How was the commute today?
Petrolhead Cyclist
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Yesterday was the first snow since I started commuting by bike. I chickened out and took the car. So it took me 2 hrs instead of 30 minutes and every few minutes someone whizzed by me on a bike.
Big mistake - today I was back on the bike. The snow had turned to slush, my toes turned to icicles and I had a great ride in. The most interesting part was the first half mile from my house where the snow was mainly undisturbed - my road tyres cut through it pretty nicely and I was really impressed with how much grip I had - even under braking.
Big mistake - today I was back on the bike. The snow had turned to slush, my toes turned to icicles and I had a great ride in. The most interesting part was the first half mile from my house where the snow was mainly undisturbed - my road tyres cut through it pretty nicely and I was really impressed with how much grip I had - even under braking.
Seeing things
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There are lots of times when I struggle with the, "I don't feel like it" syndrome. Rarely have I regretted riding anyway.
Just above freezing this AM, with light, sleety snow showers. As I walked my bike down the steps to the street, I was prepared to do an about-face and slap on the studs if I hit ice. I am happy to report that the pavement stayed wet, and the rubber stayed down.
Just above freezing this AM, with light, sleety snow showers. As I walked my bike down the steps to the street, I was prepared to do an about-face and slap on the studs if I hit ice. I am happy to report that the pavement stayed wet, and the rubber stayed down.
Petrolhead Cyclist
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You know it wasn't even that. I just assumed it'd be dangerous and my slick tyres wouldn't grip. But the guys riding past me proved me wrong!
Strong with the Fred
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Dark as usual. Kinda cool about 40 degrees. I stayed up all nite and couldn't sleep for some reason so I was jumpy with every little sound I heard. Today is gonna be interesting.
I stopped at my donut store to get breakfast and got to work in record time. I plan to take advantage of this good weather and ride in everyday I can.
Ernest
I stopped at my donut store to get breakfast and got to work in record time. I plan to take advantage of this good weather and ride in everyday I can.
Ernest
All women are unique
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Didn't cycle today as the UK has come to it's knees over a snowflake. All transport has been disabled, and all Wiccan's have been advised to use flying broomsticks.
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My commute today was glorious- it was above 40〫F for the first time in about 2 months! Only weird thing was for the last part of my ride home I kept thinking I'd ridden through dog crap and then I realized that now that the weather was above freezing 2 months of frozen dog crap was thawing out at once and it was pervasive. yecccch.
Ride today was chilly. I was worried about ice since a rainstorm came through the area overnight, but the roads were just wet.
Finally, got some good news. Another commuter from my company, with whom I used to ride back when I was in another building, just moved to this building too. He and I will be able to ride together again.
Ha ha HA! Me likey bikey!
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Didn't so much commute this morning, as I did go to Meijers to pick up a couple things. It was 12 miles round trip. 3 degrees F when I left, and now it's 4 degrees F. Lots of ice all over the place, but I did fine, even with slicks. You just gotta be more careful. It was fun.
----
Thanks for the encouragement. Yes its 265 lbs, and yes I am hoping to loose some. I'm excited about getting into the "groove" so to speak but need to fight the mental battle to not give up. I'm riding an old Bertoni road bike and although I'm sure its not a perfect fit, its getting me out there which was step one.
Hang in there and keep us up to date with your rides!
perpetually frazzled
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Yesterday, the weatherman said that it'd be about 10*, with slight snow and a few gentle gusts...
I looked out my window this morning, and that's what I saw, but having no TV or internet at my house, didn't realize what I was in for... I got about halfway, and was hit with a 20 mph headwind and a blizzard. It was so bad that I actually got ice "cubes" in teh corners of my eyes and would have to stop and pull them out every once in a while. I forgot my scarf, so my face was freezing, and I think i did about 6 mph the entire way.
However, that 20 mph headwind will be a 20 mph tailwind going home...I just hope the roads stay decent enough to take advantage of it!
I looked out my window this morning, and that's what I saw, but having no TV or internet at my house, didn't realize what I was in for... I got about halfway, and was hit with a 20 mph headwind and a blizzard. It was so bad that I actually got ice "cubes" in teh corners of my eyes and would have to stop and pull them out every once in a while. I forgot my scarf, so my face was freezing, and I think i did about 6 mph the entire way.
However, that 20 mph headwind will be a 20 mph tailwind going home...I just hope the roads stay decent enough to take advantage of it!
Commuter
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My legs are already tired and its only tuesday.
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Did my first morning commute today! Left the house at 7:30 in the morning, it was 36f. I have fingerless gloves and a breathable jacket that I wore knowing that I would be a bit cold at first but would be more comfortable on the way home wearing the same gear. Im really glad I wore that instead of the windless shell I wore yesterday (and totally overheated in on my way home), although a few minutes into the ride I was thinking it was a mistake, and that I was going to freeze. By about mile 3 I was nice and comfortable, my legs felt great and I was on my way. There was nobody else on the MUP this morning so I felt extra committed I thought that my legs were going to be more tired this morning as this was my first consecutive day ride, but in reality they felt stronger then they ever have.
Thanks Buzzman for the encouragement.
Thanks Buzzman for the encouragement.
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EXCELLENT! Congrats. The fingerless gloves were good too? I'm surprised.
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My fingers were by far the most uncomfortable part of my ride, but by half way through they were good as gold. I figure there always has to be something for your mind to say "this is unbearable", and I figure I would rather have it be the ends of my fingers then my mind telling my my legs are going to give out....
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How many miles?
L T X B O M P F A N S R
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Today was a real struggle, legs were weak, sore, and stiff, I was moving really slowly. Temps were comfortable at 34F but the headwind was a real pain. The storm that was predicted largely missed DC, we had a little rain and some snowflakes, but nothing accumulated. I guess I have to, once again, find the time to fit in some stretching routines, my legs really need it.
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Something funny happened today. When I was returning home, two cyclists passed me, and the second turned and asked: "Hey man, you are the guy who goes the other way at 7 AM?" I answered, "Yeah". And he, "Whoa, I see you every day. You got a pair". I laughed.
Since I learned to stop worrying and love the commute here, I think I got my pair from all you. I'm rather proud to get a little recognition from the local sports cyclists.
Since I learned to stop worrying and love the commute here, I think I got my pair from all you. I'm rather proud to get a little recognition from the local sports cyclists.
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As for my commute, it was glorious. 43F and calm. Eerie beautiful mists rising out of the American River.
benter
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Night riding is starting to bug me
I'm getting faster despite the heavier tires I put on, so I made it home with an average including stops of 10 MPH and not including stops of 11.7 MPH
but my inability to tell cars apart at night in my mirror is beginning to bug me. I ought to clean my glasses before the trip home, but this corner is (Bollinger to Williams, heading East) has me at the point where I'm thinking of crossing on foot & walking to the corner where Williams branches away from Moorpark. The traffic in & out of the shopping center there is *murder* at night.
I can't even imagine what riding with raindrops on my glasses would be like at night. No mudguards & I'm thinking I'll just drive on the rainy days of which there aren't many in this area.
but my inability to tell cars apart at night in my mirror is beginning to bug me. I ought to clean my glasses before the trip home, but this corner is (Bollinger to Williams, heading East) has me at the point where I'm thinking of crossing on foot & walking to the corner where Williams branches away from Moorpark. The traffic in & out of the shopping center there is *murder* at night.
I can't even imagine what riding with raindrops on my glasses would be like at night. No mudguards & I'm thinking I'll just drive on the rainy days of which there aren't many in this area.
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The commute was cold, not too windy. There was a thin layer of slush, but nothing terrible. The 16" Michelin knobbies work very well, particularly considering that they're kid's tires. Little Red is drying out in the bathtub.
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Great Commute today!
I've been bike commuting for about 7 months now, lost over 75lbs and all is good in the process. I 'm in the East Bay t[in Nor Cal. (Danville -Pleasant Hill ride) it's about 30 miles round trip. Today was very cool I left alittle later 8:15 I'm Riding up danville Blvd and across the road come a large Red Fox He trotts across the road stops about 10 yards from me, hears me finaly and scampers dow to the creek. It put a smile on my face. Something I would have never seen in the car.
Mike Mac
Mike Mac
Drops small screws
Headwinds + snow in the face + 20" wheels + unplowed greenway = 2 hours to get home.
2 hours on a bike! It's a good day.
2 hours on a bike! It's a good day.
SERENITY NOW!!!
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Getting hit in the face by razor sharp ice crystals that hurt the faster you went sucks. However, today's snow/sleet/slop was perfect for testing out my new Showerspass Elite 2.0 jacket. It worked. Looking down at iced over and snow covered handlebars while commuting is cool.
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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!