How was the commute today?
59'er
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 12
From: Alexandria, IN
Bikes: LeMond Maillot Jaune, Vintage Trek 520 (1985), 1976 Schwinn Voyageur 2, Miyata 1000 (1985)
I had dead legs this morning. It didn't help that I had to buck a head wind the whole way!
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Anyone love riding in the rain? ...about to commute home then to Ride of Silence in a severe thunderstorm and I'm actually looking forward to it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,693
Likes: 0
Even though I'm from Portland, I really don't like riding in heavy rain. For some reason it always makes me feel much slower than I actually am going. I had a particularly bad experience with rain this past Saturday as I was returning from a 60+ (no computer, just Google Maps) mile ride in the Columbia River Gorge. It had been perfect cycling weather. Overcast, not too cold or hot. Good hill ridin' climate. Anywyas, the first and last 10 or so miles of the ride are a straight, boring shot through Portland's Eastern suburbs (Gresham). Literally RIGHT as I enter the suburbs from the forest and farmland it starts to pour. I was already tired and the rain just sapped my energy. I must have been going about 14 miles per hour by the time I got home. No fenders on this particular bike either, and pretty light rain gear.
Anyways, the weather is currently gorgeous and has been for days, making for a great commute. I did fall for the first time ever (exluding learning to bike and trail riding). And it was my in driveway
I was practicing trackstands. I did come to the realization that most of my trackstands are not actually stationary, but are really me coasting at a very low speed. I just hope none of the neighbors saw me fall. At least the bike is unharmed. I kept it from actually touching the ground, somehow. So my new bar tape isn't messed up yet
Anyways, the weather is currently gorgeous and has been for days, making for a great commute. I did fall for the first time ever (exluding learning to bike and trail riding). And it was my in driveway
I was practicing trackstands. I did come to the realization that most of my trackstands are not actually stationary, but are really me coasting at a very low speed. I just hope none of the neighbors saw me fall. At least the bike is unharmed. I kept it from actually touching the ground, somehow. So my new bar tape isn't messed up yet
Hydration is important
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: Trek 1500, Schwinn SS conversion, Surly KM
First post here. Ride this morning was soaking wet, but the temp. was decent. Actually fairly pleasant all in all until the flat tire two miles from the office.
Enjoy

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
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From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
Originally Posted by chephy
Yep, scares people all to hell when they assume you're one of those bozos with non-functioning brakes and a bike that's about to fall apart. 
I feel so awful that I can't post in this thread... my cold is keeping me at home. My total mileage for May is just a bit over 30 miles so far! If I don't get out on a bike this week, I'll explode!

I feel so awful that I can't post in this thread... my cold is keeping me at home. My total mileage for May is just a bit over 30 miles so far! If I don't get out on a bike this week, I'll explode!
It was most delightful coming in this morning. Breakfast in the square for bike commuters. They cooked us "eggs in baskets". Yummy.
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
The traffic was silly, as usual, on the way in. The weather was beautiful, but a bit too warm for a ride into work -- would have loved to just go for a ride. I'm going to start leaving my shirts at work and changing when I get in. I also need to start riding my extended commute more often...it's such a shame to ride for only 10 minutes in the morning.
It's been a nice week with very pleasant weather and minimal traffic conjestion. Found a way to ride the entire way out to work and feel safe. (dangerous section of highway last 5 miles) That moves the round trip commute to just under 30 miles with one fairly ugly 8% grade at the very end the taxes my heart pretty good for just under a mile. I must confess that 3 consecutive days of attacking that hill has left very little in the tank this AM ......the car is looking sooooooooooooo good right now!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Bikes: 93 Schwinn Sidewinder, 05 Giant Cypress DX
Last night, I had my first bike-animal collision. I was riding along a stretch of bike lane, and I came upon a dead possum. I couldn't swerve left because of traffic, and I couldn't swerve right because of some glass, so I just ran over the possum. Besides the bike smelling a little bit, no harm done. At least the possum wasn't alive.
Rim crusher
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Stiff head wind on the way home last night, and smoky haze from the Georgia fires. Wind shifted over night and a stiff headwind into work too....Major bummer. Forgot my socks too, so am wearing cycling socks today...Thankfully they're gray rather than neon green or some other garish color. Hoping the stiff winds give me a nice push on the way home.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
40F, light quartering tailwind, dry but overcast. I was moving along at a decent clip most of the way. Reeled in a woman who stopped right after we left the MUP and asked me how to get to a certain road. I told her she could climb "that hill" (pointing to it, it's big) and turn right, or follow me. She followed me.
Once we got up to the main road she said she knew where she was and thanked me. My good deed for the day.
Once we got up to the main road she said she knew where she was and thanked me. My good deed for the day.
Riding home last night, I "Biffed" it.... Caught my front wheel trying to hop over a curb to get to a cross walk.... I havent done that since I was a kid.... Is it just me, or is it darn cold thismorning?
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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: Jun 2004
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Bikes: Lynskey Helix, Serotta Fierta IT, Torelli, Raleigh Carbon Revenio 3.0
Well I finally did it. I rode in to work on my bike this morning. It was a nice ride, 13 miles on a mixture of roads some busy and others quiet. I got over the hump and now I think I am going to try to ride in 2-3 times a week.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 168
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From: Des Moines
Bikes: Trek T900, GT Outpost
OK, back on the bike for the 2nd ever commute this morning. It was nice taking a couple days off since I've been riding in the evenings. Weather was definitely crisp this morning at a balmy 47 degrees when I left the house, but it was sunny and no wind. I topped off with a wind breaker and a pair of track pants and I was sweating pretty good by the time I got done with my 9 miles. I think I've still got to figure out something better than a back pack for hauling my stuff around. I'll have to go out chasing a seat post rack and a box I can strap to it tonight maybe.
I had my first major dog chase this morning. Some idiot was walking his german shepard without a leash and of course I happened to be zipping down the road. I wasn't sure if I was going to outrun it or run out of road first since I was headed into a construction zone where I've got to go through a parking lot and across a dirt roadbed at a pretty slow pace before I can get back on the street. Luckily he gave up the chase after I put about 75 yards on him and was just getting ready to turn into the lot. Think I should arm myself with some halt spray kept close at hand for the next commute?
I'm really looking forward to the ride home in low 70's weather other than I've got one long steep uphill that will probably kick my butt from here to eternity.
Rick
I had my first major dog chase this morning. Some idiot was walking his german shepard without a leash and of course I happened to be zipping down the road. I wasn't sure if I was going to outrun it or run out of road first since I was headed into a construction zone where I've got to go through a parking lot and across a dirt roadbed at a pretty slow pace before I can get back on the street. Luckily he gave up the chase after I put about 75 yards on him and was just getting ready to turn into the lot. Think I should arm myself with some halt spray kept close at hand for the next commute?
I'm really looking forward to the ride home in low 70's weather other than I've got one long steep uphill that will probably kick my butt from here to eternity.
Rick
Last edited by Buckshot77; 05-17-07 at 06:41 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough, MA
Bikes: Felt F85 (2007), Fuji Regis (1980's)
Another nice morning today on the way in. Saw about 5 other cyclists last night on my way home and a couple more this morning. Not as sunny today but cooler, temps in the low 70s which is a nice change from the high 80s from yesterday.
Ahhh man what an awesome spring. This has been the best spring ever in Dallas. it was 58 degrees again this am, clear skies, sunny, cool breeze out of the North. Amazing ride in. Loving life right now.
Cheers
Cheers
Beautiful morning, though rather chilly for May. I rode my newly assembled single speed for the first time and it made me feel pathetic on the hills.
Gravy
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Oregon City Or.
Bikes: DBX-Schwinn
This morn I started my commute (11.5miles in) with the idea that I would go easy due to some slight knee pain yesterday. Oregon City was about 43 f degrees this am at 5 ish, so I brought my wind proof tights
to help my knees to stay warm. On the road everything was OK (even though its hard to ride easy when you feel good), at the 3-4 mile mark I was passed by a guy older than me(I'm 50), in shorts and a t-shirt, he was riding really strong. I had to really work at not chasing him down, man I tell you that was tuff to watch his light disappear in the distance.
to help my knees to stay warm. On the road everything was OK (even though its hard to ride easy when you feel good), at the 3-4 mile mark I was passed by a guy older than me(I'm 50), in shorts and a t-shirt, he was riding really strong. I had to really work at not chasing him down, man I tell you that was tuff to watch his light disappear in the distance.
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.
My wife and I caught up to a scofflaw on the way in to work, but he got away from us by cutting off a car and evading a cement truck. Beyond that, the ride was warm, dry and easy.
Gravy
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Oregon City Or.
Bikes: DBX-Schwinn
What is a scofflaw?
Shut Up and Ride
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: Cannondale t-700 [commuter], Cannondale MT-800 [Tandem so the Lil Misses can keep up], GT I drive Team [My tricked out Racer MTB]
Originally Posted by Buckshot77
Think I should arm myself with some halt spray kept close at hand for the next commute?
Today's ride was just the typical awesome morning. Nice and cool, not much traffic.
As a bonus I found $.75 laying in the street. I usually ride past the pennies and nickels, but looped back to pick up the booty. How does money like that get in the street ? Seems like I see odd change all the time.
Some cell phone yakin' bimbo buzzed me pretty close. I didn't care much I guess. It's a shame that it gets common enough to elicit no reaction.
One month to RideTheRockies. I need to really start pounding the miles or I'm going to be hating life
New! With Self Loathing!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield, California
Bikes: 2013 Jamis Xenith T time trial bike, 2013 Jamis Xenith Elite
Getting my Bike Commuter of the Year award. I'd say the commute was pretty good.
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
Nice morning, no wildlife sightings today. Got to work and realized that (a) I'd forgotten a clothing item (let's just say my jacket is staying on), and (b) I'm supposed to be at my sister's house at 7:00 *with* all my gear for camping this weekend, but I'm working till six and can't get home in time to get said gear and back out to Sib's house (I live south of work, she lives north and east). I should have brought it in with me. Drat. (Though I'd have had to take the bus, and I can think of few things more annoying than hauling a 45-lb backpack on Calgary Transit, especially the crosstown trip to Sib's house)
Neat - w/ ice on the side
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,200
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From: Big Ring. Little Cog.
Bikes: 2005 Dahon Speed TR, 2006 Dahon Mu SL, 2000 GT XiZang, 1999ish Rock Lobster, 2007 Dean Animas CTI
Originally Posted by scottmorrison99
Getting my Bike Commuter of the Year award. I'd say the commute was pretty good.
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