I've done some ice sailing. The class of ice boat was the "DN" and let me tell you, those things FLY! ONe of those is definitely on my wish list, but the central spending authority (my wife) is not likely to approve of one of those soon.

As to riding across the lake, you know, I think that I will try it this winter. Provided, of course, the water freezes over enough. Last winter, the lake did not freeze except along the edges. Other winters, it's thick enough for cars to drive on.

I'm mostly well fixed for gear. The only thing I really want is a pair of Roubaix Bibshorts. I have granny hips (broke one) and they complain. But my lower legs get hot if I wear tights unless it is below 40 for my whole commute. So My favorite is usally shorts and knee or leg warmers - but then my hips freeze.

My big seasonal indulgence lately consisted of buying a killer bike light. I got a Light and Motion ARC. It is stupid. You can see for like 100 yards. Cars stop and wait for you to pass instead of turning left in front of you. Just like it ought to be.

I'm getting into a deep grove with the bike commute. It involves towing my 2 year old in a Burley Solo for 25 minutes each way, then riding about 50 minutes to/from work. About 35-40 miles RT. I'm getting strong enough to do it 3 times a week, ride myself to work and home on the night my wife picks him up, and I probably Metro in once a week after riding to the station. That gives me some time to read and some let up so I can do a big ride on Saturday or Sunday.

I changed the drivetrain from 9SP Ultegra to 10 speed Campy Centaur. Such an improvement. I had a nice pair of 10s wheels as spares for another bike and the whole experience of riding the Poprad has changed for the better. So that has me psyched for riding through the cold wind and rain (and maybe snow).

Been a while since I posted to the VLCC, but here I find myself again.
My commute should only be 18miles RT, but I make it about 24-25 RT by taking a few streets that I deem more "pleasureable".
I just ordered a pair of winter tights from https://foxware.net
Lou was a big help in aiding me to determine what exactly I needed. In the end I got a pair of Power Dry 250 tights. Since I'm a larger person he took my measurements via email, is making the tights for me, and doesn't expect me to pay for them until I get them and am happy. How's that for customer service?
I picked up a pair of winter boots from a department store this weekend. Mid cut and a half size too big so that I can wear a few pair of wool socks when the temps drop. I'll be placing an order from Campmor next week for some waterproofing for the boots, a balaclava, a thermal shirt, and a few other odds and ends. I want to make sure I have all the clothing I need before starting to build my winter bike. Looks like I'll be all set with clothing and bike by the end of November.
My wife is making me a new set of pogies. My old ones, that she made me, are worn out pretty badly. The new ones will have several layers of arctic fleece with a shell of of ripstop nylon with waterproofing. Total material costs, 15 bucks. And the layers will be removeable so that I can adjust them to the temps. I'm pretty stoked about that. She has also shown interest in making me clothing for my winter commutes.

The bike I'm building is an early 90's Raleigh M50. We painted it at work, a really sweet deep green with a blueish tint from an old 32 ford we paite last year, we had a quart left over. It'll be geard and have flat bars. Pretty much the cheapest components I can find online. My LBS is lacing me up a set of 36H Rhynolites for the bike.
I can't wait for all of this to come together.
I'll make more posts as things come to pass.

If you go that way mate, about 20 seconds.
You searched bikely for some alternates? You got to strathfield ok yeah? This one takes off from there
Good luck mate.

Just winding you up, mate I have a route that I normally take into town that's safe enough, not the one on that link (tho thats a good one) but its definitely not on the Parra or Hume.

Thanx for the link, BTW. I might give that one a go.

ok, ok - I have a story now. No pickups or rednecks - no cagers at all!

I had my backup handlebar light come apart and dump it's 4 AA batteries onto a side street this morning. I could only find three of them. After about 15 minutes I gave up and proceeded with just my helmet light. Don't know if the backup light broke when it hit the pavement. I can say it doesn't run on three batteries - that much is sure.

On the bright side, (punny-huh?) my new Dinotte is to arrive today!!

Fly welcome and CrossEyed welcome back.

Fly are you on the Evolution team?

CrossEyed, Lou at Foxwear is the best. I have been using his products for a little over 2 years. Excellent products at a reasonable price.

Well Batfans, I finally got my b-day present last week (two weeks late) from my wonderful wife unit. Yes I have a new toy, which is the garmin Edge 305 with HR and Cadence. The device is fun and does a good job of quantitatively describing my ride.

I had Monday off, but my commuting partner rode to work and came across my nuisance on the bike trail. My partner was only riding with a small 5 led light and the guy still shielded his eyes. We have come to the conclusion that since this person does not ride with a headlight, our headlights must kill his night vision. My HID must hinder him for several minutes.

On a side note there was a Vienna motorcycle cop on the bike path last night and almost gave me a ticket for drafting him. I thought why not a little motor pacing for the ride home.

been riding, not posting. Lots of bike advocacy stuff recently. Local govs are handing out $$ for '07.
Ride yesteray was great. Beautiful fall weather. today looking a little less beautiful. rain poss for PM commute
Mars: Ice sail commuting, we'll need pixs.
MD commuters: I just posted a message in commuter section about a college park/beltsville trail link. check it out and please send an email. This is an important trail link. In fact anyone else(NOVA folks) please email as well. thanks.

congrats, flythebike, sounds like you're really getting into the groove. Love the Campy stuff, so much better than Shimano IMO. I have 105 on my Poprad.

Why bicycle commuting rocks: I drove in today, Wed, my typical car-commute day. I "commute" all my biz attire once a week via car (have to have suits, etc). It also gives me a midweek break in my commute that helps keep me fresh for weekend riding fun with my wife.

Today was a rainy, dark morning, and I thought "not so bad to be in the car, I guess..."

Then traffic on the highway started slowing... Everyone was in panic stop mode... I have strong brakes, a good reaction time, and some track experience so with the nice cushion of space I always leave I was stopping in plenty of time...

WHAM.

Yep, you guessed it. Rear-ended. I'll tally up physical damage later, you never know until the next day. Car is pretty much fine, by looks of it. Who knows what damage lie underneath. When I got out of the car and saw the guy who hit me, I thought my car was demolished... His was all folded up, leaking lifeblood. But I got lucky, I guess. Pretty much just superficial bumper damage.

I should have ridden the bike!!!!!!

Ducati -- I guess if you have to have an accident better your car than your bike! Good to hear its nothing too serious for you.

Tibike -- nice to know the toys continue to come into the Bikecave -- it renews my confidence. I must say you seem to have more odd folks on your MUP than I enjoy. Most of the odd folks on my MUP are just colorfully eccentric and not aggressive.

Dalmore -- I had something similar happen with a cheap handlebar light a couple of years ago. Fortunately, I was riding on suburban streets with street lights so it wasn't essential for my ride. The amazing thing was how far it bounced and skidded when it came off. Served as reminder of how hard you'll hit the pavement if you fall.

It was a very pleasant ride this morning since my tires held air all the way. Since I forgot my raincoat, I must warn all of you in the DC area to expect drenching rain from about 5PM to about 6:30 to make sure my commute will be wet!!

Last night my wife came home and I told her about the new law that FL passed about bicycle. It says that you must give a bicycle on the road 3 ft on both sides. And that if you can not pass with out given the bicycle 3 ft that you must stay back a car lenght from said bicycle.

Then she tells me that this law is crap.... OMG..... I asked her why. She said that if she comes across a guy doing 8 mph in a 45 mph road, she is going to pass him any ways. I asked if it was me riding in her way if she would pass me as well. She said I go so fast that I do not hold up traffic..... OMG.... I told her that she will get a ticket and she said "so". Then I said that it will take them 30 min just to give her the ticket. That will make her latter for work or what ever. I can not believe I live with a cager......

I can not believe this is comming from the same person, that at the beginning of the year, that was so worried about me commuting to work.

Have you recently taken out additional life insurance

Cig -- More importantly has your wife taken out more life insurance on you? If so watch "Double Indemnity" and take notes!

My wife is not so different as she complains from time to time about being caught behind a biker on the parkway home. The fast ones she is fine with, but the slow ones get her going. I think its a pretty common reaction.

In practical terms it is probably not that hard to give a bike 3 ft. Most lanes are 10 ft wide so if a bike stays to the right there is probably room for most cars to pass. Now if you drive a Hummer or equivalent land yacht then all bets are off. The problem for most drivers I think is that the right side of their car is about as poorly recognized as the nether regions below their belt. They know it is over there somewhere and that it is always with them, but precisely where it is at any given moment is a little fuzzy. Hence drivers either pass way too close or go to ridiculous lengths to give you 15 ft. of space.

Not to go all A & S on this thread, but it probably suggests the ever increasing importance of both cagers and bikers getting some serious education on how to co-exist. So far those efforts are so sporadic and inconsistent that it has little effect on the road environment.

Yeah, I hear ya Cig. I get the same treatment at home. Around here, the cars can still swing past you if you signal them to pass.

Yes. I'm proud to say I just made the elite team. Too funny about a cop on the trail. Those Vienna cops don't seem that pinheaded to me, not surprised they let you off. Good story.

The cops let Tibike go because they realized he was Batman.

And no one gives BatMan a ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I had fun today commuting to work.I was behind a Taxie when the traffic come to a stop. I took the shoulder and was flying pass them at 32mph. Then took the lane again after passing a stop buse that was picking up some people. I then stayed it front of the buss doing 34.4 till the next light (about 3/4 of a mile). The buse pulled up behind me and the driver yells out the window "You know that you where doing 35?" I just wavied and took off when the light turned green. I seen him fad away behind me as I got back up to 32 mph and held that speed till the next light. 1.25 miles up the road. Stoped at the next light and that taxie pulls up next to me and she said "I have never seen any one go that fast on a bike before, what are you on a race team?" I replied with "I'm just running a little late for work that's all" She looked at me like I was crasy or something. So when the light turned green she keep pace with me till the next light about 3/4 of a mile. Then She said "I can't believe that you are going 36 mph!" I just LOL.

That is very impressive. I do not go that fast. I am not that fast, ever.

First day on a new bike. I picked up the aformentioned Bianchi San Jose (a singlespeed cyclocross, steel frame, cantis). Gearing is way low at 42x17; it took me 56 minutes vs. my usual 52, and that was with more effort than normal. I guess I'm not a spinner, more of a masher. I think I'm going to leave the gearing as is for now to try to work on my spin, although I'll probably have some 58 minute commutes in there.

I love the ride of steel frame bikes. So much smoother than my alu Giant was. The 'cross geometry is still weird to me, even though I own another cyclocross bike (geared LeMond Poprad). It feels like a tall SUV to me. I'll have to get used to that.

It was an absolute pleasure putting fenders on a bike meant for one. No zipties! Love it. My Freddy's are a little small (35mm) for the 700x32 'cross tires but they work OK for now.

Interestingly enough, my San Jose came fixed. No freewheel (flipflop hub, tho). Bianchi apparently shipped out a few fixie San Jose's, and mine was one of them. Preferable to me.

One nice thing about the gearing is I can skid like a grade schooler. I had fun with that this morning. I'm such a kid at heart

Yay for new bikes!

And I have the best testride story now. You know my day wasn't so great yesterday, with the car accident and soe other misc stuff. So I thought a test ride would be a nice way to end the day. I'm about 2-3 miles away from the shop, some dark clouds but I also see some sn peeking through here and there, and the heavens OPEN. I mean cats and dogs. hail. Tornado sirens blaring. I high-tailed it back to the store and was soaked to the BONE. LOL. I kept wondering if I'd end up in Kansas...

EDIT: it was 34 degrees this morning, pretty chilly! I put my new Balaclava to use. I liked it. I'm not sure if it will be warm enough as it drops into the teens and 20s, though. We'll see. All my other gear worked great, although my feet were a bit chilly. I need to sort that out. Wool socks in my Adidas MTB shoes aren't cutting it.

I can't believe I had another flat this morning. Fortunately I was about 100 yds from where I park my bike so I just strolled it on in. I'm curious to see what caused the flat this time. Other than that it was a great ride. A little cool, but nice enough.

Cig -- Once again amazing speeds. I was having a fast trip, but the only way I'll get that fast is if I jump out of a plane with my bike!

Ducati -- congrats on the new bike. I think we will see much colder weather tomorrow AM, so I'll have to dig out my cold weather gear.

great am ride. sun out, leaves changing.
As Newbie said, this will all change tonight. This will mark the end of my short wearing weather.
Floridians; you won't understand.
Aussies: I guess y'all are heading to short wearing weather
Tibike: Has the bike blocker been behaving himself. If 5W blinds him then yours definately cripples him. I heard that it takes the eyes at LEAST 30 minutes to adjust to darkness so you probably ruin the rest of his ride. Why doesn't he put on a light. I think trails are the best place for lights. Often bike lights are lost on city streets but not bike trails. Well except for the HID
Ducati: bummer about the crash. I assume by your name you also ride a motorcycle. My youngest son just bought a crotch rocket. Thank god he lives in Calif. He's an adrenaline junkie and I would hate to see how he rides it.

Ducati: The blocker has become less of a nuisance. My commuting buddy and I say good mprning to him and he hast stopped flipping me the bird. Nothing like showering people with kindness.

Cig: nice speed....

Newbie: Hopefully the old tale is true that bad things come in 3.

Fly: I am part of the Evo club and helped officate the RTC race.

Nice commute this morning and will be breaking out the wool jerseys tomorrow.

Life continues to take all of my time, but it's so much fun! Riding not posting. Remember the discussion about weight loss and commuting? I had lost 7 lbs and was happy. Well, now I"ve lost a total of 17 and everything is awesome. New life, new outlook, new wardrobe.

I got some booties and a new pair of tights for the winter. I still like my old cashmere sweater under a shell for cold days. Warmest item of clothing I own.

No new bikes, yet, but I'm looking to get a mountain bike or a 'cross bike for some off road challenges.

As of Monday I'd lost 6 pounds in about a month of this routine. Shooting for another 12 to be at a nice even 170.

tibike42 i hope you have dried off by now. That race was a deluge and a half.

Congrats on the weight loss, velogirl! I'm at a great weight right now, myself. I feel better than ever (except my hip issues). I've never been an overweight person per se, but I go in and out of shape often. Bicycling is the only thing that's really kept me in shape for a long period, it's real nice to be able to eat that huge homemade cookie with no regrets. It's nice to weigh the same as I did in college.

I've kinda dialed up my eating so I don't lose anymore.. I'm not exactly rail thin, but I feel pretty good. Enjoying the eating, as always. Man, I love to eat. And cook.

Tibikefor2: I am so glad to hear that. I often follow the same route, kindness vs. ratcheting it up a notch. It's kinda hard for most folks to be a jerk in the face of real kindness.

An aside: my wife really loves the Fluid2 trainer I bought her last weekend. I've tried it and it is very smooth and fairly realistic. She won't commute when it's dark morning/night (fine with me, the path is a little sketchy then) and wanted to keep riding. Now she can hop on her bike for an hour whenever. Kinda nice, I admit.

Very Nice Velogril. Allways feels good to get rid of a few pounds.

Ducati, Have fun on that new bike. But don't flat side the tiers.

I'll have to hook up the dig-cam to the bike and show you guys what it looks like going 36 mph. it's a total blast. I'll have to wait till I get a 12 mph tail wind like I had yesterday. Most days I only run about 24 and 26 mph. But I was running late for work. I made it to work (the 3.2 miles) in 7 min and 26 sec. Ride Time. Thats a 25.94 mph average speed. I was on fire. comming home last night I was hitting 21 mph in 1st gear. First gear to me is 7th gear to most. I don't use the low gear chainring. That make it a 149 Cadence.