My bet is that you're witnessing the annual flurry of activity associated with training programs for triathletes and for upcoming endurance biking events (centuries and the like). Since it takes a number of weeks to train for these, now is about the time to get started ... and bike-commuting is a good way of boosting weekly mileage.

In SJ, the streets will have a bunch of new bikers for a few weeks then it'll taper off again, if past experience is any measure.

First rain free ride in a week! Don't get me wrong though, I like rain, it was nice to have a bit of a break from it though. I am amazed at how little the rain washes off the roads. Sometimes it fills the road with debris. I think this is likely due to the very little crown the roads have here. They don't worry about proper drainage as much in the desert I think. Anyway, I made it in today without a spoke breaking (knock on wood) So I think I have replaced the last of the spokes that were stressed when I hit a sizable object with the rear tire a week and a half ago. Beautiful sunny but crisp ride in today.

On Sunday I rode from San Jose to Los Gatos to catch up with my family (and visiting sister and neice) for a nice, sunny afternoon. Then I rode home via the hilly route.

No, this wasn't a commute to/from work, but it was a bike ride with specific goals in mind and specific stopping points. So, I consider this a bike-commute of sorts.

I rode my roadie and it was a blast. It is WAY lighter than my commuter (Trek 520 Touring), a lot twitchier, and absolutely flew out of the lights. I took the hills with little problem.

Me too; first sunny day in a month. It was about 25 F and bright sunshine, a perfect commute. I think I'm gonna take the long way home and do some single track on the outskirts of town. peace.

Well, this is my second day of unemployment after my company went into administration last week (16 out of 26 in my office have the same problem), so no commute today. Yesterday I went into Southport to commence my search for new employment and discovered that Broadbeach is challenging Surfers Paradise for the idiot capital of the universe.

At least there was plenty of 'scenery' for a young single male in Surfers. :D

After yesterday's rain, this morning's 3F/-16C made lots of ice. Gusty winds made the highway overpasses tough. I've been locking my bike to the handrail under the front awning at work, as snow still blocks the route to my usual parking spot. Many clients have commented on it. Today, one of the Harley-Davidson riders actually came back in after looking it over a second time and said "You have studded tires and disc brakes! That is a serious bike." We then spent 10 minutes talking about what conditions I can ride in and various snow & ice technologies for bikes. He laughed and said that I was as crazy as some of his motorcycling friends. It was fun.

Not a particularly nice ride today as it was grey and damp. At least the weather is getting warmer - though in truth it rarely gets below freezing here. Hats off to all those that ride in sub zero for a large portion of the year!

Cheers,

Ed

Another bright sunny day! A little chilly for me (temperature in the upper 30's (I hesitate to call that cold because I have ridden in much colder, but I don't wear many layers at first because I know I will warm up later). Anyway, around here that is cold to most people. It was a nice commute, I took the lake path due to construction on the normal road route. I don't know if it is slower or not but it sure is prettier. Saw another roadbike on the path, not a commuter though. Had trouble remembering I was going to try and keep it an easy day.

We had about 3 inches of snow yesterday so I didn't ride. Today I rode but it's back to colder temps, it's almost noon and it's only up to 6F (-14C) but the sun is shining and that helps the ol' psychy. I had a nice ride in and I'm about to go out for a lunch ride. The ride home should be good too. This all will probably be the highlight of my day.

Well another sunny day in WV...On the downside, last night I was told to stay off the golfcourse that I usually cut through on the way to work. I was riding with some friends after work, not really commuting, when this silly guy drives up in a golfcart and says, "you need to stay off this course with your bikes". This morning I cut through the course anyway because the course employee's hadn't gotten to work yet,and wouldn't catch me. Hopefully I wont have trouble in the future.

Gorgeous NorCal morning. Bright sunshine, crystal blue sky, 41F/5C at 7:15am. Kind of day that makes you grateful that God gave us bikes. :)

commute in was in the 40's but shortly after it got real cold and began to sleet. I went out on lunch and cannot get my key into my bike lock so i will have fun when i go to leave

16 days commuting to and from work in February, approx 215 miles, 1 puncture. Able to get home in daylight now. Spent 5 days in Amsterdam last week on holidays, cyclists heaven!! Picked up a new bright yellow Agu top, so Im well warm this week and more importantly highly visible.

Todays ride in sucked, hard. It was -31 with a -46C wind chill. I wanted to die. This winter has totally sapped my bike commuting enthusiasm. Can't wait for spring.

KrisA, just when is spring in SK, CA? August?

You and other cold-winter-riders are a hardy bunch. We temperate-clime-commuters salute you.

Usually mid April. Only 1 more month to go! :rolleyes:

I am waiting for the commuting to work by bike until the time change takes affect. After that, I will definitely be biking to work. I work from 10-6 and just don't want to ride home in the dark.

Well, then, maybe your concept of spring and mine differ!! In April, we'll hit the 70s here in SJ ... maybe touch 80s for a couple days. I'd imagine you'd hit, what, the 40s? Maybe?

Yikes !!!

Actually it will be 65 degrees tomorrow. I just don't like to ride on the open, busy roads in the dark.

Kris A, you are a stud, my friend.

Another beautiful California morning. Clear and sunny, 39F when I left the house at 6:20. Took a long detour in to work. Some fog along the Sac. River but it cleared by 7:30. Was passed by 12 courteous drivers and one not-so-courteous driver. I refuse to let that guy ruin my morning.

Had a good commute. There are a couple of real nice crossing guards near a high school on my way in. At the place where the path I use to cross school grounds starts (cuts between the athletic fields), one will stop traffic and let me have the right of way to cross the street and get on the path. I don't know if he knows I am not associated with the school or not but he always gives me a nice greeting in the morning. The other one always gives me a hearty good morning. Kind of cool to find nice people sometimes. The other really wierd thing this morning was the first 6 miles of my commute had an extrordinarily clean bike lane. The yearly street sweeper must have visited last night.

Today was my first above freezing day in a long time. It felt so strange putting on just a fleece vest over my long sleeve tee and then my rain jacket. This evening even had fog from all the melting snow. Pothole season has started. The hole on the expansion joint over I95 that was finally filled last fall is back & even bigger, it's at least 6 inches across & 4 deep. With my bad shoulder I can't bunnyhop it and it extends well into the travel lane so I have to take the lane in a place where motorists aren't very alert or patient. Maybe we should start a contest for the biggest pothole.

The one on the Gold Coast Highway at North Burleigh would win the deepest award. Luckily I can use The Esplanade there, otherwise I'd have no teeth left.

The predicted 3 inches of snow turned into 8 to 10 of particularly slippery stuff. There was a large multi-car pile-up on the interstate near work, forcing lots of traffic onto our snow narrowed street, so for once I took a co-worker's offer of a lift. That got me to within 2 miles of home. For the first time I tried walking 2 miles through snow in SPD boots. Slippery comes to mind. Surprisingly dry, but quite slippery. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

Great commute.. took an extra 15 miles on the way home. The weather has been perfect. Today was a no arm or leg warmers day! Finally!

I'm getting tired. I've been an off and on commuter for a couple of years, and I went car-less for the summer last year. But I haven't relied on cycling for all my transportation like I am now.

This is just the second week of my new car-less period, and after 140 miles last week, I'm at 100 miles this week with another day of work and a weekend of training rides ahead. I'm enjoying the heck out of my rides, but my body is getting really tired from the sudden increase in miles.

Someone give me hope that I'll be able to get over the hump and feel strong again. Please!

Other than feeling anemic, I've had great commutes. Even last night when it rained so hard it hurt on the downhills and my computer stopped logging miles.

A sudden increase in miles will always take some time to adjust to. Having said that, I've been car free literally forever, and I don't have these problems, so it's just something that takes some adjustment.

I rode today on my rain bike with my rain cape and rain cap on my helmet, in the Oregon rain both ways, and enjoyed it very much:) 'Not as much riding this week as I had hoped, only Tuesday and today (because of a conference yesterday and needing to drive my wife on Monday). But, I've enjoyed the rides. Tomorrow's Friday, and I don't ride Fridays anymore.

John

a great week commuting - rode all 5 days which is a rarity for me as something always seems to conspire against that 5th day

temps ranged from a low of 19 on monday morning to a balmy mid 60s on wednesday afternoon/evening which was the first day in about 4 months I was able to cycle without 2 sets of gloves and multiple layers of clothing

bottom line I am anxiously awaiting spring as it has been a long cold winter in DC

Today was my first of full week commuting since the new year.

Fast ride in but a couple of close calls (I didn't use much of the cycle path available)

Also yesterday was my first commute both ways with no lights since October!