How was the commute today?
very nice this morning - although for some reason 3 or 4 cars/drivers felt the need to pass me a close as they possibly could - i guess they had a case fo the Mondays
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
As Big Ron says, the weather is great here in NC right now. However, we've had some tremendous thunderstorms lately, but fortunately I haven't been caught in one yet.
I saw another bike commuter on my route this morning, a very rare occurrence. He was riding on a busy street at 6:45 am with no tail-lights, no helmet, and a shirt roughly the color of pavement. I caught up to him but didn't pass, and I don't think he ever saw me. Then he ran a red light and turned, and that was the last I saw of him. I hope he survives long enough to make it habit-forming.
I saw another bike commuter on my route this morning, a very rare occurrence. He was riding on a busy street at 6:45 am with no tail-lights, no helmet, and a shirt roughly the color of pavement. I caught up to him but didn't pass, and I don't think he ever saw me. Then he ran a red light and turned, and that was the last I saw of him. I hope he survives long enough to make it habit-forming.
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Nice this morning. Overcast but dry. Mid 50sF. Light-to-no wind.
First commute on the new Continental Traffic tires.
They sure are quiet and smooth. Definitely faster than tires with big knobs. The bright yellow "Continental" stickers on the sidewalls keep distracting me by flashing in my vision but I'll get used to that.
First commute on the new Continental Traffic tires.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Great ride this morning, the legs felt really refreshed. I ran on Saturday morning and then I helped some friends move into their new house but other than that I just took it easy.
The brooks gets better everyday, I had to tighten the seat post bolt because I could hear something creaking which was getting annoying, it did the trick.
Short sleeves this morning and the air felt real nice.
The brooks gets better everyday, I had to tighten the seat post bolt because I could hear something creaking which was getting annoying, it did the trick.
Short sleeves this morning and the air felt real nice.
Guest
Posts: n/a
As Big Ron says, the weather is great here in NC right now. However, we've had some tremendous thunderstorms lately, but fortunately I haven't been caught in one yet.
I saw another bike commuter on my route this morning, a very rare occurrence. He was riding on a busy street at 6:45 am with no tail-lights, no helmet, and a shirt roughly the color of pavement. I caught up to him but didn't pass, and I don't think he ever saw me. Then he ran a red light and turned, and that was the last I saw of him. I hope he survives long enough to make it habit-forming.
I saw another bike commuter on my route this morning, a very rare occurrence. He was riding on a busy street at 6:45 am with no tail-lights, no helmet, and a shirt roughly the color of pavement. I caught up to him but didn't pass, and I don't think he ever saw me. Then he ran a red light and turned, and that was the last I saw of him. I hope he survives long enough to make it habit-forming.
Saw a couple sidewalk riders/commuters as well, but for whatever reason my brain doesn't count those.
Thread Killer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
From: Marfan Syndrome-Clyde-DFW, TX
Bikes: Fuji Touring Xtracycle, Merlin Road, Bacchetta Giro 26 (Sold), Challenge Hurricane, Cruzbike Sofrider
Whee. broke two spokes on my last commute.
Rode 22 miles at my slowest speed ever today (1:55) thinking it was windy and I was tired (3 hours of sleep)
Nope.
My rear wheel wouldn't spin more then half a revolution by hand because my disc brakes were rubbing so hard. Fixed it when I noticed it when parking my bike at work. So here is hoping the trip home is a little quicker.
Rode 22 miles at my slowest speed ever today (1:55) thinking it was windy and I was tired (3 hours of sleep)
Nope.
My rear wheel wouldn't spin more then half a revolution by hand because my disc brakes were rubbing so hard. Fixed it when I noticed it when parking my bike at work. So here is hoping the trip home is a little quicker.
Guest
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I have been seeing more people on bikes in the morning than I ever have latley, it is catching on for sure.
I must live in a parallel universe - I never see anyone bike commuting! maybe I leave too early in the morning, because when I leave for the day, I see at least 6 other bikes in the rack where there were none in the morning - I am the first
Guest
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This morning I saw a guy bringing his three wheeled recumbent into the building but other than that I am the only other person who is a self propeller. It would make me happy to see more bikes on the bike racks outside or see at least one or two more bikes in the building.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bethesda, MD
Bikes: All-City Space Horse, Trek 5000 WSD
Slightly altered my route this morning due to maintenance on the MUP. They are restriping the lines, adding more signage, and apparently setting up speed cameras to enforce the 15mph speed limit (and handing out $50 fines for speeders. Even though I rarely exceed 15mph (downhill & short bursts on the flats), I'm a bit miffed over this. I don't think speed on the MUP is a big problem -- it is congestion, wayward dogs, mommies & doublewide strollers walking side by side, and occasional boneheads riding 3 abreast. To read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...053102022.html
Otherwise, a very nice day to ride and hopefully I won't get too upset over this (nor get fined!)
Otherwise, a very nice day to ride and hopefully I won't get too upset over this (nor get fined!)
Pretty lame commute this morning. Cold and foggy. I'm glad it's only 3 miles right now- but I was still sticky and gross for work!
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Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Podunc, Minnesota
Bikes: '14 Bacchetta Corsa, '93 Ryan Vanguard, Action Bent SWB USS
Fisrt morning commute with shorts!!! I'll most likely be riding in a thunderstorm on the way home though
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: TORONTO , ONT , CA
Bikes: 1 x Raleigh Grand Prix (bought 1975) ; 1 x no-name ruster MTB ; 1 x unused new Raleigh MTB (Avenger?)
Getting warmer. 19C. Last week was nicer. This is the first day I got all sweaty even though I only where a biking jersey.
Some car tried passing me, then needed to pull to the side to let an oncoming car through and almost squished me! I wasn't going so fast, so I just slowed down and let him through.
And then there was the impatient driver who honked my, presumably to get by me. But there was a car in front of me, so there was nowhere for him to go. I just sat in the middle/left of the lane for the next km or so to prevent him from passing me until the car in front of me turned off.
Some car tried passing me, then needed to pull to the side to let an oncoming car through and almost squished me! I wasn't going so fast, so I just slowed down and let him through.
And then there was the impatient driver who honked my, presumably to get by me. But there was a car in front of me, so there was nowhere for him to go. I just sat in the middle/left of the lane for the next km or so to prevent him from passing me until the car in front of me turned off.
my nose itches
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Temple, Texas
Bikes: 1986 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2013 Redline Conquest Disc
70-ish and gorgeous...I have been incredibly lucky with nice weather lately. Plus, I can definitely tell the ride is getting easier and I am getting faster.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, IL
Aside from being flogged by a goose, it was perfect as usual.
One section of my commute goes over a bridge/dam where the geese like to hang out. One side of the sidewalk is bordered by an aluminum guardrail and the other side is a steep grassy hill leading into the lake. I usually am going at a pretty good clip and make a ruckus to get there attention and get them moving.
This time one big boy was pacing and hissing but not getting out of the way. Then another adult pops from under the guardrail followed by five goslings. I hook up the brakes to let them pass, which is obviously perceived by the male as me slowing down into attack mode.
I laughed to myself as I knew what was coming and had no where to go but straight through. He jumped up about head high, caught me on the thigh with his feet and batted me three times with his wings. I've got a couple of scratches and welts on my arm. I managed to stay upright though, which is better than flipping over the guardrail or ending up in the lake.
I'll go a little slower through there until all the goslings move on.
One section of my commute goes over a bridge/dam where the geese like to hang out. One side of the sidewalk is bordered by an aluminum guardrail and the other side is a steep grassy hill leading into the lake. I usually am going at a pretty good clip and make a ruckus to get there attention and get them moving.
This time one big boy was pacing and hissing but not getting out of the way. Then another adult pops from under the guardrail followed by five goslings. I hook up the brakes to let them pass, which is obviously perceived by the male as me slowing down into attack mode.
I laughed to myself as I knew what was coming and had no where to go but straight through. He jumped up about head high, caught me on the thigh with his feet and batted me three times with his wings. I've got a couple of scratches and welts on my arm. I managed to stay upright though, which is better than flipping over the guardrail or ending up in the lake.
I'll go a little slower through there until all the goslings move on.
Guest
Posts: n/a
/\
whatever works, when i 1st started commuting i was riding to a bank branch that didnt have a shower so i used the sink as well to quickly wash my face and pits...it worked well
i feel spoiled now that i am in a building with a gym w/locker rooms and showers, good stuff
i think i shower more at work than at home
whatever works, when i 1st started commuting i was riding to a bank branch that didnt have a shower so i used the sink as well to quickly wash my face and pits...it worked well
i feel spoiled now that i am in a building with a gym w/locker rooms and showers, good stuff
i think i shower more at work than at home
The ride in today was slow and lazy. For whatever reason, I just couldn't get my butt in gear. I still can't, come to think of it.
I left later than usual, so the sun was up and I could use the MUP. I saw some interesting anti-establishment graffiti at the park ("Private Banks Own Your A**! --Free Press") and wondered if the tagger paid for the spray paint with his credit card.
I left later than usual, so the sun was up and I could use the MUP. I saw some interesting anti-establishment graffiti at the park ("Private Banks Own Your A**! --Free Press") and wondered if the tagger paid for the spray paint with his credit card.
Drunken Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
From: Teaneck NJ
Bikes: Jamis Ranger 1.0 (Mutilated !!), Trek Portland
It was beautiful today morning. Around 61 F, no wind. Was riding with my wife so I was slow, enjoying the ride. Drivers were a bit aggressive in Jersey City, but not that bad.
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Nothing to say !
Nothing to say !
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.
Drizzlin'!
Today's entertainment came from Mr. Late-for-work-riding-a-Colnago. This guy came flying up behind my wife after we had walked our bikes across a busy intersection. He stayed on the sidewalk, scattered some people waiting for a bus and then sprinted by my wife when they got off of the path and onto the road. I was behind all the action, but I really did want to be in the thick of it. I rolled up beside my wife and said something like "Let's go get 'im!", but she declined to take up the chase, sighing "You go ahead dear". I squealed like a child on x-mas morn', and started after Cap'n McSprinty.
I was disappointed - I reeled him in after maybe a block-and-a-half. He was going balls out, but lacked a smooth spin and was kind of bouncing. The Colnago was also a cx bike with what looked like 28C slicks. I coasted up to his left side, about a bike length back. I thought, "I bet he blows through the 4-way stop", which he did without scrubbing speed. I slowed down to wait for my wife, and we continued on to work at our usual pace. "He must have been late for work", I said. "Meh", grunted my wife, and so we rode.
Today's entertainment came from Mr. Late-for-work-riding-a-Colnago. This guy came flying up behind my wife after we had walked our bikes across a busy intersection. He stayed on the sidewalk, scattered some people waiting for a bus and then sprinted by my wife when they got off of the path and onto the road. I was behind all the action, but I really did want to be in the thick of it. I rolled up beside my wife and said something like "Let's go get 'im!", but she declined to take up the chase, sighing "You go ahead dear". I squealed like a child on x-mas morn', and started after Cap'n McSprinty.
I was disappointed - I reeled him in after maybe a block-and-a-half. He was going balls out, but lacked a smooth spin and was kind of bouncing. The Colnago was also a cx bike with what looked like 28C slicks. I coasted up to his left side, about a bike length back. I thought, "I bet he blows through the 4-way stop", which he did without scrubbing speed. I slowed down to wait for my wife, and we continued on to work at our usual pace. "He must have been late for work", I said. "Meh", grunted my wife, and so we rode.
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,834
Likes: 175
From: south Puget Sound
Nice fast ride today. Only like 1 mile yesterday so I was pretty energetic today.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 1
From: 52°57'N 6°21'E
Bikes: Giant OCR
My very first commute. Drove 5km to the train station to get the train. After I came back in town this evening I hopped back on my bike to get another 5km.
It's just for 2 weeks, after that it'll be 50km a day total. Can't wait
Still have some work to do on my bike though, like a triathlon clip on steer and I really need to get me a pair of panniers.
Though, back to the commute. This morning was great, no need for a jacket. About 16C outside. Hopped on my bike and didn't even have to stop for a single red light untill I actually reached the station. Locked up the bike, popped off the computer and hopped on the first train towards work.
This evening, it was warm... too darn warm. Felt like there was too darn little oxygen in the air. Something like O-2 instead of O2
But still, had to stop for 4 red lights, however I went the same route as this morning. Got home in 15 minutes, not too bad I guess.
Looking at the total picture.... I had quite a good first commute today
It's just for 2 weeks, after that it'll be 50km a day total. Can't wait
Still have some work to do on my bike though, like a triathlon clip on steer and I really need to get me a pair of panniers.Though, back to the commute. This morning was great, no need for a jacket. About 16C outside. Hopped on my bike and didn't even have to stop for a single red light untill I actually reached the station. Locked up the bike, popped off the computer and hopped on the first train towards work.
This evening, it was warm... too darn warm. Felt like there was too darn little oxygen in the air. Something like O-2 instead of O2
But still, had to stop for 4 red lights, however I went the same route as this morning. Got home in 15 minutes, not too bad I guess.Looking at the total picture.... I had quite a good first commute today




