Spring is here! who is contemplating their first commute?
03-17-15 | 11:36 AM
#26
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mine too, but we had a few more snow days up here. My first commute to work was last Saturday and my first trip was last Wednesday, out before I've done my annual maintenance.
03-17-15 | 11:44 AM
#28
Prefers Cicero
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
I don't bike on ice, and this time of year is a bit frustrating as the snow banks melt out onto the road in the afternoon, and that meltwater freezes overnight. So every morning, large sections near the curb are covered by thin layers of smooth ice, yet the centre of the road is dry and clear.
I'm out of town this week, Monday to Thursday but hoping most of the snow will be gone when I get home, and I can ride to work Friday, or at least by Monday.
I'm out of town this week, Monday to Thursday but hoping most of the snow will be gone when I get home, and I can ride to work Friday, or at least by Monday.
03-17-15 | 11:59 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
Likes: 17
From: Minneapolis
We had a fairly mild winter and it was very warm (for March) last week, - 70 on Sunday. It's cooled down closer to normal but what little snow we had is gone so most everything is dry. Some mixed precip is possible later this week so I might have to worry about ice. The winter bike is ready if I need it.
Next week also looks dry and I'm gone for almost two weeks after that. There's a good possibility that I'm done with studded tires for this year. As happy as I am about that, having this little moisture this early in the year isn't a good thing.
Next week also looks dry and I'm gone for almost two weeks after that. There's a good possibility that I'm done with studded tires for this year. As happy as I am about that, having this little moisture this early in the year isn't a good thing.
03-17-15 | 12:08 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
so yesterday morning i said 'to heck with getting my money's worth out of my bus pass, i want to ride my bike!'
to and from work yesterday, and so far to work today. ahhhhhhh! dang that feels good. the wind whipping in my face might not be so fun on the way home today, but hey, it makes one feel alive to fight mr weathermaker and win.
it's only 60 blocks each way, and other than one long climb of a hill, nice and easy ride. my record to work is 14 minutes, and that was last season in the peak of fitness. yesterday i did it in 17, and today in 18 minutes. not bad for start of season i think.
to and from work yesterday, and so far to work today. ahhhhhhh! dang that feels good. the wind whipping in my face might not be so fun on the way home today, but hey, it makes one feel alive to fight mr weathermaker and win.
it's only 60 blocks each way, and other than one long climb of a hill, nice and easy ride. my record to work is 14 minutes, and that was last season in the peak of fitness. yesterday i did it in 17, and today in 18 minutes. not bad for start of season i think.
03-17-15 | 01:01 PM
#31
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
i like pushing myself, to see if i can better what i did before. it's like a game i play with myself, lol
03-17-15 | 01:10 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
I just had a co-worker tell me that it's too cold to ride. It's 60F outside and sunny. :facepalm: He went on to say that he rides about one month a year.
This is at a company that pays $350/quarter for riding, has showers and locker rooms, and sheltered bike parking.
This is at a company that pays $350/quarter for riding, has showers and locker rooms, and sheltered bike parking.
03-17-15 | 01:16 PM
#33
commuter and barbarian
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 3
From: Potomac, MT, USA
You can lead a horse to water...
03-17-15 | 01:17 PM
#34
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
We had a fairly mild winter and it was very warm (for March) last week, - 70 on Sunday. It's cooled down closer to normal but what little snow we had is gone so most everything is dry. Some mixed precip is possible later this week so I might have to worry about ice. The winter bike is ready if I need it.
Next week also looks dry and I'm gone for almost two weeks after that. There's a good possibility that I'm done with studded tires for this year. As happy as I am about that, having this little moisture this early in the year isn't a good thing.
Next week also looks dry and I'm gone for almost two weeks after that. There's a good possibility that I'm done with studded tires for this year. As happy as I am about that, having this little moisture this early in the year isn't a good thing.
NEVER trust Minnesota weather!
03-17-15 | 01:27 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
Likes: 17
From: Minneapolis
Doesn't feel like it's going to be that way this year. Ground is already mostly thawed and absorbing heat from the sun since the snow cover is gone. Ice will be off the lakes soon so those will be absorbing heat too. Makes for a pretty hostile environment for snow accumulation.
Last edited by tjspiel; 03-17-15 at 01:31 PM.
03-17-15 | 01:49 PM
#36
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
Doesn't feel like it's going to be that way this year. Ground is already mostly thawed and absorbing heat from the sun since the snow cover is gone. Ice will be off the lakes soon so those will be absorbing heat too. Makes for a pretty hostile environment for snow accumulation.
03-17-15 | 01:54 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Always nice to see new faces around the Commuting forum. Share your experiences, don't be afraid to ask newb questions.
The studs are off of my bike -- I'm not usually this optimistic in mid-March, but the days have gotten so warm that there's hardly any snow left to melt and refreeze. I'll take it!
The studs are off of my bike -- I'm not usually this optimistic in mid-March, but the days have gotten so warm that there's hardly any snow left to melt and refreeze. I'll take it!
03-17-15 | 02:10 PM
#38
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,475
Likes: 4,557
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
holy cow! are they hiring?
03-17-15 | 04:16 PM
#39
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Chicago weather isn't much more predictable, and I'm waiting to wash the grime off my bike. It's still got dirt on it from last year. And maybe the year before!
03-17-15 | 04:59 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 8
From: Endicott, NY
Bikes: Electra Loft 7i, Fuji Crosstown 2.5, Gravity Liberty FB, Schwinn Voyageur
03-18-15 | 02:11 PM
#42
Dart Board
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 1
From: Happy Valley Oregon
Bikes: 13 Super Six EVO Red, 2005 Six13, 2024 TREK DOMANE SL 6 GEN 4, 1986 COLNAGO Master
I would just like to be thanked for all the clearing of the paths and road sides that we have done for you over the winter. Clearing of the spitting rocks, clearing of the sharp objects that caused us to change flat tires with gloved hands. The continuous commutes that created the awareness of us for car commuters.
Just a little thank you would suffice.
V
Just a little thank you would suffice.
V
03-20-15 | 11:15 AM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
Bikes: 1/8th inch Scrambler FG, Masi Coltello FG
I would just like to be thanked for all the clearing of the paths and road sides that we have done for you over the winter. Clearing of the spitting rocks, clearing of the sharp objects that caused us to change flat tires with gloved hands. The continuous commutes that created the awareness of us for car commuters.
Just a little thank you would suffice.
V
Just a little thank you would suffice.
V
THANK YOU to all the hardcore commuters out there who commuted through rain, sleet, snow, and sharp objects.
Tomorrow I'm planning my first commute for 2015. I did a lot of commuting the last two years, but I'm a real wimp when it comes to cold weather. But since spring has officially sprang, I guess there are no excuses.
03-20-15 | 01:07 PM
#45
Prefers Cicero
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
Feels so good!
03-21-15 | 04:04 PM
#48
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,267
Likes: 7
From: NA
Bikes: NA
THANK YOU to all the hardcore commuters out there who commuted through rain, sleet, snow, and sharp objects.
Tomorrow I'm planning my first commute for 2015. I did a lot of commuting the last two years, but I'm a real wimp when it comes to cold weather. But since spring has officially sprang, I guess there are no excuses.
Tomorrow I'm planning my first commute for 2015. I did a lot of commuting the last two years, but I'm a real wimp when it comes to cold weather. But since spring has officially sprang, I guess there are no excuses.
03-22-15 | 06:02 AM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 159
From: Kalamazoo, Mi.
Bikes: Sam, The Hunq and that Old Guy, Soma Buena Vista, Giant Talon 2, Brompton
03-22-15 | 12:13 PM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 1,477
From: Merrimac , MA
Well tomorrow will be my first ride this spring. I was able to ride as late as January then the snowstorms came. I put the bike away as I did not feel comfortable riding on the ice and snow without the proper tires. Tomorrow will be my first commute this spring and the temp will be about 15f degrees when I leave the house in the am. The cold does not bother me but the ice and snow does. Hopefully that is gone for this year.