How Was Your Commute Today?

**bluegirl** · 10-06-2009, 02:09 PM

Hey ladies! I just saw this thread and thought I'd pop in and say hi! I've been commuting 3 days a week ever since I got my trusty Surly Cross Check. (Best commuting bike ever!!)

It's 13 miles one way, 6 miles on the bike path, 6 miles on a quietish 35mph street with bike lane, and 1.5 miles through bikelaneless BMW-jerkwad hell.

I do consider myself lucky that it's only 1.5 miles. I don't think I'd be able to handle the commute otherwise.

This morning was the first time I felt really really cold, although my definition of really cold is totally wimpy and cheating since I'm in Arizona. I'll be heading to REI this week to stock up on some warmer layers, for sure.

Even though it takes me an hour to get to work, I like it so much better than the 25 minutes I spend in the car. Totally worth it!

Enjoy your commutes, people!

**LilBolt** · 10-06-2009, 08:15 PM

Only got 1/2 a commute in today. Great ride in...I actually feel safer in the dark. After spending 10.5 hours in PowerPoint Purgatory, I decided to ask DH for a lift home & dinner out. My bike will spend Wednesday with me at the office until I can ride her home for the other 1/2 commute Thursday afternoon (I have meetings & appointments tomorrow that make riding not an option). I know...she'll be sitting there, next to the file cabinet & visitor chairs begging me to get her out tomorrow! My day seems incomplete.

**twin** · 10-06-2009, 08:31 PM

Beautiful photograph and sounds like a nice commute.

**7rider** · 10-07-2009, 08:51 AM

Note to self: Put a small container of dry lube in the tool locker (or even, my own locker).
Was not planning to ride today. But DH had a 7:30 a.m. "date" with some riding buds to do a loop out into Howard County (yes, MDHS, he went right by Harvey - the bunny statue). So, my Metro chauffer was off on the bike early, and that left me with riding in or (gasp!) taking the truck. Of course, the bike won out.

It had rained this a.m., but stopped before I left, so the roads were wet, a few puddles, but no active rain. I admit...I am a fair weather commuter, and I was more concerned about flatting then anything (well, dirty wet spray on my new Arkel pannier was worrisome too!

).
But by the time I hit town, my chain was starting to chirp like the morning birds. It will be singing a mighty song on the ride back tonight - in 25 mph winds, with gusts to 45, oh joy. Looks like I will have some maintenance duties to take care of tonight.

**Cataboo** · 10-07-2009, 09:03 AM

I'm a wimp... I heard 50 mile an hour gusts, walked out of the house & felt the wind... and took the car.

**DebW** · 10-07-2009, 09:17 AM

I did the wet commute this morning. It was drizzle when I left home but a moderate rain when I got here. I wouldn't have done my previous 13 mile commute in these conditions, but from my new home it's only 1.5 miles to work, so why not? Actually I've been taking the bike path for a somewhat longer 3.3 mile commute, and it's quite nice to spend some time in the morning cycling through the woods. For the first time ever, I parked by bike outside the office - it was just too wet and dirty to bring inside. [My bike was parked outside the office in Zurich for 3 months, but never outside THIS office.] I too, will have some maintenance duties tonight.

**pfunk12** · 10-07-2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by 7rider

It will be singing a mighty song on the ride back tonight - in 25 mph winds, with gusts to 45, oh joy.

I also decided to bike in today even though I saw the blustery forecast. It will be extremely tough the first 5 miles since I will be riding next to the Potomac River where the winds will be gusting. Should make for some nice strength training.

I struggled on the commute this morning. Even with a decent light, it was very, very, very dark. More so than usual. I felt like I was constantly trying to get my eyes adjusted to the darkness.

**ginny** · 10-07-2009, 12:10 PM

It has been cold and windy here. 20F yesterday morning... brrr! I'm not sure I'm ready for winter yet

**Tri Girl** · 10-07-2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by ginny

It has been cold and windy here. 20F yesterday morning... brrr! I'm not sure I'm ready for winter yet

HOLY DUDE!

And it was only 49F this morning and I was quite cold. I'm a wimp!

**Becky** · 10-08-2009, 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by 7rider

It will be singing a mighty song on the ride back tonight - in 25 mph winds, with gusts to 45, oh joy.

You rode in that?!? Dang, you are way tougher than me! (You too, pfunk!) I was in Dagsboro for work yesterday, and just driving in that nonsense was no fun! Needless to say, I left the bike at home...

**7rider** · 10-08-2009, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by Becky

You rode in that?!? Dang, you are way tougher than me! (You too, pfunk!) I was in Dagsboro for work yesterday, and just driving in that nonsense was no fun! Needless to say, I left the bike at home...

Yeah, loved the headwind. NOT.
Going home last night, a guy on a Scattante came up to a light with me, and passed me going up the MUT, through the parking lot, and out into the neighborhood below ours. He stayed just ahead of me, and something looked vaguely familiar about him. He took the first left, I took the second -- a more meandering route than the road he took, through some houses that ultimately gets back out onto the main road. I realized he was a neighbor whom I had seen go by but never spoke to when I saw him zip by on that main street, ahead of me. He had a good 50 yards on me by then, and I pushed to try to bridge up to him. But...'twas not to be. He dropped me going up that last hill.
He gave me an incentive to push, but I'll blame my lack of success on the headwind. Yeah.

**Crankin** · 10-09-2009, 09:13 AM

I did a measly commute to the commuter rail today, as I had an appointment to see my advisor in Cambridge. Rain was forecast, but I decided to go on my bike anyway, since it definitely would be raining by this afternoon and I would not be getting a road ride in.
I wore an Ibex t-shirt with a wicking type hoodie, my Prana/terry knickers, and stuck my rain jacket/helmet cover in my pannier. It was not raining on the way in this morning, but when I left, I realized I would be cold, since it was 49 and breezy. My core was good, along with my feet, but my hands and neck were freezing going down the hill. I stashed my cycling shoes in pannier and changed into walking shoes after I locked up my bike (I absolutely cannot ride without being clipped in anymore!) at the bike shop and got on the train, which had the AC on

. I had about a 1.5 mile walk to the new department office, which is pretty close to Harvard Square, so I allowed enough time to get a cafe mocha at LA Burdick's. My pannier has a handle to carry it, but it was really uncomfortable, slung over my shoulder, with my helmet clanging around. Oh well.
The train was warmer on the way back, and of course, as soon as I unlocked my bike, it started raining. Just a drizzle, but first, I had to stop to adjust the pannier, which was hitting my foot, and then I had to stop to put my jacket and helmet cover on. I worked up a sweat climbing the hill to my house, with the jacket on, but at least I wasn't wet.
8.75 miles and 3 miles of walking.

**divingbiker** · 10-07-2009, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by bluegirl

bikelaneless BMW-jerkwad hell.

Ain't this the truth??!!? Every time when someone is roaring out of an alley, or making a right turn in front of me, or generally behaving like a jackass, 9 times out of 10 they're driving a BMW.

Originally Posted by 7rider

It will be singing a mighty song on the ride back tonight - in 25 mph winds, with gusts to 45, oh joy.

I'm with Catriona--went running this morning instead of having to face the prospect of riding home in the wind.

Thread: How Was Your Commute Today?

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