How was the commute today?
01-23-07 | 08:41 AM
La Paz Commuter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: La Paz, Bolivia
Bikes: Bortolussi (made in Germany), Titus Motolite 2
Originally Posted by substructure
43.13 miles
17.7 mph
17.7 mph
01-23-07 | 08:46 AM
Originally Posted by Two Buck Chuck
Wow, 43 miles! From where to where? I noticed your location was Gaston County, NC, correct?
01-23-07 | 08:47 AM
SERENITY NOW!!!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Played leapfrog w/ another cyclist and managed to drop her when I dialed it up to 400 mW and squeezing past some buses and cars holding up traffic. Respect my steez! 
__________________
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
01-23-07 | 08:47 AM
Originally Posted by vtjim
2F, and lousy today. 
I got over 1.5 miles into my ride on bumpy, packed snow, and noticed my front SKS fender was gone. WTF. Turned around, rode all the way home. No fender to be found. Now I can't remember when I last saw it. Maybe it fell off a long time ago and I never noticed. Duh? I don't know. It has fallen off once before and I barely realized it. Now I guess it's gone forever. The mounting mechanism is pretty lousy: An expanding plastic plug that sticks in the steering tube above the wheel. If it gets loose, it falls out.
A utility vehicle had driven on the MUP, making a couple of nicely-packed snow tracks for me to use. I passed another cyclist on the MUP as well. He was heading north, and I south. We exchanged greetings.
Then I was almost at my office building, taking the lane for a left turn, and some yutz in an SUV with NH plates pulls out of a hotel parking garage to go the same way as me, right next to me, staring at me the whole time. I just glared at him. Some people have no idea how to deal with bicycles.
I got over 1.5 miles into my ride on bumpy, packed snow, and noticed my front SKS fender was gone. WTF. Turned around, rode all the way home. No fender to be found. Now I can't remember when I last saw it. Maybe it fell off a long time ago and I never noticed. Duh? I don't know. It has fallen off once before and I barely realized it. Now I guess it's gone forever. The mounting mechanism is pretty lousy: An expanding plastic plug that sticks in the steering tube above the wheel. If it gets loose, it falls out.A utility vehicle had driven on the MUP, making a couple of nicely-packed snow tracks for me to use. I passed another cyclist on the MUP as well. He was heading north, and I south. We exchanged greetings.
Then I was almost at my office building, taking the lane for a left turn, and some yutz in an SUV with NH plates pulls out of a hotel parking garage to go the same way as me, right next to me, staring at me the whole time. I just glared at him. Some people have no idea how to deal with bicycles.
And hope the next commute is better. Hang in there, man.
01-23-07 | 08:48 AM
Originally Posted by jyossarian
Played leapfrog w/ another cyclist and managed to drop her when I dialed it up to 400 mW and squeezing past some buses and cars holding up traffic. Respect my steez!
Is that Man Watts?
01-23-07 | 08:51 AM
Dances With Cars
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)
mini-Wheats?
01-23-07 | 09:05 AM
La Paz Commuter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: La Paz, Bolivia
Bikes: Bortolussi (made in Germany), Titus Motolite 2
Originally Posted by substructure
Belmont to Shelby.
My co-workers are amazed that I ride nine miles from Alexandria to DC. I wonder what your co-workers must think!
01-23-07 | 09:22 AM
Originally Posted by Two Buck Chuck
You are brave. I grew up in Rock Hill and have family in Cleveland County (Patterson Springs area). I never thought of the area as being very bicycle friendly, but I'm glad to hear at least one person is out riding. I would love to hear what route you take. I once rode on a club ride from Rock Hill to Crowders and back.
My co-workers are amazed that I ride nine miles from Alexandria to DC. I wonder what your co-workers must think!
My co-workers are amazed that I ride nine miles from Alexandria to DC. I wonder what your co-workers must think!
Route1.0
This is the basic route. But I changed it somewhat to take Franklin Blvd through Gastonia until I get to Myrtle School Rd. It didn't change the mileage that much.
I go through Crowders every time I ride in or back home.
01-23-07 | 09:24 AM
Commuter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maine
Bikes: 2006 Giant Cypress EX (7-speed internal hub)
Ride home last night in the snow was cool, I even got passed very courteously, at a respectable distance, by a tractor-trailer. I sent the company a nice comment on through their website. This morning was about the same road conditions, still kind of slushy, though the snow had let up. Rode in the right tire track the whole way. Some passenger in a car said something out his window that ended in "... angel". I'm wondering what the rest of it was. "Hope you have a guardian ..."? "You're gonna end up as a ..."?
And the driver passed a bit too close besides. When I gestured to indicate so, he made some gesture with his index finger pointed to his head.
Life goes on...
And the driver passed a bit too close besides. When I gestured to indicate so, he made some gesture with his index finger pointed to his head.
Life goes on...
01-23-07 | 12:04 PM
Damper than yesterday, but warmer yet (high 40s). Definite gaps in the clouds visible by the time I got into work. Blinding sun right now!
01-23-07 | 12:44 PM
SERENITY NOW!!!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Originally Posted by substructure
Is that Man Watts?
__________________
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
01-23-07 | 01:19 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins, CO
Bikes: Trek 7100 Hybrid
First commute in a week due to a nasty cold and nasty cold outside. Uneventful commute. Still cautious of the ice but today is actually above freezing so hopefully it will all be gone soon.
01-23-07 | 01:25 PM
DNPAIMFB
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,655
Likes: 0
From: Cowtown, AB
Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.
Switched back to the skinny tires today - oh my yes! It was almost too easy. I don't know if I even broke a sweat, but I did make it to work faster than yesterday. Warm temps are forecast for the rest of the week!
01-23-07 | 01:29 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Starting to warm up a bit here. I nearly stopped to take off my jacket, but I was right in the middle of a no-foot down commute. I've managed to take off a jacket and backpack without stopping before, but that was on a deserted country road, and it probably wouldn't have been the safest move riding through Soccermom Alley.
01-23-07 | 02:27 PM
Enjoy
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
Likes: 0
From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
Near miss this morning. While looking back at traffic from behind, some veggie nearly left-hooked me from the front. I screamed like a banchee and she stopped! Bellevue, drivers are the worst. That extra hi-vis stu$$ just doesn't get their attention in Bellevue! Maybe a helmet light would work...or a set of Christmas lights
01-23-07 | 06:30 PM
Don't you know who I am?
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Bikes: Trek 6700
Had the same problem with a Beemer pulling out of a gas station. I should have just gotten hit, then sued. I could use some time off of work.
01-23-07 | 09:03 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins, CO
Bikes: Trek 7100 Hybrid
So on the way home I fell over on ice in the parking lot. Also a lot of fun negotiating road crossings on the bike path. Took an extra ten minutes tonight... anyone else find all this snow adds some decent time on to their commute?
It is getting old and the melting is a blessing and a curse since there will be more ice in the morning.
It is getting old and the melting is a blessing and a curse since there will be more ice in the morning.
01-23-07 | 10:03 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
From: south jersey
N/A
i feel like i am missing something, life is incomplete!
i re-started graduate work, post- 2 yr "vacancy", so to speak.
once i get that MS PSYR Degree, watch out (2 classes left after this one)!
x-usa # 2 ?
may try 1 x per/week commute for now. it seems these web base classes are real b-busters though!
i feel like i am missing something, life is incomplete!
i re-started graduate work, post- 2 yr "vacancy", so to speak.
once i get that MS PSYR Degree, watch out (2 classes left after this one)!
x-usa # 2 ?
may try 1 x per/week commute for now. it seems these web base classes are real b-busters though!
01-23-07 | 11:07 PM
interesting ride today. The ride in was a little faster even though there was a dusting of snow and lots of ice. No wind? Two days off in a row? Carrying less stuff?
And the ride home was the same way. The studded tires felt great in today's conditions. Don't want to get over confident but wow. This was the kind of day those tires were made for.
And the ride home was the same way. The studded tires felt great in today's conditions. Don't want to get over confident but wow. This was the kind of day those tires were made for.
01-23-07 | 11:35 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
From: Whitby, Ontario Canada
Bikes: 2013 Brodie Section 8 , 2014 Easy Motion Neo City e-bike
Today I put on a bunch of new clothes: new jersey (my fanciest 
), MEC tights (cycling tights with seams in the crotch?.. come on people!) and army boots. I've had leaky boots for a long time and got very tired of them. Army boots are GOOD. No leaks, baby.
I'll have to run a few errands later today. Will rack up a bunch of miles... which is always good of course. The roads are so clear it's boh-ring! Sno-ow? Hel-lo-o?[/QUOTE]
I've got MEC balaclava & gloves & stuff but has been to warm to use it. They get some great Bike stuff not as good as LBS but a great store.
Commutes to GO station past couple of days have been good except for the ice. This year is warmer but icier, snow at least gives me some traction and definatly adds to the fun..
), MEC tights (cycling tights with seams in the crotch?.. come on people!) and army boots. I've had leaky boots for a long time and got very tired of them. Army boots are GOOD. No leaks, baby. I'll have to run a few errands later today. Will rack up a bunch of miles... which is always good of course. The roads are so clear it's boh-ring! Sno-ow? Hel-lo-o?
[/QUOTE]I've got MEC balaclava & gloves & stuff but has been to warm to use it. They get some great Bike stuff not as good as LBS but a great store.
Commutes to GO station past couple of days have been good except for the ice. This year is warmer but icier, snow at least gives me some traction and definatly adds to the fun..
01-24-07 | 12:02 AM
African Grey Love-Powered
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Bikes: Trek 7300FX
I saw a hit-and-run this a.m. going in, a SUV hit the back of a small car, totalled it, and headed off. A sheriff's car was behind a group of cars at this intersection, and managed to slip out and go after the bastard. I called in to offer my witness info, and they said they caught him, a DUI at 8-frickin-30 on a Tuesday a.m. I was looking in my mirrors constantly on my way home.
01-24-07 | 07:34 AM
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Snow squall! Fun though. I've altered my route to take a main road (North Ave) and avoid about 2 miles of unplowed MUP. Part of the road isn't bicycle friendly so I use the sidewalk for that (carefully) and then hop down onto the roadway once it gets friendlier. No issues so far. I just act like I'm at the bottom of the right-of-way food chain on the sidewalk, especially since my ride home is wrong-way. 
01-24-07 | 08:48 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 914
Likes: 21
From: Herndon, VA
Bikes: Giant OCR C2, Kona Jake the Snake, Scattante 650-R
It was warmer than expected this AM. Based on last night's weather forecast, I wore a wool mid-layer jersey, and FINALLY wore my PI lobster gloves. At 34 degrees, I was too warm. On the way home, I'm going to have to shed the jacket.
Road was clear, but several spots on the W&OD were icy, making it necessary to unclip and go slowly enough to put a foot down. One bridge was a complete sheet of ice. I'm going to take the street through that section on the way back.....
Road was clear, but several spots on the W&OD were icy, making it necessary to unclip and go slowly enough to put a foot down. One bridge was a complete sheet of ice. I'm going to take the street through that section on the way back.....
__________________
2020 Giant Defy 2
Fuji Cross Pro
Scattante 650-R trainer bike
'06 Kona Jake the Snake
2020 Giant Defy 2
Fuji Cross Pro
Scattante 650-R trainer bike
'06 Kona Jake the Snake
01-24-07 | 09:12 AM
Dances With Cars
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)
-11 with the wind they said....roads dry for the most part, sunny and nice.
i was threading up about 15 cars at the light past river (name escapes me), streetcar stop ...i'm threading up quickly. i pass the police ....whoops in my mind, a car in both lanes as we all start to move with the green, so I carve over the right tap her car in the back, crank to front and wave her over to her lane. Then i'm gone...... Cops pull up to me at Church, partner rolls window down laughin' his ass off about my controlling traffic. Tells me to be careful laughingly as they pull away.
heehee fun ride.
i was threading up about 15 cars at the light past river (name escapes me), streetcar stop ...i'm threading up quickly. i pass the police ....whoops in my mind, a car in both lanes as we all start to move with the green, so I carve over the right tap her car in the back, crank to front and wave her over to her lane. Then i'm gone...... Cops pull up to me at Church, partner rolls window down laughin' his ass off about my controlling traffic. Tells me to be careful laughingly as they pull away.
heehee fun ride.
01-24-07 | 09:18 AM
La Paz Commuter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: La Paz, Bolivia
Bikes: Bortolussi (made in Germany), Titus Motolite 2
Originally Posted by kokomo61
IAt 34 degrees, I was too warm.
For anyone interested in seeing a very scenic bike commute, I've attached (or at least tried to attach) a zipped KML (opens in Google Earth) showing my route to work. I start in Alexandria near Old Town, then go by the airport, then down the Mall toward the Capitol. Neat perspective in Google Earth.