Took the long, hilly route this a.m. to add more miles early this week. I'm doing the 100K at Strawberry Fields this weekend and I really haven't prepped for it at all (except for commutes) since I've been spending my time training for a hilly half marathon in early June.

Anyway, nice and clear. A bit cool down my way early but warming up. This week (finally) looks like no rain and mid- to upper-70s. 'Bout time!!!

I had a nice ride in this morning. Saturday I got a glass flat hauling the (new to me) Burley trailer home from the Bike Swap in Tempe. The tire seemed to hold up good today. My daughter loves the trailer. It was her birthday Saturday and we bought her one of those Mini Huffy's from X-Mart (someday she will be old enough for a real bike). Did she want to ride her new bike? No she wanted to go cruising around the neighborhood in the used Burley! Maybe tonight she will get more interested in the Huffy (I swear it weighs as much as my road bike, what do they fill the frame with, Lead?).

Stunningly beautiful weather this morning. I noticed a lot more riders on the American River Bike Trail this morning, including many with panniers or backpacks. Maybe Bike To Work Week is working!

Steady rain here in Maine today and forecast to last through Wednesday. We need the rain, but makes for wet riding.

Ironically, I saw NONE. Not even the regular faces I see every day. . . I know some of the forum members mentioned opting out because of the "rookies," but I thought it was a joke.

Can't we all just get along :)

Blast from the past:
You're looking at the Fridge, I'm a rookie
I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie

Chilly and overcast this morning in the PNW, and I was a bit underdressed (spoiled by 2 days of short sleeved biking over the weekend) Also very stiff today, perhaps I pushed it a bit too much over the weekend. Not too many other bikers, but according to the Cascade Bicycle Club bike to work month is May 16 - June 16th, so will see if the amount of amateurs increases ;) Amusingly I'm going to be on vacation on May 16th (official bike to work day) so it will be one of few days this year I won't be biking to work.

Hi Folks,

Almost too quick for my own good today. I was happily speeding along, really getting into the groove and saw a car stopped as if to make a right turn, with space to pass on the inside. Just as I start to shoot through, I realise they had stopped out of courtesy to let someone from the other direction turn right in front of them. OK, but this is very confusing where there are marked bike lanes. Luckily I spot this in time, and so does the driver turning so we screech to a halt without incident. Big slice of humble pie for me and apologies to the drivers.

Blast, I'm not perfect after all ;)

Cheers,

Ed

There is something undeniably beatiful about the shimmering South Pacific in the moonlight. That is all I have to say.

The weather here is blustery and with sudden showers of rain, so yesterday I got a bit wet on the way in (and no young ladies in mini skirts to take my mind off the cold :)), but at least it was a tailwind.

About 15 mins before I left for home Sandra called to say we had a thunderstorm with hailstones! Still clear in Edinburgh but it hit hard and fast. I waited till the worst was over then donned my waterproofs and set off for home.

The cobblestones of Edinburgh were a bit treacherous after the rain, particularly on my old Conti slicks, but I made it ok.

Was really overheating on way home when the sun came out, but I nailed a smartarse, who overtook me on the flat, when we came to a hill and dropped him like a used hankie. Small victories help pass the time. :)

He was puffing so hard coming past me I thought he was a steam train. But he had to make a point.


I almost felt like sitting up raising my hands off the bars and doing a Kevin Spacey "I rule".

Maybe he should have said hello when passing me rather than killing himself trying .?

Rode in steady rain and 46 degrees all the way in this morning, I dressed for it and the clothing worked as it supposed to. I had a pleasant ride and saw a fairly bright rainbow about half way in, I slowed to enjoy it for a bit. Last nights ride home was under heavy cloud cover and a few shot sprinkles here and ther. Today is forcasted to be a nice day here so the ride home should be nice.

I'm in my second week of commuting to work with "Commutasaurus"-and I love it. My homemade bike is riding great and my ride is only about 35 minutes. I look forward to each coming day and by the end of the week I will have logged 75 miles-although last week I only rode 3 days for a total of 45 miles. My commute is along and across the Potomac River into DC, it must be one of the most beautiful rides, especially on a clear morning, with the rising sun shining across the water and the profile of ducks and geese looking for breakfast all around. In the afternoon, as I race the seemingly daily thunderstorms, I see Osprey hunting overhead (my favorite raptor) and take a little extra time to watch the planes taking off and landing at National. I plan to keep this up into November at least-I just can't believe I didn't consider it sooner.

Last night's commute was long awaited ... mid-70s and a tailwind, the summertime pattern in the Bay Area. I couldn't wait !!

Unfortunately, I hit practically every #%#%*&#&* stop light the city has to offer. Still, had a fast pace overall.

I think most of us, whether it's been 2 weeks or 20 years, feel this same way. :)

My workout partner didn't show at the trail this morning, so I rode back home to get my running partner, Khiva the Squirrel Slayer. After our run I rode towards work thinking I'd take it slowly. There was a driver who'd blaze by me at 35 or so going from redlight to redlight. I sped up a bit to 20mph and I'd keep catching him and the light would turn when I got there. I waved the last time before turning off towards my office. I wonder if he ever figured it out....

I have not been having luck. My tire blew out today. I ended up calling a coworker to help me finish the last 5 miles. I need to go an pick up a new tire and some tubes since my bike is unrideable now.

Hopefully things will get better for the rest of the week. The weather is unbeatable right now.. WOW!

Basketball this evening, then hopefully a nice ride home.

Please check out the link in my sig!

a nice ride in today, albeit in windy, mid-50s conditions - I am truly beginning to despair of the lousy weather in DC over the past 7 months - its even making 95 degrees and humidity look attractive

Great morning in today. Clear skys, warmer than yesterday and little to no wind. Looks like its clouded up for the ride home, but overall great biking weather.

My commutes today were first rate - very strange thing happened - I hit all the lights out and back home - realy made my day.

I almost wasn't able to come home tonight. New food racks were delivered today, of course they were unassembled and came in big cardboard boxes. I got the honor of assembly, after work of course. So when I finished I realized that the basement was now full of cardboard and if I wanted to get my bike out I would have to break it all down for recycling. Does that count as part of my commute, bike maintenence, or pre-ride stretching? It does seem like we are a little sun deficient here, but the temperature has been comfortable for riding.

It was fantastically warm and sunny! I wore sunblock for the first time this year. The ride in was uneventful, except for the time I nearly drove one-handed into a large pothole while trying to scoot a bug out from under my glasses. (The winter must have been especially hard on the roads, I've seen places that look ike they were bombed.) The ride home was lovely as well!

Well, today it was the wild South Pacific with the sun shining on it in front of some big spanky dark clouds. It looked biblical. I'm really warming to this commute. I just wish it could be a little longer.

Commute was great today. Got home and decided to clean the city grime off of the bike, clean the rim braking surface, the brake pads and check all moving parts. Finished that in the back yard and a storm hit with hail the size of golf balls. My mini-van was parked outside and I couldn't rescue it in time to save it from damage. It looks like it got stoned. Luckily, I have full coverage - even though I will still have to pay the deductible (which I could of used for bike stuff).

But hey, the bike is okay. Got it in just before the hail started.

BB

Got some rain tonight. Beautiful! Let's hope we get some more.

It finally happened, we have a bright sunny morning in new england, I took the long way to work this morning, through the countryside, I saw many animals going about thier business, the traffic was very light. I did push a slight head wind most of the ride but I just spun easy and took my time, Overall my trip to work was 38 miles and it took me just under 2.5 hours. I hope the weather holds out, I may go home the same way.

BB: Glad the bike was brought inside before the storm hit :)

My commute was very nice. This morning was cooler than it has been for the past several days so I rode in with a long sleeve jersey and tights. I also tried using a pair of cycling gloves and found out that I don't like wearing gloves.

Finally, is us just me or do others have problems with your tights sliding down your regular bike shorts? It seemed every time I got out of the saddle they would slide down a bit :(

Zack

Another beautiful commute this morning: sunny but chilly (low 50's) with little headwind and mostly clear skies. Although I was a little tired this morning I latched on to another rider who pulled me along for the better part of 5 miles, we were averaging about 18 mph when he pulled away on the Wilson Bridge as I began my cooldown. Even though I've ridden most of my life, my legs are still getting used to the day to day strain of commuting and I feel them burning right now (could just be my morning's lack of stretching and warmup). In any case, I'm looking forward to my ride home, temps should be in the mid 70's.

Wow, it had been pour rain all night long and I expected a wet ride in this morning but it stopped just before I left. The air was so fresh and clean I decided to take the long way in. Part of the fun riding this time of year is that all the the trees and flowers are in bloom and the air is so fragrant. Ahhh, life is good.

Hi Folks,

The trip home last night saw yet another sidewall blowout on a rear tire. At least I was within a mile of home.
I have had 3 or 4 (cant exactly remember how many) instances of this in the last couple of years. Hutchinson Excel kevlars, which are otherwise good tires seem to suffer this problem. Unfortunately I had bought a couple of matching pairs....

Great ride in this morning on the other bike, though it was a bit cold.

Cheers,

Ed

I was able to finally ride without tights, jacket or even long sleeves...and I wore fingerless gloves! The morning sun was enough to keep me warm and happy. I absolutely flew in to work I was in such a good mood. I should have slowed down, or stayed out riding however, as a few individuals here at work quickly decimated my good spirits :mad:

Anyway, I'm thinking of blowing off and continuing down the nearby hwy to St. Helens. . . it's really nice outside!

I love the Spring and Fall when a bike commute requires neither putting on a coat or taking one off. Best of all, it was a beautiful sunny morning. I made really good time into work based purely on high spirits.

Paul

I had a light mist this morning and a head wind. Nice still wind on the way home. Spring is in the air.