ken cummings

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.

Eutychus

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.

coolness03

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.

tokolosh

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

GreenAnvil

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!

mike12511

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.

Mr_H

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

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

DataJunkie

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:
-------------------------
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.

MyPC8MyBrain

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.

vtjim

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

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.

CliftonGK1

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.

ryanparrish

Awesome ride today see the post

caloso

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.

mjw16

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.

cakmakli

On my ride in today a motorcyclist did me a good turn. I was coming up to a green light to make a left hand turn. I was inching forward trying to keep from having to unclip and put my foot down. There was a line of oncoming cars and just when I thought I wasn't going to make it, an oncoming motorcyclist beeped his horn to allow me to make my left hand turn. I guess he knew what I was doing. My friends who ride motocycles say they try to keep from putting their feet down as well.

Just wondering, has anyone out there developed the skill to balance their bikes while stationary? Is it even possible?

HardyWeinberg

Nice ride in today. I guess coming in after 9, it really is a lot warmer than when I'm out getting the paper before 7... I added an extra 5ish miles to my trip, went ~2.5 miles past work and turned around. That's about all the play I have in my schedule, not huge, but it's nice when I can do it.

caloso

Yes, it's called a track stand. (For fun, dig up the thread called "I Hate Everybody" in the FG/SS forum.)

Very useful bike handling skill for a commuter, like riding one- or no-handed, bunnyhopping, making an emergency 90 deg. turn.

Some people say it's easier on a fixed gear, but I actually can do it a lot easier on a geared bike than my fixie. I come to a stop, put my pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock, hold the front brake and ratchet the pedals up against the counter-force of the brake. Some people find it easier to do it on a slight incline so you can scoot back and forth against the hill. Give it a try, it's fun!

(Oh, and if you're using clipless pedals, you might want to clip one foot out, just in case you lose your balance.)

superted

Well yesterday's commute first

Morning was fine but I left school early to go to the doctors and got caught in a torrential rainstorm, after 30seconds cycling i was soked to my underwear and my togs gave up "wicking." Visibility was severely limited and I was FREEZING, the windchill definitely didnt help. Then at a light, I was waiting in front of a truck to turn right, (ie across the traffic coimg the other way) in the right turn lane and a British Telecom van came along in the straight on lane and just cut it on the turning right lane so he didnt have to queue and shot across, just in front of a car coming the other way. The trucker behind me and I exchanged looks to say "Awful driving."

After waiting for my docs appointment for an 40minutes, then another 20mins in there, I emerged, still soaking, leaving behind a wet patch on the waiting room chairs and froze, cycling the 500m to my house, I could barely keep my bars still i was shivering so much. 20minute hot shower followed, then the hot water ran out.

Today; my commute was by train

but, my friend's bianchi was driven into from behind by a woman in a VW. its got carbon chainstays so thats a bit dogy i think, any advice? and his wheel needs to be replaced. he got all her details and filed a police report etc, so shes paying! Whopee. (well hopefully at least) he got lots of witnesses too (other cyclists and drivers)

jeff-o

The ride in was wet. Gentle rain with little wind. Fortunately, it was relatively warm so I didn't freeze on the way in. I really love this front fairing, it kept my feet nice and dry.

The ride home should be great, it has cleared up considerably and there was enough sun to dry out my seat (hopefully).

littlefoot

Crazy in the a.m. Usually out and about when it's still dark and far less traffic...had to doctor on my dog so I was late getting out. Tad on the cool side, so I throw on the new jacket I got from REI...yeller I tell ya...and as ugly as the yeller bartape I put on a few weeks back. I swear the yellow made a difference....I'm glad I've quit worrying about how the bike and I look going down the road....

donnamb 

It was my last commute for 2 and a half weeks. I'm going on vacation to my aunt's that the bike I had there for my use was stolen out of her garage several years ago. I have no idea what I'm going to do with myself.

Topher_Aus

It was ride to work day today. That and the fine weather meant there were people on bikes everywhere.

vrkelley

Beautiful fall colors. Dodged raindrops on the way home. The higher cadence is helping me to arrive less tired. Overdid the sprinting yesterday ...commute time today is a little slow.

tokolosh

pleasant and ordinary. i wish i could figure out what my problem is with this compulsive lateness, since getting there so late in the morning always brings me home so late in the evenings.

buzzman

a new commuting routine today. biked downtown. then later to Uphams corner in Dorchester via Tremont, Mass Ave, Columbia Ave. Brought the folder and snagged a ride home at 11pm in my friends car. This'll work. Only downside is that Mass Ave is not the best of roads especially around 5-7pm- the times I'll be travellling on it- visible clothing and good lights will make a big difference on a road like this.