How was the commute today?
06-04-08, 03:54 PM
Shut Up and Ride
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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Where is Gus Riley ?
He started this thread 6 years and 25,000 posts ago.
You can't just start a thread and then ignore it
He started this thread 6 years and 25,000 posts ago.
You can't just start a thread and then ignore it
06-04-08, 04:11 PM
Tri 4 chiropractic studen
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I was on my way home from school today when I noticed a car honking behind me. There was no one behind him and I waved him over to pass me in the other lane. He breezes by me with about 2 feet to spare then cuts in front of me. After a few hundred feet I see him pulling into some IT company parking lot. So I decided to catch up to him and give him a little VC education! After he circled the lot a few times trying to find a parking spot, he saw me and pulled over. I pulled up along side his door and he proceeded to yell at me "do you know you are not allowed to ride on the street?". I was pissed! I yelled back at him "do you know I have as much of a right to that lane as any motorcycle or scooter?!" He said "you can not drive non motor vehicles on the street". I replied back "where was a supposed to ride, there is no sidewalk. I have every right to that lane, and if you want to test me, I have my cell phone in my bag and we can call a police officer to the scene and I will file harrassment charges on you for using your horn in a non emergency and threatening manner and we will see who is right!" He said "I dont want to test you, and you may be right". My parting words were "when was the last time you had driver's education? When you were 16? Maybe 40 years ago that was what the law state, but its not like that anymore. Maybe you should know what you are talking about before you honk".
I felt so good after that. Dont people understand that if you are going to harrass someone to not do it where you can be confronted shortly after that? What if I had a gun and a temper? Well, I have the temper. Thank God I dont allow myself to own a gun. lol
I felt so good after that. Dont people understand that if you are going to harrass someone to not do it where you can be confronted shortly after that? What if I had a gun and a temper? Well, I have the temper. Thank God I dont allow myself to own a gun. lol
06-04-08, 04:12 PM
Super Senior Member
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Great commute this week. Today's not so fair weather here in Orange county (a little misting 'rain' and 62 degrees) trumped gas prices. Hardly any bikes on the train or during my ride.
06-04-08, 04:38 PM
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Commute home was foggier than in the morning! Couldn't see 200 feet ahead, yet in patches where the fog broke it was a bright sunny day. Never seen anything like it.
06-04-08, 05:33 PM
Can't Re Member
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No excuse to commute--I'm home grading exams. But I went out anyway to run errands, put in about 5 miles and discovered I forgot my lock so I just turned around and came home. But I still have to grade the exams. 
But I still have to grade the exams.
06-04-08, 05:34 PM
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06-04-08, 06:45 PM
<user defined text>
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Wet again this morning. After a record breaking dry May, June is already looking like it's going to be record-breaking wet...
https://www.smh.com.au/news/water-iss...258948976.html
Other than that, an uneventful ride.
Take care when confronting motorists, Jeremy - what if he had had a gun? That said, a bit of driver education can also be a good thing. Just try not to lose your cool!
I didn't find any money. Boo.
https://www.smh.com.au/news/water-iss...258948976.html
Other than that, an uneventful ride.
Take care when confronting motorists, Jeremy - what if he had had a gun? That said, a bit of driver education can also be a good thing. Just try not to lose your cool!
I didn't find any money. Boo.
06-04-08, 07:01 PM
Contrapuntal
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Got caught in some rain on the way home. (Surprise!!) Luckily it was light enough that the laptop didn't get wet, in spite of the 2 inch rip in the top of my backpack. Perhaps I will spring for some real panniers one of these days....
LBS says my husband's bike is ready to pick up! He's been looking very wistful at the idea of riding, but his bike's been hanging in the garage for more than 5 years and he was feeling shy about taking it in to get it tuned up
. So I took it in for him as a birthday surprise.
LBS says my husband's bike is ready to pick up! He's been looking very wistful at the idea of riding, but his bike's been hanging in the garage for more than 5 years and he was feeling shy about taking it in to get it tuned up
. So I took it in for him as a birthday surprise.
06-04-08, 08:44 PM
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I took the long way home… turned my 15 mile commute into a 36 miler. The weather was perfect. I spooked two deer that ran a hundred feet ahead of me for about a quarter mile… That was cool! Great commute!
06-04-08, 08:47 PM
Nerd
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The massive thunderstorm that was threatening my commute home, and which led to my very nice partner offering to put my bike in her car and give us both a ride, cleared up five minutes before I left. YAY!
It was a beautiful ride home, too...cloudy, humid, cool, and mellow. It took me half an hour to get home; not because of any real delay, just because I liked being out in the nice weather so I rode super-slow.
It was a beautiful ride home, too...cloudy, humid, cool, and mellow. It took me half an hour to get home; not because of any real delay, just because I liked being out in the nice weather so I rode super-slow.
06-04-08, 09:26 PM
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06-04-08, 10:11 PM
Seeing things
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Yikes! Got caught in the hellacious thunderstorm that passed through this afternoon. According to the Weather Channel, local airports were recording 50-60mph blasts. I didn't get any of those, but it was pouring buckets and blowing pretty hard--motor traffic was slowed to a crawl.
Unfortunately, I also found that I had not put enough tension into the canti arms on this new bike--it's a bad feeling to have both levers bottom out on the bars at ~20mph while approaching a 4-way multi lane intersection in a violent thunderstorm. Sheesh! The look on my face was likely priceless!
But frankly I had some luck and got through it. Got off the main drag and snuck home safely. Problems fixed, lessons learned, and no harm done (but I'm not discounting my luck--in another situation I might have been seriously SOL).
Unfortunately, I also found that I had not put enough tension into the canti arms on this new bike--it's a bad feeling to have both levers bottom out on the bars at ~20mph while approaching a 4-way multi lane intersection in a violent thunderstorm. Sheesh! The look on my face was likely priceless!
But frankly I had some luck and got through it. Got off the main drag and snuck home safely. Problems fixed, lessons learned, and no harm done (but I'm not discounting my luck--in another situation I might have been seriously SOL).
06-05-08, 01:21 AM
Evil Pony
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Had a great ride this morning! As usual. 
It was cloudy and a little windy, ncie enough for biking. Broke my speed record pretty good, almost 5 minutes off a ride that's been taking me 30 min usually. Sped past two cute little rabbits that seemed to not have had enough time to run so they just stood by the road and stared at me trying to look inconspicuous.
Today's going to be good.
It was cloudy and a little windy, ncie enough for biking. Broke my speed record pretty good, almost 5 minutes off a ride that's been taking me 30 min usually. Sped past two cute little rabbits that seemed to not have had enough time to run so they just stood by the road and stared at me trying to look inconspicuous. Today's going to be good.
06-05-08, 01:28 AM
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This is my first post here; great site and so many great commuting resources.
I've been riding to work for about three months now. I've only had three bad commutes and none of them involve drivers, rather they involve equipment failures.
The first was in March- a tooth on the rear cassette snapped and the chain fell off at an intersection as I was starting off
The second was in May - my right pedal broke in half while starting off at an intersection. Again with the chain falling off
The third was today- again at an intersection and this time the chain just snapped and fell to the ground. I had to walk 2 miles home, put my bike in the car, and drive to work with it.
Thank goodness none of these have resulted in me being killed. I was surrounded by cars and a dump truck in all three cases, but no one ran me over.
Anyway, I think it's time for a new bike, one perhaps with an internal hub. Maybe I should check out the Clydesdale area of this forum.
I've been riding to work for about three months now. I've only had three bad commutes and none of them involve drivers, rather they involve equipment failures.
The first was in March- a tooth on the rear cassette snapped and the chain fell off at an intersection as I was starting off
The second was in May - my right pedal broke in half while starting off at an intersection. Again with the chain falling off
The third was today- again at an intersection and this time the chain just snapped and fell to the ground. I had to walk 2 miles home, put my bike in the car, and drive to work with it.
Thank goodness none of these have resulted in me being killed. I was surrounded by cars and a dump truck in all three cases, but no one ran me over.
Anyway, I think it's time for a new bike, one perhaps with an internal hub. Maybe I should check out the Clydesdale area of this forum.
06-05-08, 05:59 AM
Belt drive!
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After a few hundred feet I see him pulling into some IT company parking lot. So I decided to catch up to him and give him a little VC education! After he circled the lot a few times trying to find a parking spot, he saw me and pulled over. I pulled up along side his door and he proceeded to yell at me "do you know you are not allowed to ride on the street?". I was pissed! I yelled back at him "do you know I have as much of a right to that lane as any motorcycle or scooter?!" He said "you can not drive non motor vehicles on the street".
My ride was dry and in the upper 50sF but the humidity is way up in the 90s and both my mirror and my riding glasses were fogging up.
I caught a guy on an MTB and stayed behind him for about 4 miles. He was just cruising along at a nice comfortable 15 or 16MPH. Not sure if he ever knew I was back there.Loads of cyclists heading the other way. Not sure what was up. Hybrids, MTBs, comforts, and one roadie in a kit.
06-05-08, 06:39 AM
<user defined text>
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The first was in March- a tooth on the rear cassette snapped and the chain fell off at an intersection as I was starting off
The second was in May - my right pedal broke in half while starting off at an intersection.
The third was today- again at an intersection and this time the chain just snapped and fell to the ground.
The second was in May - my right pedal broke in half while starting off at an intersection.
The third was today- again at an intersection and this time the chain just snapped and fell to the ground.
a: you have been very unlucky
b: you need a better quality bike
c: you are putting out an absolutely phenomenal amount of power on as you pull away
I'll leave it for you to decide which!!
Rainy and squally again in Sydney tonight. Pet peeve: pedestrians with huge umbrellas not looking where the are going on the MUP
06-05-08, 06:53 AM
Rim crusher
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No ride today :-( Instead of riding, I spent the early morning hours working in the garden. Still had some lettuce growing out there, and knew it wouldn't last in the ~100F heat we're having.
On the way home yesterday, I saw a really cool looking vehicle I had never seen before. Don't even know what to call it. Looked like a jet ski with wheels. 2 in front, one in back. I could tell it was gas powered by the motor noise, and it appeared to be street legal. Anyone know anything about this contraption?
On the way home yesterday, I saw a really cool looking vehicle I had never seen before. Don't even know what to call it. Looked like a jet ski with wheels. 2 in front, one in back. I could tell it was gas powered by the motor noise, and it appeared to be street legal. Anyone know anything about this contraption?
06-05-08, 06:58 AM
Soul filled with grease
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Man, this morning's ride was incredible. It was one of those rides where you have all the energy you need, no hills bug you, nearly zero cars, and a killer sunrise to boot. Saw 5 other bikes today, which was an added bonus.
06-05-08, 07:08 AM
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The ride was ok today, it was cloudy and the streets were still wet from the showers last night. I didn't put my fender on so I got a nice stripe up the butt. Other than that I was pretty dry when I arrived at work.
My shoes got soaked on the ride home last night and they are still drying at home. I am missing the sun already.
My shoes got soaked on the ride home last night and they are still drying at home. I am missing the sun already.
06-05-08, 07:25 AM
my nose itches
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I had several invisible, unpredictable hills today...aka serious headwind. But it was fun anyway. Cool and cloudy.
06-05-08, 07:34 AM
Soul filled with grease
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off-topic rant...
I'd ridden into work the other day and walked across the street to the bike shop around lunchtime. I was looking for a different quill stem for the bike I carry my daughter on. The guy's asking me more questions than he needs to and then gets all in a snit and gives me some safety-nanny rant when he hears that she's riding in a front-mounted bike seat.
...blah, blah... I'm going to fall on her during my inevitable crash... stems weren't "made to do that"... etc. - as if noone's ever ridden on a handlebar before.
This was the only bike shop in town I could tolerate, but I think I'm done with them as well. Came back and ordered the stem online.
All Star on Falls... I probably won't be back.
I'd ridden into work the other day and walked across the street to the bike shop around lunchtime. I was looking for a different quill stem for the bike I carry my daughter on. The guy's asking me more questions than he needs to and then gets all in a snit and gives me some safety-nanny rant when he hears that she's riding in a front-mounted bike seat.
...blah, blah... I'm going to fall on her during my inevitable crash... stems weren't "made to do that"... etc. - as if noone's ever ridden on a handlebar before.
This was the only bike shop in town I could tolerate, but I think I'm done with them as well. Came back and ordered the stem online.
All Star on Falls... I probably won't be back.
It seems to be getting like that everywhere now. You can rarely have a discussion in a shop without the sales guy/tech start preaching to you. I know it's nowhere near you, but if you are in Chapel Hill any time soon, check out Back Alley Bikes. Jason is running what I call a pure bike shop. No one cares how old, or weird the bike you ride is. And there are no corporate contract sales. He'll order whatever you want because it's what YOU want.
https://www.backalleybikes.net/
06-05-08, 07:34 AM
This post is in regards to yesterdays ride home.
I was riding my new fixed gear and all was well most of the ride. Then my rear reminded me how much it hates the saddle and the last third was downright painful. Now I need to decide what I am replacing it with.
The odd thing was here I was riding along and I hear interesting sounds behind me and discover another dude on a road bike behind me. I am in pain and feeling less than friendly and I get... "hey... how do you like shaving your legs? I am thinking about it and wondering ....." I forget the rest. Consequently I was quite perplexed about the topic of conversation and told him mine were not shaved (they are) and took my turn and left. Who starts up a conversation with a completely random cyclist they have never met about leg shaving? I suppose if I had been my usual friendly self I may have responded. Seriously WTF?
He did seem like a friendly guy.
Then I completely ran out of steam a mile before home and limped the remaining hills into my garage.
I was riding my new fixed gear and all was well most of the ride. Then my rear reminded me how much it hates the saddle and the last third was downright painful. Now I need to decide what I am replacing it with.
The odd thing was here I was riding along and I hear interesting sounds behind me and discover another dude on a road bike behind me. I am in pain and feeling less than friendly and I get... "hey... how do you like shaving your legs? I am thinking about it and wondering ....." I forget the rest. Consequently I was quite perplexed about the topic of conversation and told him mine were not shaved (they are) and took my turn and left. Who starts up a conversation with a completely random cyclist they have never met about leg shaving? I suppose if I had been my usual friendly self I may have responded. Seriously WTF?
He did seem like a friendly guy.
Then I completely ran out of steam a mile before home and limped the remaining hills into my garage.
06-05-08, 07:35 AM
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One word: Hot. I'm just starting out commuting so I guess it's something I will get used to.
Other than that it was pretty uneventful, but I shaved a minute off my time today. My route is extremely hilly (gotta love TN) so I'm glad I'm making some improvement.
Other than that it was pretty uneventful, but I shaved a minute off my time today. My route is extremely hilly (gotta love TN) so I'm glad I'm making some improvement.
06-05-08, 07:44 AM
Senior Member
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Weather: Cool (perfect) humid (ugh) and not too much wind. Thick cloud cover. I usually won't bike when it's rainy, but I need to do some biking this week... Had a 15 second drizzle on the way down. Hoping for a dry return...
I saw a cyclist go down and I'm currently a bit shaken... I was making a right onto Queen from Beverly and she was making that turn in reverse - a left. She wanted to catch the opening in traffic so she started turning a bit before the intersection. Her tire got caught in the streetcar track, and she fell down. If her hands did go out, it wasn't until she was already near ground. She hit her chin and was bleeding all over. I was the first one over, but had no idea what to do. Within a minute, there were 5 to 7 other cyclists, and two city workers driving by. One of the cyclists was um, trained? A paramedic? He knew what to do and had gauze etc. Then a TV guy showed up with antiseptic stuff and later a camera. I think I might show up for ~1 second on TV sometime today... The TV guy interviewed another cyclist after.
We got an ambulance to come in, and they took her away. I think/hope she's OK other than a bloody chin...
I saw a cyclist go down and I'm currently a bit shaken... I was making a right onto Queen from Beverly and she was making that turn in reverse - a left. She wanted to catch the opening in traffic so she started turning a bit before the intersection. Her tire got caught in the streetcar track, and she fell down. If her hands did go out, it wasn't until she was already near ground. She hit her chin and was bleeding all over. I was the first one over, but had no idea what to do. Within a minute, there were 5 to 7 other cyclists, and two city workers driving by. One of the cyclists was um, trained? A paramedic? He knew what to do and had gauze etc. Then a TV guy showed up with antiseptic stuff and later a camera. I think I might show up for ~1 second on TV sometime today... The TV guy interviewed another cyclist after.
We got an ambulance to come in, and they took her away. I think/hope she's OK other than a bloody chin...
