I am finally started back after a long winter and a total right knee replacement in February. I was able to commute by bike today. It was great, I missed biking to work. It took just about an hour but I did not want to mash my knees on my first time back, I need something left for the afternoon ride home. The temp was 39 f and the sun was coming up so it was nice.

Backing up to last night's ride home...the drivers were angry and impatient. I tailed another bike commuter down Pennsylvania avenue SouthEast near my building..for some reason a guy in a Mustang seemed very annoyed to have to share the road with the guy. Almost ended up sideswiping him. Grr.

Beutiful ride in.

On the positive side, a young lady on my team at work was DC's 4-millionth Bike Share cutomer!
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[TD]Our 4 Millionth Ride!

Capital Bikeshare has done it again - we've reached yet another milestone! Thanks to our very enthusiastic bikeshare community, we hit our 4 millionth ride on Wednesday, April 24, around 6:30 pm. Who was the lucky rider, you ask? That honor goes to one Gabrielle, who picked up a bike at Virginia Avenue & 21st Street, NW. Gabrielle will receive a fabulous gift package including an annual membership, helmet and t-shirt. Congratulations, Gabrielle!
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First sunny day we've had all week and the temperatures might reach the 70s if it stays that way. My legs were tired this morning from lots of miles over the past two weeks, but I made good time because I had a tailwind most of the way and I rode my fastest commuter bike. If the nice weather continues, I might take off early this afternoon and enjoy the sunshine. We have hardly seen a peep of sun here over the past two weeks.

Another beautiful morning, 13C (56F) with a forecast high of 22C (72F), and mostly sunny. Same as yesterday but the temperature actually reached 26C (79F). Fastest ride home last night, fastest ride in this morning (both for 2013). Hope I didn't overdo it though, I have a long (for me) training ride this afternoon, 70km and perhaps another 250km over the 3-day weekend (I get Monday off).

Enjoy the weather people!

Oh yeah, saw a rabbit and a raccoon.

The raccoon reminded me of last fall when I was riding in to work (must have been October or November because it was dark at 6:30am) and up ahead, I saw 3 raccoons crossing the residential street I was on and as I got closer, they started moving faster. When I was about 10m (10yds) away, they bee-lined it to the ornamental tree in the front yard they were moving towards but the trunk was probably only 15cm (6") diameter, too small for all 3 to be climbing up at the same time. There was a bit of a tussle and one lost and ran across the yard looking for another tree or hiding spot, the other two scampered up the tree. It was hilarious to watch!

the same 35 mph wind screaming out of the north this morning.

not doing that again after yesterday's slog, so choo-choo!

i usually hate myself when i take the train, but obnoxiously strong headwinds are the one exception where i stand my decision to take the wussy way out. riding 15 miles into a headwind like that along the lakefront can really just sap all the fun out of a bike ride.

Another late start, and I encountered more pedestrians that usual however there were fewer cyclists. Anyway, fantastic weather, cool and sunny. I'm still getting back into shape and hope this will finally be the year I can knock off that excess weight I put on over the winter.

Really nice morning at 6C/43F. Broke out the road bike for the first time this year - I know it's only marginally faster than my all-weather bike, but during the initial stretch, it felt like I was going twice as fast. Then I turned north and realized I had had a tailwind.

another great AM. At 30km/hr I almost annihilated a Canada Goose that wandered out onto the MUP-bridge from behind a fence.

Day off today. Yesterday AM ride stunk. Rain blowing into me and got my feet soaked. I wore wool socks so I took my shoes off and stood on some old towels before putting on my duty boots. It helped a bit. One thing could be better though. We have two banks of lockers one over the other. So your clothes are not going to dry at all during a ten hour shift with a half height locker. In fact they will possibly mildew. The ride home was easier as I had a tail wind. No rain at the time, another relief. Was glad to get home and hang up my gear to dry. It was a tiring day. Took the Boss out to eat and got a lot of sleep. It is all better now. One thing though, there was no lightning when I left or I would have hopped a ride in the car.

Mid-40's degF, light rain, moderate wind... a nice ride, and a piece of cake after riding all winter!

Supermellow. Rode the old commuterized Rock Hopper, very slowly at that. Nice.

It'a officially summer here (high 80's) and riding around during mid-day is becoming uncomfortable, but early morning and evening is fantastic!

Although today wasn't a commute to work due to Orthodox Easter vacation, I did take my new commuter/grocery bike to my LBS to have it checked out. After searching for a commuter for cycling to work and some lite grocery shopping, and to take the strain off my main bike which is now a dedicated tourer, I manage to find a good deal on a very lightly used Jamis Commuter 1 Xms (3-speed Nexus) which was purchased by the previous owner in February but couldn't tackle the hills with the Nexus.

My LBS looked it over and went ahead tightening and adjusting the components since the bike itself was barely ridden and hadn't been taken to the dealer for the initial tuning. Except for a scratch on the top tube which can be buffed out, the bike itself is in impeccable condition and was a steal at almost half the current retail price.

Being worried that the 3-speed was going to make commuting challenging, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the gearing could handle hills, as well as keeping up pace on flat roads. The only weak link is the Alex R1000 rims which are single walled, and will probably not hold up to my 270lbs + 10 lbs of commuting items. I've also ordered a rear rack, but will keep things as simple as possible with the minimum amount of accessories on.

Rode yesterday and today to and from work.
Yesterday AM 55º humid and I was taking my balaclava off about half way to work. I wore my bib tights, bibs, sugoi wool jersey, and wind breaker vest. (which is too big and drives me crazy but sure seems to work for most mornings)
Rode home was a nice ride. cloudy and mid 60's Rode home in the bibtights and wool jersey.

Today AM 50º put the sleeves on the vest to make a jacket. I got too hot and ended up taking the jackets sleeves off after I got warmed up.
Today PM 60's not as sunny as the weather man forecast. I was kinda bummed about that. The wind was brutal and it took me longer than normal.

My legs just feel tired when I ride 2 days back to back. I just thought they would adjust.. but haven' so far. 3 weeks of riding 2 days back to back.

I'm the same, it's the only time I don't regret driving. Especially when I drive past cyclists who are barely moving and have that constipated expression on their face.

Today was great. I made my best time of 2013, only a minute shy of my all-time record.

Did my third commute for the week today, more than I ever do. It was cool in the morning, and I expected it to be much warmer when i went home but it wasn't. I stopped to pick up my Bike New York ride packet and checked out the bike expo on the way home.

So I got a hybrid bike, a trek 7.3, Monday last week, 4/22...the first 5 days, between last Monday and this past Tuesday, I put 39 recreational miles on it. Then this Wednesday I decided I would start commuting to work, 15 miles each way. I'm hooked! I did the commute Wednesday and then today (Friday). It is so empowering! Everyone in my office is pretty amazed that I'm doing it, especially having just bought a bike. It's easy though, and feel great.

I struggle with stress, like I believe a lot of people do. I thought that driving 30 minutes home from work was a good way to decompress. It's NOTHING compared to riding. Nothing. Yesterday, I really really wished that I had my bike with me to ride home after a long, stressful day. When I get home after having rode, my stress levels are much lower than usual. I'm pretty hooked. On top of all of that, I feel so much lighter in terms of my effect on the environment.

Moving forward I will be looking for safer routes to take. Google does a great job at giving me solid streets, but there are just a couple of points with no shoulder that I know probably could be a little better, possibly on parallel streets- I'll have to do that experimenting myself. It's no big deal a few times, but if I am going to commute 3+ times per week for half of the year, I am going to need to try to eliminate anything with no shoulder (aside from this one unavoidable area where I ride mainly on the sidewalk since there are no driveways - it's over a bridge and near a mini strip mall more or less).

Anyway, empowered, less stress - already feeling good about my first 2 commutes. Not drained at all.

Telly - that Jamis looks like a great acquisition for you! I bought a Jamis Commuter 3 in January as my second bike, and it is great. It's actually my #1 bike now. Having two bikes is soooooo nice, because if one has any mechanical issues, I can simply switch for the day and ride the other one, and sort out the first one when I get time or on the weekend. Also, one for winter tires, and one for summer tires. Good find on your Jamis!

Congrats, and I bet you'll quickly move into becoming a commuting addict!

Lol yes, and yes. Totally fine though minimal scrapes, low speed all 3 times

today was 57F 7mph wind, thought i was taking it easy on my way in so i dont burn up before my anticipated 70 miles after work and i ended up going the same avg speed and even made good time.
Least i didnt have to put in a lot of effort. Either that or im getting better at this whole gears thing

wax great my legs were sore when i got on the bike but fine when i got off. able to add that 3ed day and it feels great

It's not a commute to work but I did my first big ride of the year, a 111 kms ride in 4h16 min. total. Perfect weather , the legs felt great and at 6h a.m. I was all alone on the bike path .

A classic Monday:

--Leave Apartment...without my bike, but with panier in hand. Walk half way to elevator befiore I notice.
--Mid ride in, I realize I dont have my badge for work...not in the little frame pouch. Ugh
--Call colleague to vcome sign me in...lug bike in front doors, panier through security...
--Badge is in my pocket.

Other than that it was another nice ride in!

Very nice morning, beautiful sun, a warm 15 celcius. Strong tail wind, perfect.

wet, raining, 54F, great ride to start the week!