2012 - How Was the Commute Today?
#3401
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 703
From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
It was raining this morning on the commute. Steady, but not real hard, and the temps were quite mild (mid 50s F). I wore my water resistant tights (Novara) and an actual rain jacket, which is lighter than the insulated jacket I wear when it gets colder. I didn't even bother with the booties, since it was a relatively light rain.
#3402
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: US
The hurricane stinks, nothing but rain and wind. Work got cancelled Monday.
#3403
Was awesome yesterday. Was my Friday, so I took off a few hours early and took the long way home. 7.5 miles to work and 22.5 home - no rain and about 60 degrees. Except for the wind, an almost perfect cycling day.
Best wishes to the peeps on the east coast.
Best wishes to the peeps on the east coast.
#3404
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
See what a 90 per cent chance of rain gets you? It did rain on me a little on my way to work.
#3405
Thread Starter
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Starting tomorrow I'm cutting my commute in half. Call me lazy! For the winter months I'll drive halfway with the bike on the rack, then bicycle the rest of the 7 or 8 miles in and then ride back to the car after work. Older? Lazy? I dunno, maybe I'm just not as "political" as I used to be and I'm just doing it for fitness.
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Trikeman
Trikeman
#3406
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
5C and I was definitely overdressed. Wet roads and since my mountain bike has the studded tires on it, I took the touring bike instead.
The paint on my fat bike fenders should be dry tonight, so Ill ride my Pugsley tomorrow. Last night when I was putting air in the tires one of the valve cores came out. That was annoying, so I picked up a core tool today.
The paint on my fat bike fenders should be dry tonight, so Ill ride my Pugsley tomorrow. Last night when I was putting air in the tires one of the valve cores came out. That was annoying, so I picked up a core tool today.
#3407
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,162
Likes: 647
From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
I'm going to give it a try in hurricane ravaged NYC tomorrow. There's no subway, but my office is open so I'll go in. I did this before when things were all closed and was the only one there. I'm expecting a lot of leaves and debris on the way, but otherwise should be OK.
I'm also going to try out my new/old Trek 7000 as a commuter. This is a clone of my 8000 that my son took to college.

Untitled by zacfi2000, on Flickr
I'm also going to try out my new/old Trek 7000 as a commuter. This is a clone of my 8000 that my son took to college.

Untitled by zacfi2000, on Flickr
#3408
"Per Ardua ad Surly"
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Bianchi Specialissima, Mongoose Hilltopper ATB, Surly Cross-Check, Norco City Glide
Remnants of Sandy today, wet but not too windy. Did see something rather amusing on the way home (around 7:30). I saw a dark shape heading toward me on the opposite side of the road. It was some guy on a scooter-style e-bike with a dead battery. The pedals were in such a stupid and inconvenient place that he was using it as a big, expensive skateboard. Had a good giggle about that as a I swept by on old reliable.
#3409
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
My new Necromancer Pugsley is almost ready for commuter duty. The rear rack should arrive later this week. Those fenders took the better part of the weekend to build from a pair of Planet Bike Cascadia 29er fenders. The red strip on the rims is 3M reflective tape.
#3410
Senior Member



Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 5,355
From: SF Bay Area, East bay
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
Woke up to the East Brothers Light House fog horn. Ditto day today. You all have a Happy Halloween... Boo!
#3411
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Maryland
Bikes: Trek 820 mtb, A no name red steel pipe bike, my commuter
Just a cloudy morning, post Sandy at 41f (5c). I had off mon and tues, due to Sandy, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The Jersey shore got clobbered. It was my first hurricane in 55 years to come ashore as such. Most others came in as Tropical storms. The erratic weather patterns are getting more interesting.
#3412
Thread Starter
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
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Trikeman
Trikeman
#3413
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
Our limited exposure to the outskirts of Sandy (winds up to 60km/h, light but driving rain) was over yesterday. Today's ride was in 2C, light rain, 21km/h N wind so I was comfortably cool with a bit of dampness on my legs through my tights and a bit on my lower back where my coat ended.
I didn't dress up but my (too late) idea was to get a skull balaclava for the ride in and then wear my mostly black biking outfit as my costume. I didn't have enough time to buy it so maybe I'll get it for next year.
I didn't dress up but my (too late) idea was to get a skull balaclava for the ride in and then wear my mostly black biking outfit as my costume. I didn't have enough time to buy it so maybe I'll get it for next year.
#3414
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities, MN
It was 23degree when I left this morning, only average 16.6mph. I guess the cold do really effect my average speed, gotta love the MN cold weather lol.
#3415
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
that's soooo cool!
#3416
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 871
Likes: 115
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000
I had icicles hanging from my beard when I got to work this morning--a first for the season. Happy Halloween!
#3417
I'm feeling beat this morning. I woke up late to find a flat tire so I rolled out my trusty GMC Denali, strapped the lights and pump on it, felt up the tires and figured about 30 psi - enough for 10 miles to work - and rolled out. By then I was runing late, and dressed for rolling slow, and with no speedometer on that bike I maybe pushed a bit too hard. Made it on time though.
#3418
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
I rode today in defiance of the remnants of Sandy, 38F with 15mph winds. Fortunately, the winds are out of the west and much of my route is shielded by buildings. The few times I was out in the open it was brutal. Unfortunately, my route is directly north-south so I get to do it again on the way home and the forecast is for a high of only 44. Good thing is I'm in no hurry!
Anyone recommend some windproof pants/tights?
Anyone recommend some windproof pants/tights?
#3419
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
cool (mid 30s) with frost on the ground. Only a light breeze (5-10mph) which was a lot better than Mon and Tuesday (20mph, with gusts up to 40pmh). My bike felt a lot faster without the crosswind.
Uneventful traffic wise, I rather enjoyed it.
Uneventful traffic wise, I rather enjoyed it.
#3420
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Another commuter just getting back to it post-Sandy. Lots of leaves and debris in places asking the commute, but otherwise fine. Nothing so big or bad I had to get off my bike. There was a spot with some broken glass along the 14th Street Bridge, that had a lot of cyclists dropping and walking/carrying their bikes. I slowed, but stayed on my bike, made my way through slowly and was grateful for my Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. Nice not to have to worry about that kind of stuff so much.
Cool enough to break out the full fingered gloves this morning at around 40. Come January that'll be warm enough for fingerless gloves, but I'm still getting acclimated. :-)
Happy Halloween everybody. I'll be taking my six month old son around or apartment building and down the block. Having a kid makes the holiday a little more exciting...
Cool enough to break out the full fingered gloves this morning at around 40. Come January that'll be warm enough for fingerless gloves, but I'm still getting acclimated. :-)
Happy Halloween everybody. I'll be taking my six month old son around or apartment building and down the block. Having a kid makes the holiday a little more exciting...
#3421
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Bikes: 2012 Cinelli Mystic Rat, Nashbar CX
Rode in this morning. When I left, it wasn't too bad. As I got out on the road I ran into those 25mph wind gusts. Coming up one of the hills on my commute, I was hatin life there for a minute. It was cold and windy and in my face. I rode a shorter route I like to call my winter 10 miler.
I really can't complain though...It was nice to get back on the bike after a couple day break.
I really can't complain though...It was nice to get back on the bike after a couple day break.
#3422
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
I had a a lot of headwind left over from Sandy. not the 40-60 knot nonsense that forced me onto the train yesterday, but still a good 20-25 knot headwind that made me 10 minutes late for work.
going home should be fun!
going home should be fun!
#3423
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 703
From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
I rode today in defiance of the remnants of Sandy, 38F with 15mph winds. Fortunately, the winds are out of the west and much of my route is shielded by buildings. The few times I was out in the open it was brutal. Unfortunately, my route is directly north-south so I get to do it again on the way home and the forecast is for a high of only 44. Good thing is I'm in no hurry!
Anyone recommend some windproof pants/tights?
Anyone recommend some windproof pants/tights?
I drove today, so I could dress up for Halloween.
#3424
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Texas
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Sectuer, 1988 Bianchi
Clear, cool, & calm...
https://mapmyride.com/view_workout?w=199396561
https://mapmyride.com/view_workout?w=199396561
#3425
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Nice tailwind this morning. The seat post on my Pugsley was a bit low but I didn't want to stop to raise it. I'm definitely going to need to add a mud flap to my fender. Debris missed my feet but from the mid point of the down tube to the bottom bracket received the full tire spray.
i saw an odd looking rack on a bike last week. I saw the same bike again this morning and took a closer look. The rack was made out of aluminum hockey stick shafts, both the platform and the support posts. I took a picture and will post it when I get back home.
i saw an odd looking rack on a bike last week. I saw the same bike again this morning and took a closer look. The rack was made out of aluminum hockey stick shafts, both the platform and the support posts. I took a picture and will post it when I get back home.



