How Was Your Commute Today?

[Melalvai]

Remember that girl who fell into the deep ditch? I bet she could really hurt herself doing a Turkish standup.

Ha ha, that piece of advice is only for Tri Girl, not for Falls-in-a-Ditch, I mean colorisnt!

Today's commute: BIKE THE VOTE! This the first time I've voted since we moved to Kirksville (I didn't get registered in time for the primaries). Turns out my polling place is 3 miles away! And NOT in a convenient direction; my usual 2 mile commute was 6 miles by the time I got to work.

But I didn't mind the extra miles. What I minded was biking down the shoulder of a split 4 lane highway during what passes for "rush hour" around here! Granted it doesn't cause much in the way of traffic jams, but that is a heck of a lot of traffic on that road at that time of day. When I left, it took me a long time to get across both sections of the divided highway to the far shoulder.

The polling place, the area office of the Mo Dept of Conservation, has a bike rack. Why?? The only way to get to it is that busy divided highway and I don't know many people (any? besides me?) in the area comfortable biking on it. Well, I won't ding them for having a bike rack! The bike rack itself is not a great one. Yes, it's the snake shape and not a wheel bender, but it isn't bolted down, and it's lightweight. Crush fell over in it.

Crush falls over a lot these days. It's that enormous heavy basket. And all the stuff I put in it. The kickstand can't quite handle it.

So, that's my story of going to vote. The actual voting was uneventful. I voted "no" on all the state constitutional amendments, not because I objected to them all, but because just because something is a good idea doesn't mean it should be a constitutional amendment. Save that for the important stuff.

I put my "I voted" sticker on Crush.

[lph]

I impressed two small boys riding home today. It was dark and raining, and I was in full flashy mode, complete with flashing green Spokelit front and rear. I've still haven't seen anyone else with these.

As I approached they huddled a bit together and slowed down. As I passed, they stopped and stared. Quite a way ahead of them I overheard one of them gasp (the Norwegian equivalent of): AWESOME!!

Guess who's going to go home and ask mom and dad for Spokelits for Christmas?

[colorisnt]

Couldn't commute today for several reasons. I think one of my meds is making me really, really ill and I just couldn't imagine being sick in the middle of my commute and then having to not only continue on but also then get back home. No thanks. I will have to try it tomorrow.

Did see a mother and kindergarten aged kid climbing a BIG hill together on the way home. It was probably the most adorable and happy thing ever. It really made my day (which was not good by any means lol). His little backpack was bigger than he was, but he was just chugging along!

[kimikaw]

Only a half commute for me today. Hubby called around 4, said he'd be in the area of my office at 5ish...and that it was raining, did I want to be picked up. Yep, low 40's and raining, not my thing. Jumped at that.

But the morning commute was great. Mid-30's when I took off. Have some great Pearl Izumi winter tights, nice wool socks. Nothing too heavy on top, a base layer and a thermal type jersey plus windbreaker. May need to look for warmer gloves tho', fingers a bit chilly.

One big change was I fully aired up my tires. I commute with an "all-trail" hybrid that I've also been taking on dirt trails on weekends. Just got the bike a couple of months ago. Thought the tires said 35-50psi - so been keeping it just under 50 for the commute. Over the weekend, I knew were we going to be on a bit more technical (tho' still beginner-ish) singletrack, and took the air down to 35. When I was pumping it back up, I saw the tires (700c by 45) said 35- 80psi. Oops. Could feel the difference. Either that or I'm getting a bit stronger. Maybe both, but climb some of the hills a gear or two higher than usual, and had a lower heart rate than usual. Maybe a touch of both????

Oh, one question:

In cold weather my eyes water like crazy. Anyone wear goggles? How about goggles over prescription glasses? ANy recommendations, so I don't have tears running down my face the whole way. They're a bit cold!

[blackhillsbiker]

Currently 18° with a high later in the mid-to-upper 60°s. Makes dressing for the day a challenge.

Deb

[malkin]

Brrrr!

[7rider]

Last commute with evening light, as we turn our clocks back on Saturday night.
Entering into a state of mourning, and already pining for the Solstice!