Yay! That's great news. What a beautiful day to ride, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by indigoiis
My commutes were so nice. Summer traffic has definitely died down. I wore knickers and long sleeves. Fall is in the air!
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Yay! That's great news. What a beautiful day to ride, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by indigoiis
My commutes were so nice. Summer traffic has definitely died down. I wore knickers and long sleeves. Fall is in the air!
Wow! Eleven weeks. Congrats on being back on your bike! I have been feeling sorry for myself because the Dr. told me 2 weeks with no biking (I crashed during my commute Thurs). Two weeks will seem like a breeze! I will just have to bike vicariously through this thread! I may be sprained & bruised, but I'm not broken!
I really kinda wish my commute was longer now but it is nice being able to get to school in 18 minutes. It's a hilly route so that counts for something right? Some douche bag on a BIKE no less buzzed by me this evening! No call out of any kind just all the sudden I hear another crank straining besides my own right next to me. That's just plain rude! Some dude on a road bike, go figure. Maybe he just couldn't pass up the opportunity to show up a girl riding a 40 Lb commuter bike climbing a hill on his nice light road bike, wow impressive. :rolleyes: Sometimes I just wanna slap people ya' know! :eek:
One of those days today. I got up early, planning to do my 20 mile commute route. Got in the car to drive to the park and ride, and my brake light is on. I decide to pass the park and ride and drive right to the mechanic, which is only 5 miles from work. I ended up doing a 12 mile loop in the morning, but only the 5 miles to the shop after work, so my total for the day was less than half what I wanted to ride.
and it turns out the car needs $700 worth of brake work. Ugh. I hate cars.
With my new schedule, I get to go out and ride at the time I used to be commuting. I so love getting up early and riding in the dark, watching the sun come up, and then going to work later.
I wish I could ride to my internship, but, it's not going to happen for lots of reasons. But, I think that my years of commuting have helped me love being out at this time. I was thinking about how much my tolerance for stuff has changed over the last ten years; this morning it was 46 out and it felt perfect (maybe I've just bought so many cycling clothes I am finally comfortable) and I almost prefer being out in the dark with my light, with hardly any cars.
I put my downlow glow on since the sun is not up yet in the mornings. I saw one other cyclists out that early, he had lights on too but he really stared at my downlow glow like a lovestruck teenager!
got caught in the rain going home. I believed the weather forecast so I got wet. A mile from home, I got a rear flat tire. I walked home with the bike, got very wet. Longest commute time of the year....
Allergies made it hard to breathe. Drove the car.
I like seeing cyclists who ride like vehicles, but I saw many more who rode like idiots.
Did basically the same commute from the car mechanic to work that I did the other day. It was wet, and never reached the forecast temp, so I was little cold. I rode hard to keep warm, and it was fun to go all out.
Funny how driving closer to work and riding a shorter route didn't get me there any earlier. At least my car is fixed.
Cool this morning. Cold and windy this evening. I got some new tires on the 29er so I rode it today. I'm not sure they'll be great for mountain biking, but they sure are fun in town! Did a bit of a ride with DH after work. I got off early and he doesn't work on Fridays.
Deb
Good grief. Was gunning for a green light this afternoon, watching the crosswalk timer count down for peds with the light. A woman - pushing a baby stroller - came RUNNING out in front of me -- crossing against the light!! I slammed on my brakes, swerved, and yelled out to her. She pulled up and I passed through my green light. Thankfully, I wasn't in a car, or someone might have gotten hit. Geez, it's bad enough that peds completely ignore the crosswalks around here. But to throw your baby in harm's way like that. It makes my blood cold.
Worked late and didn't have my headlight on the bike. Rode home in the near dark and almost got wiped out by Mr. "Look, Ma, No Hands" Guy. I've never seen him use his handlebars. I wish he would look where he is going. I think I need to find my light charger.
Deb
The bike is feeling much better to ride after some much needed maintenance (brake adjustments and pumping up the tyres). Much of central city Christchurch is starting to get back to normal - but I still need to take a couple of detours around the few cordons remaining in place after the earthquake. The days have also got noticeably lighter during the two weeks I had to work from home - didn't need the lights in either direction today.
Rode to work today for the first time in... sahfdljafdklfhd (mumbling because it's been WAY too long). ;)
Had a great dark commute in. I can't wait to ride home and stop by the grocery store for some apples. Yum! :)
Rode to the LBS that moved to a very difficult-to-bike-to location for the Women's Wrenching Class, only to be told it had been postponed and nobody had let anyone know. Grrr. Not only are they nowhere near the bike path, but they are on one of the most dangerous corners in town. My whole day has been frustrating. This just was the icing on the cake.
Deb
I had to be in early for the rats, and I got my downlow glow on. It is beautiful. I did not have room for my rain pants, because I had put my basket on my daughter's bike so she could bike to school, since the car is going to the shop today. Her backpack is so heavy it's hard to bike wearing it, and it's even heavier right now because she has a lot of homework to make up from the 2 days she was sick.
When she called frantically just as we were finished with the rats, because her chain had come off and she couldn't get it back on, it was raining. I raced across town to catch up with her, fixed her bike, and accompanied her the rest of the way to school to sign her in since she was late by then.
I feel pretty bad that she has to bike to school in the rain while she's still getting over a cold. :(
It was getting late but I thought I might still get a short swim in. But even the indoor pool closes when there's thunder. Something about it not being grounded.
Back at work I changed into a dry shirt but my pants were cold and wet. I cursed my foolishness at not having brought and worn my expensive and highly effective goretex rain pants. But within an hour they had dried enough that rain drops showed up on them when I walked across campus.
Now I'm waiting to hear back on what is wrong with the car and how much it will cost, and I will bring the rain pants tomorrow, therefore it will NOT rain because this goretex stuff is magical that way!
I got a flat a few miles from the end of my evening commute. It was one of those where the tire is just suddenly dead flat, nothing gradual about it. So, I changed the tube, and am about to pump with CO2 when a lady pulls up in a car to see if I need help. I thank her, and tell her I have everything I need. Well, oops, I didn't know my tube would pop out of the tire when I was filling it. Good thing I had another cartridge. I deflate and check to make sure it's well seated, and I don't see anything weird, so I use the other CO2. Oops again! Same thing, the tube popped out of the tire opposite the valve.
That was my last cartridge :o. Before I start my 3 mile walk, I decide to call my mechanic to see what I did wrong. He figured it out, and offered to come get me (with a tube, cartridge, or ride to my car), since they were closing, and I was on his way home. Aren't my lbs guys the best?!
I said yes, and while I waited (walking my bike) a man pulled up and offered me a ride, which I declined. I'll only do that if there's no other alternative. Then another man pulled up, and offered me a pump, which he had in his trunk! This I accepted. He even pumped it for me! I rode the rest of my ride, and called my shop guy to say I was okay.
I feel so human! Days like this make me see how good people can be. It's nice.
Wow!
You're so Popular!
Rode early, really nice to go before the sun was glaring over the hills.
Rode home late, rode like a fiend to break away from some of the bad stuff at work. It was clouding up and almost starting to rain. Wonderful.
wow, Red- that's quite a ride home. What a GREAT LBS guy!!!
Wow, Red, I want your lbs! :D
I know! I need to do some baking. It's been a while since I brought them anything, and they're due for several reasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
I'm still high from the kindness of strangers. I know this is how it's supposed to be, but it still amazes me that anyone would stop to help, never mind 3 people in just a few minutes. It's nice to be reminded that not all car drivers view us negatively. I suspect they were all cyclists. The man who pumped my tire told me about having 3 flats in one day while doing the MS150.
Wow Red, so great to hear that there are nice people out there. I have yet to get a flat tire and I dread the day it happens. I somehow always forget my bike pump. I carry the spare tube though :)
Oh, don't dread it! Flats are fun. Even when it doesn't go according to plan, it's an adventure. As long as you have a cell phone and can call for help, you're golden.Quote:
Originally Posted by MyRubyE
Friday I needed to buy a cheap item from a store far away. I could get most of the way there via the public transit systems of two counties - but I was too cheap to pay to ride a third county's public transit. Or maybe it was a temperature well above 80F, as I like it. Or the long, flat, straight, wide roads passing endless light industrial complexes. So I brought my nearly new Dahon folder and rode a 26 mile loop to the afore mentioned store.
On the way back I was zooming along on a barely perceptible downgrade with a slight tailwind. I was just about to slow down and relax a bit. Then the greyhound in me saw a rabbit about a quarter mile ahead and gave chase. In reality it was more of a tortoise - a guy on a mountain bike riding very slowly. In no time at all, I flew passed him.
Soon thereafter, I saw a red light up ahead. I coasted a long ways and then stopped at the intersection. Two seconds later, I heard another bike stop next to me. It wasn't who I expected - instead it was a guy on a road bike. Mr Roadie said he had been riding at 28 MPH to catch up with me! :eek: (Before the light changed, Mountain Man rolled up - he must have picked up the pace after being "chicked" and "roadied".)
Mr Roadie and I road in tandem for a mile or two and chatted. I discovered that my nice sustainable pace is around 18 to 20 MPH. On the folder. :cool:
(Note to self: Get a computer for the Dahon!)
:-D hehe, nice going on a folder!
Well, I got out of bed today and got on my bike, just a short ride to work and back, but it was a major achievement. I think I can announce that the germs are on the retreat. However if my daughter's persistent cough is any indication, the germs won't give it up easily and I have at least another week of coughing ahead of me. Husband is coming down with it now. So's my sister's boyfriend--400 miles away. She asked how we managed that and I said "A really big sneeze and a strong wind?"
taking 2 weeks off from Commuting, will be overseas. hang in there you guys
Have a wonderful trip, Mimi!
Too hot for this time of year! The ride home was a bit cooler than this morning (the opposite of the usual temps). My LBS switched out the crank on my Dew. I'm liking how it felt. :)
Deb
Too headachy to ride the last two mornings.
:(
I know it's Saturday, but I worked and commuted. One of the main reasons I work a lot on weekends is so I can ride with less car traffic, which was actually just as busy as a weekday after work, with lots of people heading to the beach since there was big surf. No problems, though. Great commutes in both directions, and I stopped at the lbs in the morning and got Puddin' some new shoes (tires to you and me ;)). The sun was really intense, and I was wishing I had a visor. It's that time of year again.
Not really a report on my commute today. I actually have not been on the bike much at all this year (not sure why), but maybe like 5 times (includes a few of our Portland Sunday Parkways rides).
Anyway, a local organization puts on a Bike Commute Challenge for the month of September. About mid-month, the team captain for our work asked if I could do just one ride to help with their percentages. I should note, my commute would be 30 miles round trip and about 600' elevation gain each way.
Have to say, it was challenging, but I actually did 3 commutes for 90 miles in a 7 day stretch. It was great, though, and was just the extra push to get me on the bike. Poor legs, were pretty tired, but emotionally I was feeling pretty good. Had the timing down to 1hr 15min each way.
I wrote this summary to our team captain:
So as I drove in to work this morning, and a bit before, I reflected on my bike commuting contribution. 15 miles each way, 30 miles per day roundtrip.
* Hard? Yes. But I expected it to be hard since I have, basically, not done any riding, except for a few Sunday Parkways and a couple of under 10 mile roundtrip errands.
* Hate? Yes, still don’t like the Barbur/Tigard hill, but, slow and steady and I did get up and over it 6 times. 3500+ ft of elevation gain for my 3 day total.
* Time? I realized that I do not have a sense of time or how long it is taking that I do when I am driving. When driving, my speed and progress are totally at the mercy of everyone else on the road. When I am biking, save for lights and things, I am only at the mercy of my own conditioning. I do not feel controlled in a stop and go environment.
* Ego? Yes, boosted. Again, given my training foundation, I done okay.
What a great story! I hope you have many more commutes. That is a good distance, I can see why you might not do it daily but 3 times in one week is great.
Thanks, Melalvai. I am thinking of trying to do maybe 1 per week. The good news is that in December, our corporate office is moving to downtown Portland, so my commute will be 6 miles 1 way. I am planning to primarily bike.
Got up, jumped out of bed with determination to ride to work today! Put on my bike clothes, got me some coffee & breakfast, went to my bike and - flat tire! No problem! Fixed the flat, opened the garage, started to ride out and found some strange substance seemingly coming from the sky? Wha? Is that rain? Surely just a little mist, I said, headed down the block, got around the corner and realized, nope, my glasses are covered with raindrops and I can't see without a windshield wiper. Came home, got dressed, jumped in the car, drove in. Boo. Rain through Wednesday.
I came off my bike on the way home tonight.
Got my wheel caught in the tram tracks and just tipped over. I have a hole in my riding tights and a bit of a bruise but no real harm done. Except I came off directly across the road from my 'local'. If anybody saw me my pride will be the thing most hurt when I next go in for a drink on Friday night.
I generally avoid the square on the bike because of the tram tracks and because of the number of buses - particularly in the evening commute - but my regular route home is still cordoned off because of the severe damage to this building in the earthquake - just my luck to be affected by one of the very few road closures still in place
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I have not posted in a while, I have just been doing my commute quietly every day. Then I received a birthday email from Team Estrogen and felt all warm and fuzzy! Thanks, TE!
My commute last week was the soggiest week so far - it rained EVERY day, sometimes it came down in sheets. It felt like the tail end of a hurricane. All the rain gear was out, the full nine yards - a person from work joked that even riding home, I was probably going to be drier than they would be walking to the metro with their umbrella. I don't mind rain that much when it is warmer. I even wore my sandals, it was mild enough for that. The nice thing is that the bike path is virtually abandoned when the weather is like that. The bad thing is that the rain and wind brings down more sticks and leaves on the path, it can get slippery.
The skies opened up this week, but I could feel the seasons click - have put away the sandals and shorts and am wearing shoes and longer pants. Must enjoy what is good about this season - cooler weather for riding and beautiful fall colours.
Am camping in my sister(Trek420)'s spare room while on sabbatical in CA. Just a few more days of this visit, then back to Norway for 2 weeks. Today we biked to BART. I borrowed SIL's lovely rescued Giant (aka Cedar), now safely parked at BART's free valet parking. About to head home early today. Trek gets off early and will show me the reverse route home from BART (didn't have time this morning to stop and memorize how things would look on the way back). Next visit I'll have my own old Trek (aka Big Red) down from Sonoma, so should be doing lots of bike commuting this coming year.
So, I decided NOT to attend my Tuesday evening circuit class at the gym. I was just feeling ... blah. Not feeling the love.
While leaving the locker room, heading for my bike, I ran into a friend of mine - my old commuting partner who doesn't ride anymore since his near-fatal accident two and a half years ago. We chatted. He asked me if I was on my new bike. I was. He wanted to see it, so we walked down to the lower parking level to the lockers, where my bike is parked. (Terry doesn't ride anymore, but he'll talk non-stop about getting this bike or that bike.)
While down there, 4 biking friends showed up to get their bikes. It was a regular biker party at the lockers! They were all groovin' on my bike's fish stickers and the team sticker.
Twenty minutes of test rides, catching up, different ways to utterly geek out the bike and the body. It was pretty funny. I left feeling much better for blowing off my circuit class!
I've got early morning rats every day this week, so I get to ride with the downlow glow. It's like a warm orange glow of pride. There was a streak of pink across the sky, and the crescent moon was really bright, I could see the entire moon in fact. It's rough to get up so early again, but it's awfully pretty.