2013!! How Was your Commute Today?
#851
Conquer Cancer rider
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,040
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, touring bike, swish new ebike, Bike Friday
I'm not so sure that's a positive. The only time I ever road between snowbanks (admittedly on a pass over the rockies) it was like riding straight into an icebox.
__________________
Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
#853
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Bikes: 2011 Surly LHT, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2004 Giant Cypress, 1990 Simoncini Super Professional
Sadly, it was by car.
With 12" of wet, sloppy snow down, I couldn't even pedal 2 miles to the train.
And it looks like the snow won't be going anywhere for a few days.
With 12" of wet, sloppy snow down, I couldn't even pedal 2 miles to the train.
And it looks like the snow won't be going anywhere for a few days.
#854
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
Bikes: '89 Cannondale SC600, '05 Marin Fairfax, '10 Specialized Roubaix Elite Compact
Today was my first commute of the year and it kicked my butt. Just a little over 13 miles each way. This morning it was cold, windy and a touch above the freezing mark in Montreal. Thankfully this evening it was sunny and I got a tailwind most of the way home. I can't believe how much strength and endurance I lost over the winter. Ugh!
#855
Here I am riding this morning. We had 18 inches of snow here in Springfield last night. Wet, heavy, sloppy snow (ie. perfect for snowball fights). But again, I have to give credit and thanks to the City of Springfield and Illinois DOT - they must have been out plowing all night. I had the arterial roads mostly to myself, and other than some occasional deep slush, it wasn't bad at all. In fact, with a decent cross/tailwind, I even made a decent time. What a beautiful commute, the snow in the tress was just spectacular to see.
Last edited by Bluish Green; 03-25-13 at 08:22 PM.
#860
Banned.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Bikes: 2011 Jamis Hudson 4600
Crazy....as.....hell! So when I got home yesterday morning, its started snowing the biggest flakes you ever saw. The ground was covered in 4" in less than 2hrs. So I figured (because I work grave shift), I break out the snow chains now rather than have to struggle with them with a sleepy head (it would be my 1st time useing them).
So I put them on, which was no easy task with fenders & take it out on my street to get the feel of it all. CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK. I had to choose. Either the fenders or the chains. I chose chains. But damn if all the powder wasn't melted & gone by the time I woke up tonight for work. I tossed the fenders in the trailer & took the chains off & made a mad dash for work.......sigh, I made it
So I put them on, which was no easy task with fenders & take it out on my street to get the feel of it all. CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK. I had to choose. Either the fenders or the chains. I chose chains. But damn if all the powder wasn't melted & gone by the time I woke up tonight for work. I tossed the fenders in the trailer & took the chains off & made a mad dash for work.......sigh, I made it
#861
Banned.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Bikes: 2011 Jamis Hudson 4600
Crazy....as.....hell! So when I got home yesterday morning, its started snowing the biggest flakes you ever saw. The ground was covered in 4" in less than 2hrs. So I figured (because I work grave shift), I break out the snow chains now rather than have to struggle with them with a sleepy head (it would be my 1st time useing them).
So I put them on, which was no easy task with fenders & take it out on my street to get the feel of it all. CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK. I had to choose. Either the fenders or the chains. I chose chains. But damn if all the powder wasn't melted & gone by the time I woke up tonight for work. I tossed the fenders in the trailer & took the chains off & made a mad dash for work.......sigh, I made it
So I put them on, which was no easy task with fenders & take it out on my street to get the feel of it all. CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK. I had to choose. Either the fenders or the chains. I chose chains. But damn if all the powder wasn't melted & gone by the time I woke up tonight for work. I tossed the fenders in the trailer & took the chains off & made a mad dash for work.......sigh, I made it
#862
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
The winds have been relentless the entire month of March. Hopefully that will change in April, although I am actually starting to get used to riding in the wind all the time, if that's a good thing. Yesterday we had steady winds in the 10-20 mph range with gusts up to 30 mph, with headwinds most of the way home. The wind direction shifted overnight, so I had headwinds most of the way to work this morning, but it wasn't blowing quite as hard.
With all the threads about handlebars lately, I will just have to say that weather like this is when you really appreciate drop bars. If you bike is set up right, it should be comfortable to ride in the drops when you need to -- and they really help you survive in headwinds.
With all the threads about handlebars lately, I will just have to say that weather like this is when you really appreciate drop bars. If you bike is set up right, it should be comfortable to ride in the drops when you need to -- and they really help you survive in headwinds.
#865
Great commute this morning, dried up a bit and calm still hovering around freezing. Just some mud and debris on the path which I take as an excuse to slack off. I overslept and drove in yesterday, miserable commute both ways. Actually my subconscious was nagging don't ride, maybe because I'd reached over a hundred commute trips but between the flooding, winds and ice precipitation and the way people were driving it was probably a good decision.
#866
Conquer Cancer rider
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,040
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, touring bike, swish new ebike, Bike Friday
I was worrying about today's ride because the forecast I looked at said it would likely snow this afternoon, and snow and skinny tires are not the nicest combination.
Then I rode in anyway, and saw an updated forecast that says it will be maybe 9-10C by the afternoon.
Awesome. Maybe it's time to take the long route home.
Bad news on the commute. They have closed the regular entrance to the parking garage, so it's a steep plunge down to a lower level to get into the garage, and a very, very steep climb out at the end of the day.
Short-burst hill training I guess.
Then I rode in anyway, and saw an updated forecast that says it will be maybe 9-10C by the afternoon.
Awesome. Maybe it's time to take the long route home.

Bad news on the commute. They have closed the regular entrance to the parking garage, so it's a steep plunge down to a lower level to get into the garage, and a very, very steep climb out at the end of the day.
Short-burst hill training I guess.
__________________
Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
#867
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
A cool -2C but with a headwind so my fingers and toes were a little cold by the end of the 4km ride. For the last half of the current route, I'm riding SE so I got to see the morning glow in the horizon, nice! Looking nice outside now, nice and sunny. Should be a good ride home too! Rest of the week is overcast with a bit of snow in the forecast for tomorrow.
#868
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Finland
Bikes: BMC Roadracer, Cube Cross Race Disc
-5C in the morning and 2C in the afternoon, sunny and only slight wind. Roads are starting to show under the snow and ice, got to use the big ring for the first time this year!
The forecast says no snow for at least 10 days, good news after this winter....
#870
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
Cold and windy this morning, like nearly every commute this month, but at least it was sunny and dry. If nothing else, the wind is whipping me into shape. Flogging is more like it. Did I mention that it was windy?
#871
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
Although only 0C, it felt colder, perhaps there was more humidity in the air. Nice ride in, I feel like I'm getting more and more fit as the ride is becoming easier and easier. Looking forward to even warmer weather when I can dress lighter and switch to the bike I don't want covered with road crap, left over from the winter.
#873
yesterdays commute was great, tested the S3X hub for the first time and its glorious, the weather was almost 50 degrees and no wind
but my knockoff magicshine died again without warning just as it started to really get dark :\
but my knockoff magicshine died again without warning just as it started to really get dark :\
#874
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
Yesterday was beautiful, but today snowing again and wet but its not windy. I plan to change out the studded tires for the slicks and reinstall the clipless pedals this weekend and hope that signals the weather to warm up and not snow anymore.
Last edited by droy45; 03-27-13 at 07:24 AM. Reason: spelling






