How was the commute today?
Double Prick
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Canadian version of Texas
Bikes: Cervelo Carbon Soloist, Cervelo Aluminum Soloist, Cannondale cyclecross
I'll make it 6 in a row and from Douglasglen to downtown the wind was awful.
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
I took the road bike to work today, only a 5 hour day.
Nice ride both ways, lots of traffic but no problem drivers. I recieved a reply on my question about turning my Redline 935 into a fixed xtracycle, the folks at xtracycle said no problem. Now it's on my list of projects.
Nice ride both ways, lots of traffic but no problem drivers. I recieved a reply on my question about turning my Redline 935 into a fixed xtracycle, the folks at xtracycle said no problem. Now it's on my list of projects.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 551
Likes: 38
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: 2014 Fuji Roubaix 1.0 LE
Just bagged my first >50mi commute. Went to visit some relatives I have up in Parker, followed Route 83. I was hauling my Yak BOB with plenty of stuff, couple of Novara panniers and a Topeak trunk. I was riding heavy and some of the long hills were somewhat challenging, but with patience, focusing on my cadence and not looking to the top of the hill I was able to pull through. I stopped every hour for about 5 min for a snack and stretching the legs around.
My time was 4hrs and 20min (52 miles). It was a beautiful day! (Sunday). Now I need a farther away destination to plan for.
Today I ran the Bolder Boulder (10k run). I wasn't very fast (was pacing a 12-yr old nephew) but 30 seconds after the race I was breathing through my nose with my mouth closed. I think that is a good sign I'm starting to get used to Colorado altitude.
Looking forward to my daily commute to work early tomorrow morning.
GreenAnvil
My time was 4hrs and 20min (52 miles). It was a beautiful day! (Sunday). Now I need a farther away destination to plan for.
Today I ran the Bolder Boulder (10k run). I wasn't very fast (was pacing a 12-yr old nephew) but 30 seconds after the race I was breathing through my nose with my mouth closed. I think that is a good sign I'm starting to get used to Colorado altitude.
Looking forward to my daily commute to work early tomorrow morning.
GreenAnvil
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)
Good ride out east and back again - bit off pace due to being a touch tired.
My PB Superflash died yesterday in the heavy rain, it gave sparks of life today so I figured it was OK - but come nightfall it just wouldn't turn on. I got some fresh AAAs, but still nothing. Not so happy about that, I'll be taking it back to MEC tomorrow to try and exchange it. Hah, ironically it's JUST suddenly turned on all on it's own on my desk as I type this... hmm.
My PB Superflash died yesterday in the heavy rain, it gave sparks of life today so I figured it was OK - but come nightfall it just wouldn't turn on. I got some fresh AAAs, but still nothing. Not so happy about that, I'll be taking it back to MEC tomorrow to try and exchange it. Hah, ironically it's JUST suddenly turned on all on it's own on my desk as I type this... hmm.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Another cloudless morning ride with temperatures in the 50Fs. No wind. Very nice. Reeled in a young'n on an MTB. Decided I had to pass him, but a guy on a hybrid came onto the MUP behind us so I thought I'd let the hybrid pass both of us and gauge his speed. He was riding at a nice pace so I passed the MTB guy and rode with hybrid guy.
We passed another MTB, and eventually stopped at a red light and exchanged weather comments. Then he went through the red light.
No cars coming, but I wait for the green.
We passed another MTB, and eventually stopped at a red light and exchanged weather comments. Then he went through the red light.
No cars coming, but I wait for the green.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Bikes: 93 Schwinn Sidewinder, 05 Giant Cypress DX
I'm really starting to feel stronger on my commute. I'm riding a lot faster than I used to. It was a beautiful morning. I hope that the rain holds off until I get home this evening.
La Paz Commuter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: La Paz, Bolivia
Bikes: Bortolussi (made in Germany), Titus Motolite 2
I got a good chuckle today while riding down the Mall. There was a motorcycle cop at the intersection of 14th and Jefferson (near the Washington Monument). A fellow bike commuter pulled up ahead of the line where one is supposed to stop and got berated by the cop because she had gone past the line! She dutifully backed up and smiled at the officer.
This type of thing only happens with US Park Police and the Capitol Hill Police. The DC Metropolitan Police aren't so strict--they have other things to worry about!
This type of thing only happens with US Park Police and the Capitol Hill Police. The DC Metropolitan Police aren't so strict--they have other things to worry about!
e-Biker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 951
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Gary Fisher, Strong GT-S eBike
I wish I had cops like that on my commute. Came across 3 different cars that had stopped so far ahead of the stop line at the intersection that their entire vehicle was ahead of the line. Basically, they were stopped in the intersection.
That's a traffic violation. So why did the cop on my left, who could clearly see the violation as well as I, not do anything? the moron blocking the intersection was actually holding up traffic in the rightmost lane that was crossing him.
Then there was a soccer mom trying to make a right hand turn that was also in the same situation. Obviously the people in the traffic on the right lane crossing her weren't going to let her in, and that's fine, but the soccer mom should not engage into the intersection if she can't make her turn.
That's a traffic violation. So why did the cop on my left, who could clearly see the violation as well as I, not do anything? the moron blocking the intersection was actually holding up traffic in the rightmost lane that was crossing him.
Then there was a soccer mom trying to make a right hand turn that was also in the same situation. Obviously the people in the traffic on the right lane crossing her weren't going to let her in, and that's fine, but the soccer mom should not engage into the intersection if she can't make her turn.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 1
From: Boston (sort of)
Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle
No commute today -- it's telecommute week! As much as I like being home, I miss the ride.
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
wow, my ride home yesterday was homeless/crackhead slalom course. There's a scourge of scum on the east side of downtown. That's one bad thing about the weather getting nicer, they seem to come out of the woodwork.
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
Very nice. I made a few minor changes to the commute bike and it is silent like a ninja now. I'm into the time of the year at work where the hours are killing me and the commute may be the only exercise I get for awhile. Saturday I had to work from 10 to 2 (no, not 4 hours, 16 thank you) but I was able to get in 12 miles during my dinner break. My coworkers saved me a couple of slices of pizza while I did an out-and-back time trial to Sac State.
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)
Rest day today, legs were a bit weary and I thought I'd rest up sooner than later. I know already I'm starting to get that "should've ridden in anyway" feeling... Might head to MEC and get another Superflash, couldn't find my receipt so will ask them what to do about my seemingly defective one at home (it continued to randomnly turn on on it's own, so I removed the batteries eventually).
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
Ugh... my commute sucked. I shouldn't have biked in - I was tired after the epic headwind yesterday, and I was exposed to some smoke last night. Normally it doesn't bother me, but combined with being tired and stressed (I slept in and was late starting out, plus I remembered 5 minutes out that I was supposed to be in EARLY today to cover someone else's absence) - anyway, I had my first asthma flare in a while. And I forgot my inhaler. And my cell phone was dead so I couldn't call anyone to say where I was, or that I'd be late. So I kept pushing. Yes, I'm an idiot. Anyway, I've been answering phones all morning in this very sexy husky voice....
Lone Ranger
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Middlesex County, NJ
Bikes: Trek 7200FX(unfortunately)
Commute today was great - tried a new route today, and despite getting a little lost in suburbia, it's a keeper! Today was also the first day that I rode in on my new tires; I traded in my 700x35 bontrager inverts for some 32 slicks, and I upped my average speed by 2mph! The decreased rolling resistance really made a difference. Aside from some ahole who decided to cut me off at an intersection, everyone today seemed to drive calmly and the weather was perfect. I even added a few extra miles to my route to stop at the LBS and pick up some goodies. Good day to be a bike commuter!
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
Took today off after arduous not-holiday weekend. Biked Thing 2 to daycare, then at pickup time, biked Thing 1 down to greet her. After long day (took 44 mile ride to clear brain, glorious!!!), they were both pretty heavy coming uphill. Small price to pay.
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
I took the road bike again today. Smooth ride in, but coming home I droped the hammer.
The ride home I hit green lights all the way. I felt fast and wasn't spent when I got home. Next time I'll try to go faster. Fast, fast, fast.
The ride home I hit green lights all the way. I felt fast and wasn't spent when I got home. Next time I'll try to go faster. Fast, fast, fast.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Bikes: 93 Schwinn Sidewinder, 05 Giant Cypress DX
I went in to work early this morning for a project, so I hit a lot more blinking yellow lights or greens. I love the road bike commutes!
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Yet Another Nice Day. 55F. No wind. Blue sky. Many cyclists out. I caught one guy on a hybrid who was coming from my town, and rode with him all the way in. We didn't communicate. I just stayed many yards behind him and kept pace at 18-20mph. He kept getting out of his saddle and trying to sprint, then looking in his mirror. I don't know if he was trying to get away from me or not, but he was slowing down when he did that.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
Bikes: Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc 2007, Specialized Sirrus Comp 2006.
Soaking......poured from the moment I left to the moment I arrived and it's still pouring so it'll be pouring when I leave and pouring when I arrive home 
Good old Scottish rain

Good old Scottish rain
Today was a nice ride in, saw a deer on the greenway, yesterday saw rabbits and squirrels, makes me realize why I'm biking. Also I lost 2 more pounds last week! Looks like the muscles are finally adjusting as the cramps have stopped
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Hit every red light this morning. While I was waiting at one, a cab drove past in the other direction. The driver looked at me and yelled "YAAAAAAAARRR" in a pirate-like fashion.
Two things have improved my commute:
1. A computer.
2. Changing gears! I would stay in the same gear for almost the entire ride. Not sure why. But seeing how much my speed decreases at various points in the ride has caused me to down shift in order to maintain some velocity. It took 2 minutes off my ride!
1. A computer.
2. Changing gears! I would stay in the same gear for almost the entire ride. Not sure why. But seeing how much my speed decreases at various points in the ride has caused me to down shift in order to maintain some velocity. It took 2 minutes off my ride!
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
Oh yes, yesterday waiting at an intersection, saw a friend going perpendicular, which I thought I might, time was about right, but also saw an urban deer trotting down the sidewalk then crossing perpendicular, opposite direction to her, at the light, in the crosswalk. Good deer!
Pedaling Backwards
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Mid-Michigan
Bikes: '04 Cannondale F300, '92 Park Pre Rigid MTB
Beautiful morning for a ride. It was about 60, light wind at my back, light traffic....I left the house early to get the ride going. My legs have been a bit tired lately, but I'm finding even when I'm tired, I'm still able to continue pushing at a good pace. I guess i'm finally getting conditioned
e-Biker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 951
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Gary Fisher, Strong GT-S eBike
Had a problem on the way in. My Axiom bike rack (for disc brake bikes) kinda seperated on the way in. The bars that connect to the frame are all wrong and they just don't work right. I managed to put it back together but only partially.
So I had to slow down and be very careful on the bumps.
So I had to slow down and be very careful on the bumps.




