That is hard-core! Of course it counts! I hope you run of flat tires and bad bike luck has passed.Quote:
Originally Posted by MomOnBike
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That is hard-core! Of course it counts! I hope you run of flat tires and bad bike luck has passed.Quote:
Originally Posted by MomOnBike
Yesterday morning, I saw this woman from my neighborhood who I occasionally see who rides a Fuji cross bike to her job at a school just north of us. Just seeing her was shocking enough, because I know she usually leaves much earlier than I. She was just enough ahead of me, that I couldn't catch her before our routes parted. I did note, however, that I could barely see her from the side, and that if/when I saw her again, I would mention that she should consider adding some side reflectivity to her bike or her body.
Well, I saw her on my ride home, coming back into my neighborhood. I caught up to her this time, and we chatted. She mentioned how she was 15 minutes late and she vowed she'd never do THAT again. She was amazed at the increase in traffic on the roads from 6:30 to 7:00. If you can get out at 6:30, the roads are empty. After 6:45, to 7:00, the amount of cars picks up significantly. (After 7, forget it...it's a zoo out there). I noticed that, too. However, I can never get my act together in the morning to get out at 6:30 as I would like to. :rolleyes: Too much time spent playing with my bunny, Noah, in the morning. We have to have our little bit of quality time. :p
Oh, and I did mention the reflectivity to her. She was wearing an Illuminite jacket, but I swear...I have a pair of Illuminite tights, and I honestly find they are not all that reflective. It has to be pitch black, and the lights have to hit it just right for it to work. I recommended she get some reflective stickers from a hardware store and ugly up her frame some. We both agreed, visibility is better than an un-marred frame.
Rode home last night with my headlight, taillight and all my blinkies. It was glorious. Cool and no one bothered me. I didn't intend to stay so late, but I had a really bad day and one of my friends who is a second year forced me (not against my will) to go to dinner with her and have a beer.
It was worth it!
I was going to ride this morning, but because college gameday is here, there is no way I will be able to get to my building on bike due to this huge closeout of most of the roads on central campus. Think tons of people who may or may not be already drunk. I am happy CGD is coming, but I wanna ride!
Ya, know....you just learn all sorts of things and meet all sorts of folks when you bike commute that you would NEVER meet when driving in a car.
I had a young woman riding behind me for much of my ride home today. Finally, when I got to a light in a plaza, I asked her "Are you following me?" ;)
She replied, "I'm trying not to!"
We ended up riding together for a bit. I showed her a road through a quiet neighborhood that avoided a busy street she was about to ride. She told me she had recently completed a charity ride to raise money for cancer research. It was a cross-country trip - from Baltimore to San Francisco called 4K for Cancer. Sounds like quite an adventure for a college student! I certainly would never have done it when I was her age (yikes....having a "feeling old" moment here...but it's been more than a few years since I've left college).
Was an interesting, fun, and pleasant conversation.
Too bad I had to drop her on the downhill! Bwahahahahahahaha!! :D:D:D
That's fun. It's always nice to meet other cyclists. I met one today that works in my office building but I didn't know him. I was showing a friend how bad his chain was on his bike and pointed to the chain on a Kona the guy was putting on the rack. He let me show my office mate a demo about a clean and lubed chain. We talked and turns out he and his gf are both in psych and just down the hall from us.
I love bike people!
I'm a new commuter. Just over 11 miles each way. Combination of multi use path, lightly traveled neighborhood roads and some small sections of trafficked road. Overall a great ride. Generally rolling, but primarily downhill to work, more of a climb back home.
Anyway..... until today ride has been uneventful. Cars seem generally aware of cyclists. Most of my "what are they thinking, oh yeah, they aren't" moments have been on the MUP, usually someone walking their dog.
But today I fell. Due to a driver. Combined with still having to think about getting out of my pedals - versus instinctively unclicking when I brake.
At the very end of my commute there is a fairly steep short climb up an urban neighborhood road. Saw the driver backing out of her driveway. Sure she saw me. She stopped, looked at me, backed a couple more feet, stopped....and then apparently decided that she couldn't wait 15 seconds for me to pass, or that I was going so slow she could beat me or whatever stupid thought was in her head. It was almost like I could see the thought process and knew what she was gonna do. Sure enough she went from stop and wait to back right out.
I yelled, braked hard. And didn't take a foot out. Over I went. Luckily she also slammed on her brakes. I'm fine, bike is fine. Tiny little strawberry on my knee.
Damn. I was so pissed at her. I mean really a few seconds to wait. Yes, it's a hill, yes I'm going slow, but c'mon.
And then almost equally frustrated with myself. Will I ever get that instinct - brake fast=unclick same time. As opposed to thinking about taking my foot out because I anticipate a stop ahead. Same issue is handicapping me in mountain biking now that I'm trying that.
Just had to vent. And really I do know it was the driver at fault - but maybe even madder that I can't help but get on myself at the same time.
That really sucks, Kim. Hope you're okay.
Thanks. I'm fine. Confidence just a bit shaken. Had a brief mental debate in afternoon to call hubby to bring me home. But then realized I needed to ride home, get over it.
MTB friend thinks the more I ride off road - where I can't anticipate all the stops the more instinctual it will get(the unblocking with sudden braking). As for careless drivers, I just have to continue to ride defensively....
Oh and for the earlier post from 7rider about lack of side visibility on another commuter. That's something I hadn't thought about until reading this forum either. I put the little lightweights stickers on all my spokes over the weekend got em at REI, about $15 for the pack of 86 stickers. A world of difference!
You will learn new habits and skills that will help keep you safe. Still, they're bigger than we are!
Glad you're ok!
This reaffirms my reluctance to go clips on a commuter bike. It just doesn't make sense in town. When I get my road bike, it'll have spd pedals and if I am in town, I'll leave my left foot unclipped for safe stopping. Glad you weren't hurt and hope you don't have any more adventures like that!
Wow, Kim.
So sorry to hear that. This is why I cannot put clips on my bike. Even without cars, I fall into ditches on the road bike. Too many PEOPLE to worry about with clips on campus. They scare me more than cars here.
Kimi glad you were not hurt, drivers do the stupidest things sometimes. I had an 'encounter' myself this afternoon. Well no wrecking but darn close. I do ride clipped in and I can get out pretty fast but I didn't even have time to think about it today. I'm almost home, riding through the neighborhoods, I see a woman running on the other side and a car coming up toward me. I get over so he can get through and at the last second he turns left right in front of me into his driveway :eek::eek::eek: I missed his back fender by a mere foot. What a moron!!!
They weren't kidding about that wind advisory. It blew me OFF the road. I tried to get back on the road and here comes another gust. After that I managed to get in the middle of my lane, even a little bit on the left, and the next gust blew me toward the edge instead of off the road.
Coming home I realized that the gusts would want to blow me into traffic instead of off the road. I came up with a strategy: I would assertively take a good chunk of the lane to encourage passing cars to use all of the left lane. Then as they passed I would move toward the right, giving myself plenty of room to be blown into by a gust.
In reality it didn't work that way. Too many cars and it all happens too fast to be constantly moving back and forth. So I just took the lane assertively and scanned frequently so I always knew what traffic was behind me.
Speaking of scanning, in the early afternoon that was difficult because I woke up with a crick in my neck. I had texted our med student who is helping with our rats and asked "Does osteopathic manipulation cure a crick in the neck or do I just have to wait it out?" He replied "Meet me after lunch and I'll work on your neck." WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! I was able to scan comfortably after that. It would have been really hard to be as aware of the traffic behind me, if I'd still had a stiff neck.
That, and the free memberships to the gym and the aquatic center, are benefits to working at an osteopathic medical school!
Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts. I intend to continue riding with clip less. My commute is so rolling - Garmin says nearly 1000 ft ascent / 500 ft descent in my 11 ish ride home (and the much easier inverse on trip to work). Really like having the upward stroke pull. But will probably keep one foot out in key spots. And continue to work on the unanticipated stops/quick feet out. Know that the more MTB/WI single track I do, they better that will get. (best place to practice - hitting the dirt much softer than the pavement!)
WindingRoad - Yikes! Glad you're okay! And was able to maneuver around him!
Melavai - Gotta hand it to you riding in this wind. Know I don't have the guts to do it. Both from fear of bike handling, and from my tendency to curse headwinds!
Yesterday the forecast was for 75º and sunny, but to my surprise, the roads were still wet from the rain the day before. Add the fallen leaves to the mix, and it was the messiest commute ever. I looked like I'd done a 'cross race when I got to work, my back and legs (and bike!) were covered in mud. There was crud everywhere, even little sticks between my chain rings.
It never warmed to anywhere near 75, and I was worried I'd be cold since I wore a ss jersey, so I kept a good pace for the ride back to stay warm. The roads were still wet at 5pm, despite being mostly sunny all day! I managed a new record for that route, but I had a tailwind, so there you go. :cool:
This made me laugh because I also looked like I did a 'cross race yesterday. Wet roads/bikepath and lots of wet leaves. My front brake was sticking during the a.m. commute so I had to adjust it. I didn't realize that my hand was very dirty so I was wiping the sweat off my face on the way to work (it was very balmy and humid). When I got to work, I had black dirt all over my face. I didn't know it was there until I saw the horrified look on the face of one of my co-workers. I looked like an NFL linebacker - black marks under my eyes. :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
I was so happy to leave early this a.m. I always strive to get out of the house early, but it never seems to happen. :o This morning. I actually did.
But, before I got out of the neighborhood, I realized that my flashing light on front - even tho' it does have a low-beam steady on - was not sufficient for the dark morning. So, I pulled over to switch the light from flashing to steady. Now... I love this light, but switching from flashing to steady is not an easy task and since I don't do it regularly, I have to stop and think about it...and it went something like this:
"Okay, I think it's 'Hold the button for 2-seconds to shut it off. Then press and hold for 6- seconds to switch modes.' Then...what? Another 2 seconds to turn it on to steady? How come it's not working?? Drat it! How do I get this thing to turn back on at all?" :confused:
So, with much puttering, I finally got the light on steady. But by the time I got 2 miles away, on the darkest part of the road, I realized that the battery was nearly dead. So at the top of the hill, I pulled over onto a lit side street and swapped out the batteries (rechargeable AA's).
Whoa! :eek: Light and dark difference! Night and day! Aaaaaaa (imagine a host of angels singing on high).....let there be light!!!! :cool:
But....so much for my early start. All that puttering on the side of the road ate up all that early start. Regular time at my desk (actually...late, cuz I ended up talking with folks in the fitness center). :rolleyes:
So....love the light, but I think the Knog is going on when I get home, instead.
I knew they were forecasting for a windy day but I REALLY wanted to ride today. Morning wasn't bad, but it was crazy windy on the way home :eek:
Yeah...Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
And Murphy's Law of the Bike was in force: You shall always have a head wind! :eek::rolleyes:
Brutal, eh?
It is that time of year when the lighting problems come to, er, light. Well, I've been using my lights for a few weeks, but generally the one light that has to have batteries changed, my rear cateye blinkie, goes out shortly after I start using it again. It took me several days to get new batteries in it and get it back on my bike.
Day 1, I couldn't get the panel off. Finally I took the blinkie completely off my bike. I STILL couldn't get the panel off. It required a screwdriver and a man. (Maybe just the screwdriver, if I'd thought of that before he did.)
Day 2-3, we didn't have AAA batteries. Bought rechargeable (even though they won't last as long).
Day 4, charged up the rechargeables.
Day 5, first attempt to get the light mounted. Determined I needed either a 3rd hand or electrical tape to hold the rubber shim in place. Ran out of time.
Day 6, couldn't find the electrical tape where I'd last left it. DH said "probably with the electronic tools." Huh?
Day 7, DH reveals that the electronic tools are in his desk drawer. "Which drawer?" One of the left ones. Yes! The tape is there! At last I get the stupid light in place!
All this would have happened much more quickly if I didn't also have realights and a downlow glow.
Ok, so for eight days or so I have become a sloth like zombie and didn't ride my bike for various reasons. So I got on my bike and commuted to work both on Thursday and Friday - finally!! *And, I'm feeling like me again!!. I'm alive!! I'm the king of the world!! I'm Tarzan ahAAaaAa!! *Ok, back to reality... When I don't ride, or do not do any form of excercise, depression sets in. *Thus the need to rotate those wheels to create a spark in my being and make me feel worthy,*empowered,*and*invigorated. *Here's hoping for another devine week weather wise and a natural anti-depressant-like bike commuting next week.
MyRubyE, I get the same way if I don't ride, and it ain't pretty. Glad you got out!
Yesterday I had 20-30 mph winds with 40 mph gusts, and you know, it wasn't bad. I've just resigned myself to the fact that's it's going to be slower, and in the morning, it only took me about 5 minutes longer for my 14 mile route than usual. At night, it was a wicked tailwind, so I flew home! I have to admit, my quads were on fire when I was done.
Easy spin today, not a commute. Happy Halloween!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyRubyE
No kidding. I've been sick for over a week, and I started wondering if big Pharma could market a combination anti-histamine & anti-depressant. They put everything else in those OTC remedies, why not this?
An anti-depressant anti-histamine would be all I need! LOL. Speaking of which, I haven't been eating much because of an adjustment and tapering up of my SSRI which makes me feel like I will throw up when I exercise. Gah. Between that and the flu, it takes almost everything to finish a meal. So far, I haven't been too successful, but it is getting better.
Commuted for the first time in a week! Felt SO good to be back out. Took the trail that they have now finished for MUP with a crossing for bikes and pedestrians. OF COURSE the construction workers left all sorts of goodies behind - nails, boards, metal things everywhere!. I had to get off the bike and kick the following away so that I and others could get through. Sad. Other than that, the trail is great. And I enjoy not having to go through parking lots anymore!
Rode here and climbed the big hill with no issues, so I know I am getting stronger despite the time off of commuting. Had a good ride, but man that wind was awful! Getting up the small hills into the university was awful. Cold weather gear worked great, but boy that wind is hard to power through!
A wee-bit on the chilly side this a.m. - first ride in the 30s since last winter. :eek:
Was wishing I had something covering my cheeks - and thought it might be time to pull out the goggles. But, I was certainly warmed up by half-way in.
Also - rode DH's bike as my bike is in the shop getting a tune-up and some minor tweaking. I sent my bike in with its pedals, and we have no spare SPDs for his bike (he uses Crank Bros on his bike), so I had to wear his mtb shoes. :eek: BIG...good think it was cold so I could wear big, fat, fuzzy socks! :p
If I had to commute in someone else's shoes with strange pedals, I would kill myself lol. You are a brave (and talented) commuter!
see- it's starting to get cold and I'm starting to become a wuss. Pump me up for those ccccccold mornings, ladies. I *know* I need to do it, but my warm bed and car are not making getting out on my bike easy to do.
OK- I'm just going to suck it up!!! Tomorrow I shall ride (I haven't ridden to work in...gasp...3 weeks). eek!:eek:
You can do it, Tri Girl!! :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
Maybe it was growing up outside of Chicago that makes me love this freaking cold weather, but I am in heaven right now!
I would be more in heaven if an ***hole hadn't pulled out in front of me when I was riding back from work - right at the crunch part of the hill. He inched forward and then TOOK OFF within about 3 ft of me reaching the drive he was coming out of. If I had been smart, I would have taken down his license number and reported him,but he threw gravel in my face and some hit my cheek.
Idiot college boys.
This is why I am glad to be over that.
Sure you can do it.
It's all a mindset.
It's not cold... It's "invigorating!"
It's not dark.... It's nearly dawn.
Just think of how toasty you'll feel after your first hill (assuming you hit some hills, of course!)
Remember the Shrek method of dressing (layers...like an onion!).
Enjoy a warm beverage of your choice at the end of it all, and let us know how it went! :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
Do your core exercises first. THAT gets the blood moving and warms you up, and then that blast of cold air isn't quite so painful. My core exercise routine is 20 bicycles, 10 crunches, 10 supermans, 10 legups (which I don't like and often skip), and 10 turkish standups on each side. You can skip everything but the turkish standups. Those things will heat you up!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
(A turkish standup, it turns out, is you lie on your back, stick one arm in the air, and stand up. And lie down. And stand up. All with one arm sticking up in the air. Ten times. Then put that arm down and stick up the other.)
Remember that girl who fell into the deep ditch? I bet she could really hurt herself doing a Turkish standup. Not to mention... bear with me because I am immature... but that just sounds... inappropriate haha.
And I hate the heat. Give me this weather ANY time of the year over the summers here in MO. No merci!
Ha ha, that piece of advice is only for Tri Girl, not for Falls-in-a-Ditch, I mean colorisnt!Quote:
Originally Posted by colorisnt
Today's commute: BIKE THE VOTE! This the first time I've voted since we moved to Kirksville (I didn't get registered in time for the primaries). Turns out my polling place is 3 miles away! And NOT in a convenient direction; my usual 2 mile commute was 6 miles by the time I got to work.
But I didn't mind the extra miles. What I minded was biking down the shoulder of a split 4 lane highway during what passes for "rush hour" around here! Granted it doesn't cause much in the way of traffic jams, but that is a heck of a lot of traffic on that road at that time of day. When I left, it took me a long time to get across both sections of the divided highway to the far shoulder.
The polling place, the area office of the Mo Dept of Conservation, has a bike rack. Why?? The only way to get to it is that busy divided highway and I don't know many people (any? besides me?) in the area comfortable biking on it. Well, I won't ding them for having a bike rack! The bike rack itself is not a great one. Yes, it's the snake shape and not a wheel bender, but it isn't bolted down, and it's lightweight. Crush fell over in it.
Crush falls over a lot these days. It's that enormous heavy basket. And all the stuff I put in it. The kickstand can't quite handle it.
So, that's my story of going to vote. The actual voting was uneventful. I voted "no" on all the state constitutional amendments, not because I objected to them all, but because just because something is a good idea doesn't mean it should be a constitutional amendment. Save that for the important stuff.
I put my "I voted" sticker on Crush.
I impressed two small boys riding home today. It was dark and raining, and I was in full flashy mode, complete with flashing green Spokelit front and rear. I've still haven't seen anyone else with these.
As I approached they huddled a bit together and slowed down. As I passed, they stopped and stared. Quite a way ahead of them I overheard one of them gasp (the Norwegian equivalent of): AWESOME!!
:D Guess who's going to go home and ask mom and dad for Spokelits for Christmas?
Couldn't commute today for several reasons. I think one of my meds is making me really, really ill and I just couldn't imagine being sick in the middle of my commute and then having to not only continue on but also then get back home. No thanks. I will have to try it tomorrow.
Did see a mother and kindergarten aged kid climbing a BIG hill together on the way home. It was probably the most adorable and happy thing ever. It really made my day (which was not good by any means lol). His little backpack was bigger than he was, but he was just chugging along!
Only a half commute for me today. Hubby called around 4, said he'd be in the area of my office at 5ish...and that it was raining, did I want to be picked up. Yep, low 40's and raining, not my thing. Jumped at that.
But the morning commute was great. Mid-30's when I took off. Have some great Pearl Izumi winter tights, nice wool socks. Nothing too heavy on top, a base layer and a thermal type jersey plus windbreaker. May need to look for warmer gloves tho', fingers a bit chilly.
One big change was I fully aired up my tires. I commute with an "all-trail" hybrid that I've also been taking on dirt trails on weekends. Just got the bike a couple of months ago. Thought the tires said 35-50psi - so been keeping it just under 50 for the commute. Over the weekend, I knew were we going to be on a bit more technical (tho' still beginner-ish) singletrack, and took the air down to 35. When I was pumping it back up, I saw the tires (700c by 45) said 35- 80psi. Oops. Could feel the difference. Either that or I'm getting a bit stronger. Maybe both, but climb some of the hills a gear or two higher than usual, and had a lower heart rate than usual. Maybe a touch of both????
Oh, one question:
In cold weather my eyes water like crazy. Anyone wear goggles? How about goggles over prescription glasses? ANy recommendations, so I don't have tears running down my face the whole way. They're a bit cold!
Currently 18° :eek: with a high later in the mid-to-upper 60°s. :cool: Makes dressing for the day a challenge. :rolleyes:
Deb
Brrrr!
Last commute with evening light, as we turn our clocks back on Saturday night. :(
Entering into a state of mourning, and already pining for the Solstice!
Answer for kimikaw - yes, I picked up a pair of Smith ski goggles for last year's winter commutes, and wore them in the under 15 degree situations. I usually just wear wrap-around style sunglasses (Smith Factor Max, usually with the clear lenses this time of year) but in the real cold I can't keep them from fogging up. The goggles worked amazingly well. Kept my face warm, tear-free, and fog free.