2013!! How Was your Commute Today?
#1576
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Simcoe County, Ontario
Bikes: Steve Bauer Sirocco "Steve", Kawasaki Sumo 4.0 Fatbike "Black Betty", Retrospec Amok-16 "Rocinante/Veronica"
Had a great ride to work this morning in decent temp & conditions, right up until I had my first ever clip-less fall-over... No amount or direction of motion would release my right foot & over I went onto my knee... as an entire tim horton's drive thru watched... haha. So that was awesome. 
Once I was down, the right shoe unclipped just as easy as pie...
Ended up with just a scraped, twisted knee, no visible bruising & a reminder to unclip a little sooner...
Cheers
Once I was down, the right shoe unclipped just as easy as pie...
Ended up with just a scraped, twisted knee, no visible bruising & a reminder to unclip a little sooner...
Cheers
#1577
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
never happens when no one is looking...
Had a great ride to work this morning in decent temp & conditions, right up until I had my first ever clip-less fall-over... No amount or direction of motion would release my right foot & over I went onto my knee... as an entire tim horton's drive thru watched... haha. So that was awesome. 
Once I was down, the right shoe unclipped just as easy as pie...
Ended up with just a scraped, twisted knee, no visible bruising & a reminder to unclip a little sooner...
Cheers
Once I was down, the right shoe unclipped just as easy as pie...
Ended up with just a scraped, twisted knee, no visible bruising & a reminder to unclip a little sooner...
Cheers
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#1578
Things here are a bit hazier though... here's a photo essay of a daily commute (not my pics):
Typical rush hour territorial behavior! Sometimes I get nasty comments on my weight and cycling...

...but I never answer back because what goes around, comes around!
...and in the end, I've come out on top by choosing to commute to work!

No pedestrians or buses were harmed in the making of this story!
#1579
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Simcoe County, Ontario
Bikes: Steve Bauer Sirocco "Steve", Kawasaki Sumo 4.0 Fatbike "Black Betty", Retrospec Amok-16 "Rocinante/Veronica"
#1580
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
2x 100 kms is a good reason to be a bit sore. Hope you had nice weather and congrats for the double metric.
#1583
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
Edit: Saturday, headwinds and hills, double-dipped in evil!!!
Sunday, predominantly downhill with a lesser tailwind and warmer tempteratures, 1.5hrs faster.
Not a true double metric as it was done on two separate days but a success nevertheless and a wonderful weekend of riding with new friends.
#1584
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville, North Carolina
Bikes: Trek Madone 2.1
Mine was awesome. It was 72F and my 6 mile ride was beautiful. It's so great to here all of the sounds of nature. This morning I had goats following me in a pasture just a talking away.
#1585
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 30
From: Panama City, FL
Bikes: 2018 Specialized AWOL, 2013 Surly Pacer, 2011 Raleigh One-Way, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 2020 Surly Big Dummy
Much faster on the Surly LHT than the Trek 7.4. It's getting to be summer in the panhandle of Florida, had a little sweat for the first time this year.
T
T
Last edited by wsgts; 05-28-13 at 12:17 PM.
#1586
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 619
Likes: 9
From: The Big City
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Tern Verge P20, Citi Bike
I rode New York's brand new bike share! There was a light rain, but I went anyway, in t-shirt and blue jeans. Hooray for wool t-shirts.
So, compared to my, small, nimble Brompton, the bike share bike was like riding a Sherman tank in first gear. It's big and heavy, the SUV of bikes, pootles along despite spinning like the Road Runner, and maneuvers like an albatross. I couldn't jump in and out of traffic like I can on my bike; I'll have to re-strategize some spots. I don't think this will be my regular commuter. On the plus side, their bike got wet, not mine, and I didn't have to haul mine down four flights of stairs. If hypothetically it's pouring tonight, I won't have to ride home if I don't want to. Their software still has glitches.
Nevertheless, I'm still totally excited by bike share. First, I owe it a lot. I was totally intrigued by the concept when they announced it last spring. Learning about bikes led me to folding bikes, and I lucked into a used Brompton, which is now my main means of transport. Just the idea of bike share changed my life. I still think my membership will be useful; there are enough times when having my own bike in tow is inconvenient. Most days I'll be on my Brompton though.
So, compared to my, small, nimble Brompton, the bike share bike was like riding a Sherman tank in first gear. It's big and heavy, the SUV of bikes, pootles along despite spinning like the Road Runner, and maneuvers like an albatross. I couldn't jump in and out of traffic like I can on my bike; I'll have to re-strategize some spots. I don't think this will be my regular commuter. On the plus side, their bike got wet, not mine, and I didn't have to haul mine down four flights of stairs. If hypothetically it's pouring tonight, I won't have to ride home if I don't want to. Their software still has glitches.
Nevertheless, I'm still totally excited by bike share. First, I owe it a lot. I was totally intrigued by the concept when they announced it last spring. Learning about bikes led me to folding bikes, and I lucked into a used Brompton, which is now my main means of transport. Just the idea of bike share changed my life. I still think my membership will be useful; there are enough times when having my own bike in tow is inconvenient. Most days I'll be on my Brompton though.
#1587
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
First day back on the bike in almost three weeks, between an injury at work and a tattoo last week it felt good to get back on the bike. Was a chilly and windy day 55f on the way in at 4pm and 41f at 3am.
#1589
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
Mild 13C (55F), misty and a lot of spray in the air so my glasses got completely coated, nearly didn't see the "salmon jogger" who was wearing dark clothes. Clothes have a bit of mud splatter on them but once they dry out, I can brush that off.
#1590
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville, North Carolina
Bikes: Trek Madone 2.1
Fast and furious his morning. I left late and thought I would not be on time but I attacked the hills and made it just in time. This afternoon will be a joy ride.
#1591
More steamy early summer weather. Good ride in, I am really making an effort to stop for major lights and I have to say I notice those riders who blow through them.
Not passing judgement but I do notice it nowe.
Not passing judgement but I do notice it nowe.
#1592
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
Nice warm morning but humidity is way up. My legs felt very sluggish so I took it easy.
Had an unfortunate incident and scare at work yesterday. One of my coworkers, one of the few regular bike commuters at my office, had his bike stolen yesterday at work. It was parked right in front of the building in plain view of several offices, and we have an armed guard on duty at the building with full security cameras. As soon as I heard about the theft, I rushed down to check my bike, which I park on the other side of the building. I had ridden my nicest, favorite and most valuable bike (Waterford) -- which I am about to take out of the regular commuter rotation. Fortunately my bike was still there and unharmed, thanks in no small part to a much heavier locking system (U-lock with cable). However, I don't think I will ride that bike to work anymore. It will be replaced in my rotation with a cross bike that I'm having built right now. The Waterford will now become my main bike for long weekend and recreational rides.
Had an unfortunate incident and scare at work yesterday. One of my coworkers, one of the few regular bike commuters at my office, had his bike stolen yesterday at work. It was parked right in front of the building in plain view of several offices, and we have an armed guard on duty at the building with full security cameras. As soon as I heard about the theft, I rushed down to check my bike, which I park on the other side of the building. I had ridden my nicest, favorite and most valuable bike (Waterford) -- which I am about to take out of the regular commuter rotation. Fortunately my bike was still there and unharmed, thanks in no small part to a much heavier locking system (U-lock with cable). However, I don't think I will ride that bike to work anymore. It will be replaced in my rotation with a cross bike that I'm having built right now. The Waterford will now become my main bike for long weekend and recreational rides.
#1593
I had to laugh this morning. A colleague at the lockers related how we left the office at the same time the other day and then I was a half mile ahead of him (in his car) by the first light, I did a jug-handle turn, going right to turn left, caught it green and that was the last he saw of me. Which I only do when traffic is too heavy to comfortably get to the left turn lane so who knows how long he had to sit there at the light. "Made me think I should get my bike out" he said.
#1594
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
Gray morning, comfortable 15 celcius. swirling wind but mostly a tailwind.
First ride my new saddle, my 10$ vader saddle was a big improvement at first but after 600-700 kms the pressure on the sit bones is too great to my taste so I tried a different saddle. I got it last night and threw it on the bike without any adjustement so the first ride was a bit disapointing. But as it is a completely different design I will probably have to try different adjustments to get it right. As this one cost a lot more I hope I can get it right.
First ride my new saddle, my 10$ vader saddle was a big improvement at first but after 600-700 kms the pressure on the sit bones is too great to my taste so I tried a different saddle. I got it last night and threw it on the bike without any adjustement so the first ride was a bit disapointing. But as it is a completely different design I will probably have to try different adjustments to get it right. As this one cost a lot more I hope I can get it right.
#1595
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
First ride my new saddle, my 10$ vader saddle was a big improvement at first but after 600-700 kms the pressure on the sit bones is too great to my taste so I tried a different saddle. I got it last night and threw it on the bike without any adjustement so the first ride was a bit disapointing. But as it is a completely different design I will probably have to try different adjustments to get it right. As this one cost a lot more I hope I can get it right.
#1596
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
#1597
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
On the weekend, I spoke with a fellow about his custom True North bike and his Brooks saddle. He raved and raved about how comfortable to ride the bike was and the saddle too, I'm thinking that should be my next saddle.
#1598
www.ocrebels.com
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles area
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Nice commute this morning, 61 Deg.F when I left the house. I lucked into hitting most of the lights on green, no hassle from motorists, made the 5:40 Metro. A little crowded on the Metro, but not too bad.
It was fully light by the time I de-trained in Los Angeles, so great ride to work today. Will be toasty on the way home, no doubt.
Rick / OCRR
It was fully light by the time I de-trained in Los Angeles, so great ride to work today. Will be toasty on the way home, no doubt.
Rick / OCRR
#1599
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus





