Fall/ Winter 2011 Commuters

[7rider]

Last bike commute of 2011 today.
And the county, in it's infinite wisdom [sic], decided to re-ramp all the intersections at the sidewalk for this one 1/3 mile section where I have to be on the sidewalk (6-lane road with no shoulder and motorists routinely exceeding the 45-mph speed limit by a good 10-15 mph). Now, they just did this exact thing about 3 years ago, so not sure what changed that they needed to go back and do it again. No one's budget allows for busy work, so I don't know what the deal is. Anyway, I always find it ironic - and frustrating - that in the midst of their construction project to make the sidewalks "more accesible" or more ADA compliant perhaps, they never seem to make accommodations for those groups during the work. I had to mtb with my commuter and dismount and walk my bike in traffic around their barriers twice. If I were in a wheelchair, or even on crutches, it would have been impossible for me to get around.
Oh well. I wonder if they will sweep up all the gravel that spilled on that stretch back in September. Doubt it.

I'll be back in January!

[carlotta]

I've been pretty good about commuting 3+ times/week, but except for a day here and there, it doesn't feel like I've been "winter" commuting. Yeah, I have to make sure I've got all my lights, a hat and probably knee warmers, but it was 51 the other day when I left home (at 6am) and will be close to 60 this afternoon. I'm not complaining, but it's weird and the pessimist in me thinks we'll pay for this weather with months of snow/ice/wind/crap after the first of the year...

I like the christmas light idea, I had a couple battery-powered sets and I'll have to see if I can find them for the next couple days

[Melalvai]

Anyway, I always find it ironic - and frustrating - that in the midst of their construction project to make the sidewalks "more accesible" or more ADA compliant perhaps, they never seem to make accommodations for those groups during the work.

I read something, I don't remember which state is doing this, they do make accommodations during construction. That is definitely something to push for in all 50 states. And other countries too.

I wonder if they will sweep up all the gravel that spilled on that stretch back in September.

That would be worth asking for specifically. Sounds like this might be a state highway project, if they have a state DOT bike/ped coordinator talk to them, or maybe the project director if you can figure out who that is.

[Anelia]

This happened to me recently: they closed the whole street and I had to go around to another street where the ascent is over 15% (I'm not exaggerating) and it's cobbled. I ride mt bike so I switched to the lowest gears and I still panted at the top.
Today the sidewalk near my home was frozen and I was happy that I rode my husband's bike with 2,35 inches Maxxis Minion tires (they are for downhill): I didn't push the brakes and I didn't slip, I felt secure even on the ice.
My route to work is about 2 miles but on the way back I chose to ride some more so I went out of town, climed our plateau: about 10 miles. The downhill was cold and windy but I had to go back

[Anelia]

You can watch me on the news: It's at the end, aout 1 minute of the vudeo. It was the last working day for me in December and the news is about the heavy winter road conditions

[radacrider]

Nice, Anelia!!!!

[Melalvai]

Very cool! Didn't understand a word of it but I like listening to different languages just for the sound.

[tzvia]

Oh man Anelia that looks COLD.

Our 'cold snap' here in So California is when it dips into the upper 30s, F at night. A long sleeve cycling jersey, with a cycling jacket, winter gloves and a balaclava just about takes care of it. Once, last month, I also wore sweat pants over my pants, to keep my knees warm.

Last week and today, temperatures only dipped into the upper 40s at night and have been in the upper 70s to low 80s during the day (should be 84f today). Yea, winter can be really brutal here in Los Angeles county...

My big issue is the construction. I can't stand those metal plates that they put over the work holes in the street. They get wet and slippery, and those small rocks and paving pebbles are like marbles. Got so bad I treated myself to a new commuter that can take 35c tires and fenders. It feels so good not to have your teeth rattled loose.