How was the commute today?
Noticable headwind this morning at about 12mph. Has increased to 25mph troughout the course of the day. Tailwind will make for a fun ride home. Once I make the turn north that is.
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Had Headwind the whole way to work. Was a downpour this afternoon. I may give up and ask for a ride.
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Originally Posted by kathynan
Today was my first full commute both ways. It is 11.5 miles each way. I started by trying the way home because I thought that was the easier way with all the hills. Wrong. The way home is the harder way. So I guess it was good I decided to just do it and ride to work. The ride in is 45 min and I averaged 15 mph. The ride home takes 1 hour. there is a long stretch that is just steady uphill and I guess that really slows thing down.
Anyway I am proud of myself for doing it. I conquered hills I thought I couldn't do and there are still some that need conquering.
Kathy
Anyway I am proud of myself for doing it. I conquered hills I thought I couldn't do and there are still some that need conquering.
Kathy
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GATC
Flat tire just about almost at home. Big piece of glass stuck into hole created by drywall screw a couple wks ago. I wonder if this tire is on the verge of having had it w/ <700 miles on it.
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Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Despite a holiday (Victoria Day) I did commute today to do my usual volunteer dog walking at the Humane Society. It was a beautiful commute - hardly any cars on the roads at all! And in the evening instead of heading home I met up with my bf and we rode to the Ashbridges Bay park where there were firework displays. It was quite amazing. There was a whole large sandy beach there full of people and all over the place fireworks were going off before the official event even started! I've never seen so many 'folk' firework displays in one place. It was slightly unnerving, with all those things going off all around ya! But then the big thing started and it was amazing - one of the best locations I've ever watched fireworks from. They were going off right above our heads. And unlike it usually is, nobody was blocking anyone's view, there were no real "best" spots - it was great no matter where you watched it from. A very nice atmosphere. ![Smilie](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Then we quickly rode back before the cagers even managed to get back into their cars to drive away. The path along the lake was full of pedestrians (people walking to their cars parked at a plaza about a mile away), but the usually awful Lakeshore Blvd. was closed to cars for some of the way and had very light traffic for a bit more, because it was feeding off a narrow parking lot exit. A cluster of bikes occupied the whole right lane - felt like a critical mass ride.
Past the plaza the traffic thickened but the MUP became empty again as pedestrians turned into cagers at that point. Getting out by bike definitely was the fastest and most convenient way to do it. I don't really understand people who drive to those events. Trying to get out of there at the same time as everyone else is a huge PITA. I know; my parents do these things with strange regularity and I used to get dragged along.
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Then we quickly rode back before the cagers even managed to get back into their cars to drive away. The path along the lake was full of pedestrians (people walking to their cars parked at a plaza about a mile away), but the usually awful Lakeshore Blvd. was closed to cars for some of the way and had very light traffic for a bit more, because it was feeding off a narrow parking lot exit. A cluster of bikes occupied the whole right lane - felt like a critical mass ride.
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Good ride in this am. 64F, light winds, and cloudy. I was a scofflaw and rode on the Durham Freeway for ~ 1 mile. I've always wanted to try that to see how much shorter it was. Its only about 1/4 mile shorter, but eliminates 3 stoplights for me. Too much gravel and debris on the shoulder though, and since the freeway has rumble strips, I was forced to ride on the far right of the shoulder where the debris was at its worst. Oh well, at least I gave it a try (and didn't get caught). Might save it for the occasional day when I'm trying to get to work faster.
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Originally Posted by WorldWide
my commute happened on the bus today. this is what happens when drunk friends lock your bike with THEIR lock and go home (to pass out, perhaps)......
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Nice commute for me. Low 40Fs, glorious high pressure overhead, making for blue skies and no wind. I reeled in a commuter in work clothes on a hybrid, then felt guilty for reeling him in.
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I found out what was making a ticking sound on my back wheel. It wasn't the derailleur. It was the wheel reflector.
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Cool then warm. It was like I rolled closer to the equator or something. I started yanking my arm warmers off and sweat was pouring off me.
I'm digging the early sunrise.
I'm digging the early sunrise.
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On my way home last night I scared a woman in a van so much that she stopped in the middle of the road for about 20 seconds. I was coming down a hill at about 25mph and she was backing out of her driveway onto the road. I know she didn't see me coming so I yelled which must have scared her since she stopped right in the middle of the road blocking both lanes. I zipped around the front of her van so she could see me and kept going. She sat there for a bit before going again even though a truck was behind her.
This morning was an average commute, had a decent headwind to contend with which slowed me down but not bad other than that. Gotta make a trip to the post office later this morning.
This morning was an average commute, had a decent headwind to contend with which slowed me down but not bad other than that. Gotta make a trip to the post office later this morning.
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Originally Posted by luckysnafu
On my way home last night I scared a woman in a van so much that she stopped in the middle of the road for about 20 seconds. I zipped around the front of her van so she could see me and kept going. She sat there for a bit before going again even though a truck was behind her.
.
.
My commute was GREAT. I love this college town when it's empty. and it's still nice and cool and beautiful -
this is the first real spring Texas has ever had!
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What's up with the lefties these days? Came to first signal right buy my house just as it was turning yellow. Gave it a mash to scoot through at the same time the lefty decided he was going to blow through as well. Grabbed up the brakes and stopped so he could pass. I know he saw me, so I smiled when I gave him the bird as he whipped passed. He replied with the palm up, "I'm an idiot", shrug. In fact, I think he was.
The rest of the ride was awesome. With the added exercise benefit of a 25mph headwind. I'm fairly sure that will spin around the other way for the trip home.
Got to bust out some bonus miles tonight. The GF is out of town and I'm way behind in training. Ride the Rockies in 3.5 weeks.
The rest of the ride was awesome. With the added exercise benefit of a 25mph headwind. I'm fairly sure that will spin around the other way for the trip home.
Got to bust out some bonus miles tonight. The GF is out of town and I'm way behind in training. Ride the Rockies in 3.5 weeks.
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First time this year...
Finally! The stars aligned (well, really, our family's schedule aligned), and I was able to ride in to work today. Had an embarassing problem that delayed my start, I had forgotten the combination to my cable lock! Arggggh! I finally remembered it, but got out the door about 20 minutes later than I wanted to. (In retrospect, i'm glad I checked...)
I made most of the lights, rode hard, and was hyper quick in the locker room, so I still got to work on time. (Okay, I cheated, I didn't break out the electric razor until I had a spare moment at my desk, but nobody noticed.)
Not a bad commute, but the roads definitely suffered over the winter, they're rather rougher than they were last fall.
I'm really looking forward to the ride home, which is on a MUP for most of the way. (I don't take the MUP in the morning because it's longer, but I don't ride the streets going home because there's more traffic at 5:30 PM than at 5:30 AM.)
Anyway, a good ride to be the first one since turning 48.
I made most of the lights, rode hard, and was hyper quick in the locker room, so I still got to work on time. (Okay, I cheated, I didn't break out the electric razor until I had a spare moment at my desk, but nobody noticed.)
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Not a bad commute, but the roads definitely suffered over the winter, they're rather rougher than they were last fall.
I'm really looking forward to the ride home, which is on a MUP for most of the way. (I don't take the MUP in the morning because it's longer, but I don't ride the streets going home because there's more traffic at 5:30 PM than at 5:30 AM.)
Anyway, a good ride to be the first one since turning 48.
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Originally Posted by kathynan
Today was my first full commute both ways. It is 11.5 miles each way. I started by trying the way home because I thought that was the easier way with all the hills. Wrong. The way home is the harder way. So I guess it was good I decided to just do it and ride to work. The ride in is 45 min and I averaged 15 mph. The ride home takes 1 hour. there is a long stretch that is just steady uphill and I guess that really slows thing down.
Anyway I am proud of myself for doing it. I conquered hills I thought I couldn't do and there are still some that need conquering.
Kathy
Anyway I am proud of myself for doing it. I conquered hills I thought I couldn't do and there are still some that need conquering.
Kathy
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First day back on the bike after 2 sick days (Friday/Monday). The ride itself felt great--the legs were rested and ready to go. But now the throat crud is back with a vengeance, coughing, sore throat, headache. I hate being sick.
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Close One
whoa!
Had my first taste of a very deliberate right hook yesterday. I was stopped a traffic light dead center of the lane first in line. A crappy tan caravan that was waiting behind me drove around me (on the left) crossing the double line to take a right on red.
I spit on his window. Does that make a bad person? I guess my first experience bike rage?
Had my first taste of a very deliberate right hook yesterday. I was stopped a traffic light dead center of the lane first in line. A crappy tan caravan that was waiting behind me drove around me (on the left) crossing the double line to take a right on red.
I spit on his window. Does that make a bad person? I guess my first experience bike rage?
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I think I have been temped to do something like that after all the yells and horns etc. but I have never done it. Not sure it is the best way to act. It may only make drivers more angry about bikes. But who knows.
I underdressed today on the ride. I thought I would be working hard enough to keep warm, but to no avail. When I got to work, my feet were freezing. They are finally starting to thaw out after I get some warm socks and oatmeal in me.
I underdressed today on the ride. I thought I would be working hard enough to keep warm, but to no avail. When I got to work, my feet were freezing. They are finally starting to thaw out after I get some warm socks and oatmeal in me.
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It was bright and sunny on the ride in today, which was nice after a long weekend full of crap weather. It's supposed to rain on the way home, but I'm fully fendered and should stay relatively dry.
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Congrats Kotts! Great work Kathy! Keep it up ![Smilie](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
My ride in was uneventful, made good time - rolled my eyes at a racer cager who was trying his best to duck/weave through traffic (traffic being held up naturally by streetcars, etc. anyway) - I was crawling to the red light line up because I wanted to stay on the pedals and keep at least SOME momentum, he zipped around into the left lane for that, too. Also at a fellow cyclist who whizzed by on the right to wait at a red and thus going ahead of me (I was waiting in line in the lane). No biggy, he was doing his curb hugging thing regardless of whether I was faster or not.
Thinking I need more PSI in the tubes on the roadie, sometimes I feel the crap road surface a lot more than I want to in that "hard" rim-banging way.
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My ride in was uneventful, made good time - rolled my eyes at a racer cager who was trying his best to duck/weave through traffic (traffic being held up naturally by streetcars, etc. anyway) - I was crawling to the red light line up because I wanted to stay on the pedals and keep at least SOME momentum, he zipped around into the left lane for that, too. Also at a fellow cyclist who whizzed by on the right to wait at a red and thus going ahead of me (I was waiting in line in the lane). No biggy, he was doing his curb hugging thing regardless of whether I was faster or not.
Thinking I need more PSI in the tubes on the roadie, sometimes I feel the crap road surface a lot more than I want to in that "hard" rim-banging way.
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I agree
I thought the same thing a few minutes after the ride. Maybe this driver will be more apt to take out his angry tan carvan frustrations on bikers now ... I will try to find more trails to add to my commute
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Nasty cold headwind today, but my legs appreciated the return to cycling after 3 days of stomping around in Banff with a 35lb backpack
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That's impressive!!
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Smokey. Wildfires in south georgia have filled the air with the smell of burning trees.
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First day commuting with my road bike. I was a bit scared of riding it because the frame's a bit too big for me and there's an uphill on the way. I can *barely* stand over my bike and I know if I ever fall forward on the seat and I don't land on my toes, it's all over for my hoohah.
Luckily I didn't fall over and I made it up the hill even faster than I did with my regular commuter! I know this is a "duh" but, road bikes are fast!
Luckily I didn't fall over and I made it up the hill even faster than I did with my regular commuter! I know this is a "duh" but, road bikes are fast!
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