2013!! How Was your Commute Today?
03-22-13, 07:23 AM
#826
Senior Member
19F, snow in the forecast for the next week or so... Spring my ass!
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I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
03-22-13, 07:26 AM
#827
tougher than a boiled owl
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Spring has arrived! It was a balmy 14degF, calm, and clear. The sun is much higher now so its nice during the day. This weeks snow has blanketed the landscape and is very beautiful. Roads were clean and surprisingly not much black ice albeit all the snow melting going on during the day. Felt good to be back on the bike after working out of town most of the week.
03-22-13, 07:29 AM
#828
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No ice or snow after all, just misting rain and 2°, the new "normal" here in March. Evidently. Not really uncomfortable with my fairing, other than my being spooked by the forecast into overdressing.
One odd thing though. Over the last few weeks I've been seeing an old couple riding together, slow, newbies apparently from their judgment and skills but obviously enjoying their rides. I was surprised to see them this morning continuing up a steep gravel road beyond the MUP. Usually I only see a couple of hard-core commuters in this weather, and today not even them. Just the old couple.
One odd thing though. Over the last few weeks I've been seeing an old couple riding together, slow, newbies apparently from their judgment and skills but obviously enjoying their rides. I was surprised to see them this morning continuing up a steep gravel road beyond the MUP. Usually I only see a couple of hard-core commuters in this weather, and today not even them. Just the old couple.
03-22-13, 08:31 AM
#829
born again cyclist
i rode my road bike into work for the 1st time since october! oh hallelujah, what a joy of joys that feeling is after a season of riding a studded-tire hybrid winter beast!
i forgot about how much more work mechanical rim brakes are than hydraulic discs. i can softly breath on the hydraulic levers on my hybrid and come to a screeching halt, but the mechanical ultegra calipers on my road bike actually require me to use a bit of hand muscle to get the wheels to stop rolling. it probably also has something to do with the fact that i can simply ride my road bike much faster than my hybrid.
i forgot about how much more work mechanical rim brakes are than hydraulic discs. i can softly breath on the hydraulic levers on my hybrid and come to a screeching halt, but the mechanical ultegra calipers on my road bike actually require me to use a bit of hand muscle to get the wheels to stop rolling. it probably also has something to do with the fact that i can simply ride my road bike much faster than my hybrid.
03-22-13, 09:37 AM
#830
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First commute of the "spring" today! It may have been in the low 20s (F) when I left but it felt great to be back on 2 wheels again.
03-23-13, 07:39 AM
#831
Senior Member
32F, lots of runners on mup today... guess I better get used to that
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03-23-13, 02:20 PM
#832
Brown Jersey Winner
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i tested out my new drum brake front wheel and its awesome, bike is also now fixed gear which is also great
having brakes on a fixed gear bike is such a strange sensation
on my way home i had the most awful head/crosswinds ive ever ridden in. weatherspark says 40 but ive been in 40 before, this mustve been 50+. almost knocked me clean over
having brakes on a fixed gear bike is such a strange sensation
on my way home i had the most awful head/crosswinds ive ever ridden in. weatherspark says 40 but ive been in 40 before, this mustve been 50+. almost knocked me clean over
03-24-13, 11:53 AM
#833
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Today was my first time commuting -- that is, using the bike to GET somewhere rather than just riding for enjoyment. I've been wanting to start for a while, but keep finding excuse after excuse.
Behold, my first route, from my home to the church downtown where I had breakfast.
Only four miles there, and most of that on quiet city streets: Selma Avenue is wide and perfect for biking. On Race Street, that long stretch south, I saw a deer trapped in a flooded drainage ditch. I'd never seen a deer in daylight, and never that close. If only I had a picture! I had to cross several sets of railroad tracks, no troubles there. The scariest part of the route is the beginning, that 3/5ths of a mile I spend on a state highway where the speed limit is 55 and no one but those in front of cops drive it. I was only passed by 3 people this morning on that stretch, but something like ten this afternoon, plus two motorcycles. Everyone gave me a wide berth.
I ran into a mechanical problem with my handlebars getting a bit loose: I bought it (a mountain bike) used and now know why the former owner wasn't fussed at practically giving it away. I forgot to bring my allen wrench, which I've learned to use because the bars need tightening periodically.
I had my lock and my pump, plus a change of clothes, in a tote bag with me. The tote bag kept bumping up against the front bike wheel, and now it has a hole in it. "I can't find my backpack" was one of my excuses for not taking the bike to work (which is also downtown, and which I'd access via this same route). But this morning I said "enough with the excuses, just RIDE", and I did. I'm a bit concerned about the fact that even though it was 50 degrees outside and cold, I came home sweating. That does not bode well for summer rides...
Behold, my first route, from my home to the church downtown where I had breakfast.
Only four miles there, and most of that on quiet city streets: Selma Avenue is wide and perfect for biking. On Race Street, that long stretch south, I saw a deer trapped in a flooded drainage ditch. I'd never seen a deer in daylight, and never that close. If only I had a picture! I had to cross several sets of railroad tracks, no troubles there. The scariest part of the route is the beginning, that 3/5ths of a mile I spend on a state highway where the speed limit is 55 and no one but those in front of cops drive it. I was only passed by 3 people this morning on that stretch, but something like ten this afternoon, plus two motorcycles. Everyone gave me a wide berth.I ran into a mechanical problem with my handlebars getting a bit loose: I bought it (a mountain bike) used and now know why the former owner wasn't fussed at practically giving it away.
I forgot to bring my allen wrench, which I've learned to use because the bars need tightening periodically.I had my lock and my pump, plus a change of clothes, in a tote bag with me. The tote bag kept bumping up against the front bike wheel, and now it has a hole in it. "I can't find my backpack" was one of my excuses for not taking the bike to work (which is also downtown, and which I'd access via this same route). But this morning I said "enough with the excuses, just RIDE", and I did. I'm a bit concerned about the fact that even though it was 50 degrees outside and cold, I came home sweating. That does not bode well for summer rides...
03-24-13, 02:42 PM
#834
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Congratulations SC, it sounds like you're going to enjoy it. But please get the handlebars fixed soon whatever it takes. They shouldn't need periodic tightening and the last thing you need is the bars coming loose on a commute.
03-24-13, 05:24 PM
#836
Shimano's Shaman
It was rainy today, round trip. Plus, I had a couple of near misses.
03-25-13, 05:17 AM
#837
Banned
Woke up in the middle of the night hearing the awnings banging because of the wind, and hoped that the wind would die down during my morning commute. Unfortunately Aeolus (the Greek god of wind) didn't hear my plea!
Left home with a headwind of around 50-60 kph, gusting to well above 70 kph! Extremely difficult to cycle because of the gusting winds which kept kicking me in the gut. Eventually I made it to work, taking nearly twice the time and drenched because of the effort.
Here's a couple of pics when the wind let up enough to keep my balance!
...and here's one from the afternoon ride back; condition a bit worse than the morning commute.
Note: Also took the photos off the B/F server in order to minimize my footprint.
Left home with a headwind of around 50-60 kph, gusting to well above 70 kph! Extremely difficult to cycle because of the gusting winds which kept kicking me in the gut. Eventually I made it to work, taking nearly twice the time and drenched because of the effort.
Here's a couple of pics when the wind let up enough to keep my balance!
...and here's one from the afternoon ride back; condition a bit worse than the morning commute.
Note: Also took the photos off the B/F server in order to minimize my footprint.
i'm off to italy next week after a quick trip to the US
i'm looking forward to some sun, some thermal baths and some great food/drink
especially the sun as the weather here sucks
03-25-13, 05:20 AM
#838
Banned
0C/32F
saw my first "runner" ... someone jumped out of a taxi when it was stopped at a light ... the taxi driver chased him around the corner and two other taxi drivers chased his as well
in addition a bike commuter rode after him
they all disappeared around the corner
three taxis were just standing in traffic, people got out the cars behind them shout the open doors and drove around them
the whole scene was
oh, and this was basically right in front of the European Central Bank
saw my first "runner" ... someone jumped out of a taxi when it was stopped at a light ... the taxi driver chased him around the corner and two other taxi drivers chased his as well
in addition a bike commuter rode after him
they all disappeared around the corner
three taxis were just standing in traffic, people got out the cars behind them shout the open doors and drove around them
the whole scene was
oh, and this was basically right in front of the European Central Bank
03-25-13, 05:34 AM
#839
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Let me join the global chrous: Where is spring?
Just at freezing, wet heavy snow coming down, no wind which is nice.
Very strange for March 25 but I think this must be the last of it.
Just at freezing, wet heavy snow coming down, no wind which is nice.
Very strange for March 25 but I think this must be the last of it.
03-25-13, 05:48 AM
#840
What, me worry?
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Here's a few recent pics taken yesterday morning (not a commute, but definitely the weather you will be seeing in Italy).
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post15424576
That's the usual reaction to the ECB around the med!
03-25-13, 06:05 AM
#841
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Rode today in the kind of weather I would normally drive in. It rained all day yesterday with temps in the 30s, and I was going stir crazy this morning. Woke up at 4 am and couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up, made some coffee and ate breakfast. Temps were still in the 30s with light misty rain and it's supposed become very windy this afternoon with 35 mph gusts. Great day for driving, but I just felt like riding so I saddled up. I felt great during the ride to work and the winds hadn't picked up yet, although I did have to stop once to dry off my glasses. Like others, our weather continues to resemble winter more than spring. Our daily high-low temperatures the past couple of weeks have been close to the normals for January around here, and the same kind of weather is expected all week.
Oh, and congratulations on your first commute, "smellingcoffee." It's all downhill with tailwinds from here.
Oh, and congratulations on your first commute, "smellingcoffee." It's all downhill with tailwinds from here.
03-25-13, 06:41 AM
#842
tougher than a boiled owl
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31degF, calm, in the pre dawn glow just coming up over the horizon. Beautiful commute this morning and my average speed is up some since it finally warmed up a little. First time out in lighter tights today and I think its time to re install the clipless pedals and pull out the shoes. Next week, studded tires are coming off. Yee Ha.
03-25-13, 06:52 AM
#843
Banned
Nice to have you in the neighborhood!
Here's a few recent pics taken yesterday morning (not a commute, but definitely the weather you will be seeing in Italy).
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post15424576
That's the usual reaction to the ECB around the med!
Here's a few recent pics taken yesterday morning (not a commute, but definitely the weather you will be seeing in Italy).
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post15424576
That's the usual reaction to the ECB around the med!
Yeah, the ECB was leaning quite hard on Cyprus (and Russia). The whole situation reeks of an EU vs. Russia battle, with Cyprus in the middle. Even though it seems people won't loss their savings (up to €100k) the economy will be devastated for a while.
edit: ugh ... just read the news. that really sucks for some people
Germans happy, which is usually bad for the rest of the EU
Last edited by acidfast7; 03-25-13 at 07:22 AM.
03-25-13, 07:21 AM
#844
ouate de phoque
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Strong headwind this morning but the legs felt strong too. Cool -1 celcius with gray cloudy sky.
ALmost no traffic this morning. 1h09 total time
ALmost no traffic this morning. 1h09 total time
03-25-13, 10:21 AM
#845
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6" of fresh snow and new commuter build I stayed up all night completing. Should probably drive in today, but I can't think of a better way to test this new bike out.
03-25-13, 10:27 AM
#846
Conquer Cancer rider
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Another first-for-the-year commute this end. It was almost light when I left home, but I still blinkied up fore and aft. I also wore my awesome new winter jacket in dayglo yellow. This lends new meaning to the term hi-vis...
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03-25-13, 10:34 AM
#847
www.ocrebels.com
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Easy commute this morning, 55 Deg. F at the start but the fog was quite thick this morning in Los Angeles. My glasses kept getting moisture on them, plus my sight distance was not good, so it was kind of scary in that aspect.
Otherwise quite good, warm enough not to be a problem and no issues with motor traffic, so that's always a good thing!
Rick / OCRR
Otherwise quite good, warm enough not to be a problem and no issues with motor traffic, so that's always a good thing!
Rick / OCRR
03-25-13, 10:35 AM
#848
Senior Member
drove today, excuse is I have to pick up my daughter at the airport. the real reason...
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I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
03-25-13, 11:14 AM
#849
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Fantastic commute this morning. 32F but sun was out so it wasn't the biting cold I'm used to. Even though I did 45mi+ this weekend on fun rides, my legs felt really good this morning and my HR stayed lower than usual.
Great start to the week so far.
Even though I did 45mi+ this weekend on fun rides, my legs felt really good this morning and my HR stayed lower than usual.Great start to the week so far.
03-25-13, 11:28 AM
#850
back in the saddle
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First commute since January 8th. 19 F and less tha 10 MPH winds. Rural roads I ride are still 25% snow coverd and rutted. One positive of all of this snow is the banks at the side of the road are high enough to block some of the wind!