2017! The how was your commute thread!
#2501
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A good argument for fenders is; maybe it isn't water.
Living in the PNW it still isn't worth wearing rain gear most days, except for maybe when it is under 40°F and rainy. That is the worst condition.
Careful in the rain after a long stretch of dry. It floats all oils from the road up and make it more slippery, especially road lines and crosswalks.
Living in the PNW it still isn't worth wearing rain gear most days, except for maybe when it is under 40°F and rainy. That is the worst condition.
Careful in the rain after a long stretch of dry. It floats all oils from the road up and make it more slippery, especially road lines and crosswalks.
#2502
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 498
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX8, Caad10, Marin BearValley, WTP BMX, Norco Tandem
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh so glad i spent some quality time last night fitting and tweaking my fenders for the season! It was a real drencher this morning!!!
#2503
Senior Member
A very nice cool commute this morning with the temp at 38 f degrees when I left the house. So I rode the direct route to work. And I am leaving at 11 am today because we are attending a 4 pm wedding today. So I get to take a nice long bike ride in the middle of the day! Happy Friday!!
#2504
Full Member
Brrr.... 37 degrees today. Should have worn boot covers.
BUT, this is the first time i am commuting 4 days in a row in a week.
BUT, this is the first time i am commuting 4 days in a row in a week.
#2505
Senior Member
I should stash some newspaper at the office for use on morning such as this. One glance at the radar didn't show much in my area, but I found enough of a shower to get wet on the way to the gym this morning. I was able to mostly dry off there and it stopped raining too, so the second part of my ride was fine.
Happy Friday the 13th!
#2506
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
It was cold and damp this morning. And overcast.
So I wasn't blinded by the rising sun. I'm not sweaty. And the slight cool moisture kept me cool!
It was a little chilly during the ride but I got to my office refreshed and am now wide awake! And I haven't even had my coffee yet. God help my co-workers when I drink coffee after already being alert....
So I wasn't blinded by the rising sun. I'm not sweaty. And the slight cool moisture kept me cool!
It was a little chilly during the ride but I got to my office refreshed and am now wide awake! And I haven't even had my coffee yet. God help my co-workers when I drink coffee after already being alert....
#2507
Senior Member
Moving pretty slow this morning. Was up late last night at a Here Comes The Mummies concert. I didn't drink a drop, but I'm now at the age where staying out past 10 PM makes me feel hung over.
To see the Mummies for the 3rd time was totally worth it though. Seriously, go see these guys some time. Best concert you will ever see.
Still rode in. A mild head wind and 45F. Didn't try and push the speed so it was a pretty easy, uneventful ride.
To see the Mummies for the 3rd time was totally worth it though. Seriously, go see these guys some time. Best concert you will ever see.
Still rode in. A mild head wind and 45F. Didn't try and push the speed so it was a pretty easy, uneventful ride.
#2508
Senior Member
Last night's commute home didn't really have anything worthy of note happen.
This morning it was about 54 degrees, so I threw on a pullover sweatshirt hoodie but that was still a bit too warm. I really need to find something between T-shirt and sweatshirt for these mornings. I'm think a full zipper long sleeve jersey would work well. I was wishlisting fenders on Nashbar yesterday, so i might as well that a look around for a decent fall jersey. Suggestions?
This morning it was about 54 degrees, so I threw on a pullover sweatshirt hoodie but that was still a bit too warm. I really need to find something between T-shirt and sweatshirt for these mornings. I'm think a full zipper long sleeve jersey would work well. I was wishlisting fenders on Nashbar yesterday, so i might as well that a look around for a decent fall jersey. Suggestions?
Last edited by liampboyle; 10-13-17 at 07:56 AM.
#2509
Senior Member
Milder today, 12C/34F, but somewhat wet with a light shower the whole way so I was damp through but not cold.
I'm going on a bit of a micro-adventure (Microadventures) this afternoon which is part of the reason I rode in today despite the showers. I'm leaving work after lunch, riding out to Massey (from Sudbury, about 100km/60mi), staying overnight in a hotel (Chutes Provincial Park is closed for the season), riding back about 40km/25mi in the morning and joining an organized ride for the rest of the way back. The ride has been organized by the Sudbury Cyclists Union and the Rainbow Routes organization to promote the Lake Huron North Channel Waterfront Trail (Lake Huron North Channel Waterfront Trail - Home) that was opened officially this summer. The forecast (multiple sources) indicates that this morning's rain will be finished before noon and it will be partly cloudy and 17C/63F in the afternoon (and mostly sunny and dry tomorrow for the ride home).
I'm getting excited about the micro-adventure.
I'm going on a bit of a micro-adventure (Microadventures) this afternoon which is part of the reason I rode in today despite the showers. I'm leaving work after lunch, riding out to Massey (from Sudbury, about 100km/60mi), staying overnight in a hotel (Chutes Provincial Park is closed for the season), riding back about 40km/25mi in the morning and joining an organized ride for the rest of the way back. The ride has been organized by the Sudbury Cyclists Union and the Rainbow Routes organization to promote the Lake Huron North Channel Waterfront Trail (Lake Huron North Channel Waterfront Trail - Home) that was opened officially this summer. The forecast (multiple sources) indicates that this morning's rain will be finished before noon and it will be partly cloudy and 17C/63F in the afternoon (and mostly sunny and dry tomorrow for the ride home).
I'm getting excited about the micro-adventure.
#2510
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
I only have 5 traffic lights on my commute, and most of them are within a 1 mile stretch. Most of my commute is non-stop.
#2512
GATC
Do you stuff your shoes with newspaper? That usually dries them out more quickly for me.
I should stash some newspaper at the office for use on morning such as this. One glance at the radar didn't show much in my area, but I found enough of a shower to get wet on the way to the gym this morning. I was able to mostly dry off there and it stopped raining too, so the second part of my ride was fine.
Happy Friday the 13th!
I should stash some newspaper at the office for use on morning such as this. One glance at the radar didn't show much in my area, but I found enough of a shower to get wet on the way to the gym this morning. I was able to mostly dry off there and it stopped raining too, so the second part of my ride was fine.
Happy Friday the 13th!
Funny thing, in the same cube farm I occupy is our regional PR person, who stays on top of all media. I used to get newspaper from him for my shoes but he gets it all online now, so no more newspaper around.
We cut back from 2 to 1 paper at home, and the inserts tell me all I need to know about who gets actual newspapers these days, ads for lasik, hearing aids, 3D printed dentures, yesterday a 'spry living' magazine...
#2513
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,156
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Liked 2,160 Times
in
1,328 Posts
Clear and cool this morning. I couldn't find my keys when I was ready to leave, so I pulled out the spare keyring. I felt stupid when I got to work and found them.
#2514
Senior Member
Nice Friday commute today. About 60 degrees, so I just wore regular clothes (jeans and polo) and felt fine. I started bike commuting again on September 7th of this year, after a long plantar fasciitis recovery. Since then I have biked to work 15 times compared to 9 driving days. I'm pretty happy with that ratio for now. I'm also training for a half-marathon so some days doing both is a bit much for my current fitness level.
I haven't bike commuted regularly since moving from Arizona to Indiana three years ago, so am learning everything all over again. Back then I had about an 18 mile one way trip from Gilbert to downtown Phoenix, sometimes augmented with bus or train, sometimes I would ride all the way. Riding in downtown Phoenix always scared me a bit! Now I live in a much smaller city (Bloomington, IN) and it's much more bicycle friendly. My commute is only 4.1 miles each way, so I'm much more willing to do it on a regular basis.
Also, my commute now is a bit safer. Much of the ride is either through low-traffic residential area or a designated trail. There is about a 3/4 of a mile stretch in busy traffic with no bike lane, so I feel fortunate with that. No close calls as of yet.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1228208344/overview
I haven't bike commuted regularly since moving from Arizona to Indiana three years ago, so am learning everything all over again. Back then I had about an 18 mile one way trip from Gilbert to downtown Phoenix, sometimes augmented with bus or train, sometimes I would ride all the way. Riding in downtown Phoenix always scared me a bit! Now I live in a much smaller city (Bloomington, IN) and it's much more bicycle friendly. My commute is only 4.1 miles each way, so I'm much more willing to do it on a regular basis.
Also, my commute now is a bit safer. Much of the ride is either through low-traffic residential area or a designated trail. There is about a 3/4 of a mile stretch in busy traffic with no bike lane, so I feel fortunate with that. No close calls as of yet.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1228208344/overview
#2515
Senior Member
#2516
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,039
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 3,031 Times
in
1,716 Posts
I took my McLean to work today. My wife is picking me up at work (with her car), and we're driving to Cape Cod to ride with some friends tomorrow, so that's the bike I'll ride. I had headwinds, and I pedaled hard enough against them to make good time.
__________________
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.
#2517
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,511
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Liked 2,150 Times
in
1,402 Posts
My Friday the 13th hasn't been great but it wasn't because of the morning MTB commute, which was fun.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#2518
Senior Member
It was a nice ride in with the temp at 66 f degrees this am, warm temps for mid-October. I took the shorter route in today.
#2519
Senior Member
Dry for my ride at 6am from home to the gym. Raining for my ride at 7:30am from gym to work. I knew it was coming in and was just hoping it would be too heavy. It was a light enough rain that I was fine. Damp at work, but not too bad. My socks and shoes are the wettest pieces of gear. I suppose I look a bit out of place walking from the parking lot to the office entrance where most people are using umbrellas.
It was 68F so I didn't bother with a jacket. Shorts and short sleeve shirt were fine. However, 68F is also the high for the day and it will get down to the mid 40s tonight.
It was 68F so I didn't bother with a jacket. Shorts and short sleeve shirt were fine. However, 68F is also the high for the day and it will get down to the mid 40s tonight.
Last edited by mgw4jc; 10-16-17 at 06:24 AM.
#2520
Senior Member
Nice Friday commute today. About 60 degrees, so I just wore regular clothes (jeans and polo) and felt fine. I started bike commuting again on September 7th of this year, after a long plantar fasciitis recovery. Since then I have biked to work 15 times compared to 9 driving days. I'm pretty happy with that ratio for now. I'm also training for a half-marathon so some days doing both is a bit much for my current fitness level.
Good luck with the 1/2 marathon training!
#2521
Senior Member
On Saturday I was getting my winter bike ready for the season. My old studded tires had lasted me 6 winters, but the rubber was starting to crack, the rear sidewall was starting to bulge and I was getting a lot of flats. I bought a new set of studs and was in the process of swapping them when the rear rim tape pretty much fell apart like an old crusty rubber band.
I didn't have any rim tape on hand so I ran down to my local LBS. While I was there I made the mistake of looking around. They have a NOS 2016 Felt fat bike on sale for a pretty good price. I caressed it for about 15 minutes. It was cold and raining and I wasn't dressed for riding in the weather, otherwise I would have taken it for a spin. I left very tempted to return and purchase the bike. I remember a few snowy commutes last year where I was struggling hard riding through the unplowed snow and a guy on a fat bike would easily pass by.
I mentioned it to my wife and figured that she'd tell me I don't need another bike and that would be the end of it. To my surprise, she said that I ride often enough to justify it and once my son gets his driver's license in the next few months he'll be driving my truck to school so I won't have the option NOT to ride to work. So now my dilemma is even more difficult. I want the new bike, but I already have six bikes and really don't need a seventh.
Two places I should never go: the humane society and the bike shop. At both places I'm tempted to bring home things I don't need.
I didn't have any rim tape on hand so I ran down to my local LBS. While I was there I made the mistake of looking around. They have a NOS 2016 Felt fat bike on sale for a pretty good price. I caressed it for about 15 minutes. It was cold and raining and I wasn't dressed for riding in the weather, otherwise I would have taken it for a spin. I left very tempted to return and purchase the bike. I remember a few snowy commutes last year where I was struggling hard riding through the unplowed snow and a guy on a fat bike would easily pass by.
I mentioned it to my wife and figured that she'd tell me I don't need another bike and that would be the end of it. To my surprise, she said that I ride often enough to justify it and once my son gets his driver's license in the next few months he'll be driving my truck to school so I won't have the option NOT to ride to work. So now my dilemma is even more difficult. I want the new bike, but I already have six bikes and really don't need a seventh.
Two places I should never go: the humane society and the bike shop. At both places I'm tempted to bring home things I don't need.
#2522
Senior Member
Cool mornings and warm afternoons! Combined with sunny skies... this should be an awesome commuting week!
#2523
Senior Member
Back on the bike after 2 weeks. What I thought was a simple cold turned into a serious case of whoop ass and I'm glad to be back to commuting again. A lot's changed in 2 weeks - 45F this morning and totally dark now. I kept reminding myself this morning that 45 will seem warm really soon.
__________________
I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
#2524
Senior Member
Commute home Friday was uneventful. I just can't believe how many grocery stores I had to stop into to try and find Orzo pasta. Disadvantage to living in the Midwest/South - lack of Italian food and ingredients for such.
This morning it was mid 40's Fahrenheit so I wore a sweat shirt (work gave out a bunch of athletic pullovers one year so I just used that) and my work slacks with the bike short liners underneath. That combo worked quite well. However, I'm thinking I might need to dig out my gloves if it starts getting any cooler in the mornings.
This morning it was mid 40's Fahrenheit so I wore a sweat shirt (work gave out a bunch of athletic pullovers one year so I just used that) and my work slacks with the bike short liners underneath. That combo worked quite well. However, I'm thinking I might need to dig out my gloves if it starts getting any cooler in the mornings.
#2525
born again cyclist
45 degrees this morning in chicago, nice bright and sunny after a gloomy, dreary, rainy weekend.
it was my first commute in the 40s since last spring. i forgot gloves. my fingers were a bit chilly.
it was my first commute in the 40s since last spring. i forgot gloves. my fingers were a bit chilly.