2012 - How Was the Commute Today?
#3826
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Texas
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Sectuer, 1988 Bianchi
It was good except for a goofy b!?@h that squeezed between her car and the edge of the road. I gave her the finger! What? It made me feel better!
#3827
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Bikes: Specialized Rock Hopper
Today's commute was good I carried about 50LBS of gear, a record for me and made the trip of 15 miles in just over an hour, which I think is good considering it is mostly up hill. Henderson to Seven hills.
#3828
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, IL
Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 0, Rivendell- Sam Hillborne, Montague folding bike.
Nice day today (for December), about 40f, and no wind. Forcast is for rain later.
New wiring for front lights has survived a week!
New wiring for front lights has survived a week!
__________________
"Why is there a hill after every meal, but not a meal after every hill?"
--Overheard on Grabaawr
"Why is there a hill after every meal, but not a meal after every hill?"
--Overheard on Grabaawr
#3829
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
She doesn't know how to share, most of the time I notice that is when their preoccupied with their phone or something and didn't even notice you. I had a guy last night pull over at a store and came to me and said, "I love your blinky light, I could see that 3/4 of a mile away, you are visible" But yes, being squeezed is bad, I can almost anticipate when that's about to happen by watching my mirror.
#3830
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
15 miles in just over an hour with that kind on weight!, Your an animal, hats off to ya.
#3831
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 703
From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
I needed to drive today (and unfortunately, several days next week). I actually paid attention to my drive time today, and door to door, including the rather long walk from the parking lot to my building, it takes 1-2 minutes longer to drive than it does to bike! I guess having to change clothes when I get to work by bike just makes it a touch longer, but I still think that's kinda amusing.
#3832
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 16
BTW, where in Maine do you live? I grew up in Brunswick.
#3833
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Sirrus
I needed to drive today (and unfortunately, several days next week). I actually paid attention to my drive time today, and door to door, including the rather long walk from the parking lot to my building, it takes 1-2 minutes longer to drive than it does to bike! I guess having to change clothes when I get to work by bike just makes it a touch longer, but I still think that's kinda amusing.
#3834
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 what a tailwind today on the ride home (around 25 mph)... my fastest commute since September.
#3835
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
I'm in Winterport, I agree those fat bikes are something else, love to have one of those someday too.
#3836
50f/10c and Foggy!!!!!!!!! I stayed off the busier city streets. Almost got "run" over by a jogger on the bike lane...drive me crazxy. I am a runner but I really really wish they's stop doing that.
#3837
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
26F, one inch new snow, freezing rain early this morning, took the car instead. Cars off the road everywhere, glad I didn't cycle because afraid of getting run over by a runaway vehicle. Will resume tomorrow.
#3838
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
heavy rains this morning, upper 50s (F) for the temp
It was my first day back after taking a week of vacation, it was a mental struggle until i actually got on the bike..
It was my first day back after taking a week of vacation, it was a mental struggle until i actually got on the bike..
#3839
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
first real winter commute with snow and ice and everything. I took 1h24 to go my 27.15 kms instead of my usual hour and I'm exhausted but very proud of myself. The bad news is that I have to go back tonight!!!
#3840
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
37F with stiff crosswind, I overdressed (it's supposed to get colder and snow this afternoon), and the little screw thing on the presta valve broke off after filling my front tire (damn cheap nashbar tubes) so not a great start to the week. Then at about mile 9 I smelled someone burning wood in a fireplace and remembered why I do this... ahhhhh
#3841
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 619
Likes: 9
From: The Big City
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Tern Verge P20, Citi Bike
I showed up at work in short sleeves and sweaty. It was misty, so I got wet from both inside and outside. 60 degree weather and 90%+ humidity in December is just wrong.
#3842
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
I finally made it out on my bike again this morning. It had been over a week, and almost 3 weeks before that. Just a bunch of different things that all seemed adequate at the time, but viewed collectively do not.
About 40 degrees, foggy/misty but not really raining. Dark both ways today, as usual this time of year. I didn't get passed by any cars on my 9 mile ride once I got out of town. I love that.
About 40 degrees, foggy/misty but not really raining. Dark both ways today, as usual this time of year. I didn't get passed by any cars on my 9 mile ride once I got out of town. I love that.
#3843
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
38F and 100% RH means thick, thick fog. I had 3 PB Superflashes going, 1 steady and 2 blinking. Got plenty of room, so they seemed to do the trick.
#3844
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Abilene, TX
Bikes: Many
First cold commute this year! 37 degrees outside and surprisingly not terrible. I unfortunately neglected to wear a pair of gloves and a random pedestrian, seeing me rubbing my hands together at an intersection, gave me his! Gotta love Texas.
#3845
36F and driving rain/wind this morning. first time the jacket ever weeped at the seams. 44F and light rain on the way home. getting dark enough on the way home to use flashers and headlight vs just hi-viz gear.
#3846
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Bikes: Trek Alpha 4300
It was ccccold. I know, I know, some of you have been commuting in sub zero already. But for AZ, goign from 55F mornings last week, to 41F this morning, is a big drop. I head out with pants, wool socks and a long sleeve thermal shirt on. Got out to the street where the wind hit me and I turned around to go get a hoody. I need something to keep my poor ears warm though.
Otherwise it was rather dark ride, staying dark until my last mile. I got to see some upclose damage from the heavy winds we had last night, though.
Otherwise it was rather dark ride, staying dark until my last mile. I got to see some upclose damage from the heavy winds we had last night, though.
#3847
It was ccccold. I know, I know, some of you have been commuting in sub zero already. But for AZ, goign from 55F mornings last week, to 41F this morning, is a big drop. I head out with pants, wool socks and a long sleeve thermal shirt on. Got out to the street where the wind hit me and I turned around to go get a hoody. I need something to keep my poor ears warm though.
Otherwise it was rather dark ride, staying dark until my last mile. I got to see some upclose damage from the heavy winds we had last night, though.
Otherwise it was rather dark ride, staying dark until my last mile. I got to see some upclose damage from the heavy winds we had last night, though.
#3848
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: US
Some idiot almost hit me turning left this morning in a rural setting. I anticipated him not stopping, so I swerved to the right to avoid him. As I passed by him, he was talking on the phone. I'm considering getting a vest... This rare occasion I didn't have my camera, because it was full. On the way back from work, some motorist tried to pass me and get in my lane. Of course, he/she slows down like a snail with their turn signal on. For my own safety, I just braked hard and let them pass. What is about people that must pass a bicycle right before a traffic signal that's red? This is with a strong 15mph tailwind and going downhill, so I'm going well over 20. I did see a hottie in spandex jogging with her dog. I know she saw me.
#3849
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
28F/-2C. Soul sucking. 15MPH headwind blasting me square in the face. Speeds reduced to a snail's pace.
Supposed to get colder all day, too. I'm prepared. The cold doesn't bother me.
Supposed to get colder all day, too. I'm prepared. The cold doesn't bother me.
#3850
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
Forgive me my fellow commuters for it has been nearly 3 weeks since my last bike commute.
It was -16C (3F) this ride in today and I felt great for riding in. However, there were some issues. In preparing my 2nd bike for winter use, I didn't complete the installation of my front fender and it rubbed the whole way. I installed knobby tires for additional traction and then lowered the tire pressure for an even wider footprint. However, the pressure was way too low and I bounced like a kangaroo the whole way in. I also lowered the seat so that it would be easier for me to put my feet down should the bike slip out from under me but it was too low and my legs were aching the whole way. At lunch break, I'll fix all of that. I guess I got my penance for not commuting for such a long time.
There was some snow over the last few days, maybe about 10cm (4") in total but the streets and sidewalks were plowed so I rode on the sidewalks for the most part (it was 6:30am, no one else was out so I didn't interfere with anyone on the sidewalks).
Lowest low forecast for the rest of the week is -5C, highest high is +1C with a possible 5cm (2") snow through the week, should be good commuting this week.
It was -16C (3F) this ride in today and I felt great for riding in. However, there were some issues. In preparing my 2nd bike for winter use, I didn't complete the installation of my front fender and it rubbed the whole way. I installed knobby tires for additional traction and then lowered the tire pressure for an even wider footprint. However, the pressure was way too low and I bounced like a kangaroo the whole way in. I also lowered the seat so that it would be easier for me to put my feet down should the bike slip out from under me but it was too low and my legs were aching the whole way. At lunch break, I'll fix all of that. I guess I got my penance for not commuting for such a long time.
There was some snow over the last few days, maybe about 10cm (4") in total but the streets and sidewalks were plowed so I rode on the sidewalks for the most part (it was 6:30am, no one else was out so I didn't interfere with anyone on the sidewalks).
Lowest low forecast for the rest of the week is -5C, highest high is +1C with a possible 5cm (2") snow through the week, should be good commuting this week.




