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DB...you're out biking again!!!! Hooray! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by divingbiker
(as for me...I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to the sound of torrential rain, blowing wind, and thunder, and was glad I planned to take the day off the bike and do my NTC circuits, instead!)
great seeing all you commuters. I rode yesterday and got thoroughly wet. It is becoming routine to get rained on. (thanks, weather!) I didn't get overheated, but I'm still really slow after my hard saturday ride. KEEP riding ladies!
I woke up ready to go (even changed to new tires at 10 pm last night), but it was 30 degrees with a wind chill in the mid 20's with winds gusting at 30 mph. I was so mad that winter will not go away I drove instead. I commuted over the winter when temps were in the single digits, so I'm not a terrible weather weenie, I'm just sick of winter- and it will NOT go away...:mad:
I can't wait until it warms up and I can wear my work clothes on the bike to work. Can't WAIT!!!!:D
A small group of us went on a long ride after work today. The wind kicked up and it got cold, but it was a tailwind up the biggest hill :D It felt so good to be back on my bike. I don't know what I was thinking, not riding for so long.
Deb
Woo hoo. Fun rides both ways. Mostly tail winds. Seems like we're all writing that! See, we love the wind. Thank you wind. :)
Very excited to have figured out (well, I'm cautiously optimistic) my numb foot issue that has been plaguing me after I stand on a climb. New insoles! I went to a running store, and the guy was great, and let me try out a whole bunch. I went with a graphite reinforced one that felt pretty cushy, and as soon as I put it in my shoe, I knew it was the one. Anyway, I feel like I had a total bike fit. Everything just felt right. Yay!
very cold this morning, almost freezing.
Heard that there were hail storms during the day but my commute was sunny although cold and windy.. it was my second commute of the week.
I'm so spoiled.
I'm taking a 2-day class at the U which is closer than my office, but I don't want to park my bike outside all day, so I'm walking.
Saw Older Guy on the Old Schwinn* today. Haven't seen him in a long time. In typical fashion, he dusted me. :rolleyes:
* Yes, I have invented names for all the other bike commuters I see out there.
Looking for ideas for a 15 mile commute (one way but bus is an option). Road bike? Touring? Comfort?
That was like my old commute ... I mostly used my converted mtb, SUB, using fenders, rack and panniers. I also had used my road bike a few times, with backpack. I preferred the SUB because of the road debris (better tires); more gears (7 mile climb); more fenders (lot's of rain).
My current commute is now 6 miles and better surfaces, so I road bike primarily.
Good luck.
good commute today. the ride home was super windy, but it was still nice, until some jerk in a huge redneck truck couldn't wait literally 2 seconds for me to turn right onto my street cut off another car and buzzed me so he could get around me. I'm still fuming. It's a good thing I don't flip the bird, or carry a concealed weapon because I sure could justify shooting at people sometimes...:mad:
It was so windy yesterday, my front tire was almost blown into the curb. I also had to fight like hell just to move over 3 feet or so in the bike lane as I approached my turn. It was insane!
What's up with that?! I got cut off today too. Good thing we both have good reflexes, and think fast! Cycling keeps you on your toes, that for sure. I suspect my cutter was an elderly person, so I didn't get mad. I recently saw a news segment on what it's like to drive for an older person, and to simulate it, the reporter had to wear blinders and weights on all his limbs, and some other stuff that made every movement take more effort. It made me understand a little better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
Excellent commutes today. Rode an extra few miles this morning just cuz it was so awesome out. Saw the horses still in their blankets, looking happy in the fields. Rode Sugar, my fast bike, because they just swept most of the roads, so very little glass and sand. All was right in my world. :)
I just read an article that although Oklahoma does have a 3 foot passing law, it only applies if the individual city has adopted it as an ordinance or something strange like that? And also that it only applies if a serious physical injury occurs? Sounds like OK needs some state bike/ped advocacy action!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
There's a few regulars I recognize on my route too. If it's nice, Ed is out on his porch and we wave at each other. I always wave at him when I drive by too, but he never sees me when I wave from the car. Larry sometimes is walking his 2 little dogs in his backyard. Keith is sometimes walking his 2 very large dogs on the trail; they walk 3 miles a day and usually pretty early in the morning. Michelle & Ken walk their beautiful huskie(?), who just got a haircut and isn't looking so beautiful at the moment. Another guy walks his beagle, both he and his beagle are little & fat but the beagle is faster. They are so cute.
Michelle & Ken & dog (pre-shave):
http://ka-motion.org/sites/default/f...3916%20dog.jpg
I chose the wrong bike for the weather conditions today. I checked the forecast before I left, and it looked dry, but it was perfect weather for my Soma's disc brakes, but she stayed home today. It drizzled the whole way. Had gunk build up on my rims that made stopping precarious. Luckily I only got one light. Had to put a foot down while the bike was still moving. That's always fun.
Crazy tailwind back. Hardly had to pedal. Love the wind!
You are right. It's silly! We could REALLY just use education of the public. I think if the city would invest some money into education it would go a LONG way to letting drivers know that we belong and it's legal and to just watch out for us/make us human.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melalvai
This makes me think about the last time I renewed my driver's license. At the DMV there were monitors showing stupid trivia, celebrity gossip and such. Those screens could be so much better put to use. You're stuck there for hours, why not show something useful about driving skills? A perfect opportunity to teach about sharing the road, wasted on trivia.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
Picked the right bike today; love those disc brakes. Was surprised by the rain, but ready for it! I wore a cap under my helmet just in case it started earlier than they said it would (it did), so no rain on my glasses. The only thing I wished for was long socks. I need to stash a pair at work for next time.
I'm off tomorrow, so it will be bike cleaning day. It's been a dirty week so far.
I just adore working from home, but I find it difficult to carve out time for a bike ride in the middle of the day. I take a Pilates class once a week, and so today I decided to ride my bike to it. It's only about 4 miles away through downtown. My commute there is at rush hour, but rush hour is kind of a joke here compared to when I lived in DC...I was so early to my class that I had time to stop in a cafe and enjoy some iced tea before the class. Then I rode home, which was another fantastic ride.
Now that's a commute I could go for ... one where you can stop along the way to enjoy a tea or coffee.Quote:
Originally Posted by tulip
A slightly frustrating day, but good commutes saved it. I was planning on 4 for 4 this week, but lots of excuses popping out into my head. Probably just need a rest day. Planning on trying out my new wheels, so there will be a little ride, but not to work.
commuting was the highlight of my day. Also I set up my May bike to work month team. I have 10 slots and 11 people that want to be on the team.. EEEK
Lovely weather lately. About the only thing one could complain about is the wind, but if you're going to complain about wind around here you'd never stop! My daughter biked to school again! This is her 2nd ride since November's wreck. She plans to do more biking now that the weather is nice. Neither of us are happy at the idea of her biking home alone, for all that she is 15, we are all still nervous from the wreck (we'll get over it.) So I arranged my scheduled so that I could bike home with her.
Only as I rolled away my rear tire went flat. (I probably ran over something, I saw a pointy rusty wire on the ground later.) I called to let her know I was changing my tire, got it changed, and we rode home together.
Today the weather changed as the storm rolled through. Turns out, my gore-tex has lost its waterproofness again. I tossed it in the dryer this afternoon because the heat re-activates the waterproof stuff or something. So hopefully it'll be waterproof again.
I was on a phone call last week, and I had to excuse myself to meet my bike mechanic who was dropping off my bike after replacing my brake pads. (No bike shop here, so he drops off my bike when he runs errands. Convenient!) When I called back to continue the meeting, I explained the interruption. The person I was talking to surprised me by saying "I need to get more exercise." I wondered why she was talking about exercise? Then I realized she was responding to me talking about a bike repair.
I don't think of my bike as exercise. It's just how I get places.
I overslept this morning. :o Got out a half hour later than planned. I thought the roads would be packed with cars, but it was surprisingly empty. Where is everyone? Isn't there school this week? Is everyone teleworking? Flexing? Off on leave? Passover starts tonight. Maybe everyone is off preparing or something....
Not complaining. I hope it's nice and quiet on the ride home. DH will meet me and we'll ride home together.
It's spring break in Montgomery County. Enjoy it while you can.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by 7rider
Great commute in this morning- so far I'm on a roll- 10 days in a row commuting so far. My goal is to make it to the end of the school year commuting every day. Only 6 more weeks- I think I can do it!
Can I just say how much I LOVE that it's spring and I can hear the birds singing in the morning? I love to listen to their song as they sing me along my way to work. So peaceful- and so many people are missing out on it by listening to their noise on their car stereos. Too bad for them. ;)
I also love that it's warm enough that I can wear my work clothes on the bike to work. When it's cold I have to dress in warm layers, but now that it's nice I just put on my work clothes, jump on my bike and head out. I just love that, too!
It's also Spring Break in Loudoun County. Everyone I know went to FL - that's where the traffic went too.Quote:
Originally Posted by divingbiker
Yesterday I saw a squirrel in the road. I slowed down. It had something big in its mouth. As I got closer it ran over to the sidewalk. The I saw the tiny bushy tail wrapped around the squirrel's head. Mama was taking baby somewhere! They were SO cute!
That made up for having a flat tire last week, AND a flat tire this week. I hadn't restocked my CO2 cartridges from last week so I had to call for a ride. I can tell that CO2 cartridges aren't going to work for me because there is no bike shop in town from which to replenish my stock, so I'll get a small pump to carry on my bike. And I'm going to look for kevlar tires. The first flat was from a rusty pointy bit of wire, the second from a tiny sharp rock. I used to have kevlar tires but when they wore out, the bike shop put these on and promised me they were just as good. Nuh-uh!
Planned on driving today, but woke up and saw it wasn't raining, so I threw on my knickers and rode. Then the rain started. Well, more mist than rain, but it was definitely wet. Had somehow forgotten a headband, and my ears couldn't take being exposed. I stopped at a CVS a couple of miles into the ride and bought some. I paid full price. I never would have done that if I wasn't so cold.
Once my ears were covered, it was a nice commute. Clothes were dry by the time I left work, and I had a tail wind home. Kind of bonked with a few miles left, though. Kept thinking about veggie burritos and candy bars. I was so hungry! I got into a weird meditative state, and riding was completely effortless. Maybe "burrito, candy bar" should be my mantra. ;)
hey, i rode yesterday AND today. And today I felt lazy but pushed myself up the hill anyway.
what did you buy redrhodie? a hat??
A pack of these headbands, and they were more than this price! I knew they seemed expensive.
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/sh...e_Free_Listing
those things keep your ears warm?!?!
Melavai, we buy our CO2 cartridges from a hunting supply store on-line. They come in a huge box (like a life time supply) and the price works out to about .50 a cartridge, as opposed to the $4.00 bike stores charge.
Do an on line search and you will find several options.
It's more for keeping the wind out, but they do offer just enough of warmth for yesterday, (it was in the 50s) along with a cycling cap for the rain. In winter, I wear a buff for warmth, but I really can't ride comfortably without a headband, too. I even wear them in summer, for both wind and sweat. On the hottest days, it's too much, but I feel naked without it. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Biciclista
I've gotten to the point where I have to have a headsweat or buff on under my helmet...regardless of the weather. I, too, feel like I've forgotten something if I slap my helmet on my head without one.Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
Today, I seemed to hit every green light and every clear intersection. I barely had to put a foot down the whole ride in. Sweet.
I brought my grocery pannier, as I expect to do some shopping at lunch. But I ended up "buying" a small gym bag - I put that in quotes b/c it cost me loyalty points at my fitness center rather than cash - to fill a gap in my bag collection (:rolleyes:) for a small-ish duffle when I head to the gym or workout with only a minimal amount of crap needed. My other bags are either too big or too small. Anyway...now I'm stuck with the quandry of how I'm going to get all this stuff home this afternoon. I want the duffle for the weekend, so I can't leave it at work. It's going to be a very heavy, bungee-cord clad ride home.....
but that's the best kind! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by 7rider
the ride in today was good! I left later than normal, so had to bust a gut to make it to work on time. Thankfully even when I'm running late, my commute is only 3 miles so it's not like it's that far.
I have been wearing my work clothes on the bike this week, and I learned a valuable lesson yesterday: I not only need to wear an ankle-band to secure my pant leg on the drivetrain side, I need to wear one on the other leg too- because I figured out that the giant cuff on the other pant leg kept getting caught on the water bottle cage and yanking my pants down every few strokes. :rolleyes: Problem solved today- two giant reflective pant leg protectors. I'm a dork. ;)
I have been trying to ride to work every Friday since it has gotten lighter- with about 60% success. I rode on Tuesday this week because Friday is a holiday. For the first time ever, I had company for half my ride- a fellow commuter who was on the same route. Turns out, he works at home on Friday. I see a few others on my driving days, but they seem to be on a slightly later timetable. It was nice on the way in- almost 60, but windy and warm in the afternoon. I sandwiched a 15 mile recreational ride in after work with 2 friends so it was almost 34 for the day.
I'm a newbie commuter. Today I biked a whole 2 miles to my workplace and realized just how out of shape I am! It probably didn't help that the route to work is all uphill and I'm not exactly a fan of hills...yet. But I made it there and back to tell the story and hope that continuing to tackle the hills will make them easier.
It will! I promise! Good for you. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick
Rode to work, 3rd commute this week. EARTHDAY!