Inkwolf!!! We've missed you !!! How long has it been since your last commuting post? Since about November I think? Welcome back to the best thread on BF.

How was the ride on your butt and legs? It's been a while ... was it tough? Did you go the same route you did before? Did you think about your book on the way?

Heya, Andy! :)

My butt feels fine, though my legs are a little rubbery. My toes were numb when I got home, but I'm not sure whether it was the cold wind or the new Shimano biking shoes I've been wearing. I stuck to the short, highway route--8 miles each way. I probably won't push it by going again tomorrow, though Maybe Thursday, if it feels good and the weather's nice.

Great to be sharing the commuting thread with you guys again! So, have you been enjoying balmy California, Andy? :)

Started out okay, beautiful morning, very slight headwind. After 18k, rear flat. (I just replaced the tube last night from a previous flat.) Walked a half a block to a service station, went to a handicapped parking stall and removed the rear wheel. Noticed a big glob of dogp__p on the tire. Darn dogs. Didn't even notice the pile of crud laying in the middle of the parking stall. Murphy's law...the propensity to actually stroll through the crap at that very spot.

Then 2km from work, crossed a set of railroad tracks and hit a couple of bumps hard enough to knock off my pannier onto the road. Well that does it for that, need to contact the manufacturer for proper replacement tiedowns that broke off 2 years ago. And replace the clips. Then I noticed the rear fender was torn off the rear support struts. Now the bike is beginning to look all beat up.

The way home was much better, very nice tailwind.

Tonight, I took a look at the rear brakes (sidepull single pivot) and they were askew and one pad was rubbing against the rim. Did some adjusting, the wheel turns, then I put on the brake, pad goes back to rubbing against the rim. Went to the Park Tool website to reasearch again, realized I don't have the proper wrench(es). I'm going to bed. I'll wait to pick up my new bike on Saturday. Fix the old bike later. Back to commuting by car for the rest of the week.

But wait till next week.

Hi Inkwolf. Speaking of bugs, I think that is another sign of spring. I don't think I have ever eaten so many bugs as I have lately! I didn't start commuting last year until the summer (even the bugs think it's too hot during the day). I am having to learn to commute with a closed mouth smile instead of a big toothy grin. At least they are not big bugs, just little gnats.

Ouch, Antonius, that sucks! Good luck witrh the new bike and repairs.

I threw away my old tent (my dog ripped a chunk out of it) and I saved the window mesh to make myself a bug bandanna! I'll let you guys know how it works. :)

Hi Folks,

One of those mornings where one wakes up but is still asleep, if you know what I mean. Then to face the ride to work against a northerly headwind... I just hope it holds course for the ride home :)

Cheers Folks,

Ed

Hmmm. I shouldn't have read that Flat Tire thread. I think I got cursed. I ran over a handful of razor blades scattered across the shoulder and curb. Don't know if they were purposely placed there or fell out of a truck, but they sure did a number on my tire. I had to take the bus from there. Going to go get a new tire after lunch (and I just ordered some IRC Triathlons from Nashbar yesterday too!). Anyway, it was kind of a bummer of a ride. Glad I went back to the house and grabbed my bus tickets!

Commuting has been good so far this week. My knee is holding up without any problems. Weather has been good as well. Normally clear blue skies in the morning but still a little chilly.

LOL! I just added a similar comment to that thread myself. I didn't post initially, but I read it. . . and sure enough I flatted yesterday evening for the first time in a very long while.

A strong headwind last night made for a slow ride. It took twice the effort, but only about 10 extra minutes to get home. This morning was NICE, however - sunny, mildly cool and the wind was at my back! It's nice to not have to work so hard every ride.

So that makes three of us that got killed by that thread. Lets hope it only happens in threes.

Well talk about frustrating! No, I didn't get any flats today. I set off at 4.30am to get a quick 40-odd km in before work (I did mention that my commute isn't long enough to satisfy me). So I get home just as a storm starts, I get ready for work, then I leave for work just as the storm finishes, meaning that I miss out on riding in the rain, but because of the wet roads I've still got a heap of crap to clean off my bike. It's Thursday, right?

Chris, come on up here and you can try riding in freezing rain - so much more fun than the regular kind! We're having a beautiful spring so far - This morning temp was +1C, 34 F, NorthEast wind of 25 mph bringing 200 miles worth of Lake Ontario open water dampness and drizzle. Not freezing drizzle yet, that's forecast for this afternoon. We're supposed to have this for the next 3 days.
This morning's ride was a character builder, the 25 mph wind was a cross wind, so I got to practice riding with the bike at a nice lean to the side. I found a nice yellow bungee chord on the way, made the whole trip worthwhile!
Still wearing the winter stuff, except lighter shoes and beanie instead of balaclava. Isn't spring a great time of year?

Ugg. Just got about 8 inches of snow, and stupid me had to bike to work today. The road conditions are the worst so far this year: lots of snow with solid ice underneth. I was thinking of turning around and staying at home today when I was 2 blocks from home walking my bike through the snow, but stupid me decides not too. :rolleyes:

I think I'll leave my bike at work today and walk/run the 5km home.

Pinerider:
I have been following your posts regarding your commutes to work. I live in Dundas. From where to where do you commute each day? I plan to start commuting from Dundas to St. Joseph's Hospital where I work but am waiting for better weather.

Szpirit, welcome! Don't wait for better weather, I don't think we're going to get any for a while!
Over the past year, I've had 3 varying length commutes, all starting from King & Parkdale in East Hamilton
1. Basic (short) commute: 12km, about 25 minutes. to Skyway sewage plant in Burlington - nice ride (not great scenery) along Parkdale, Melvin, Woodward and Beach Boulevard/Eastport Drive or Beach Bike Path.
2. Longer (scenic) commute: 22km, about an hour. Around the bay, through downtown Hamilton, York Blvd, Plains Rd/Northshore Blvd to Skyway sewage plant in Burlington. This route was forced on me in the winter with the lift bridge closure, but I found it was a very nice ride and really enjoyed it (most of the time)
3. Longer commute in nice weather: 27km, about an hour - along the beach, past Skyway plant, along Lakeshore Rd and Bronte Rd. to QEW & hwy 25.

I have to drive after I bike, so there is usually some prior planning involved in where I bike to.

Great ride in this morning. Fine weather, slight tailwind which appears to have turned round so could be a tailwind home.

I also brought my camera with me so i could record my commute and I'll post the shots when I get the film developed.

Chilly this a.m. again, dang it. Had to don the full winter garb. Still, while the roads were wet, it was clear as a bell and I witnessed a gorgeous sunrise. I went a slightly different way today and earlier than usual. Got some hills in early to warm up and the path I took, which last summer looked like a Republic Guard holdout due to construction work, was smooth as silk today. I think I'll shift to this path from here on out when I go the 20 miles straight from home.

I'm sorry for my earlier post on my commute about the f_ _ t . I didn't intend to hex some others' commutes.

I haven't cycled to work the last couple of days. But I did cycle to the Citizens' Cycling Committee meeting last night. Really nice ride home in the dark (I had my light on) after a heavy rain that happened during the meeting and had a cycling partner. :p

Now I'm officially hardcore! I started out in the rain this morning, and suddenly encountered snow. That's right, snow, in April, in the Northwest. That doesn't happen very often. Did you Midwest/New England folks send it here? Anyway, it didn't really factor at all because of the relative warmth (it just melted at impact), but I can technically and truthfully say I've ridden in the snow. That should impress acquaintances and friends alike, eh?

you do realize that "eh" is pattented by Canadians right? Good, send your royalties to me CO: PO Box 1234, Regina SK, S.....

;)

Wow, had a cool commute. First I got in behind another bikecommuter (haven't seen one of those in some time!)! But to add to the wierdness I see a person riding a bike the other way with a full touring package on their bike. I haven't seen anyone with full touring Panniers since the early 80's when I was a kid in Flagstaff (near Grand Canyon = Lots of tourists including bicyclists). Thought that was cool, then I saw another one a few miles farther on! They must have been riding together or in a group or something. Anyway, it was really cool. I have often thought about getting some big rear panniers and putting my little ones on the front of my Mtn. Bike (with slicks of course!) and just going somewhere. Anyway,. I had nice thoughts and daydreams the rest of the commute.

Hello Commuters!

Thought I'd introduce myself to this thread. I'm a noob to this forum. I registered a couple of days ago as 'foo', but I like this handle better.

I live in San Bruno, CA and commute 6 miles each way. Had a nice one this morning. The forecast always threatens rain but it never actually does. Not that it would stop me anyways, I've become rather fond of riding in the rain.

Lookin' forward to some ol' bike chat. I'm glad to have found this board, seems friendly.

I've gathered all of my near useless Canadian coins and will promptly send them to the above address :)

Yesterday I drove in so I could pick up my bike from the repair shop. THere I sat, stuck in traffic, while cyclists whizzed past. Once I got to the shop, I found that the bike was not ready, because my size tires were not in stock.

So, today, I enjoyed beautiful spring weather on my backup bike. The cherry blossoms are near their peak at the Tidal Basin.

Paul

Welcome, Cranky. Great site, and this is one of the best threads. Although sometimes I feel like a wimp reading about our brethren commuting in all sorts of harsh weather.

Clear and cool (49F) in between weather systems this morning. Mighty fine....

This morning was the first grey morning all week, but I heard the first Killdeer of the season. My legs are coming back after slow spinning all winter. Sleet scheduled for tomorrow, oh well.

By a curious coincidence, that is actually the coldest temperature ever recorded on the Gold Coast, in July '98 I believe. Although I've ridden in temps slightly cooler than that away from the coast in the past.

Chilly ride home in San Jose. 20 miles plus the hilly route. Bonked midway and stopped to buy a PowerBar. I've got to eat more at lunch on ride days.

Bunch of people were pulling into the bike lane to pass on the right on my way home. Feh. I hate that and thought I'd chase them down to inform them how stupid, illegal, and dangerous that maneuver is.

But I'd hammered on the way into work this morning and had nothing in the tank. So I thought bad thoughts at them.

Hi folks,

How about this.....

Set off in good spirits this morning when, about two miles into the journey PSSSSSHHHT!. I wrestled the bike to a stop and inspected the rear tyre to find a 3/4" cut in the sidewall.

I retraced my last few yards to find the cause (and save other cyclists the hassle) to find the culprit glinting in the sunlight. Yes folks, a fresh clean single sided RAZOR BLADE :eek: Don't know if it got there by accident or was left on purpose but that is a scary thing to find lying around. Taking care, I removed it, blunted the edge and dropped it into the nearest drain out of harm's way.

Then I was faced with the walk home again (via the bike shop for tyre and tube) and set out on the other bike. 1 1/2 hours to get to work today :irritated:

Have a good weekend,

Ed