Completed my first full week of commuting, 5mi through the city (Halsted - Lincoln - Wells for those from Chicago). Never got caught in the rain even with the threat earlier this week. Saves me 15 minutes vw. taking the bus. This morning, left about an hour later than usual, saw about 10x the riders I was seeing all week, not sure if it was the time or the weather or the fact that it's a Friday. But this morning's ride was nice and easy, decided to skip the panniers and just go with the handlebar bag.

Late. I had to change out a flat this morning before I started. I had a Mr Tuffy type of liner in my 700c that caused a pinch or pressure flat where it overlaps and has a seam. I wasn't too happy about that one. Still, I had a nice tailwind and made my 25 miles in 1:32. 185 miles for the week.

Magical.....just magical.

Made it through the wicked hill in Upper Saddle River without stopping or getting cut off by soccer mom with monster SUV and cell phone attached to ear.

Light rain and all the ignorant pedestrians were out today.

Missed the rain, but had no energy this morning :(

During my ride this morning, what I thought was a black cat crossing my path was not a cat. Once I saw the distinctive white stripe I slowed down immediately in an effort not to startle the fellow. Getting sprayed by a skunk would not be good. My co-workers would not be happy at all. I passed Mr. Pepe la Peu safely.

My commute sucked
My tue/fri commute is up a hill by design (to get more hill work) so this a.m. I am starting up the hill and get a flat - no problem; change the tube out and I'll be on my way. Only first I forget to take off the little nut on the tube before I insert into the wheel, wondering why the little threaded post wont stick out past the rim more than it did---duh. But wait there is more- I tear the wheel down again to fix the little nut thing, and it starts to rain, no thats OK really - but when the pump wont get more than 50 lbs in the tube, I start to feel like Homer S.
So I rode the rest of the way in on 50/60 lbs of air in my rear tube. I want my old Zefel pump back!!!

I had a peaceful, easy feeling on the ride in. No drama!

Nice ride. Did something different. My son had band camp at the school so I drove him in and then rode bike to work. Meant different roads, different hills. I was really impressed with how far I have come with hills. I did the new hills with no problems. I'm glad I tried something different.

Came in at lunch time and it was very pleasant to ride with such little traffic.

Commuted from the office to the courthouse Tuesday and Wednesday in Lansing. It's just a short trip -- only a couple miles. Just recently started doing this on an old Schwinn Traveler. I'll have to get a rack to carry my stuff on hot days like these, because it's easy to get sweaty with a backpack on. I'm learning the tricks as I read the forum.
Yesterday and today it cooled down quite a bit, and I really missed out because I didn't have to drive into town. What a wonderful ride I imagine it would have been: Sunny and cool!
While the ride toward Michigan State's campus is VERY bike friendly, the care and maintenance of the bike lane into downtown Lansing leaves much to be desired. I'm riding on 27 x 1 1/4 tires, and the bumps from broken pavement make it difficult to dodge the broken glass and gravel. Still, I've got no real complaints. What a pleasure it is to save on parking meters and the seemingly unavoidable tickes, to avoid the hunt for a decent parking spot, to enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze and the slight buzz from the gentle exercise.

Nice thread here, what a long history of bike commuter stories. I am in Orange County, CA and have been a regular bike commuter for the past 7+ years around here. I've lived in other places where bike commuting was a less frequent thing, but here we've got near perfect weather year round plus marked bike lanes or decent shoulders on all the roads I use for getting around. At work I have a bike locker near the entrance to the office, showers, towel service, clothes lockers, what more do I need?

My usual ride is 13 to 15 miles each way, usually about an hour each way. This week I pedaled about 150 miles from Monday through Friday, felt pretty good for a 52 year old guy. I use a heavy duty, low maintenance road bike (Atlantis) and it has survived many years of daily use with no whining.

I'll post here if I have some unusual story to share, most days of bike commuting are just pleasant pedaling without too much excitement. Today just felt great to be pedaling home on a Friday afternoon at 5 pm, with a nice 75F/23C ocean breeze blowing in my face. Doesn't get much better than that. Have a great weekend.

Had a nice ride to work yesterday - sunny and pleasant.
For my ride home I usually miss the afternoon showers. They either end just before I leave work or start about the time I get home. Yesterday was completely different --- and fun. :)
The rain started about an hour before I left work and stopped about two hours after I got home. First ride in the rain in a while. The bike got a good bath, which it really needed.
I removed my fenders a few months ago because we have been in a drought. The water (warmed by the warm asphalt) spraying on my bare feet felt good (I was wearing my Lake cycling sandals). Not at all like water spraying on shoes and socks and making everything soggy and heavy.

I had my paycheck in my wallet and it was in my *water resistant* pannier. I thought my check would be safe with my wallet stuffed between my work shorts and t-shirt. When I got home I found that my wallet got pretty wet. My paycheck had a few damp spots but I had no problem cashing it later at the bank. :)

I'll give the bike a proper cleaning and lube this afternoon so I'll be ready for next week.

Nothing too exciting for me, but on the final stretch about five minutes from home, I almost got doored. ON THE RIGHT.

That's right, someone decided that since they're stopped at the red light anyway this would be a good time to drop off passengers:mad:

Lucky me I passed by just in time but the person getting out was sure surprised when she looked over her shoulder as she half opened the door (probably twisting to push back the seatbelt not to actually look for me).

That's when I first thought of getting the airhorn installed. Things happened so fast though I don't think I'd have a chance to use it before the (almost) collision.

been doing the commute to downtown (Lafayette) from midtown and tons of riding all over Manhattan with lots of loops in Central Park. Only have occasional internet while here so posting far more occasionally than usual.

The comparisons of bike commuting in NYC to Boston (my usual haunts) are oddly enough slightly in favor of New York. Both have their pluses and minuses and perhaps some of the New York polish will wear off over time- all those SUV's from Jersey I could do without. But overall NYC is becoming more accomodating over time to bikes than it has in the past- Boston could take some lessons from NYC.

I had to go to school to pull a report from the server (never can access the server from home :o) ... Had a HECK of a headwind on the way in :(..... But that means TAILWIND on the way home :D

Billy

I have to go through a freakin, rotting dog carcass on the bridge (only one with a bike lane). Almost made me threw up! :mad:
I notified the city ordinance, but on my way back its still there.
I think I wanna put of bike commuting for now, until the smell goes away. I really don't wanna use the alternate route (very shallow, two way road).

I apologize if this is too gross and if we are only allowed to post good commuting experiences.
This one tops as my worst commute ever! :mad:

A soggy ride in for me today.

After Friday's record rainfall (5 inches in 24 hours) large parts of my route were submerged. At one point I had to give up entirely and use an alternative route where the Thames had burst its banks.

Still better than the car though. Some people were stuck in a 40 mile traffic jam for over 24 hours at the weekend due to the flooding.

Worst. Summer. Ever.

Sorry to hear about all the flooding you've had in the UK. Weather patterns seem to be in chaos in many places. Here in North Carolina, we've been having unprecedented pleasant weather. I suspect mother nature will pay us an angry visit in the form of a hurricane in the near future though, and hopefully reward you Brits with a nice spell of weather.

I had a cool, pleasant ride in. ~ 65F with low humidity (low by NC standards at any rate). Averaged 18 mph which may be the fastest commute to work for me so far this year. Hope to make it home with a similar average too. Won't be so hot, so I can push a bit harder than usual.

Low 60Fs. Sunny. No wind. Very nice. :) I saw several cyclists going the other way but nobody going my way.

My wife was riding into Burlington to meet me the other day, and stopped at a stop sign. She put her foot down, rolled onto her ankle, and fell over. :eek: Now her ankle is swollen and has a purple bruise. She's taking care of it. I don't get how a person can do that. Roll an ankle on a bike, I mean.

1st commute after moving into our new home. I'm 1mi closer to work, with a safer route. Very fortunate. 10.6mi in 42 minutes. A little rusty.

They've been saying mostly sunny and low 70s for today, but this morning it's cool with a low, gray sky. Started light rain about 1.5mi from work. I really should pick up some fenders.. :)

Yes, a beautiful morning it was today. I had a nice ride in, but I have to admit it was one of my slowest rides this year. I actually haven't ridden since last Tuesday plus I had to carry my laptop on my back so that didn't help. I am looking forward to the nice weather this week since I was away all weekend and missed it.

Great ride in this morning. Upper 60's F, overcast, and moderately light traffic.
My first commute in 3 weeks, it felt good.

Had my first ever spill due to streetcar tracks today, only a matter of time I guess. Was going to the left side and left lane of a right-turning truck and had to negotiate three-directions of tracks (heading East on King at Bathurst) and did a slip-slop-slip-bam onto the floor, luckily traffic was *just* starting, so I got up, waved a "oops, sorry!" to the cars behind me and got the hell across the lights :p (with a "well that shortcut didn't work out" muttered under my breath toward the other cyclists present - nobody asked me once if I was OK, incidentally). Little blood drawn, just some surface scratches really - I was only bummed not to have many people in the office so I could tell them my war story ;)
Good ride though, felt cool but humid out there.

Great morning commute. I was kind of worried this morning as I rode 50 miles Saturday. At the very least I stayed off my bike yesterday except to take my daughter for a spin around the block. Anyways, no problems to speak of. Bike is riding great, I'm riding great, what more can a guy ask for. Its been really chilly here in the mornings. This morning it was low 50s.

I did see two deer way off in a field this morning. No other wildlife sightings.

My wife officially thinks I'm nuts now... I have the opportunity to take My FIL's truck today (They have our Van for Vacation....Long story) But I'll be ridding my Bike... She just doesn't get it.. Oh well..

Billy

A nice morning today. Felt nice to get back on the bike after a week and a half. I had a cold from hell that never seemed like it was going to go away...but just yesterday it FINALLY broke. I went halfway and carpooled...should be a nice ride home. :D

Ugh, drove today. I usually drive the car on Mondays as I get paid so I can go to the bank asap.
That really does not bother me. But I will have to drive on thursday as well, shooting a video so I will have to haul a bunch of stuff around. I don't where I was going with this I just hate driving and wish I were on my bike today. That is all.

I feel your pain. My wife though she supports me still thinks I am crazy. I finally got her on a bike this weekend but I don't know if it had the same effect that it had on me when I first started ridding.
Any how keep it up

Gorgeous weather here in DC today, nice quick ride in.