How was the commute today?
Raving looney
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,482
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
Bikes: 70s Leader Precision w/Shimano 600 (road), IRO Rob Roy (Fixed)
Wasn't bad, had a guy at reasonable pace to keep up with/in front of, which was cool. Nothing major, a bit warmer again though the wind was a bit sharp. 2C / 36F I think this morning. Got to watch for an apparent weather warning for 4:30 according to the radio - I'm making a trek upto the very north end of Toronto this afternoon, so it should be entertaining
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
35F and calm. I wore my lightweight gloves and forgot the toewarmers this morning. As a result, both hands and feet were numb when I arrived at the office. Otherwise, it was very pleasant.
71, NE winds at 5 mph. 80%humidity. Sunny. Typical Texas Gulf Coast winter.
Had a really smart guy in the backseat of a crammed 1998 Red Ford Escort 4 door make me laugh. He said "suggested", rather loudly, that I should get a car. And I always wondered about the saying "Never listen to another man's suggestions".
Had a really smart guy in the backseat of a crammed 1998 Red Ford Escort 4 door make me laugh. He said "suggested", rather loudly, that I should get a car. And I always wondered about the saying "Never listen to another man's suggestions".
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
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From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
♋ ☮♂ ☭ ☯
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,902
Likes: 2
From: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
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...
Wow, I miss winter commuting in Vermont. NOT

About 68 at 6am here, a little drizzle, but rain gear here is taking off
your shirt and enjoying it

Clouds over the ocean and intercoastal were spectacular !
No Crackhead disruptions when I reached the 'hood a few miles later...
An old man laffed at my folder but said "hi". Another old gentleman told me 'Slow DOWN !" Ha Ha..
Never heard that before...I wanted to stop and thank him
Electro-Forged
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Ice pack and bacitracin (and beer) needed when I got home. A raccoon took me out on the bike path along the North Shore Channel. He appeared from behind a bridge abutment and we collided in a fraction of a second. Luckily, I had eaten my last Butterfingers before riding home, so he left empty handed. He didn't even stop to give me his contact or insurance information, just scampered off toward the river. Its a hit and run, I tell you.
attention disordered
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Bikes: A fast one, a durable one and a fun one.
Eh, had to explain to an SUV-toting female the three-feet law (through an amusing, impromptu version of sign language) as she nearly clipped my wings.
Largely uneventful and pleasant after that.
Largely uneventful and pleasant after that.
member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: '05 Fuji Silhouette, '06 Specialized Tarmac Comp, '06 Bianchi Pista
I'm absolutely loving this weather. Got a new base layer which is downright awesome. Kept me nice and comfy with just a short-sleeve jersey over it in 45 - 42 degrees. Otherwise uneventful.
During the day, on the other hand, I was coming back from a 50-miler in Prospect Park, having just fixed a flat, riding down one of the small named streets (East 12/13th St. equivalent) when some lady in a VW decided to teach the damn cyclist how dangerous roads can be. When she noticed I was keeping pace behind her (not motor-pacing, mind you), she went and accelerated, which was followed by a screeching, brake-pedal to the floor, stop for no apparent reason. I barely made it around the car and managed to blurt out a "WTH was that?" which was met with one of those "That's right" type of nods.
Every time I come to grips with and accept that there is always a certain amount of a$shole out there that I have no choice but to calmly deal with and ignore, the bar gets raised.
During the day, on the other hand, I was coming back from a 50-miler in Prospect Park, having just fixed a flat, riding down one of the small named streets (East 12/13th St. equivalent) when some lady in a VW decided to teach the damn cyclist how dangerous roads can be. When she noticed I was keeping pace behind her (not motor-pacing, mind you), she went and accelerated, which was followed by a screeching, brake-pedal to the floor, stop for no apparent reason. I barely made it around the car and managed to blurt out a "WTH was that?" which was met with one of those "That's right" type of nods.
Every time I come to grips with and accept that there is always a certain amount of a$shole out there that I have no choice but to calmly deal with and ignore, the bar gets raised.
Pretty... freaking...cold.
Okay...it was only -15 / 4 F and my new base socks ($5.00 at MEC) are probably going to be my favourite winter purchase this year.
So toasty.
Okay...it was only -15 / 4 F and my new base socks ($5.00 at MEC) are probably going to be my favourite winter purchase this year.
So toasty.
buzzman -- were you passing the BU bridge on Comm. Ave around 6pm or so last night and do you ride with a single pannier?
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.
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.
And I carry a spare tube and a patch kit. I would have loved to have helped you out.
comm ave road ride in today- was there a tailwind cause it felt speedy?! on the ride home I rushed to BU to meet up with my wife and since I was running late I told her to head on out and I'd catch her on the bike path. I hammered like a fiend from the South End and got all the way to Harvard Square and still didn't catch up to her- then I called her and she was somehow behind me! Had to ride back about a mile- how'd that happen?
nice ride home together but she bonked on the ride home I think it was the very first time in her life that she "hit the wall" riding a bike. She was pooped- we've been working the long hours lately and she's never been so consistent with her commuting. She hasn't missed a day in weeks. She managed to inch by inch her way home with a slight push up the last hill and recovered with an orange juice and cheese and crackers. She's seen me bonk from long road rides where I come home looking like a zombie but she never fully understood it until now.
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
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From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
High 30's in the DC Metro, with a slight headwind. Stopped to talk with a neighbor who was out walking his dog and had a fairly leisurely ride in. My Planet Bike battery is now nearly completely dead. I've been thinking of upgrading to a more powerful light system but it's not in the budget right now. May try to find a replacement battery this weekend and keep the same light. I may also add another blinkie to the bike (I have one currently on my backpack), I like the improved perspective of a rider's profile when they have multiple lights. Other than that it's another "all ride week" for me.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
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From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Upper 20Fs. Quartering tailwind, which is shifting around to be a tailwind for the ride home too! Makes up for yesterday's full frontal gale I guess.
Nice ride. Overcast but dry. Reeled in another commuter with a high-viz jacket but didn't pass. Still feeling slow with these knobby tires. It occurred to me I haven't had them mounted in about 3 months.
Need to build the legs back up.
Nice ride. Overcast but dry. Reeled in another commuter with a high-viz jacket but didn't pass. Still feeling slow with these knobby tires. It occurred to me I haven't had them mounted in about 3 months.
Need to build the legs back up.
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.
Very nice ride in today. It was cold, but not windy at all, and I was running a few minutes early, so I took my time.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville, Virginia
Bikes: Trek 830 mountain bike
Low 40s. Nice ride. Got here a few minutes quicker than usual.
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
Strange ride home last night after work. There was a bad accident on one of major commuter routes in Raleigh, and the road was closed to all traffic for something like 7 hours. So the cops were detouring traffic down roads that normally don't have many cars. Unfortunately, several of these roads are on my route, so I was riding in bumper-to-bumper traffic on streets that are usually nearly empty. I normally don't filter ahead at intersections and such but made an exception in a couple of cases yesterday due to the abnormally heavy traffic. One of those cases was where some cars were blocking an intersection because they pulled ahead before the light turned red while the traffic was at a standstill. I wasn't going to sit through two light cycles or more because of that.
This morning was my first commute using my new winter jacket, a Pearl Izumi Gavia. I actually wore the jersey for the first time last weekend on a group ride, but it was too warm for the temperatures (mid-40s) and I sweated a lot. It wasn't much cooler this morning (upper 30s) but I'm riding a lot slower and stopping at traffic lights on my commute so need warmer clothes. The Gavia worked like a charm. With just a wicking t-shirt underneath, it kept me warm but not sweaty. I was particularly impressed by its performance on downhills, as I've got several where my speeds top 30 mph and it can get quite cold. The Gavia totally blocked the wind out. This afternoon will be the real test, however, because it will be much warmer (mid-50s) and I'm curious to see if I will get all sweaty. One of the reasons why I bought the Gavia is that it's available in high-vis yellow, which I wanted for riding in traffic. It's a form-fit jersey, so I bought it one size larger than usual, and that seems just about right for layer extra clothes underneath on really cold days.
This morning was my first commute using my new winter jacket, a Pearl Izumi Gavia. I actually wore the jersey for the first time last weekend on a group ride, but it was too warm for the temperatures (mid-40s) and I sweated a lot. It wasn't much cooler this morning (upper 30s) but I'm riding a lot slower and stopping at traffic lights on my commute so need warmer clothes. The Gavia worked like a charm. With just a wicking t-shirt underneath, it kept me warm but not sweaty. I was particularly impressed by its performance on downhills, as I've got several where my speeds top 30 mph and it can get quite cold. The Gavia totally blocked the wind out. This afternoon will be the real test, however, because it will be much warmer (mid-50s) and I'm curious to see if I will get all sweaty. One of the reasons why I bought the Gavia is that it's available in high-vis yellow, which I wanted for riding in traffic. It's a form-fit jersey, so I bought it one size larger than usual, and that seems just about right for layer extra clothes underneath on really cold days.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Funny thing happened on the way home last night. Took a route through Greenwich Village and some guy blew me a kiss. I thought, " OK, some one finally noticed that I lost weight."
Then I realized that because I lost a little weight, my jeans were a bit baggy. And since it was night I wore my orange construction worker's vest over the jacket I borrowed from my husband. Between my strange getup and my helmet, I'm sure he thought I was a guy! And since my mountain bike is purple, he probably assumed I was gay. Gotta love Greenwich Village.
Then I realized that because I lost a little weight, my jeans were a bit baggy. And since it was night I wore my orange construction worker's vest over the jacket I borrowed from my husband. Between my strange getup and my helmet, I'm sure he thought I was a guy! And since my mountain bike is purple, he probably assumed I was gay. Gotta love Greenwich Village.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
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From: North Carolina
40F. Chilly fingers & toes for half the ride - but not on other similarly chilly days. I wonder why.
Maybe because my lovely wife made me bacon & eggs this morning? I seem to ride more slowly if I eat breakfast first; maybe my blood was going to my stomach instead of to my fingers.
Maybe because my lovely wife made me bacon & eggs this morning? I seem to ride more slowly if I eat breakfast first; maybe my blood was going to my stomach instead of to my fingers.
DNPAIMFB
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,655
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From: Cowtown, AB
Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.
-19C when I left the house, -28C with windchill. I didn't really feel the wind until I got downtown, then it just got channeled directly at me. Boourns! On the plus side, my homemade pogies did the trick! The design needs some tweaking, but my hands were actually warm by the time I got to work. Wheeeeee!
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 180
From: south Puget Sound
Not a bad day, weatherwise. I may be acclimating to this 30sF stuff. Took an alternate route to see if they'd finished paving a MUP-in-progress, they hadn't. The railroad bed gravel was paved over, but the whole route was not. The last bit, regular mortal dirt and gravel, not too tough to handle though, so it was fun. And worth it for the intersections I got to avoid.
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
Crisp, cool, and calm. The perfect late autumn morning. I slept in and rode a leisurely spin, resisting the temptation to ride right past the office and off to ......?
Arizona Dessert

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Two inches of rain is expected in the next 18hrs. Not much by some standards, but a steady long downpour the likes of which has not been seen for several years in an area that has had a total of 2.7" of rain so far in 2007.
It has already built to a moderately heavy level since this morning very light scattered sprinkles and there are forecast thunderstorms levels and activity approaching soon.
The last time I rode my commute in rain was March 22nd. (I've done weekends and errands in rain since then)
Al
It has already built to a moderately heavy level since this morning very light scattered sprinkles and there are forecast thunderstorms levels and activity approaching soon.
The last time I rode my commute in rain was March 22nd. (I've done weekends and errands in rain since then)
Al
Last edited by noisebeam; 12-01-07 at 05:11 PM.
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)
Apparently was only -3C but felt cold this morning. Also brought the MTB as I have to haul the trailer avec my precious tonight. A streetcar had rear-ended a big box truck this morning around King/Tecumseth, and the first officer on the scene was on a horse, so I just skipped onto the sidewalk and rode around. Felt good about telling the transit-courier that his streetcar would be forever, he appreciated the tip.
Yesterday I rode up to Highway400/7 (just outside the city limits) - had partially frozen bottles for the first time. Properly starting to freeze, heh - was very windy, all the cold was windchill really, but a fun ride up there and back.
Yesterday I rode up to Highway400/7 (just outside the city limits) - had partially frozen bottles for the first time. Properly starting to freeze, heh - was very windy, all the cold was windchill really, but a fun ride up there and back.
♋ ☮♂ ☭ ☯
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,902
Likes: 2
From: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
Krazy morning today !
I see an old man in one of those Hoveround/Lark electric scooter
chair things walking(?) his dog every morning. He looks a little wacked
but harmless. This morning, I see his little dog running around and
him lying in the street, scooter tipped on its side. Me and another person
went to aide him and there was beer everywhere
It really reeked !
We got him upright and asked if he needed an ambulance, etc and he just asked
that we make sure he can get across the street, which we did. I was shocked at
how many people went by and didnt even want to know if he was OK or offer assistance.
I learned two valuable lessons today....
Dont depend on anyone to stop for you in Florida, and dont drive drunk on the sidewalk
I see an old man in one of those Hoveround/Lark electric scooter
chair things walking(?) his dog every morning. He looks a little wacked
but harmless. This morning, I see his little dog running around and
him lying in the street, scooter tipped on its side. Me and another person
went to aide him and there was beer everywhere
It really reeked !
We got him upright and asked if he needed an ambulance, etc and he just asked
that we make sure he can get across the street, which we did. I was shocked at
how many people went by and didnt even want to know if he was OK or offer assistance.
I learned two valuable lessons today....
Dont depend on anyone to stop for you in Florida, and dont drive drunk on the sidewalk
Today was ideal. It was calm in the morning, but on the way home I had a killer tailwind. I love days like that.
Had a rough one going home! Approx. 18 mph headwind. Glad it's Friday. Caught up with a co-worker running on the mup and passed him veerrry sloooowly. Slow enough that we had time to exchange several barbs.
At least I can say he's a Boston qualifier, so I can't be THAT slow, right?
At least I can say he's a Boston qualifier, so I can't be THAT slow, right?




