Daniel4

The number of cars you pass has to be a factor in your favour.

wphamilton

Style has to be important. Not the bike style of course, but the style of the ride. How he handles himself in the face of adversity and obstacles. So you'd need at least 3rd party video, maybe judges spotted along the commute.

rhm

Well okay, by the above standard I'll give myself 4 points for distance daily, plus one for elevation and off-road / dirt / gravel combined, subtotal 25; add 5 for two commutes in the -5° to -10°C range and one in the 0°to -5°C range. I think I should also get a point for each time I rode in the rain (so, two more points); so, my total for last week, 32 points.

Not to complicate things too much, but: should I get some bonus points for riding while sick, or should I be docked some points for riding while sick, since that's plainly a stupid thing to do?

BobbyG

I am never going to win anything based on style, neither my outfit, my bikes nor my style of riding. (and I'm okay with that)

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

… Humbly,if Bike Forums ever had a Best Commute Award, I would be a frontrunner...Not to brag, but to illustrate the possibilities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by noglider

There's another Jim here on BF, also in the Boston area, who has a 17 mile commute, each way, and he doesn't ride in the worst weather, but close to it.

That may be @jimmuller. My usual commute is 14 miles one way. He is also an active tandem rider with his wife, even in Winter; and apparently is well known on the C&V Forum.

We have met in person, and we corresponded just last week on the de facto Boston subforum, a thread called "Metro Boston: Good ride today."

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmuller

…At one time you expressed interest in riding my commute route with me. I've never figured out a good way to coordinate that, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm not commuting by bike again though till the ice goes away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

...I sure would like to accompany you on one of your morning commutes, and likewise, I extend the same invitation on mine. As noted above though, it’s hard to have a free workday off.

I would need to ride out to Waltham, ride with you, and then home to Kenmore Square. When I do have a weekday off, I often do seek an early morning ride somewhere, and that sounds like a nice route and distance.

Back in 2014 I wrote an epic post (link) about a Magical Mystery Tour seeking the location of a photo you took en route.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmuller

JFB, nice travelogue and well done. You did indeed find my route and picture (though IIRC mine was from a little further down and captured one of the fine homes, probably an original farmhouse, on the north side of the road).

wphamilton

I understand. Yet surely, the guy who moves smooth as silk in the traffic flow should have points over the one who's in constant conflict? Or effortlessly bunny hopes over the dropped lawn chair rather than skidding and wild dodge, or gets off and walks around? For the Gold Medal, I mean.

Stadjer

A couple of weeks ago I bunny hopped a big hose on the sidewalk, problably draining someone's basement, on a 50lbs rod brake roadster, with a bag of groceries on the mouse trap front rack, in a 3 piece suit and tie, coat and hat. It got me a smile from the hose operater but I really wanted international judges to give me marks.

mcours2006

I take myself out of this competition due to being hit by a car from behind early this morning.

That's all I was say for now.

Be careful out there!

wphamilton

That's what I mean by style!

I can't bunny hop very well on my road bike, and on my fixed gear just forget about it. I'll get no style points for my pathetic track-stands either.

noglider 

Feel better, @mcours2006!

mcours2006

Thanks.

vol

Since we are talking about commuting, meaning usually you can't choose your route, we could have scores for various aspects (like gymnastics): mileage, elevation, weather, road condition, traffic condition, neighborhood, load, ....

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcours2006

I take myself out of this competition due to being hit by a car from behind early this morning.

That's all I was say for now.

Be careful out there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcours2006

I did ride. Road conditionswere dicey, but my 45 mm Suomi tires handled it well. They, however, did nothelp prevent me from getting rear-ended by an intoxicated driver. Can't comment much other than that.

So sorry to hear about this; see my PM for further thoughts. Meanwhile, I had been composing a following post in reply to an earlier one of yours, to be submitted later.

PS: My follow-up post was mistakenly submitted to this Commuting thread, but I deleted it and re-submitted to the General Cycling Forum thread, Is Cycling Growing Or Declining In Your Area (U.S.)?

acidfast7

My commute is super diverse:

Waterside, hyperurban, motoways, bike lanes, rural ... etc...

alan s 

@mcours2006 Hope everything is OK. Fill us in on the details when you can.

Darth Lefty 

I've been struck by the parallels and differences between track cycling and speed skating.

Abe_Froman

I disagree. There should definitely be scores for "aesthetically pleasing" and "originality of bike." Also, I think "degree of difficulty" should factor in as far as bike choices are concerned.

wphamilton

I guess I'm more literal that if I'm thinking of competition, it should be about the person not his equipment. Although if "originality of bike" is a category I should get points for riding this.

RubeRad

If long, nested quotes with a labyrinthine post/thread history were an olympic sport...

Abe_Froman

I think you would find a spot on the podium somewhere

Stadjer

I didn't maintain my skills learned as a kid either. I once left a party on my compact bike that has a BMX appeal, with a few remarks about it form other guests and a few drinks I decided to do lighten up my departure with a wheelie, but my centre of gravity wasn't where it used to be. They had a laugh. But I still do a semi track stand when I have to wait regularly, good for balance. The bunny hop only had to clear a few inches, that I can still do.

Speed skaters do a lot of cycling for training. I think speed skating is quite boring to watch, but you have to admire that they have to keep skating with a good and difficult technique while their legs are gone.

noglider 

I like watching speed skating. I do see speed skaters as our brothers and sisters.

OmegaWolf

2 words: Participation Trophies

KD5NRH

24 pack of toilet paper and a couple 2-liter sodas.

no motor?

With a 2 mile commute and less grace than Elizabeth Swaney I think I'd be waaaay down in the standings.