Interesting ride yesterday. I was honked at for the first time yesterday, for apparently being in someone's "way" - after years and years of commuting! Usually it's just aggressive driving without the horn.

I was coming up to an area in which the road turns in a 90-degree blind corner to my left. It's a nice long slope downhill to that point, so I had some speed. Heard a vehicle behind me, checked my mirror and they were pretty far back. As I approached the corner, I heard the vehicle's engine rev and speed up. Yikes! So, in order to protect my turn (there's nowhere else to go) I moved instantly to the left, taking the whole lane into the corner - auto caught up to me and honked. Meanwhile, a car was coming from the other direction, so I basically foiled a head-on collision between two cars (or maybe I should have allowed it...?), so I still didn't let the car behind me pass until the oncoming car was clear and it was safe for me to move aside - meanwhile the car is honking away...after she passes I just yelled..."You don't know the rules do you?" and felt happy that I had maintained my space successfully.

Or you could've kept the car behind you for a half mile or so...

75F and warm. 35min, which I think is decent time. I felt good.

Didn't ride today. Had to carry my viola. Still thinking about how to carry musical instruments on the bike safely (both for me and, more importantly, for them!).

Yesterday though, I got carved up at a junction by a taxi. He went past me as we were pulling away from the lights, but there wasn't really room (there ws a car in the adjacent lane waiting to turn, so there was only a single lane width for the two of us). I'd ended up a bit closer to the kerb than usual because of a particularly wobbly trackstand that had drifted over that way - usually i sit in the centre of the lane at the lights to prevent that kind of thing.

Anyway, he roars past about 3 inches off my shoulder. Predictably, I catch up with him 8 seconds later when he's queuing at the next lights. I went up next to him, and in quite reasonable tones told him that he had just put my life in danger by doing such a stupid maneouver, and furthermore had got himself precisely nowhere for his efforts. I finished by asking him to consider his actions before putting more lives in danger in the future. He started going on about something about cyclists, but I rode away without botherig to listen. His passengers in the back of the taxi looked mighty uncomfortable during this exchange!

Commuted on one of my fixed gears today. It was just getting too easy with gears ;) Although my commute is short (9 miles roundtrip), it's hilly. Riding the fixed gear was quite fun and easily doable. Guess I had just been worrying too much about it. That particular bike has two brakes, as I intended to try a freewheel on the other side of the flip flop wheel.

My family and I biked to this morning's Bike To Work Breakfast at Pioneer Museum. It was a nice ride. Early on on our ride we were "joined" by about 50+ riders from one of the local technology plants along GoG. That is very encouraging and I hope more of them pick up the bike commuting bug.

However, you'd think that with gas prices approaching $4/gal today's activity would get more coverage on the local news..... Nah..... A quick clip on ch 13 was all. I even searched the local channel web sites and didn't find any videos, but I did find one on an upcoming Wii US Open (golf). Sad to say, but for most people gas will have to hit like $10/gal before they start considering the many benefits of bike commuting. It (bike commuting) still seems like a "geek" thing at best, and at worst, like something people without resources (can't buy a car) need to do because they can't do any "better" (reminds me of that car insurance commercial with a guy riding a little bike on the highway).

It was a hard day of commuting for me. It was the first day I bike commuted since the century ride on Sunday. Had a flat tire on the way in. And the 11 miles home was into a 35mph head wind.

Still beats driving!!

Absolutely perfect! 80 degrees and no wind. It was just one of those rides where everything was just right. A lot of cyclists out tonight on the west side of Cleveland.

Yeah, I could have, but I was going to take a right at the next block - wasn't in the mood to press the issue with her. My point was made. :D

Sorry, I didn't see your post. I used an old shoulder bag. I started a thread called "DIY Pannier" that shows what I used and how I did it. The search function's not working for me or I'd link it. Here's some pics:

Front:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/...c498b6bce8.jpg

Back:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/...eab8965743.jpg

I like it! I might try this myself.

The ride in was pretty standard, though I was going through an intersection and a blue haired ol' lady in a Buick was idling and turning left at the same time and looking right at me, but still not stopping. I sat up and put out my hand in the "halt" position. She stopped and I breezed through. The cycling gods have smiled on me.

The ride home was awesome. It felt like I had a rocket under me, as I had a hard time keeping it under 19mph. Hit 26 and change on the flats! Of course, the gods evened the score by holding me up at every light about twice as long as usual, but I still had a blast.

Nice ride in, especially since the weather has cooled off a bit. All was well until I somehow managed to crash on the cobbles on the last block before work. Misstepped with the front wheel and didn't have a good enough grip. Had run out of the house late and wasn't wearing gloves or a helmet, and of course, managed to scrape the hands and got abit of a bump on the head.

Will have a little bit of road rash, but nothing serious, thankfully. Bike took a good hit to the handlebar tape and plug, but otherwise seems OK, save for a couple millimeters of wheel truing. It's always a bit of a wake-up call, these crashes. Sitting here, quite sore but not really hurt.. feel like going out and riding some more.

Lovely morning--64F/17.5C, clear and calm.

As I was lingering waiting for the front door to open up, a guy I see everyday--upper-50s, a little overweight, and using a cane lightly (prob knee or hip)--looked at me (cycling shorts and glow-in-the-dark long-sleeve T) and said, "Nice morning for a bike ride!"

True enough, except that:

1) I wasn't out for a "bike ride," I was simply going to work; and,

2) 15F with a 10mph headwind is every bit as nice (just different)

But, consumer that I am, I simply smiled and said, "Yep. I'll take it."

Why spoil the moment?

Fast. Temps in the upper 50sF, sunny, light tailwind. Saw a few riders going the other way. Passed a woman early on the MUP. Didn't see anyone else riding my way.

No turtles today, but I did see a kitty.

It was a cool 60 degrees on my ride in this morning.

When I woke up this morning, I had a feeling it wasn't going to be a good commute cause my legs were kinda sore. Not long after I got under way I realized that I was right. It was tougher than usual.

I guess I need to stop riding so much. I commute about 5 miles each way and often go on a 8-10 mile recreational ride later in the evening with some friends.

I think the 5am commutes and extra rides are starting to catch up to me :notamused:

i got my bike tuned up a bit last night and everything felt really solid this morning...i was riding in a slight headwind but it was nothing major, i am hoping to get some extra miles in after work tonight

i did a few laps in the parking lot too just to soak it all in

Great weather...startled a dog sleeping on his driveway. The look on his face when he first woke up was priceless, like "Uh what am I supposed to be doing again? Oh yeah! Barking and chasing you!" It was a half-hearted chase, and then he was all "To hell with you, I'm gong back to sleep." Poor thing. ;)

Thank god the weather is better. A comfortable 70 degrees on the way in this morning.

Thanks... I think I have one of those laying around. May give it a shot. Got tired of the messenger bag yesterday...

No way! Just work a planned rest day in there occasionally and you'll recover just fine, and find yourself getting stronger and wishing for longer commutes... I guess you could call that "not riding so much"...

Wind was back yesterday :bang: Ride home was painful and hot, but I made it. And somehow managed to feel good when I started out this morning. Made decent time this morning, tailwind helped me up a couple of small, steep-ish hills that usually kick my butt. The downside is that tailwind will not be a tailwind on the way home tonight :bang:

I've had fun with animals the last couple days. Yesterday was amazed to see a half dozen or so wild turkeys in a front yard on my way in. Today I scared a crow as I rode past, and mooed (sp?) at a small herd of longhorns that I haven't seen before. They must have just been moved to that particular field, or I'm simply oblivious to the world around. Both are equally likely...

No ride today. My wife has today and tomorrow off because she's working the weekend; we try to get these days together. Probably a good thing I didn't ride, as my legs were very tired on the ride home yesterday (15 mph headwind didn't help) and a fellow commuter reported that there's acrid smoke in the area because of the wildfires to the east. :(

Second commute this week. I want to spend time with the family this weekend so I am moving my miles around mainly during the work week. I should only need to ride 31 miles on Sat to hit my 250 weekly mile goal.

Nice windy commute this morning. I had to move my seat post down a tad since it was aggravating my knee injury from 2 weeks ago. I think I was hyper extending my knee a small amount.

My new saddle is here! Woohoo! Sella Italia Flite. My BG Comp from the DOA Langster and my rear never managed to get along.
I am trying to determine why I can ride centuries without any rear discomfort but always at the same spot on my commute home my back starts hurting. Roughly mile 53 for the day.

On the evening commute last night i shredded my front inner tube. The front tire went flat at a very inoportune moment and i had to go about 10m or so until it was safe to change it. I did the old inner tube swap and was on my merry way. When i went to patch the punctured tube, there were no fewer than 5 holes. There were 2 sets of what i'm assuming are pinch flats which probably developed as i rode on it flat. Anyways, i needed 3 patches and now i need a new patch kit. And i should probably replace that tube...

grrrr today was frustrating. 2 days ago I picked up an old Schwinn Suburban to replace the wal-mart bike I'd been riding. I stayed up late last night getting it ready for today. I rode it around last night when I was done making last minute adjustments. This morning I get up get ready pack my bags and head out. I make it two blocks and my rear tire goes flat:mad:

Not to big a deal I have a patch kit and pump with me. I find a spot under the tree and start pulling the tire off. Once i get off I realize the PO had put an inner tube that was to large on the bike:notamused: . I go ahead pull it off find the puncture and patch the tire. I pump it up to make sure it'll hold air then reassembled everything. I re pump the tire and take a moment to chillax. I hop on the bike and the tire is going flat again :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

I was only two blocks from home so I walked my bike home removed my bags, tools, and pump from the Schwinn and installed them back on the Wal-mart bike. I was pissed off by the whole situation and I pushed it pretty hard . . . . .made it to work in record time. lol. I hate to say it but the wal-mart bike bailed me out today. I'm thinking a may not take it back to the store now and just keep it as a back up.

Looks like the next thing I'll be buying is some puncture resistant tires and some inner tubes that are the right size.

It's been cool and wet all week and the riding has still been pretty nice... the sun has come out today and it looks like we'll be getting some spring time temperatures.

I keep tweaking out the commuter / tourer and and loving the little changes like the new triple, new brakes (Avid Shorty's), and a new stem which is a little shorter and a little taller and has really made for a perfect fit on the bike.

I'll be taking the long commute through the valley as much as possible now and look forward to the nearly 1000 foot climb to get out.

Nice sunny ride, 40F. Much smoother today than yesterday, pumped the rear tire back up from 15psi to 50!

I did my first bike/train commute with my new folding bike today. Everything went pretty smoothly, although going home tonight should be interesting; the trains are always far more crowded then.

More north wind. I'm just losing my mind with this frickin' wind.

Yes, indeed there is, and it stinks. I walked outside at 5am and had to walk around my house to make sure none of the neighbors houses were burning. That toxic smell of house fire scares me.

The ride in was great. I saw 3 bikes today .. woohoo! A record for this week. One guy wasn't too friendly though; I gave him a wave and said g'mornin' and he looked like he thought I was gonna mug him. :) The air was smelly, but it's a cold day compared to how the week started.

Great ride this morning. A little warm (not compared to Midwest and East Coast, though), but pretty calm and chatted with another friendly cyclist at a stoplight. First time that's happened.