Great ride. Saw a large buck pass in front of me no more than 20 feet. Beautiful weather this time of year here. NC

49F and wore heavier tights. While pedaling at a faster cadance, the tights seemed constricting at the knees. Winter isn't even here...not sure what to do about that**************************************************

RonH hang in there! Definitely remember it's only a job. But nothing wrong with taking a day off from the bike once in a while either. Take a walk that day or read a book. Getting back on the bike will feel like a real treat then. You might also want to get a full physical, if you haven't had one in a while, just to make sure there's nothing going on physically (even a low grade infection- like mild prostatitis) can give you unexpected mood swings or slight depression.

here's to you :beer:

Very ominous black clouds were forming in behind me on the ride in, so I hauled ass. I caught and passed an Audi S4 on the way in. It was a real duel, and it was neck and neck until we got to the last corner before our parking garage. He got stuck in the outside lane and I tucked in behind another car and he was forced to come in behind me. If I see him again, I'll recommend that he ride in to save time. :D

What are we talking here, $50? $100?

:lol:

No commuting today but some errand-running, picking up some office supplies. Well, actually errand-running was just an excuse to ride in beautiful cool weather through some cool neighrbourhoods. Here is what I encountered on the ride:

* cute friendly puppies
* a tiny amazed kid staring and pointing at me: "Biker, biker!" :)
* leaves changing colour in the large cemetery I rode through (where I always get lost :D)
* some courteous drivers
* friendly cashier
* refreshing light drizzle

Great ride!!! Only thing is: that NY Kryptonite lock I got a few days ago weighs a TON! I can really feel its slowing me down.

I was waiting for someone to post this! Glad you didn't let me down! :-)

Took the previous 3 full weeks off due to being out of the country getting married and in Croatia on honeymoon.
Finally cycled to work Thursday and Friday, having needed the car the first few days this week (jet lagged Monday, softball game straight after work Tues, and general errand on Wed.)

I'm completely bushed. 3 weeks off def drops your fitness level, despite the fact that we did some kayaking and mtn biking, plus lots of swimming.

My ride in is mainly uphill, with the downhills coming on the way home. After 4-5 months of biking almost constantly, I hardly realized this fact, it was all easy. This week was a stark reminder!

Getting psyched to get my fenders and lights on, and start layering, and see how far into winter I can push it- I'm shooting for year round with the exception of the snowy days.

a little shorter commute today than usual but a nice one nonetheless. sweet weather, just perfect.

nice. i stopped to mess with my brakes this morning and lost a washer somewhere in the long grass. need to replace the pads anyway. pretty sunset on the way home again, some encounters with pedestrians that gave no aggro . . . i need reflective tape, new brake pads, wet lube and maybe a new helmet this weekend.

guys just noticed a cool flickr group where we can post our commuting and bcyle pics

http://www.flickr.com/groups/42588151@N0

My commute home from work yesterday was...interesting.

1) A big white pickup coming up behind me....I looked behind me to make sure he knew I knew he was there. He didn't budge. I edged out just a little bit so he knew I was there. Still didn't budge. I finally threw out my hand and waved it so he would see me. Still didn't budge. I was forced onto the shoulder of the road.

2) Two high school/college girls were jabbing away in their car as they drove, their right side tires on the white line. I saw them coming up, kept waving to get their attention, then was forced onto the shoulder. They never budged, I watched them go for about a mile, constantly staying on the white line.

3) A van full of, probably high schoolers, drove past, one of them had his hand out the window and yelled something, I think it was "I'm touching you, I'm touching you!". Then they drove off and past. They must have turned around again, cause they came past me again. The same kid was half out the window, had his hands up in a position that reminds me of someone holding a guitar or a rifle or something (he wasn't obviously) and shouted something. I swear, it sounded like he shouted "Ex Parrot".

I think someone put something in the drinking water.

I just returned from Europe and saw ads for Croatia and Kasikstan on the tube. It looks like someplace to put on my list of holiday destinations. You concur? Any pics. (Of Croatia).

I know what you mean about the jet lag. Mine hit after four days. It's still slapping me 7 days later.

+1 ... Wife and I are going to Split soon. Got pictures? :)

New to this forum but have been riding for over 50 years now. I ride 19 miles each way 3 days/week across some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The last few weeks it's been dark when I leave at 5:00 am, but this gives me a chance to see the sun rise over the mountains with the inlet waters adjacent to the trail. Moose and porcupine are on the trail frequently which really gets your mojo going! Lighting is important this time of year since there are not lights on the bike trail I ride. In a few weeks the trail will be full of skiers (including me), but I'll still be riding w/ my studs.

welcome to the group. sounds like you're riding in a fascinating area. Alaska? Canada? Where? Send some pics of this gorgeous ride of yours.

My ride today was the streets route and not the bikepath but it was pleasant, though a bit damp this morning. It was also the shorter ride. But I'll have ridden every day this week so it's nice to curtail the amount of mileage on the weekends.

I haven't posted here in a while, but I love his thread. I like reading the posts. Also, I think I notice things on my commute more, because I'm thinking, "What can I write in the Commute thread about today?"

Friday, I left work a few minutes early because the weather map showed a storm coming. Unfortunately, my plan failed and I got drenched! I was wearing a little red rain jacket my sister gave me last spring. Surprisingly, I was totally soaked everywhere, except that my arms and torso were bone dry when I got home.

welcome back Roody.

My ride today was, again, the short commute (about 12m RT instead of my usual 22 RT). My chain and freewheel are needing replacement they are starting to skip and jump. They've been on this bike for about a year and a half, which means they've got about 7500 miles on them- not bad for a chain and freewheel. My bike is a 9 speed though and I've noticed I burn through front chainrings a little faster (since there's only one of them instead of 2 or 3) so I hope I don't need to replace that too.

Rode home in a blustery spitting rain but barely got wet and the skies cleared about a mile before home to a stunning autumnal sky.

First time ride this morning. 11.3 miles, last three were foggy. About 49F. Pretty good ride. I rode it several times on the weekend previously. I am shooting for two times a week - at least until my son is done with soccer (he has it right after I get off work). Felt pretty good. Cooling down now.

50F this morning, mostly overcast. Light wind. Lots of squirrels, and one domestic cat. :) Waterfowl: One great blue heron. One cormorant. Many seagulls.

Brr! 48F when I left this morning, and I was underdressed (shorts, dryfit shirt, and windbreaker). However, after about three miles I didn't notice anymore. I definitely need to start getting a little bit of warmer commuting clothing for these chilly Chicago mornings.

Supposed to be 70F and sunny this afternoon though.

Hm. Got a "page not found" from Flickr on that link. What's the name of the group? Is it this one?

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bikecommute/

nice ride today. Got to chat with a fellow bike commuter. We decided every day was a great day for a ride. :beer:

Summer hasn't quite given up it's grip on our city yet. Today was warm (not hot) and humid (but not muggy). I'm anticipating cooler days, but still enjoying the last days of summer.

And got to meet another BF member by chance this weekend. Very cool bike, Allen.

Took a break from riding yesterday to give my legs some rest and they appreciated it this morning. Topped the small hill near the beginning of my commute, the lights turned green and I blasted down the street leaving traffic in my wake. Good thing I've been using the beater mtb lately cuz I hit a gravelly stretch of road awaiting re-paving at over 20 mph. It scrubbed some speed but I kept up the pace for a 1/2 mile. Somewhere during all that, I hit a bump hard enough to make my seat tilt backwards. :o I think maybe it's time for a new seatpost.