Had a ped cuss at me this evening. I was on a small lane with a lot of pedestrians (20+). A car was backing out onto the lane to come toward me, and the sun was bright, low and behind me. The car had halted half-way out onto the road due to seeing my led blinkie. A blind guy was walking toward the car from behind, going the same way.

The pedestrian who cursed at me was going same direction as me and was on my right up on the kerb. He had gone wide around the car up onto the kerb, but stepped back and left down into the road just as I zoomed wide past the blind dude who was on my left giving him tonnes of room.

The guy cursing at me had heard nothing but suddenly saw me "shoot" past him from nowhere about 10mph. If he'd been moving much quicker maybe I would have hit him, but as it was, there was about 3 foot in it. I think I caused brownage. I felt a bit bad for scaring him, but really he shouldn't use such bad language

FWIW, I felt safer in overcast pouring rain yesterday than in this evening's extremely low and bright sunshine.

Nice warm ride; stayed home after dropping off kid at K until 10, then off to med appt, so had to go where the angry medical people's cars are, but after not getting hit by them, it worked out fine.

Ride home Friday night was very nice - great weather these days here in N Texas. Got in a few miles this weekend for the first time in forever, which was great. Had a bit of a chilly ride in this morning - mid-fifties, and I didn't bother to put socks on under my sandals. Toes a bit cold, but most of the rest of me was comfortable.

Coming up a small rise on a very nice, peaceful, rural two-lane road this morning, and heard a car come up behind me. Driver backed off like he was going to wait for me to clear the rise, then I hear the engine rev a bit like he's getting impatient just as I can see over the top and see a car coming at us in the other lane. I started shaking my head "no" to hopefully clue the guy in that it wasn't exactly the best time to try to go around me, and he backed off a bit. Then, after he passed in the clear on the downhill side, he gave a wave out the back window of his jeep - I think it was even a friendly one! I guess he was paying attention or something. One of my better interactions with drivers since I've been doing this commute. Most times there's no real interaction, but when there is, it usually involves me being on the receiving end of some inverted compliment... Looks like 85 with wind at my back for most of the ride home tonight. Headed to change now - can't wait to get outside!

Gorgeous ride in this afternoon to go to work. There was very little traffic and I just had to take advantage of the nice weather and take a longer scenic route to work. Pedalled slowly and enjoyed the last bit of remaining summer weather. I still managed to get cut off by a guy that decided at the last moment to turn left and then promptly paused in the middle of my path, as if it would make a difference by then.

Panniers definitely make a big difference in being able to make it less work and more pleasure. Too bad I wear regular pants to ride to work, otherwise I would have taken the really long way to work..

NoN ... (commute)

Day off, holiday!

did tweek both road and commuter bikes (giving up on Brooks saddles after 26 years). it was a good run though :-) , :-( , bitter/sweet...

ready to go!

This morning's ride in was much better than yesterday's. Saturday night I stayed up really late watching movies w/ my gf. Sunday midmorning when I was getting my gear ready for today, I realized that on Friday (the only day I drive) I had left my rain/wind jacket hanging in my cube at work. Sunday is typically a day off the bike for me, but instead of driving to work just to get my jacket, I rode my bike (on not enough sleep, and a really heavy breakfast.) I felt pretty gnarly yesterday, and this morning my legs were really groaning for the first few miles. Some extra water, an ibuprofen, and some stretching while at my desk have got me ready to tackle the ride home. The weather clearing up and turning to a nice, sunny, mid 60s day has me psyched for the ride, too.

Great ride back home this afternoon. Gorgeous weather!!!! I felt refreshed and relaxed. When I got home worked out my chest and triceps. Feels awesome!

GreenAnvil

Wow today was wonderful in Ann Arbor.

Wow.

A few weeks ago the temperature started to dip down and most people thought we'd have an early/hard winter. Luckily it jumped back up and today it was low 60s with a light breeze - not a cloud in the sky. Beautiful! The traffic was great downtown for biking and no one (count 'em - 0) gave me a weird look for VCing! Usually some people think I'm weird for not riding in a bike lane that is right next to me, but today none!!!

Ah... the stuff of dreams...


[edit] - ooh, in a few days we are expecting a cold front - dipping the my morning commute down to the high 20s. First snow of the year expected! w00t!

Coming home yesterday nice lowkey day due to the holiday...stopped at the store picked up my evening liquid medication and riding home...I'm in the bike lane kicking a pretty good cadence...and I roll into this 50 yard section I really hate...daycare center...and a ice shack(makes uber sweet snowcones...usually closed by Oct) This ***** pokes his SUV out into all of the bike lane...it wasn't a super big deal as I was far enough away to take evasive action and as I went by I gave hin a nice one finger salute...

Any who I go on down the road a bit...hear a horn behind me...I move to the right as far as I can...hop the curb to the sidewalk. The guy tried to run me over! If I hadn't had to transition back to the pavement I think I could have gotten his tag #...funny thing is. I'm rather sure the m.f.'r lives either in the development I'm in or the one next to it....

I got hammered and wanted to go hammer on jeep cherokees but fortunately I passed out...Now I'm nursing a hangover before I split this morning...I just can't believe this guy tried to run me down...I guarantee he had his kid(s) with him.

'If I had a rocket launcher....'

Nice ride this morning. Very pleasant @ 51F. I just love country roads!

>>I wen by I gave hin a nice one finger salute...<<

I don't think one finger salutes would endear bicyclists to the general public, but I understand your frustration. Most likely the guy will drive through that route again; try to get his plate numbers and act accordingly (and responsibly). A lot of cagers are very ignorant in terms of the rules of the road and laws regarding bicyclists but if we act out of frustration we stand more to lose than the cagers, IMO.

>>I guarantee he had his kid(s) with him.<<

Then this guy is a total jerk and I'd say you stand more to lose than he does if you go down to his level.

Ride safe, friend!

GreenAnvil

Pretty strong ride in today. Little faster than normal considering I had to stop to take off my jacket and stow it away. Low 50's and clear. People in cars in my area are actually somewhat polite - maybe they wish they were riding instead of stuck in their cages

I woke up late and considered not riding in...but the lure was too much. I jumped on the bike, rode in quicker then normal, but of course there was a strong headwind. Grrr. It's starting to get darker in the morning, so I guess I need to get those reflective alertshirts now

Pretty good ride in today. I stashed my arm warmers some where so I was a bit chilly and got a late start so the school traffic was worse than usual. And then I got to work and realized I forgot a key wardrobe item but I can get by for the day. But it's finally the time of year to really enjoy a warm cup of coffee.

Left late but had a nice ride right into the sunrise Passed another cyclist and got a wave. Nice to see others out in the morning. Looking forward to the high 70s for the ride home this afternoon.

No ride in today. Legs are very tired from yesterday's return trip home. I knew I was going slower than usual and just figured I was tired from working all weekend on the deck at home. But as it turns out, my rear brake was dragging. I think it must have been dragging the entire 11.5 miles I rode to get home. Great workout, but man do I feel beat up today.

Also, I have to go to Home Depot at lunch to pick up a new pressure washer to replact the one that died last night. I also need a belt sander, so those two items might be a bit much to carry on my bike for 8.5 to 12 miles (depending on route I take).

Pretty nice ride this morning. Quartering tailwind. Mid 40Fs. Got passed by a roadie commuter. At least I assume he was commuting. Messenger-like bag. I said hi and he waved. I need to get faster on these knobbie MTB tires.

Had to brake for a squirrel. Saw some ducks, too.

This weather is great! October is my fave month in NC -
I rode the Outer Banks last week, and I'm going to ride the Parkway in a few.

Oh yeah, today's commute was nice, too !
Fall Break - fewer peds to dodge on campus...
Nice and brisk in the a.m. - bright and sunny in the p.m.

Oh, and the City is working on installing a light w/ a ped-activated crossing at the worst intersection on my route. w00t!

I'd hoped to slip out before 7 to add a few miles to the morning commute. But my early-rising daughter once again caught me out. After some milk and waffles and Maisy, I was able to leave by 7:15. I was still able to throw in a modified detour.

Got to the office shower room to find that somebody has decided that it's not a communal facility but in fact his own private closet and bathroom. He's got his drycleaning taking up most of the clothes rack and his toiletries strewn all over the vanity top. This is annoying. I don't want to bother management with this, so I guess I'm going to have to find out who this is and then figure out a nice way to say "stop being a shower room hog."

Good ride. For some reason the bike was heavier than usual. Oh yeah. I installed the "winter" lights yesterday.

Cool enough for arm warmers, vest, and shoes/socks this morning.
Saw the same "new" commuter I saw a few mornings last week. I pass her, then she passes me, then I pass her, etc.

Nice day. Bright and sunny, 50s if not 40s. In a fit of motivation I went another 4 miles past work before turning around (I couldn't face any extra miles yesterday). Pre-cold or whatever is still lingering, I really felt it on the hill that was staring at me when I finally did turn around.

I was almost hit by a Jaguar (!) coming in from a side-road. (It looked like the one in this picture, but it was moving a lot faster...) When I got downtown, I got a flat and changed the rear tube on the sidewalk. After a year without flats, I've got both a front and a rear flat this week. Oh well, I look forward to another week of fantastic weather :-)

Beautiful day for a ride! 40-50F this morning on the way in, heavy traffic, but few peds, so I spent some time on the sidewalk. Saw 2 other bike commuters this morning, shared light conversation at a couple of lights. Took less time to ride to work than it normally does to drive. I love being able to go around construction and being able to lock up right on the pier instead of having a 15 minute walk from the parking lot! The ride home was a little more difficult, as I had more hills, but they all are the very beginning, except for a long mild grade going up 303, almost 1.5 mile long hill. Ran into several older people on bikes, and one guy that didn't speak English. Almost hit a trash can avoiding a right hook into a parking lot, but made it through without a scratch. I broke a reflector off of my right pedal on a curb, but that's not a big deal. Pedals with toe cages are in order soon.

nice weather lately.
easy ride, i am definitely getting faster.
my left knee has been sore though. can't figure out why.
ten minutes till the next ride.

I guess it was a holiday yesterday, that explains why I was so all alone. Snow on the Flatirons this morning but only a little bit of drizzle on the ride in. Rode the yellow duck bike in again so it was a slow ride in. Saw a fixed-gear rider with full fenders (Bianchi Pista? or San Jose?) - cool.