How Was Your Commute Today?

[ginny]

I tried out merino wool too today... I should have washed it first... a little scratchy - or maybe jsut a little stiff. Good commute though. It has be seriously cold but just beautiful! I can handle cold as long as the wind doesn't show up

[lph]

Warm! It's 8-10 deg. C here (but still damp and black) and I didn't what to do with myself in my winter gear

-signed, soggy in Oslo

[Maxxxie]

I attended a training course in town all this week, so I rode in, a 32.9Km round trip. Overall, I really enjoyed it. Brisbane has a nice end-of-trip facility, so I got a 5-day membership for $30. I got to start every day with a nice bike ride.. what could be better!

Only problem was the return trip. At that time of day (4PM), it's quite hot (35+ degrees C) and I found myself struggling. On a couple of the rides, I ended up having to pull over and pour water over my head to forcibly cool down.

That said, I made a point of taking it easy on the return trips. Well, as easy as I can take.. the moment someone passes me, it's on for young and old, and I must catch them, pass them, and put enough distance between us that they can't catch me again. I'm far too competitive for my own good.. as evidenced by the fact that I had to pull over to cool down

Anyway.. long story short - I had a great week of commuting.

Max

[Tri Girl]

No, Roger Moore can't really sing. I still loved that- I had forgotten all about it!

No commuting for me this week.
It was a terrible, horrible week.
Monday I always drive (to take clothes to work, etc). When I got to work I found out one of our 3rd graders was murdered by his father. Every day this week was really emotionally draining, and I didn't have the energy/motivation/desire/care to ride my bike.

Next week I'm off all week for Thanksgiving break, but hopefully I'll jump back on my bike and ride. I'll try to ride every day in December. Dedicate the rides to our lost little one who loved to play and be outside.

[lph]

It was a terrible, horrible week.
Monday I always drive (to take clothes to work, etc). When I got to work I found out one of our 3rd graders was murdered by his father. Every day this week was really emotionally draining, and I didn't have the energy/motivation/desire/care to ride my bike.

Oh no, Tri Girl, that's awful!

How terrible for everyone, and what a burden to take home with you from work.

[shootingstar]

That is horrific, Tri Girl. No wonder your energy is not quite there.

[twin]

I heard about the little boy on the news and it is hard to think a family member could be so cruel. I can understand why you don't want to ride. After my sisters nephew was killed in Iraq, we were all very close I did not ride hor a several weeks it just seemed pointless. Have a nice break and enjoy your Thanksgiving.

[pfunk12]

I thought today was going to be my only chance to commute to work since I'm supposed to be off tomorrow and Friday. I knew I was taking a chance with the rainy forecast but I'm glad I did it. When I left early this morning, it was sprinkling but halfway to work, the rain was coming down harder. But I was enjoying it. I rode slowly and was very careful. There weren't many cyclists out but there were a lot of runners. It was a very stressful day at work so I was glad I was on the bike so I could de-stress. I was supposed to pick up my passport today for my travel to Mali on Friday but the passport was still at the embassy So I have to go into work tomorrow to pick it up. Oh...and another thing - I forgot my pin number on my ATM card (I use it more as a credit card) so I couldn't get money out of the machine at work. I looked like a bozo standing in front of the ATM - putting in every 4 digits possible - or standing there and doing absolutely nothing and looking like a fool I need money to travel! Unfortunately, I didn't leave work until 4:50 p.m. and it was drizzling and dark. But I ran into my morning commuting buddy, Chip, and we rode together for several miles. It was nice having the extra headlight on the trail. I just re-read this post and I am venting Sorry...it was one of those days. Time to sip my glass of red wine

[shootingstar]

Instead of going to a meeting and worrying about what I looked like plus changing into dressier clothing for only 1.5 hrs., I did my fitness ride (14 kms.) to home again. Changed then took public transit. Cool, but mild after a few windy days.

I still am not used to living in Vancouver and contrasting outdoor sport opportunities on the same day. After my bike ride, on my way to meeting on a commuter ferry across a tiny strait (only a 10 min. ride), there were snowboarders on the ferry in full gear, hauling their snowboards to head up to local mountains on a normal work day. Wonder if they got enough snow up there. Could see the snow glinting abit.

[lph]

The past few commutes have been interesting. (As in mildly interesting, in a season where commuting is otherwise pretty sucky.) Monday evening was my big car-accident-and-licence-plate-encounter. I'm still waiting for the police to call and ask for more details. I mean, here they have this star witness and don't how to use it??

Yesterday's ride to work I see flashing lights plus a cyclist a couple of hundred metres ahead and my heart sinks. Turns out it's just a cop on a motorbike directing traffic manually, and a cyclist stopped to chat with him. Some kind of police exercise because Obama's coming to town soon. So I stood there and chatted to the cyclist, laughing about how we were really helping out with the visibility with all our blinky lights flashing, until the mock presidential entourage had rolled by and we were free to go.

Next I get a fright in that one scary roundabout. Large trucks often come down off the highway on my right quite fast, and they seem to have trouble noticing cyclists, seems like they look right over our heads for bigger things. So I'm always careful there, but today I honestly was in the roundabout well ahead of the truck. He didn't brake at all though, as if I wasn't there, and I ended up having to "scoot" in front of him. I wasn't really dangerously close, but I don't do that scooting thing. You fall, you die...

(Non-commuting - but lunchtime was spent out on a kayak in the sun )

And on my way home I run into a colleague who left early to go to the dentist, also on his way home. He's bonked and is about to fall off his bike, so I drag him to the nearest gas station and fill him up with banana, pastry and coffee. In the meantime the temperature drops, I'm getting cold 'cause I was sweaty, and the road starts getting icy. So we carefully pick our way home on slick roads. brr.

And today it's raining. Again.

[shootingstar]

Cycle to a presentation, then fitness ride- 18 kms. Today frost on ground in some areas but sun is shining brightly.

[Jenerator]

Finally a day when the temp going in was close to the one coming home ... 15F. Cold fingers, but great ride home under the nearly full moon.