2012 - How Was the Commute Today?
#2401
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Bikes: Trek 7100
I just hit the one hundred mile mark! I have been bike commuting since July 13. I had one week of vacation in there, so that is not bad. It is very hot and humid in south Louisiana, so I figure if I can keep it up at this time of year, I can do it all year.
#2402
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
On my commute home last night I crossed paths with a fully loaded bicycle tourist.
Me: "Where you from?"
Him: "San Francisco."
Me: "Where you headed?"
Him: "San Francisco."
I last saw him heading east, apparently on his way to San Francisco. I got the feeling that he wasn't headed straight home.
Me: "Where you from?"
Him: "San Francisco."
Me: "Where you headed?"
Him: "San Francisco."
I last saw him heading east, apparently on his way to San Francisco. I got the feeling that he wasn't headed straight home.
#2404
Warm, sunny, calm. Didn't sleep well last night and got a late start, so I took a short route with fewer hills and rode easy. Crossed paths with a woman riding the other way who was yelling her head off at/to no one in particular. I think she was using lots of cuss words, but with the wind rush in my ears, it was hard to tell. She was mad about something, and wanted everyone to know about it, I guess.
#2405
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Probably my exwife, she was like that.
Warm, sunny, calm. Didn't sleep well last night and got a late start, so I took a short route with fewer hills and rode easy. Crossed paths with a woman riding the other way who was yelling her head off at/to no one in particular. I think she was using lots of cuss words, but with the wind rush in my ears, it was hard to tell. She was mad about something, and wanted everyone to know about it, I guess.
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Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#2406
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 821
Likes: 0
From: You have really nice furniture
This report is actually from the rides yesterday as I was too tired to post last night but here goes:
I woke up knowing this was going to be the longest time I have ever spent in the saddle. On my usual 10.6 mile ride to work I broke the 1000 mile barrier on my odometer so that felt good.
I left work early to go see my doc for a routine thing and that was approx 7 miles. I had never ridden anywhere else after work so I didn't plan too well and was soaked in sweat when I got to the office. I noticed a few "interesting" looks when I walked in covered in sweat. My wife offered to come pick me up but I was excited about the possibility of riding the 20 miles home.
After the doc appt I saddled up and began the warm and windy ride home. I have gotten in to the habit of watching flags while I ride to see what the wind is like and that I am not imagining the wind. I wasn't. The flags were blowing at me the entire time. I thought I was going to have a respite on the last leg of my ride on the riverbed trail to get home. As soon as I rounded the corner on the trail I felt God give a nice big blow right toward me and damn near stopped me dead on the trail. I knew this last 7 miles was gonna suck! By the time I got home my pinkie and ring finger on my right hand had gone numb and both my feet had gone numb. I was standing when I could to take some pressure off but wind has a tendency to make my feet go numb, not sure of the physics of it but that is how it works.
I got home to the lovely scream from my youngest that I was home as she opened the door for me. That was the best part of my day.
I brought my bike inside and started turning all my lights off and somehow I lost a rear light. Poopy!!
In total I rode about 38 miles about 2 hours and 40 minutes. I was so tired but I stayed up to watch the Olympics and still rode to work today.
What a day. Oh and the doc says I am healthy as a horse. Whew!!
I woke up knowing this was going to be the longest time I have ever spent in the saddle. On my usual 10.6 mile ride to work I broke the 1000 mile barrier on my odometer so that felt good.
I left work early to go see my doc for a routine thing and that was approx 7 miles. I had never ridden anywhere else after work so I didn't plan too well and was soaked in sweat when I got to the office. I noticed a few "interesting" looks when I walked in covered in sweat. My wife offered to come pick me up but I was excited about the possibility of riding the 20 miles home.
After the doc appt I saddled up and began the warm and windy ride home. I have gotten in to the habit of watching flags while I ride to see what the wind is like and that I am not imagining the wind. I wasn't. The flags were blowing at me the entire time. I thought I was going to have a respite on the last leg of my ride on the riverbed trail to get home. As soon as I rounded the corner on the trail I felt God give a nice big blow right toward me and damn near stopped me dead on the trail. I knew this last 7 miles was gonna suck! By the time I got home my pinkie and ring finger on my right hand had gone numb and both my feet had gone numb. I was standing when I could to take some pressure off but wind has a tendency to make my feet go numb, not sure of the physics of it but that is how it works.
I got home to the lovely scream from my youngest that I was home as she opened the door for me. That was the best part of my day.
I brought my bike inside and started turning all my lights off and somehow I lost a rear light. Poopy!!
In total I rode about 38 miles about 2 hours and 40 minutes. I was so tired but I stayed up to watch the Olympics and still rode to work today.
What a day. Oh and the doc says I am healthy as a horse. Whew!!
#2407
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
#2408
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
Nice ride in at 72f (22c). I had off yesterday for a physical, and my new seat came, so I am back on my hybrid. I think there is a period of time here where I miss my MTB.
#2409
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
62F/17C and humid. Sunny. I saw a bicyclist far behind in my mirror, wearing neon, but whoever it was never got any closer until I hit a stop sign. I went straight, and watched the person get to the sign and turn left, so I won the race. 
The mornings are starting to have just the hint of fall. The sooner it cools down, the better.

The mornings are starting to have just the hint of fall. The sooner it cools down, the better.
#2410
I was later than usual this morning so all sorts of busses and cars on the road to be aware of. Good ride in...need to take care of that ol' squeaky brake again, even after adjusting last night before rolling home.
#2411
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
Back in the saddle after two days driving due to thunderstorms. We are still stuck in an extremely humid air mass, so I wouldn't be surprised if more storms pop up this afternoon but I was going stir crazy after missing two days. I'm signed up to ride in a metric century on Saturday and hoping the weather will cooperate but forecasters are calling for a good chance for rain. Rode the same ride last summer and it poured the whole way. That's the trouble with paying to participate in large organized rides, but it's for a good cause.
#2412
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
Nice cool and sunny morning, no wind at all
#2414
Overslept this morning
so I considered driving in. But we'd promised to take a neighbor's kid in to freshman orientation this morning and adding it up - driving him in, getting everyone situated and then me into work, it was faster to just ride in anyway!
so I considered driving in. But we'd promised to take a neighbor's kid in to freshman orientation this morning and adding it up - driving him in, getting everyone situated and then me into work, it was faster to just ride in anyway!
#2415
For the trip home yesterday, there was a forecast of isolated showers...yeah right...isolated right over me for most of the trip.
This morning's commute was warm, sunny, and calm, nothing remarkable.
This morning's commute was warm, sunny, and calm, nothing remarkable.
#2417
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Bikes: Trek 7100
Another ride in humidity approximating a dog's breath. Although I felt slow the whole way, my time turned out to be right on the money. I have about another seven weeks of very hot, very humid weather, but then it will be glorious fall.
#2418
Thunderstorm rolled through just before setting off. Cool, (in relation to daytime highs in thehigh 90's) 65 degrees, wet roads, wonderful commuting weather. From one intersection, four commuters could be seen. Unusual in my experience to seeso many bike commuters.
#2419
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,138
Likes: 6,360
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I'm headed out to a client in a few minutes. It's 85F and humid. It's about an 8 mile ride through suburban streets and roads. I'll sweat, but it's better than driving.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2420
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
Gloriously cool morning before the frying pan heat of the afternoon. Saw at least 6 other bike commuters on my 4 mile ride.
#2421
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
Wonderfully uneventful.
With the exception that I ran a video camera for the first time this morning.
With the exception that I ran a video camera for the first time this morning.
#2422
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Bikes: Mostly schwinn... few classics
Weather was perfect, no wind, blue skies. A great 17 mile ride. Only problem. A truck lost a box of nails, I caught one in my rear tire! A short walk to work now to repair.
#2423
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 703
From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
I work someplace that forbids cameras without a permit, although they've had to relax it with all the cell phones around. I want to start filming my daily commutes, but I'd hate to have to stop at the gate, remove the cam, put it in my bag, then get back on the bike and ride the rest of the way around the plant (and I have to bike around the largest building in the world
). I'll try it as soon as I find the camera mount for my helmet, but I might put a permanent mount on the bike that's a bit more discreet, instead.
Commute this morning was on the motorcycle...so, fast and fun in the carpool lane.
). I'll try it as soon as I find the camera mount for my helmet, but I might put a permanent mount on the bike that's a bit more discreet, instead. Commute this morning was on the motorcycle...so, fast and fun in the carpool lane.
#2424
Thread Starter
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
#2425
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
We had a crazy thunderstorm last night lasting about 5 hours, and things were cool and damp today. Commutes were pretty uneventful.






