How Was Your Commute Today?

[redrhodie]

Took the long route in. Gorgeous day yesterday. Tailwinds both ways.

[Psycler]

Great ride yesterday. Lately, I have been doing a Time Trial on the way home on Thursday nights and last night I tied my record from 2 years ago. I was really late getting out of work that day and flew home as fast as I could. I haven't come close to that time since. Until last night. Now I have to work just a little harder so I can beat it.

[malkin]

I rode a bonus commute today, because I forgot about a dozen things yesterday afternoon. Sunny, warm and beautiful, with a crazy headwind on my downhill.

As an extra bonus, I brought home the jeans that live in my desk drawer. Since I can't remember how long they've been there, I'm sure they're due for a wash.

[colorisnt]

Beautiful commute to/from work today. I stopped training an hour away and moved to case management at the local office about a mile from my house. Not enough parking spots for all of us - so I love riding in. No need to worry about letting the car cool off or anything after a hot day. And yes, I am one of the lucky ones who has a dedicated parking spot for her bike INDOORS and an elevator to get in/out of!

[Serendipity]

Well, had an opportunity yesterday to test just how waterproof my new panniers are...

Actually, they are better than I expected - my commute home takes about 50 minutes and it poured for about half of the ride. Contents of the panniers were dry but the outside was covered in mud, dirt, and general road crap!! The bike and I were pretty much covered in the same stuff - and the bike and I both ejoyed a good shower when we got home (the bike first, of course).

Most amazing thing happened on the ride, though. On the ride home, I use a MUT for about 50% of the ride. There is a place where the trail crosses a fairly busy thoroughfare. I and another cyclist had stopped and were waiting for traffic to clear when we realized that one vehicle had acutally stopped to let us cross - we waved the vehicle on - then another one stopped! Again, we waved it on but I am still stunned that this happened!

Reminds me that most drivers are considerate - although its usually the jerks that we remember...

[ColoKate]

Nothing too exciting about my commute, still 5 miles and temps in the 50s, but I just had to say...I'm having the best time biking to work! It's the best part of my day. I thought I would only do a few days per week but like it too much not to ride every day. I've nailed my route and gotten into a groove.

Thanks all for the motivation and tips to get started!

[tulip]

Every once in a while I check in here...today's commute/errand run was fantastic! Nothing extraordinary happened, but it's a good day when you actually enjoy running errands at shopping centers--all because I'm on my bike.

The checkout guy at the grocery store was the best-asking me all kinds of questions about my bike and showing me his bike, parked out in the lot. He was very proud of his bike, and now wants some panniers like mine.

I did about 7 miles--Office Depot, a beauty supply store for shears to clip my dog with, the grocery store, and the post office.

I've decided that once a week I will work from a different cafe in town, at least for the morning. I'll get there by bike, so I'll have some more "commutes" to report on.

[e.e.cummings]

I've saved it up...

Gorgeous morning! I have been riding on and off to work since February, and this is what I have observed:
-On the road by 7am, reach work by 7:30am (12km each way). I stick to a bike path, lucky to have that straight from my home to office. I follow the Lachine canal its entire length - I see kayakers, dragon boaters, university kids playing volleyball, the pet hotel taking their many dogs for a poop walk, lovely greenery, then I finally reach Old Montreal Port. I feel lucky to have this ride. No cars, no lights! More and more roller bladers every day, I notice.
-My tires were in sore need of being changed - what a difference when I did.
-I switched from my hybrid to my road bike and love it, so much lighter.
-What to leave at work: a couple of pairs of underwear; extra pantyhose; essential toiletries; extra shoes or sandals; protein bars.
-Found a discreet place at work to hang the 'sweaty' stuff.
-I know it is controversial, but I listen to music on the way in, it breaks the monotony, and I don't play it loud. Right now it is the soundtrack to Le Fableux destin d'Amélie. Remember her riding her bike in the movie? If you have not seen this movie, do! It comes subtitled.
-Don't fool around with the iPod while riding.
-Don't answer the phone while riding.
-I bought a Bento box (a little case that fits near the handle bars) at MEC when I did a triathlon, to stash energy gels and cubes. Handy as a pocket in a shirt for iPod, key, cigarettes and lighter (just kidding!) and energy stuff (necessary for end of day low energy). My little under-saddle bag is stuffed to the brim with a pump, spare tire and levers.
-Yesterday was a warm rain day. Dressed in running shorts, MEC waterproof jacket, covers on the shoes. Could have used a rain cover for my knapsack. Next thing on shopping list. Enjoyed fewer people on the bike path though - only us die-hards when it rains.
-There is almost no such thing as too cold to ride for me (remember I'm in Quebec). As long as its a dry surface.
-Commuting makes you pay attention to the weather (and to the wind speed). The first thing I check when the paper arrives.
-Decided to remove the rack from my road bike for triathlon and left it off. Thought I would not like using knapsack, I don't mind it so much at all.
-Always take a quick look behind before over-taking. Give the person you are passing a wide berth, sometimes people are in their own world and they get alarmed and swerve when they finally notice you.
- I don't have a bell on my road bike, but I really found it handy on my hybrid. Must do something about that. With summer, that path will get busier and busier, and I don't like shouting or whistling to get attention.
-Wherever on the road, surprise/amaze drivers by obeying traffic rules. Relations between cars and drivers is tough around here, somebody has to get the ball rolling.
-Forest fires early this week many miles away - first time I ever rode in that kind of smog. Cough, cough! Can handle fog, not smog. Felt like I smoked my commute.
-Have I had a morning this week when I did not smell the remains of a skunk somewhere? Or had to keep my mouth closed at certain points because of little bugs? Or been blown away by the smell of pot coming from the two guys lying by the canal?
-Noticed the lights that the 'Bixis' have are really good. Must look into that. (For those not familiar with Bixi: http://montreal.bixi.com/home)
-My back sometimes suffers - perhaps I pull a bit too much. Yoga has been great for it.
-Enjoy the ride - it does not have to be a race against time.
-I am sleeping better at night.
I've really enjoyed reading about your rides - let's keep it rolling, commuter-community!

[colorisnt]

Great commute today despite the weather. Rode home for lunch and it was beautiful as well. Reminds me how much I would rather ride then drive.

[blackhillsbiker]

Frustrating. Part of the path had become one with Rapid Creek. We've had crazy rains lately. All the underpasses are closed. It is an adventure figuring out how to get there from here around all the water.

Deb

[Crankin]

Like Tulip, I check in here once in awhile, since my real commuting days ended a couple of years ago and won't start again for about a year (when I graduate and have to get a job ). Today was the start of my summer "errand riding" season. I only have ridden my Jamis twice since January 1; once was just a winter ride and the other was in April for a doctor appointment.
I try to do small local errands on my Jamis at least once a week. Sometimes, twice. Most of these trips are 8-13 miles, some are 20. Today, I went to the fish market to buy some yellow fin tuna. I ran this morning and was in no mood for a road ride; wicked thunderstorms were predicted for later PM (they are arriving now), so I went out at around 1:45. It was so pleasant not to be thinking about speed or anything else! It was sprinkling on my ride there, but since it's 80 and humid, it felt good. I locked my bike up at the LBS next to the fish market, got my fish and then quickly took off for home, avoiding the French bistro/bakery and ice cream shop on the same block.
8.7 miles and I was soaked with sweat when I arrived home. My poor Jamis needs some TLC... i wiped the yellow pollen dust off of it, but the chain needs to be replaced (it's been sitting in the basement for awhile) and the bike needs a good cleaning.