2019! The “How was your commute?” thread!
#801
Virgo
I haven’t commuted since Wednesday. I worked from home Thursday due to storms and shop was closed for Good Friday. It’s been raining basically non stop since Thursday.
I put flat bars back on my daily bike but haven’t ridden much on it yet. I don’t know which bike I will take to work on Monday but will probably be the hybrid since I have a full load of luggage. But maybe I can put the rear rack back on the Voyageur and see how it does fully loaded. It’s nice to feel spoiled for choice after riding the same bike daily since November, how ever many months or miles that is. Edit: I’ve been thinking for quite a while that it would be nice to have a couple bikes for commuting, a fast, light, nimble one for fair weather and a big cushy truck for hauling and not so fair weather. Be curious to know if anybody else has done this.
I put flat bars back on my daily bike but haven’t ridden much on it yet. I don’t know which bike I will take to work on Monday but will probably be the hybrid since I have a full load of luggage. But maybe I can put the rear rack back on the Voyageur and see how it does fully loaded. It’s nice to feel spoiled for choice after riding the same bike daily since November, how ever many months or miles that is. Edit: I’ve been thinking for quite a while that it would be nice to have a couple bikes for commuting, a fast, light, nimble one for fair weather and a big cushy truck for hauling and not so fair weather. Be curious to know if anybody else has done this.
Last edited by Phamilton; 04-20-19 at 06:49 PM.
#802
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Currently between bicycles, but once my Brompton arrives I'll be commuting like a mad man!!!!
#803
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,052
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
Liked 3,046 Times
in
1,723 Posts
I haven’t commuted since Wednesday. I worked from home Thursday due to storms and shop was closed for Good Friday. It’s been raining basically non stop since Thursday.
I put flat bars back on my daily bike but haven’t ridden much on it yet. I don’t know which bike I will take to work on Monday but will probably be the hybrid since I have a full load of luggage. But maybe I can put the rear rack back on the Voyageur and see how it does fully loaded. It’s nice to feel spoiled for choice after riding the same bike daily since November, how ever many months or miles that is. Edit: I’ve been thinking for quite a while that it would be nice to have a couple bikes for commuting, a fast, light, nimble one for fair weather and a big cushy truck for hauling and not so fair weather. Be curious to know if anybody else has done this.
I put flat bars back on my daily bike but haven’t ridden much on it yet. I don’t know which bike I will take to work on Monday but will probably be the hybrid since I have a full load of luggage. But maybe I can put the rear rack back on the Voyageur and see how it does fully loaded. It’s nice to feel spoiled for choice after riding the same bike daily since November, how ever many months or miles that is. Edit: I’ve been thinking for quite a while that it would be nice to have a couple bikes for commuting, a fast, light, nimble one for fair weather and a big cushy truck for hauling and not so fair weather. Be curious to know if anybody else has done this.
__________________
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.
#804
Virgo
[MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION], I got a little taste of it today. I was on both bikes for a total of about 4 hours today. My kid asked me to go for a ride this evening and I didn’t want to say no but I’d already done at least 40 miles and then have to ride to work in the morning with a full load, laptop and all. My knees were feeling just a little thrashed but sitting back down on the hybrid was so nice after the rather spirited ride on the Voyageur. That’s the bike I need some days, I don’t always feel like I have the energy for drops and tall gears. Especially not carrying weight. When it’s windy. Or raining. Etc.
#805
Senior Member
Consecutive commute number 741:
Steady rain, 45F and a strong headwind. But the MUP was back open, so that made my route a little shorter and much less hectic than the route I've ridden for the last month. River is still really high, but now showing signs that it's finally receding almost six weeks after the flood. There was only one portion of the MUP that was still underwater (on my route) but it was so short that I just slowed down and rode through it. Some muddy spots too where it's obvious that it had been underwater recently.
When I arrived at work one of the maintenance guys looked at me and said, "I know you think it's no big deal for you to ride in the rain, but I think you're crazy." I smiled and replied, "Well, I'm crazy regardless of whether or not I ride in the rain."
Steady rain, 45F and a strong headwind. But the MUP was back open, so that made my route a little shorter and much less hectic than the route I've ridden for the last month. River is still really high, but now showing signs that it's finally receding almost six weeks after the flood. There was only one portion of the MUP that was still underwater (on my route) but it was so short that I just slowed down and rode through it. Some muddy spots too where it's obvious that it had been underwater recently.
When I arrived at work one of the maintenance guys looked at me and said, "I know you think it's no big deal for you to ride in the rain, but I think you're crazy." I smiled and replied, "Well, I'm crazy regardless of whether or not I ride in the rain."
#806
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,114
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
Today was one of those 'why can't the weather be like this every day' kind of days.
The kind when you're mad when you get to work because it means the bike ride is over.
GORGEOUS today
The kind when you're mad when you get to work because it means the bike ride is over.
GORGEOUS today
#807
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 58
Bikes: 2016 Charge Plug 2, Citizen Miami folding bike
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
9 Posts
Nice ride in this morning. About 60 degrees with a 12 to 15 MPH south wind. My 14.5 mile route is mostly East (to) and West (from), so a North or South wind does not hurt me too much. There is one section of the commute that is almost directly South and, even though some of it is downhill, I have been in a South wind where I had to pedal, going downhill, in a lower gear just to maintain forward momentum.
Here in the DFW metroplex, you have to learn to like the wind because it seems like it is always blowing about 12 to 15 MPH and often faster than that.
Here in the DFW metroplex, you have to learn to like the wind because it seems like it is always blowing about 12 to 15 MPH and often faster than that.
#808
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Queens, NY for now...
Posts: 1,523
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
Liked 176 Times
in
114 Posts
I think it helps with motivation, and it's always cool to switch to a different bike after a little while and notice all of the differences.
#809
Senior Member
A very nice morning at about 52F for my ride in. I had worked on Good Friday and instead had yesterday off, but now back to normal schedules.
And with a nice, sunny day off yesterday I took the time to clean my bike which had a couple of recent rainy or wet road rides on it.
And with a nice, sunny day off yesterday I took the time to clean my bike which had a couple of recent rainy or wet road rides on it.
#810
Senior Member
Well, my consecutive work commute streak most likely comes to an end after today. I've ridden to work seven hundred forty two times in a row without driving. The last time I drove to work was Feb 10th, 2016.
Tomorrow I go in for my open heart surgery to get a new aortic valve. I will probably be cleared to return to work before I am cleared to get back on a bike, which is why I think my bicycle commute streak will end.
My last commute for a while was gorgeous. 38F with no clouds and no wind. The river is back up above flood stage due to yesterday's rains, so some of the MUP was underwater and I had to take some detours. After six weeks of living with the flood I notice I no longer even blink when I have to take a detour due to water; it's just become a regular part of life.
I'm planning on riding my bicycle to my open heart surgery appointment, if for no other reason than I've never heard of anyone doing that before.
Tomorrow I go in for my open heart surgery to get a new aortic valve. I will probably be cleared to return to work before I am cleared to get back on a bike, which is why I think my bicycle commute streak will end.
My last commute for a while was gorgeous. 38F with no clouds and no wind. The river is back up above flood stage due to yesterday's rains, so some of the MUP was underwater and I had to take some detours. After six weeks of living with the flood I notice I no longer even blink when I have to take a detour due to water; it's just become a regular part of life.
I'm planning on riding my bicycle to my open heart surgery appointment, if for no other reason than I've never heard of anyone doing that before.
Likes For Tundra_Man:
#811
Senior Member
Well, my consecutive work commute streak most likely comes to an end after today. I've ridden to work seven hundred forty two times in a row without driving. The last time I drove to work was Feb 10th, 2016.
Tomorrow I go in for my open heart surgery to get a new aortic valve. I will probably be cleared to return to work before I am cleared to get back on a bike, which is why I think my bicycle commute streak will end.
My last commute for a while was gorgeous. 38F with no clouds and no wind. The river is back up above flood stage due to yesterday's rains, so some of the MUP was underwater and I had to take some detours. After six weeks of living with the flood I notice I no longer even blink when I have to take a detour due to water; it's just become a regular part of life.
I'm planning on riding my bicycle to my open heart surgery appointment, if for no other reason than I've never heard of anyone doing that before.
Tomorrow I go in for my open heart surgery to get a new aortic valve. I will probably be cleared to return to work before I am cleared to get back on a bike, which is why I think my bicycle commute streak will end.
My last commute for a while was gorgeous. 38F with no clouds and no wind. The river is back up above flood stage due to yesterday's rains, so some of the MUP was underwater and I had to take some detours. After six weeks of living with the flood I notice I no longer even blink when I have to take a detour due to water; it's just become a regular part of life.
I'm planning on riding my bicycle to my open heart surgery appointment, if for no other reason than I've never heard of anyone doing that before.
#812
Senior Member
I haven't ridden yet this week because my brakes and shifters have been all taken apart since my bar swap. I've been busy so I'm just finishing up the new cabling. Hopefully it will be done tonight and ready to ride again tomorrow.
#814
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,114
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
So different today. Normally I have a 15 minute ride through the suburbs.
Today I was doing some charity work near a MUP trail. So I said "I'll just ride there!" and got an hour long early morning chilly commute (so no sweat!) along an almost empty trail with all the birds and bunnies and everything out and about.
Stuff like that is good for the soul
Today I was doing some charity work near a MUP trail. So I said "I'll just ride there!" and got an hour long early morning chilly commute (so no sweat!) along an almost empty trail with all the birds and bunnies and everything out and about.
Stuff like that is good for the soul
#815
Virgo
Good. I think this two bike idea is a good one. And I think lowering the saddle height was good. It's been a little over a week, and I'm not fighting against my flexibility limits when I stretch, it seems like I'm getting more limber. It's not uncomfortable to hop on either bike anymore, whether it's first thing in the morning or after I've already put in the day's commuting miles. I rode the Voyageur today. I had a good tailwind on the ride into work and managed to ride for a few miles in 50/14 combo. It's a faster bike than my hybrid. I made it door to door in 45 minutes including a 5 minute stop at the same perceived effort that would take me an hour on the hybrid. The hybrid is really pretty good up to about 16 or 17 mph. The Voyageur feels like it comes alive at about 15.
#816
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,029
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Liked 3,238 Times
in
1,744 Posts
I've been getting lazy and driving too much... today was a good bike commute day though - warm with a tail wind. I always mark my commutes as private on Strava because who the hell wants to see that in their feed all the time? But I'll share it with you guys.
Yes, my bike's name is Bruce.
#817
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,052
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
Liked 3,046 Times
in
1,723 Posts
I wish you well, [MENTION=175954]Tundra_Man[/MENTION]. We will be thinking of you. As soon as you can, please let us how the surgery goes.
__________________
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.
#818
Senior Member
Loving the spring mornings. About 62F - warm enough for shorts and short sleeves. Got in a couple of extra miles for more than 15 total. I seem to be averaging a bit faster this week for some reason. A tail wind on the way home yesterday helped get me to 17mph avg.
#819
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,167
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Liked 2,170 Times
in
1,333 Posts
I made it almost all the way through tree pollen season, then the pecans got me over the weekend. After a day and a half off sick, I'm back on the bike but taking it easy. Cool, calm, clear. And I've got more pecan pollen in my eyes.
I trim my commutes (work and home ends), and post the middle as semi-private (friends and followers) on Strava. It's mostly political; one of the bicycle advocates in town, when she does a similar ride, does some crazy (IMHO) stuff to avoid two traffic lights. EVERY time I've tried her route, I end up waiting for the traffic of the Long Light coming the way I prefer while standing at a stop sign. Since I bike commute with the GPS on more than most other cyclists, our town's heat map has a heavy line showing my commute.
I AM traffic, so why shouldn't I ride like it? It's a marked bike route, there's 5 lanes for about 2.5 lanes' worth of traffic -- they can get around me, and I'm very rarely delaying anyone (there's too many lights that stop them after they pass me).
I AM traffic, so why shouldn't I ride like it? It's a marked bike route, there's 5 lanes for about 2.5 lanes' worth of traffic -- they can get around me, and I'm very rarely delaying anyone (there's too many lights that stop them after they pass me).
#821
born again cyclist
i've been off the bike all week because of a gout attack that struck over the weekend.
and it's been utterly gorgeous riding weather here in chicago. super-bummed.
fingers crossed for a friday ride, but next week is more likely.
f--- gout!
and it's been utterly gorgeous riding weather here in chicago. super-bummed.
fingers crossed for a friday ride, but next week is more likely.
f--- gout!
Likes For Kedish:
#823
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,520
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Liked 2,155 Times
in
1,405 Posts
Round trip on the trike yesterday. Leaned the seat back another two notches and shortened the boom half a size. That's been good the last two times but I may go back this time, feels like I'm having to hold up my head now. I'm enjoying the thing but it's much different than a bicycle. In some ways it's more comfortable - like an easy chair with nothing to cause saddle pain. But in other ways it's less comfortable. The seat stays transmit bumps right to my shoulder blades. At the same time it's impossible to bunny hop and the width and three tracks make it hard to avoid debris. Sort of like being the stoker on a tandem. I can see why some of the fancier models as well as recumbent 2-wheelers have rear suspension... if you tried to suspend the seat you'd bounce your head around and screw up the pedaling. And it' slow! Lots of possible reasons. Small wheels, one extra wheel, chain tube and idler, aerodynamics, etc. OTOH I'm getting better at putting power into it. I can't stand on the pedals obviously but I am braced by the seat so I can mash hard. That's important if I find myself starting off uphill in a high gear. Meanwhile surgery recovery is still going well. Pretty much only sore at the end of the day if I really over-do it, and symptoms vastly improved, if not perfect.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Likes For Darth Lefty:
#824
Senior Member
Not biking related, but yesterday at lunch I walked to the shopping center for a couple of snack supplies (and 50% off Easter candy!). On my way back I was passing the front of a Kohl's department store and a guy comes running out, barely missing me and head going back and forth like he's looking for somebody. I stopped to avoid being tackled. My first thought was that somebody had walked out and left one of their purchases or something. Then I saw a police car come around the corner of the building, lights on and then made a short siren sound. I watch him go by and all of a sudden there are 3 more police cars. A couple of ladies were stopped and quickly put in handcuffs. The running guy and a few other employees who had come out of the store were all watching.
After seeing 4 police cars and one on a motorcycle show up that fast, I assume they had to have some forewarning. The two ladies were not even 50 feet from the entrance when the cops showed up. They were probably watching them, saw them pocket something and just had to see them exit the store before apprehending.
Nice ride in today. Had to stop at the store for a book of stamps on the way in. No police incidents.
After seeing 4 police cars and one on a motorcycle show up that fast, I assume they had to have some forewarning. The two ladies were not even 50 feet from the entrance when the cops showed up. They were probably watching them, saw them pocket something and just had to see them exit the store before apprehending.
Nice ride in today. Had to stop at the store for a book of stamps on the way in. No police incidents.
#825
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,520
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Liked 2,155 Times
in
1,405 Posts
Spare a prayer for Tundra Man today. Even if it went great, it's still not a good time.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Likes For Darth Lefty: