I made that mistake a few years ago, well, more than a few. Ended up eating asphalt right in front of a chick. Oh well.
Time for a new bar! What is the bike it's on?
Official commuter thread
- Thread starter LordOpie
- Start date
Time for a new bar! What is the bike it's on?
You are telling me about crashes, I thought I was a goner last night. I was bombing down a hill at 25+ and made a right turn and bam! a fat patch of gravel sent me sliding at a 45 degree angle not to mention that my right hand had slipped off the bars. I was still pedaling for some reason and when I hit solid ground, the bike righted itself.
Scariest thing I have ever experience on a bike. My tire also popped 100 yards down the road because my tired popped the bead, so I said **** it and I called my girl and she came and got me. Gay way to spend cinco de mayo
Scariest thing I have ever experience on a bike. My tire also popped 100 yards down the road because my tired popped the bead, so I said **** it and I called my girl and she came and got me. Gay way to spend cinco de mayo
sweet. bike dorifuto action
What was I thinking? I put on my half finger gloves this morning for my ride to work. It was 29 degrees out! FROZEN FINGERS! It's not like I'm some commuting newbie!
Done that before
I did the opposite on monday wore my Heavy winter gloves when it was 35 degrees out , and then 70 for the ride home! but at least those I can ( and did ) take off.
Felt like complete **** this morning riding to work as well as riding to and from work yesterday. I don't know what the problem is. 50hrs 2wks ago at the shop, 60hrs last week, no days off either week...I'm hoping I'm just tired. And dehydrated.
On the plus side, today marks 3 weeks since I filled up last. That's a savings of $150.
On the plus side, today marks 3 weeks since I filled up last. That's a savings of $150.
my new commuter ride...
72V, 35A max, 12Ah of LiFePO4 batteries in the rack trunk (greater than 20 miles at my average rate of usage). does 25 mph or so on the flat if i tuck, and, of course, can be pedaled if you deign to do so. i saw up to 1300W peak during my riding today.
for those who say that one could do the same on a road bike, that's true but the point is missed. hammering on a road bike and doing 20 mph easily on this thing in street clothes, on flat pedals, are very different experiences... furthermore, i sure can't put out 1300W peak, or 500W sustained for 20 miles. i'm not a superhero or cat x racer.
72V, 35A max, 12Ah of LiFePO4 batteries in the rack trunk (greater than 20 miles at my average rate of usage). does 25 mph or so on the flat if i tuck, and, of course, can be pedaled if you deign to do so. i saw up to 1300W peak during my riding today.
for those who say that one could do the same on a road bike, that's true but the point is missed. hammering on a road bike and doing 20 mph easily on this thing in street clothes, on flat pedals, are very different experiences... furthermore, i sure can't put out 1300W peak, or 500W sustained for 20 miles. i'm not a superhero or cat x racer.
Legs = Tired...
290 miles since May 1st...
Commute has been good so far, not too many retards out there (*knocks on wood*) trying to run me over...so that's a plus.
Just put some new tires (Schwalbe Stelvio's) and a new rear wheel (Mavic CXP22) on...Blew 4 bladed spokes in 3 days (I suppose 4,000 miles with my fat ass on it reaches a fail point on 'em...who woulda guessed)...gonna have it (Mavic Askium) relaced with some 14 gauge steel straight pulls pretty soon.
290 miles since May 1st...
Commute has been good so far, not too many retards out there (*knocks on wood*) trying to run me over...so that's a plus.
Just put some new tires (Schwalbe Stelvio's) and a new rear wheel (Mavic CXP22) on...Blew 4 bladed spokes in 3 days (I suppose 4,000 miles with my fat ass on it reaches a fail point on 'em...who woulda guessed)...gonna have it (Mavic Askium) relaced with some 14 gauge steel straight pulls pretty soon.
Warmer than usual morning - around 45 degrees. I had to use my cat like reflexes as a broken sprinkler turned on at precisely the moment I was about 10 feet in front of it. I saw it start to spit water, the thing popped out of the ground and was shooting water out into the road. CRISIS AVERTED! I swearved and missed being drenched. Whew, near death experience 
Little baby fuzzy geese are out! Maybe a picture tomorrow.
Sorry, no pictures. My battery was dead in the camera. It was nearly 50 degrees this morning! Just a month ago our high wasn't even 50 degrees! The commute in was really mellow. Derek always lags off the back and can't keep up so I dropped him at a stoplight
you dropped your husband on the morning commute? awesome.
i've only driven my car once this week (and indeed sold it on wednesday! it's not shipped yet.). everything else, from groceries to apartment hunting to errands to getting to rehearsals in lands far, far away has been on the electric bike.
it positively rocks. 139 miles on it so far since last wednesday.
getting to the rehearsals was no joke: 22.5 miles away, 6:30-9ish PM, and my double trumpet case is not only huge but weighs well over 20 lbs. there's absolutely no way i'd have been able to make that trip on the road bike, but the e-bike let me leave the car parked: rode it from my place into downtown (~8 miles), took a bus from downtown to the transit center nearest to the venue, then back on the bike for the final, short jaunt.
awesome. i've only driven my car once this week (and indeed sold it on wednesday! it's not shipped yet.). everything else, from groceries to apartment hunting to errands to getting to rehearsals in lands far, far away has been on the electric bike.
it positively rocks. 139 miles on it so far since last wednesday.
getting to the rehearsals was no joke: 22.5 miles away, 6:30-9ish PM, and my double trumpet case is not only huge but weighs well over 20 lbs. there's absolutely no way i'd have been able to make that trip on the road bike, but the e-bike let me leave the car parked: rode it from my place into downtown (~8 miles), took a bus from downtown to the transit center nearest to the venue, then back on the bike for the final, short jaunt.
Ok...I get it. It's Bike-to-Work day here in Seattle. So everyone and their brother who hasn't ridden since last Bike-to-Work day is gonna dust off their rig and wonder why it doesn't work as well as they remember. I get it. Really.
But don't:
-Stop in the middle of the bike path to answer your cell phone.
-Stop in the middle of the bike path to talk to "Bob" (who you haven't seen since Saturday) who's going the other way, effectively shutting down both lanes of traffic.
-Stop in the middle of the bike path to pry your water bottle out of the cage that has melded to it.
-Veer left when I say, "On your left." That does NOT mean TURN INTO ME!!!111!!eleventy!
-Ride 3 wide @ 5mph on a bike path that is only wide enough for 3 riders. I will give you an enema, and I won't be nice about it like the doc is when he/she checks your prostate.
And now just a few general rules:
-After I sprint through an intersection to make a yellow, and you're standing there trying to rejoin the flow of the trail, don't F*CKING tell me to slow down. I will end you.
-Just because you rode a trainer all winter and have a shiny 16 lb. bike that you broke out just for this day, don't think you're going to drop the fat guy that rides daily in baggy sh*t with a bike that cost less than your seatpost. It ain't gonna happen. Hillclimbs are a bitch, I will end you.
That is all.
On the plus side, there are going to be some smokin' hotties on the ride home tonight. My ride takes me right through the University!! w00t!!
But don't:
-Stop in the middle of the bike path to answer your cell phone.
-Stop in the middle of the bike path to talk to "Bob" (who you haven't seen since Saturday) who's going the other way, effectively shutting down both lanes of traffic.
-Stop in the middle of the bike path to pry your water bottle out of the cage that has melded to it.
-Veer left when I say, "On your left." That does NOT mean TURN INTO ME!!!111!!eleventy!
-Ride 3 wide @ 5mph on a bike path that is only wide enough for 3 riders. I will give you an enema, and I won't be nice about it like the doc is when he/she checks your prostate.
And now just a few general rules:
-After I sprint through an intersection to make a yellow, and you're standing there trying to rejoin the flow of the trail, don't F*CKING tell me to slow down. I will end you.
-Just because you rode a trainer all winter and have a shiny 16 lb. bike that you broke out just for this day, don't think you're going to drop the fat guy that rides daily in baggy sh*t with a bike that cost less than your seatpost. It ain't gonna happen. Hillclimbs are a bitch, I will end you.
That is all.
On the plus side, there are going to be some smokin' hotties on the ride home tonight. My ride takes me right through the University!! w00t!!
I couldn't help it.you dropped your husband on the morning commute?
it was the same way on the Burke-Gilman about three weeks ago, on the first really nice day... idiots!
Didn't see anyone else when I was riding in, but I was a bit later than the usual time.
There is something perversely satisfying about commuting on my Colnago...
There is something perversely satisfying about commuting on my Colnago...
Riding with no saddle, I see...I suppose that's a niche market but I guess it saves weight though...Didn't see anyone else when I was riding in, but I was a bit later than the usual time.
There is something perversely satisfying about commuting on my Colnago...
Hey Fellow Commuters!
OMG, Secret Squirrel, you crack me up!
I work in a bike shop in Alaska and commute on my bike year round (for the most part), and I actually would rather ride at 40 below than the heat; most NORMAL people only do so in fairer weather conditions.
Of course, with increased fuel costs, folks small and large (very large) are deciding to bike to work....and...whoa......they are now out on the roads in hoards! Well, umm.....good for them, but, stay outta my way! But, I wonder how long it will last; I see so many people coming in to the shop to buy BIG, plush, soft gel saddles because, after a whole day (20 mintues) of riding their butts hurt. Even after pinching every "Lazy Boy" type saddles we have, they still say, "it's too hard."
OMG, Secret Squirrel, you crack me up!
I work in a bike shop in Alaska and commute on my bike year round (for the most part), and I actually would rather ride at 40 below than the heat; most NORMAL people only do so in fairer weather conditions.
Of course, with increased fuel costs, folks small and large (very large) are deciding to bike to work....and...whoa......they are now out on the roads in hoards! Well, umm.....good for them, but, stay outta my way! But, I wonder how long it will last; I see so many people coming in to the shop to buy BIG, plush, soft gel saddles because, after a whole day (20 mintues) of riding their butts hurt. Even after pinching every "Lazy Boy" type saddles we have, they still say, "it's too hard."
But, I wonder how long it will last; I see so many people coming in to the shop to buy BIG, plush, soft gel saddles because, after a whole day (20 mintues) of riding their butts hurt. Even after pinching every "Lazy Boy" type saddles we have, they still say, "it's too hard."
Welcome to the Monkey! I'm hoping the high energy costs will push cities to make their roads more bike friendly; that would be a nice change. I was telling my wife yesterday I wonder if the US will look more like other countries in the coming years with lots of scooters and bicycles.
Yep, getting to be that time here in Tucson, where a sudden monsoon thunderstorm is a welcome addition to my commute home... helps beat down the 110 degree (pavement probably 3,000 degree 
) heat!
) heat!
Thanks for he Welcome, Ire!
Welcome to the Monkey! I'm hoping the high energy costs will push cities to make their roads more bike friendly; that would be a nice change. I was telling my wife yesterday I wonder if the US will look more like other countries in the coming years with lots of scooters and bicycles.
Good points....I know at the bike shop I work PT at, we have sold a lot of bikes and done many, many tune ups....and it's still goin'! Whew...
In addtion, a friend of mine owns a local motorcycle business and they are sold out in their scooters already.
Hey Commuters,
I skimmed some of this thread...and WOW! There are some serious hard core commuters here! NICE, Peeps!
This winter, I was commuting my part time about 60% of the time, but it was only 6 miles.
HOWEVER, I recently graduated from college, and have a career job which is a permenant job (summer only) and has full benefits, but after all the union dues, retirement, taxes, etc. the pay is crap! It's barely enough to keep me afloat if I drive every day, so I'm forced to bike commute 55.4 miles round trip, but it's pretty flat except for one long hill leading out from my cabin...commuting is awesome though!
Today, I did a test ride and it took a little over 2 hours on my little Hard Rock that is set up with some slicks. I also have to go over some gravel roads so, it's slow but it works. :biggrin:
This is so good for me, since I plan to do a 100 mile winter race in February so it will help with conditioning.
I skimmed some of this thread...and WOW! There are some serious hard core commuters here! NICE, Peeps!
This winter, I was commuting my part time about 60% of the time, but it was only 6 miles.
HOWEVER, I recently graduated from college, and have a career job which is a permenant job (summer only) and has full benefits, but after all the union dues, retirement, taxes, etc. the pay is crap! It's barely enough to keep me afloat if I drive every day, so I'm forced to bike commute 55.4 miles round trip, but it's pretty flat except for one long hill leading out from my cabin...commuting is awesome though!
Today, I did a test ride and it took a little over 2 hours on my little Hard Rock that is set up with some slicks. I also have to go over some gravel roads so, it's slow but it works. :biggrin:
This is so good for me, since I plan to do a 100 mile winter race in February so it will help with conditioning.
Nice work Lola! I used to have a commute just under what yours is now but it was a bit hillier and really tough to do every day on top of my actual training. What is your job up there? If I didn't have knee issues I'd totally join you for the 100 mile winter race!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Heidi! Thanks! You commuted AND trained! You MOTIVATE me, Girl!!
I'm a Park Ranger in a really neat park just outside of Fairbanks, and it's a total blast (saw a wolf the other day!). However, it's a seasonal career job, so I'm laid off in the winters.
Man, I so wish you could do the Susitna 100....snow biking can be so epic. Is pushing your bike harder on your knees than riding? In some years, you can be pushing your bike through the snow for 65%+ of the race. Whew....
Power to the Pedal, Monkeys!
Pushing is the worst. Who knows, maybe I'll have a miraculous recovery. hahahha Good luck and I'm a bit jealous...we've thought about doing a stint up at one of the resorts in Alaska for a season and it's not off the list of things to do yet.Hey Heidi! Thanks! You commuted AND trained! You MOTIVATE me, Girl!!
I'm a Park Ranger in a really neat park just outside of Fairbanks, and it's a total blast (saw a wolf the other day!). However, it's a seasonal career job, so I'm laid off in the winters.
Man, I so wish you could do the Susitna 100....snow biking can be so epic. Is pushing your bike harder on your knees than riding? In some years, you can be pushing your bike through the snow for 65%+ of the race. Whew....
Power to the Pedal, Monkeys!
There was a huge traffic jam in SF yesterday because of an accident on the Golden Gate Bridge. It had a ripple effect that impacted pretty much every main artery.
It was fun doing wheelies down the double yellow line through lines of people stuck in both directions.
It was fun doing wheelies down the double yellow line through lines of people stuck in both directions.
You could have gone to Marin and back faster on the walkway than crossing that snafu.
Funny, I did go to Marin (for a night ride), and definitely went a lot faster than traffic on the way over. It was moving just fine at 10:30 or so when I made my way back.
Hello, I am just getting into the commuter thing. My CFO (wife) let me order a CrossCheck yesterday for touring and commuting. I am a Clyde so I had the wheels swapped to XT hubs with Mavic A319 rims which were recommended to me by someone I know that is an avid commuter. It will be set up with a rear rack and fenders when I get it and later I will add front rack and panniers. I will swap the tires for Schwalbe Marathon 700cx28 when I get it as I think it will have knobbies. I am in the Southeast US (Alabama) and really look forward to getting started. I noticed there are some really hardcore commuters here and I read the threads and have picked up some tips. I look forward to getting to know you all
Welcome! And great bike and setup/modifications! That's gonna rock. I too have a Surly, a Long Haul Trucker which is a little less of a road bike then your CC.Hello, I am just getting into the commuter thing. My CFO (wife) let me order a CrossCheck yesterday for touring and commuting. I am a Clyde so I had the wheels swapped to XT hubs with Mavic A319 rims which were recommended to me by someone I know that is an avid commuter. It will be set up with a rear rack and fenders when I get it and later I will add front rack and panniers. I will swap the tires for Schwalbe Marathon 700cx28 when I get it as I think it will have knobbies. I am in the Southeast US (Alabama) and really look forward to getting started. I noticed there are some really hardcore commuters here and I read the threads and have picked up some tips. I look forward to getting to know you all
Schweet! Welcome to the fold. Let us know how the first ride on that bad boy goes!Hello, I am just getting into the commuter thing. My CFO (wife) let me order a CrossCheck yesterday for touring and commuting. I am a Clyde so I had the wheels swapped to XT hubs with Mavic A319 rims which were recommended to me by someone I know that is an avid commuter. It will be set up with a rear rack and fenders when I get it and later I will add front rack and panniers. I will swap the tires for Schwalbe Marathon 700cx28 when I get it as I think it will have knobbies. I am in the Southeast US (Alabama) and really look forward to getting started. I noticed there are some really hardcore commuters here and I read the threads and have picked up some tips. I look forward to getting to know you all
May 28th, 2008.
- Logged 544 miles so far this month. Legs feel good.
- New chain and cassette are buttah.
- New hub seems to have developed a squeak...but only under torque...will investigate this weekend...
- New Mavic CXP22 rear wheel blowz goatz. Blown two spokes in the first 400 miles of it being on my bike. I check tension and trueness after every days' commute. Yes, I am that anal now. kthxbai
- People are retaaah-ded. When 2 cyclists are approaching an intersection on the bike path (3 lanes wide) in opposite directions, DO NOT WEAVE INTO MY LANE AND ACT LIKE IT'S MY FAULT YOU'RE A FREAKIN' MORON. This happened not once but twice this morning with no outside circumstances warranting it...
- If I'm stopped at a trail crossing waiting for traffic to clear on a three lane arterial and you, as a driver, decide to stop for me, please STAY THE F*CK OUT OF THE CROSSING. Nothing better than having you stop and wave me across with your Buick blocking the trail entrance on the other side. Kinda defeats the purpose, no?
- Logged 544 miles so far this month. Legs feel good.
- New chain and cassette are buttah.
- New hub seems to have developed a squeak...but only under torque...will investigate this weekend...
- New Mavic CXP22 rear wheel blowz goatz. Blown two spokes in the first 400 miles of it being on my bike. I check tension and trueness after every days' commute. Yes, I am that anal now. kthxbai
- People are retaaah-ded. When 2 cyclists are approaching an intersection on the bike path (3 lanes wide) in opposite directions, DO NOT WEAVE INTO MY LANE AND ACT LIKE IT'S MY FAULT YOU'RE A FREAKIN' MORON. This happened not once but twice this morning with no outside circumstances warranting it...
- If I'm stopped at a trail crossing waiting for traffic to clear on a three lane arterial and you, as a driver, decide to stop for me, please STAY THE F*CK OUT OF THE CROSSING. Nothing better than having you stop and wave me across with your Buick blocking the trail entrance on the other side. Kinda defeats the purpose, no?
Hi, I'm ire..
<hi ire>
..and I used to be a drivaholic...
I finally went back to riding to work after a hiatus of about a year. Gas prices were killing me and it doesn't make much sense that I would ride my bike for 8 hours on Saturday, but not ride the couple of miles to work. I work at two different locations during the week, one is 3 miles away and the other is 5 miles; feels good to ride to work (wakes you up in the morning). I'm riding my cross bike to work right now, but I'm hunting for a fixie....so I can be hip
<hi ire>
..and I used to be a drivaholic...
I finally went back to riding to work after a hiatus of about a year. Gas prices were killing me and it doesn't make much sense that I would ride my bike for 8 hours on Saturday, but not ride the couple of miles to work. I work at two different locations during the week, one is 3 miles away and the other is 5 miles; feels good to ride to work (wakes you up in the morning). I'm riding my cross bike to work right now, but I'm hunting for a fixie....so I can be hip
Cocksmashers are universal...ugh. There are several dudes on my commute that have no regard for their own or anyone elses safety. Apparently dinging your bell means that, no matter how many bikes and ped's you're passing and no matter how much oncoming traffic there is, you can pass perfectly safely.
Some twat was tailing me the other day as I was waiting for oncoming traffic to pass and actually buzzed my tire. How do you even react to that?
Still way better than sitting in a car in traffic...
Yeah...sometimes I'm kind of a dick on the trail...unfortunately, when dealing with some of the situations, it's the only way to stay safe...
If someone buzzed my tire because I was being polite and cautious, I'd just ride them off the trail when they tried to pass. If I had no regard to personal safety, I'd swing out, hit the brakes and catch 'em in the teeth with an elbow.....but that would prolly be a poor choice.
I get this guy at least once a week who drafts me for about 12 miles of my 17 and then with 200 feet to his turn off will whip past me at Mach Nutty Sprint, flail his arm as a turn signal, grab 13 handfuls of brake, swerve across the trail like he's cornering for a TdF time trial and come to a stop at a light where he has to wait approximately 4 minutes for it to turn anyway. I say the same thing to him everytime too...nice and loud so everyone in a 50 foot radius can hear: "F*ckin' Tard!"
One of these days, Alice...One of these days...
I suppose he's still better than the guy that drafted me for 8 miles and then pulls up next to me right before his turnoff and says, "Wow...that's a pretty big slipstream...made the ride way easier." Really...thx. I didn't know that being 6'7" would create a hole big enough for 15 Ethiopian children to have a freakin' birthday party behind me...really. Oh, and that 5mph headwind for the last 5 miles...yeah...thanks for helpin' with that...
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