How Was Your Commute Today?

[Duck on Wheels]

... but my route doesn't take me past this point anyway. The lucky bike commuters who rode in from outside the toll booth ring today were rewarded, not only with the sight of all the cars paying their tolls, but by friendly municipal workers in reflector vests who stopped the cyclists and paid them (!) the equivalent of the auto toll (about $4) to thank them for NOT driving One cyclist who was interviewed said "I think I'll go buy myself a coffee." That's the gist of this story in Norwegian: http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/trondh...cle1698894.ece
Oh, and note in the photo - the cyclists are all wearing helmets.

[Velocivixen]

@Duck on Wheels, thanks for posting that video! I didn't understand a word of it but I really liked that they were rewarding the cyclists. I also like seeing that there were so many cyclists AND that they were wearing helmets! When I first saw your name I thought you might be from Oregon (University of Oregon mascot is a duck!). Is commuter cycling popular in Norway?

[Bethany1]

I went 5-6 miles down the highway today. I've been taking it easy the past couple of weeks just doing 1-2 miles a day.

I figured the worst I could do is the usual and run out of energy like I have been. I downed a bowl of cereal, some water, and an energy bar. I filled up my water bottle and another with some Zipfizz that I found at Wal-mart. Wasn't sure how well it would work and I'm generally skeptical of "engery" drinks anyway.

I got a couple of miles up the road and took some of the Zipfizz. I about choked on it and realized this stuff is nasty. Are all these "energy" electrolyte stuff this bad? I'll keep to Gatorade. About a mile later I started feeling sick from the Zipfizz.

I headed back home even though I wanted to go farther (and shouldn't) and kept feeling even more sick, but I wasn't "bonking". Made it home and promptly vomited. That stuff is going into the trash. So far, I feel great and that's a first. Hopefully I won't spend the next three days sleeping it off.

Ick. My stomach still hurts from a quick sip.

[lph]

Duck, that video was great! (And the guy from kommunen was really cute Pretty sure he's a cyclist) I hadn't seen it before. Brilliant idea.

Bethany, hope your stomach is feeling better. Some of the energy stuff is harsh.

[tzvia]

... I got a couple of miles up the road and took some of the Zipfizz. .... Made it home and promptly vomited. That stuff is going into the trash. So far, I feel great and that's a first. Hopefully I won't spend the next three days sleeping it off.

Ick. My stomach still hurts from a quick sip.

Oh my. Nothing I have ingested, from energy drinks, gels, roks, bloks, moons, corned beef sandwich, what have you, has ever made me sick enough to actually expel it.

Many swear by NUN tablets, but I haven't tried them. I usually stick with GU powdered drink mix and find it easy on the stomach. I used to use LUNA mix but can't seem to find it at the LBS any more and don't see it on the Clif website so I guess it's gone. But GU works well and has never made me sick. It also does a great job of quenching that deep down thirst that water sometimes just does not stop. Along with some Clif Bloks or Hammergel, and a Clif Builder bar and banana for my lunch stop I can go on a 40ish mile road ride and feel good at the end and not bonk. I also keep a Stinger in my back pocket or Camelbak in case the ride is harder than I expected and I need some quick sugary carbs.

For my short commute, I just keep Clif Bloks in my backpack, and sometimes I have one Blok when I get to work, and drink some tea if I feel I need a little lift.

[laura*]

Dear driver of the gold colored full size van:

You nearly side swiped me 'cause you were driving partially in the bike lane! I noticed you got caught by the red light up ahead. You apparently were going to go straight, while I intended to make a right turn there. I hope you were surprised by the sound of the knuckle knock on the side of your van as I zipped around the corner. It sounded very hollow and echoey.

[redrhodie]

It sounded very hollow and echoey.

Where you knocking on his head?

[Bethany1]

I did much better today. 2 miles on gravel and 3 on regular roads. Stopped off to get my Allegra-D at the store and headed home. You get quite the workout on gravel roads..LOL.

I am glad I didn't go down the road that has train tracks. Something just said turn right and go get your meds. 30 seconds later, I heard the train coming across the road which would have been about the time I would have gone over them or would have had to try to stop to avoid the gates going down. The tracks are about halfway down the hill making stopping hard. Glad I listened. Train tracks aren't great on your tires anyway. It was just a faster way to get to the main road back into town.

I took the long way to the pharmacy which includes several hard hills but worth the effort. Hills are getting easier though.

I've just learned to listen to the "gut" feelings as they are usually right.