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.

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.

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.

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. :D 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. :eek: 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.

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:)

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.

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.

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

'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.

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!

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.

Well haven't posted in this thread in a bit mostly because my commute has been going smoothly. No issues, nice cagers, lots of gnats swallowed. I did startle a heron in a pond this morning. I love to see those things fly.

Had to take my '83 Toyota beater truck in for inspection today. I KNOW that I could ride faster than that thing drives! :)

(Got to ride home early though. Nice to get one way in.)

I have a couple of potential converts in my office. I was trying to scope out a newbie-friendly route for them this morning. I thought that a split "park and ride" commute might be a good way to ease them into it, so I also had to try to find safe, free, and convenient parking. I'm beginning to think that those are a "pick any two" choice.

Had a great commute. Blue skies, new rims and 26 x 1.5 city tires and a freshly overhaulled drivetrain, shifters & brakes.

1st post.

Been doing a short and easy commute (4m RT) 5 days/week for the last five years, rain or shine.

Rode in to work today after a few days off thanks to a rebellious iliotibial band. The knee was pretty good about 4/5ths of the ride and then about a block away from work it started hurting a bit so I got off and walked it off. Parked my bike, stretched, and it seems good enough to walk up and down the stairs on now. *crosses fingers* Hopefully that means it's getting better.

The ride itself was peaceful and uneventful. It was about 90 degrees out and I wasn't sure if I was going to make it up the hill, but it seemed easier than I remembered.

Ride in was great, slept in an extra 45 mins so I took the direct road route. 11 minutes, new record for me - took the roadie, still riding nice - need more PSI in those tubes, but going well.

Rode to MEC and got a PB superflash for it today, too, tonight I'm not sure if I have a long or just short, as I've got to go home before going anywhere else.

First ever commute (well since graduate school a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away). New bike (Electra Townie 8) - felt just like the ride I remember from childhood. Lots of control, upright stance, flatfoot capable, very easy gear shifting)

A short commute ~3-4 miles, with some trepidation in traffic. I need to try to scope out more back roads.

Looking forward to the ride home.

Saw absolutely no other bikes today. I'm a loner...

:roflmao:

Gorgeous day today both ways. Brutal headwind coming home; I was going to ride 5 miles the wrong way from work, turn around and come home, but I realized the tailwind I was loving would cost me so I only went 3 before turning around to be able to make it home in time. Sigh...

This morning, warm and sunny (well, give or take, 55F I think) then, topping rise at end of trip, found the rise was containing pea-soup fog, keeping it away from everything to the W and S. Kinda cool effect, but since I had to cross some busy lanes I stopped to turn on my taillight, and almost wished I still had my headlight on the bike.

Tried a new route this morning on the way, much nicer, less traffic. Although, I have seen quite a few people out walking I haven't seen many other commuters. I feel a lot like m00n. :)

Ride home was even better, although the winds had picked up a bit. Tried a new route this way as well, added a mile to my trip. Felt great, but hot. It is getting very, very warm here.

Any thoughts on riding in 90+ temps this summer (temps will actually get as high as 100+)?

Set record of 16.7mph on the route including hills. Arrived rested. Blustery return ride. Looked like some neighborhoods didn't have power. Traffice lights were out and a strong headwind.

As my Senior DI told us... "Hydrate or DIE!!!" I wouldnt waste much $ on Any of the Aide's, but make sure you replace those lost electrolites.....

I saw a bunch of people on bikes on the way to school today... Almost gave an older guy a heart attack as I yelled "passing on you left!" as I did... He turned around and almost freaked.... poor guy.... Needed to raise his seat up.... I dont know if the people I saw were commuting, or just didnt have motowheels....

Good ride, nice and warm... The humidity here will KILL you!

Billy

Humidity? What's that? :) I live in a desert.