2012 - How Was the Commute Today?
#3626
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
Very foggy this morning, but great on the way back. Hopefully winter won't happen this year (it often doesn't around here).
#3627
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
I get off work at midnight. It's pretty chilly out there tonight, am very glad I packed the long johns.
#3628
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 43
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
I had to the leave the bike at work overnight because I had to help my gf buy and take a new TV home by subway. So, I couldn't ride last night or this morning 
However, I'm really shocked at how inexpensive decent TVs are nowadays ... we only paid €300 (37"/1080p/LCD/100Hz) with the options we wanted (playing files from a USB stick)
https://www.amazon.de/Grundig-LCD-Fer...3056345&sr=1-8

However, I'm really shocked at how inexpensive decent TVs are nowadays ... we only paid €300 (37"/1080p/LCD/100Hz) with the options we wanted (playing files from a USB stick)
https://www.amazon.de/Grundig-LCD-Fer...3056345&sr=1-8
#3629
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
Great ride this morning after a tough commute (both ways) yesterday. My legs were tired yesterday and winds took their toll, plus I got caught in cold rain showers on the way home. It had looked like the cold front would pass through quick enough that my afternoon ride would be dry, but no such luck. Fortunately the rain cleared overnight and I had a nice tailwind for my morning commute, so I made near record time -- despite catching every red light on my route.
#3630
Took an alternate route along the Potomac river...Washington, DC was in full Fall color...perfect commute.
#3631
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
The weather this week is the perfect example of why I love this time of year. Low forties in the AM, fifties in the PM. Easy to ride and not worry about sweating, al without having to wear too many clothes. Shorts still work, long sleeves on top feel cold for the first mile or so then become perfectly comfortable. And since others find it "cold' the number of commuters is down, so I have the trail more or less to myself at times, a nice treat.
#3632
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
crisp 28F this am and most of the trees are already bare. It's supposed to get to 50F this afternoon - might have to leave my office clothes at work to have enough room in panniers to take all my cold weather gear home!
#3633
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 30
From: Panama City, FL
Bikes: 2018 Specialized AWOL, 2013 Surly Pacer, 2011 Raleigh One-Way, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 2020 Surly Big Dummy
Little Cool for the Panhandle
It was 42 degrees when I left the house. Commute was good, traffic was very light before the holiday. Looking forward to riding for fun tomorrow..
T
T
#3634
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Last nights ride was great, -5C with a light tailwind, clear skies, and a setting crescent moon. I was flying along pretty fast and averaged 19kph, despite having to slow for loose snow, back track a few times and walk the bike through some rough spots.
-9C with a 15kph headwind this morning. I wore my respirator for the first time this season, which made for a much more comfortable ride. I added a merino sweater layer, and ended up being a little too warm.
With all the extra calories I'm burning, skipping breakfast hasn't been an option lately. I bought some bottles of Boost to try for after my ride, but I keep forgetting to take one out of the fridge. So for today I had to settle for some corn flakes, then a granola bar and OJ after getting to school.
-9C with a 15kph headwind this morning. I wore my respirator for the first time this season, which made for a much more comfortable ride. I added a merino sweater layer, and ended up being a little too warm.
With all the extra calories I'm burning, skipping breakfast hasn't been an option lately. I bought some bottles of Boost to try for after my ride, but I keep forgetting to take one out of the fridge. So for today I had to settle for some corn flakes, then a granola bar and OJ after getting to school.
#3635
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
Wow, another dry day. It was cool around lunchtime but had warmed up to around 9C by the time I left for home. Beat the rain by about an hour...
#3637
Full Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 317
Likes: 7
From: Santa Barbara
Bikes: 2011 Surly Cross Check
Yesterday's commute was the first somewhat wet one since I installed fenders on my bike. Not raining, but enough water on the ground to through gritty grey goo onto me and my bike. But I made it to work and home clean and dry, and at a good pace to boot.
#3638
after having had the flu, a bad cold and a sore back, i finally commuted again. surprisingly i am in better shape. good to be on a bike again.
#3639
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 43
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
really warm today 9C/50F
hands were very sweaty
hands were very sweaty
#3640
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Doveton, Victoria, Australia
Bikes: Fuji - Single speed road, Elite - Peconi frame road bike from 80's, Roadmaster - commuter racer, Monty - rigid MTB, Cranky - Ross Rigid MTB and others old bikes.
Fine morning with a nice fast ride. 24.5kph average and 45.9kph top.
#3641
Dark morning but not to cold at all 48F/9C. Just riding along! I do think i want to get a better headlamp system.
#3642
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
Great ride to start the week with a nice tailwind most of the way. The wind has been blowing out of the north for about 2 weeks solid, which is unusual for here as our prevailing wind is from the SW. This will be a short commuting week for me because I am off work Wednesday through Friday, but plan to do a lot of riding on my days off with nice weather in the forecast. We are having a Thanksgiving feast at work tomorrow, so I'll need to carry a bunch of food and might just ride my touring bike with panniers.
#3643
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
25F/-4C under clear sky this morning. My eyes really watered up, even with glasses on. Wish they weren't so sensitive to the cold like that. I took the MUP. The wooden-deck bridges were frosty but not slick. A man was walking a very fuzzy dog, and it thought I was the most amazing & incredible thing it had ever seen.
#3644
I'm whats for dinner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Outskirts of Houston
Bikes: 06 Specialized Rockhopper Comp
Ride was okay this morning. Quick and uneventful (thankfully). It is however frustrating to have people come up to you and tell you what safety equipment you should have equipped on your bike and as part of your kit. I work at a company where safety is a big deal, but then we have a lot of self-proclaimed experts. I ride with a helmet rear flasher and rear reflector. If I am going to be working late I usually rock the safety vest. This morning however led one of the safety nuts to my lockup spot to tell me that I need to run a full light kit with reflective tape on the bike and this and that safety, safety, safety... blah blah blah. Needless to say, I tuned out after a few minutes of that. Besides, you can only engineer out so much of the risk out of a morning ride. The next step would be to not ride at all and live in fear of the outside world. I don't forsee that happening anytime soon. Hopefullly the ride home will end on a higher note than the ride in.
#3645
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 43
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
Ride was okay this morning. Quick and uneventful (thankfully). It is however frustrating to have people come up to you and tell you what safety equipment you should have equipped on your bike and as part of your kit. I work at a company where safety is a big deal, but then we have a lot of self-proclaimed experts. I ride with a helmet rear flasher and rear reflector. If I am going to be working late I usually rock the safety vest. This morning however led one of the safety nuts to my lockup spot to tell me that I need to run a full light kit with reflective tape on the bike and this and that safety, safety, safety... blah blah blah. Needless to say, I tuned out after a few minutes of that. Besides, you can only engineer out so much of the risk out of a morning ride. The next step would be to not ride at all and live in fear of the outside world. I don't forsee that happening anytime soon. Hopefullly the ride home will end on a higher note than the ride in.
#3646
Weather forecast today - low 50's, 1.5" - 2" of rain and 20 - 30 mph winds w gusts up to 45 mph. Perfect cycling weather! Wasn't that bad going in though - I like it when that happens. Fingers crossed for the trip home.
#3647
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Forecast pulled a fast one on me this morning. It was only supposed to get to -7C, but it was -9 when I got up. On the way in I thought it felt colder, and when I checked the weather at school, the temp had fallen to -12C with a 17kph headwind. I was a bit cool but not uncomfortable.
The real time weather site I like to check has been very inaccurate the past few days, so I can't trust it's readings.
I'm riding my mountain bike since it has got a bit icy on the roads.
The real time weather site I like to check has been very inaccurate the past few days, so I can't trust it's readings.
I'm riding my mountain bike since it has got a bit icy on the roads.
#3648
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
a balmy 40F this morning and at 3p it's 55F - should be a nice ride home (though cloudy). Sadly, because of the holiday this is my only commute ride this week. I'm sure we'll all be riding hard on Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving!
#3649
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,116
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Bike lanes were full of slimy mashed up leaves after the weekend storm. Bleagh.
#3650
22F on the way to work. dressed appropriately. don't mind it any more.
45F/sunny on the way home. baselayer/jersey/thermal knickers. nice and warm in the sun, -cold- in the shade. long shady stretch and my 'nether region' was frozen. probably should have stuffed a plastic bag down there and brought a wind vest......
45F/sunny on the way home. baselayer/jersey/thermal knickers. nice and warm in the sun, -cold- in the shade. long shady stretch and my 'nether region' was frozen. probably should have stuffed a plastic bag down there and brought a wind vest......



