Fall and Winter Commuter Challenge!

[out_spokin']

I'll post a picture this weekend per your request! I got the Schwalbe's after finding some good testimonials on this site and others. I'm running the 26" x 1.5 slicks, cost me just over $30 each at my LBS. They've got a nice Kevlar belt - there's a Marathon Plus super flat-stopper version but in this climate I don't need THAT much protection, but I'm doing enough side-street night riding that I really wanted the reflective stripes.

[ms pepperpot]

Ms. P, What kind of brakes do you have on that bike? Sometimes a piece of sandpaper or a file used to rough up the surface of old brakepads helps.

very old caliper brakes - there's a good chance the brake pads have never been changed and the bike's over 15 years old. i've just given them a bit of a sand and will see how they go, but I'm a bit weary of using this bike if it looks like rain.

I have a new motivation to try though. The brooks saddle I've bought for my new bike has just arrived. I'd like to temporarily put it on this bike so I can start breaking it in for the next couple of weeks until new bike day.

[kfergos]

I admit it. This week I wimped out one day and had my husband pick me up from work. In my defense, he'd be going right by my work anyway -- we go to a church thing Tuesday nights that takes us in the opposite direction of my house. Normally I ride for the challenge, since it's hillier than my normal commute, but this Tuesday I just didn't feel it. So...

Monday - 2/2
Tuesday - 1/2
Wednesday - 2/2
Thursday - 2/2
Friday - 2/2 (First below freezing commute! 29 degrees F when I left, about 30 minutes late, at 6:50)

And I ended up getting one of the Armadillos with reflective side walls, not because I couldn't wait but because I got a nice slice in my rear tire that I felt required a replacement tire (as some of you who commented on my tire-replacement question know!).

[bikerHen]

I only got 4/5 this week. Alarm malfunction. It went off an hour late on a day I do my early ride to the gym before work. It totally threw me off for the day. Although my sister took half a day off, I left work early and we did a late afternoon 20 mile ride. bikerHen

[SouthernBelle]

Last week I only got to ride in 2 days. Hoping for 4 this week as I will need the vehicle on Wed.

It was rather nippy this morning!

[sfa]

Haven't updated since signing on for this challenge--I cycled once last week and twice the week before (my "goal" is just once a week), but am not going to manage this week at all--we've got 6:00 appointments with the kids every single day this week except Friday, and on that day I need to be home early for critical trick-or-treating hours! I'm going to throw my bike in the car one day this week, though, and at least try to get in a lunchtime ride or two.

Sarah

[Grog]

Last week I did 4 out of 5, as I worked from home on the Monday (after my sweet partner had left with part of my rain gear and the bus would just not come and get me!). On one of those 4 I had a flat tire on the way home and I had to take the bus because I didn't have the time to change it.

This week I'm not working on Monday, but I plan a 4/4 for the rest of the week. It's getting quite chilly in the morning. And it's going to rain. Lovely.

[Geonz]

Started another week here ... nippy (39) and it's pretty windy now.

I was thinking about what a bike-commuter-centered consumer market would include. OnStar. My bike is my vehicle, after all.
A huge issue with bikes is being stolen. I want my little phone to tell me, "This is OnStar. Your bike has been moved, but you have set it in Park position. Would you like us to activate the Stinky SquirtSeat now?" And I would approve adn then that special bag for those who sometimes have bladder control issues with sudden stops would deploy...

If I didn't ride and get more oxygen to my brain, I woudln't think of these *brilliant,* marketable ideas...

[Biciclista]

last week i was very pleased with myself, 3 commutes. Today I started off this week nicely; and I plan to ride at least tomorrow too.

[ms pepperpot]

I manage 3 last week. One day I wasn't working in the office. On Friday it was raining and I was worried about the brakes. I've now managed to fix the brakes temporarily - they're still not great in the rain but not unusable.

I've cycled both yesterday and in this morning, and they've both been chilly but lovely sunny mornings - very nice. I have my new brooks saddle on now, so need to keep going to start breaking it in.

[SouthernBelle]

Drat, it was cold this morning. Even though I had on a heavy jacket my tummy got cold. I need to pull up those cinch cords.

Sad note: I ride through an older section of town where most of the old woolen mill workers used to live. Overnight, one of the houses burned down. It was all taped off and still smoking.

[Geonz]

*Finally* got up early enough to go in the long way this a.m. I was fighting the 'snooze or not" battle when I heard the weather guy say "winds from teh ESE" and BOING! I was out of bed. I didn't realize the concept of tailwind had such power ... (but "tailwind" meant that yea, I had enough time to ride long and not rush).
I rode the folder so I could go even faster.
The street that was closed M-W (my valid reason for nto going the long way) was still closed, actually, but I could get through on my bike.
I ordered a small mess of blinkies from http://www.batteryjunction.com (under their "nite-ize" section), and a mess of rechargeable AA NiMH batteries.

[SouthernBelle]

Well that's not fair. The only tailwind I get on my commute in would be from the north. I'll do without that.

[tattiefritter]

October wasn't a great month for me, I had a bad cold at the start so didn't commute to work at all after the first week of October , my motivation always seems to take a dip after a cold. We've had a pretty crap month weather wise in October, lots of strong winds and rain. However we seem to have gone straight into winter now as its been cold and frosty all week - it's currently gorgeous outside but I'm on a rest day as have a running trail race tomorrow. I did get all my kit ready for Tuesday but it was icy when I woke up (don't ride on ice anymore).

I have been pottering about doing errands on the bike over the month but only a couple of miles at a time so not massive amounts.

Hopefully November will be a better month, not so much wind please weather gods (or rain either, or even just give us one of them at a time rather than the double whammy!)

[Geonz]

Hey, the Weather Channel here was all about talking about your bad weather... condolences!!! Here's to improvements for November!!!