2015!! How was your commute today?
#251
meh

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 1,129
From: Hopkins, MN
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
#252
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
Rode through a Carolina blizzard on my way to work this morning. I lost count after about 30 snowflakes in the first few miles. Temps were in the mid-30s, so I wasn't worried about snowdrifts blocking the streets. I'm more concerned about the ride home as it looks like I'll be riding into a stiff NW headwind most of the way.
#253
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
I had the day off yesterday (Monday) so no commuting. Back on the saddle this morning. Below freezing but dry and calm winds. My normal commute is just over 12 miles. Now that it is getting light earlier, I may try to leave slightly earlier and get about 13-14 or so in each way. There are a couple of different options I can use to add miles, so that will keep things a bit more interesting too.
I hope everyone in the north east is alright, but I do love watching the coverage on CNN and the Weather Channel. It is especially fun to see the reporter out there describing how bad it is and then you see a cyclist or a runner go by.
I hope everyone in the north east is alright, but I do love watching the coverage on CNN and the Weather Channel. It is especially fun to see the reporter out there describing how bad it is and then you see a cyclist or a runner go by.
#254
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,222
Likes: 6,477
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I was seriously considering riding to work yesterday in the snow. The deal breaker for me wasn't the snow, it was the cold wind. The gusts were bad and forecast to get much worse. It seems my tolerance goes down to a wind chill of 20° or so. So I took he subway.
The college closed at 3pm and remains closed today, so I have a day off. I'm tempted to try riding in the snow just for fun. Last night in the way home, there were lots of delivery guys still riding bikes. God bless them. One of them appeared to have no gloves! Remind me never to complain about discomfort.
My regular bike has fenders, and snow could get jammed in there. I might play on my Viscount which has no fenders and has a fixed gear. Fixed is good for snow. But the tire clearance in the back is tight. Oh well nothing is perfect. I should just see how it goes, if it goes at all.
The college closed at 3pm and remains closed today, so I have a day off. I'm tempted to try riding in the snow just for fun. Last night in the way home, there were lots of delivery guys still riding bikes. God bless them. One of them appeared to have no gloves! Remind me never to complain about discomfort.
My regular bike has fenders, and snow could get jammed in there. I might play on my Viscount which has no fenders and has a fixed gear. Fixed is good for snow. But the tire clearance in the back is tight. Oh well nothing is perfect. I should just see how it goes, if it goes at all.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#256
meh

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 1,129
From: Hopkins, MN
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
With all the people in the Northeast getting slammed with snow; Minneapolis is having March in January (which is fitting since we had January in November). It was above freezing this morning; with all the snow/ice melting, I plan to air up the tires on the summer commuter. Roads this morning were nearly all dry. Riding 700x28 tires in January will be a real treat!
#257
meh

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 1,129
From: Hopkins, MN
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
Bike-commuter's problem.... want to get some beer on the way home, my favorite beer shop (The Four Firkins) is sold out of the beer I want tonight (Surly Abrasive). They are the longer ride (=good) and much more fun to shop with, and I'm friends with the owner. Near my house is a grocery store that has the Surly, but it's a boring shop and no extra miles.
So much to consider.
So much to consider.
#258
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)
Pretty good riding yesterday. Had wind in my favor both morning and afternoon, and I was haulin' pretty good on the way home.
This morning I had my first alarm set for 4:50, and 2nd alarm set for 5, but I managed to sleep until 6, so no riding today.
This morning I had my first alarm set for 4:50, and 2nd alarm set for 5, but I managed to sleep until 6, so no riding today.
#259
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Altamonte Springs, FL
Bikes: Huffy Rockcreek (dual suspension)
Rode to and from work today (27+ miles each way) - This morning was 44*F gusty winds (which I was riding mostly into)... Ride home was warmer 55*F still gusty winds, but thankfully from side/back of me. Knee started hurting on way home, but overall wasn't to bad of a ride.
#260
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
Coldest ride in the past couple of weeks with temps in the mid-20s and wind chill much colder. Tough rides in general lately with persistent winds and cold temps. Very slow commute home last night battling a headwind almost the entire way. I'm not complaining though because we just missed the snow and ice that hit the Northeast. I'm starting to think we might have a snow-free winter in this part of NC.
#261
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Rode to and from work today (27+ miles each way) - This morning was 44*F gusty winds (which I was riding mostly into)... Ride home was warmer 55*F still gusty winds, but thankfully from side/back of me. Knee started hurting on way home, but overall wasn't to bad of a ride.
I had a headwind for the second half of yesterday's homeward commute. Definitely slowed me down some.
About 28F for the ride in this morning. Chilly but not so bad. I added a couple of miles and had a good ride.
#263
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Altamonte Springs, FL
Bikes: Huffy Rockcreek (dual suspension)
That's a heckuva commute on a dual-suspension bike. I hope you have some smooth tires on there.
I had a headwind for the second half of yesterday's homeward commute. Definitely slowed me down some.
About 28F for the ride in this morning. Chilly but not so bad. I added a couple of miles and had a good ride.
I had a headwind for the second half of yesterday's homeward commute. Definitely slowed me down some.
About 28F for the ride in this morning. Chilly but not so bad. I added a couple of miles and had a good ride.
#264
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,339
Likes: 3,524
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
It was like that when I got here. You can't prove anything.


__________________
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."
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."
#265
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
My legs felt like lead this morning; I've been off the bike for a few days, and it felt like it caught up with me. Temps were mild, and the sunrise beautiful. If everything works out as forecasted, it should be in the low 70's on the way home. Can't wait.
#266
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 was great cycling weather, today too: 10 degC (50F).
The weather is making up for Friday's monsoon. A few streets on my route were flooded, I rode through, bottom-bracket deep, but the news was showing cars getting towed out of there, and whitecapped waves across the street.
Last night the crows were insane...black clouds, like a horror movie. Just around dusk they are all flying around getting ready to roost.
The weather is making up for Friday's monsoon. A few streets on my route were flooded, I rode through, bottom-bracket deep, but the news was showing cars getting towed out of there, and whitecapped waves across the street.
Last night the crows were insane...black clouds, like a horror movie. Just around dusk they are all flying around getting ready to roost.
#268
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,222
Likes: 6,477
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I was home all day yesterday, with my workplace being closed because of the snow. In the evening, I had my regular Tuesday evening vocal ensemble rehearsal and decided to ride my bike, knowing it was crazy. I took my Viscount because it has no fenders and because it is fixed gear. Fixed gear can be good in bad traction situations. No fenders means no snow to jam my wheels up.
It's about five miles each way. I took the bike path along the river. The path was fairly well plowed. It was cold, but I was dressed OK. Traction was bad in some places but not hairy. I had to walk up a snowy hill.
Going home after rehearsal, I decided to take the streets. That was a mistake. Traction varied widely or wildly. At one point, I hit a patch of snow on the street and was sure I was going down. I was going to unclip one foot, and I was also bracing my body to fall. Then miraculously, I plowed the bike through and came out upright. In the whole ride, I didn't fall once.
But man, it was scary. It was dark, and traffic wasn't terribly heavy, but it was there, and combining that with the dark and the patchy traction, the streets were not a good plan. Also, my hands got painfully cold.
This morning was crazy cold, so there was a lot of ice on the streets and sidewalks. I figure the path wouldn't be smart. I took the subway to work.
Tomorrow might be a decent day to ride.
It's about five miles each way. I took the bike path along the river. The path was fairly well plowed. It was cold, but I was dressed OK. Traction was bad in some places but not hairy. I had to walk up a snowy hill.
Going home after rehearsal, I decided to take the streets. That was a mistake. Traction varied widely or wildly. At one point, I hit a patch of snow on the street and was sure I was going down. I was going to unclip one foot, and I was also bracing my body to fall. Then miraculously, I plowed the bike through and came out upright. In the whole ride, I didn't fall once.
But man, it was scary. It was dark, and traffic wasn't terribly heavy, but it was there, and combining that with the dark and the patchy traction, the streets were not a good plan. Also, my hands got painfully cold.
This morning was crazy cold, so there was a lot of ice on the streets and sidewalks. I figure the path wouldn't be smart. I took the subway to work.
Tomorrow might be a decent day to ride.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#269
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
The ride in this morning was nice with mild temps (30F) and light winds. Tonight, however, should be a great ride! It's warming up to a record temperature in KC today (70F), with a 20mph tailwind for the ride home!!!
It's just a one day reprieve from winter as colder temperatures return tonight and snow/winter-mix is in the forecast by Saturday.
It's just a one day reprieve from winter as colder temperatures return tonight and snow/winter-mix is in the forecast by Saturday.
#270
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
#272
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,339
Likes: 3,524
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
The dew here falls with a heavy thud in the winter, allowing low ground cover to grow on the hills. It's not the explosion we usually see in spring. It might be all we get, this year, since it hasn't really stormed since December.
__________________
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."
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."
#274
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
It was a poor attempt at a snarky comment about your haVing greenery while everything here is brown and white!
#275
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,339
Likes: 3,524
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I know. But everything here will be turning brown by the middle of April.
__________________
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."
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."



