2016! how was your commute today?
11-08-16, 05:51 AM
#2901
Senior Member
The commute in this am was nice with the temp at 29f degrees and clear skies. Mostly uneventful until some one in a car tried to pass on the right side of another car(hey, I am right here). Revving his motor he was not able to pass until he got beyond me. It happened very fast so it was all over in a split second it seemed.
11-08-16, 06:47 AM
#2902
multimodal commuter
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Yesterday felt like my first winter commute. When I left my office it was a sunny afternoon, almost warm riding the CitiBike to Penn Station. Got on my train and promptly fell asleep, and next thing I knew the sun was setting behind a rapidly moving panorama of suburban nj. By the time I got off the train, the sky was dark but for a band of orange along the southwest horizon, one bright planet and a half moon above it.
Wasn't until I got home that I realized my tail light wasn't working. Loose connection, I found it eventually, but those things are hard to diagnose.
For the next six weeks I'll be watching the sunset from the train window, disappearing a little earlier every day, and riding home in the dark; and then the process will reverse itself.
There will come an evening, a few months from now, when I'll see an edge of the sun just disappearing over the trees when I get off my train, and I'll know it's almost spring... but for now, it feels like it's going to be a long winter.
Wasn't until I got home that I realized my tail light wasn't working. Loose connection, I found it eventually, but those things are hard to diagnose.
For the next six weeks I'll be watching the sunset from the train window, disappearing a little earlier every day, and riding home in the dark; and then the process will reverse itself.
There will come an evening, a few months from now, when I'll see an edge of the sun just disappearing over the trees when I get off my train, and I'll know it's almost spring... but for now, it feels like it's going to be a long winter.
11-08-16, 06:58 AM
#2903
Senior Member
So the weather said the rain would be south and east.. liars! Rode the fenderless bike anyways got a little spray but not bad. Perfect temp and little wind. Alot more traffic today must be due to voting.
11-08-16, 07:24 AM
#2904
Senior Member
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59F with a slight breeze from the north to make it feel a bit cooler. Wore my long sleeve base layer, but went in shorts anyway. Uneventful ride to work. I managed a small victory at the intersection where the light tends to give me problems. A truck was ahead of me and triggered it, giving him the protected left turn green arrow. I didn't think I'd make it because I was far back but it stayed solid, and I got to pass through. I'll take what I can get!
11-08-16, 07:40 AM
#2905
Senior Member
Cold for the part one of my commute - home to gym. About 37F but I went with shorts anyway and just suffered. I was only cold on the downhills. I felt a lot warmer going from gym to work, probably because I had gotten plenty warm working out.
Traffic seemed a bit lighter, but I'm sure I still managed to slow some people down.
Sorry. Not sorry.
Traffic seemed a bit lighter, but I'm sure I still managed to slow some people down.
Sorry. Not sorry.
11-08-16, 08:46 AM
#2906
Senior Member
Several appointments today so no ride. I feel lost
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I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
11-08-16, 09:01 AM
#2907
Senior Member
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Coldest commute of the autumn so far, with temps in the mid-30s. I love these temperatures because it's easy to dress for and usually warms up to the 60s or low 70s by afternoon. I also sweat a lot less.
Rode my cyclocross bike for the second day in a row, and my commute speeds have been much faster than while riding my touring bike. Yesterday was my fastest commute in a while, aided by a tailwind in the morning and a pressing deadline in the afternoon. I had left my car for its annual service and inspection at the VW dealer, which closed at 6 pm, so I had to really book it to get there before closing. I made it with 5 minutes to spare. The VW employees were amazed at how far I bike commute and were blown away when I told them that I cycle about 3,000 more miles each year than I drive.
Rode my cyclocross bike for the second day in a row, and my commute speeds have been much faster than while riding my touring bike. Yesterday was my fastest commute in a while, aided by a tailwind in the morning and a pressing deadline in the afternoon. I had left my car for its annual service and inspection at the VW dealer, which closed at 6 pm, so I had to really book it to get there before closing. I made it with 5 minutes to spare. The VW employees were amazed at how far I bike commute and were blown away when I told them that I cycle about 3,000 more miles each year than I drive.
11-08-16, 09:32 AM
#2908
The Fat Guy In The Back
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Rode to the polling place to be there when the doors opened at 7:00. Stood in line for about 20 minutes after voting started. Did my best to avoid condoning evil. Because of this I made it to work 15 minutes late, which I'll just compensate for by staying 15 minutes late tonight. I have a feeling the polling places will be jammed full at 5 PM which is why I decided to get it over with early.
The last few nights I started preparing the winter bike for the season. It's needing a major overhaul: chain, cassette, crank, pedals, brakes, cables and housing. I probably can save the derailleurs and wheel hubs, but I'm not sure yet. I have a big pile of extremely rusty parts on the garage floor. The ice-melt chemicals they put on the road here just destroy everything in a surprisingly short amount of time. I was on the edge of just buying a different bike instead of fixing this one, but I couldn't yet bring myself to throw the old one in the landfill. We've spent too many miles together.
The last few nights I started preparing the winter bike for the season. It's needing a major overhaul: chain, cassette, crank, pedals, brakes, cables and housing. I probably can save the derailleurs and wheel hubs, but I'm not sure yet. I have a big pile of extremely rusty parts on the garage floor. The ice-melt chemicals they put on the road here just destroy everything in a surprisingly short amount of time. I was on the edge of just buying a different bike instead of fixing this one, but I couldn't yet bring myself to throw the old one in the landfill. We've spent too many miles together.
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11-08-16, 10:31 AM
#2909
Senior Member
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What a great ride today! First time I have gone to vote by bike, so I got to explore a different route to work after. It was nice enough - a 1 lane back road with a moderate amount of traffic. I pass by a Krispy Kreme so I took advantage of that and got my free donut. Ended up being slightly longer, by about a mile, but was a nice day for a ride.
11-08-16, 10:34 AM
#2910
Disco Infiltrator
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On my way out of my neighborhood, headed to the polls, I was buzzed by a BALD EAGLE! 
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
11-08-16, 11:02 AM
#2911
Senior Member
I think it's been over 2 weeks since my last bike commute. It's been cool and damp and too easy to drive. But today was 8C/46F for the ride in, with a forecast high of 18C/64F this afternoon....wait, what month is it again? Seems like early November is trying to make up for our miserable October. Nice commute, but I felt the time off. Soured a bit because construction crews have been making a big muddy mess of the trails and roads/shoulders thanks to all the wet weather.
11-08-16, 11:38 AM
#2912
Half way there
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36F this morning. I have to remember my temp-based dressing strategy from last winter, because I overdressed and got a bit sweaty. With the time change it is starting to get light when I leave the house. This means that I have to be doubly aware of idiot drivers who refuse to use their lights within 30 minutes of sun-up. I was surprised that I only encountered one such car this morning, but I did see 3 cyclists with nary a light between them.
11-08-16, 11:44 AM
#2913
Senior Member
On my way out of my neighborhood, headed to the polls, I was buzzed by a BALD EAGLE!
11-08-16, 01:04 PM
#2914
Senior Member
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Left the house later this morning to stop by the polls, but the line was really long and I didn't have a good place to lock the bike, plus all my clothes were in my trunk bag. So I'll try to leave work early and vote later today.
Wet and rainy this morning, about 60°F. This is the first REAL rainy, wet commute I've had in recent memory. I rode in a couple of minor showers during the summer, but didn't have a single truly wet commute until now, probably since last winter or possibly the spring. I forgot to swap out the rear housing door on my GoPro to the one with the plastic piece that still allows touch screen operation. I stopped and did that on the side of the road, and the camera promptly fell out onto the ground, LENS DOWN! Of course, and it was my first time dropping the camera. No harm, though. Oh well, it was a pretty good commute, just wet and nasty, and I got to work about an hour later than normal.
Wet and rainy this morning, about 60°F. This is the first REAL rainy, wet commute I've had in recent memory. I rode in a couple of minor showers during the summer, but didn't have a single truly wet commute until now, probably since last winter or possibly the spring. I forgot to swap out the rear housing door on my GoPro to the one with the plastic piece that still allows touch screen operation. I stopped and did that on the side of the road, and the camera promptly fell out onto the ground, LENS DOWN! Of course, and it was my first time dropping the camera. No harm, though. Oh well, it was a pretty good commute, just wet and nasty, and I got to work about an hour later than normal.
11-08-16, 01:50 PM
#2915
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Insane commute this AM:
first, it was dry!
second, one of those sunrises where the sun lights up a layer of clouds from below in a multitude of colours.
then, light creeping down the mountain-sides
then, bright rainbow, 1/2 circle, over the city as the sun lit up the city like GOLD.
Hey yanks, good luck with your election today! After a morning like that, I don't want to look south this afternoon and see a mushroom cloud.
first, it was dry!
second, one of those sunrises where the sun lights up a layer of clouds from below in a multitude of colours.
then, light creeping down the mountain-sides
then, bright rainbow, 1/2 circle, over the city as the sun lit up the city like GOLD.
Hey yanks, good luck with your election today! After a morning like that, I don't want to look south this afternoon and see a mushroom cloud.
11-08-16, 01:52 PM
#2916
Senior Member
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Insane commute this AM:
first, it was dry!
second, one of those sunrises where the sun lights up a layer of clouds from below in a multitude of colours.
then, light creeping down the mountain-sides
then, bright rainbow, 1/2 circle, over the city as the sun lit up the city like GOLD.
Hey yanks, good luck with your election today! After a morning like that, I don't want to look south this afternoon and see a mushroom cloud.
first, it was dry!
second, one of those sunrises where the sun lights up a layer of clouds from below in a multitude of colours.
then, light creeping down the mountain-sides
then, bright rainbow, 1/2 circle, over the city as the sun lit up the city like GOLD.
Hey yanks, good luck with your election today! After a morning like that, I don't want to look south this afternoon and see a mushroom cloud.
11-09-16, 05:54 AM
#2917
Senior Member
A very nice uneventful commute this morning with the temp at 36f degrees and cloudy skies. I missed those stars!
I was able to make it to the polls last night, vote and get home before dark. That was my goal. I did not want to have to go home and come back with the car.
I was able to make it to the polls last night, vote and get home before dark. That was my goal. I did not want to have to go home and come back with the car.
11-09-16, 07:46 AM
#2918
Senior Member
Brrr.. but wasn't bad! Oddest thing this morning! I have a green light but I see a SUV approaching from the other direction. They're stopping so cool no problem.. BUT they stop briefly and just continue to roll. I'm right in front them! Bright reflective gear and all! They gun it and see me and the same time... and then have the gall to honk! But hey at least I got to exercise my curse word library.. I was reading an article the other day that stated the more curse words you know the smarter you are, I must be a genius!
11-09-16, 07:48 AM
#2919
Senior Member
Some damp roads from light morning rain, but I never saw any falling. Warmer today because of the overcast skies.
11-09-16, 08:03 AM
#2920
Senior Member
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Was a warm 54F and a very slight drizzle. I couldn't really feel the rain yet. But brought out the rain jacket since the forcast calls for a little over 0.1 inches of rain later today. Its probably overkill, but if I have it, then might as well use it. Also brought my old front light (Jet halogen light with water bottle battery) and plugged it in at work. I'll need it later on. I'm also trying the ghetto plastic bag over the seat trick. I've read about someone using a shower cap for that and think its a great idea. Will have to get my hands on a large one. He also uses the shower cap on his helmet (thought maybe he meant under the helmet?).
Last edited by ptempel; 11-09-16 at 08:06 AM.
11-09-16, 08:03 AM
#2921
Senior Member
Biking with a headcold just sucks. Rode yesterday and just took it easy. Today it was 32 degrees with bright stars overhead. Glad I found my helmet light. Really helps to have a bright light on the bars lighting the road while having another light to see where I'm looking. This time of year it's nice to see the ditches with the deer on the move.
Thinking I need to mount a paintball gun on the handlebars.
Thinking I need to mount a paintball gun on the handlebars.
11-09-16, 08:03 AM
#2922
Senior Member
43F this morning but the sun did come up. Some sections of the MUP were so covered with leaves I couldn't tell where the pavement was. The good thing is the morning use has dropped dramatically so I just rode in the middle
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I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
11-09-16, 08:38 AM
#2923
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
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Got almost no sleep last night due to the election returns, plus my wife and I were taking care of my daughter's dog, so I ended up driving today. Hopefully I'll be back in the saddle tomorrow.
11-09-16, 08:56 AM
#2924
Pedal Stompin'
On my way out of my neighborhood, headed to the polls, I was buzzed by a BALD EAGLE!
11-09-16, 09:02 AM
#2925
Senior Member
Mid-30's for the commute this morning. I was dressed adequately for the temperature, and was enjoying the ride, when I started losing gears on the rear derailleur... and wound up with about 3 working gears. I think my shifter cable is about to break. I couldn't get into the lowest gear and couldn't get into most of my higher gears. Fortunately, my front derailleur was still working, which provided enough gear-range to navigate my 1100' of climbing. Just hoping it can survive the ride home before it breaks completely.