2013!! How Was your Commute Today?
#276
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
BTW, it's only a 4km ride (short route) so it doesn't compare with your commute, even at -10C.
#278
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
So I made a late New Years resolution to try to ride to work maybe a couple days a month. Today was the first day. Weather was gorgeous, slight tailwind, low 50s; the kind of day that has me checking how many vacation days I have available. (But no, I decided to stay at work
) The ride went by a lot quicker than I remember. I was navigating here and there and all of a sudden I popped out on Chapin Road (a few miles from the office) and thought wow, I'm almost there.
) The ride went by a lot quicker than I remember. I was navigating here and there and all of a sudden I popped out on Chapin Road (a few miles from the office) and thought wow, I'm almost there.
#280
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Lol! The last few miles of my ride on urban mup is the outskirts of downtown and a regular group of 2 or 3 folks are usually walking towards me carrying some form of stick or bat. I ALWAYS say hello and good morning the ride faster than I imagine they can turn and swing their bat. Truth is, they're mostly nice and carrying those sticks 'cause they're afraid of nutcases who ride bikes in 10 degree weather.
#281
www.ocrebels.com
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles area
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Rode all the way in the rain this morning but it was relatively warm (57 deg.F) so really, not that bad. Only hit the deck once, coming off a traffic light and my rear tire hit one of those wide white pavement lines just as I put the force on the pedal.
I was on the ground fast! Fortunately the motorist behind me saw what happened and didn't run over me. Otherwise, just rain, nothing dramatic (thankfully).
Rick / OCRR
I was on the ground fast! Fortunately the motorist behind me saw what happened and didn't run over me. Otherwise, just rain, nothing dramatic (thankfully).
Rick / OCRR
#282
This morning was kinda gruelling. It was 11degF, but the cold wasn't as much an issue as the combination of a decent headwind and the winter tires. A lot of work, even in granny gear. I would do it again, but it was one of the tougher commutes I have done. A "character builder."
#283
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 619
Likes: 9
From: The Big City
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Tern Verge P20, Citi Bike
This morning the temp was all of 18F, all of 3 degrees higher than yesterday, but somehow it felt less brutal. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. There was a headwind, which slowed me down, but didn't feel particularly harsh. I still have to tweak what I wear; I ended up sweaty again.
There's snow coming tomorrow. Not very much by the sound of it, maybe an inch the last I looked at a weather report, but I haven't done snow yet. It might start before I go home tomorrow evening, but I think it'll mostly be an issue on Sat. Should I chance it in city traffic?
There's snow coming tomorrow. Not very much by the sound of it, maybe an inch the last I looked at a weather report, but I haven't done snow yet. It might start before I go home tomorrow evening, but I think it'll mostly be an issue on Sat. Should I chance it in city traffic?
#285
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Broomfield, CO
Bikes: 1996 Trek 750 Multitrack
FenderTL5, what site is that graphic from? I also have a headwind coming and going on my commute. Although today we have chinook winds which should stay westerly for a tailwind home. Here is a cool wind visualization map.
#286
Slob
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Bikes: 1970s AMF Roadmaster 3 speed, Bianchi Volpe, 2012 GT Zum City
Drove in this morning but did a midday out and back about 6 miles each way, to check out a different route for my commute.
Most of you aren't going to like this: it was too hot!
Most of you aren't going to like this: it was too hot!
#287
This morning was kinda gruelling. It was 11degF, but the cold wasn't as much an issue as the combination of a decent headwind and the winter tires. A lot of work, even in granny gear. I would do it again, but it was one of the tougher commutes I have done. A "character builder."
I think winter tires magnify the Suckiness of headwinds. If a given headwind sucks X amount on summer tires, it will suck 1.3X on winter tires. I don't have data to back that figure, but it sure seems that way.
#289
this morning was better, 14 F and wore double gloves and double socks, less numb extremities
coming home was warmer with 21 F, its surprising how warm 21 feels in comparison to 10, but 25+ mph wind gusts that last 5 minutes at a time suck in any weather.
coming home was warmer with 21 F, its surprising how warm 21 feels in comparison to 10, but 25+ mph wind gusts that last 5 minutes at a time suck in any weather.
#290
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
My hairy legs were feeling sore and tired this morning, so I lamed out and took the loser cruiser (minivan).
I can confirm that driving still sucks.
I can confirm that driving still sucks.
#291
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
My '94 Nishiki Sport XRS, on my commute today (36 miles round trip)

Great ride home... about 70 with a slight tailwind (both ways today!)

Great ride home... about 70 with a slight tailwind (both ways today!)
#292
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
#294
Temps all over the place lately. Couple of weeks ago my morning commute was mid 20s F, then 30s, 40s, yesterday it was 61, then 65 on the way home. This morning 52.
Each morning I have to check the weather, and make a decision as to what to wear. I'm not a morning person and hate trying to think before I'm awake.
Each morning I have to check the weather, and make a decision as to what to wear. I'm not a morning person and hate trying to think before I'm awake.
#295
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
19° with headwind - celebrated my 52nd birthday by riding in the snow! When I got up about 6:50 there was nothing, when I left the house at 7:30 the ground was totally covered. I took the pic below about 20 mins later. It was cool riding the mup on virgin snow - my tires were crunching along. The bad spots were street crossings and the last part of the ride on downtown city streets. I guess it's the cars packing down the snow but I was sliding all over the place - considering taking my front wheel to the lbs down the street from my office to get a studded tire... nah
#296
www.ocrebels.com
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles area
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
This morning it was an even 60 Deg.F but it was raining, so light base layer, bib shorts, Woolie Boolie socks, Showers Pass rain jacket.
Rick / OCRR
#297
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas, CA
Bikes: 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc; Trek 7.5 FX
Beautiful morning for a ride. No wind, no rain (wet roads, though), and 55ºF (~20º+ higher than it's been the past several weeks.) No cold fingers today.
This afternoon is looking to be nice, too. 62º and partly cloudy. Certainly can't complain about that during January.
This afternoon is looking to be nice, too. 62º and partly cloudy. Certainly can't complain about that during January.
#298
The last couple days, I came out in 11 to 14 degree weather and that was 6 am in the morning too. Peeps looked at me like I was crazy. The second day, I doubled up on my socks, and put a liner in my gloves. Much better. BTW, today I passed, didn't ride!!
#299
About 0°C but I dressed too warmly anticipating the ice pellets and freezing rain that's supposed to come through this afternoon and evening. Although it's supposed to be warmer by then and in theory I could come home in shorts and jersey. It's an unusual weather pattern for this area and I don't trust the forecasts at all today.
#300
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
Dark, drizzly, but a warm 40 degrees. I prefer the gravel section to be frozen rather than the muddy surface I have like this morning. It felt like it was sucking my tires down even though it's not very deep. Traffic was very busy this morning: at least 5 cars passed me in 9 miles.







