How was the commute today?
#2101
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Little chilly still, dang it. Missed the big rains. Good ride in on a different route, this time from my youngest daughter's school, making it a west Santa Clara to north San Jose trip. I was a little tired from my long, hilly run yesterday so I backed off the speed a bit.
#2102
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Oklahoma spring wind... was a killer even a 5:00 A.M. 18 mph steady flag ripping wind! AVG'ing 12 mph on the bike for a little over an hour to get the 12.5 m to the office. But the ride home should be quick 
I used an online velocity predictor to make a guess on what the ride home would be like... check it out @
https://w3.iac.net/~curta/bp/velocity/velocity.html
here is my commute for today...

I used an online velocity predictor to make a guess on what the ride home would be like... check it out @
https://w3.iac.net/~curta/bp/velocity/velocity.html
here is my commute for today...
#2103
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Norwood, MA
Bikes: Felt F-70, Terry Madeleine, Novara Safari fully customized by me
Glorius ride both ways. Tried hammering my longest hill for the first time this spring. My legs are recovering from the winter. Spring is wonderful. Autumn weather is actually better, but you know what is coming. Spring just feels so good after a long, hard winter.
#2104
The Flying Scot

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 0
From: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
Bikes: Custom (Colin Laing) 531c fast tourer/audax, 1964 Flying Scot Continental, 1995 Cinelli Supercorsa, Holdsworth Mistral single speed, Dahon Speed 6 (folder), Micmo Sirocco and a few more
Yesterday was cool and some rain in the morning, but on the way home I left slightly early and took the dual carriageway rather than the cycle path.
Door to door in 39 minutes for not much under 12 miles. Average speed 18.1mph. Not bad considering I had to ride out of Edinburgh, got stopped at red lights etc (No auto off on my old Cateye computer)with clock ticking all the time.
as anyone who has ridden here knows, it's also not very flat.
Think I'll start Time trialling
Door to door in 39 minutes for not much under 12 miles. Average speed 18.1mph. Not bad considering I had to ride out of Edinburgh, got stopped at red lights etc (No auto off on my old Cateye computer)with clock ticking all the time.
as anyone who has ridden here knows, it's also not very flat.
Think I'll start Time trialling
__________________
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
#2105
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: mass
I pulled a muscle in my back yesterday and can barely walk, for some reason it doesn't bother me on the bike. I rode in today against a fairly strong headwind, I had to stop about half way in to take off my jacket, felt like a summer morning ride to work. The ride turned out great, I took the back way in down by a winding river that has a bit of wildlife to entertain me. The back made it, I'm in no worst shape than I was when i left the house.
#2106
Cyclist and village idiot

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Amelia Oh
Bikes: 2005 Gary Fisher Nirvana S 2001 Trek 2200 1999 Schwinn Mesa 1989 Mangussa?
I had a great ride today. Usually I use the racks on the bus to commute, but today I actually rode all the way in. I had a great time. The weather was a little cool but it was not that bad. The streets were empty and it took about 45 minutes to get to work. Not sure how many miles it is since my computer battery died.
It is a mostly flat route until I get to downtown were I go up a light incline to get to central downtown. Not bad at all!
It is a mostly flat route until I get to downtown were I go up a light incline to get to central downtown. Not bad at all!
__________________
Fear is never boring
Fear is never boring
#2107
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
I thought yesterday was bad with the 18 mph headwind... This morning was 24 MPH headwind! I'm moving to another state
I still had fun doing it tho, and that's what counts, right?
I still had fun doing it tho, and that's what counts, right?
#2108
First commute of the year was this morning...started off a little chilly, but what a way to start the day! If the weather keeps improving, so will my commuting...
#2109
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
Chilly but calm and clear and beautiful. Two Canada geese honked at me as I crossed the old trolley bridge over the American River on the way to meet my buddy. Saw a coyote on the edge of the bike path near Watt Avenue, bold as could be in a pretty heavily trafficked area.
We averaged almost 19mph without trying too hard. I think I'm finally getting in shape.
We averaged almost 19mph without trying too hard. I think I'm finally getting in shape.
#2110
Gusty head winds, but temps just shy 50F this morning. Temp now at 77F with no wind...should be a fine day for taking the long way home.
#2111
Hi Folks,
Great ride this morning - it's like summer here. In fact this may be our summer
Cheers,
Ed
Great ride this morning - it's like summer here. In fact this may be our summer
Cheers,
Ed
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
#2112
I haven't ridden very much in the past month. But I've been walking and jogging quite a bit, all as part of my commute.
Linking up with public transit, I can count on getting in 4 or 5 miles of walking/jogging throughout the day. The good part about that is that when on foot, I can appreciate my surroundings more and let my mind wander a bit. On the bike, it's great, but I really have to focus more on what I'm doing, the road and the traffic.
But I've noticed that for the most part, cycling wins hands down (in my case) as far as cardiovascular workouts go.
Linking up with public transit, I can count on getting in 4 or 5 miles of walking/jogging throughout the day. The good part about that is that when on foot, I can appreciate my surroundings more and let my mind wander a bit. On the bike, it's great, but I really have to focus more on what I'm doing, the road and the traffic.
But I've noticed that for the most part, cycling wins hands down (in my case) as far as cardiovascular workouts go.
#2113
Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 4
From: Davis, CA
Bikes: Trek 520, Vintage Peugeot, KHS Tandem, Dahon Uno
Beautiful ride today!
My mtn bike/commuter broke down a few days ago and I hadda come in on my road bike. Shaved 5 minutes off a 6 mile ride. But it's an ugly, dangerous route since I can't take the dirt path that bypasses the industrial foo.
My mtn bike/commuter broke down a few days ago and I hadda come in on my road bike. Shaved 5 minutes off a 6 mile ride. But it's an ugly, dangerous route since I can't take the dirt path that bypasses the industrial foo.
#2114
First commute of the season last sunday. A little chilly in the morning (2.5 C and wearing shorts) with a light headwind. Just around freezing point on the way back but it felt better with a light tailwind.
Yesterday morning was like sunday. Yesterday night... well, A few thunderstorms hit the city and it didn't rain much until I left work. Got it by hail three times but for a very short period. Got rained on plenty. About 1 km into the ride, I found out the quick-release hub on my rear wheel was loose. I was wet but it was fun.
I drove to work today (shame on me). Will get some fenders tomorrow.
Yesterday morning was like sunday. Yesterday night... well, A few thunderstorms hit the city and it didn't rain much until I left work. Got it by hail three times but for a very short period. Got rained on plenty. About 1 km into the ride, I found out the quick-release hub on my rear wheel was loose. I was wet but it was fun.
I drove to work today (shame on me). Will get some fenders tomorrow.
#2115
Too much work for me, falling behind on my posting. But not the commuting, keeping that up regularly. One thing typifies them all since my last post -headwind. Every freaking day a strong headwind in the morning-- and mornings are not my best time. I ride up a valley most of the way and the headwind is nearly always there. Often switches in the afternoon for that ever popular headwind both ways. Today had huge black threatening clouds, with the sun peeking out behind them. A few drops of rain, but no showers during the ride. It's been nice biking home in the light, though a few days last week I was working past sunset.
#2116
I was PLANNING to ride today. For some reason, the sky just made me nervous. I am not even back in commuting shape, I wasn;t ready to risk a storm, but I could feel one coming.
Good thing I chickened out, suddenly the biggest hailstones I've seen in my life started falling!
Though it would have made a good story...
Good thing I chickened out, suddenly the biggest hailstones I've seen in my life started falling!
Though it would have made a good story...
#2117
Every lane is a bike lane


Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,666
Likes: 16
From: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - passionfruit capital of the universe!
More of the recent warm weather
. At least it was a southerly wind this morning, which means it should start to cool off again soon. Absolutely hammered my way through Surfers this morning. I still can't figure out why.
. At least it was a southerly wind this morning, which means it should start to cool off again soon. Absolutely hammered my way through Surfers this morning. I still can't figure out why.
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#2118
Cyclist and village idiot

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Amelia Oh
Bikes: 2005 Gary Fisher Nirvana S 2001 Trek 2200 1999 Schwinn Mesa 1989 Mangussa?
Had another great commute today. Coming in was quiet and it warmed up a little. It was about 50 degrees F and supposed to get up to mid 70's today. No rain today but tomorrow it is supposed to storm.
I used the bus and the racks to get home yesterday since I needed to get home early.
I used the bus and the racks to get home yesterday since I needed to get home early.
__________________
Fear is never boring
Fear is never boring
#2119
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
I don't think I will complain about an 18 mph headwind ever again... today was a 26 mph headwind gusting to 31... And I don't want to talk about my avg. Speed. Let's just say that today was not a record setting commute in...
Anyone think a fairing might do some good? Anyone ever even seen a fairing for a road bike?
Anyone think a fairing might do some good? Anyone ever even seen a fairing for a road bike?
#2120
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
great ride in this morning - nice and fast - its hard to believe it will be 85 F today when a week ago it was only 40 F - took the long route home last night and finished with a nice big hill - felt good to really push myself
#2121
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: N. Virginia
My *very first* commute ride-report:
Well....today I did it! I rode to work! Its about an 18 mile one way trip via car, and the route i rode took me 1hour 15 mins according to my stopwatch. That is with plenty of stops to figure out where I was and gather my bearings
Hopefully within a month's time I shall narrow it closer to an hour. I turned my Giant rincon into a commuter (slicks/fenders/rack), albeit fairly heavy and slow, it gets the job done! One day I will ride in the TCR for compairson sake
For those who live in the Northern VA area, you know how terrible the commute is, sometimes it takes me 40-45 mins to get from home to work in a CAR. So....15-20 mins extra by a bike is wonderful considering how much gas im saving and i get to ride which is most important! I think im going to like this commuting thing...
cheers!
-Omesh
ps- my commute was from Springfield, VA to Tysons Corner for those who know the VA area
Well....today I did it! I rode to work! Its about an 18 mile one way trip via car, and the route i rode took me 1hour 15 mins according to my stopwatch. That is with plenty of stops to figure out where I was and gather my bearings
Hopefully within a month's time I shall narrow it closer to an hour. I turned my Giant rincon into a commuter (slicks/fenders/rack), albeit fairly heavy and slow, it gets the job done! One day I will ride in the TCR for compairson sake
For those who live in the Northern VA area, you know how terrible the commute is, sometimes it takes me 40-45 mins to get from home to work in a CAR. So....15-20 mins extra by a bike is wonderful considering how much gas im saving and i get to ride which is most important! I think im going to like this commuting thing... cheers!
-Omesh
ps- my commute was from Springfield, VA to Tysons Corner for those who know the VA area
#2123
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
And be careful Omesh, bicycle commuting is addictive. And then co-workers and family will be offering you rides to try to cure you. They'll ask you if you need help fixing your car because "no one would bicycle to work on purpose..." They'll question your sanity when you ride even when the weather is bad... They'll never understand...
#2124
Hey, way to go, omesh! Be careful, it will get into your blood, I've been at it now for 22 years and I'd never give it up... it's a part of me. It's been really weird this week, we hit 90F on Monday and today (Wednesday) we're in the 30's with a threat of snow. I've gotten in some extra miles this week though, taking the long way in and home again (I won't be doing that today). I'm seeing a hint of green in the grass, who knows maybe the trees will follow by the weekend.
#2125
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: N. Virginia
thanks guys! Im going to scour the yard-sales this weekend and see if I can find an older road/touring/cross bike. Id prefer to ride that style of bike on my commute over the mtb.




