How was the commute today?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville, Virginia
Bikes: Trek 830 mountain bike
Cold (41F windchill 30F) and very windy. The weather site I check said gusts of 25mph. Sloooow going. I was warm though, I wore tights with gym capris over them, a technical tee and my windproof jacket. My toes still got cold even though I have thick wool socks on. What can I do about that?
Also I did this last night haha. Have no idea how but I'm always whacking the back of my legs with my pedals when I stop so I'm not surprised. It looked so dramatic when I got home. The actual sized wound is so wimpy. Ha.
Also I did this last night haha. Have no idea how but I'm always whacking the back of my legs with my pedals when I stop so I'm not surprised. It looked so dramatic when I got home. The actual sized wound is so wimpy. Ha.
Drunken Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
From: Teaneck NJ
Bikes: Jamis Ranger 1.0 (Mutilated !!), Trek Portland
Was not as bad as I thought it would be !! Check weather last night, showed pretty windy and almost below freezing 40 degreesF, feels like 32 degrees F ! Was gonna chicken out if I saw any frozen icy stuff on the side of the roads because I still have thin tires and didn't want to fall ! But wasn't bad. Except that my f'in shoe laces came off so I had to take a break, get my gloves off, tie the shoe lace, and then putting the gloves back on !
Very lucky though because the minute I reached here, it got extremely windy !!! I could barely walk
Very lucky though because the minute I reached here, it got extremely windy !!! I could barely walk
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
37F and windy. Dressed about right this time - T-shirt, long-sleeved T-shirt, and fleece-lined windproof jacket. Wool hat and gloves. Hot coffee in a thermos in the water bottle cage.
Must not have had a headwind, because my commute (which ranges from 30-40 minutes, always taking a little longer in the morning for some reason) was only 35 minutes.
Must not have had a headwind, because my commute (which ranges from 30-40 minutes, always taking a little longer in the morning for some reason) was only 35 minutes.
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
I had a rear rack installed on my Pake SS commuter by my favorite mechanic in my favorite LBS yesterday
I also got myself a Jandd Duffel Rack Pack and a Delta Metro Elite Pannier. This morning, I loaded up the duffel pack with my camera equipment (SLR body, a couple of lenses, flash, batteries, etc.) and some cloths for a gallery opening this evening. I didn't use the pannier because of the windy forecast. I threw the pack on the rack and off I went. No more heavy messenger bags! The bike handled a bit less nimble but no biggie. It's a pretty tame commute. Got cut off while riding on the bike lane once. Two cars made illegal U turns in front of me caused me to stop. One car used the bike lane to pass the cars waiting for the light then blew through the red. Just the usual stuff. No one honked at me and everyone who passed me gave me plenty of space.
I also got myself a Jandd Duffel Rack Pack and a Delta Metro Elite Pannier. This morning, I loaded up the duffel pack with my camera equipment (SLR body, a couple of lenses, flash, batteries, etc.) and some cloths for a gallery opening this evening. I didn't use the pannier because of the windy forecast. I threw the pack on the rack and off I went. No more heavy messenger bags! The bike handled a bit less nimble but no biggie. It's a pretty tame commute. Got cut off while riding on the bike lane once. Two cars made illegal U turns in front of me caused me to stop. One car used the bike lane to pass the cars waiting for the light then blew through the red. Just the usual stuff. No one honked at me and everyone who passed me gave me plenty of space.
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.
No balaclava or headband today, but I did enjoy the mittens. I love warm hands. Project Pogie gets started tomorrow. Hopefully I can get 'er done for under $60.
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)
Saw snow coming down this morning out of the window, knew it wasn't too cold yet though.
Starting out was chilly, even on my legs, but I soon got my bodyheat up - was nice, though I should've had a bandana or thin hat on for ideal comfort.
Snow stopped a while ago and wasn't anything serious anyway - so might just be a cooler run tonight. Still enjoying the colder weather commutes so far.
Starting out was chilly, even on my legs, but I soon got my bodyheat up - was nice, though I should've had a bandana or thin hat on for ideal comfort.
Snow stopped a while ago and wasn't anything serious anyway - so might just be a cooler run tonight. Still enjoying the colder weather commutes so far.
Yesterday's commute pretty exciting. Lots of cars cut me off, some dangerously, some just stupidly. One thing I really hate is the morons who pass you on a street with parking and streetcar tracks to immediately parallel-park in a space that's now behind them. Of course they can't do that because they just passed me, so I am behind them. And a lot of the time I can't move either because I need to go between the tracks to pass them, and have to do it pretty carefully to avoid catching the tire in one of them, so I can't merge into that lane if any traffic is coming, I have to wait for a gap... *sigh* It would've been much faster for these morons to wait for less than a second behind me and then park all they want. Amazing turkeys.
I also forgot my gloves (ouch) but managed to draft a bus for a while. Being close to a warm bus warmed me up so much that I didn't even need gloves for the rest of the way.
I also forgot my gloves (ouch) but managed to draft a bus for a while. Being close to a warm bus warmed me up so much that I didn't even need gloves for the rest of the way.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
I had an encounter with a JAM this morning at the usual trouble spot, where a series of right-turn-only lanes form from straight-thru lanes. I was taking one of these lanes since I need to go straight and don't want to be to the right of a right-turn-only. JAM behind me honked a couple of times for me to get over and I ignored him. Then he gunned it to pass me on my right, using the RTOL. Of course, he turned right into a parking lot just a few seconds later, and I followed him. Words ensued. 
Among the high points, both quotes from him:
"I just moved here. I read the law and passed a driver's test. It says cyclists have to be all the way to the right." Uh, no. When I told him what the law DOES say, he admitted it and changed tactics.
"Your life isn't worth 3 seconds of my time." He said this while holding his son (old enough to understand what we were saying) being dropped off at day care. Frankly this one stupified me and I failed to respond intelligently.

Among the high points, both quotes from him:
"I just moved here. I read the law and passed a driver's test. It says cyclists have to be all the way to the right." Uh, no. When I told him what the law DOES say, he admitted it and changed tactics.
"Your life isn't worth 3 seconds of my time." He said this while holding his son (old enough to understand what we were saying) being dropped off at day care. Frankly this one stupified me and I failed to respond intelligently.
Goonie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Bikes: Raleigh R600, Trek 6000, Schwinn World Tour single speed, Old JC Penny single speed beater, Various other old beaters
Nice weather today, up into the low 60's. I was too lazy to fix the flat tire on my commuter bike last night, so I rode the back up one again today. Have a great weekend everyone.
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
After 1 1/2 years of commuting I figure I'm now worthy to post here.
Had my first little glimpse of snow today. A light rain snow/mix. Otherwise we continue to have substantially above average temps. I'm not complaining.
Had my first little glimpse of snow today. A light rain snow/mix. Otherwise we continue to have substantially above average temps. I'm not complaining.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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
Good God. I don't think there IS an intelligent response to that. I think I might switch my attention to the kid in the hopes that something might get through there, but sadly he'll probably grow up absorbing the same ME ME ME ME ME attitude from Daddy dearest.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: madison, wi
Bikes: '73 schwinn speedster, motobecane phantom cross
My left pedal snapped off at the 5 block mark of my 5 mile ride home. My right leg feels. . .tingly . . .and strangely powerful.
<user defined text>
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Bikes: 80's peugeot. Somewhat knackered. Lovely new Salsa Casseroll singlespeed.
Had a nice ride home Friday, although it's getting warm here. Was about 27C (80F), so quite sticky.
Went to the LBS today to talk single-speeds with them. Hmmm. Seems the best option might be to convert the 80's bike I'm currently riding, and buy a new roadie. I had been thinking about that option. Need to check the bank account...
Also my knee was been aching a bit this week, which is annoying. Don't know why. Hopefully it will sort itself out. I don't notice it when riding, but do at other times when walking. I hope it's not cycling related, and that cycling won't stop it from sorting itself out.
And hello daredevil. I would say 1.5 years or commuting makes you a veteran, and well able to contribute here!
Went to the LBS today to talk single-speeds with them. Hmmm. Seems the best option might be to convert the 80's bike I'm currently riding, and buy a new roadie. I had been thinking about that option. Need to check the bank account...
Also my knee was been aching a bit this week, which is annoying. Don't know why. Hopefully it will sort itself out. I don't notice it when riding, but do at other times when walking. I hope it's not cycling related, and that cycling won't stop it from sorting itself out.
And hello daredevil. I would say 1.5 years or commuting makes you a veteran, and well able to contribute here!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 4
From: central ohio
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
4:30am 36f winds were calm, nice ridin' weather. Picked up a pair of gloves at the local Sporting Goods. $15, 40gr Thinsulate with reflective striping on the top of the hand. They did the job at those temps. Ride home was 45f. I wanted to try out my SportHill jacket(Traveler) all by itself. WOW! It's rated for below 40f, so I got too warm as the ride progressed, but I'm confident that it will live up to its billing when the temps drop into the 20's and 30's.
El Duderino
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Portland
Bikes: '08 Trek Portland
Portland Oregon SUCKED this morning. I had a class this morning at 9 AM, a 4 hour writing class. The ride was slow, and VERY wet and windy; the worst part though was sitting in my english class for 4 hours with SOAKED jeans! Im heading out today to get some rainproof bike pants today. i was ridiculously miserable at school.
lucky i have no commute today the weather is crap... rain and very windy
Fun commute today - I got trapped at the Santa Clause Parade and forced to march along.
(No, seriously, they won't let me through at the street I meant to take, even though they let a streetcar through, so I had to walk until I found a way to get out, which took quite a while, actually). Got some free candy.
(No, seriously, they won't let me through at the street I meant to take, even though they let a streetcar through, so I had to walk until I found a way to get out, which took quite a while, actually). Got some free candy.
windy on the way in yesterday and chilly. wind in the face on the way home.
Off to commute on a gorgeous day today though.
Off to commute on a gorgeous day today though.
<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. I do so enjoy reading all the stories of cold weather prior to heading out into a southern hemisphere summer!
Today was my first proper ride with my new shoes, and they are much more comfortable. Whilst getting the cleats set up on them I also had a monkey around with the handlebar angle and seat angle, I think it feels more comfortable. Amazing what a difference degree or two of adjustment makes. Time will tell if it's stays confortable on a longer ride. But this morning it felt great, and I made good time.
Today was my first proper ride with my new shoes, and they are much more comfortable. Whilst getting the cleats set up on them I also had a monkey around with the handlebar angle and seat angle, I think it feels more comfortable. Amazing what a difference degree or two of adjustment makes. Time will tell if it's stays confortable on a longer ride. But this morning it felt great, and I made good time.
Geezer Clyde
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Bristow, VA
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Sirrus, Specialized StumpJumper, Giant Cypress,
Great ride in brisk conditions here in Virginia - about 35F when I left this morning. Made it in reasonable comfort with cycling shorts, base layer + long sleeve jersey + vest up top. A little wind and mist in the air, but as always an invigorating start to the day and (HOLIDAY) week ... commuting by bicycle ROCKS!
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
First commute back from a 2-week vacation. 18F/-8C degrees. I do this every year: I got 100 yards down the road and realized I should have worn turtle fur on my neck.
Otherwise I was comfortable.
Wife and I went to Scandinavia. I have to say, the cycling infrastructure in both Stockholm and Helsinki is amazing. They even have traffic lights for bike routes. Pretty cool... From what I could tell, most riders were obeying them, too.
Otherwise I was comfortable.Wife and I went to Scandinavia. I have to say, the cycling infrastructure in both Stockholm and Helsinki is amazing. They even have traffic lights for bike routes. Pretty cool... From what I could tell, most riders were obeying them, too.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
45F and a little bit of a headwind. I'd taken the weekend off. Still learning not to overdress... T-shirt, long-sleeved T-shirt, and light windbreaker. Took off the jacket 2/3 of the way through.
Saw a couple of other bike commuters... one lady I passed with a smile while heading downhill; she caught up with me at the last street interchange and blew past me on the uphills.
Saw a couple of other bike commuters... one lady I passed with a smile while heading downhill; she caught up with me at the last street interchange and blew past me on the uphills.
-6 (20F). Getting cold out there 
Not much wind, but going down a hill I tested my brakes and the right lever was frozen. Loosened it up in time to stop safely but for the rest of the ride I was periodically checking both levers to make sure they function.
I did not check if the derailer worked. I stayed in one gear (the harder of the two I use) the whole ride

Not much wind, but going down a hill I tested my brakes and the right lever was frozen. Loosened it up in time to stop safely but for the rest of the ride I was periodically checking both levers to make sure they function.
I did not check if the derailer worked. I stayed in one gear (the harder of the two I use) the whole ride
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
Yesterday was different. Thick tule fog in the morning, so much I was wiping my glasses every minute or two. When I got to work I found 2 other bikes there. I have always bee the only bike commuter, so I was thrilled. Hopefully I won't be the only one again when it gets cold and rainy.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Land of the Lobster
Bikes: Marin Larkspur 1998
22F when I left this morning. I was sluggish but not sure if I should blame the cold, the wind, my lack of sleep or the fact that I missed riding the end of last week 
On the plus side it looks to be a low-traffic week.

On the plus side it looks to be a low-traffic week.




