How was the commute today?
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
This morning, about a block from my house, I was damn near run off the road by a driver heading the other direction. Apparently, they needed the 8' of clearance from their passenger side to the parked cars, and decided to leave me 3'. Normally that isn't a big deal, but there was 8" of sloppy snow piled up on my side of the road, and I had to dodge into that mess. Oh, and the battery on my light died just as I was heading into downtown. 
I hear you on the melting aspects. Unfortunately, about 1/3 of my route never gets plowed, and it takes a good 10 days to get the snow and ice off the road after the last snowfall. I tried running regular knobbies, but they were useless on the black ice at intersections and not much better on the hills, so I went to studs. I ordered a wheelset with wider rims that will be my official winter wheelset. I can swap out the wheels faster than I can swap pedals, so that should do the trick. I wish the city would plow after they salt/sand the roads. The slop that's left behind is very difficult to ride in, and it's all over the city.

I hear you on the melting aspects. Unfortunately, about 1/3 of my route never gets plowed, and it takes a good 10 days to get the snow and ice off the road after the last snowfall. I tried running regular knobbies, but they were useless on the black ice at intersections and not much better on the hills, so I went to studs. I ordered a wheelset with wider rims that will be my official winter wheelset. I can swap out the wheels faster than I can swap pedals, so that should do the trick. I wish the city would plow after they salt/sand the roads. The slop that's left behind is very difficult to ride in, and it's all over the city.
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)
Colder today, low 20sF / -7C I believe. Still wearing the same three layers and doing OK with that. Don't think I've had any incidents, it's definitely still been fun. I came straight home last night and decided to chill out at home but didn't bother with the cleaning and lubing I really should've. I'm getting paranoid about my chain, I think I'll definitely go get a new one this coming weekend.
i got nothing.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,723
Likes: 0
From: Cali Forn NI A (SoCal)
Bikes: 13 BH G6 with SRAM Red
slow...very slow today...averaged 15.2
....i can't believe you people ride in the low 20s...hell it was 52 this morning and i was freezing...California blood is thin, i can't believe when i grew up in NY that i used to go get the mail without shoes on in the winter and played in that stuff all day long..
No thanks.
....i can't believe you people ride in the low 20s...hell it was 52 this morning and i was freezing...California blood is thin, i can't believe when i grew up in NY that i used to go get the mail without shoes on in the winter and played in that stuff all day long..
No thanks.
__________________
14 days...
14 days...
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
crash survivor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: Irving, TX
Bikes: C-dale rush, Mountain cycle fury, Monocog 29er, Haro hard tail VX, Scattante R330
Great ride in, 45 deg wind at my back. HAd to come early so most lights were in blink mode.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BURLINGTON HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY FOR THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY OF VERMONT AND NEW YORK...
SOUTH WINDS (headwind for my morning commute) WILL INCREASE TO 25 TO 35 MPH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING WITH HIGHER WIND GUSTS POSSIBLE...
Hydration is important
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: Trek 1500, Schwinn SS conversion, Surly KM
Mid 20's this morning for the ride. I threw on the balaclava and my ears were happier for it. Nice beautiful clear morning and not too much wind. I think the extra clothes do slow me down, however. Almost was merged into by some dunce talking on a cellphone on the ride home. I avoidedit easily and hollered at her as she went by. All in all a pretty good day.
Fairweather Bike Commuter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: East Falmouth, MA
Bikes: 2008 Jamis Satellite
It took me 37 minutes to bike 6.5 miles today. I believe the temp was in the 40's. I wore my balaclava although I may not have needed it. On the way home tonight (a little after 8) I had chain trouble (it fell off). It fell off when I was going uphill in the wrong gear. Apparently, I can't drive stick
Wow. I barely remember my commute today. I've been so busy at work I've barely thought about the rides in and back other than my opportunity to think about nothing.
But it was a good ride in this morning from what I recall. a jerk in an audi wagon muscled his way by me twice and what was odd was he did it on one road and then turned off and a 1/2 mile later there he was again right behind me doing the same thing. Then I watched him almost take out two women in a crosswalk- and he had the stop light. I mean, pretty normal stuff that I see everyday on the commute but I just thought I'd share.
The ride home was the street ride down Beacon then picking up Comm Ave in Kenmore Square and by all the BU jaywalkers and construction. Negotiated my way through Brighton without much incident and suddenly there I was at my door. Ever thankful for my bike.

But it was a good ride in this morning from what I recall. a jerk in an audi wagon muscled his way by me twice and what was odd was he did it on one road and then turned off and a 1/2 mile later there he was again right behind me doing the same thing. Then I watched him almost take out two women in a crosswalk- and he had the stop light. I mean, pretty normal stuff that I see everyday on the commute but I just thought I'd share.

The ride home was the street ride down Beacon then picking up Comm Ave in Kenmore Square and by all the BU jaywalkers and construction. Negotiated my way through Brighton without much incident and suddenly there I was at my door. Ever thankful for my bike.
member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: '05 Fuji Silhouette, '06 Specialized Tarmac Comp, '06 Bianchi Pista
Cool and uneventful; just the way I like it.
Todays commute was a pleasure and a pain all in one, great weather and tail wind in one hand, but lots of issues with hgv’s and cars. For some reason everyone was giving me zero room today and I’ll be honest I felt scared on many occasions.Managed to snap a few pics as well today which was nice.
Geezer Clyde
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Bristow, VA
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Sirrus, Specialized StumpJumper, Giant Cypress,
A bit cooler here in the DC area - 34F when I left the house. Light tailwind and light traffic made for a great ride in.
I forgot to put on a headband and amazingly I had sweat running into my eyes when I stopped at lights. I guess the headband is a year-round piece of equipment.
I forgot to put on a headband and amazingly I had sweat running into my eyes when I stopped at lights. I guess the headband is a year-round piece of equipment.
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
Cool in the DC Metro area with a nice tail wind. I'm slowly getting my strength back after a week's cold. Left a little late and saw 2 to 3 other riders and a few joggers. Although my battery/light was nearly dead, I followed another rider with great lights until the 14 th St. bridge, I'd conserved enough battery to make it the rest of the way. Otherwise, it was an uneventful ride.
Geezer Clyde
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Bristow, VA
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Sirrus, Specialized StumpJumper, Giant Cypress,
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
I'm surprised that bus doesn't cause accidents.

There was an unholy wind howling out of the south. The weather station on Lake Champlain was reporting 40MPH gusts. I ride next to the lake for most of my commute so I was getting it right in the face. On top of that, I mounted my knobby tires last night so I was just a pathetic mess. 10-13MPH, legs burning. A bit overheated.
I stopped to watch the waves at one point. 3 to 4 foot rollers hitting the shore.
At least it wasn't cold. Mid 30Fs...

There was an unholy wind howling out of the south. The weather station on Lake Champlain was reporting 40MPH gusts. I ride next to the lake for most of my commute so I was getting it right in the face. On top of that, I mounted my knobby tires last night so I was just a pathetic mess. 10-13MPH, legs burning. A bit overheated.
I stopped to watch the waves at one point. 3 to 4 foot rollers hitting the shore.At least it wasn't cold. Mid 30Fs...
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
We're back to seasonal weather in NC, lows in the 30s and highs around 60. I was dragging this morning and left home about 10 minutes late. Not sure what the problem was -- perhaps the fact that forecasters had called for rain this morning but it was clear. No problem, I just took it easy riding to work since I didn't have a lot of energy. Topped 600 miles for the month on my commute home last night, so perhaps all the accumulated mileage is starting to wear me down a little.
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.
I'm happy that weather.com was wrong about lows of 20 degrees F this AM.
__________________
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
38F, and like tarwheel, a slow commute for no clear reason.
Maybe I'm just getting used to hauling my cargo somewhere other than on my back.
Didn't overdress this time: hat and gloves, a single layer long-sleeved T-shirt, and a fleece-lined windbreaker. Pulled that windbreaker open halfway through, and the hat off at the end of 6 miles.
Maybe I'm just getting used to hauling my cargo somewhere other than on my back.
Didn't overdress this time: hat and gloves, a single layer long-sleeved T-shirt, and a fleece-lined windbreaker. Pulled that windbreaker open halfway through, and the hat off at the end of 6 miles.
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
+1 Yesterday's traffic insanity wasn't repeated this morning.
__________________
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: Oct 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville, Virginia
Bikes: Trek 830 mountain bike
Cool, low 40sF, no wind. Commute was fine other than the fact I was running late. No problems.
Left the house at 8am to make sure I got to school early enough for a presentation this morning. It was a good ride, if a little cold, coming in at 22F. Again, I think I overdressed, but not by much. I wore my thermals, blue jeans, wool socks, a light sweat shirt, and my REI wind breaker. Oh, and my knit hat, a balaclava and windproof gloves. There was some light rain last night and thus a few spots with a little ice, but for the most part the wind had dried the roads overnight. I rather enjoyed the ride in today.
__________________
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)
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
7 degrees this morning and about -6 windchill. No need to worry about overheating today.
Electro-Forged
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
First frozen water bottle of the season this morning. Yikes, its cold out there.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
Bikes: ANT Club Racer, 2004 Trek 520
on my way home I was stopped at the light in front of the bridge, when another highly visible commuter caught up and stopped behind me. We both continued on until about the Comm Ave. / Brighton Ave. split and they continued on Comm while I went up Brighton. It was kind of nice to ride with someone who was about my speed.
Then, a few blocks afterwards, I almost got right hooked by a car and wound up swerving to avoid and hit a fairly deep pothole that blew out my front tire.
As I setup to fix the flat, I realized that I was out of spare tubes and that the vulcanizing fluid in my patch kit was so old that it wasn't actually adhering to anything. Wound up rolling up to the new WGBH complex and canvassed various other bike commuters to see if anyone had a tube that they'd sell or a patch kit that I could borrow. Take half an hour and six riders before finding someone who actually had a repair kit or tube. I know I shouldn't talk given that I was the beggar, but what the hell people? Be prepared. One guy actually told me that his solution for a flat tire was to call a cab.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
35F, heavy mist. Steady rain last night. Gloves stayed dry though. At least, until I dropped them unlocking my son's bike at his school and he trampled them all over. D'oh!!




