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2013!! How Was your Commute Today?

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2013!! How Was your Commute Today?

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Old 02-05-13, 07:30 AM
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Loaded up the "mule" for my commute today. I have a package to mail and didn't feel like driving just for that reason, plus the weather is supposed to be nice for a change. So I moved my lights and other gear to my touring bike, loaded up the panniers with clothes and extra food for the office, and strapped the package to the rear rack. The commute took about 3 minutes longer than usual, which is not bad considering that I was carrying about 20 lbs of extra cargo this morning. It should be an easier ride home with a much lighter load, warm temperatures and possibly a tailwind for a change.
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Old 02-05-13, 08:01 AM
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Just a little warmer this morning, 46 vrs 42 yesterday, but it SEEMED colder. After yesterdays cold ride, I added a layer both to my torso and to my legs with a pair of nylon wind pants. Got out my old motorcycling balaclava and put that on the keep my head warm. MUCH BETTER. Fingers and toes were still cold this morning, but the rest of me stayed warm. Had a couple of stops due to traffic concerns, and noticed that I'm a LOT slower when it's cold out. My ride home last night in 69 degrees and a setting sun was very fast....and fun. Good to be back on the bike commuting to work.

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Old 02-05-13, 08:07 AM
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Loaded up the "mule" for my commute today. I have a package to mail and didn't feel like driving just for that reason, plus the weather is supposed to be nice for a change. So I moved my lights and other gear to my touring bike, loaded up the panniers with clothes and extra food for the office, and strapped the package to the rear rack. The commute took about 3 minutes longer than usual, which is not bad considering that I was carrying about 20 lbs of extra cargo this morning. It should be an easier ride home with a much lighter load, warm temperatures and possibly a tailwind for a change.
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Old 02-05-13, 08:22 AM
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So didn't want to ride today, but I did anyway. Roads are clear enough that I could switch to the LHT vs. the troll. It may seem wierd to think of a LHT as a lighter/faster bike, but in my case it is, mostly due to tire selection. Should hit 40 today. Its got me thinking spring.
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Old 02-05-13, 09:07 AM
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My coldest complete commute so far at -24 celcius. I turned around after 4 kms a few weeks ago at -27 celcius because my wheel bearing froze. Now with synthetic grease it was fine this morning.

But let me tell you that 27.2 kms at -24 is quite a ride. I needed 1h35 to get to work (2nd worst ever) and I almost fainted when I got to work.
I can't explain why but with the same wind and road condition at a warmer temp. I will get to work in about 1h08 or 1h10 max.
I think I was over dressed. I was very hot when I got to work ( I mean, I'm always pretty hot but this morning was worst )
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Old 02-05-13, 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by vtjim
First (bike) commute in a few weeks. Between vacations and icky, salty roads, I've been walking and/or taking the bus. Too lazy to drag my beater bike out of the basement, and the Soho is too nice for cruddy conditions.
But the Soho is built to take it!
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Old 02-05-13, 10:05 AM
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Rode the felt cruiser in today, installed a felt handlebar mount felt coffee cup holder over the weekend.

I love being able to take a sip of coffee at the light in the morning.
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Old 02-05-13, 12:18 PM
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I have a lot of respect for you northerners.

I've been to Burlington, VT in the summer. It's gorgeous. Good for you for taking the MUP and being so bad-ass.
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Old 02-05-13, 01:08 PM
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got t boned by a 72 year old man who didnt stop at a stop sign less than a block from my house on my way out.
im basically fine except for a scrape on my forearm, parks dept employees witnessed it and were on my side, offered help being witnesses and fixing my bike.

front wheel is shot, put on a spare 700c deep section boat anchor in the meantime.
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Old 02-05-13, 01:39 PM
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23F with no wind this morning. I was overdressed, forecast was for much colder. I had to be in early so most of the ride was in the dark but it was really clear with bright moon. My first ride with studded tires (better late than never) and I looked for ice to ride on instead of avoiding it!
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Old 02-05-13, 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Mumonkan
got t boned by a 72 year old man who didnt stop at a stop sign less than a block from my house on my way out.
im basically fine except for a scrape on my forearm, parks dept employees witnessed it and were on my side, offered help being witnesses and fixing my bike.

front wheel is shot, put on a spare 700c deep section boat anchor in the meantime.
Glad you're OK! Wheels can be replaced, Mumonkan cannot.
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Old 02-05-13, 02:51 PM
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I did not enjoy the ride in to work this morning. Temperature was good (40f), no wind, streets were clear (very few cagers at 5:30am), NR lights blazing, but every turn of the pedals was a real drag. Maybe I've ridden too much lately? Dunno.
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Old 02-05-13, 02:52 PM
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It's hot again! Weather was a balmy 19C with 85% humidity making my commute hot and sticky, and to add insult to injury, I've been practicing gradually adding weight (panniers) so I can see/feel how my bike handles when I'll be touring it this spring, so it was hard pedaling all the way to work and back... although I did get some much needed exercise!
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Old 02-05-13, 03:32 PM
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Another perfect day for the fat bike. 2 inches of fresh snow early this morning. Lovely, 20 degrees. A pleasure cruise. Loved every minute of it.
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Old 02-05-13, 03:53 PM
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I've been sick with a nasty cold since Saturday. I had the wife drive me to the bus stop.
Hopefully I'll be back on the bike after tomorrow.
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Old 02-05-13, 07:11 PM
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Couple of days of 40's and all the snow/ice is gone (typical up & down weather for this part of the world). It felt sooooooooo good to leave the studded tire mountain bike beast at home and be back rolling on some smooth-tread, 75psi, 700x32's!
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Old 02-05-13, 08:13 PM
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Great evening ride into work tonight. I took a wrong turn on purpose adding 7 miles to my normal commute from SE to Bethesda. Made a bad choice in putting on my coat versus the fleece. Plus, i forgot to check the batteries in my head lamp. Luckily, I was able to tail a few cyclist. Can't wait for the 6 am commute back to bed.
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Old 02-05-13, 09:49 PM
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it has been beautiful here-20'sF in the morning and 45F in the afternoon-nice ride with the ice gone,but I have noticed my lack of planning did not put fenders on the dog trailer,so now I have wheel spray to clean,and fenders to build.oh well,good off day project!
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Old 02-05-13, 10:19 PM
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Wet today... perfect for testing out my new MEC Derecho waterproof jacket. What a difference! It was a treat to still feel dry after the rides.
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Old 02-06-13, 02:31 AM
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0c/32f ... good to be back on the bike after 8 days of vacation and 5 sick days in Jan.

the ice has melted in the short-term and i'm ready to go
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Old 02-06-13, 05:42 AM
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A few degrees above freezing. Both last night's and this morning's commutes were perfect, quiet, not too many cars out.
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Old 02-06-13, 06:02 AM
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Originally Posted by tractorlegs
I did not enjoy the ride in to work this morning. Temperature was good (40f), no wind, streets were clear (very few cagers at 5:30am), NR lights blazing, but every turn of the pedals was a real drag. Maybe I've ridden too much lately? Dunno.
However yesterday evening was a wonderful ride home, I felt great. Hated the ride to work, loved the ride home, maybe I'm ADD
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Old 02-06-13, 06:16 AM
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Something happened to me TWICE today that has never happened on my commute before. Two separate cars stayed behind me at a comfortable distance for a considerable amount of time. They had plenty opportunity to pass and at some points I even waved them on. I figured it out later that they were simply lighting my way. Not that I needed them to, but the gesture itself was pretty nice.
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Old 02-06-13, 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by aquateen
Something happened to me TWICE today that has never happened on my commute before. Two separate cars stayed behind me at a comfortable distance for a considerable amount of time. They had plenty opportunity to pass and at some points I even waved them on. I figured it out later that they were simply lighting my way. Not that I needed them to, but the gesture itself was pretty nice.
That's pretty cool. It happens to me frequently also, and always makes me feel better about riding in traffic. I've always attributed it to very bright rear lighting (I have quite the array back there), but whatever the reason it's nice when it happens.
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Old 02-06-13, 07:01 AM
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Fast ride this morning on my lightest commuter bike. Made it to work 8 minutes faster than yesterday, when I rode my touring bike loaded with food and clothes. I like mixing it up, riding different bikes at varying paces. Since my route doesn't change much, riding different bikes keeps it fun.
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