2014!! How was your commute today?
#851
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, +4C/39F, but windy (and a headwind for most of it) and furthermore, I was running late so I had to hoof it, now I'm too tired to work!!
Forecast for showers this afternoon.
Forecast for showers this afternoon.
#852
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
Sunny morning, -1°celcius, big tailwind so I managed a very good 56 min. for the ride. Tonight the forecast is for 35-55 kmh headwind so the target is 1h30 for the same ride... at least there's a hockey game on the radio so I'll have something to listen to.
#853
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
46F with a headwind... I'll take it!
#854
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
Do you have earbuds/headphones on both ears or just one? I've often wondered if I would like to listen to music while riding and I'd only put in the right side earbud (away from traffic) but still I'm not sure I'd be comfortable (i.e., feel safe) to do even that.
#855
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
I have one earbud in the right ear, away from traffic as you said, and I feel very safe that way, I keep the volume low so I can ear the traffic easily. There's very low traffic on my rural road so even if the volume is low I'm not frequently disturbed by the traffic noise and can listen to whatever I like.
#856
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
I have one earbud in the right ear, away from traffic as you said, and I feel very safe that way, I keep the volume low so I can ear the traffic easily. There's very low traffic on my rural road so even if the volume is low I'm not frequently disturbed by the traffic noise and can listen to whatever I like.
#857
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
After work yesterday, I rode my bike home. This morning, I rode my bike back to work. I put my puncture resistant tires to the test this morning. Along the side of the road were several small white pieces of something. I initially thought flower petals that had fallen from the trees and stayed on course. But these white things were crunchy instead. I don't know if it was broken pieces of chalk or what. My tires seemed to survive, but I guess I'll find out later if a slow leak happened.
#858
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
Great commute last night and this morning. But I was tired last night and got passed. Sad face. But when I got home my wife reminded me I had been fasting all day and I had our son attached. Still, I do not like getting passed (even on an uphill).
This morning after a nice chain grease and clean the previous night I felt fast. Picked up a long boarder for about 1 km. I passed him a few other times and told him to hang on, he appreciated the lift. Decided to get off before the bumpy section.
I love hauling things.
This morning after a nice chain grease and clean the previous night I felt fast. Picked up a long boarder for about 1 km. I passed him a few other times and told him to hang on, he appreciated the lift. Decided to get off before the bumpy section.
I love hauling things.
#859
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)
So Tuesday afternoon I had a pretty killer north headwind, and 58 degrees. I was pretty chilled when I got home.
This morning, more headwinds from the south, but this afternoon should be awesome. 22 MPH and gusting winds from the south as I'm going north.
The idiots sure were out this morning. Had at least 2 or 3 dangerous passes on hills or blind curves, with traffic oncoming. They gave me plenty of room but still. On one I saw the truck coming up behind me as I was pedaling up hill. I saw him start to change lanes (2-lane road), and just as I crest the hill I see traffic. I make wild motions with my left hand to try to make him stay back but he just kept on coming. Barely missed the oncoming traffic.
I had a pretty good idea of where the guy was going. Sure enough, around the corner and on farther down I saw the truck at the county maintenance facility, and saw the guy walking towards the building. I wanted to shout "hey that was pretty stupid back there" or some such thing, but I just kept on riding.
This morning, more headwinds from the south, but this afternoon should be awesome. 22 MPH and gusting winds from the south as I'm going north.

The idiots sure were out this morning. Had at least 2 or 3 dangerous passes on hills or blind curves, with traffic oncoming. They gave me plenty of room but still. On one I saw the truck coming up behind me as I was pedaling up hill. I saw him start to change lanes (2-lane road), and just as I crest the hill I see traffic. I make wild motions with my left hand to try to make him stay back but he just kept on coming. Barely missed the oncoming traffic.
I had a pretty good idea of where the guy was going. Sure enough, around the corner and on farther down I saw the truck at the county maintenance facility, and saw the guy walking towards the building. I wanted to shout "hey that was pretty stupid back there" or some such thing, but I just kept on riding.
#860
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
Got honked at by an idiot yesterday. He apparently felt that I should be riding in the gutter of the right-turn lane when going straight and going the 35mph speed limit (big downhill
)
Nice rides yesterday and today, if a bit windy. Should be a horrible headwind out of the south coming home today, at least for part of the ride.
)Nice rides yesterday and today, if a bit windy. Should be a horrible headwind out of the south coming home today, at least for part of the ride.
Last edited by spivonious; 04-10-14 at 01:12 PM.
#861
Full Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 464
Likes: 7
From: SE Michigan
Bikes: Serotta CRL, Litespeed Blue Ridge, Bacchetta Ti Aero, Cannondale delta V, 67 Schwinn Sting Ray stick shift.
Are running errands considered commuting? I think so. 25 mi round trip to Lowes for a can of paint. With the new bridge over I40 I can ride from my sons house into downtown Durham on the American Tobacco trail. Awesome!!
Last edited by Worknomore; 04-11-14 at 08:24 AM.
#862
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Sirrus
I was waiting behind a line of cars at a traffic light yesterday. Had a gentleman pull up in the next lane and explain to me that I should be on the sidewalk, it's safer. I tried to give a generic reply, but he kept insisting. I finally gave up and said, its a sidewalk - you are supposed to walk on it. He wasn't convinced, luckily for me, traffic piled up behind him and he had to move on.
The weird thing is, I think he genuinely was worried that I'm doing something terribly dangerous and was trying to be helpful. What would you say in a situation like this?
The weird thing is, I think he genuinely was worried that I'm doing something terribly dangerous and was trying to be helpful. What would you say in a situation like this?
#863
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)
Another huge tail wind, 2nd fastest commute home ever, and got 3rd overall on one Strava segment.
Made the 15.6 miles in 1:03. One of these days I'll get it under an hour!
Made the 15.6 miles in 1:03. One of these days I'll get it under an hour!
#864
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
Bikes: 2014 Jamis Coda Elite
Weather report: yes. weather.
Commute: Rode to work on the Olympia Woodland Trail. Coasted down the hill to a LBS at lunch to test ride a Jamis Coda. Tried out a 2012 Coda Comp, puttered around some marinas near Port of Olympia. That does it. I'm buying a 2014 Jamis Coda Elite. Learned that a guy I've been loosely connected to through work and have known of since 1993 or so is the head cheese that lead the construction of the woodland trail. Beautiful ride home with a rather amazing volcano in the distance. Dodged cars, kids riding the wrong way in the bike lane, stumbling humans falling off the curb at bus stops, etc. Hugged wife, rubbed up on cats, ate an avocado and got dinner going. Now I'm scheming on the Coda Elite and its accoutrements. I'm quite happy that this forum exists.
tim
Commute: Rode to work on the Olympia Woodland Trail. Coasted down the hill to a LBS at lunch to test ride a Jamis Coda. Tried out a 2012 Coda Comp, puttered around some marinas near Port of Olympia. That does it. I'm buying a 2014 Jamis Coda Elite. Learned that a guy I've been loosely connected to through work and have known of since 1993 or so is the head cheese that lead the construction of the woodland trail. Beautiful ride home with a rather amazing volcano in the distance. Dodged cars, kids riding the wrong way in the bike lane, stumbling humans falling off the curb at bus stops, etc. Hugged wife, rubbed up on cats, ate an avocado and got dinner going. Now I'm scheming on the Coda Elite and its accoutrements. I'm quite happy that this forum exists.
tim
#865
60F /16C at 06:00? wow... Not used to that kind of warmth. And cherry blossoms look to be in full bloom.
#866
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
Another day of beautiful weather in NC, with morning temps about 50 F and highs supposed to reach upper 70s this afternoon. The only downside is that pollen season has begun, and it's coating everything and probably not good to breathe too much. Getting back into my commute routine after a week of vacation. My legs were toast after riding more than 300 miles during my week off, so I took a rest day from commuting yesterday despite the ideal weather. I was all set to ride yesterday morning but just couldn't make myself do it as my legs felt like lead just walking up the stairs in my house. Sometimes you have to listen to your body.
#867
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 temperatures during the ride in this morning, -2C/28F, and forecast for 7C/45F and sunny this afternoon. Garbage day today and I thought I looked after everything last night but found some other cans to empty, the green bin was full, more recycling had been collected so I ended up leaving late and had to take the short route in. I'll make it up this afternoon with a longer ride home IN THE SUN!!!
#868
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
I was waiting behind a line of cars at a traffic light yesterday. Had a gentleman pull up in the next lane and explain to me that I should be on the sidewalk, it's safer. I tried to give a generic reply, but he kept insisting. I finally gave up and said, its a sidewalk - you are supposed to walk on it. He wasn't convinced, luckily for me, traffic piled up behind him and he had to move on.
The weird thing is, I think he genuinely was worried that I'm doing something terribly dangerous and was trying to be helpful. What would you say in a situation like this?
The weird thing is, I think he genuinely was worried that I'm doing something terribly dangerous and was trying to be helpful. What would you say in a situation like this?
50F and wet. I'm embarrassed to say this is the first 5 in a row week I've had since December - zoiks!
#869
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Easy half commute home for me yesterday. I met the wife and kids who were out and about.
Nice ride in this morning, a bit faster than normal: close to 18.5 mph. My last couple of miles are usually a bit slower due to some stop signs, hills and just me ready to cool down as I get closer, but I managed to keep the overall average up there today.
#870
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
I'm going to have to switch to shorts if this weather holds up.
Another gorgeous riding day. Chance of showers this afternoon, but I'm prepared with my assortment of plastic bags.
Another gorgeous riding day. Chance of showers this afternoon, but I'm prepared with my assortment of plastic bags.
#871
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Sport
Biked to work today for the first time ever since it's been in the 70s here lately (6 miles to bus stop, 20 minute ride and then 2 more miles to work) . Definitely noticed a bunch of stuff I need to think about - backpack made my back really sweaty, might need a headlight to see in the pre-dawn minutes. Also need to figure out what I'm going to do with my work clothes if I do decide to bike regularly - might have to take one day off to bring clothes to/from work since I'd rather bike in shorts than long pants. Real glad that I brought a hybrid bike instead of a road bike since cars drive like maniacs around here and there are 5000 potholes in the road. Also need to remember to fold up the bike bus rack after I use it to make the bus driver happy haha
#872
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 3
From: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2
Nice morning for a commute ... mid 40s, little chilly, but very little if any wind.
Relatively light traffic on the roads and on the path. Supposed to be in the upper 60s later today, which is quite the contrast from this morning. I feel like I'm wearing or carrying my whole closet with all the layers I'm schlepping back and forth. Not really complaining though. Monday's forecast looks pretty crappy, so I imagine my next commute won't be til Wednesday
Relatively light traffic on the roads and on the path. Supposed to be in the upper 60s later today, which is quite the contrast from this morning. I feel like I'm wearing or carrying my whole closet with all the layers I'm schlepping back and forth. Not really complaining though. Monday's forecast looks pretty crappy, so I imagine my next commute won't be til Wednesday
#873
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
#874
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Sport
#875
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 780
Likes: 7
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR600, 1965 Schwinn Super Sport, 1973 Schwinn World Voyaguer, 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1985 Specialized Rockhopper, 1988 Schwinn Traveler
Eating breakfast now getting ready to leave, looks like today will be my third day this week (and this year) commuting in shorts. It is currently about 52F supposed to get up to the low 70's later. I'm pretty excited about the blue skies and mild weather. Plus its Friday!



