2009-2010 Fall/Winter Commuter Challenge is on!

[Tri Girl]

4 out of 5 days this week. Woo hoo! With weather in the 70's this week I had no excuse! Next week will be just as nice. This weather is unusual and crazy- but I love it!!!

[Becky]

3 days out of 6- not too shabby

The worst part of winter commuting is the amount of laundry. I just crammed our front loader full, and it was only a week's worth! During the summer, there isn't nearly the volume of cycling and running clothes.

[7rider]

The worst part of winter commuting is the amount of laundry. I just crammed our front loader full, and it was only a week's worth! During the summer, there isn't nearly the volume of cycling and running clothes.

B/t my DH and me, we always seem to have a huge pile of bike clothes that needs to be washed. I'm forever asking..."Did you do bike clothes today? I really want to wear those ....(insert item: leg warmers, buff, knickers, etc)...tomorrow."

As I suspected, each morning since turning the clocks back, I've left a leeeeetle bit later in the morning.....
This morning, I was delayed by putting a bunch of plums that we have no hope of eating before they turn into the oven to dry. It's an experiment.

[tulip]

I have simply been too busy at work to ride. I've been working everyday until midnight, weekends, too. When this big push is over, I'll be able to fit a bike ride into my day. But until then (next Monday), no riding.

[Voodoo Sally]

Every day so far for November. And these last 2 have been so nice and warm. October had 3 days of car. One because the car needed to be serviced (although I did drop the car at the shop and rode the rest of the way), one because I had a dental appt. mid-day and it was too far to ride, and one for no good reason (felt blah - regretted it the whole time). But otherwise have been riding to work every day and home in the dark and cold. In the past couple of weeks, in addition to commuting, I rode to a Dr. appt. after work, rode to a haircut appt. mid-day, and rode to an evening meeting downtown. Planning on riding from work to a luncheon date next week.

[blackhillsbiker]

Lately my commute has been the only good thing about my work day. I'm so burned out at my job but now doesn't seem like a good time to look for something else. On the bright side, I can look over my shoulder and see my bike waiting for me. It makes me smile. Every work day so far this November. Good weather forecast for the next few days.

Deb

Oh, and I've decided I love riding at night. The trail is quiet. It's too dark to check the cyclometer for speed/time. I just bike and decompress.

[redrhodie]

One (today) again for me this week. I know we're getting rain tomorrow, and I need a rest day, so that's it for me!

I almost asked for a ride to my car after work tonight. Steady 20-30 mph NNE winds, means a headwind most of the way, with the windiest part being the last 10 miles, which is right on the coast. Well, after some hemming and hawing, I got on the bike and rode. Don't know why "Only the Good Die Young" kept playing in my head? Really, it was an absolutely fun ride, and I'm so glad I didn't wimp out. The other thing I kept thinking, specifically about headwind riding that you might try sometime, was I'm still moving faster than if I was walking, which really helped.

It was also totally dark by the time I got to my car, and the circle of light from my helmet light was so good for the false-flat climb that usually kills me at the end. I thought with the wind, I'd be in my granny, but I was still in the big ring, hauling up the hill, with no inner voices telling me how hard this is. I kept thinking, this feels easy...weird. The little beam gives a good focus point, so you can't get thrown by the other visual cues.

I like wind, and night riding.