How Was Your Commute Today?

[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.

[Tri Girl]

lph- I get so cold just reading your commute reports. Makes me feel like a major wimp when I don't ride because it's in the 20's (that would be -3 C). People who live in cold climates are just so much tougher and hardier than I am. I tip my hat to you!

Then again, cold climates in winter mean cooler in summer and it almost always means beautiful scenery. I suppose there are trade-offs.

[lph]

People who live in cold climates are just so much tougher and hardier than I am.

No-no. We just spend exorbitant amounts of money buying excellent bike clothes At least some of us do.

Cold really isn't hard to "dress out", not before you get down to temps where your bike starts complaining. Rain is the worst! Cold rain just above freezing is the hardest weather to dress for. By comparison there's not much you can do about heat... I just wilt when it gets hot.

[redrhodie]

Boy, lph, that sounds like enough drama for one week!

I had a wet commute today. It was just misty this morning, so I rode my white bike, but it was drizzling tonight. My poor baby (bike) got all gross. So much effort to keep her clean and free of rust. At least it was warm.

Actually, today was the first commute in a while that I had no drama. I was ready for it, with the holiday tomorrow. Seemed like everyone was heading to the liquor stores (I pass 4 on my commute), but no one cut me off or threw anything at me. All good!

Have a great trip. pfunk! Hope you got all the kinks worked out!

[pfunk12]

Thanks so much, redrhodie! I went to work for a few hours today to finish some last minute tasks. Picked up my passport with visa and remembered my ATM pin number on the first try this morning. I have no idea what was going on yesterday. I think I was too stressed and my brain was working overtime and I just couldn't remember those darn numbers. Now I just have to pack and I'll be good to go. I'm excited !

Have a great trip. pfunk! Hope you got all the kinks worked out!

[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.

[blackhillsbiker]

Only a half commute today. My bike is spending the night in DH's office. We had snow, ice and wind this evening, also an Advent service to go to. I decided not to risk falling on the ice at 8:30 this evening. I hope I can ride her home tomorrow after work.

Deb

[ginny]

it was -16F out this morning, and I did it! I wore a balaclava, windproof hat, helmet, goggles (these were key) down coat, wind proof gloves, overmitts, and shearling boots. It was COLD - you know, freeze your nose hairs cold, but beautiful and a good way to start the day

[Tri Girl]

HOLY MOLY Ginny!!
And I was proud because I rode in 25F weather today (wind chill in the teens)- and I was freezing. I can't imagine how cold you must have been. You are a tough cookie.

[blackhillsbiker]

+16°F on the way home tonight. I'm re-thinking my gear. The wind shell was a bit of overkill since it doesn't breathe too well. I need warmer gloves and should have had on wool tights and warmer socks. I saw one other cyclist. No skateboarders (ninja or otherwise), joggers or walkers.

Deb

[HillSlugger]

it was -16F out this morning, and I did it! I wore a balaclava, windproof hat, helmet, goggles (these were key) down coat, wind proof gloves, overmitts, and shearling boots. It was COLD - you know, freeze your nose hairs cold, but beautiful and a good way to start the day

Wow and awesome! I've never ridden below 25F and I find it easier to ride in the cold when it's a fitness/training ride rather than a commute because there's lots less stopping and I warm up better.

[7rider]

Wow and awesome! I've never ridden below 25F and I find it easier to ride in the cold when it's a fitness/training ride rather than a commute because there's lots less stopping and I warm up better.

Minus 16 is definitely amazing. I think the coldest I've commuted in was 18 or so. I've got 1 good hill about a mile into the ride, and that's where I really warm up (but the ride leading up to it is all downhill!). My problem is when I do stop at a light, and my glasses fog up! It really depends on the glasses, and fortunately, my clear-lensed winter glasses are far enough away from my eyes where that's not a problem, but my new Oakley's fog horribly on cold morning rides when I stop.