2009-2010 Fall/Winter Commuter Challenge is on!

[kmehrzad]

4 for 4 this week. Tomorrow is my day off. It's been cold but definitely bearable. I love my commute!

Good for you PFunk, way to go! My riding was done indoors on a spinning cycle. Not as fun as being outdoors.

[pfunk12]

Not as fun but I'm sure you got a good workout! I really love the peace and quiet of the morning commute. The cold and darkness really keeps people (runners, walkers, and most cyclists) inside so I feel like I have the roads and trail to myself. And I love seeing the regular commuters everyday. Two mornings this week, I rode in with my buddy, Chip - a guy I randomly met a few months ago since we're headed to the same area in DC. On Tuesday evening, I met a guy on the way home. We cycled together for several miles and talked the whole time. The time flew by. And a few miles into my commute this evening, I saw 2 guys to my left on the sidewalk. One of them yelled..."Patty!!" It was Travis - the guy I met on Tuesday evening. And the other guy was Chris - a regular from the weekend group rides. 7rider knows him. He was the one who sort of caused a big crash back in August - a crash that sent 3 of us to the ER in ambulances (including me and him ). I managed to keep myself in front of him this evening to avoid any incidents. And yesterday morning, a guy rode behind me for several miles. He thanked me because he forgot to recharge his light and it went out on him so he stayed behind me so he could see. I know it sounds silly but the cyclists that I've been meeting recently during my rides seem to be really happy. Like I said, even though it's been fairly cold and windy, everyone seems to be happy. Okay...I'm getting sappy so it's time to stop.

My riding was done indoors on a spinning cycle. Not as fun as being outdoors.

[kmehrzad]

Not as fun but I'm sure you got a good workout! I really love the peace and quiet of the morning commute. The cold and darkness really keeps people (runners, walkers, and most cyclists) inside so I feel like I have the roads and trail to myself. And I love seeing the regular commuters everyday. Two mornings this week, I rode in with my buddy, Chip - a guy I randomly met a few months ago since we're headed to the same area in DC. On Tuesday evening, I met a guy on the way home. We cycled together for several miles and talked the whole time. The time flew by. And a few miles into my commute this evening, I saw 2 guys to my left on the sidewalk. One of them yelled..."Patty!!" It was Travis - the guy I met on Tuesday evening. And the other guy was Chris - a regular from the weekend group rides. 7rider knows him. He was the one who sort of caused a big crash back in August - a crash that sent 3 of us to the ER in ambulances (including me and him ). I managed to keep myself in front of him this evening to avoid any incidents. And yesterday morning, a guy rode behind me for several miles. He thanked me because he forgot to recharge his light and it went out on him so he stayed behind me so he could see. I know it sounds silly but the cyclists that I've been meeting recently during my rides seem to be really happy. Like I said, even though it's been fairly cold and windy, everyone seems to be happy. Okay...I'm getting sappy so it's time to stop.

I know exactly what you mean about 'picking up people' as you ride. I'd be riding to DC and meet up with usually guys who are going the same way. We'll ride and talk for awhile. When I rode a lot in the summer after work, I'd always see the same commuters and we'd wave and say hello. It's like a biking family out there if you're riding the same direction day after day. I don't think I've ever seen anyone on a bike that doesn't look happy and has a smile on their face. You can't help being happy when you're outdoors riding and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings.
Sorry to hear about your accident in August. What happened that caused the crash? Some people are not careful. I've ridden with people who liked to ride side by side on a narrow trail. Once I locked handlebars with one of these bikers while going a fairly nice clip and we both managed to stay upright and unlock but it scared me silly.
I'll bet the guy behind you yesterday morning was thankful he could hook up with someone who had lights. That's a bummer when you lose your lights. It's happened to me before but fortunately someone lent me a very dim light that was doable.
I've got tomorrow off myself. In fact, Fridays are my day off. Am looking forward to picking up my new single speed that I ordered last week. I've got 'new bike' fever.

[pfunk12]

We were doing a paceline - doing at least 25 mph. He hit a bump and went down. It was a domino effect. I ran over him and flew over my handlebars. No fun.

Sounds like tomorrow is going to be a great day for you! New bike fever is a great sickness!

Sorry to hear about your accident in August. What happened that caused the crash? Some people are not careful. I've ridden with people who liked to ride side by side on a narrow trail. Once I locked handlebars with one of these bikers while going a fairly nice clip and we both managed to stay upright and unlock but it scared me silly.
I'll bet the guy behind you yesterday morning was thankful he could hook up with someone who had lights. That's a bummer when you lose your lights. It's happened to me before but fortunately someone lent me a very dim light that was doable.
I've got tomorrow off myself. In fact, Fridays are my day off. Am looking forward to picking up my new single speed that I ordered last week. I've got 'new bike' fever.

[7rider]

Wow, PFunk....now you got me bummed I haven't seen any other bike commuters for a while. I've been all by my lonesome for some time. Last summer, there were 2 guys I saw regularly. One, I called "Road Bike Guy" - the other was "Mountainbike Guy". Original, huh? They were always going in the opposite direction. Road Bike Guy would wave. Mountainbike Guy would ding his bell. I haven't seen them since last summer, however.
Two other guys I know who commute in my direction - John and Joe - both leave earlier than me. I only see them if they're late and I'm early!
Yeah, P....best to give Chris wide berth!
KMehrzad - congrats on the new ride. SS? You are da bomb!

[pfunk12]

I'm sorry...didn't mean to bum you out! Obviously, I meet all these cyclists because I'm on the Cap Crescent Trail and it's a major cyclist commuting route. Forgot to mention the elderly woman who walks every morning at 6 a.m. She is so consistent that Travis uses her as a barometer -on whether or not he is late for work or on time!
Would have loved to get out with Tom and the guys for a long ride this morning but it's not going to work out. Got a guy coming by at 10 to pick up a tv that I am donating to a charity and the pup is getting groomed so I will have to pick her up around noon. Based on this dreaded forecast, I think we are all going to be inside for days.

Wow, PFunk....now you got me bummed I haven't seen any other bike commuters for a while. I've been all by my lonesome for some time. Last summer, there were 2 guys I saw regularly. One, I called "Road Bike Guy" - the other was "Mountainbike Guy". Original, huh? They were always going in the opposite direction. Road Bike Guy would wave. Mountainbike Guy would ding his bell. I haven't seen them since last summer, however.
Two other guys I know who commute in my direction - John and Joe - both leave earlier than me. I only see them if they're late and I'm early!
Yeah, P....best to give Chris wide berth!
KMehrzad - congrats on the new ride. SS? You are da bomb!