Fall/Winter 2010/2011 Commuter Challenge!

[blackhillsbiker]

5 for 5 this week. 2 on my new road bike! Today she got a new stem and I put the WTB Deva saddle from my MTB on her. Much comfier!

Deb

[radacrider]

Haven't done a ride to work since the week before Thanksgiving. Work got crazy and, even as I write this, we are finishing up final technology setups and testing for all the staff to be able to work first thing tomorrow (Monday, 12/20/2010).

However, I did finally get an errand ride in this moring, covered about 15-16 miles.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeheelgirl/5274910689/

A beautiful, sunny December morning. Later today, it actually rained early evening, and then fluffed up some snow (albeit, wet snow). So glad I went out in the morning.

[Melalvai]

Bike commuting: still off the bike, I have an appointment with a therapist this week. I was lucky to find one who could get me in so early, everyone else didn't have an opening until mid-January. Instead I've been walking or if I don't have time for the 40 minute walk, I get a ride with my husband when he's dropping daughter off at school. (It drives me wild that's how she gets to school. But oh well.)

The walks have been beautiful in the early winter sunsets. I've been meaning to walk since we moved here in June, but who has time for a 40 minute walk when it can be a 10 minute bike ride? So it's kind of nice to be forced to walk at last. I saw a huge herd of deer, maybe 15 or even 20, cross the road, cars on both sides stopped to let them pass. Pretty pests.

It's a good time to be walking, with this weather. 2 miles is not enough of a bike ride to warm up.

My training has changed, instead of running twice a week I've been going to spin class. I never saw the point in spin class. What is the point of riding without going anywhere? But I figured I'd give it a try since otherwise I'm off my bike until my head gets straightened out. And I love it! I even loved having Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" stuck in my head (we sat or stood on our bikes every time she said "romance") because it was SUCH an improvement over flashbacks & anxiety attacks.

I did go for a couple runs, one on the weekend and another on the same day as a spin class. Normally I wouldn't do that but it worked on that day, the run was in the morning and spin class in the evening.

I've changed my approach to swims, trying to incorporate some sprints into it.

I stopped weight training because I injured my other shoulder. I will try to talk to a trainer to find out what I'm doing that is injuring my shoulders. I think it is the rowing machine.

[Crankin]

Good job with the walking, Melavai. I find that I see things when I am walking or hiking that I definitely don't see when I am riding, or even running, because I am just going too fast (well not when running ). If I had a 2 mile commute, I think I might walk it most of the time.

[Biciclista]

well, I rode today, this will be my last bike commute of the year. It's cold and wet here. ugh...

[radacrider]

Since it was our first day in our new office building, even though I am on vacation this week, I rode in to check it out. So much nicer being only 5 miles from work than my previous 15.

Rainy and on the colder side, time to get out the rain pants and booties. Wow, even with the rain it was great, because I knew I would only be out in it about 25 minutes, versus 1-1/2 hrs for the old commute - oh, yeah.

Fortunately since I am more far sighted I rode part of the ride without my glasses, as they were wet and fogging up.

No more commutes this week, next week we have only 3 days of work so I am planning to ride 3 for 3.

Happy holidays all!

[blackhillsbiker]

Coldest commute so far this year. 12° this morning, 12° this evening. I was very thankful for all my wool!

Deb