2014!! How was your commute today?
#502
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Leash law covers the whole state. Plenty of loose dogs. Most of them don't bother me. Even the ones that do I can usually get by without stopping. This morning tho, the angles and speed (and dog) were against me and I felt it better to stop. I haven't stopped for a dog, except in a friendly way, in years.
Mr Hairy Legs: I've wondered about the effect of an airzound too. May try that. If nothing else it will wake the neighbors at 5:30 AM.
Mr Hairy Legs: I've wondered about the effect of an airzound too. May try that. If nothing else it will wake the neighbors at 5:30 AM.
#503
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 post of this season and what a day to start bike commuting this year: -28C (-18F) with a standing windchill of -34C (-29F) (assuming I rode at a speed of 15kmh/10mph, the windchill would be -39C (-38F), https://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/de...n&n=0F42F92D-1).
I am using my 29er with no modifications for winter: because it is cold today and will be cold (but not so much) next week, I won't be getting it dirty with slush and salt but when it gets mild, I'll either have my beater bike ready or I'll continue walking until the slush is essentially gone and then I'll get back on my Kona Sutra again for the spring/summer/fall season.
I am using my 29er with no modifications for winter: because it is cold today and will be cold (but not so much) next week, I won't be getting it dirty with slush and salt but when it gets mild, I'll either have my beater bike ready or I'll continue walking until the slush is essentially gone and then I'll get back on my Kona Sutra again for the spring/summer/fall season.
#504
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)
All right! So I was prepared to ride into work yesterday morning. Then I looked at the weather at 5 AM. 19°F. Nope, not gonna do it. So I decided to drive and take the bike, and split up my commute like I used to do.
The ride home yesterday was pretty uneventful. Mid 40's. Slight wind from my front left (northwest), but not nearly as bad as it was Tuesday afternoon.
This morning it was 32F, much better than 19. I still layered up, though, which made me pretty slow. Saw an AMAZING sunrise about 6:30. I wanted to snap a pic but didn't want to stop and remove my gloves, dig for my phone, take it out of the plastic bag, etc. etc. Light wind again from my front left (east-southeast) which picked up a bit as I went on. That gave me a little boost on the portions traveling west, but not so much when going south.
I'm really tiring of having to get all gussied up in all these multiple layers in the mornings. I long for the days when I just throw on my shorts and short-sleeve jersey and go, and it's not dark outside when I leave.
But this marks my first full commuting week (full week meaning 2 round trips) since the 2nd week of November. So that's good.
The ride home yesterday was pretty uneventful. Mid 40's. Slight wind from my front left (northwest), but not nearly as bad as it was Tuesday afternoon.
This morning it was 32F, much better than 19. I still layered up, though, which made me pretty slow. Saw an AMAZING sunrise about 6:30. I wanted to snap a pic but didn't want to stop and remove my gloves, dig for my phone, take it out of the plastic bag, etc. etc. Light wind again from my front left (east-southeast) which picked up a bit as I went on. That gave me a little boost on the portions traveling west, but not so much when going south.
I'm really tiring of having to get all gussied up in all these multiple layers in the mornings. I long for the days when I just throw on my shorts and short-sleeve jersey and go, and it's not dark outside when I leave.
But this marks my first full commuting week (full week meaning 2 round trips) since the 2nd week of November. So that's good.
Last edited by PatrickGSR94; 02-28-14 at 09:43 AM.
#505
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
Best week for commuting since early January, riding 4 out of 5 days. I took a rest yesterday because my legs needed a break but rode today after finishing a doctor's appointment first thing in the morning. It was nice riding in full daylight for a change and the temperatures had moderated after dipping into the mid-20s overnight. The winds have been my real challenge this week, with tough headwinds every afternoon.
#506
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
I'm getting tired of the extreme cold. 20 days until Spring!
Is everyone in the northeast ready for another foot of snow on Monday?
Is everyone in the northeast ready for another foot of snow on Monday?
#507
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 16
Bikes: They have two wheels!
I had a great commute in this morning, road testing the most recent xtracycle set-up that I put together late last night. Everything worked great right out of the gates. I love when that happens. Smooth sailing.
The work has proven to be stressful and terrible, but guess what... I get to ride home afterward!
The work has proven to be stressful and terrible, but guess what... I get to ride home afterward!
#508
Good commute in to work this morning, but my legs are shot. 5 out of 5 this week! My first polar 5-for-5 on studded tires.
#509
Being from the UK today was pretty typical of most days. 2 hours 15 in Pouring freezing rain, puddles and crazy drivers hell bent on doing you harm everywhere 
My typical commute! https://youtu.be/CaPNgPPJxUY
Br

My typical commute! https://youtu.be/CaPNgPPJxUY
Br
#510
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
8F with -10 wind chill, BUT - the 15mph wind was behind me on the way in so fun ride
#511
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX8, Caad10, Marin BearValley, WTP BMX, Norco Tandem
light rain 6degC (43degF).
Part of my route is underneath an elevated commuter light rail line (Skytrain) where it doesnt rain. I was behind a woman on a FS mtn bike being towed by a big bull-dog type dog 20-25km/hr. Another bike was coming the other way so she tried to steer around the concrete skytrain pedestal... I hung way back because i knew this was a recipe for disaster, and sure enough: The dog went one way, she went the other way and whammo! She faceplanted into the concrete pedestal. Shaken up but she'll be OK--probably a sore neck/shoulder.
Part of my route is underneath an elevated commuter light rail line (Skytrain) where it doesnt rain. I was behind a woman on a FS mtn bike being towed by a big bull-dog type dog 20-25km/hr. Another bike was coming the other way so she tried to steer around the concrete skytrain pedestal... I hung way back because i knew this was a recipe for disaster, and sure enough: The dog went one way, she went the other way and whammo! She faceplanted into the concrete pedestal. Shaken up but she'll be OK--probably a sore neck/shoulder.
#512
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus

It was a cold ride this morning at -20° celcius when I left home, with a good headwind. It's spring break here so no traffic at all this morning. Nice sunny sky.
It should get warmer as the week goes by and I will gladly take a mild -5° celcius or something like that.
#513
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
After a brief reprieve from the foul weather, winter has returned this week with a vengeance. Forced to drive today due to forecasts calling for plunging temperatures and rain turning to sleet, ice and snow. Forecasts currently calling for black ice tomorrow morning, and another front on Thursday/Friday with more frozen precip, so I might miss several more days this week. Sux.
#514
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)
light rain 6degC (43degF).
Part of my route is underneath an elevated commuter light rail line (Skytrain) where it doesnt rain. I was behind a woman on a FS mtn bike being towed by a big bull-dog type dog 20-25km/hr. Another bike was coming the other way so she tried to steer around the concrete skytrain pedestal... I hung way back because i knew this was a recipe for disaster, and sure enough: The dog went one way, she went the other way and whammo! She faceplanted into the concrete pedestal. Shaken up but she'll be OK--probably a sore neck/shoulder.
Part of my route is underneath an elevated commuter light rail line (Skytrain) where it doesnt rain. I was behind a woman on a FS mtn bike being towed by a big bull-dog type dog 20-25km/hr. Another bike was coming the other way so she tried to steer around the concrete skytrain pedestal... I hung way back because i knew this was a recipe for disaster, and sure enough: The dog went one way, she went the other way and whammo! She faceplanted into the concrete pedestal. Shaken up but she'll be OK--probably a sore neck/shoulder.
#515
IguanaFred Rider
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Bikes: Giant Iguana - Freded-Up since 1992
#517
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
[MENTION=129001]WillynHook[/MENTION] - is that a fat bike?
#518
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,082
Likes: 24
From: Southern CaliFORNIA.
Bikes: KHS Alite 500, Trek 7.2 FX , Masi Partenza, Masi Fixed Special, Masi Cran Criterium
I've been given the job of interfacing with our Mexico facility. Yesterday I had to go to the warehouse we keep this side of the border, so decided to bike it. Pretty easy nine mile route from the trolley station, except the last half mile, due to really torn up roads, and the hoards of semi's that tore them up. https://www.strava.com/activities/117698466
#519
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
Another cold morning, -20° celcius (-28° with windchill factor) sunny morning, nice ride
#520
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Very cool and what we looked like Sunday (before work week fortunately), you're welcome! 8F with NO WIND CHILL... thank goodness for small miracles. Actually a really pleasant ride
#521
IguanaFred Rider
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Bikes: Giant Iguana - Freded-Up since 1992
#522
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 21
From: Fort Collins CO
Bikes: Kona Dew, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007
32F this morning, rode in from the GFs house. First morning in several weeks that I did not have to put on the windpants and an extra jacket and wear the dreaded baklava. Did not have to take the lane to avoid any ice ponds, green lights the whole way, never had a chance to sip my coffee.
Bliss.
Bliss.
#523
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
#524
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
Dark but dry! I did learn that my goretex pants aren't leaking when I ride in the rain and my lower legs get wet, because they got wet this morning and it wasn't raining. Just sweat, oh well. It was just cold enough this morning that I wanted pants instead of shorts, but this evening it will be warm enough for shorts. Nice ride and I was only passed by two cars in 9 miles.
#525
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,332
Likes: 3,520
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Forgot some medication at home and forgot to take some others, result 9.5 mph on the way home.



