It was simply the most perfect day for riding today. It took great self-control to actually go to work when I could have ridden forever. A headwind tried to mess with me on the way home. I hope it enjoys the acids of my stomach after I ate it up completely.

It was simply the worst day for commuting today. 30+ cm on snow in the past 24 hours. :rolleyes:

How would you guys take this: I was riding on a very icy street and my very well worn studs just couldn't grip enough and I went down. I got up quickly (no point bruising the ego more!) and was just about back in the saddle when I hear honking. I see that it's coming from a new full size Chevy SUV, the driver gives me the "hang loose" hand gesture. Do you think he was being an ass, or was giving props for biking on a day like today?

Kris, he was probably just showing his appreciation for your speedy spill recovery techniques!

You deserve a medal for venturing out on the bike in that crappy weather!! Speaking of crappy weather, we're getting more than our share of it in Southern Ontario. The last 24 hours have been sleet and freezing rain driven by 30 mph east winds. Took me an hour to drive 10 miles last night from work to where I usually start my bike ride from. I left the bike at work yesterday, but even with the slicks on, it would have been faster than driving!
This morning's driving was so bad, the bus didn't even show up! I waited 45 minutes, (supposed to be every 25 minutes),no sign of the bus, ended up driving. I did see a couple of bike commuters (looked like the desparation type) struggling through the 6" of sleety granular snow that has the consistency of sugar. They didn't look like they were having fun.

I saw some snow (very unusual for Portland, OR - especially in April) yesterday morning, then dealt with a strong headwind and hail on the way home. Plus, I flatted! Then, just a mild morning with some light rain made for a pleasant ride. . . until I flatted again! Ugggh! And I just put new Mr. Tuffy liners in last night. The gods are testing my resolve - but I will continue riding darn it!

Man been working way too much to even read the Forums, much less post. But managed to ride in most days this week. Tuesday was miserably cold and by the time I was able to leave work, I really froze on the way home. Actually saw another commuter on the trail though-- which has been rare after dark.

Today though was possibly the best day so far of the season. Partially cloudy and pretty chilly, but for the 1st time no headwind! So nice, I just hauled ass in for the shear joy of it. This week has been about 5 degrees colder on average the last two, so I think I'm going to get some leg warmers or something this weekend.

I have to say I'm ready for daylight savings time to kick in, so that I can do some extra miles on the ride home. I'm always running late in the mornings, and so far riding in the dark hasn't inspired too many side trips. Bring on the Sun!

Well, I had to take the ol' winter bike off the hook this morning (I thought I might be done with it for the season... HA). Not allot of snow but there was ice and it looks like the high today is going to be 28F (-2C). Still, I had a nice commute in this morning and should be pretty decent on the way home tonight. The wind is a little testy but nothing I can't handle. Think spring, or for you folks in warmer Clim's send it our way.

OK, this is it, I declare this winter over. I'm done with snow, sleet, ice, dark, cold, icy eyelashes, frozen zippers, cold hands. After all, it is April! It's not fair, the poor salamanders are just trying to get across the road to do a little spooning, instead they are freezing their little tootsies. In case you can't tell from the preceding, sleet both going and coming. No real problems, just miserable. Daylight Savings Time can't get here soon enough for me.

Winter was over 2 weeks ago, Jean, but the weather hasn't changed! I rode home this afternoon during a lull in the freezing rain and sleet, conditions were less than ideal, but overall it was a good ride. Auspicious beginings, with Burlington streets poorly salted, had a few "stability issues" when gusty (35 mph) cross wind coincided with icey patches of road. Had a few stretches of coasting with left leg extended, ready to bail out if required, but no capsizes or collisions. I walked the bike across the lift bridge (first time I didn't ride over) on an icey unplowed sidewalk - walking seemed more dangerous than riding. It was a wet, salty, slushy ride, but I felt much better for attempting it. I'll make sure I have a winter bike ready for next year with studded tires for days like this!

Hi Folks
We are still getting the odd throwback to winter. It was frosty here this morning, but cold sunshine beats rain any day of the week!

Cheers,

Ed

I "commuted" yesterday to my daughter's b-ball game. Took the roadie rocketship, took a hilly route, and battled a very stiff headwind. Since I'm the designated scoresheet keeper, I had to be there a little early, but the winds were killing my times. Made for a tiring 25 mile ride. I was in the drops for most of the way.

Well, here we go again, 32F (-0C), threat of snow (although most of it should go south of us). So, I road my winter bike (you know what would happen if I rode my summer bike). I still had a fairly decent ride in but because of daylight savings time I'm back to using my lights in the morning.

This morning's ride had a strange familiarity to it - dark, windy, cold - reminded me of winter!!!. -2 C, (28 F), 25 mph winds with 35 mph gusts made it seem much colder than it was. Headwind/Cross wind for first half of the trip, Tailwind/Crosswind for 2nd half. Found it very difficult to get enthused about riding, but once I got half way in, felt better about it (not better about going to work, though).
Today's forecast calls for just what we need - another 6" of snow!

Today's ride was very wet, very windy, and cold... the rain was slushy..near freezing. Other than that, it was fine.

I am so annoyed!!

Set up my 40 year old Flying Scot (my summer bike) this weekend, had a trial run out for lunch with my wife on her Roberts on Sunday, couldn't commute yesterday as I was giving a platelet donation in the afternoon, so this morning was to be it.

First time on the Flying Scot this year.

Beautiful blue sky, cool, but no wind. Set off and got a puncture within 1 mile.

A piece of glass on the Forth Road Bridge trashed my tube. I tried unsuccesfully to fix it (not easy on a high bridge) and then went home and caught the bus.

Swearing quotient ---HIGH.

First call I made when in to the office was to the Bridge board. They've arranged to clear the cycle paths.

6th puncture in 900 miles this year. AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Folks,

Bad luck Chewa - that rivals the razor blade incident last week that had me walking miles....

The surprise spell of cold & frosty weather continues here, but it makes for good riding. 18.23 average today, with headwind ;)

Cheers,

Ed

I feel almost guilty gloating about our Chamber of Commerce weather: 50F, calm, clear, beautiful.

This morning there were two young mule deer jogging alongside the American River bike path. Also, ducks and geese and a few big redtail hawks wheeling around high overhead. Absolutely wonderful morning.

Chilly at the start, and pretty dark. Still tired from ride on Sunday but managed to maintain a good speed. 20 mile route. The water pump (??) went up on my car yesterday ... not sure if I'll be able to ride home tonight since I'll be wrestling with that.

Wonderful commute last night and this morning. The streets are dry and the climate is cool, but not chilly. That's the spring weather I like to see! I made great time going home last night.

This morning was a bit of a struggle. I just could not drag myself out of bed; I lied there for 20 minutes. I finally got myself together and dashed out the door, but was completely uninspired during the ride; my motivation was non-existent. I was sure surprised when I arrived at work and checked my clock - I absolutely flew! How did that happen? 'Tis a mystery for me now, but maybe I'm just getting better. . .

Haven't ridden yet this week. My ankles are still bothering me from the century. Don't want to push myself. Doing some walking instead.

Great commute this morning. The weather was 50F and overcast; just barely shorts weather. I'm still dodging the employees and golfers at the local pompous Country Club. They haven't said anything to me yet about taking a shortcut through the course on the golf cart track.

More great weather. Lots of construction these days with the extention of our trolley system. I need to find an alternate route for about a month.

No jacket tonight !!! Sunshine !!! Tailwind !!!

For a variety of reasons I ended up going on a route I used to do consistently some time ago. It was nice doing it again, a nice change of pace.

Now that summer's over (you can tell I'm glad about that, can't you), it's just one perfect day after another. :D

Well, I didn't commute today, but yesterday had a wonderful commute. The morning was wet, but in the afternoon (actually the evening) it was really nice. I took the long way back, and had a wonderful ride.

John

I put the platforms back on my dual-sided SPD pedals. This will help me get to the grocery store by bike w/o putting on any extra stuff. My new Jand grocery panniers are awesome. I just bring my bike into the store, load up the panniers, then check out. Have the grocer pack the panniers as my bag, and I'm off. The bike doesn't take up any more room than the carts, and holds plenty.

As an aside, my ankles felt much better on the bike this eve. I am definately riding to work tomorrow.

well I didn't commute today, or yesterday for that matter, and I probably won't commute tomorrow

why?

I am sick, sick, sick, sick of our neverending winter here in DC which this week has gifted us with 3 straight days of rain and 40 degree temps (with the same forecast for thurs and fri) so until mother nature starts to cooperate I'm on strike!

hows that for petulance?

The good is that the cool weather makes my raingear is very comfortable. The bad is that I will not see any blue sky and sunshine until this weekend. The ugly is the rain-induced formation of monster traffic jams -- miles of immobile cars, each containing a frustrated, twitching cager who may take hours to get to work/home.

Fun to ride by them, though!

Paul

Nice commute. Stopped at the bike week bike to work breakfast and they were out of food and t-shirts! Man, I rode 20 miles for that breakfast! :(
Anyway, I got a frisbee and an ankle reflector strip as a "Door Prize". There also happened to be a bottle of orange juice left so I guess I didn't leave empty handed. Beautiful commute in though.

Good commute in today. Woke up early to mostly clear skies, a nice change from the heavy rain last night. No views of the mountains on the ride in but it's still nice to be outside getting some exercise. Damn headwind all the way though, boy my legs are tired, I always forget what a difference the wind can make on a bike.

Probably be finding a new route home today trying to follow the lake shore as much as possible. That route should be a beauty in the summer :)

It felt great to get on the bike again today. Started out wearing my wind jacket, but a couple miles in, and I took it off. Shorts and Jersey only on today's ride. It was great. Sun, warmth, and a smile on my face as I found myself singing all the way to work.

I was in another world all the way in. I snapped back into reality when I realized I drifted into the auto lanes briefly at one point. I am sure I pissed of the driver who slowed down due to my idocy.

I plan to make the most of this weather and get out on the bike at lunch.

Can the weather be like this every day? Who do I have to bribe?