Fall/Winter 2010/2011 Commuter Challenge!

[Melalvai]

My last report was before the holidays. Other than traveling, and that the gym was closed, I kept to my training schedule pretty well. Even when we were traveling I was glad to go for walks.

I'm back at the gym and I have information about how to work out without injuring my shoulder. It is the rowing machine that does it, and the solution is to a) keep my elbows in tight and b) go with the very lightest weight (25 pds) for several weeks before trying the next highest (40 pds) again.

I'm really enjoying spin class-- but my knee kept threatening to rebel. My spin instructor said to ride knock-kneed during the sprints! It looks funny but he says it stabilizes the joint. Since it felt the same way it did on my ride to Omaha (744 miles in 10 days), this is useful advice for more than just spin class. I'm riding around town knock-kneed now.

I've been riding my bike this week. I'm still going to spin class anyway, I tried it since I wasn't riding my bike for a while because of the anxiety, and I liked it, so I'll keep going. It feels silly to ride my bike to spin class but it feels even sillier to drive to spin class.

[radacrider]

Sticking to my goal of bike commuting as my primary way to get to work since our move (6 for 6, 3 for 3 for 2011). Today was the first time my son joined me on the ride home from his school (school to our house is a bit over 4 miles). Have to say, it was nice to have some company.

Today was warmer than it has been, though here in Portland, OR, it meant rain, too. Light rain for the commute in and commute home, thankfully missed the few showers during the middle of the day.

Riding in to work and when I was almost there came by another cyclist walking his bike. I asked if everything was okay. He said, yes, he just had a crash - fortunately slow speed one on the Eastbank Esplanade, I suspect he rode across a metal cover that may have had some residual ice.

Tomorrow will be testing my new Ortlieb Front Roller Classics (on the rear). They are narrower than my single (reduce my heel contact) and allow me to balance the left to right weight distribution.

Happy commuting everyone!

[7rider]

Since today was commute #4 of a 5-day work week, I've run out of wool cycling socks. They're all in the laundry and we haven't done a load yet this week of bike stuff.
So, I pulled out an old pair of thick, wool ski socks that I no longer wear, because they're too thick for my ski boots. Boy, did they work great! And, I was toasty warm all the way up to my knees!
I think those old socks just found a new life.

[radacrider]

Nice, 7rider. I've been using the SmartWool cross-country/ski socks in the colder temps, love 'em.

[Tri Girl]

4/5 this week for me. Could have been 5 of 5 but I thought our Wed. meeting was going to be later than it was. I don't mind the dark riding to work (drivers are friendly), but dark on the way home scares me (drivers are more impatient).
Next week we're supposed to have snow and rain- I'll see how many I get in.

[pfunk12]

4 for 4 this week. After being off several days during the holidays and several early departures from work prior to the holidays, I was surprised to see how much daylight we have gained in the evenings.
And TriGirl, I completely agree with you. Drivers in the morning seem to be more patient and there aren't as many but in the evening, they are definitely more impatient and also, the roads are packed.

[out_spokin']

2 for 2 this week, I'm at a happily surprising 80% for the winter so far. A mild start weather-wise helped, but this week was definitely winter - I had to take some detours yesterday with still-icy streets and an icy & rutted MUT.

I too noticed a bit lighter sky - a nice crescent moon in a midnight blue sky over the black silhouette of the mountains was yesterday evening's reward.

Yay for a renewal for wool socks!! But I gotta say, one of the things I love about my wool is that I have no qualms pulling them out of the hamper and reusing them if the laundry is delayed.

And yeah, evening drivers are worse. I've happily noticed though that since installing new batteries in my SpokeLits I'm getting their attention (and thus they're not rolling through stop signs and such in my path) more easily again. Yay!