2012 - How Was the Commute Today?
#426
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Potashville
Bikes: Reynolds 531P road bike, Rocky Mountain Metropolis, Rocky Mountain Sherpa 10, Look 566
Pretty. -12ºC, windchill -18, a glittering layer of frost all over the path. My headlight reflected off what looked like millions of diamonds, scattered in front of me.
Coming home, the snowy parts were soft and a bit hard to manage. The low sunlight washed the landscape with golden light. Very mellow and relaxing.
Coming home, the snowy parts were soft and a bit hard to manage. The low sunlight washed the landscape with golden light. Very mellow and relaxing.
Last edited by Rhodabike; 02-03-12 at 06:14 PM.
#427
Wheezing Geezer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: Crowley, Tx
Bikes: Bacchetta Corsa, RANS Stratus XP
I rode to work all five days this week. I ended up with 542 miles in January, not a bad winter month total for me. This morning, I rode to work in shorts, a bit hard to believe for a February morning ride before daylight. I ran into a bit of drizzle for a short stretch of that ride in, but stayed dry on the ride home, glad to have gotten home before the storms.
2012 days ridden to work: 18
2012 commuting mileage: 446.3
2012 days ridden to work: 18
2012 commuting mileage: 446.3
#428
Had to work on Saturday for a few hours. Had a great ride in along the river. I can't recall a February when I've so many days in a row when I didn't need to pull the ice bike out. I don't know. I'm guessing I'll end up paying for all this nice weather at some point with a good winer storm but in the meantime, I'll take it.
#429
Thread Starter
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Last week the weather was great for commuting every day. Then this weekend the weather fell apart with lower temps and high winds. The forecast for tomorrow, Monday, is great! I love this city - it reserves the poor weather for days I'm not bicycling to work! 



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Trikeman
Trikeman
#430
A bit rainy, a little bit chilly and quite windy. But still a nice morning and evening for a ride.
I also had a small laugh; in the morning I was out with a couple of co-workers standing next to my bike. (They recognize it and know exactly who it belongs to) Making small talk I mentioned that I had not driven my car for one week. I was kinda proud of that, since the weather had not been perfect at all. Looking over my shoulder , I asked out loud, "Is that my car parked over there?" I was actually surprised. I hadn't expected this. Walked a bit closer for a better look and came back saying, "It sure is."
I already knew the explanation, but I carried on for the sake of having fun with my friends, "I swear I can't get away from that thing! It even follows me to work!!"
They looked at me like I had come from Mars.
I let them in on the explanation, which I'd already figured out. It was my wife. She works at the same place, but a different building and starts two hours later than I. She'd parked it there thinking that I'd want to drive home. She should know me better than that after all this time.
So I also had the pleasure of calling her up and saying, "Thanks, but no thanks. You'll find it right where you left it when you get off".
I also had a small laugh; in the morning I was out with a couple of co-workers standing next to my bike. (They recognize it and know exactly who it belongs to) Making small talk I mentioned that I had not driven my car for one week. I was kinda proud of that, since the weather had not been perfect at all. Looking over my shoulder , I asked out loud, "Is that my car parked over there?" I was actually surprised. I hadn't expected this. Walked a bit closer for a better look and came back saying, "It sure is."
I already knew the explanation, but I carried on for the sake of having fun with my friends, "I swear I can't get away from that thing! It even follows me to work!!"
They looked at me like I had come from Mars.
I let them in on the explanation, which I'd already figured out. It was my wife. She works at the same place, but a different building and starts two hours later than I. She'd parked it there thinking that I'd want to drive home. She should know me better than that after all this time.
So I also had the pleasure of calling her up and saying, "Thanks, but no thanks. You'll find it right where you left it when you get off".
#431
Just under freezing today, no wind but definitely cooler than the past week or so.
My attempt to fix my squeaky front brakes is classified under Fail. They're louder than before. I've been to the shop, moved 'em all around. I give up for now.
My attempt to fix my squeaky front brakes is classified under Fail. They're louder than before. I've been to the shop, moved 'em all around. I give up for now.
#432
Thread Starter
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Ouch, recovery from Superbowl Sunday is officially underway. No riding today. Do you all have to type so loud? Please.
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Trikeman
Trikeman
#433
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 1
From: NoVA
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sport
Colder than expected (23F) when I left the house late this morning. Light traffic on the trail and I need more sleep.
#434
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
First ride in a couple of weeks. I've been walking to work a lot more. Better exercise as it's only 1.8 miles one-way, and I don't have to worry about bicycle cleaning or ratbike maintenance with salt and winter road goop.
Anyway: 30F with a light tailwind. Had to avoid a couple of small ice patches (riding the Soho, not studded) but otherwise things were dry.
Anyway: 30F with a light tailwind. Had to avoid a couple of small ice patches (riding the Soho, not studded) but otherwise things were dry.
#435
Another MN Bike Commuter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Perham, Minnesota
Bikes: 2015 Trek Crockett / 2013 Trek Domane / 2014 Framed MN1.0
20 deg f and frosty. No fog for the first time in about a week. The shoulders are finally clear enought to ride the road bike with slicks, makes for a much faster commute (than the studded mt. bike).
#436
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
Chilly commute this morning for this winter, but that isn't saying much. Temps were in the low 30s with heavy frost on lawns and car windows. Rode at an easy pace after eating and drinking too much on Sunday, ostensibly because of the Super Bowl, but I only watched the game for few minutes. Hard for me to get excited about a game between NY and New England. My regular commuter Salsa Casseroll is at the shop getting new wheels and a shallow drop handlebar, so I'm riding the Waterford this week, which is sweet.
I'm collecting parts to rebuild my Bob Jackson World Tour as a full-on touring bike with fatter tires, triple crank and a rear rack. I swapped all of the parts from it last summer to build up the Waterford, with the initial intention of selling the frame and fork, but couldn't make myself part with it. I still have a dream of riding across the USA one day, and the Jackson would be perfect for that.
I'm collecting parts to rebuild my Bob Jackson World Tour as a full-on touring bike with fatter tires, triple crank and a rear rack. I swapped all of the parts from it last summer to build up the Waterford, with the initial intention of selling the frame and fork, but couldn't make myself part with it. I still have a dream of riding across the USA one day, and the Jackson would be perfect for that.
#437
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
I'm grateful for the grin-and-wave advice I picked up on here; it was waaay more fun than letting myself get angry and react with aggressive finger-waving and yelling obscenities. It was awesome practice for the next time I tow the daughter around (now that she's beginning to learn to speak).
The quirky nature of the situation makes me smile and relax. I call it channelling my inner Ned Flanders. My inner Moe Szyslak would just get me killed.
#438
Full Member

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 351
Likes: 18
From: McLean, VA/Burlington, VT
Bikes: Obed Baseline, Cannondale Topstone, Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse
27 F (-3 C), clear, dry, and calm -- perfect winter commuting weather.
#440
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 181
From: south Puget Sound
31F, sunny, generally awesome
#441
Old, but not really wise
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA commuting to Washington DC
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dew Drop (the daily driver),'07 Specialized Roubaix (the sports car), '99 ish Kona NuNu MTB (the SUV), Schwinn High Plains (circa 1992?) (the beater)
Little bit of a late start this morning, and this was the first 'cold' (low 30s, F) day in quite some time, so I was wearing another layer and my beanie. Definitely not a fast ride, but I covered the distance in the time I usually allot for the ride. Which meant I was 10 minutes later for work than I like (but still 'on time').
Should be warmer for the ride home.
Should be warmer for the ride home.
#442
4.5*C, ~40*F ... Chilly at first, but was getting warmed up just about the time I reached work. Overcast and very little traffic. The birds were quiet this morning
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#443
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 21
From: Fort Collins CO
Bikes: Kona Dew, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007
The brooks flyer has been off of the commuter and on the long range bike for several months, never could get a good fit on the long range bike. So last Friday the brooks went back on the graduate. I didn't get it in the same position it was months ago when I took it off, stupid of me not to take some measurements. So I have been carrying the tool with me and making slight adjustments. At lunch today I made another adjustment, got on the bike in the parking lot, and Ahhhhhhh, daddy's home.
If only I can get the new Terry saddle to feel this good on the touring bike.
If only I can get the new Terry saddle to feel this good on the touring bike.
#444
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
Bikes: 2011 Trek 1.2, 2010 Trek 7.2FX
First commute of the year for me. 40*-ish and overall a beautiful morning. Looking forward to tomorrow morning!
#445
Nice ride home, upper 40s I'd say.
I stayed at work to try yet another brake squeak fix: reversing the direction of the pads. Seems to be working except the random squeak just comes outta nowhere.
I stayed at work to try yet another brake squeak fix: reversing the direction of the pads. Seems to be working except the random squeak just comes outta nowhere.
#447
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Bikes: 1973 Mercian Pro, 1972-73 Peugeot Track, 1983 Lotus Competition, Early 1970s Bottecchia Pro/Giro, 2000 Bob Jackson Special Tourist, 2011 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen; 1996 Franklin custom
Started the ride in at 1:00 p.m., nd it was just shy of 45f--sunny and beautiful. Same on the way home. With the sun setting later, I now arrive home before it's completely dark.
#448
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 104
From: New York, NY
Bikes: Black Mountain Cycles Road and canti MX, Cannondale CAAD12, Bob Jackson Vigorelli
Today and Friday (02-03) have been the first days long enough for me to ride both ways.
Last night, the NY Giants won the Superbowl. The decorations near 177th and Fort Washington Avenue in Harlem made me laugh.
Last night, the NY Giants won the Superbowl. The decorations near 177th and Fort Washington Avenue in Harlem made me laugh.
#449
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Monson, MA
Bikes: Catrike Trail Recumbent trike
Great commutes. The weather has been nice recently but I swear I have a headwind over 10mph on the way to school every single day. Luckly my homemade velo helps out there. I still have some tweaking that I'll do tomorrow to hopefully gain a little more speed from it.
52F and sunny with mainly headwinds from the WSW @ 14-17mph on the commute in this afternoon. Left late and was almost afraid that I wasn't going to make it on time. I did make it on time, but bearly. Had a screw that I forgot to install on the pvc piping frame for the top of the fairing. It kept coming apart on the ride, which was pretty annoying.
41F and dark with winds from the S @ 5-9mph on the commute home this evening. Before I left campus, I found a screw that I was able to use for the pvc. I had no issues at all on that ride.
52F and sunny with mainly headwinds from the WSW @ 14-17mph on the commute in this afternoon. Left late and was almost afraid that I wasn't going to make it on time. I did make it on time, but bearly. Had a screw that I forgot to install on the pvc piping frame for the top of the fairing. It kept coming apart on the ride, which was pretty annoying.
41F and dark with winds from the S @ 5-9mph on the commute home this evening. Before I left campus, I found a screw that I was able to use for the pvc. I had no issues at all on that ride.
#450
Well, It's much warmer than thought before. The weather here is totally eclusive. I thought it must be upon the end of the last day, just like the saying in the film of 2012. And now it has already the 2012. So how do you think?
Hahaha, now I am working with my computer in the office and drinking coffie with my little cute ceramic cup which I bought from taobao in high price. we should work hard for big money and then enjoy our life sufficent with it before we getting old and the death coming.
Hahaha, now I am working with my computer in the office and drinking coffie with my little cute ceramic cup which I bought from taobao in high price. we should work hard for big money and then enjoy our life sufficent with it before we getting old and the death coming.
Whoa! You got my attention with that post! Here's to existential commuting!





