me too)

Heat. Humidity. Yes.
I have this to look forward to for my ride home:
Temperature: 86F
Dew Point: 70F (sticky)
Wind: 17 mph S (tailwind!)

juliebeanpie

Haven't ridden in over a week. My last ride in was last Tuesday, and my husband wouldn't let me ride home; he came and picked me up, because it was so hot. Since then, we've had temps from 106° to 113°. I am dying for a nice ride to work! I'm looking forward to this weekend, when it is supposed to go into the mid to low 90s, hopefully Monday I can actually say how my commute was....