Looks like we'll be going into our January thaw for the next few days or so. They're calling for above average temperatures for our area.
Today we had 17f/-8c this morning and sunshine and 33f/0c for the afternoon ride home.

My first time with the new crankset. the 48 teeth ring does feel big. Other than that, smooth and easy. And warm enough to take of my gloves at times.

Really nice morning ride in: Quiet city streets, no wind at all, crescent moon and Venus, just at freezing.

Finally some decent weather for riding after some of the worst commuting weather here in many months. We had some combination of heavy rain, mist, drizzle, heavy fog, freezing rain and black ice every day this week. Today it was just fog, but it wasn't bad enough to be unsafe for riding. I still had to ride carefully, however, because the temperatures were hovering at the freezing mark and I was afraid there might be some black ice. Needless to say, I didn't ride many commuting miles this week, but at least I didn't get skunked.

Just before I left I noticed ice in my driveway. I did a short test ride on my street and thought it was okay and that the main roads would be better.

I was wrong. When my back tire started spinning out on the first big hill I knew riding was questionable. It got a bit slippier and so I stopped and got off the road. I had to make a left turn at that point so I walked the bike across. I'm in a grocery/gas station parking lot for just a moment here. It was slick too. I thought, "Maybe Shearers Road (which sees more traffic) won't be so bad." I started down it and it still looked icy. I just didn't feel safe on it with my 700x25c slicks. So I called my wife.

She picked me up and we drove most of my route to get to the office. It looked icy for about the first 6 - 8 miles. I probably could have ridden, but just didn't feel good about it.

Now I look forward to riding home in the predicted 50+ temperatures.

Warmer this morning at around 28F. The ride home should be awesome with a high today of 56F and a tailwind! :thumb:

I look forward to the days getting light a little earlier in the morning so I can watch the sunrise on my ride to work... rather than after I've already arrived at work. Still, I don't have a bad view to watch the sun come up over the city.


http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...ps16d1ee54.jpg

Drove in today because it's my last day at work and I've accumulated too much stuff to fit on my rack. Start a new job on Monday!

I rode home yesterday, looking forward to another nice tailwind as I had Tuesday. Oy! The wind shifted, and I had a headwind! Though not for the whole ride. But man, all this cold and wind makes things hard. I'm all achy today, and I took the subway to work. I just took four ibuprofens for the soreness. I hope all this makes me tougher. It's a 12.something mile commute, and it still takes me over an hour each way. I feel so weak for it taking so long and for it being so hard.

I've been looking forward to my commute today all week. Last week, I was having some issues with my rear wheel; I swapped it out, and wouldnt you know, on my last commute home, I popped a spoke. The wheel is now fixed, and I'm back in the swing of things. I love the fact that the days are getting longer; I hope to scoot out a little early today, and really enjoy the ride home.

Last night I had to skip out on work early since my wife had an awful cold and didn't feel healthy to drive to get the boy. So I had to go home and I opted to take the car in lieu of putting his seat on the bike. Traffic was allow but okay and we had a nice talk on the way home. We also picked up dinner which was good.

Seeing that I am feeling lesser effects of this cold I drove for a second time this week. Traffic was good and my neck gets stiff with colds so shoulder checks on the bike are hard so I was okay with driving. I hope I feel the same way about it tonight.

Second commute for the year! Never been riding in January (or February for that matter) This morning's temperature was 28F with no wind - compared to last week which was below zero all week! Snow was still on the MUP's on the way in, but the streets were nice and clear for the 7 mile commute. The ride home should be nice, upper 30's and little wind. I hope to get out next week too.

Psst... I think I know where you can get a new cassette and chain that would definitely improve the drivetrain department ;)

Oh yeah! I rode home in shorts yesterday! Temp said 57F, though it started feeling chilly as the sun set. Enjoyed it for sure.

My legs were tired today, so I spun easy and enjoyed the mild temps, and the sunrise. Yesterday, on my ride home, I took pictures of my bridge crossings. This morning, on my way in, I came up on some fresh artwork on the other side of one of the bridges. I could still smell the paint fumes. The people in this area are very quick to roll over this stuff; they take a lot of pride in their neighborhood. Hopefully, it'll be gone on my return this afternoon.
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...pswklwes60.jpg

Well, I was back in the saddle as of Friday, after a week of the flu and another week recovering. So I missed the super cold weather. Better luck next year, but I'm really happy to be riding again. And I got to see a few of my favorite "die hards" on the bike path, including a gentleman on a single speed who always passes me.

So far I haven't actually ridden on ice that requires the studded tires, but having them on the bike assures me that I can leave my house in the morning and get back in the evening, even if the weather turns evil. So it's more of a motivator and security blanket than an absolute necessity at this point.

Absolutely wonderful. 65 degrees, and I got to try out two new accessories. Got some bungee laces for my favorite shoes, and my first pair of cycling pants! Canari gel padded spandex. Felt like I was a girl on her period but they were very comfortable. Road home with the temps closer to 38-42 and they surprised me with how warm they kept me. I'd be comfortable wearing them as low as 30 degrees without a second layer.

I've noticed myself cutting down the time it takes me to get to and from work. When I started this job I was riding my Trek 4300 and taking 14-16 minutes. Today I got there in 8 minutes :)

first time posting on this thread, just gotta vent a little bit.
Got off work, just walking my bike across the street to get some food before my ride home. I was in the middle of a crosswalk when a car comes from behind making a left turn, he cuts me off and hits the front of my bike. The car didn't stop at first, I had to run up by the window and wave to let the driver know what happened. The guy didn't seem to care, when I said he should stop so I could check for damage he got pissed and started yelling.
It really drives my nuts the compete lack of respect and concern people show on the road.

Besides that, been commuting to work every day so far this year. Had to take it slow today, the roads were a mess of slush and frozen tire tracks.

I have a similar length commute and it often takes me an hour and half to get home. Wind direction has a big affect. My fastest commute was just under an hour and my longest was about 2 hours. I love my commute but I do sometimes wish it was shorter so I could ride both ways. I just can't ride 3 hours a day.

Well, I finally did my first commute of 2015. Some days I had good reasons not to, others I just have lame excuses. Anyway, it was a great day for it, and with the new year, my cockpit gets a new look!

Packed and ready to go!
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...psusmfvm8l.jpg+

I wanted to get some bullmoose bars, but my friend told me he had this stem and I was welcome to it
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...psdfpayjbh.jpg

Also, new bars! Controltech
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...psy5vzh8yv.jpg

For reference - what it used to look like
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...psa4ede2c3.jpg

Woohoo warmer temps!

This commuting one day a week business is getting old. The past 2 weeks I have only ridden on Tuesdays. But yesterday was really nice so I took the utility bike and trailer to the grocery store. Today is just as nice so I knew I just had to ride to work. Low 40's this morning and mid-50's to near 60 going home this afternoon. And I should have a tail wind which will be nice!

I should be able to go with just shorts and short-sleeve jersey, and arm warmers this afternoon, for the first time in a long time. Can't wait!

Awesome commute this AM. Weather is looking great for the PM commute too...
(On the weekend my heart got a workout just from watching the football game!)

Yeah it looked nice. But we are all getting over this chest cold and breathing hasn't been efficient. I will ride tomorrow.

Broke a sweat riding in today wearing shorts and a t shirt. Nearly hit 70 degrees this afternoon. Loved it. Rode faster than normal.

ice on the street, no few days for it to clear and they don't really clean the streets here in the UK :(

Yesterday's commute wasn't too fun. First, rain and winter came back to Barcelona, which doesn't particularly bother me. I didn't spend five months in the land of rain and mist for nowt. Rain coat, gloves, watch cap and good to go (it wasn't raining that much to take a poncho. However, hell breaks loose when it comes to motor traffic on rainy days. The number of cars is, at least, two times bigger than in sunny days and some people apparently forget how to drive. The street I follow to get to university cars travel northwards but there's a two direction bike lane, so every two streets you find yourself dodging cars that make a 90 degree turn to your right (their left), invading the unprotected bike lane. And in one of the busiest streets, an idiot driving a Porsche Cayenne decided that the turn signals were there for decoration purposes only and almost ran over me. I will not repeat what I told him but it included unfavourable comparisons of his intelligence of that of the common flea.