How Was Your Commute Today?

[malkin]

You are a tough guy!

[HillSlugger]

First commute in 3 weeks, since before the time change. I enjoy biking into the sunrise of a new day, but I don't like biking home into the darkness

[e.e.cummings]

I enjoy biking into the sunrise of a new day, but I don't like biking home into the darkness

Let me second that - I was thinking the exact same thing today - beautiful morning, then dark in the evenings can be dodgy - particularly if there is black ice around.

Living in dread of stopping my commute by cycle for winter weather- I have been very good this year, I have only taken my car on a couple of occasions since April. I have not taken monthly parking for a long time. Nice to save that money. Looking back on it, I have ridden in everything - high winds that I thought would blow me off the path, driving rain, melting heat, freezing temperatures - but tomorrow's forecast for freezing rain might make me leave the bike on the hook (if the forecast is actually correct). I take a bike path to work - once it fills up after the first snow, it's car time.

This morning's commute was amazing - it was cold, but not a cloud in the sky, not a breath of wind. Black ice here or there, but nothing to be too concerned about. It is a bummer that it gets dark so early.

[7rider]

I did my first commute in the rain this a.m.
I figure, I've got a ti bike with fenders and disc brakes and rain gear and the only thing keeping me from riding in rain is my own wussiness. To deserve my bike, I figure I've really got to put it through it's paces.
So this morning, with mild temps (57) and nearly nonexistent traffic because of yesterday's holiday, was the perfect time to head out in a very light drizzle.
It was fine. Great, even. Saw one other woman on a bike and almost as many cars.
This afternoon was a different story, however (lots of bikes!!).

[tzvia]

Wussed out today. We just don't get this cold in the am in L.A.- it was 46F and dropping to 43- I got my thermals out, and warm winter cycling jacket and gloves. Wait... What about my face? I do have a nice wool cap that I can pull down around my ears, but my face will freeze! Crap- need a sky mask but don't have one, this is the San Fernando Valley, not Vail Co! But I'm not going to crack my face like I did my hands on Sunday in the freezing winds (they look like mummy hands right now). Took the truck, and stopped by the Big 5 on the way home and now own a balaclava. I look like a cycle-terrorist with it on LOL but if it keeps my face toasty so be it.

[Melalvai]

I had stuff at work on both ends of the day, so I was biking in the dark & cold. It had warmed up slightly and was snowing at lunch, and that was beautiful.

[tzvia]

Ahhhhh balaclava was nice. Wore it twice in the AM, and my face was not all red and cold by the time I got to work. Should have bought one sooner. The pre-dawn light has been lovely, with wispy clouds of pink and grey. My nose isn't freezing. This evening was going to be a very nice ride, temps in the mid 60s.

That was, till I saw my front tire was flat. ^%$#* crap. So I sat in front of my building in the quad area in front of Medical and changed my tire. Didn't bother to patch the bad one as I could not find the hole, but I did find a thorn poking through the tire and removed it. Patched it when I got home, it was a very small hole that I found with soapy water.

While I enjoy reading of you girls made of tougher stuff than I, trekking in the snow and rain, I am glad to say I have only seen snow where I live only twice in all my life. And both times, it had melted before the sun rose. As for rain, I take the truck when it rains, because I don't think I can fit fenders and I really have no desire to be all grimy at work (we don't have showers). Ok, I'm a wimp, but I am a dry, warm wimp.