2018! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#2101
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
I was planning to drive today, mainly because I wanted to bring some equipment home and the rain is pretty nasty, but my wife has an appointment and needs the car. It got me thinking back; I think sometime this month it is four years without driving to work, maybe five if I don't count a few days with a broken clavicle. 99° temperature range in that time, from 4° to 103°, neither of which I'm in any hurry to repeat. Right in the middle of that, today.
Today was pretty routine though, surface streets all the way since the Greenway is 2 1/2 feet over the banks and still raining and rising. That would be wheels under water in some places (don't ask how I know ) Drivers mostly calm, the only challenge a worrisome knee twinge (when stopping!) but it didn't recur.
Today was pretty routine though, surface streets all the way since the Greenway is 2 1/2 feet over the banks and still raining and rising. That would be wheels under water in some places (don't ask how I know ) Drivers mostly calm, the only challenge a worrisome knee twinge (when stopping!) but it didn't recur.
#2103
Senior Member
A little warmer today in the 20's. Rode the regular commuter despite the possibility of ice patch. No problems though. The front derailleur froze though after I rode through a stream from a broken pipe, my other bike never had the problem.
#2104
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,852
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
Cold this morning, but at least it was dry! I couldn't handle a repeat of yesterday's rain.
Just as i was getting ready to head out the door, reflective gear already on, just reaching for my helmet, I hear the pitterpatter of a tiny feet, a little dog who wants to go outside. Fine, out you go. And then there's more pitterpatter, and now the other dog wants to go out, too. But he's less certain; takes a little longer to get him to go out. And then my wife arrives in the kitchen, not realizing I'm still home, she came down to let the dogs out. And she mentions the toilet is running.
Anwyay, by the time I'm on my bike, I have wasted three or four minutes; and that's cutting it pretty fine! So I really had to hustle to catch my train.
Saw something unusual on the canal towpath: a mouse running across the path right in front of me. I don't usually see mice. A hundred feet farther down, I saw another mouse running down the path away from me. They're little, and I didn't see them until the last moment, passing them both within a few inches... but I'm pretty sure I didn't hit either one. Silly mice, on a cold morning like this, they should be sleeping! I wished i was.....
Just as i was getting ready to head out the door, reflective gear already on, just reaching for my helmet, I hear the pitterpatter of a tiny feet, a little dog who wants to go outside. Fine, out you go. And then there's more pitterpatter, and now the other dog wants to go out, too. But he's less certain; takes a little longer to get him to go out. And then my wife arrives in the kitchen, not realizing I'm still home, she came down to let the dogs out. And she mentions the toilet is running.
Anwyay, by the time I'm on my bike, I have wasted three or four minutes; and that's cutting it pretty fine! So I really had to hustle to catch my train.
Saw something unusual on the canal towpath: a mouse running across the path right in front of me. I don't usually see mice. A hundred feet farther down, I saw another mouse running down the path away from me. They're little, and I didn't see them until the last moment, passing them both within a few inches... but I'm pretty sure I didn't hit either one. Silly mice, on a cold morning like this, they should be sleeping! I wished i was.....
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#2105
Senior Member
Yesterday's ride home was just a drip drop rain. Not enough to feel wet really. Roads were wet, but not even really puddling much.
Much drier this morning. Rain is forecast later with the chances getting higher in the afternoon and evening. This is the rainiest week I can remember.
Much drier this morning. Rain is forecast later with the chances getting higher in the afternoon and evening. This is the rainiest week I can remember.
#2106
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,362 Times
in
1,381 Posts
Last night, I saw a rat on three occasions. A different rat each time, I mean. That matches my record for rats on a ride but previously, one sighting had two rats. RATS!
This morning, the wind made the ride quite challenging, but after a few years of riding along the Hudson River, I no longer resent it, and I finally take it in stride. It was really a crosswind, but most of the time, it was in my face. Sometimes the crosswind was so strong I had to lean sideways to stay upright. Wunderground reports only an 8 mph wind. They are always wrong about the wind.
This morning, the wind made the ride quite challenging, but after a few years of riding along the Hudson River, I no longer resent it, and I finally take it in stride. It was really a crosswind, but most of the time, it was in my face. Sometimes the crosswind was so strong I had to lean sideways to stay upright. Wunderground reports only an 8 mph wind. They are always wrong about the wind.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2107
Senior Member
18F and what a slog. I felt like I was riding uphill the whole way.
__________________
I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
#2108
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,362 Times
in
1,381 Posts
Is the higher density of cold air really what makes riding in the cold so hard?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2109
GATC
48F, raining.
I may have run a red light. I got to this one intersection that is almost always flashing yellow and a pickup that zipped past me slammed on the brakes. I optimistically assumed he was turning right but didn't want to right hook me so let me go, and I went. But I looked over my shoulder and it didn't look like he turned right, which made me wonder if the flashing yellow turned red (99% of traffic turning out of there turns right ie the way I was going but just very very rarely somebody goes straight and then they trip the signal to green for them and red for us). The pickup never did catch up with me later on though so who knows...
ps-> I forgot to buy more tea for my office this past weekend so today I am stretching yesterday's final tea ball several cups past what I usually do
I may have run a red light. I got to this one intersection that is almost always flashing yellow and a pickup that zipped past me slammed on the brakes. I optimistically assumed he was turning right but didn't want to right hook me so let me go, and I went. But I looked over my shoulder and it didn't look like he turned right, which made me wonder if the flashing yellow turned red (99% of traffic turning out of there turns right ie the way I was going but just very very rarely somebody goes straight and then they trip the signal to green for them and red for us). The pickup never did catch up with me later on though so who knows...
ps-> I forgot to buy more tea for my office this past weekend so today I am stretching yesterday's final tea ball several cups past what I usually do
#2110
The Fat Guy In The Back
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 2,527
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 91 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 319 Post(s)
Liked 165 Times
in
110 Posts
I think it's a combination of a bunch of factors, not necessarily in this order:
- I'm generally wearing more clothing.
- My winter bicycle is a lot heavier than my summer bicycles.
- Studded tires have quite a bit more rolling resistance than non-studded tires.
- Wind is often more pronounced in the winter.
- The cold thickens the grease in the hubs and drivetrain.
- My body is just not as efficient in cold temperatures.
__________________
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
#2111
Senior Member
#2112
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times
in
1,366 Posts
Wife is coming to pick me up. The smoke got really bad today and I’m a Sensitive Groupie
#2113
Senior Member
Bailed on the ride because of the rain and 36F degrees. Had to do some schedule juggling and will have to leave work a bit early to help with kid delivery since we are a one car family. I enjoyed the car's heated seat and staying dry for the commute.
The forecast says it is supposed to stop raining early afternoon and be nice the rest of the weekend.
The forecast says it is supposed to stop raining early afternoon and be nice the rest of the weekend.
#2114
The Fat Guy In The Back
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 2,527
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 91 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 319 Post(s)
Liked 165 Times
in
110 Posts
Warmest morning I've had in more than a week at 28°F. 11 mph headwind slowed me down a touch, especially out in the open areas. Overall, though, it was a pretty nice morning.
Got to use my Airzound. I was coming down the MUP and came across a lady who was holding a leash in her hand and letting her dog run free. The dog was about 100 yards ahead of me, and when it saw me it started running towards me. I don't think it was mad, I think it wanted to play. The lady started telling the dog to "watch out" (because, you know, dogs understand English.) I was worried the dog was going to run into me and take me down so when it was about 10 yards away I let the horn blast. The dog veered away from me.
Probably peeved off the owner that I honked and startled her dog, but frankly I don't care.
Got to use my Airzound. I was coming down the MUP and came across a lady who was holding a leash in her hand and letting her dog run free. The dog was about 100 yards ahead of me, and when it saw me it started running towards me. I don't think it was mad, I think it wanted to play. The lady started telling the dog to "watch out" (because, you know, dogs understand English.) I was worried the dog was going to run into me and take me down so when it was about 10 yards away I let the horn blast. The dog veered away from me.
Probably peeved off the owner that I honked and startled her dog, but frankly I don't care.
__________________
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
#2115
Senior Member
32F and ice storm. All the schools are closed and the streets were deserted. I get to be the badass crazy guy who rode his bike to work! Here's to studded tires - slow buy really no issues getting in. The trees were so loaded with ice many were hanging over the trail. I made the mistake of "brushing" up against what looked like a small branch. What a surprise - pretty sure I'll have a bruise there. At noon the ice storm advisory switches to a winter weather advisory with some accumulating snow. But it's not winter yet so how can it be a winter weather advisory?
__________________
I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
#2116
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,362 Times
in
1,381 Posts
@arsprod, wow.
The winter storm might be here any minute. I took a Citi Bike a mile to the post office and then got on the subway. Then I took a Citi Bike from the subway to work for just 0.4 miles. I should have walked up to the 12th floor where my office was, but I'm feeling lazy.
The winter storm might be here any minute. I took a Citi Bike a mile to the post office and then got on the subway. Then I took a Citi Bike from the subway to work for just 0.4 miles. I should have walked up to the 12th floor where my office was, but I'm feeling lazy.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2118
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,362 Times
in
1,381 Posts
Last night going home, someone about to jump in a taxi yelled at me, "There is a BIKE LANE!" I don't understand because there is not a bike lane on Broadway. And I'm sure he was referring to a law that he is sure exists and does not. I was tempted to stop and educate him, but I know better. I think his complaint was that the taxi he was hailing was behind me, and I guess in the passenger's eyes, I was delaying the taxi by about 350 milliseconds. My bad.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2119
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 487
Bikes: Historical: Schwinn Speedster; Schwinn Collegiate; 1981 Ross Gran Tour; 1981 Dawes Atlantis; 1991 Specialized Rockhopper. Current: 1987 Ritchey Ultra; 1987 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott Master; 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper FS
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 207 Post(s)
Liked 178 Times
in
111 Posts
OK, my vow is to stay out of this thread just to talk about the weather on my commute. If it ever gets below 45 in the morning, I'll be surprised. And it never rains in California ... but it pours. Man, it pours.
Anyway, this morning I was cut off ... by two other cyclists. I had a green light, a nice little incline before a turning rise over a bridge. I like to be able to keep my speed up for that. So I see these two approaching the intersection, and at first I thought they were on the sidewalk, as that happens a lot at that spot. But then they both took the street, cutting right in front of me. I locked up my back tire instead of weaving and lane splitting. I resisted a number of urges to say something, instead just hung in back of the second guy. When he swerved a bit for a parking truck (that I had seen 50 yards earlier), I could tell he was nervous with me behind them, so I passed them up. Just kind of annoying that cyclists can't even pay attention to other cyclists. Or maybe they're just as bad as judging speed as car drivers.
Anyway, this morning I was cut off ... by two other cyclists. I had a green light, a nice little incline before a turning rise over a bridge. I like to be able to keep my speed up for that. So I see these two approaching the intersection, and at first I thought they were on the sidewalk, as that happens a lot at that spot. But then they both took the street, cutting right in front of me. I locked up my back tire instead of weaving and lane splitting. I resisted a number of urges to say something, instead just hung in back of the second guy. When he swerved a bit for a parking truck (that I had seen 50 yards earlier), I could tell he was nervous with me behind them, so I passed them up. Just kind of annoying that cyclists can't even pay attention to other cyclists. Or maybe they're just as bad as judging speed as car drivers.
#2120
Junior Member
My coldest commute yet. We Houstonians are NOT cold weather people...lol. This is my first cold season since I've started commuting occasionally so there will be many more I'm sure. Of course people think I'm nuts when I tell them I'm riding on a day like this since I have a choice but there has been so many things keeping me off the bike I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Other than the temp the weather was perfect. I still need to better flesh out my cold weather gear but I picked up a mask (which helps a lot, I hate cold face and lungs) and with a few layers I was pretty comfortable except for my toes. I need to get some shoe covers. I'll get some proper insulated bibs or leg warmers at some point but today I just used my normal bibs with a long john layer, Under Armour layer, windbreaker and warm non-cycling gloves. It's going to have to get colder or wetter keep me off the bike!
#2121
Senior Member
Enough snow today to talk me out of commuting for a while.
#2122
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,362 Times
in
1,381 Posts
I'll keep commuting but not on bike for a while.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#2123
Senior Member
I fell. I made a decision to take a slightly longer route to work which means a nice MUP for the last two miles of my route. Although the recent rains and 33F temp made the MUP not so nice. All the roads up to it were mostly dry. But the MUP had quite a bit of standing water and wet leaves. But those didn't get me. It was the third or fourth wooden bridge with a slight bend in it. I think it was somewhat icy.
I wasn't going fast at all, but just a little turn of the handlebars and down I went. I slid on the wood for about 5 feet then hit the concrete and popped up like I hit second base. No major injuries though bruised a little. I had to put the chain back on and remove a leaf from the derailleur. But then got back on and continued, although a bit more slowly. On another bridge I felt the front wheel start to slip again but was able to correct it in time. I was wishing I had not chosen to take that route.
Otherwise we have sunny, clear skies - first sight of the sun since Sunday. Warming to 55+ I believe.
I wasn't going fast at all, but just a little turn of the handlebars and down I went. I slid on the wood for about 5 feet then hit the concrete and popped up like I hit second base. No major injuries though bruised a little. I had to put the chain back on and remove a leaf from the derailleur. But then got back on and continued, although a bit more slowly. On another bridge I felt the front wheel start to slip again but was able to correct it in time. I was wishing I had not chosen to take that route.
Otherwise we have sunny, clear skies - first sight of the sun since Sunday. Warming to 55+ I believe.
#2124
Senior Member
I tried that too but if it weren't for the weather this time of year I wouldn't have anything to write about! 30F this morning and most of the ice and snow are gone... except on the bridges. I expected them to still be icy, didn't want to ride the studded tire bike, and almost didn't ride at all but figured I would ride my regular commuter and walk across the bridges. Right, stop and get off and walk! There are 4 bridges on the MUP for my route. They were all horrible rutted ice and interesting to see the road leading to and from them stays icy as well. I didn't fall but scared the crap outta myself. The sun's out and supposed to get into the upper 30's so I'm expecting less terror going home.
__________________
I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around