2015!! How was your commute today?
#3177
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
[MENTION=333933]timvan_78[/MENTION] I have seen a larger number of crows flying around the parking lot the past couple days. Very strange and creepy with the grey and rainy days we have had lately. I drove because my wife has a work Christmas Party.
#3178
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 679
Likes: 148
From: Plano, TX
Bikes: Fahrradmanufaktur Trekking Bike, Lightning Phantom, bikeE AT, Radwagon3, HP Velotechnik Scorpion
Indian Summer in Texas..
After crappy weather all through Thanksgiving and the beginning of this week, the sun is finally back and the fall colors are awesome. I can't remember the last time the trees were that colorful here in Texas. Best season to ride a bike here in Texas.
#3180
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX8, Caad10, Marin BearValley, WTP BMX, Norco Tandem
I broke the rear shift cable last night. Rode SS-mode through the wet to the shop on the way home.
The hardest part was fishing the broken cable-end out of the "Flight deck" shifter--it took an hour!
The hardest part was fishing the broken cable-end out of the "Flight deck" shifter--it took an hour!
#3181
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
A bit nippy this morning but almost perfect tonight with little wind. The difference in the gearing between the bikes is going to take some getting used to. The studded tires showed up today so that will go on when I get back on Sunday.
#3182
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Kota, Aichi, Japan
Bikes: 2011 Giant Seek R3, 2015 Specialized Allez Elite, 2017 Giant TCR Advanced 2
Coldest day since February or March with a 33mph headwind to make it feel even colder. Actually the cold wasn't that bad. The wind was making the going slow and tough. On the plus side I wore my new thermal bibs which are quite comfortable.
#3184
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 commute this morning was almost identical to yesterday. 28F/-2C with light winds. Really nice ride.
There was quite a bit of frost out the last two mornings, and I'm amazed how many folks start their cars and then leave them running while they go back inside. I'm sure some have the remote start function, which means the doors are still locked and the car can't be driven without the key in the ignition, but I'm guessing many cars I've seen 'warming-up' don't have that function. Which means the car is running and the doors are likely unlocked. They always run a news article about this time of year warning folks not to this because of the increase in car theft, but I'm not sure people are listening.
There was quite a bit of frost out the last two mornings, and I'm amazed how many folks start their cars and then leave them running while they go back inside. I'm sure some have the remote start function, which means the doors are still locked and the car can't be driven without the key in the ignition, but I'm guessing many cars I've seen 'warming-up' don't have that function. Which means the car is running and the doors are likely unlocked. They always run a news article about this time of year warning folks not to this because of the increase in car theft, but I'm not sure people are listening.
#3185
At the last stoplight, just watching and waiting out the cycle, I heard three pairs of drivers honking at each other in separate incidents. Two near collisions involving sharp braking, and three cars pulling dubious u-turns in the face of oncoming traffic. All in the space of less than one cycle. It's that time of year, so let's be careful out there.
#3186
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
The commute this morning was almost identical to yesterday. 28F/-2C with light winds. Really nice ride.
There was quite a bit of frost out the last two mornings, and I'm amazed how many folks start their cars and then leave them running while they go back inside. I'm sure some have the remote start function, which means the doors are still locked and the car can't be driven without the key in the ignition, but I'm guessing many cars I've seen 'warming-up' don't have that function. Which means the car is running and the doors are likely unlocked. They always run a news article about this time of year warning folks not to this because of the increase in car theft, but I'm not sure people are listening.
There was quite a bit of frost out the last two mornings, and I'm amazed how many folks start their cars and then leave them running while they go back inside. I'm sure some have the remote start function, which means the doors are still locked and the car can't be driven without the key in the ignition, but I'm guessing many cars I've seen 'warming-up' don't have that function. Which means the car is running and the doors are likely unlocked. They always run a news article about this time of year warning folks not to this because of the increase in car theft, but I'm not sure people are listening.
#3187
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
29F and cloudy. The state cycling advocacy group had a morning ride today to celebrate downtown's first separated bike lane. I hadn't planned to go because they were meeting earlier than I get downtown but it wasn't far off my normal ride and rode that way. They'd already left but I hit the new bike lane anyway. News crews were out covering the event and I'm pretty sure I'll be on TV on at least 2 local channels. Ha ha, pays to be late!
#3188
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
Chilly commute this morning with temps in the low 30s, but at least it was dry. I was 3-for-5 bike commuting this week, which is about as good as I can do lately with all the rain we've been having. I will have to run the table the rest of the month to reach my commuting goal of 5,000 miles for the year, and that is becoming increasingly unlikely due to all of the holidays and vacation time. I haven't given up the quest though.
I dropped my car off at the dealer on Wednesday night for its annual maintenance check. The dealer called me yesterday to tell me that both of the rear tires had nails in them. They were able to patch one tire but won't fix the other one due to liability concerns because they think the nail is too close to the sidewall. They want $185 for a new tire, so I'm seeking a second opinion. I hate to spend that much money on a tire that won't match the other ones. The nail is about 1" from the edge of the tread and it's small, so it seems like their caution might be overdone.
I dropped my car off at the dealer on Wednesday night for its annual maintenance check. The dealer called me yesterday to tell me that both of the rear tires had nails in them. They were able to patch one tire but won't fix the other one due to liability concerns because they think the nail is too close to the sidewall. They want $185 for a new tire, so I'm seeking a second opinion. I hate to spend that much money on a tire that won't match the other ones. The nail is about 1" from the edge of the tread and it's small, so it seems like their caution might be overdone.
#3189
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Well my commute was a tad painful today. Riding my single speed (track dropouts), rear wheel somehow loosened up enough to succumb to chain tension and slide all the way forward, jamming the chain between the cog and hub, the wheel jammed up on the chainstays and over the bars I went!!
Colder ride in this morning at 27F. I broke out the balaclava and warmer ski mittens and felt alright. Looking forward to the weekend!
#3190
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 5
From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Thanks. Feeling better in some places, about the same in others, and last night my neck started feeling stiff. I stayed off the bike today but I'll be back on Monday. Probably hop on my Raleigh Sports later today and make up an errand to go run.
#3193
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Quebec
Bikes: OPUS Dual Sport 2.0 2014
Just had a great night hanging with some friends. Good times, good laughs; we watched Unfinished Business with Vince Vaughn. It was time to get back on the bike for the 5ish km commute home.
Road is dry as a c-racker. Got my merino long johns on but I don't really need them. Didn't have my lights for the first time, so I cruised the 'walk (sidewalk). Rode at 10 km/hr, maybe 12, tops. Just a few cars rolling by sporadically, drivers and passengers alike peering out the window to get a glimpse; I don't reciprocate the attention: the ride is too enjoyable, the weather is so warm for December. I'm enjoying going slow; I practically feel like I'm walking, except I'm on my smooth sounding, cycling machine. It's a single speed, so I spend half the time standing up, recreating that childlike feeling.
My MTB beater is quiet as a whistle for some reason. I'm enjoying just watching my knobbies turn. The night is a little foggy; it's perfect. I safely slow down before every street patch, and carefully look all ways before skipping to my next sidewalk.
That's my sidewalk cruisin' night. I'm home now.
Why take the bus? Ahhh, the biking life.
Road is dry as a c-racker. Got my merino long johns on but I don't really need them. Didn't have my lights for the first time, so I cruised the 'walk (sidewalk). Rode at 10 km/hr, maybe 12, tops. Just a few cars rolling by sporadically, drivers and passengers alike peering out the window to get a glimpse; I don't reciprocate the attention: the ride is too enjoyable, the weather is so warm for December. I'm enjoying going slow; I practically feel like I'm walking, except I'm on my smooth sounding, cycling machine. It's a single speed, so I spend half the time standing up, recreating that childlike feeling.
My MTB beater is quiet as a whistle for some reason. I'm enjoying just watching my knobbies turn. The night is a little foggy; it's perfect. I safely slow down before every street patch, and carefully look all ways before skipping to my next sidewalk.
That's my sidewalk cruisin' night. I'm home now.
Why take the bus? Ahhh, the biking life.
Last edited by bikinglife; 12-06-15 at 01:44 AM.
#3194
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 1,500
From: Merrimac , MA
It was a very good commute to work this am. The temp was 29f degrees and weather lady kept talking about black ice, which made me nervous. Though the roads were dry and I did not have any issues.
#3196
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Wicked fog this morning and due to the temp froze on my jacket. Didn't wear my typical hoodie so my neck got frozen! With temps being +/-30 in the mornings and 50 in afternoons planning takes a bit of effort!
#3197
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


This morning's commute was in mild 0C dry weather. I have to remember to bring my camera with me, the sunrise over the unfrozen lake (not a normal situation for this time of year) is very nice to see.
#3198
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Right at 32F when I headed out this morning, but with a forecast for 60+. I won't be biking home tonight though. My wife will pick me up and we are helping a friend move. Several others are supposed to be there too. Many hands make light work.
#3199
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
Got lucky with the weather this morning and hopefully my luck will continue this afternoon. It was supposed to be a rainy day here, but the showers were slow to roll in so I made it to work with only a few light sprinkles The rain is supposed to clear out by mid-afternoon, so my ride home should be dry unless the forecasters are wrong ... and we know that never happens!
The forecast is calling for clear skies here the rest of the week through the weekend, which gives me more hope at reaching my cycling goals for the year. The relentless rain we had here in Sept-Nov really cut into my riding.
The forecast is calling for clear skies here the rest of the week through the weekend, which gives me more hope at reaching my cycling goals for the year. The relentless rain we had here in Sept-Nov really cut into my riding.
#3200
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 fog kept freezing on my glasses. I didn't want to ditch them, so luckily it wiped off easily with my glove... and only needed to be done every 5-min or so. With the temperature around 28F when I left the house, I was worried the fog might freeze on the road, but the roads appeared fairly dry.




