Gresp15C

This morning: Big patches of ice, everywhere. This afternoon: Perfect, but lots of grit from sanded roads.

Looks like it will be this way for at least a week. Whatever snow melt runs into the street during the day will freeze at night. It's probably the first time this winter that I've really needed the studs to control the bike on ice.

esmith2039

First commute since last October... little chilly starting out and too hot at arrival! Replaced the old Huffy with a Specialized Hardrock. Wow what a difference. Did ride the old bike 850 miles last year.. with this much lighter bike should be able to double it!

mgw4jc

A bit of headwind on the way home last night. Just enough to make certain parts a struggle.

I added a couple of miles to bring this mornings ride up to 14 miles. The MUP detour I take was pleasantly clear this morning. Last week it had quite a few broken branches and gum balls scattered about. Today, nada.

The forecast rain is so far a bust for us, but we are under heavy cloud cover so it could start at any time. 52F rising to 70+ today.

CJ Str3tch

Gresp15C, I hear you. This morning almost lost it twice on small patches of black ice, until finally a big, unavoidable one took me out. A bruised elbow, hip and (mostly) ego. I was not prepared for that or the thick dense fog that was around this morning. I guess I will be more careful in the mornings. I have a painful elbow to remind me of that.

spivonious

A little bit of ice on the edge of the road this morning, but I was able to avoid it. Felt colder than yesterday, but that could be because my new rain pants were letting in all of the cold air. I can't believe they're waterproof, but we'll find out on the ride home. We're supposed to get 1/4" of rain in two hours, so it will be heavy.

snow_echo_NY

this AM: perfect weather, but trucks/cars/cops parked in bike lanes (the same thing everyday) and less mud. it's nice that the bike lanes get plowed anytime there's snowfall. have to give NYC props for that. first winter that I've commuted by cycling (usually it's just spring and fall.)

wore two layers on top, a base and a fleece hoodie.
one layer on bottom, fleece pant
wool socks
trainers on feet
helmet on head
knit gloves

bonus: no face mask, no scarf or handkerchief needed, no second pant or glove layer needed! was comfortable.

Hypno Toad

Sphincter factor was down to 7 today, the frequency and duration of puckers were down, still patches of re-freeze, just not as bad!

Today's headed past 60F! Plan to hit the store on the way home for some burgers to throw on the grill!

arsprod 

39F and steady rain. There was that eery fog that happens when it warms up, is raining, and still lots of piled snow around - makes headlight look light a light saber. See what you California guys are missing

New_IA_Rider

First-ever commute today! Hands were cold in my thin gloves (34*), but other than that it was really nice. I saw 3 other cyclists on the way. Can't wait till the workday is over, it's going to be in the 60s for the ride home.

joeyduck

That is great to hear. We all had one of those. Great for you braving winterto start what we hope is your new addiction. We look forward to hearing more as you progress.



What are gum balls?



I had movement yesterday! The doctors cleared my new graft site, it is still healing but they think it is fine. I also got clearance to bear weight on my right leg and slightly (30%) on my left leg.

Since the plastics team cleared me that meant I got to get shipped by medical transfer (van equipped like an ambulance) to a transitional care unit. Which mean I am temporarily, until I can bear weight fully on both legs which is four to six weeks for the left leg, in a unit at another hospital in town with geriatric patients. I am here until I can get to the rehab intensive facility in a month I hope.

I am likely the youngest patient here and even a nurse said I would find this environment tough. I am a lot farther away from my family, which is disappointing. Also my previous hospital was centrally located for friends to visit. So I'm worried about less frequent visits and getting depressed as a result.

A nurse just asked the patient across from me if she wanted a bib and if her teeth were in. Sad face.

wphamilton

I am sure that making good progress will help you keep a positive outlook, and it sounds like you're doing well. The big question, when can you get back on the bike and how do you feel about that?

bconneraz

Congrats on your first commute!! Lots of great people here, so stick around, and we'll keep you motivated!

dramiscram

First bike ride since feb. 18th. Winter as been tough so far: a lot of snow, Wind, ice, there's one or two morning I could've ride but failed to do so mainly because of very very strong winds.
Any way this morning felt great and the sunrise was beautiful, here's a pic, (I hope the link work)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

mgw4jc

From the sweetgum tree. Evidently primarily in the South East of the states.
Liquidambar styraciflua - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


And the things that are on the ground that we call "gum balls." They're about the size of a ping-pong ball.

bconneraz

I had an awesome ride in today- it started out clear and crisp, and ended damp and foggy. I've been running 26x2.0 Marathon Supremes on my LHT for a long time, and while I love them, I was dying to try a set of 26x1.6's. I scooped up a set and put them on last night; wow did I feel fast today! lol.....

And for our good friend, and fellow commuter @joeyduck - I promised you pics from the weekend to give you something to look at other than a building out of your hospital room window, so here you go.....we'll call this "I took the long way home Sunday"









I jumped on the Santa Ana River Trail for the ride home, after spinning up PCH and enjoying some lunch with a few fellow commuters. Enjoy the sunshine!

joeyduck

Thanks. I'm not yet sure whe I can get on the bike, a bike. I have not seen my bike yet, it is still at the police station.

joeyduck

Okay, no I have never see those before. We have horse chestnut trees that drop very similar things as the gum ball. They can be a chore to ride around or over especially with skinny tires.

Aesculus hippocastanum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

joeyduck

Thanks! Those are some nice photos and perfectly timed since I'm now in a corner with no outside view. I'll wait for physio to get me up and in a wheel chair so I can get a view.

HardyWeinberg

Something weird yesterday morning: I was approaching a bike traffic circle where 2 trails intersect and at the offramp to my left was some weird peloton/clown car/shriner parade/roadrage/traffic jam thing of 6 bikes, one of which was a tadpole trike; they went in both directions around the circle, and one guy split the lane between me and the trike as we went past each other to get past him, and I caught my breath from that only to realize that some of the other people were taking multiple laps around the traffic circle but anyway I got through w/ no contact and they all went back down the direction I had come from.

Today, pretty uneventful. Foggy.

enigmaT120

41 degrees but dry. I'd say dark as I leave the house at 5:00 am, but the moon was pretty big up in the middle of the sky. I like riding by moon light. It should be light all the way home as I should get home by sundown (7:13 or so) tonight. I remember my commute route being pretty, so it will be nice to see if it still is.

Only two vehicles passed me in 9 miles, not too bad.

spivonious

@joeyduck - at least you're making progress! Old people can be fun. Lots of stories to tell.

joeyduck

I know it is progress. The whole environment is slow and quite, it is a bit depressing and not inspiring. Of my three roommates two don't seem to speak any English, which is really the only language I know. As I get more mobile I'll get to see more people. But for not I'm confined to the bed until the physical therapist comes around to help get me out of bed.

But my mother in law has come down and is playing cribbage with me.

timvan_78

@joeyduck 100% in one leg, and 30% in the other? Heck, my wife supplies less power than that on the tandem on a good day. (in case she ever reads this: just kidding) I'd say "good to go." I remember Rick Hansen saying that being in the mostly-seniors rehab facility was the opposite--it was insanely motivating. It's very possible that it was the exact same facility you are in right now. (For all you non-canadians: he later wheelchaired his ass around the world.)

I had the day off yesterday. Even better than a commute:

scoatw

38f/3c this morning. This was the first morning ride above freezing in over a month. The aftn was pouring rain and 47f/8c.

KCBikeCommuter

Hang in there @joeyduck!

Weather is supposed to be nice in KC the rest of the week. Hoping I can commute Wed-Fri!