Today's commute was awesome!! Light traffic, sunshine, and the temperature was just warm enough for my sandals. :D I'm only working 1/2 day today so they will be very comfy for the ride home. :beer:

It's getting cooler here. This morning it was 46F, with a nice heavy fog sitting all along the Sammamish slough. But there was a massive surprise to the commute this morning: There's bridge construction at 116th St on the Sammamish River Trail, and the trail has been detoured for almost a year. Between last Thursday and this morning, the trail was opened back up again. The detour is gone! Not that the extra 1/3 mile was a big deal for distance, but it involved narrow 90 degree turns with high weeds that made them blind corners. Now, it's a straight-through under the bridge again. WooHoo!

A nice ride in today. I did a ton of miles this weekend (approx 120), so was considering taking the subway or even (gasp!) driving, but figured this morning would be good to stretch my sore legs out. And so it was. Sunny blue sky, 58 degrees, I figure my shorts wardrobe only has another week or so before I have to move to pants. Kind of took it easy (as easy as possible in downtown DC rush hour) and now I'm feeling very even.

After a hard night or weekend of roadbiking, I often struggle with getting motivated to do the commute ride the next morning. But once I'm in the middle of my ride, and especially after, I'm always so happy that I did it. And yet, even after experiencing this phenomena a hundred times or more, I still struggle with that lack of motivation. I was being so pissy and moany this morning, and just felt this dread about having to get on the bike. Three minutes after I left the curb, I couldn't have been in a better mood, looking forward to engaging with the downtown drivers.

It helps that biking to work is the most practical and convenient way to get to the office. If I drive, I fight traffic for every inch and then have to pay $16 to park. If I metro, I have about a two-mile walk. So it's very very rare for me to blow off the bike, if only because my alternatives aren't really that hot.

My commutes have been absolutely awesome! Since I was recently diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff I'd been considering parking the bike, at least for the winter, and possibly resuming in the Spring (after allowing things to heal or having the recommended surgery). A few weeks ago, after an MS 150 ride in New Jersey, I thought I'd bite the bullet and take the Metro-starting a 4-5 month long bike free commute. That lasted exactly one day. Delays on the Metro and no viable cardio option had me frustrated and determined to be back on the bike the next day. Although I don't think the cycling caused my rotator tear (it was years of lifting, tennis, racketball, etc), I thought cycling certainly aggrevated it-not allowing it to heal. I now think it was more my refusal to stop the other, aforementioned activities (which I've now largely done). Since then, things have really improved and the riding's been great. Now I'm planning to ride through the winter and plan surgery in the Spring (hopefully it won't be necassary).

Ouch1 It's amazing how much you use your shoulder for everyday things isn't it? I count my shoulder surgery as one of the best things I ever did. Hopefully PT will work for you. If not here's hoping the surgery works out as well for you as it did for me. :beer:

I was in DC this weekend and I guess I forgot how small Norfolk is (where i live) because all i could do was think about how quick my head would explode trying to hold my own in that traffic. the 'bike lanes' are filled with cars, parked cars, trucks, peds... wow.
kudos.
i'm glad i live in a tiny town.

I slowed down a little bit and felt much easier to ride. That was fun. Good pace.

Today's commute was hurried at best, I averaged about 25mph the entire way because I woke up late. Luckily traffic wasn't too bad. Got to work, quickly changed clothes and went straight into a meeting.

Phew. Last minute commutes are crazy. The funny part is, I can usually ride to work faster than I can drive.

I did a half marathon on Sunday and I'm a bit sore this morning. But I think an easy spin to work is just exactly what my legs need.

disjointed... usual .6 mile r/t w/ kindergartener, then hang around the house a bit waiting for appt, then 3.6 miles to there, that took 2 hrs, then 1 mile ride to lunch w/ wife, after that, final 2 miles to work. Took 4+ lane strip mall road all the way from lunch to work rather than MUP, 2 nasty construction sites making me do a lot more merging w/ impatient drivers than they were wanting to see. Next time I'm on that route, will stick to MUP.

Met some friends for lunch via bike. The wool dress shirt held up well for the 4.5 mile ride over there and back.

Found a vein of Obsidian in a park I ride through. No free samples tho'. The place would be a strip mine if word got out. Passed three coastal blacktail does on the MUP and they didn't run, Rut is surely on now.

Back on the bike today after a nearly three-week hiatus due to hernia surgery. Thought I might have to call for help, so I set up my back-up systems in advance. However, everything went off without a hitch, 16 miles in and 16 back out, after a ten hour day working.SOOOOO glad to back on the bike.

Commute was not too good going to work. Slept about 7 1/2 hours the night before, woke up about a half later than usual so I had to rush things up a bit. Felt gassed by the 6th mile of an 8.5 mile commute. Got to work in time but found it very difficult to keep my eyes open. Trying day at work.

Going home was better thank goodness. Energy level was much higher than in the morning. I guess the Powerbar Gel one hour before the ride helped a little.

This was my 4th commute ever on the bike. Loving it so far.

don't you just LOVE it when you get to the part of your commute where you used to think you were ahead of the game if you just felt able to manage somehow, and find that instead you still feel really strong? i sure loved it tonight. i'm starting to think that going fairly fast uphill is a much fun-er feeling than just going really fast down.

stopped to get groceries. someone in a coffee shop on the weekend commented on my gigantic messenger bag, and asked ' . . . but isn't it really heavy?' well, when it's packed full of milk and rice it is. i bought a more serious u-lock on the weekend to replace my feeble cable one, and i was glad i did since the cage was so full i had to lock up against the railings at work today.

it was chilly enough that i wore my rain/wind pants over my tights in spite of the fact that it wasn't raining. so in love with my pure-wool socks that i went and found some chunky superwash in ansi-bright colours, and i'm making gloves. pink and green stripes :D

Last night was a great ride home. The weather just couldn't be beat for this time of the year... right around 70F, almost no wind and nice skies. More people than usual out... I counted about 4-5 riders out (3 roadies; 2 casual). Obviously my neck of the woods isn't as "unfriendly" as I've read some people posting here... all the riders I encountered were very nice and wel all exchanged greetings.

Today was another nice ride. It was supposed to rain, but no rain this morning, clear starry skies, and temp around 54F. Decided to allow more rest time for my body, so instead of doing a weight training split routine every day I'm going to go for Body For Life's method and do upper-body/lower-body/upper-body alternating days with a day rest in between. I commute every day so that will be my cardio and I'll stay to about 80-85% of max heart rate.

So far it's working great! :)

10-15 MPH headwind this morning. Otherwise it was about 62 and dry. Got to bed later than normal the last two nights so I was not feeling as strong this morning (headwind did not help either). Fairly new at this commuting (long time biker though); I am looking now for some wool cold weather gear - using the forum to search out advice the last few days. Good day to all.

I overslept....wasn't able to get read in time to bike in :(

This'll be a lesson to me, pack the night before!

I had my second worst commute ever yesterday morning. It aggrivated me so much I didn't even have a desire to visit BF.

Here is an email I sent to a coworker:
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I went on a 70 mile ride with a bike forum member around boulder Saturday. He had 4 flats. I was just fine.

I laughed this morning and remarked to myself that it would be amusing if I had a flat.

Then this morning occurred.

My morning so far:
1) Front tire is flat since a patch leaked. I repatched it and put the tire back together. My spare also has a hole in it.
2) I ride 3 miles downhill via Colorado Blvd.
3) I blink and my left contact comes out and I catch it with my eyelashes. Stick it in my pocket.
4) Notice tire is flat again.
5) Pull over in the dark in a park and set about patching my spare.
6) Stomach gets upset. Run and take care of business.
7) Using my headlight I patch my tube....finally
8) I get within 3 miles of work and my wife calls. After the call I notice the tire flattening again.
9) Put a bit of air back in the tire and rode to work as fast as is possible.
10) Wonder why the rear wheel is rubbing the brake.
11) Discover I broke a spoke.
12) My pump is falling apart

At least my contact rehydrated. Now I have to replace a spoke and purchase a new tube.
...and I thought I was good at patching tires. UGH!
I am now attempting to laugh it of. It is either that or have the worst day humanly possible.
--------------------------------
Anyhow, I tried a few bike shops to see if they could fix my wheel in any decent amount of time. Nope. One day or more. I visited one shop and picked up the following to repair and avoid the morning's events:
1) chain whip
2) Lockring cog thingy (I forget the proper name)
3) A roadmorph pump
4) 2 new spare tires
5) Grease (no reason. Just wanted some).

My bike came with 2 spare spokes.
I spent 2.5 hrs replacing my spoke and truing the wheel. Boy am I slow!
Now I can do one more thing on my bike. Self reliance is such a plus when dealing with slow or overloaded LBSs. The wheel isn't perfect but it will do. I think I may need to invest in a truing stand soon. That and a decent spoke wrench. The one on my park multitool is a wee bit annoying.

This morning was much better. Thank god.

Ride in was nice this morning. My bod was fairly stiff still from rolling in the gutter yesterday... mostly my shoulders that, interestingly enough, didn't hurt yesterday.

I bought and installed a new blinkie last night since I'm waiting on parts to fix the damaged CatEye TLD-1000 bracket. When I got to work, I went to shut it off....and it was gone. I must not have clicked it into the mount correctly. I briefly considered going back for it, but realized that it is most likely smashed into road kibble by now.

Dang it.. another trip to the bike store tonight.

Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug. :o

Nice ride this morning. Upper 40Fs, with a not-so-bad headwind. I passed a guy on a 'bent. He was stopped and I think he was picking berries or grapes or something alongside the MUP. He was getting back on his ride when I went by him. I thought, "This guy is going to reel me in and drop me." Oddly enough, he never caught me. Maybe he stopped for more fruit.

I've been seeing the same 4 or 5 "kids" riding their bikes to school for the last month. Nice to seem 'em out on bikes. Maybe there's hope for the future. :rolleyes: :D

This morning was an odd commute. 46 degrees, just like yesterday morning, so I put on my windgear and head out the door. The weather calls for on/off rain showers and clouds all day, so I'm prepared for the soupy fog when I get to the first bridge over the slough, and... Nothing. It was totally clear. Here's all the strangeness of this morning's ride:
- No fog, but it wasn't raining
- All the regulars didn't say "good morning" back to me
- An owl snatched up a baby rabbit just a few feet ahead of me
- No cars on the road in Woodinville until I was halfway up W-D Hill.
The best (least "Omega Man" creepy) part of the commute was getting to work and finding out that the facilities guy replaced the broken shower head, so there's no more sideways spray going over the top of the curtain and soaking the floor.

Awesome ride today see the post

My legs are even sorer today than yesterday from Sunday's run. So sore I could barely make it down the stairs this morning. And yet, no problem on the bike. Just a nice easy spin on the roadie and it's a comfortable as an easy chair.

Dalmore,

So you had a similar problem? What happened to your strength, flexibility, and range of motion after the surgery? I've been reading things like I can expect about 75 to as much as 90% recovery of previous function. Did you find that to be the case? It sounds like yours was a great success. Also, did you try non-surgical remedies before deciding to have it operated on? I'm trying to figure out just how long I should give it before I decide on surgery. The Doc. says that, all things being equal, delaying the surgery won't have a negative impact on my shoulder so I may rest it through the winter.

I have to say that after only a month or so of non-lifting and having already cut out tennis and racketball, I'm surprised just how pain free I am. I went mountain biking this weekend without pain and seem to only really experience pain on the road if I hit an unexpected pothole.