2014!! How was your commute today?
#1276
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
Due to having to travel most days this month I have not ridden until today. An absolutely perfect day.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
#1277
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Upper 50's with a pretty good headwind. I connected with a commuting friend and made the mistake of riding his pace - now I'm toast and have a long day ahead. Probably need to schedule a nap!
#1278
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
#1279
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Carrboro, NC
Had a great commute in today! Saw a gigantic black rat snake sunning on the sidewalk. Second time I've seen him -- last time was last week.
I have got to learn how to bike up hills. There's one right near the start of my commute that goes on forever (well, it feels like it does), and after a 13-mile ride for fun yesterday my legs were like jelly when I got to the top this morning. The feeling wore off quick enough, but still!
Hope everyone's having a good day,
Ash
I have got to learn how to bike up hills. There's one right near the start of my commute that goes on forever (well, it feels like it does), and after a 13-mile ride for fun yesterday my legs were like jelly when I got to the top this morning. The feeling wore off quick enough, but still!
Hope everyone's having a good day,
Ash
#1280
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 23
From: Lexington Park, Maryland
Bikes: Current: Origami Crane 8, Trek 1200 Former: 2012 Schwinn Trailway
Had a great commute in today! Saw a gigantic black rat snake sunning on the sidewalk. Second time I've seen him -- last time was last week.
I have got to learn how to bike up hills. There's one right near the start of my commute that goes on forever (well, it feels like it does), and after a 13-mile ride for fun yesterday my legs were like jelly when I got to the top this morning. The feeling wore off quick enough, but still!
Hope everyone's having a good day,
Ash
I have got to learn how to bike up hills. There's one right near the start of my commute that goes on forever (well, it feels like it does), and after a 13-mile ride for fun yesterday my legs were like jelly when I got to the top this morning. The feeling wore off quick enough, but still!
Hope everyone's having a good day,
Ash
For me, my commute was beautiful. Cool and sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be very rainy, so I brought tomorrow's work clothes in with me today. Realizing I need to invest in a real messenger bag soon.
M.
#1281
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 got to learn how to bike up hills. There's one right near the start of my commute that goes on forever (well, it feels like it does), and after a 13-mile ride for fun yesterday my legs were like jelly when I got to the top this morning. The feeling wore off quick enough, but still!
#1282
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
Today was a great commute. It was a bit humid here, which is unusual and what I do not miss about the east. 91% humiditity when I left for work! At least it was only 14°C.
I did not toe my brakes in properly after replacing them this weekend and they squeal like a dump truck. Which I kind of like and makes people look around a bit confused.
I did not toe my brakes in properly after replacing them this weekend and they squeal like a dump truck. Which I kind of like and makes people look around a bit confused.
#1283
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Weather's gotten nice here in Vancouver, so decided to take a scenic route along the river I'd never taken before... 18.75 miles vs my usual 13.75 mile commute. Usually I'll climb a bit from my house at 100 masl (330 feat above sea level) for the first half of my commute before dropping down into my office at about 30 masl (100'). This was definitely worth dropping down to sea level then climbing back up & over the ~90m ridge between the river & my office.

Last edited by HydroG33r; 05-20-14 at 12:51 PM. Reason: Added photos
#1284
Newbie
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Heya form NYC.. l love riding my bike to and from work its nice and quiet specially the Manhattan bridge at night
, but sadly tonight I got my 1st summons coming out of my building for riding from building to street, but what can I say didn't know area was considered a sidewalk oh well live and learn I guess..that wont stop me from enjoying the night rides
, but sadly tonight I got my 1st summons coming out of my building for riding from building to street, but what can I say didn't know area was considered a sidewalk oh well live and learn I guess..that wont stop me from enjoying the night rides
#1285
Heya form NYC.. l love riding my bike to and from work its nice and quiet specially the Manhattan bridge at night
, but sadly tonight I got my 1st summons coming out of my building for riding from building to street, but what can I say didn't know area was considered a sidewalk oh well live and learn I guess..that wont stop me from enjoying the night rides
, but sadly tonight I got my 1st summons coming out of my building for riding from building to street, but what can I say didn't know area was considered a sidewalk oh well live and learn I guess..that wont stop me from enjoying the night rides66F/19C a bit humid but another perfect ride in. So strange to see daylight at 06:00 when I roll out of my building.
#1286
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 1,475
From: Merrimac , MA
The ride in was very pleasant with sun up and bright blue skies. What a good way to start my day!
#1287
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I left about 15 minutes early today and added about 4 miles onto my normally 12 mile route. Nice to try some different routes. The temperature has just been great lately.
#1288
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 hoping for an easy ride this morning because my legs have been sore lately, somehow I seem to have strained my calf muscles. No such luck. Altho temperatures were very mild in low 60s, I had a stiff headwind all the way to work and the humidity was way up. I was drenched in sweat by the time I got to work, even tho my average speed was about 1 mph slower than usual. My goal for my first 5-day commute week in quite a while is starting to look less certain because my legs are telling me to take a rest day. My commute route is so hilly and long that it is hard to just ride at a recovery pace, particularly when I'm fighting headwinds.
#1289
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
Tough ride home yesterday afternoon.. 18mph headwind with 25mph gusts. Not Chicago-windy but couple that with the hills in Nashville and it was tough sledding at times.
This morning is my first morning this year with the short sleeve t-shirt. I've been wearing long sleeves or a light rain/wind-breaker. It was interesting noticing the cool spots on my arms. I'd be comfortable, then suddenly it would be cold for a couple pedal strokes then warm again.
This morning is my first morning this year with the short sleeve t-shirt. I've been wearing long sleeves or a light rain/wind-breaker. It was interesting noticing the cool spots on my arms. I'd be comfortable, then suddenly it would be cold for a couple pedal strokes then warm again.
#1290
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Southern Wisconsin US
Bikes: Schwinn DBX, Trek 820
The weather has finally turned!!! 60 with heavy fog this morning...foggy to the point I had to stop and listen for traffic when I was crossing a couple of county trunk highways. Should be an great week for riding..sunny high around 70. I'll take it! :-)
#1291
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 (10C/50F) and overcast. Slow ride in this morning, started late because I had some stuff to do before I left the house, not happy about it, was thinking of abandoning the ride and just bussing it but talked myself into a shorter ride and just took it easy, feel better now that I've ridden in.
#1292
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 3
From: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2
I'll echo what JPinWI said ... things are looking up here in Wisc.
This morning's ride was beautiful ... a little foggy but in the city it wasn't too bad. I ride through quite a temperature swing right now. Live close to Lake Michigan, so it was quite cool (mid to low 50s) when I took off this morning, even had tights on, but by the time I got to work in the near north burbs it was mid 60s. Supposed to be low to mid 70s tonight for the ride home. Might extend the commute a little tonight, depending on how I feel after my workout.
Planning to commute tomorrow too, but I'm off Friday to make it a four day weekend.
This morning's ride was beautiful ... a little foggy but in the city it wasn't too bad. I ride through quite a temperature swing right now. Live close to Lake Michigan, so it was quite cool (mid to low 50s) when I took off this morning, even had tights on, but by the time I got to work in the near north burbs it was mid 60s. Supposed to be low to mid 70s tonight for the ride home. Might extend the commute a little tonight, depending on how I feel after my workout.
Planning to commute tomorrow too, but I'm off Friday to make it a four day weekend.
#1293
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
On the way home last night I got thinking, what the hell chance do we, as cyclists, have when no one seems to be able to understand what hand signals mean.
One turn I make, a right hand turn. I always signal my turn at this intersection as the traffic is moving pretty quickly so I like to let people know I'm turning onto the cross street and not going straight through. Cyclist comes down the cross street to my right, comes to the stop sign and stops, he is clearly going to make a left but there is no hand signal. He sees me signalling the right turn, looks at me and does the same thing! I'm going through my turn looking at him and he's standing there looking at me with his arm in the air, signalling a right hand turn! I don't know if he thought I was waving at him or what, but I think it suddenly dawned on him because he pulled his arm down and looked the other way, but Jesus wept.
Then, a little bit later, signalling to make a left onto a side road. A guy coming down the road toward me, starts waving at me and pulls over because he thought I was waving him down! Nice enough, but jeesus ........
One turn I make, a right hand turn. I always signal my turn at this intersection as the traffic is moving pretty quickly so I like to let people know I'm turning onto the cross street and not going straight through. Cyclist comes down the cross street to my right, comes to the stop sign and stops, he is clearly going to make a left but there is no hand signal. He sees me signalling the right turn, looks at me and does the same thing! I'm going through my turn looking at him and he's standing there looking at me with his arm in the air, signalling a right hand turn! I don't know if he thought I was waving at him or what, but I think it suddenly dawned on him because he pulled his arm down and looked the other way, but Jesus wept.
Then, a little bit later, signalling to make a left onto a side road. A guy coming down the road toward me, starts waving at me and pulls over because he thought I was waving him down! Nice enough, but jeesus ........
#1294
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bethesda, MD
Bikes: All-City Space Horse, Trek 5000 WSD
Getting more humid but uneventful ride in. Supposed to have some rain and t-storms this afternoon. I actually wanted to comment about yesterday. I had the unfortunate experience to have to ride through some garbage that fell out of a garbage truck and did my best to avoid the worst of it, which smelled like spoiled milk. Phew! However on the way home, I had the pleasant experience of smelling honeysuckle for a long stretch of my ride. So, everything balanced out!
#1295
Semi-competitive
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, Ohio
Bikes: 2003 Trek Fuel 80, 2011 Allez Apex
Rainy and wet today, rode the mountain bike to work. Don't think I'll be riding along the lakeshore on my return route today
#1296
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
Note to self - when riding in warmer weather (finally) to the dentist before work do not wear a dark shirt that shows every spot of sweat
#1297
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I have adopted a modified signal. My arm does the same, but I actually point with my finger also. Left turn is left arm out to left side and pointing to where I'm going. Right turn, I kinda look like I'm about to put my finger in my left ear, but I think it is a little more obvious what I'm about to do.
#1298
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
62 degrees a little more humid but pretty ride this morning
#1299
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
It was a nice commute with the little man this morning. Though we were not very talkative, I was grumpy at him and he was grumpy at me. Getting a three year old out the door is tough at times. My wife said to just drive when he was not getting cooperating at the 30 minute late mark. But I knew the bike would blow away the frustration and the car would make it worse.
Though had a few impatient drivers last night on the way home. Some woman kept trying to pass me on the right while going 45 km/h on a fairly residential street. Also between yesterday morning, afternoon and this morning I have had about 10 cars block intersections. It was weird to have so many. One was a semi taking the whole intersection, there was no safe or easy way around with the child seat. We just had to wait a full light cycle.
[MENTION=366933]mgw4jc[/MENTION] Why not just point right with your right hand? I know it is not what we were taught as kids, but that was based on driving a car. It just makes sense to point left or right. I do usually add the traditional left hand up for a right turn while I adjust gears for the turn, after pointing with the right hand. I still do left palm down and back for stopping. I usually say right hand, left hand or stop hand and my son will mimic my motions. Though I forget he is not there and still call out after the drop off.
I find the pointing is very effective, people are usually courteous. They are probably surprised I am as fast as them in most cases with traffic. I also find people are good about with the stay back hand wave. I had a yahoo try to pass coming into a 90° corner a week ago, I just looked and waved to stay back and he did, thankfully, since a car was coming the other way.
Though had a few impatient drivers last night on the way home. Some woman kept trying to pass me on the right while going 45 km/h on a fairly residential street. Also between yesterday morning, afternoon and this morning I have had about 10 cars block intersections. It was weird to have so many. One was a semi taking the whole intersection, there was no safe or easy way around with the child seat. We just had to wait a full light cycle.
[MENTION=366933]mgw4jc[/MENTION] Why not just point right with your right hand? I know it is not what we were taught as kids, but that was based on driving a car. It just makes sense to point left or right. I do usually add the traditional left hand up for a right turn while I adjust gears for the turn, after pointing with the right hand. I still do left palm down and back for stopping. I usually say right hand, left hand or stop hand and my son will mimic my motions. Though I forget he is not there and still call out after the drop off.
I find the pointing is very effective, people are usually courteous. They are probably surprised I am as fast as them in most cases with traffic. I also find people are good about with the stay back hand wave. I had a yahoo try to pass coming into a 90° corner a week ago, I just looked and waved to stay back and he did, thankfully, since a car was coming the other way.
#1300
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 3
From: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2
@mgw4jc Why not just point right with your right hand? I know it is not what we were taught as kids, but that was based on driving a car. It just makes sense to point left or right. I do usually add the traditional left hand up for a right turn while I adjust gears for the turn, after pointing with the right hand. I still do left palm down and back for stopping. I usually say right hand, left hand or stop hand and my son will mimic my motions. Though I forget he is not there and still call out after the drop off.
I find the pointing is very effective, people are usually courteous. They are probably surprised I am as fast as them in most cases with traffic. I also find people are good about with the stay back hand wave. I had a yahoo try to pass coming into a 90° corner a week ago, I just looked and waved to stay back and he did, thankfully, since a car was coming the other way.




