How Was Your Commute Today?

**Melalvai** · 02-01-2010, 05:01 PM

I am never sure quite how to dress when it is hovering around freezing. A little wind or sun or a couple degrees can make a HUGE difference. Today I brought the full winter kit, but didn't wear it all. I stopped twice in the first 4 miles to undress a little bit!

The little metal bit that makes my brakes spring open when I release the brake lever sometimes comes unhooked. It's very easy to put back, but it confuses me hugely. The first time a few days ago I thought my brake cable was freezing up (only it didn't seem that cold). Tonight I was a little smarter, but the left side front brake metal bit (that had come off last time) was fine. Oh. It was the right side!

The very nice guys at the bike shop looked at my trailer wheels and told me what I need to do. They didn't have the right bearings on hand but they measured & wrote down the dimensions so I can get them at the hardware store. They oiled the bearings I have, so it's lots less squeaky, it will do until I get new bearings.

We also talked at length about how to build the bike stand I'm going to build!

**Biciclista** · 02-02-2010, 06:35 AM

I had no intention of riding today; my stepfather is in the hospital, and i wanted to be available to go down there at a moment's notice. that was not to be. My husband packed the car keys in his pannier... so I had a lovely bike commute this morning.

**ginny** · 02-02-2010, 06:36 AM

It has been lovely around here lately. The side streets are treacherous at the moment... in fact, a couple of days ago, I walked the last two blocks home because the ice is so slick! I am not complaining though, it's so nice to be able to ride all year round ...

**pfunk12** · 02-02-2010, 07:56 AM

I decided to bike in today because it's supposed to snow later and tomorrow morning so I most likely won't be on the bike tomorrow. Because I knew that the trail is still covered with snow, I had to make a decision last night on which route I would take. I have many options to get to work but all of them are on major roads. I decided to take Wisconsin Avenue down to Georgetown and I think it was the best choice. For most of the way, there are 3 lanes heading to DC so I grabbed a lane for myself. Traffic is so light that early in the morning so there were stretches that I actually had the whole road to myself. And no one was beeping their horn at me or telling me to get out of the way.

Now I just have to figure out which way I'm going to go home.

**kmehrzad** · 02-02-2010, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by pfunk12

I decided to bike in today because it's supposed to snow later and tomorrow morning so I most likely won't be on the bike tomorrow. Because I knew that the trail is still covered with snow, I had to make a decision last night on which route I would take. I have many options to get to work but all of them are on major roads. I decided to take Wisconsin Avenue down to Georgetown and I think it was the best choice. For most of the way, there are 3 lanes heading to DC so I grabbed a lane for myself. Traffic is so light that early in the morning so there were stretches that I actually had the whole road to myself. And no one was beeping their horn at me or telling me to get out of the way.

Now I just have to figure out which way I'm going to go home.

P - Stay safe out there tonight going home.

**pfunk12** · 02-02-2010, 12:35 PM

K - thanks...I made it home safe and sound. Although with slightly higher blood pressure than this morning! I decided to do 14th street - straight through the heart of DC. Between the metro buses, crazy drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, construction and all the noise...wow...I miss the bikepath!!! My regular commute is 15 miles and this was only 8.68 but...I would rather do the distance and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Originally Posted by kmehrzad

P - Stay safe out there tonight going home.

**kmehrzad** · 02-02-2010, 12:48 PM

P - Glad you made it home safely. Sounds like a hellish commute through the city.

If only it'd stop snowing so the paths could clear again. We've got the white stuff falling down rather fast right now. I suppose we're looking at 4-6 inches.

**pfunk12** · 02-02-2010, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by kmehrzad

P - Glad you made it home safely. Sounds like a hellish commute through the city.

If only it'd stop snowing so the paths could clear again. We've got the white stuff falling down rather fast right now. I suppose we're looking at 4-6 inches.

I realize that they are a different breed and much more experienced than I, but I don't know how couriers do it every single day!

Tired of the snow...

And more show showers on Friday and Saturday...

**kmehrzad** · 02-02-2010, 03:29 PM

P - I'm escaping the DC area on Thursday and going to Naples, FL for a long weekend to visit my daughter who's completing a one yr. residency there. Hope to do some riding, beach walking, fine dining, and of course a little shopping. Cannot wait. Looks like my trip will be between snow storms, thank God.

**pfunk12** · 02-02-2010, 04:13 PM

Sounds like you have a great (timely) weekend planned! Enjoy! And hopefully the snow will all be melted when you come back.

Originally Posted by kmehrzad

P - I'm escaping the DC area on Thursday and going to Naples, FL for a long weekend to visit my daughter who's completing a one yr. residency there. Hope to do some riding, beach walking, fine dining, and of course a little shopping. Cannot wait. Looks like my trip will be between snow storms, thank God.

**pfunk12** · 02-04-2010, 05:03 AM

I decided to ride in today since it may be the last time I commute for a while since we might get 2 feet of snow over the weekend

. Commuting on major roads to get into D.C. is a little stressful but also very invigorating. I feel like the city is waking up before my eyes. I did Wisconsin Avenue again but decided to go through the city instead of getting on the snow packed sidewalks near the Kennedy Center. I took M Street to 23rd Street. At times I had no idea where I was. It was dark and I was feeling a little confused on the bike. But then I saw the Lincoln Memorial! And the Washington Monument! And I knew that all was well and I would eventually be able to find my building

. I stopped at the Lincoln Memorial and took some photos because there was another beautiful sunrise. So not looking forward to this next storm...

**7rider** · 02-04-2010, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by pfunk12

I stopped at the Lincoln Memorial and took some photos because there was another beautiful sunrise. So not looking forward to this next storm...

Oh, heck. You GOTTA post those pics!

**pfunk12** · 02-04-2010, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by 7rider

Oh, heck. You GOTTA post those pics!

Will post them this evening but as usual, they are never as good as what you are actually seeing. I was coming in a few weeks ago and had to stop and take a photo of the pink/red/orange sunrise behind the Lincoln. It was gorgeous. But when I looked at the photo that I took, I was disappointed.

**7rider** · 02-04-2010, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by ny biker

I know two bike commuters in northern Virginia whose water bottles froze during their ride this morning.

Anyone else?

I read Yehuda Moon today, and thought of this post!

**divingbiker** · 02-04-2010, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by pfunk12

K - thanks...I made it home safe and sound. Although with slightly higher blood pressure than this morning! I decided to do 14th street - straight through the heart of DC. Between the metro buses, crazy drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, construction and all the noise...wow...I miss the bikepath!!! My regular commute is 15 miles and this was only 8.68 but...I would rather do the distance and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Wow, you're brave, pfunk! 14th St. around the Target/Best Buy is crazy!

A more sane option is 13th, if that works for where you're headed.

The ride in today was nice, but colder than I thought it would be. But it was nice being back on the bike after quite a few days off.

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