How was the commute today?
An ambulance pasted me heading south, then about 10km into my commute it passed me again heading north (i assume it's the same one). I saw the flashing lights of other emergency vehicles ahead of me. There was a pretty good crash in the sleepy 'burb that i ride though. I didn't get to rubber neck or see what happened though, i was too busy dodging the shattered glass.
On my TARDIScycle!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,925
Likes: 3
From: Eastside Seattlite Termite Mound
Bikes: Trek 520, Trek Navigator 300, Peugeot Versailles PE10DE
DNPAIMFB
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,655
Likes: 0
From: Cowtown, AB
Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.
Swapped seats and raised the height on the new ride, but now I feel like I'm too far back. That said, the new ride is substantially smoother than the old one, and that is translating to a faster pace. I still have to get used to drop bars in traffic - my hand signals are a bit on the flailing side. Cool today, but not enough to require heavy gloves. The leaves are off the trees, and winter is coming - I can feel it...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Flatted my tire and when I went to patch it I found out that my glue was dried out. I swapped the tube for my spare and when I was filling it the valve stem broke off. So I called for a ride. I hate days like this.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
Nice ride for me; Dropped 6 yr old off so quickly, had time to wait for my wife to get back from dropping not-quite-3 yr old off and we commuted together.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Finally got my legs back today after riding a hilly metric century on Sunday. I've been dragging a little since then as my legs recovered. I usually ride harder on Wednesdays anyway, so my legs will still have a couple of days to recover by the weekend. My weekend rides are usually much faster and longer than my commutes. Of course, I can draft in a paceline on my weekend rides, while I'm always riding solo on my commutes (and also carrying a lot more weight).
Nice ride in, hoping for a nice ride out. It rained inbetween soit will be nice and cool. Yay for fenders!!!
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1990 Trek 330
2006 Trek 7.2FX
2006 Trek 7.3FX (Wifey's Steed)
1990 Trek 330
2006 Trek 7.2FX
2006 Trek 7.3FX (Wifey's Steed)
<user defined text>
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Bikes: 80's peugeot. Somewhat knackered. Lovely new Salsa Casseroll singlespeed.
Great ride in today - weather still fabulous. It's this time of year I love bing in the southern hemisphere...!
Starting to get my legs back after my holiday; cranked up the mid section of Miller St at 45km/h and felt great.
Less cyclists today; I hope some of those people who rode for the Ride to Work day thingy keep it up. It was great going home last night; there were cyclists everywhere!
Starting to get my legs back after my holiday; cranked up the mid section of Miller St at 45km/h and felt great.
Less cyclists today; I hope some of those people who rode for the Ride to Work day thingy keep it up. It was great going home last night; there were cyclists everywhere!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,798
Likes: 1
From: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.
There's a road I take on my way home that's filled with potholes, cracks, and just plain badness. They just paved the street and it is sweet!
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Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix
My bands:
- Uke On! - ukulele duo - Videos
- Ukulele Abyss - ukulele cover videos - Videos
- Baroque and Hungry's (Celtic fusion) full-length studio album Mended.
- Artistic Differences - 8-track EP Dreams of Bile and Blood.
Last edited by neilfein; 10-17-07 at 04:54 PM. Reason: spelling
newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Bikes: lemond poprad 2006, old tomassa road bike
Really good rides to and from school today, would have been a fast one if I hadn't caught a few of those long lights.
Today the kids asked me why I rode my bike to school... one of them suggested I put the bike in the back of my car and drive it to school... but then they quickly realized there wouldn't be much point in that... now would there.
It's so funny, everyone at school thinks I'm a superhero just because I ride to work a few times a week. Granted I do wear tights on my bike and change into "real clothes" after my ride...and I can jump over a flattened street rat in a single bound!
Today the kids asked me why I rode my bike to school... one of them suggested I put the bike in the back of my car and drive it to school... but then they quickly realized there wouldn't be much point in that... now would there.
It's so funny, everyone at school thinks I'm a superhero just because I ride to work a few times a week. Granted I do wear tights on my bike and change into "real clothes" after my ride...and I can jump over a flattened street rat in a single bound!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Leader 735TR 09 58cm 46/17
Took a spill on my way home from school. A truck pulled out of a side street right in front of me, even though i saw the driver check both ways. Normally i pay attention in such situations and would've stopped on time, but at that moment i was taking a sip from my water bottle, and when the truck pulled out i automatically grabbed the front brake and lost balance with just one hand. A few scratches on me, and a bent front wheel on the bike, nothing else. I will try to remember never to apply front brake without both hands on the bars, and to drink water only when i know it will be safe.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
From: Whitby, Ontario Canada
Bikes: 2013 Brodie Section 8 , 2014 Easy Motion Neo City e-bike
Took a spill on my way home from school. A truck pulled out of a side street right in front of me, even though i saw the driver check both ways. Normally i pay attention in such situations and would've stopped on time, but at that moment i was taking a sip from my water bottle, and when the truck pulled out i automatically grabbed the front brake and lost balance with just one hand. A few scratches on me, and a bent front wheel on the bike, nothing else. I will try to remember never to apply front brake without both hands on the bars, and to drink water only when i know it will be safe.

Amazing it only takes a few seconds for an accident to happen..good thing you're okay
looong day today. wasn't very sprightly on my commute today. got a bit of a lingering cold and am a bit low energy. nice night time ride home tonight.
commuter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 17
From: Netherlands
Had some rain this morning, but I had dressed well. Was a little slower than average due to the chill (6C). All in all a nice ride.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I had to drive today because I needed my vehicle at work. However, once again, I was left feeling that it is more dangerous driving to work than riding my bike. Halfway to work on the busy 6-lane highway I travel, the traffic came screeching to a crawl. Five of the 6 lanes were blocked, so it took a long time to get around the wreckage. Several ambulances were on the scene putting people on stretchers.
I'll be glad when I can ride my bike again. My bike commute route is nearly all on lightly traveled neighborhood streets, with traffic moving much slower than the major highways. Seriously, I think it's safer biking on my route than driving on the main highways around here.
I'll be glad when I can ride my bike again. My bike commute route is nearly all on lightly traveled neighborhood streets, with traffic moving much slower than the major highways. Seriously, I think it's safer biking on my route than driving on the main highways around here.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Overcast, mid 40Fs, no wind. Nice ride. Reeled in a commuter and saw a couple other riders heading the other way.
I leave around 7AM and this morning the street lights were still on. Getting darker! By the end of the month, I'll need my headlight for sure. Clocks turn back November 4th. By Friday the 2nd, civil twilight isn't until 7AM.
I leave around 7AM and this morning the street lights were still on. Getting darker! By the end of the month, I'll need my headlight for sure. Clocks turn back November 4th. By Friday the 2nd, civil twilight isn't until 7AM.
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Pretty smooth sailing which was surprising.
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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Land of the Lobster
Bikes: Marin Larkspur 1998
A little warmer today, which was nice.
There is a group of kids waiting for a school bus who have taken to signaling me to ring my bell as I pass, so that's fun. I think I'll hang back one day until they get on their bus then pace the bus for a while. Either that or get an air horn to really surprise them one morning
There is a group of kids waiting for a school bus who have taken to signaling me to ring my bell as I pass, so that's fun. I think I'll hang back one day until they get on their bus then pace the bus for a while. Either that or get an air horn to really surprise them one morning
Sigh, 7th week of unemployment 7th week of no commuting. I did just get back from a ride to publix and believe it or not it was spitting rain at me. So my Atlanta commuting friends may have a wet ride this afternoon.
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The few, the proud, the likely insane, Metro-Atlanta bicycle commuters.
The few, the proud, the likely insane, Metro-Atlanta bicycle commuters.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro, Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel (steel), Pake Fixed/SS, Dahon Helios SL, Trek 8900
The traffic on 1st Avenue in Manhattan was horrible today. Even motor cycles got trapped and going nowhere. Once again, bicycles win.
i got nothing.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,723
Likes: 0
From: Cali Forn NI A (SoCal)
Bikes: 13 BH G6 with SRAM Red
SLOWWWWWW...i rode the MTB instead of the roady.....granted it's only like 14 miles but it takes the ride from my normal 38ish minutes to like 55 minutes....
Need better lights as i leave the house at 520ish....
Need better lights as i leave the house at 520ish....
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14 days...
14 days...
Railgun of Patience
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: 1997 KHS Summit
Nice ride, quick and not too cold. Nothing spectacular.
Last evening's ride home is a different story.
I was on my ride home yesterday when I saw a car in the bike lane ahead of me. I start to fuel up on that righteous indignation that only cyclists can feel, but quickly realize that it is there because two people are pushing it. As I pull around to pass I see that the two women pushing aren't doing so well. One is rather overweight and wheezing and the other has a bandage from giving blood.
I ask if they need help and hand the larger one my bike to guide while I push the car. The smaller one quickly realizes that I don't need her help to push the little car, so she jumps in to steer while I power it the rest of the way (~1/2 mile) to the gas station. After a bit the woman with my bike catches up and I ride off. That's right, I was able to push a car faster than she was able to walk.
Last evening's ride home is a different story.
I was on my ride home yesterday when I saw a car in the bike lane ahead of me. I start to fuel up on that righteous indignation that only cyclists can feel, but quickly realize that it is there because two people are pushing it. As I pull around to pass I see that the two women pushing aren't doing so well. One is rather overweight and wheezing and the other has a bandage from giving blood.
I ask if they need help and hand the larger one my bike to guide while I push the car. The smaller one quickly realizes that I don't need her help to push the little car, so she jumps in to steer while I power it the rest of the way (~1/2 mile) to the gas station. After a bit the woman with my bike catches up and I ride off. That's right, I was able to push a car faster than she was able to walk.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Odd commute this morning. First off, it's mid-October and it's still freakishly hot and humid here. I very rarely see pedestrians or other cyclists during my commute. This morning within the first half-mile, I saw 2 pedestrians and 2 cyclists (one going the wrong way) within the 1st half mile. Then later as I was waiting in a turning lane, I got buzzed by a car with a "share the road" license tag - what's up with that???
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Decent ride in today. Even though I was feeling drained (didn't sleep well last night) and was heading into a headwind I still made the 16.5 mile trip in 51 minutes without setting a foot down. I did have a driver merge left into my lane (I was heading through downtown and taking the left-hand lane since I was turning in two intersections) without signalling so as I rode the yellow line I caught up, knocked on his window and pointed at him which gave him a start and he backed off, allowing me to take the lane once again. The weather has been amazing lately. 60s in the morning and not cracking mid 80s in the afternoon.
Viking Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Bristol, CT
Bikes: 60's SpaceLiner, 60's Ross Futura, 60's Sears spyder, 70's Zebrakenko, 98 Ross Chimera Hybrid, 90's Schwinn Frontier, and ThunderHorse, my trusty mountain steed, also my gf's 64 Schwinn ladies cruiser and her purple lowrider are at my disposal.
the hardest part of my morning is deciding which bike I want to take to work for the day. I check the weather reports like a fiend to see if I need my hybrid rain bike with the fenders and good tread, or if I can take my road bike and just zip to work, or if it's nice enough to just cruise in slowly on my vintage spaceliner... I want to enjoy the variety while I can, before it's just the heavy mountain bike every day in the snow.
Today it's the hybrid rain bike with fenders and good tread. I don't like the look of them clouds.
Today it's the hybrid rain bike with fenders and good tread. I don't like the look of them clouds.





