How Was Your Commute Today?

[MyRubyE]

Ok, so for eight days or so I have become a sloth like zombie and didn't ride my bike for various reasons. So I got on my bike and commuted to work both on Thursday and Friday - finally!! *And, I'm feeling like me again!!. I'm alive!! I'm the king of the world!! I'm Tarzan ahAAaaAa!! *Ok, back to reality... When I don't ride, or do not do any form of excercise, depression sets in. *Thus the need to rotate those wheels to create a spark in my being and make me feel worthy,*empowered,*and*invigorated. *Here's hoping for another devine week weather wise and a natural anti-depressant-like bike commuting next week.

[redrhodie]

MyRubyE, I get the same way if I don't ride, and it ain't pretty. Glad you got out!

Yesterday I had 20-30 mph winds with 40 mph gusts, and you know, it wasn't bad. I've just resigned myself to the fact that's it's going to be slower, and in the morning, it only took me about 5 minutes longer for my 14 mile route than usual. At night, it was a wicked tailwind, so I flew home! I have to admit, my quads were on fire when I was done.

Easy spin today, not a commute. Happy Halloween!

[malkin]

When I don't ride, or do not do any form of excercise, depression sets in.

No kidding. I've been sick for over a week, and I started wondering if big Pharma could market a combination anti-histamine & anti-depressant. They put everything else in those OTC remedies, why not this?

[colorisnt]

An anti-depressant anti-histamine would be all I need! LOL. Speaking of which, I haven't been eating much because of an adjustment and tapering up of my SSRI which makes me feel like I will throw up when I exercise. Gah. Between that and the flu, it takes almost everything to finish a meal. So far, I haven't been too successful, but it is getting better.

Commuted for the first time in a week! Felt SO good to be back out. Took the trail that they have now finished for MUP with a crossing for bikes and pedestrians. OF COURSE the construction workers left all sorts of goodies behind - nails, boards, metal things everywhere!. I had to get off the bike and kick the following away so that I and others could get through. Sad. Other than that, the trail is great. And I enjoy not having to go through parking lots anymore!

Rode here and climbed the big hill with no issues, so I know I am getting stronger despite the time off of commuting. Had a good ride, but man that wind was awful! Getting up the small hills into the university was awful. Cold weather gear worked great, but boy that wind is hard to power through!

[7rider]

A wee-bit on the chilly side this a.m. - first ride in the 30s since last winter.
Was wishing I had something covering my cheeks - and thought it might be time to pull out the goggles. But, I was certainly warmed up by half-way in.

Also - rode DH's bike as my bike is in the shop getting a tune-up and some minor tweaking. I sent my bike in with its pedals, and we have no spare SPDs for his bike (he uses Crank Bros on his bike), so I had to wear his mtb shoes. BIG...good think it was cold so I could wear big, fat, fuzzy socks!

[colorisnt]

If I had to commute in someone else's shoes with strange pedals, I would kill myself lol. You are a brave (and talented) commuter!

[Tri Girl]

see- it's starting to get cold and I'm starting to become a wuss. Pump me up for those ccccccold mornings, ladies. I *know* I need to do it, but my warm bed and car are not making getting out on my bike easy to do.

OK- I'm just going to suck it up!!! Tomorrow I shall ride (I haven't ridden to work in...gasp...3 weeks). eek!

[pfunk12]

You can do it, Tri Girl!!

see- it's starting to get cold and I'm starting to become a wuss. Pump me up for those ccccccold mornings, ladies. I *know* I need to do it, but my warm bed and car are not making getting out on my bike easy to do.

OK- I'm just going to suck it up!!! Tomorrow I shall ride (I haven't ridden to work in...gasp...3 weeks). eek!

[7rider]

Sure you can do it.
It's all a mindset.
It's not cold... It's "invigorating!"
It's not dark.... It's nearly dawn.
Just think of how toasty you'll feel after your first hill (assuming you hit some hills, of course!)
Remember the Shrek method of dressing (layers...like an onion!).
Enjoy a warm beverage of your choice at the end of it all, and let us know how it went!

see- it's starting to get cold and I'm starting to become a wuss. Pump me up for those ccccccold mornings, ladies. I *know* I need to do it, but my warm bed and car are not making getting out on my bike easy to do.

OK- I'm just going to suck it up!!! Tomorrow I shall ride (I haven't ridden to work in...gasp...3 weeks). eek!

[Melalvai]

Pump me up for those ccccccold mornings, ladies

Do your core exercises first. THAT gets the blood moving and warms you up, and then that blast of cold air isn't quite so painful. My core exercise routine is 20 bicycles, 10 crunches, 10 supermans, 10 legups (which I don't like and often skip), and 10 turkish standups on each side. You can skip everything but the turkish standups. Those things will heat you up!

(A turkish standup, it turns out, is you lie on your back, stick one arm in the air, and stand up. And lie down. And stand up. All with one arm sticking up in the air. Ten times. Then put that arm down and stick up the other.)