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How was the commute today?

Old 04-25-07, 06:24 AM
  #18751  
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Ahh, it wasn't raining when I left the house, so I took the roadie. Five minutes in, it starts raining. Grrr. Oh well, it wasn't so bad, nice ride at least.
Of course, I was running late so I forgot to shave. Oops
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Old 04-25-07, 06:42 AM
  #18752  
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Took it easy this morning.The result was 30 minutes of pleasure and watching the stressed out look on drivers faces. No wonder heart disease is such a problem here in the US. People need to learn to relax and enjoy their lives a bit more, IMO.
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Old 04-25-07, 07:20 AM
  #18753  
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back on the bike today after needing the car to do a home depot run yesterday- weather is perfect. hoping for a bit of rain during the workday to wash out some of the fine sheen of pollen sitting on everything.
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Old 04-25-07, 09:17 AM
  #18754  
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Sick today so rode the 13th bike in, the one with the motor. Oh lord, now I know how I was seduced away from cycling for three years. Beautiful day for a ride of any kind though (except a car ride that is).
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Old 04-25-07, 09:22 AM
  #18755  
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A guy on an older road bike crashed right into me this morning on the golf course path. I was riding along and saw him coming. He wasn't paying attention and was drifting across the path onto my side. I figured he would see me but he didn't. By the time I realized we were gonna hit I tried going to the right but he still hit me. We both went over the handlebars, I landed on the hard grass while he landed on the asphalt path. I was glad to be on my MTB this morning, his road bike got the worst of it, totally bent wheel and other stuff out of whack, not ridable. My injuries aren't too bad, sliced my finger pretty good next to the nail, hurts like hell even after washing and wrapping it. I also have a couple of bruises on my legs but overall not too bad for such a hard crash. The older guy landed hard on his shoulder and rolled. He wasn't wearing a helmet but luckily didn't hit his head. He thinks he might have broken his collar bone or maybe dislocated his shoulder. We exchanged numbers and went home. My rear derailleur is bent but I was able to ride it the mile back home. I am hoping I can fix it for tomorrow so I can ride again. I ended up driving to work since my road bike is still going through the warranty process. Wow my finger really hurts, I think I might lose the nail on my middle finger
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Old 04-25-07, 09:24 AM
  #18756  
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That doesn't sound very good.

I saw a great blue heron this morning, and a few non-commuter cyclists, which is "a few more than normal."
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Old 04-25-07, 09:42 AM
  #18757  
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It is getting warmer each morning. I can still enjoy a chill in the air for the first half of the commute. This mornings forecast predicts 97 by Sunday. I will be in Tucson for the Tour of the Tucson Mountains instead, so it should be cooler. Last year I was consistent until the first week of June, I hope I can hold out at least that long this year.
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Old 04-25-07, 10:17 AM
  #18758  
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On the way home last night I couldn't figure out what all the rattling was on my commuter. Thought it might be a loose chainring bolt but it turned out to be my front fender. One of the zipties had broken. When I got home, I just decided to take them both off for the season (pretty much guaranteeing that it'll rain this week).

This morning I decided to ride the fast bike, just for fun. And it was.
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Old 04-25-07, 12:23 PM
  #18759  
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Originally Posted by cellophane
i felt a tug on my right foot. my shoelace had wrapped around the pedal/crank and with each revolution, was squeezing tighter. in about 2 seconds my foot was tightly tied to the pedal. i frantically backpedaled to unwind, but alas, i was on a fairish hill....the bike promptly crashed to the ground.
Ah yes, been there too. Thus, when I bought my first pair of cycling shoes and the salesman asked me, "Laces or velcro?", I immediately said, "Velcro."

Pretty quiet commute today. One honk (same place as always on my route) and a series of drivers buzzed me. Not really close enough to scare me though.
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Old 04-25-07, 12:28 PM
  #18760  
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Originally Posted by luckysnafu
A guy on an older road bike crashed right into me this morning on the golf course path. I was riding along and saw him coming. He wasn't paying attention and was drifting across the path onto my side. I figured he would see me but he didn't. By the time I realized we were gonna hit I tried going to the right but he still hit me. We both went over the handlebars, I landed on the hard grass while he landed on the asphalt path. I was glad to be on my MTB this morning, his road bike got the worst of it, totally bent wheel and other stuff out of whack, not ridable. My injuries aren't too bad, sliced my finger pretty good next to the nail, hurts like hell even after washing and wrapping it. I also have a couple of bruises on my legs but overall not too bad for such a hard crash. The older guy landed hard on his shoulder and rolled. He wasn't wearing a helmet but luckily didn't hit his head. He thinks he might have broken his collar bone or maybe dislocated his shoulder. We exchanged numbers and went home. My rear derailleur is bent but I was able to ride it the mile back home. I am hoping I can fix it for tomorrow so I can ride again. I ended up driving to work since my road bike is still going through the warranty process. Wow my finger really hurts, I think I might lose the nail on my middle finger
Sorry to hear about that crash. Have you considered putting a bell or a horn on your bike?
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Old 04-25-07, 12:41 PM
  #18761  
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On the way home last night, I got caught not paying 100% attention [I was thinking about how nice my bike looks] and just about went into a giant pothole. Of course I jumped it - but realized as I was in the air that the car ahead of me wasn't moving forward anymore. I locked up both wheels before hitting the ground and did a nice two-wheel skid upon landing. I also sprinted up hill #1, which left me a little drained for the road ride later that night.

Today, still bagged from the road ride and lack of sleep, I crawled to work. I'm getting used to the bike, but I need to raise the seat a little.
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Old 04-25-07, 12:44 PM
  #18762  
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Nice ride in, absolutely perfect riding weather (breezy/cool) - had only a small sweat-patch where my backpack was. Felt a little stiff/sore still, I'll have to discipline myself to stretch after long rides in the future. No noticable bad knocking feeling or grinding in what I think was the BB when I felt it on Sunday - I gave it a good lube on Monday night ready for starting to ride again today. Hope I didn't screw anything up my taking my bike through some trails (the bike fell off a couple of obstacles a tad awkwardly). Got the Centurion LeMans home on Monday (walked/streetcar) ready for working on too.

Looking forward to the ride tonight.
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Old 04-25-07, 09:33 PM
  #18763  
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I was pleasantly surprised with myself at how fast I sprinted up some of the hills on the ride home. I was getting home late because we had a track meet. Because the other school is small and wasn't much competition, we pretty much got to run in any races we wanted. I ran my usual race, the 800 meter (two laps) but because I'm a nut, decided to run the 3000 meter (7.5 laps) afterwards. The distance didn't scare me, as I've run it before, and ran cross-country, which is 5000 meters, but doing those two races is crazy because they are practically back to back: about 15 minutes down-time in between, 20 max. I didn't go very fast in the 3000...

Anyways, I'm looking forward to the new 35 cross tires I ordered, they should be in any day now. If I decide to just keep them on my bike until I can get a separate wheelset, they will certainly make my commute slower, but I can't wait to be able to hit the trails near my house. My 28s feel too "in-between." Fattish for road tires, kinda scary off road. Though considering 85% of my riding is road, I probably ordered the wrong kind of tires. Oh well
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Old 04-25-07, 09:50 PM
  #18764  
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Nice cool day; strong winds, coming always from the direction I was going...

Got dropped right and left by roadies... but then, I'm carrying two large panniers and a large trunk, and in days like today where I was running errands, my BOB trailer. So I'm hauling a lot of stuff. Not sure I'll be able to climb some very steep local hills with a full load, but I know I will definitely get stronger.

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Old 04-26-07, 02:28 AM
  #18765  
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Hello everyone, I introduced myself in the intro thread, but hello again!

My commute is 10 miles each way, about 50/50 on the road and cycle track. Today was glorious, the weather was cool and sunny. I didn't get buzzed and generally drivers were well behaved. Saw some kids stealing zinc off a roof on the cycle track. Sometimes I think people will steal anything, even if it has no value, just because it is there!

Did the 10 miles in about half an hour and seeing as my route is quite hilly, I was pleased with that.
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Old 04-26-07, 06:29 AM
  #18766  
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No arm warmers!!! More sweat!!! Daylight is creaping in quicker making the ride better - and safer. I did intervals yesterday, a morning commute the day before, and a 60 mile race/ride before that. I'm pooped. But I love commuting the in the mornings no matter how slow or painful. More people are out waiting for buses or walking or going to the cafe. It's nice to see that.
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Old 04-26-07, 06:53 AM
  #18767  
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'Twas in the 30s today so I dressed in cool weather gear. Not much wind. I seem to be matching the commute times I used to get on my old Peugeot, so I guess my legs have adapted to the Trek. That, and the "slicks" get rid of some drag. I'm wondering what would happen if I converted the French bike to fixed gear.

Saw a regular bike commuter heading the other way, plus some ducks, and a few dogs taking their humans for walks. Another nice commute.
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Old 04-26-07, 07:20 AM
  #18768  
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WTF. Will it ever warm up in Rochester!??! Woke up to 39 degrees. Wait, let me rephrase, woke up 30 minutes late to 39 degrees. I was expecting 50, not 39. Anyway, because I can't figure out an alarm clock I was running around trying to get everything together and get out the door but that just slowed me down even more. Ever notice that when you're rushing you don't actually get anywhere any faster? How's that saying go, "fast is slow, smooth is quick"? Something like that, either way I wasn't smooth this morning. Anyway, I thought I had everything ready to go but since I wasn't expecting the low temps half my gear wasn't ready.

When I finally got out the door the ride wasn't too bad. I was expecting more traffic because of the time but it wasn't that bad. Must be a lot of other people with alarm troubles today too. I passed one other commuter on the MUP, and then passed him again. WTF? Obviously he knows of a short cut that I don't. Must find it. Did my 22.3 miles in 1:27 (rolling time) which is pretty good for me.
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Old 04-26-07, 07:58 AM
  #18769  
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10c (50f). Took the backway today. Very direct route!! 3.5km total! Still took me 20 minutes, I followed the train tracks. Rode in a T, Shorts and shades. Summer is here!
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Old 04-26-07, 08:09 AM
  #18770  
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Woo-hoo! I switched to the lightweight jacket today! I felt faster! Exclamation!
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Old 04-26-07, 08:22 AM
  #18771  
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50F, and 20mph headwind, dangit! pretty slow ride in. Hope the wind is till here as a tail-wind this afternoon...
Beautiful sunny day out there.
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Old 04-26-07, 08:37 AM
  #18772  
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Originally Posted by BigRedSnackFoam
WTF. Will it ever warm up in Rochester!??! Woke up to 39 degrees. Wait, let me rephrase, woke up 30 minutes late to 39 degrees. I was expecting 50, not 39.\
We already got our 1 nice weekend for the year, stop being greedy.
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Old 04-26-07, 08:44 AM
  #18773  
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Came within 2 feet of getting right-hooked today.

The last half-mile of my route has a bike lane (and I use it). The road there is signed every 100 yards or so saying, "Right turns yield to cyclists". Yeah.

My building has two entrances off that road. I take the 2nd one. As I approached the first one, a black BMW passed me and then made the right run into the entrance; if I'd been going any faster I'd have T-boned him. I gave him the "WTF?!" gesture, and quickly realized that, parking being what it is in this building, he'd probably be cruisng the lot for another 5 minutes. So I went in my entrance, rode around to the lot, and sure enough, there he was. I rode up if front of him (he was trying to turn onto the lane I was in), then around to his window. He said, "What are you doing?"

"I'm letting you know there are signs all along that road that read, 'Right turns yield to cyclists'".

"Uh, the truck behind me was riding up my tail, so I had to make the turn, sorry."

"Yeah. Right." And I rode off.

As I think about it, he had his child-safety seat in the front seat of his car, even though the BMW had a back seat. Here's hoping he drives better when his kid's in the car...and if he doesn't that the kid doesn't pay for his father's stupidity.
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Old 04-26-07, 10:13 AM
  #18774  
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Similar to last 2 days, 45F and near drizzly. Nice though. I could live with this if we're well and truly done w/ frost.
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Old 04-26-07, 10:29 AM
  #18775  
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I forgot to post this, but the other day I was riding my bike through Midtown to an eye appointment. I was in full-Fred mode: office clothes, dork bands on the cuffs, regular dress shoes on clipless pedals. A white Honda passes me and a young guy in dreadlocks leans out the window and starts clapping, like way to go dorky guy on a bike!
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