How was the commute today?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 193
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From: Clackamas, Oregon
Bikes: A flat Rossin (hit by car), Trek 1000, Specialized frame to build up to TT bike, and soon to be Felt Race Bike
Had a great commute in this morning. Dry, 50 degrees. Only bummer was that I forgot train fare this morning so I had to ride the whole way into work this morning so I didn't get any cool down before starting work.
Raving looney
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
Bikes: 70s Leader Precision w/Shimano 600 (road), IRO Rob Roy (Fixed)
Got the roadie roadworthy this weekend, so I rode that in today, will be getting a cyclocomputer for it at lunch time, but the ride in was smooth and quick feeling - except for the 5 minute roadside wait while huge droves of traffic passed by (I was trying to get over 3 lanes of it to make a left, ended up going further up to take the left).
I was careful and definitely noticed the difference with a solid frame (MTB has front fork suspension) and thin tyres, but felt really good to ride it - especially as I was the one who made it work
I was careful and definitely noticed the difference with a solid frame (MTB has front fork suspension) and thin tyres, but felt really good to ride it - especially as I was the one who made it work
Ug...today's ride wasn't the best. Maybe just a Monday thing. Generally heading to work is better than heading home. I hope it's the opposite today.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 22
From: Calgary
Bikes: 2018 Ghost Square Trekking B2.8 e-bike; 2015 MEC Cote gravel/touring bike; 1985 Boyes-Rosser tourer, now outfitted as Winter Trundle-bike
Gorgeous ride this morning
Sunny (though I need better sunglasses, I think), birds yelling their heads off all along the river paths, and the perfect temperature. I made it in 58 minutes without undue effort, my best time yet, and as a bonus I passed the bus I normally would have been on!
Oh yeah, shorts here too, though I did wuss out and had sleeves.
Sunny (though I need better sunglasses, I think), birds yelling their heads off all along the river paths, and the perfect temperature. I made it in 58 minutes without undue effort, my best time yet, and as a bonus I passed the bus I normally would have been on!Oh yeah, shorts here too, though I did wuss out and had sleeves.
commuting Canuck
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Bikes: 07 Rocky Mtn ETSX-70, 00 Rocky Mountain Hammer (commuter) 98 Lemond Chambery
Originally Posted by pinkrobe
12C! I rode in shorts and a t-shirt! 
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
Hot! It felt humid, and it was, is now misting relentlessly, which I would have actually loved to ride in, but oh well. Now off to drive to meeting 60 miles west.
Hot? In WA? ...... I think my idea of Hot has been skewed by too many 3monther's in the Mohave'
Billy
Billy
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Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
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
Stripped down the FG commute bike to Summer Mode: removed the fenders, lights, and saddle bag. Mounted new tires and gave her a wash and wax. That bike looks too nice to ride to work!
Nothing particularly interesting this morning, I had to come directly to work (although I brought a jersey and shorts for the hopefully longer ride home), and the drivers were predictable and courteous. I did notice a couple of other bike commuters today, including a woman on a single-speed mountain bike.
Nothing particularly interesting this morning, I had to come directly to work (although I brought a jersey and shorts for the hopefully longer ride home), and the drivers were predictable and courteous. I did notice a couple of other bike commuters today, including a woman on a single-speed mountain bike.
Barbieri Telefonico
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger
my commute today was: bikeless
my commute tomorrow will be: not so bikeless anymore
I am back!
my commute tomorrow will be: not so bikeless anymore
I am back!
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Giving Haircuts Over The Phone
Giving Haircuts Over The Phone
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Conifer CO
I had an interesting ride into work today. First I left late and so I was riding pretty hard to make up some time. I was chased by a small furry dog. He was pretty fast. I had to sprint to 25 mph to finally lose him. 10 miles into my 15 mile commute I had 2 spokes break. I had to loosen up the rear brakes so the wheel wouldn't drag on the brake pad. Then I limped the rest of the way into work on a wobbly rear wheel with no brakes. Wouldn't you know that the spokes that broke were on the drive side of the wheel. My wife is so wonderfull, she made a trip to work for me with tools and parts so I could repair my wheel to make the ride home in the morning. I repaired my wheel right on my desk. I will give the wheel a perfect true when I get home in the morning. I can get it really close by using the brake pad as a caliper to use as my reference. Even though I had some challenges today. I would rather ride to work then drive.
Enjoy

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
Likes: 0
From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
Awesome weather. 71 on the return ride. Good times riding with spouse.
Now THAT, ladies and Gents is a REAL commuter!
__________________
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
Enjoy

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
Likes: 0
From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
WOW do you think the chase had anything to do with the spokes breaknig?
Originally Posted by gmule
I had an interesting ride into work today. First I left late and so I was riding pretty hard to make up some time. I was chased by a small furry dog. He was pretty fast. I had to sprint to 25 mph to finally lose him. 10 miles into my 15 mile commute I had 2 spokes break. I had to loosen up the rear brakes so the wheel wouldn't drag on the brake pad. Then I limped the rest of the way into work on a wobbly rear wheel with no brakes. Wouldn't you know that the spokes that broke were on the drive side of the wheel. My wife is so wonderfull, she made a trip to work for me with tools and parts so I could repair my wheel to make the ride home in the morning. I repaired my wheel right on my desk. I will give the wheel a perfect true when I get home in the morning. I can get it really close by using the brake pad as a caliper to use as my reference. Even though I had some challenges today. I would rather ride to work then drive.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Conifer CO
Originally Posted by vrkelley
WOW do you think the chase had anything to do with the spokes breaknig?
so happy to be a bike commuter today. I had gone all winter in all kinds of weather. Often completely alone on the bike path but not anymore. Hundreds of other people out riding. Bit of a territorial imperative about sharing my ride with so many others but at the bottom line I am thrilled about it.
ended up with about a 30 mile round trip today as I went from one location to another. part of my ride today took me on the Minuteman Bike path, which was mobbed with cyclists of all kinds mixed in with joggers and strollers. It's a relatively wide path and it seemed that people were sharing it responsibly for the most part.
Came home in the dark through quiet neighborhood streets in Arlington, Belmont, Watertown and Waltham. Very cool ride home.
ended up with about a 30 mile round trip today as I went from one location to another. part of my ride today took me on the Minuteman Bike path, which was mobbed with cyclists of all kinds mixed in with joggers and strollers. It's a relatively wide path and it seemed that people were sharing it responsibly for the most part.
Came home in the dark through quiet neighborhood streets in Arlington, Belmont, Watertown and Waltham. Very cool ride home.
Raving looney
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
Bikes: 70s Leader Precision w/Shimano 600 (road), IRO Rob Roy (Fixed)
Ride up to the east end to visit my daughter was fun, and the first "long" run on the roadie (now fitted with cyclocomputer). Made it up there in about 34 mins, which isn't too shabby. On the final .25mi of the journey I decided to gun it and see what I could do, managed to sprint to 27mph before having to slow down (flat ground, but smooth surface). Having drops is a godsend in wind, too - being able to have that tucked position is wonderful.
Ride home from there via a stopoff at a buddies place en route, ride home was 35 mins and felt nicely fast - average of 17.2mph routeslip tells me, cyclocomputer tells me 16.7 but either way, it's a lovely ride and I'm probably going to run it for the week and see how I get on. My usual averages for the home journey are around 12-13mph.
Definitely think I need to get some in-line levers for the top of the drops, though - don't like riding in the drops downtown in traffic due to being seen/being able to see.
Ride home from there via a stopoff at a buddies place en route, ride home was 35 mins and felt nicely fast - average of 17.2mph routeslip tells me, cyclocomputer tells me 16.7 but either way, it's a lovely ride and I'm probably going to run it for the week and see how I get on. My usual averages for the home journey are around 12-13mph.
Definitely think I need to get some in-line levers for the top of the drops, though - don't like riding in the drops downtown in traffic due to being seen/being able to see.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 71
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
Bikes: 93 Schwinn Sidewinder, 05 Giant Cypress DX
I rode in with a sleeveless t-shirt this morning. It was humid (70%) and 60degF. A good ride. No JAMs this morning at all.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
50F with an annoying headwind. I saw several cyclists.
Passed one guy, reeled in the same guy I reeled in yesterday, and then stayed behind him for a nice comfortable pace. We both reeled in and passed the Wilma I passed yesterday. Milk crate. Skiing helmet.
Not that I'm making fun of her. We're all cyclists after all. Saw 2 or 3 riders going the opposite direction, including the one guy I see almost daily, usually both ways. We always exchange hellos.
I had a dream last night: I was commuting on a 'bent.
Some woman pulled out in front of me and I sucked her bumper down a hill. I think I've been reading BF too much.
Passed one guy, reeled in the same guy I reeled in yesterday, and then stayed behind him for a nice comfortable pace. We both reeled in and passed the Wilma I passed yesterday. Milk crate. Skiing helmet.
Not that I'm making fun of her. We're all cyclists after all. Saw 2 or 3 riders going the opposite direction, including the one guy I see almost daily, usually both ways. We always exchange hellos.I had a dream last night: I was commuting on a 'bent.
Some woman pulled out in front of me and I sucked her bumper down a hill. I think I've been reading BF too much.
Pedaling Backwards
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Mid-Michigan
Bikes: '04 Cannondale F300, '92 Park Pre Rigid MTB
Beautiful morning, about 55, light wind. First shorts and tshirt in the morning ride. After being away from the weekend it was nice to get back on the bike
Rim crusher
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Tough ride this Am. A stiff North headwind punished me the entire way, and i'm still fatigued from riding 60 miles on Sunday (in the same winds). The temp was ~50F, but it felt more like 40F and I never warmed up despite fighting the wind. Typically I average mid to high 16 mph. Today it was 14.5. I might get screwed heading home too as the winds are supposed to shift from the North to the East sometime today. Oh well, no problems with any cars, or mechanical difficulties with the bike. So it was still better than driving in.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
Yesterday's commute home was brutal. Constant 20-25 mph winds with gusts to 40 mph. I was nearly blown off the road twice and almost into traffic once.
There's a downhill right as I start my commute home. Typically I do about 24 mph on it. Yesterday I was doing 13--and I was pedalling harder than usual.
Edit: I must have been typing my post as Ron was typing his. Yeah--same winds.
There's a downhill right as I start my commute home. Typically I do about 24 mph on it. Yesterday I was doing 13--and I was pedalling harder than usual.

Edit: I must have been typing my post as Ron was typing his. Yeah--same winds.
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"Everyone is entitled to an opinion" is only half-right.
Everyone is entitled to an informed opinion.
"Everyone is entitled to an opinion" is only half-right.
Everyone is entitled to an informed opinion.
I haven't actually left on my commute yet, but I was driving (!!!) on my way to the local polling station to vote this morning after dropping my son off at school. I come up to a turn and see an older gentleman (65?) on beach cruiser... He See's me turning and goes to cross the street.... against a red light!!!! He almost became a greasy spot.... and he had the audacity to yell obscenities at the other driver (who was completely in the right).....
Me thinks its idiots like this that give us bad names.....
Billy
Me thinks its idiots like this that give us bad names.....
Billy
__________________
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
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.
'Twas beautiful when I stepped out the back door - 13C to be exact, no wind and not a cloud in the sky. Absolutely lovely! I reeled in a guy on a mtn bike, but declined to give him "the look", 'cause that would be mean. When we got to downtown, traffic was pretty backed up. I missed 2 lights before I said "**** it" and started filtering. There was a fire truck and misc. police about a block away from my building, and they had 3 of 5 lanes blocked off, backing up traffic for 4 blocks. I didn't see a wet spot, so it probably wasn't a jumper. Likely a ped got taken out by an JAM. I just kept filtering until I got to my building.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 22
From: Calgary
Bikes: 2018 Ghost Square Trekking B2.8 e-bike; 2015 MEC Cote gravel/touring bike; 1985 Boyes-Rosser tourer, now outfitted as Winter Trundle-bike
I wondered why the traffic was so backed up (I go down 11th St to get back onto the river path). I sat through 2 lights before giving up and riding the sidewalk. Bunch of idiot drivers were all over the lane - one practically on the line, the next hugging the curb - so I didn't feel safe "filtering." Gorgeous morning though!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, IL
Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 0, Rivendell- Sam Hillborne, Montague folding bike.
Perfect day today! Traffic much heavier then usual.
Still working on a new route around the intersection that will be closed for the summer. Gota bit lost yesterday and added half an hour and four miles, will try again today.
Still working on a new route around the intersection that will be closed for the summer. Gota bit lost yesterday and added half an hour and four miles, will try again today.




