bikebuddha 

RonH, I was wondering if you were still off the bike. I hope the doc clears you soon.

Today’s commute was terrific. There was some big problem on I-285 and I took special pleasure riding along interstate north parkway and passing thousands of cars that were not moving an inch. I just back from my lunch ride home and it was great. I think tonight I'll take the long way round.

jschen

By the way, I forgot to mention the efforts of a very nice driver today. Rolling down Genessee to I-5, an SUV was over to the right (the direction of the upcoming onramp), blocking the bike lane, waiting behind a line of cars. So picking the safest course of action, I stopped behind the SUV. When the SUV had a chance to roll forward, it rolled a car length straight. I followed. The next time a small gap opened up (another car length or so), the guy in the car behind me honked, and the SUV moved over and gave me plentiful room to get by. Thank you, mystery driver.

mtessmer

Another great bike commute today. We are still unseasonally warm for this time of year, no complaints from me! It's suppose to stay this way for most of the week, normal temps by next week. I'm ready for what ever but this is great.

DataJunkie

My commute was exceedingly uneventful and it seems pointless to post in this thread. Heck, I have to look at my cycling gear to even remember I rode in.
*yawns* *looks at watch* 90 minutes to go until I start getting ready to leave.
*yawns again*

James55Thompson

Great ride in this morning temps in the high 40s, reaching 60s in the afternoon. But rain is in the forecast for the next two days.

jyossarian

It was right hook day on the way home. Lots of cars speeding up to pass me and make a right only to stop for peds in the crosswalk leaving me plenty of time to ride in front of them. I also had to watch out for left hooks as I was descending a hill. I had the lane all to myself so of course a driver changes lanes in front of me. Good thing I was riding the brakes.

AD-SLE

Bliss turned chaotic! So, after taking a 26" mtb rear wheel home via car a few days before xmas it was time to take it back all fixed up to my co-worker. Why not lash it vertically onto my Blackburn and go I thought? Lashed it on Sunday, took it for a test ride and all was great. Had to combine all my stuff, laptop, clothes, office work, lunch into on panier. I bit scrunched but it all fit. Of and running about 5:55 this am. Dark! after about 5 miles I am greated by a bang, snap, whirr, burning rubber and total chaos in back. I pointed her to the curbe and hoped I could get it stopped before any worse sounds occured. I could smell the burned rubber which is never a good sign!

Well, seems my heel just tapped the panier causing it to somehow get caught from the rear by the spokes which than in a nano second sucked whole panier, laptop and all between spokes and a badly bent Blackburn! UGH! Nothing to do with my lashed wheel!! Pulled the mess out to find my baggie of chicken was now nicely ground with my Blackberry. YICK!

Not much to do but see if I could put the bag back on the outside and ride on being pitch black. Got to office to find my LCD display on my laptop is toast. Blackberry salvageable. Panier is very good condition! Nothing like old quality stuff made here in the USA! But the wheel, way out of true, rack bent to an ugly shape. SHOOT!

But, on the very last mile I see a Vetta wind trainer, an old one like I used to have until the wifey gave to goodwill. God know I can't pile much more on this thing! Got to office, called up stairs from my Chicken phone and said come get me. The darn thing is complete. Good news, the better half wants to train indoors and mentioned she wished she had not given it away!

Guess it will be 60 more days of uneventful after today! The co-worker liked my job on his wheel, now time to focus on mine.

Lesson, road bikes are not cargo machines as heels will hit over stuffed paniers! Guess I need to build a cargo commuter Anyone had luck bending Blackburns back to shape? I have had poor success in the past.

squeakywheel

19 F on the way home. The dogs at the bottom of the hill harassed me again. I would have stopped, but was late for dinner. I need to do something about it. Maybe it is best if I don't stop and talk to the owners. If I get too vindictive about this, I don't want them to know who I am.

eastbaybob

It was 70f today but it felt pretty cold as there was a wind blowing. But for the ride home the wind was blowing at my back most of the time and I made it home in about 10 minutes.

Tree Trunk

Alas, my promotion started January 2 and I started setting up my office in my home. Now, I can only live vicariously through all of your posts. Yes, I can ride more for recreation now than for utility. Yes, I have a little more control over my time. Yes, I'm going FREAKING CRAZY because I am starting to realize how close to two hours a day on the bike was taking away the stress of my day.......

spidercyclist

Good ride to work and home. I rode a little bit more tonite. It was warm today had to be 39f to 40f . I hope the weather hold up alittle longer . Have a good nite .

buzzman

Bummer. Read your post and gotta say you've got a pretty good attitude all things considered. Reward your positive spirit with a new rack.

Blackcat

Cold last night low 30s plus a headwind - not a good combination.

This morning was mild - probably low 40s with a tail wind - ectasy....great ride in on a morning when I didn't fancy it for some reason when I got out of bed.

Blackcat

You got to build in a daily ride into your schedule again man, whether you need to ride or not, I can only imagine the withdrawal you must be suffering right now..........good luck

egonlou

Its dark and quiet on the ride in this time of year. Totally psyched to be riding to work in January.

buelito

so...where was everyone this morning?? Ususally I see (even on a cold day) about 15-20 bikers during the winter months. This morning I saw 8... and this is a 22 mile commute. (Reston, VA to Washington DC along the W&OD trail).

Wulfheir

Today was the first cool morning in about a month. -8C/18F and calm. Had a neighbourhood commuter blow by me cresting a hill and watched as he crashed the red light doing about 45km/h at the bottom. There was a vehicle at the red light waiting for the light to turn. Maybe he's the reason that cars have been passing so close to me lately.

jyossarian

Left 1/2 hr earlier than usual this morning for work. What a difference! Less traffic, rode a little faster and my time showed it. Shaved more than 30 seconds off my usual commute which is only 2 miles and I never felt like I was stressing myself. I found myself in a higher gear than usual because of the ease in traffic. Even got to work less sweaty than usual.


When I work at home, I often jump on the bike and buzz over to the park for a quick ride at lunch. Then at quitting time, I do it all over again or go run errands. I end up putting more miles on than if I just commuted.

thdave

I saw one person this morning, abeit a shapely blonde jogging. Never saw her face, but what a body! I guess it's sad that's all there was, but if I was to see one person, she would be it!

This is despite the 40 degrees F dry weather. I guess most are resigned to fail their New Year's resolutions on the 10th of the month. Yikes!

Good ride in. I'm now all set with my clothing from 5 deg. F and up. Before, I was ok except my groin, which would get too cold. Now I wear an extra pair of athletic shorts/underwear from 20 to 35F, long johns below 20.

I love my mileage spreadsheet--thanks to Wolfheir! I've put in 50 miles so far--most of which I'd forget by spring when I ride more often.

balto charlie

'mornin everbody! Well I was surprised by a chilly commute. I got fooled by yesterdays 60F temps. The temp drop to the mid 30's and below freezing in the low valleys. Lots of frost and one chilly biker. Usually I strip down on the ride but today I stripped up! Still a great ride and even took an extra 5 mile spin through the cold Patapsco park(no sun). PM should be another great one as temps will be in the 50's!!

balto charlie

Ad-SLE: tough ride. especially the chicken. I hate it when lunch opens in your pack, wheel, the street;-)

Dogs solution: Get a whippy old fishing pole. Use the narrower tip end of a 2 piece pole(about 2 ft. long). adhere velcro to 2 or 3 points along the pole and 2-3 points along the top tube of the bike. DO NOT wrap the pole with the velcro but attach with the velcro. When the dogs get near, detach said pole and give them a whack across the nose. This can be done while riding. Many tourers use this method. Very cheap, light and effective.

tulip

Nice commute this morning. It's getting easier, and I was just a tad faster, not that it matters.

Big Ron

Very nice ride this AM. First commute of the year for me. It was ~45F and patchy dense fog, but luckily I got in to work well before the patchy fog turned into just plain dense fog. Probably will have to miss tomorrow due to a late afternoon meeting, but Thursday is looking good for riding in too.

eastbaybob

A nice commute this morning. The winds have died down and it was just cool enough to inhibit sweating. It took about 10 minutes to get to the office.

FormerBMX'er

Been sick, so this is my first commute in a week. Roads were a tad damp in spots, but in all it was a good commute. Weather around here is unseasonalbly warm, 38°F in the Boston area this morning with a forecasted High of 45'ish. For sure I'll take it over high teens ( temperature, not teenagers ), but it's a real guessing game when it comes to clothing.