Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

2014!! How was your commute today?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

2014!! How was your commute today?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-13-14 | 02:11 PM
  #3326  
joeyduck's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC

Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo

Originally Posted by HydroG33r
Finally, official acknowledgement from the US that we Canadians own the Northwest Passage.
Careful we don't want to get this moved to the political forum. I hear it is a bad place
joeyduck is offline  
Old 11-13-14 | 03:43 PM
  #3327  
OneLessFixie's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: The Great Pacific NW
Originally Posted by joeyduck
The ride itself was nice. I finally stopped and took a photo. Looking west towards Vancouver Island.
Ugh! You're making me homesick! I know that view well. I used to live just a little ways up and to the west of there. I DESPERATELY want to go back.
OneLessFixie is offline  
Old 11-13-14 | 08:11 PM
  #3328  
Full Member
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Felt nice; perfect average temperature for mid-November (1°C = 34F), dry, and straddling dusk.

Unfortunately, after getting my bike back from the LBS today (had to rebuild my freehub after the bearings exploded), my speed sensor magnet was a bit off and wasn't registering, so I didn't have accurate speeds on my way home. Also, as my GPS didn't have a waypoint lock before I hit start, all it did was connect a straight line from my start point to end point both in location and elevation... no Strava segments for me today
HydroG33r is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 06:15 AM
  #3329  
dcb23's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Colder here: 37F /3C and a strong annoying headwind.
dcb23 is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 08:07 AM
  #3330  
tarwheel's Avatar
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

I was looking forward to riding my new touring bike for the first time this morning, so I stayed up until nearly midnight installing a rack, mounts for lights and making other adjustments. The forecast called for cold but clear weather. To my surprise, the streets were all wet when I got up and there was light rain when I went outside to get the paper. Forecasters had called for near zero chance of rain when I went to bed last night.

Anyway, I didn't want to get my new bike all dirty on its first ride, so I had move my lights and seat bag to another bike with fenders. Good thing I changed bikes because the streets were very wet on my commute altho it was only raining very lightly. Other than the bike swapping hassle, it was an excellent ride with a bit of a tailwind and cools temps in the upper 30s, which I like. I managed to bike commute every workday this week, only missing Tuesday, which was a holiday.
tarwheel is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 08:11 AM
  #3331  
RidingMatthew's Avatar
Let's Ride!
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

was worried about the cooler weather moving in today plus after being off 3 days this week it was hard to get motivated to ride in the cold. I went to the gym (have to get my monthly payment worth) and drove to work.

I did notice that the last time I went to the gym was 10/15 and then 9/15 before that. That means I have done a lot of riding this year. This month has been horrible for riding though. ...
RidingMatthew is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 08:16 AM
  #3332  
arsprod's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis

Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral

17F this morning with snow on the trail - I'll happily cede the Northwest Passage to Canada and admit you're tougher then us if you'll take your arctic air back. I can handle teens and single digits but in January. Give us back our November
arsprod is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 08:18 AM
  #3333  
ZmanKC's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
From: Overland Park, KS

Bikes: 1999 Giant TCR 2T 2009 Giant Cypress DX 2015 Giant Anyroad 1

Originally Posted by arsprod
17F this morning with snow on the trail - I'll happily cede the Northwest Passage to Canada and admit you're tougher then us if you'll take your arctic air back. I can handle teens and single digits but in January. Give us back our November
I'll second that. 14° on this mornings commute. 4" of snow tomorrow. Bleh.
ZmanKC is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 08:29 AM
  #3334  
arsprod's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis

Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral

Originally Posted by ZmanKC
I'll second that. 14° on this mornings commute. 4" of snow tomorrow. Bleh.
well put, bleh!
arsprod is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 08:48 AM
  #3335  
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Although this map is from a year ago, it's almost spot on to what the temperatures around the country are right now.

PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 09:14 AM
  #3336  
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Took a few years off and today is commute #31 since re-starting a couple months ago. Never imagined I'd stick with it when temps dropped below 50. (I know 41 is not cold for many of you, but it is cold for me). I think - with the right clothing and gear - maybe I can continue riding through Winter. Bought some Endura Windproof gloves from my LBS last week but my fingers were still cold when I got to work. Need to research better ways to keep my fingers warm.
hurricanej is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 09:22 AM
  #3337  
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Originally Posted by hurricanej
Took a few years off and today is commute #31 since re-starting a couple months ago. Never imagined I'd stick with it when temps dropped below 50. (I know 41 is not cold for many of you, but it is cold for me). I think - with the right clothing and gear - maybe I can continue riding through Winter. Bought some Endura Windproof gloves from my LBS last week but my fingers were still cold when I got to work. Need to research better ways to keep my fingers warm.
How long/far is your commute? What's the terrain like? My biggest problem in the cold is my toes feeling frozen, and also when it's down in the 20's, keeping my face warm without fogging my glasses up (nearly impossible it seems). My fingers usually get cold early on, then warm up as I go on. But then again I also commute over 15 miles each way.
PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 09:55 AM
  #3338  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
My biggest problem in the cold is my toes feeling frozen, and also when it's down in the 20's, keeping my face warm without fogging my glasses up (nearly impossible it seems). My fingers usually get cold early on, then warm up as I go on. But then again I also commute over 15 miles each way.
I have the cold toes problem too. Was OK today though. My facial defense is to grow a beard in the winter. It's about that time I think.

I don't think it got as cold today as it was originally forecast to do, perhaps due to some cloud cover. 35F at 7am. Roads were kinda wet from some overnight drizzle, but not bad and no ice. Normal enough ride otherwise.
mgw4jc is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 10:45 AM
  #3339  
KCBikeCommuter's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO

Bikes: Klein Quantum Race; Cannondale Supersix EVO Di2; Trek Crossrip LTD; Trek Boone 9 Disc

14F (-10C) this morning in KC. Fingers got a little chilly, but otherwise not too bad.
KCBikeCommuter is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 11:09 AM
  #3340  
joeyduck's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC

Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo

Another nice day this morning. Clear and cool. The ride last night and today were nice. The drivers have been good. I saw very few people this morning.

I took the plastic sleeves off my locks yesterday and rinsed them with dry solvent and oven died them and then pipetted in some lube. They worked great this morning.

It was about twenty two Fahrenheit this morning and I added my second wool base layer. I would have been fine without it but I wasn't to hot, nor was I going too fast.
joeyduck is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 11:40 AM
  #3341  
bconneraz's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 13
From: So Cal

Bikes: Cimarrons 1835, 0836, 1767, 3517, 0768, 3408, a LHT, and a couple others

beautiful morning here; temps were mild, and the roads were wet from drizzle, but no rain.
bconneraz is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 11:46 AM
  #3342  
caloso's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

51F, 100% RH, calm. Which means pea soup fog. Had all my blinkies and lights on this morning.
caloso is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 11:59 AM
  #3343  
Darth Lefty's Avatar
Disco Infiltrator
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

My Monday and Wednesday morning commutes were both uneventful but the evenings, before moonrise, have been full of wildlife sightings, mostly deer. One buck stared me down on the Main Ave fire road and didn't move aside til I was quite close, like the distance from couch to TV. I think he was mesmerized by my blinky.

Wednesday night, signs appeared on Twin Lakes Ave threatening proposed speed tables. I thought about going back and altering the signs to say "sweet jumps" instead.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 12:33 PM
  #3344  
caloso's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Darth: how are the turkeys there? There are tons of them around the ARBT. I think they may be more of a hazard than the squirrels.
caloso is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 04:40 PM
  #3345  
timvan_78's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Bikes: Trek Fuel EX8, Caad10, Marin BearValley, WTP BMX, Norco Tandem

yesterday AM I saw another commuter bundled up to the max: full balaclava, ski goggles, the whole nine yards.
A few hundred yards later I saw another commuter in shorts--must be visiting from Edmonton!

I also saw a guy doing his best (unintentional) fred astaire impression across some black ice. woah!
timvan_78 is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 07:36 PM
  #3346  
Mr. Hairy Legs's Avatar
Super-spreader
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number

Bikes: shiny red tricycle

Nice view on the way home today...

Mr. Hairy Legs is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 08:08 PM
  #3347  
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
How long/far is your commute?
Not far. A little under seven miles. Several years ago I had a 12 mile commute when I lived in the midwest and had to share the 55 mph single-lane chip-and-tar country road. While making some life choices, I made it a goal to find a bike-friendly job that was accessible via a bike path and 35 mph roads. It took me a few years, but it's a better life.

What's the terrain like?
Flat and I cut through a retirement community. Instead of 55+ mph cars I have to deal with super-charged golf carts. Most of them give me a wide berth. I occasionally have to dodge alligators and snakes. At least you can see alligators from far off.

My biggest problem in the cold is my toes feeling frozen, and also when it's down in the 20's, keeping my face warm without fogging my glasses up (nearly impossible it seems). My fingers usually get cold early on, then warm up as I go on. But then again I also commute over 15 miles each way.
My side-mirror fogs up, especially in the morning. Glasses have not been an issue [yet]. I was amused when the morning fog condensed into water on my arm hairs.
hurricanej is offline  
Old 11-14-14 | 09:15 PM
  #3348  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: La Jolla, California

Bikes: Trek (Fisher) 29er Mamba, Giant 64cm Defy

Flat on the way to work, flew home. Perfect weather.
TallTravel is offline  
Old 11-15-14 | 10:01 AM
  #3349  
SalsaShark's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 631
Likes: 355
From: Eastern Iowa

Bikes: 2014 Trek Allant drop bar conversion, modified Schwinn MTN commuter, 2015 Trek 520, Soma ES, Salsa Journeyman, 1980 Trek 414

Lower teens this morning, not too windy. A bit warm under the jacket...still figuring out this cold weather layering without getting too sweaty. Ride home was pleasant as always after the sun sets!
SalsaShark is offline  
Old 11-15-14 | 01:20 PM
  #3350  
bconneraz's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 13
From: So Cal

Bikes: Cimarrons 1835, 0836, 1767, 3517, 0768, 3408, a LHT, and a couple others

Beautiful, cool morning. I had some fun with a few road bikers on the way in today which I elaborated on in the "moron" thread. Fall is my favorite time to ride.
bconneraz is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.