That's funny. It wouldn't happen to me this time of year because I need the Blackburn Flea on my helmet in order to see to attach my pannier to the rack in the dark.

Spent my whole ride this morning thinking about a C&V bike that went unsold on eBay; in fact, the auction ended over a week ago. When I got to work, I decided to see if it was still available, and found out that it is. Ugh....lol. Depending on how the negotiations go, I may be thinking about my new bike all the way home this afternoon. Great temps here; Santa Ana winds are rearing their ugly head though, and we're in for a temp increase the next couple of days. It should be in the low 80's today, going up to the 90's tomorrow and Friday. Nothing a little sunscreen and a lot of water cant handle.

Great ride to work last night. Because it was on my new bicycle, a 2015 Salsa Fargo 3. Need to figure out rear fender mounts before the rainy season gets here.

We got a warm day in Boston that finally melted the black ice across the bikeway - time to take the studs off. Gorgeous ride into work, low thirties temps (getting more crowded out there, oh well), light rain and a little flurry of hail-stones on the way home. I preferred the hail - it made funny pinging noises on the helmet. Next up in Boston - frogs and locusts.

Too funny. Might need bigger fenders for that.

Another overcast morning and 54F here. They keep saying rain, but we only get clouds. Chance for tonight and tomorrow is 80%.

Good enough ride in. There is one stretch of road that when I feel like it I'll push for a 20mph mile. Did it today for a mile in 2:56 (according to Garmin GPS watch). I had to work for it as the mile is some flat and some gentle up.

Spring refresh, new chain, new cassette, new rear derailleur and switched to the summer tires. Trued the wheels, minor probably placebo adjustments. It feels good!

When I see I'm really not working as hard as I think I am I push harder, i.e. go faster... totally mental! 38F and rain, last night I dreamed of riding in shorts

Is that a real question? You must be a young guy because after a certain age I stopped caring about what I look like. If it was between changing 2 tires/wheels or 1 there's no question, none, zip, nada, going with mismatch!

It was terrific!!
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2q9w2yi7.jpg


i rode my plastic Fred-cycle for the first time since October. Had a change of clothes at the office already. AND I ran into (figuratively, of course) another commuter! A rarity for sure. An older gent, riding a vintage Univega. I commented on the awesomeness of his ride, but I fear my plastic bike and lycra probably didn't convey I truly did like his ride. I should have told him that despite my ride, steel is real! Didn't think about it until I was already at work

Also there were firemen collecting money at an intersection, I gave them a dollar, and one of them said something to the effect of You are a brave soul riding a bike in the morning traffic - I had to tell him, brave soul or no, it was a beautiful day for it and I do it regularly. I think it takes more bravery to run into a burning building

It was a nice 55 degree commute this morning. I took my time and enjoyed myself. I even remembered my helmet!

I had a great ride this morning, phyiscally. It was just warm enough to skip gloves. I had a false start because I forgot my phone - hey, extra 3/4 mile for free!

it was more from the sense they are different tires with different purposes. knobby vs smooth. not asking about how it looks... more for the rideability or whatever of it.

It was good to get back on the bike this morning! Spent the last 3 days in Chicago for a trade show. Minneapolis got snow late Sunday (3 to 5 inches) and I wasn't sure about road and trail conditions - but I decided to take the summer bike based on the roads I drove coming home from the airport last night. It was a good choice until I decided to take 2 to 3 miles of limestone trail - the trails were not plowed and had not melted totally clean. You'd have a couple hundred yards of good trail, then 50 yards of either packed-rutted ice or 2 inch deep very crusty snow. With 28c tires, neither options was very enjoyable. As soon as I could get back on the roads, I changed route and stayed on the roads the rest of the way to work. With the temps staying below freezing, it will be a clear choice riding home: stay on the roads!

I make the choice to mismatch the tires on my winter-commuter; studded Nokian Mount & Ground on the front for better grip steering and braking and Conti Top Contract on the rear for lower rolling-resistance, yet still a winter tire.

35F for the ride to work this morning. Unfortunately, this will probably be the only day I'll be able to commute this week (business trip Mon-Wed, my son has a doctor appt. mid-day tomorrow and my daughter has a soccer game tomorrow afternoon... so I'll probably drive). I'll just have to REALLY enjoy my time on the bike today! :)

Last night was hell with one of the strongest headwind I ever experienced, the forecast was for windgust up to 100 kmh. It was crazy, it was like climbing a very very steep hill, a 27.4 kms long hill! It took me 1h52 min to get home. In comparison this morning, with a 20 kmh tailwind and not pushing at all, I got to work in 1h05 min.

Ah geez, did I put my foot in my mouth or what?! But as [MENTION=381190]Hypno Toad[/MENTION] says, I also mix tires on my winter bike - Schwalbe Marathon Winter in front and Nokian in back

I was just sitting here in my cube, hours after my ride, and ssssss there goes my rear tire. WTF! I have it apart and found the leak. There was an obvious fold in the tube, I was sure it would be there, but it wasn't. It's on the rim side. This is a really strange cheap rim, looks double walled but instead has a very deep channel, but I can't find a jagged edge or protruding spoke or anything like that.

Last night, I headed home, and it was raining very lightly. Then halfway through my 70-minute ride, the rain got heavy, yet it never got unpleasant. I hardly spend any time on streets, as most of the route is a bike path. It became a little hard to see, but it wasn't bad. I didn't get cold even though I got wet. Funny how I used to dislike riding in the rain, but I just don't mind it any more. Fenders do make it better, so I don't get splashed heavily.

nah I just thought I would clarify what information I was seeking. Thanks. I am in NC and havent found the need to purchase winter tires. though i have wondered about running the cyclocross tires in the winter but am not sure if they would fit under the fenders. If they do it might be a good way to go in the winter months for a little extra.

It was a warm one this morning; 60 degrees under the cover of darkness riding in. Jersey and bibs only, with no vest. As nice as the temps were, my legs were shot. This afternoon I'l be riding most of the way home with a fellow commuter, and I know he's tired too. Hopefully it'll be a "social" ride. lol.

Any pics yet?

Early AM commute the other day, and I see the Vancouver mayor out for the annual homeless count. Clipboard in hand with 2 other staffers who are trying to wake up some homeless dude in a tent. Mayor Gregor sure looks like he doesn't want to be there, and looks longingly at my bike as a ride past. He's a huge cycling advocate and a commuter himself, who has done more for cycling infrastructure in the past 2 terms than you can imagine.

Besides, he doesn't want to be out counting homeless people because in 2008 he promised to eliminate homelessness by 2015--like promising to empty the Mississippi using buckets--the City has done a lot, but more homeless just keep coming!

I could just feel in his look, that he would have given anything to put down the clipboard and pedal up N. Grandview instead.
He faced the press later that morning:
Vancouver mayor says city?s ?warmer weather? to blame as he fails goal to end homelessness by 2015 | National Post

Hmm...sticky start to season, flat tire (good it was front one).. using last years Brodie Section 8..Nexus internal hub..got sick of having to clean gears all the time. Fortunately weather has been kinds, very little wind on the ride and and from work 18km.. just lots of post winter gunky-gunk on the side of the road.. I like getting started early in the season, I find it helps you appreciate the really nice days to come..

In the 50s on my way to work this morning, really nice, and to top it off only a slight headwind. Only had to breathe the terrible fumes from one poorly running truck.

Salvaged a great commute out of a day that initially looked like a bust. Woke up yesterday to thunderstorms with radar showing a lot more to come, so I hit the snooze button. However, the storm system was moving really fast and the rain was almost done when I got up at 6 am, so I decided to ride after all. Made decent time due to warm temps in the 60s, despite a head wind. It got even warmer by afternoon, reaching the mid-70s, and the wind kicked up even more -- but it was at my back most of the way home. I decided to take the long route along our long river trails and averaged over 17 mph all the way home. That's a very fast commute for me, albeit aided by the wind and lack of red lights.

I put some new tires on my commuting bike. MIchelin Protek 700X28. I got them for $15 each. if they last as long as my other Michelins I will say I got an awesome deal. They look nice but I will have to wait until next week to see how they ride. I think I need to get my cassette and chain cleaned. So gunky.
how often do you all clean your chain/ cassette?

Every 3 rides. I'm paranoid because i previously had a a heap of chain links seize.

I had a nice tail wind on the way home yesterday. I always feel like I have to take advantage of that and push harder. Including a couple of stop signs where I had to wait a bit, I averaged about 18mph, much faster than normal.

Today, however, I bailed. Between my wife not needing the car, me needing to transport a few larger things, and a rainy morning, I drove today. And I'm okay with it.

I drove today as well. I have to pick up my little girl this afternoon and the rain helped make that decision. I will be riding the stationary bike at lunch though.

Depends on how often it rains hard enough to wash away the crap! Kidding aside, I lube my chains probably once every 4-6 weeks, a little more in the winter. I use wd-40 liberally as a cleaner, works great

Ride home yesterday was into 25mph gusting winds, expecting the same or worse today. If it wasn't mid 30's I wouldn't complain... as much