Fall and Winter Commuter Challenge!

[kfergos]

Reporting in on my first week back riding after getting the flu...

Mon - 2/2
Tues - 1.25/2 (rode 4 miles to the bike shop in the evening, rather than the full 13.25 home)
Wed - 0/2 (doctor's appointment required driving there)
Thurs - 2/2
Fri - 2/2

Total rides: 7.25
Total miles: 98.6

With putting studded tires on, my average speed is now down from 16 to 14 mph. Ah well, all the better to gaze at the frozen scenery.

[out_spokin']

Long time no post -- I've been a traveling fool. Decided to spend tiny extra time getting ready for my bike commute instead of on the intertubes!

This is one of the reasons having you all on here is such a great thing - it would've been so easy to just blow it off after so many days away from home at a time.

So, with just a week to go before the halfway point in our challenge, I'm doing great! I finished November at 73% of my office days, and it actually felt weird to drive to the commuter lot the other day - and even my regular bus driver was asking where my bike was.

And now the long delayed photos of my reflective Schwalbes...which I LOVE. First time I've actually noticed the ride difference in a similar tire size/tread. Plush, quiet, and as you can see, pretty nicely bright!

[SouthernBelle]

That's looking good.

I'm in the process of re-doing some vintage steel to use as a commuter, waiting for some parts to come in. But I should go ahead and order some Marathons since that's what I want to use.

[kfergos]

I'm going to have to change my goal. On Tuesday nights I can't ride home because I have an ongoing commitment elsewhere, and now that my commutes take >1 hour, I won't be able to make it home in time to leave. Anyway, I'm aiming for 9 commutes a week, every day except Tuesday night.

M - 2/2
T - 1/1
W - 2/2
Th - 2/2
F - 2/2

Total commutes: 9

Monday was 8F; Wednesday was steady 25-mph headwinds; Friday was pouring down rain in an ice storm. What a week. Friday convinced me that my Novara jacket is just not waterproof enough; I think (after reading the discussion in the apparel section) I'm going to try out the Showers Pass Elite.

[bikerHen]

Sadly I think the weather is finally forcing me onto the trainer. We had a really wet snow yesterday and now we are heading into an artic freeze. The shoulder are covered with fist size chucks of ice and lots of icy ruts. My bike handling skill are just not up to that kind of riding. bikerHen

[out_spokin']

We've made it halfway to the next equinox! Congrats to all you hard core northern hemisphere folks who've been riding in any way, shape or form into the winter months...

Fittingly this morning was my coldest ride of the year so far, 9F/-13C, calm and clear, full-on lights needed both ways.

I had my first epic commute of the season last Thursday - a bit of snow helped create a couple of accidents which made the bus portion a total parking lot, stop & go for over an hour, doubled the usual time. I was warned there were crazy winds but was so tired of sitting that I wasn't going to bail on the ride home -- steady hard headwind, with additional 25-30 mph gusts! I had to use my granny ring the second half of the ride, which was also double the usual time....gotta love those stubborn moments of wanting my goal enough to put up with the "wow, this really isn't fun right now" thoughts!

Peace to you all and happy holidays!

[bikerHen]

As of last Thursday I am so out of the commuting challenge. Wednesday/Thursday Spokane received almost 30" of snow, setting a new all time record for the amount of snow falling in a 24 hour period. While we are use to snow in these parts, it usually doesn't fall all at once. Spokane was almost shut down Thursday. We could only get to work with our 4 wheel drive Bronco and even that was a bit exciting. Now that the plows are catching up with the snow, the streets are all reduced by a lane or two. No room for me even if I wanted to give it a try. The temp is staying well below freezing, it was -2 yesterday morning. So none of the snow is melting anytime soon. In fact it's snowing right now. On the up side, we will definitly be having a white Christmas! bikerHen