HydroG33r 

Do you use a heart-rate monitor? On those days where I want to take it easy, I convince myself to compete for the lowest heart rate (while still doing my ~22km commute in under an hour).

I actually don't mind the rain; especially now that I've found what I think will be a solution to the issue I had with the rain significantly reducing my visibility through my riding glasses; ended up just putting on an old Under Armour ball cap I used to wear for field work. Though it wasn't raining heavy this morning, it seemed to keep most of the raindrops off my glasses. Have also just switched from this Quick Spit Anti-fog spray to this Oakley AFR anti-fog spray for hockey visors, which has been GREAT on my plastic riding lenses.

It shouldn't be unexpected probably, but I'm still amazed at how many times on each ride I'm nearly getting taken out by cars... or worse... MINIVANS and soccer mom SUV's. Seems to be at least once, usually 3 times each direction. I'm riding defensively and lit up like crazy too... flashing front & rear helmet lights via my L&M Vis 360+, flashing Fenix BC30 on my bars, steady B&M Ixon IQ Premium on my fork crown, and a PDW Danger Zone tail light flashing on the random "a-HA!" just under my saddle on the back of my Showers Pass Veleau 42 hydration system. Scary out there.

dcb23

Cooler out 48F / 9C It's getting really dicey for my inbound commute to go through the District's SouthWest waterfront...this area is undergoing a total renewal and is a huge construction zone. In the morning darkness I just can't tell where the potholes are and other general debris. Sucks because I really like to change up my routes.

Edit: Happy Halloween!

jrickards

Cool (-2C/29F) but damp, 5cm/2in of snow on the roads so I took a shorter route and rode on residential streets, sidewalks and MUPs.

Decided to wear my cycling gear as my Halloween costume because I probably scared a lot of drivers today, riding on the first snow day of the season. There are so many accidents this morning, ambulances passed me twice. The office has been open 15 minutes at this point and only 5 or 6 of the 40 staff are in yet.

wphamilton

I'm still in denial about winter starting, balking about wearing anything more than the minimum. It's still pretty nice riding home after all.

But I've got a feeling that DST ending is going to puncture my happy illusion, cold in the morning and dark evenings.

RidingMatthew

Well yesterday I experienced my first "leech" person who sat on my wheel and did not say hi or even ask if he could. What I think is funny is that I rode almost 1.3 miles before he even caught me. I saw him coming and just rode my normal pace. We climbed a hill and descended and he did not catch me. I was riding along minding my business (wife said I could ride longer since she was out) and I look back in my mirror and he is sitting on my wheel. NO hi or how you doing NOTHING. just riding along behind me like we know each other.

So I figured I would play with this guy a little. I sped up and slowed down... then slowed down some more ... then slowed a little more. I knew I was coming up to a spot with a downhill so I downshifted and took off. 14-20mph like that! He was working hard to catch back up and he did eventually because my legs were tired and I had already ridden 65+ miles this week. I take my time and weave a little back and forth. Eventually he says rider up because a rider was coming at us. They pass then he passes me and takes off...at first I was like oh no you are not so I get on his wheel. I dont think he expected that. So eventually I get tired of rushing through my ride. So I fade off of his wheel. I guess I should have said something but shouldn't he have said "hi! how are you? you mind if ride on your wheel?"

I was kinda urked that he did not say a word to me the entire time. If he had just said hi and asked I would have probably said yes. I would not have minded. I am glad that he did not hit my wheels/ fenders. I am obviously a guy riding for transportation. 2 full panniers on a fendered cyclocross bike. It was my fastest time for that section (17:40 for 5 miles).

*****
This morning school is out. It was so dark and peaceful this morning for the ride in. I had the right combo of clothes and was so comfortable. Traffic was 1/3 of what it usually is and the people on the road were very patient and passed me intelligently. Maybe because it was so dark or maybe it is because I charged my rear blinky lights batteries last night but either way it made for a great ride.

PLUS this month I am close to 400 miles (my August record) which is the most I have ridden in a month and I bike toured that month.

jrickards

Nice!! I'm close to 550km (~325mi) for October.

TallTravel

Good ride, warm, some decent climbing, and respectful drivers. Back home after work in 8 hours.

RidingMatthew

Great job I did 228.80 last October and this year 385.5 by the time I ride home.

jrickards

You'll likely have more opportunity to bike in November than I but I'll continue as much as I can. I've been putting together a winter bike, the DIY studded tires are close to being finished but I need to replace the rear shifter and cable (I don't think it is the derailleur that is the problem) and I should remove and clean both the cassette and chain. Once done, I'll be ready to continue riding into the winter.

ThermionicScott 

This morning was a slog. Put on a studded tire in front last night, but left my gearing at 71". Temp was ~30F with a stiff headwind. I'll have to gear down and start taking my trail route soon.

HydroG33r 

Rear derailleur hadn't been shifting well this week; meant to take the bike down to the LBS by my office where I bought it last year as I get 2 years of free servicing... didn't get around to it until I was on my way home yesterday. turns out my rear derailleur cable was EFFED (see photo). I have the utmost respect for guys like @joeyduck who stocks cables at home and changes them himself; however for $3 in parts (new housing, metal ferrule, cable) and $7.50 in labour, I think I'll continue paying the skilled mechanics at the LBS to handle this stuff for me

joeyduck

This happens more than it should in my opinion. This is the same problem I had this week, except mine was less frayed.

Nice commute last night stated to rain heavy about three blocks from home. Had some fool in a pick up come through the traffic circle for a right turn then proceed to try and park against traffic. Meaning he was heading straight to me. I stopped did a one handed what are you doing. He was blocking the traffic circle and two other lanes of traffic. I got called the rectum.

Nice easy commute this morning. Legs were still tired but my wife is doing the daycare run and taking my son to his Hallowe'en party. So I got to ride light without his seat. That was nice. It ups my average speed about three kilometers per hour, without trying.

Edit: by the end of the day I'll have about 330 km for the month

Edit: 330 miles not km

jrickards

1 syllable too many I bet!

Nice! It is tough to keep up the distance as we move into winter.

Hypno Toad

So I found a sinkhole last night... After a work dinner, I'm riding home later than normal in the dark. I'm stopped at a crossing (bike route crossing a county road), the light changes and I go to take a kick with my right foot to start off, BUT NO, there's nothing under my right foot, it just sinks. I couldn't do anything but fall on my side. For a minute I felt like a turtle on it's back, my left foot (on top) is clipped in and I'm trying to use my right leg to push myself back up. This did not work. Ended up unclipping my left foot and rolling off of the bike. I must have looked like a drunk homeless guy tipping over his bike. No real harm to me or bike. Contacted city to fill the sink hole.

My first fall of 2014. Plan to make it the last fall of 2014 too...

joeyduck

I think it was, "whatever a-hole.". Ironic I thought since he was in the oncoming lane and blocking three lanes. Plus I look light a yellow highlighter on meth and my bike is lit up and sparkles like Edward from Twilight when he goes in the sun.

I meant 330 miles or 530 km.

jrickards

LOL

Today was my first fall this year as well, but with the 5cm/2in (more has accumulated since 8am) on the ground, it was expected that I would fall, fortunately, on to the grass at the side of the path and even more fortunately, no one was around to witness (or YouTube it)!

groovestew

How was it riding in the snow? A couple years ago I rode home in 2" of snow that had fallen during the day and it was a tough slog, taking over twice the usual time to get home.

My commute today was uneventful, cool at 2C, and a bit breezy.

mgw4jc

A sad week of commuting - and working, for that matter - for me.

I rode in Monday, but got a ride home around lunch with a diagnosis of strep throat. did not come in on Tuesday. Worked, but did not ride, on Wednesday (still kinda sick). Thursday I was off work for my daughter's birthday, and still wasn't a 100% better. Today, I rode my bike to work! Woo-hoo! I was still doing some hacking and coughing on the way in.

Still mostly mild weather around here, especially compared to you northerners - 43F on the way in; should be almost 60 for the way home.

I will be just a bit over 400 miles for October after today's ride home.

Have a great weekend everybody!

caloso

Beat the rain this morning. Always good when that happens, particularly since I hadn't gotten around to installing the fenders.

jrickards

On my road-style touring bike, Kona Sutra, I normally ride at a rate of 22-25kmh, today, on my 29er (with 700x47 Continental Country Plus tires), it took me 45min to travel 6.7km (~9kmh), part of which was walking because I lost traction going up some slopes and one part was picking myself up out of the snow in the grass at the side of the path.

walrus1

It's halloween! Lots of great costumes and lots of weird **** going down. Be careful out there people especially if your going to be on the road after dark!

bulevardi

Not good at all.
Windy, going up to 50-60 km/h

Not my cup of tea.

Wearing sweater that was too hot. Arrived sweaty at work.

Feeling little throat ache, getting bit ill...

Yesterday, my chain fell off, had black hands afterwards.

seafood

I've always liked using latex gloves for messy jobs and have started carrying a pair in my commute travel bag, along with a few roadside tools.

Utech22

35km * 2 at normal pace.

KDC19561954

It was cold today and will be a little warmer tomorrow.