Official commuter thread

[macko]

Thanks! It's an old Takara...I think a 64cm? I'm pretty tall at 6'4" and it seems to fit really well.

I've got some beefy tires on there just in case I decide to ride the canals for a change. I've also put on a thinner seat and eggbeaters since that photo.

[hooples3]

Sharp looking bike Macko .. I miss my Schwinn Varsity :disgust1: I should have never let her go

[laura]

I do wear glasses and had the same problem until I bought this:
Outdoor research Baclava (http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/sonic_balaclava.html)
Its worth every penny.. it tucks in nicely into your collar of the jacket and is wind proof

Oooooo, thanks for the link. I am going to need some nicer winter gear around here.

[chicodude]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/Chicodude/IMG_2721.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/Chicodude/IMG_2720.jpg
SO i picked this up from the LBS about two and a half weeks ago. LOVE IT. my commute is 7.5 miles long mostly flat with some short hills. It takes me about a half an hour to get to work. I have ridden about 250 miles so far and I have driven my car 4 times since I have gotten this beut

[hooples3]

Nice ride Chico enjoy. I love it when for weeks the only time I get into my car is to move it for alternate side parking...

[SilentJ]

Rode in yesterday and today.

Broke 10 000 km on the bike. Never rebuilt the hubs, original BB, original headset...

Retarded headwind riding home last night. Some douche was tailing me and wouldn't take the lead...:twitch:

In the mid 20's this AM and I forgot my balaclava. Jackass. My ears are still burning!

[Toshi]

i rode in and back today. just under 25 miles with lots of up and downs. :) one close call with an outback driver but that's par for the course.

[hooples3]

This is the time of year where I really enjoy commuting by Bike.. the weather is getting warmer.. more people out on the sidewalks. Usually on the way home i will add a few loops around the park or take the long way home

[LordOpie]

This is the time of year where I really enjoy commuting by Bike.. the weather is getting warmer.. more people out on the sidewalks. Usually on the way home i will add a few loops around the park or take the long way home

Will you commute right up to delivery?

[hooples3]

Will you commute right up to delivery? good question.. Ive been asking myself that for a week now.. for emergency sake I will probably drive. its a small price to pay

[aktallguy]

78 degrees last Sat; 2 in of snow on the ground today..... didn't put my fenders back on. Doh!

[chicodude]

So what do you have to take with you on your commute?

I am a waiter at a nicer Italian food restaurant so I have to be in nice shoes, slacks and white dress shirt with tie every shift. I have found a way to fold my pants so they don't crease and I made a deal with my manager (See: Ex cyclist.....YES!) So I can keep some clean shirts in his office. Otherwise I drive to work once a week so I can bring some nice pressed shirts with me.

So the rest of my list of crap that goes in my backpack:
Shoes
Pants
Undershirt
Tie
Apron with waitbook
Can of AXE
Tide pen
Butterfly knife (I am often riding home at 11 PM and with 100+ dollars in my bag, I am thinking of just getting a can of pepperspray because I don't want to stab anyone.)
6ft bike lock with gnar materlock pad lock (I keep my bike in a access hallway with doors that are always locked, you can never be too safe.)
Park multi tool
Tube
Pump
water bottle.
NR trailrat to keep thing lit up, but I want another light because that thing is HEAVY

[Toshi]

i really should ditch the heavy tools since i can always throw the bike on a bus if need be, and that would be much more pleasant than working on a bike outside in the rain. in any case, this is what lives in my commuting camelbak transalp:

old half-roll of TP. never know when it could come in handy!
4 ft cable (no lock) and a kryptonite evolution 2000, post-bic pen recall era
chain tool
plastic tire levers
700c tube
small pump
patch kit
foldable allen keys from 1.5mm through 6mm

i used to ride with a Cateye Stadium 3 HID, circa 2002? old. it died, however, and after a very brief stint with a lighter-but-still-bulky dual-LED setup i went for the really basic LED flasher. it's not going to light the road up but i absolutely hated having to disconnect an expensive light and carry in a heavy water bottle battery everywhere i went. with a $15 LED flasher i can leave it on the bike and afford to replace it if someone pinches it.

[dan wask]

I can't wait to post in this thread.

[-dustin]

my commute is 10mi one way.

I carry:
Small water bottle
CB Multi-17
iPod
change of clothes
knife
phone

I commute on tubulars injected with Stan's.

[stinkyboy]

Only missed 1 day this month on my bus up, ride 16 miles back commute. Starting to wish it was longer.

I carry a Camelbak Mule (2 trays of cubes keeps the water cold all day)
Multitool
Riding clothes
Phone
iPod
Knife...
Triflow

I leave my tube(s), pump, etc. home as I ride a bus route home.

[dan wask]

I can post in this thread now that I got my commuter bike. Shame I can't actually ride it yet...

Anywho, heres my route. A few big hills that I'll hit as soon as I leave my house, but it flattens out a good bit once I hit the main roads.

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/3108/routermsk9.jpg

[SilentJ]

I carry in/on my backpack:
6ft (I think) cable lock
multi-tool
mini pump
2 small plastic levers
some zip ties
tube
deodorant
clothes (shirt, tie, pants, boxers, belt, socks)
phone, keys, wallet

On the way home, I'm normally carrying half the sh1t I was wearing in the AM.

Work shoes are kept there (black, brown, friday).

I somehow have figured a system to fold my pressed shirts so that they don't look all jacked up one I put them on...doesn't really matter that much anyways, I'm in engineering...not that frickin hard to look better than the rest of the douchbags.

I'm always along a bus route so if my bike self destructs, I can pretty much ditch it and grab the bus. Only select buses around these parts have bike racks. Oh - forgot that I carry one bus ticket as well.

[aktallguy]

I carry:

Under Seat Pouch:
Spare Tube
Patch Kit
Tool with various allen key sizes.
$5

On the Frame:
Cheap CatEye and Blackburn front/rear lights.
Pump

Messenger Bag:
Cable Lock
Nice Shirt for Work
Lunch
Cell, Keys, etc...

[Prettym1k3]

Rode my bike to work today... 4.41 miles. Dropped the chain twice... blah. Oh well.

Felt good. A cool, crisp 48-50 degrees.

Pictures of my new ride to come soon.

[LordOpie]

Dropped the chain twice... blah. Oh well..

why?.

[Prettym1k3]

why?.

I think something is awry with the deraileur. Got it dialed in most of the way last night, but couldn't quite figure out the exact reason why I dropped it. The road I ride isn't the smoothest, but it's not terrible.

Just need some front deraileur tweaking I think.

[G-Cracker]

Rode the bike to work today for the first time in 6-weeks! Due to my hand/pinkie in a cast from a mtb OTB superman impression, resulting in a shattered left pinkie, I've been off two-wheels for too long. But in the downtime, I purchased a seatpost rack and rear panniers uber-cheap and hit the road this morning.

My observations:
1) I'm really out of shape now.
2) The extra weight of the panniers over the rear wheel is strange feeling
3) Real "roadies" now ignore me. I didn't realize the panniers came with an invisibility cloak!

That is all...

[Secret Squirrel]

Well...I'm into my commuting stride...however, flatted 15 min. into my ride home last night. Then...flatted 5 min. into my commute in this morning...doh. I didn't think the road grunge was that bad...I was wrong.

And, yes, I checked the inside of my tire thoroughly. Twice. Double doh.

All is well though. Commute home will be good tonight.

[Squeak]

Gas prices are having an effect. The trains from Mineral to Downtown in the morning are packed more than ever. I missed 2 trains today because there was no room for me and my bike :( about a 20 min delay for me.

Its cool that more people are riding, but it is sad that it takes a hit to the pocket book for people to do it.

[LordOpie]

Gas prices are having an effect. The trains from Mineral to Downtown in the morning are packed more than ever. I missed 2 trains today because there was no room for me and my bike :( about a 20 min delay for me.

Its cool that more people are riding, but it is sad that it takes a hit to the pocket book for people to do it.

If this keeps up, you might have to get a folder.

[Squeak]

If this keeps up, you might have to get a folder.

Or they need to add more train cars!

[splat]

Crashed on the way home tonight .

Was riding my TT bike because my regular road Bike had a Flat this monring.

Anyway

i saw a Pace line ahead so I sprinted to catch it . well I caught up to 2who were getting dropped and since I saw that the gap was getting wider I decided to pass them and catch the main line, as I went to pass them it wason a small rise I got out ofthe saddle and started to Hammer and mid hammering the chain Snapped. and down i went , some road rash , smashed a camera in my back poket and bent my Handle bars.


Note the left side is a lot closer then the right side.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b227/jgoeller/road/cr02.jpg

[James]

Crashed on the way home tonight .

Was riding my TT bike because my regular road Bike had a Flat this monring.

Anyway

i saw a Pace line ahead so I sprinted to catch it . well I caught up to 2who were getting dropped and since I saw that the gap was getting wider I decided to pass them and catch the main line, as I went to pass them it wason a small rise I got out ofthe saddle and started to Hammer and mid hammering the chain Snapped. and down i went , some road rash , smashed a camera in my back poket and bent my Handle bars.


Note the left side is a lot closer then the right side.


That's what you get for trying to show up some roadies on the geek bike! :)

[splat]

That's what you get for trying to show up some roadies on the geek bike! :)
I think it is more not giving the "old" bike the maintance it needs , that chain is sooo shot !!!

[James]

I think it is more not giving the "old" bike the maintance it needs , that chain is sooo shot !!!

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?

[chicodude]

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

[splat]

Time for a new bar! What is the bike it's on?


Yup . New Bars are already ordered

it is an Older Trek 1500 ( full Ultegra 600 )

[Toshi]

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

sweet. bike dorifuto action :D

[Heidi]

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!

[splat]

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.

[Squeak]

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!


Suck it up Princess???

:busted:

[-dustin]

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.

[Toshi]

my new commuter ride...

http://toshiclark.com/images/daily/four%20e-bike%20versions%20-%20april%206,%202008/Images/IMG_0020.jpg

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.

[Secret Squirrel]

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.

[Heidi]

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 :)

[Heidi]

Little baby fuzzy geese are out! Maybe a picture tomorrow.

[Heidi]

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 :)

[Toshi]

you dropped your husband on the morning commute? :D 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.

[Secret Squirrel]

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!!

[Heidi]

you dropped your husband on the morning commute? :D awesome.



I couldn't help it.:wait:

[Toshi]

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.

it was the same way on the Burke-Gilman about three weeks ago, on the first really nice day... idiots! :twitch:

[James]

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... :)

[Secret Squirrel]

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... :)

Riding with no saddle, I see...I suppose that's a niche market but I guess it saves weight though...

[Lola]

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." :disgust:

[ire]

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." :disgust:

:rofl:

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.

[G-Cracker]

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!

[Lola]

:rofl:

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.

Thanks for he Welcome, Ire! :wave:

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.

[Lola]

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. :thumb:

[Heidi]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lola]

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!! :cheers:

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! :monkey:

[Heidi]

Hey Heidi! Thanks! You commuted AND trained! You MOTIVATE me, Girl!! :cheers:

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! :monkey:

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.

[OGRipper]

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.

[sanjuro]

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.

You could have gone to Marin and back faster on the walkway than crossing that snafu.

[OGRipper]

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.

[splat]

Little baby fuzzy geese are out! Maybe a picture tomorrow.

Got you covered !!!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b227/jgoeller/vietnam/spring2008/wh01.jpg

[Eddie Jones]

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:thumb::thumb:

[LordOpie]

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:thumb::thumb:

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.

[Secret Squirrel]

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:thumb::thumb:

Schweet! Welcome to the fold. Let us know how the first ride on that bad boy goes!

[Lola]

It was fun doing wheelies down the double yellow line through lines of people stuck in both directions.
Awesome! I wish I could have seen a picture of that!

Rock on, Dude!

[Secret Squirrel]

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?

[ire]

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 :p

[SilentJ]

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?

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...

[Secret Squirrel]

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...

[$tinkle]

why is it that working from home & making my own hours the last 6 mos has me riding half than when i was in a cubefarm & commuting a few X/week?

ss: put your head over the front hub cippolini style on those 3-wide trails at the next offering

[Secret Squirrel]

why is it that working from home & making my own hours the last 6 mos has me riding half than when i was in a cubefarm & commuting a few X/week?

ss: put your head over the front hub cippolini style on those 3-wide trails at the next offering

no doubt.

[chicodude]

Couple of notes from the last week:

-When the weather hits 100, I have to put an extra 10 minutes on my time to work, to dry the **** out because I get REALLY sweaty.

-I ride home at 11 PM after work is over, and this means close to no one out. I rode home after 9 yesterday and holy **** it sucked. I hate lots of traffic.

-Since I started commuting two people I work with have started commuting as well. Well, one told me it was her husband that started commuting, But I was the inspiration. :)

-Commuting affects my other riding. I road 40+ the other morning, and the ride to work was no bueno.

-People who yell **** at you when you are riding are the COOLEST PEOPLE EVER!!!11!!1 I want to be their friend, too bad they run red lights when they are waiting at a red and they see me catch up....No fair.

[Squeak]

I have started skipping the train ride home and riding it. It ends up making my commute about 26 miles total. Found a sweet way to go, basically avoiding major streets and getting in some dirt trail time.

Rode the CX bike yesterday, 87 degrees at departure time. I really don't do as well in the heat! My Norse heritage showing through I guess. Give me 40 degrees any day. :)

[Secret Squirrel]

Apparently my bike rides mo' betta when I do some maintenance on it once in awhile...who knew. Commute in was rain-less...got another 6 hours hoping the current showers stop...

Nice part is there's almost no one out commuting with me...

[Toshi]

I ordered ripstop rain pants from REI Outlet last night. Last few rainy commute days have had the suck.

[Secret Squirrel]

I ordered ripstop rain pants from REI Outlet last night. Last few rainy commute days have had the suck.

I should really invest in some rain gear...prolly would've helped Tuesday when my iPod shorted out. D'oh.

[Secret Squirrel]

Ok...funny story time:

Yesterday, just went for a quick 20 mile out & back...On the way back, had a guy drafting me for about 3 miles or so with a relatively nasty headwind that I was pushing through. Not that I minded, since I need the workout and that's why I was out there...but I digress. So, he's back there just pedal, pedal, pedal, bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, pedal pedal, bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz for 3 miles...then slingshots me on a corner and says, "HEY!!". I take out my earbud and look at him. He, straight faced, says, "Can you slow down? I'm having trouble keeping the draft and I'm not back to my car yet."

My response: "Eat a d*ck." And I dropped his ass in 100 yards.

What kind of dillhole asks someone to slow down so they don't have to work as hard?

Srsly.

[jacksonpt]

Fresh new asphalt is a wonderful thing.

[Konabumm]

Day 2 - today is day 2 of my commuting to work. I feel great, it's about a 10 mile commute into work. I do like to take the 20 mile fun ride home ;o)

Last night I picked up some mojito mix and stuffed it into my messenger bag - that was an interesting ride home! HAHA

[Heidi]

It's commute options week this week so hopefully I'll see more people out riding and walking. My calf is healed enough for me to ride to work I think. I took it real easy and slow though...not my usual hammerfest.

[Secret Squirrel]

Stopped by my LBS on Sunday... I picked up a Mavic CXP22 rim laced to a Shimano hub about 3 weeks ago. I've blown 4 spokes in about 600 miles....Yeah, teh sUcKaGe...I digress. I should've known that I'd be disappointed by this choice, but it was a decent deal, and the guys there thought it would do the job...It's no Aksium...that's for sure. C'est la vie....

So I take them the wheel and ask what they can do for me on a handbuilt rear wheel. We settled on a 36 spoke RhynoLite (which, in a 26" form, I actually rode XC on for a year or 2 with no probs...so I hope the 29er version can handle me road riding....) laced to a Shimano hum with 13 gauge spokes....

Prior to that decision, we were actually trying to piece together a 130 spaced 48 spoke tandem wheel ....but the RhynoLite seemed like a decent compromise...as much as I like beef on my bike, that seemed like a little overkill....even if I appear to be 2 people to most peeps out there.

:shocked:

[Heidi]

even if I appear to be 2 people to most peeps out there.

:shocked:


:monkeydance::monkeydance:

[stinkyboy]

Sticking it out on the commuter plan all summer, despite it getting "warm" here. 10 of the 16 mile ride home has been into 25 mph winds which I grumble about during the ride, but getting home feels great.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/stinkyboy/Garbage%204/Picture3-1.png

[Heidi]

Cold ride in this morning. I had to practice some deep inner breathing to keep myself warm. I refuse to wear long sleeves in summer.

[Squeak]

Sticking it out on the commuter plan all summer, despite it getting "warm" here. 10 of the 16 mile ride home has been into 25 mph winds which I grumble about during the ride, but getting home feels great.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/stinkyboy/Garbage%204/Picture3-1.png

Wow F that! :) :) :)

[EOBF]

My commute is a slightly hilly 5 miler. Low traffic volume and decent space on the shoulder. I am going to try to commute in all weather conditions and get out of the need to always drive.

[Secret Squirrel]

My commute is a slightly hilly 5 miler. Low traffic volume and decent space on the shoulder. I am going to try to commute in all weather conditions and get out of the need to always drive.

That bike is hawt.

[$tinkle]

Sticking it out on the commuter plan all summer, despite it getting "warm" here. 10 of the 16 mile ride home has been into 25 mph winds which I grumble about during the ride, but getting home feels great.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/stinkyboy/Garbage%204/Picture3-1.png
mcclintock & 202 @ 4:15 today
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/2050/116kp4.jpg

screw that.

[Squeak]

Yesterday I did something dumb. I don't know why it bothers me except that I hate it when bad bikers give us all a bad rap. I was the bad guy yesterday.
I was approaching a stoplight at one of the busiest streets in the Denver Metro. The light turned yellow, and my mind thought "There is no traffic on this side street , and I don not want to go onto the sidewalk and "push the button" to make the light change." So in my best auto driver way I sprinted to beat the light. Well, I was a long ways off and I pretty much ran the light and got honked at. :)

I then proceeded to ride away like I was king S#@$.

[Heidi]

I then proceeded to ride away like I was king S#@$.

:huh:I thought you were king S#@$. :busted:

[Squeak]

:huh:I thought you were king S#@$. :busted:

I only wish. :( I am glad to hear you are riding more again! :)

[snakedoc]

hey guys...i haven't rode a bike since about 5th grade. got a Marin Bobcat trail as a gift (it's mostly likely not as nice as what most of you have) and did 6 mi to work this morning. wasn't as bad as i thought!

[Heidi]

hey guys...i haven't rode a bike since about 5th grade. got a Marin Bobcat trail as a gift (it's mostly likely not as nice as what most of you have) and did 6 mi to work this morning. wasn't as bad as i thought!

Sweet, welcome to the super special commuter club!

[splat]

It has become tough to tell the new Bike Commuters Vs. the DWI commuters. I am seeing a bunch more ( ok 5 or 6 ) , one guy even had a brand New Commuter bike . ( skinny tire, flat bars and a Nexus Hub , with not a Spec of dirt on it yet )

I like it

[James]

It has become tough to tell the new Bike Commuters Vs. the DWI commuters. I am seeing a bunch more ( ok 5 or 6 ) , one guy even had a brand New Commuter bike . ( skinny tire, flat bars and a Nexus Hub , with not a Spec of dirt on it yet )

I like it

Hahahahaha!
Our mayor was actually a DWI commuter for a while. He had to eat crow in all the papers..

[Secret Squirrel]

DWI = DUI

???

:bonk::ban:

[James]

DWI = DUI

???

:bonk::ban:

I think it depends on the state.
DUI can mean drugs too, but DWI is booze...

[Secret Squirrel]

I think it depends on the state.
DUI can mean drugs too, but DWI is booze...

That's what I thought...couldn't get a real good context of what the hell you guys were talking about. Thought it was some sort of super secret squirrel commuter code.

:monkeydance::pirate2:

[Heidi]

I confess, I was slightly buzzed riding home from the bar the other night.

[Toshi]

i like my newly short commute. 1.8 miles one way most days, albeit uphill. too bad my electric bike's motor is broken at the moment so i have to slog away on the road bike. :D

[Secret Squirrel]

Back on May 9th I pick up a pair of Schwalbe Stelvio 25's.

After 700 miles (Just hit 720 this morning):

- The rear has about 2 dozen visible cuts and slices of varying severity, none have gone through or caused a flat.
- They roll just as fast (if not faster) than my old 23 Conti's.
- They grip in the corners like new velcro gloves on sheep.
- Probably the best 90 bucks I've spent on my bike in a long time.

[splat]

I confess, I was slightly buzzed riding home from the bar the other night.

isn't that one of the beauties of riding. you can do that and not be a threat to any one but your self .

plus usually by the time I am home I have sweated it all out.

[Heidi]

isn't that one of the beauties of riding. you can do that and not be a threat to any one but your self .

plus usually by the time I am home I have sweated it all out.

Totally. I wasn't blitzed or anything, just pleasantly buzzed. And yes, my ride home is slightly uphill to really uphill on one part. I sure was thirsty by the time I got home :)

[Secret Squirrel]

Totally. I wasn't blitzed or anything, just pleasantly buzzed. And yes, my ride home is slightly uphill to really uphill on one part. I sure was thirsty by the time I got home :)

Just in time for more drinks!!!

[ire]

Totally. I wasn't blitzed or anything, just pleasantly buzzed. And yes, my ride home is slightly uphill to really uphill on one part. I sure was thirsty by the time I got home :)

You need one of these for hydration on the go

http://www.1ofakindstuff.com/products/Thirst4.jpg

[SuspectDevice]

The Commute keeps getting shorter and shorter... It's only 3 blocks between the house and the shop, but luckily I have to ride a solid 12 minutes to get a burrito.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r277/SuspectDevice413/kittenpaste-1.jpg

[Secret Squirrel]

Got Josef?



:busted:

[SuspectDevice]

That bookshelf is one of my favorite parts of the office. Biographys on Stalin, Edison, Labor in 20th century America, a History of Hip-Hop... A whole shelf devoted to dystopian and utopian novels and novellas, crime scene photographs from the 30's, and the last 8 years of Dirt.

Plus a bottle of good tequila and a box full of Middleburn cranks.

It makes it hard to go home, when such tangential experiences are available in the office....

[SilentJ]

isn't that one of the beauties of riding. you can do that and not be a threat to any one but your self .

plus usually by the time I am home I have sweated it all out.

I usually just get drunker on the ride home if we hit the pub after work...lunch time pints usually leave me in the "feeling like ass need another beer before riding my bike home" state.

I was careless with my spit the other day...the dude poaching the windbreak got a pretty good shot. Oh well.

[CHepler]

One of my patrol officers pulled a guy over on this the other day. Said he built it and another one. This one for long trips and a nicer one for around town. He said he was used to getting stopped and quizzed on it and gladly let the officer snap a few shots.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p248/CandJS2/blowerbike1.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p248/CandJS2/blowerbike2.jpg

[Heidi]

Caught a nice draft off the Garmin-Chipotle mini team bus this morning. I'm going to head over to the top of the butte at lunch and watch the finish of the first stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic. I'm hoping to see some nice action with some of the big names here.

[Squeak]

To the dude with the folding bike at the train station this morning:

I know you are supposed to walk your bike, but guess what? I like riding. Who made you the walk your bike police? You just like telling everyone what to do? Mind your own business and STFU and take your lame ass folding bike and stick it where the sun don't shine.

:cupidarrow:

[Heidi]

whoa.

I had some guy on a scooter try to scold me for riding straight through the roundabout (up on the center part with a nice bunny hop off) instead of riding all the way around it. At least I think that's what he was saying, but I couldn't hear him through his full face helmet over the whine of his little 50cc scooter. Whatever old dude.

[ire]

Yesterday I had a meeting at our downtown and office and then another meeting several miles away, so I hoped on my bike and took off; I was in the parking garage and a meter maid stopped me and scolded me for speeding.....I looked around and said: "how would I know if I was speeding, I don't have a speedometer?" He said it was apparent that I was speeding and I needed to adhere to the 10 mph limit :crazy:

[Squeak]

I started a bitch fest! :cheers:

LOL!

[$tinkle]

Yesterday I had a meeting at our downtown and office and then another meeting several miles away, so I hoped on my bike and took off; I was in the parking garage and a meter maid stopped me and scolded me for speeding.....I looked around and said: "how would I know if I was speeding, I don't have a speedometer?" He said it was apparent that I was speeding and I needed to adhere to the 10 mph limit :crazy:you should start up tue nite crits there. since hay bales may be hard to come by, use some homeless on the turns. they're well-padded.

[ire]

you should start up tue nite crits there. since hay bales may be hard to come by, use some homeless on the turns. they're well-padded.

The people are well padded, its all of the glass bottles that scare me

[TN]

I saw a bag of weed in the gutter on my commute the other day. I kept on riding but wished I stopped.

[Secret Squirrel]

About 7 miles into my commute this morning, I hit a bump on the trail...nothing big...just normal for this particular trail.

Snapped my Thomson Masterpiece seatpost in half (not exactly in half...more like 2 inches above the minimum insertion depth). Right where it goes into the seattube...

It served me well for 3 years...I suppose I got my money's worth...

Had to ride another 6 miles standing up to the nearest shop which opens early (YYYAAAAAY!!!) for a new post. They didn't have any Thomson posts in the size I needed (I would've gone with the standard ...not the masterpiece again...) so I bought a cheaper boat anchor...not that I'm worried about an extra 400 grams on that bike.

The regular Thomson's on my DH and FR/XC bikes are doing spectacular after 3 years, FWIW.

Good times...good times...

[$tinkle]

3 yrs is pretty good for a commuting clydesdale

[Secret Squirrel]

3 yrs is pretty good for a commuting clydesdale

Yeah...I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that a post that is machined down to within an inch of its' life gave way after 5,000 gnarly miles...

[Squeak]

Last night on my way home, I was accelerating off a stop sign and something felt funny, the bike felt noodley. I stop and look, flat tire maybe? Turns out my rear quick release was way loose and the wheel could have been close to falling out of the drop outs. Never had that happen before.

Also, there was a fire on the MUP I take, small grass fire. The cool mist from the fire hoses helped in the 97 degree heat. :)

[EOBF]

I was riding home from work a couple days ago and my tire kicked up a rock that hit some guys dog. We are talking a rock about the size of a pea. The guy threatened to kick my ass. I asked him if kicking someones ass over a tiny rock was really worth it? Damn old redneck didn't think I was going to stop. About a mile later I am going through an area with road construction so I had to move into the road briefly. Another redneck pulls right next to me and put his truck in neutral and revved the engine up three times, then sped off. I'm not sure what that meant.

[ire]

I was riding home from work a couple days ago and my tire kicked up a rock that hit some guys dog. We are talking a rock about the size of a pea. The guy threatened to kick my ass. I asked him if kicking someones ass over a tiny rock was really worth it? Damn old redneck didn't think I was going to stop. About a mile later I am going through an area with road construction so I had to move into the road briefly. Another redneck pulls right next to me and put his truck in neutral and revved the engine up three times, then sped off. I'm not sure what that meant.

Damn, you have some real d*cks around there. Most of the people out in the country wave to me, the biggest jerks I find are on my ride home from work.

[-dustin]

so with the influx of commuters, i find myself touching the nastiest ****ing seats on earth now, and dealing with the worst smelling customers. it's to the point now that i don't even hesitate to put on glove before helping some customers out. i had a guy last Saturday drip sweat onto my hands while standing all up in my space as I was fixing his bike. I was almost insulted. seriously, what the ****?

[Secret Squirrel]

On the ride home yesterday...

I was going down the largest hill on my ride home, doing about 30 on a city street...all of a sudden this cat cuts a 45 degree angle from the opposing side!! Crap! So I start to slow down...cat slows down...I speed up...cat speeds up!!!!!! I'm gonna die. Had no choice...tried to bunny hop him...mis-timed it and ended up gettin' him right in front of his hind legs with my rear wheel mid-stride...so it wasn't as bad as it could've been...

I looked back and he was already up and running again...

Scared the absolute crap outta me...I thought I was going to have one of those TdF bails that gouges 30% of my skin off....

[STPIZZAY]

I'm going to begin commuting to school here in a few weeks, and ill be doing it on my 'Cross bike, its a Redline Conquest, and unfortunately it doesn't have the rear mounts for a rack or pannier. I'm looking for a good bag to wear, previously I've just used a backpack but it just isn't comfortable when riding the 10 miles to my school. I generally have quite a few books/binders that are necessary, and my bags tend to get overstuffed. I had the opportunity to try on one of the chrome messenger bags, and i found it really comfortable and was surprised at how well it stayed centered on my back, although i am unsure of what will happen when i load one of these messenger bags down with a decent load of papers and books, will it stay centered on my back? Or will it slip down to my side and make riding awkward? I am usually required to bring 3 to 4 one inch binders, as well as 2 good sized books for my A.P. Lit class, are these bags comfortable loaded down?
I am looking at this one
http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/13/
i don't know of too many company's that make good messenger bags, i got to meet the guys from chrome and try on their bags at the Downieville classic a few weeks ago, other than that i don't know of any so if you folks have any other companies that you would recommend that would be great.
Thanks for the help!
-ES

[Toshi]

panniers > stuff on your back. there are racks (and not those ghetto seatpost racks, either!) that will mount using adapters.

OMM is expensive but their no-eyelet racks are an illustration of what's possible.

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html

[STPIZZAY]

On second thought, perhaps that messenger bag is to small for what I'm planning on using it for, i think I'd be better off with a backpack more suited to the larger loads I'm planning on carrying. Does anyone recommend a maker of decent backpacks for commuting or biking?

[Squeak]

panniers > stuff on your back. there are racks (and not those ghetto seatpost racks, either!) that will mount using adapters.

OMM is expensive but their no-eyelet racks are an illustration of what's possible.

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html

Stuff on your back > Panniers when you don't want racks on your bike that does more than one duty.

[Squeak]

Why are there so many red neck butt nuggets?

Some dude in an F350 was at a stop sign with me approaching (no stop for me). Right when I got to him he gunned the motor and sprung forward, hitting the brakes right away. I saw the **** kicker grin on his face as I half started to take fighter pilot evasive maneuvers. Scared the crap out of me, which I am sure was his idea all along.

Needless to say I wanted to beat the guy to a pulp, but he turned the other way. Good thing since I'm a buck fifty so its best if I don't let my mouth write checks my butt can't cash.

Grrrr!

[$tinkle]

get the plates. you'd get him for at least 1st degree felony menacing, and he'd have to carpool to tractor pulls.

this prick sounds like he's from morrisson, driving home from his c-shift sweeping floors at his ex-father-in-law's machine shop.

[STPIZZAY]

Hey guys thanks for the help, i just ordered my backpack form timbuk2 yesterday :D

[SilentJ]

Four officers of teh bylaw were doing radar on the pathway this AM. The roadies always get their asses handed to them as tickets are handed out for no bell, no speedometer, no reflectors, no white front light and no red rear light after nailing your azz for doing 25 in the 12.

I wish they'd hand tickets to pedestrians, but I guess "being retarded" wouldnt hold up as a charge in court...

[ire]

I wish they'd hand tickets to pedestrians, but I guess "being retarded" wouldnt hold up as a charge in court...

I wish they'd ticket cars for not blinking.....nothing pisses me off more than people turning suddenly without blinking :rant:

[Secret Squirrel]

I wish they'd ticket cars for not blinking.....nothing pisses me off more than people turning suddenly without blinking :rant:

Do you mean "signaling"??? 'Cause I can blink without signaling...but I don't know about signaling without blinking...that may be difficult...


:D

[$tinkle]

true; i wish i could "kill -9" (or "SIGTERM" for those of you from florida)

[ire]

Do you mean "signaling"??? 'Cause I can blink without signaling...but I don't know about signaling without blinking...that may be difficult...


:D

I'm demanding, I want both.....blink, then signal :p

[Squeak]

Ok I have to rant again, but I will start with some good stuff. I broke 500 miles commuting so far, since about the middle of May. I have lost about 6 or 7 lbs (which I needed to do) and am also using my long ride home for tempo and interval training for CX. I really enjoy it! :)

Now, for a RANT about MUP's and the idiot pedestrians who use them. I know, don't use an MUP if you don't like dealing with them. I deal with the normal idiocy fine, its the special cases that just get me broiling. :)

Riding along minding my own business this morning I come across the Old lady dog walkers. Two of them, the Homosapiens walking side by side in the middle of the trail, one canine leashed walking on the right, and one canine leashed on the left. Obviously I cannot pass at all. So I roll up and slow down to walking speed.

I say "Excuse me" and one lady jumps and about has a heart attack.

Then she gets snippy "You really need to get a bell so you can let people know you are coming from farther away!" in an angry voice.

I told her "And you need to not get all pissy about it!" Her reply was left in the dust as I pedaled on.

Not a quarter mile later, and senior type old dude was jogging in the opposite direction. No sweat we were both on our respective sides of the trail. I come up on him, and he says to me "You need to slow down"! My god, what is this PMS day??? I was doing 18 to 20 mph, but it's not crowded.

Show a little awareness of your surroundings you mouth breathing slugs. Oh, and please write one of your letters to the newspaper about how bikers are all jerks and how they need to banned from the trails. I will look for that article right under the one that the car driver wrote about keeping bikes on the sidewalk where they belong.

:rant:

[$tinkle]

Now, for a RANT about MUP's and the idiot pedestrians who use them. I know, don't use an MUP if you don't like dealing with them. I deal with the normal idiocy fine, its the special cases that just get me broiling. :)

Show a little awareness of your surroundings you mouth breathing slugs. Oh, and please write one of your letters to the newspaper about how bikers are all jerks and how they need to banned from the trails. I will look for that article right under the one that the car driver wrote about keeping bikes on the sidewalk where they belong.while i agree & have experienced exactly what you did, if you did have a bell you would have absolute moral authority over the trail hogs, who no doubt believe their rights usurp yours categorically. (MUP apparently means "as long as we never see bikes, they can use it").

i bet you'll never have this confrontation w/ these people again. it'll be another replaceable set until the end of your commuting days. oh, and don't forget that denver just outlawed carrying urine & feces (http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/05/dnc-mind-Denver-bans-carrying-urine-feces/), so your options for dealing w/ the general public just got further restricted.

[Squeak]

while i agree & have experienced exactly what you did, if you did have a bell you would have absolute moral authority over the trail hogs, who no doubt believe their rights usurp yours categorically. (MUP apparently means "as long as we never see bikes, they can use it").

i bet you'll never have this confrontation w/ these people again. it'll be another replaceable set until the end of your commuting days. oh, and don't forget that denver just outlawed carrying urine & feces (http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/05/dnc-mind-Denver-bans-carrying-urine-feces/), so your options for dealing w/ the general public just got further restricted.

I have thought about the bell thing, I just think that dinging a bell can be considered rude as well.

Im just going to put a Barry Bonds basball card in my spokes. Brrrrraaaaap!

[ire]

I have thought about the bell thing, I just think that dinging a bell can be considered rude as well.

Im just going to put a Barry Bonds basball card in my spokes. Brrrrraaaaap!

Nah, you just need to yell really loud: "Get the f*ck out of the way!!!!"

[Wumpus]

I have thought about the bell thing, I just think that dinging a bell can be considered rude as well.

Im just going to put a Barry Bonds basball card in my spokes. Brrrrraaaaap!




rtv2_-2mHck


z2IvrazGOdQ

[SilentJ]

I have thought about the bell thing, I just think that dinging a bell can be considered rude as well.

Im just going to put a Barry Bonds basball card in my spokes. Brrrrraaaaap!

I ring the bejesus out of my bell. Rude or not, it's accepted and expected on the pathways (and is actually law here). Some people get no rings, some get one, some get several.

I want one of these:Air Zound (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 7409&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693017&bmUID=1218558686677)

[Secret Squirrel]

I ring the bejesus out of my bell. Rude or not, it's accepted and expected on the pathways (and is actually law here). Some people get no rings, some get one, some get several.

I want one of these:Air Zound (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 7409&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693017&bmUID=1218558686677)

Our MUP's here are bell or voice. For me, I get a lot of people moving left when I say, "On the left." When I see them start to veer into me, it turns into, "What the f*ck?!?!? Pay attention."

I have seriously thought about that linky you put up...

I ride in traffic enough to justify it, but would prolly end up using it more on the pathways!!! HA! :biggrin:

[SilentJ]

Our MUP's here are bell or voice. For me, I get a lot of people moving left when I say, "On the left." When I see them start to veer into me, it turns into, "What the f*ck?!?!? Pay attention."

I have seriously thought about that linky you put up...

I ride in traffic enough to justify it, but would prolly end up using it more on the pathways!!! HA! :biggrin:

I'd probably end up modding it so it could shoot paintballs or something...:think: :lighten: wait, whats the ID of a handlebar again?

[Secret Squirrel]

Hit 2k this morning (5/1/08 - 8/20/08).... Haven't been riding on the weekends enough...also had to take a week off here and there due to mechanicals, crashes, etc...

This week is going to be mostly wet and nasty...makes for an empty trail though...gonna have to screw around with cleaning and tuning this weekend for sure since I refuse to put on panniers. Fashion over Function.

I've also come to realize that I really need a new bike that actually fits me. But that'll have to wait. sigh.

[Toshi]

2k. dude. you need to move closer.

i hit 410 miles over the same period, roughly, just yesterday. then again i live 1.3ish miles from work. this next 4 weeks will see about no riding, since the (different) hospital is further and my hours are such that i can ride the bus -- an electric trolley, no less! -- each way.

[Secret Squirrel]

2k. dude. you need to move closer.

i hit 410 miles over the same period, roughly, just yesterday. then again i live 1.3ish miles from work. this next 4 weeks will see about no riding, since the (different) hospital is further and my hours are such that i can ride the bus -- an electric trolley, no less! -- each way.

Meh...I like the commute for the most part. It takes the same amount of time as the bus and 35 miles a day is a good work out. Now I just gotta get myself some foul weather gear.

[MtnBikerChk]

HOORAY - Can I participate in this thread now?? I rode to work today - well mostly. My drive is about 31 miles so I drove 10 and ended up pedaling 19 (different route than if I drove).

Now I have to get home!

I have nothing notable to report about my ride though :monkeydance:

[Squeak]

Woot!

Good on you!

[Heidi]

I have nothing notable to report about my ride though :monkeydance:

Law of odds, if you commute enough, something notable will happen. I doubt anyone remembers my post about 5 years ago when I was riding to work really early one morning and came upon a guy that was walking down the street jacking off. :clue:

[MtnBikerChk]

law Of Odds, If You Commute Enough, Something Notable Will Happen. I Doubt Anyone Remembers My Post About 5 Years Ago When I Was Riding To Work Really Early One Morning And Came Upon A Guy That Was Walking Down The Street Jacking Off. :clue:

But You Do!! Lol

[Squeak]

Law of odds, if you commute enough, something notable will happen. I doubt anyone remembers my post about 5 years ago when I was riding to work really early one morning and came upon a guy that was walking down the street jacking off. :clue:

I had a homeless crazy guy keep telling me that if only he had his bike with him, we could race and he would win. LOL

[splat]

Lets see about 20 years ago , I came face to trunk with an elephant as I left the building where I worked at the time.

[Heidi]

Ever so light misty rain fell this morning dampening the pines and roads. Fall isn't too far off and the smells are starting to prove it. Summer just has that dryer smell. Don't get me wrong, it's still warm out (58 for my ride in this morning), but I can sense ch ch changes.

Ride on.

[Secret Squirrel]

My bro-in-law (Travis) and I went for a 60 mile jaunt on Sunday...oddly enough, after something like that, the 17 mile commute in was a breeze.

Weirdness of Sunday's ride: About 5 blocks from ending our ride at my house, I notice that Travis' eggbeater pedal is pretty crooked at the crank arm. He's been having issues with his pedals but just because he rides so much...but this was different. So we stop and realize that he had pulled the steel insert out of the carbon cranks that are only about a month old...

Yowza...pretty glad that if it had to happen, it happened at the end of the ride.

[Heidi]

Just signed up for the Oregon 2008 Bike Commute Challenge (http://www.bikecommutechallenge.com/)for September. Ho hum, business as usual.

[Squeak]

Ok it was chilly this morning! I didn't even think about it when I left, and it was a tit bit nippley on the ride. :)

Ugh, need to inventory colder weather gear to see what I need.

[Secret Squirrel]

So yeah...some guys are skunky douche-rags.

On the way in this morning, this guy falls in behind me and drafts for about 5 miles. (I'm keeping it somewhere between 18-20mph, which isn't the easiest at 48F...but I digress...)

First long, relatively easy hill pops up, he pulls around, says "Mornin'.", and continues to accelerate with no intention of letting me fall in. So I say "You're welcome." and he looks at me with a level of disdain and arrogance that is only surpassed by the Kardashian family. At this point I actually thought about sprinting up to his rear wheel and buzzing him...but I decided to keep it civil.

[$tinkle]

next time: snot rocket as he overtakes.
or keep a horse placenta wrapped around your headtube to sling onto his seatpost

[Secret Squirrel]

next time: snot rocket as he overtakes.
or keep a horse placenta wrapped around your headtube to sling onto his seatpost

Dude...I'm laughing so hard I'm in tears...


Must spread the rep...damn it...

[Secret Squirrel]

I present a story of epic proportions...

Well...not really...

So there I am riding home (on the MUP I normally take) this evening and start gaining (allbeit slowly) on this guy. No biggie. Two runners doodling along. Dude pulls on to the gravel side off to the right and blows by them. WTF? Keep riding. He does it again almost causing a woman to fall because she's so surprised. 2x WTF? So I yell out from about 18 feet back, "Hey c*ckmunch, stop passing on the right."

Third time was the charm though, he pulled up behind a guy riding along, almost buzzed his tire, then whipped around on the right. Guy almost weaved right into him.

I've had enough at this point and pull up to him and say, "Totally not cool." And pull in front. He accelerates and drafts for about 3/4 of a mile. During this time I seriously thought about brake checking him...but decided against a bigger incident than needed to happen.

He then pulls up on my right and looks right at me. I look him dead in the eyes and say, "I will end you."

He then says, "I hate being uncool." And then proceeds to try and drop me. So I just hang with him and say, "It's not about being cool, it's about not being a danger to everyone else while you ride. Don't violate the rules and no one will get upset, f*cktard."

He then turns off the trail onto an arterial road, almost gets clipped by a car, just about loses control, and disappears around a corner...

Where do these people come from??

And, no, he wasn't riding a nice rig or the clothes to match, so maybe he's just clueless....but I wasn't giving him any credit either way after acting with such disregard.

Next person I see pulling that kinda crap gets an all expenses paid trip into the shrubbery via forearm shiver.

Toolbags.

[stinkyboy]

I blew threw a red light (the green turn arrow was lit and no cars were coming) and startled a roadie dude as he waited for the light. I was on the 1x1, so he caught up and started to lecture me:

"You know you give us a bad name right?"

"A bad name? Like these fuggers (points to traffic) care about riders to begin with?"

"So you don't care?"

"I'm trying to get home before the rain starts."

"Well, blah, blah, blah..."

"Fug off and mind your own business!"


Am I the azzhole?

[$tinkle]

I look him dead in the eyes and say, "I will end you." http://www.dvdfever.co.uk/reviews/rocky1a.jpg

[ire]

story

I know the guy pissed you off, but calling him a c*ckmunch isn't going to get him to stop. The thing that pisses me off the most on my commute is the number of people who think its okay to risk my life to save 5 seconds on their drive. I wish gas would go to $8 a gallon and get a bunch of these people off the road

[Heidi]

Am I the azzhole?


Absolutely.

[Heidi]

So yeah...some guys are skunky douche-rags.

On the way in this morning, this guy falls in behind me and drafts for about 5 miles. (I'm keeping it somewhere between 18-20mph, which isn't the easiest at 48F...but I digress...)

First long, relatively easy hill pops up, he pulls around, says "Mornin'.", and continues to accelerate with no intention of letting me fall in. So I say "You're welcome." and he looks at me with a level of disdain and arrogance that is only surpassed by the Kardashian family. At this point I actually thought about sprinting up to his rear wheel and buzzing him...but I decided to keep it civil.

So you just let him go on an easy hill? :bonk::bonk::bonk:

[Squeak]

I blew threw a red light (the green turn arrow was lit and no cars were coming) and startled a roadie dude as he waited for the light. I was on the 1x1, so he caught up and started to lecture me:

"You know you give us a bad name right?"

"A bad name? Like these fuggers (points to traffic) care about riders to begin with?"

"So you don't care?"

"I'm trying to get home before the rain starts."

"Well, blah, blah, blah..."

"Fug off and mind your own business!"


Am I the azzhole?


That new bike is making you bitchy.

[Secret Squirrel]

I know the guy pissed you off, but calling him a c*ckmunch isn't going to get him to stop. The thing that pisses me off the most on my commute is the number of people who think its okay to risk my life to save 5 seconds on their drive. I wish gas would go to $8 a gallon and get a bunch of these people off the road

Neither is reciting the local ordinances verbatim...so I just did what made me feel good.

Ditto on the driver thing.


So you just let him go on an easy hill?

Yeah...it was a chilly ride in after a 90 miler the day before...I just didn't feel like being a complete d*ck and wasting my energy...

I know, I know...cop out...whatev.

[Squeak]

Was at work late last night, and rode home in the dark. It started pouring rain about 5 miles in. I got soaked! :poster_oops:

[stinkyboy]

Was at work late last night, and rode home in the dark. It started pouring rain about 5 miles in. I got soaked! :poster_oops:

During monsoon season down here I carry Ziplock bag for the iPod, Phone, etc. I was worried about my lights though, so a LBS wrench suggested carrying condoms to cover them and still be lit up. Married monkeys should prolly explain this to their spouse before stock up however.

:thumb:

[chicodude]

Some guy on a clapped out ten speed tried to lecture me on the wearing the proper saftey gear at a light yesterday. Good stuff.

[Squeak]

During monsoon season down here I carry Ziplock bag for the iPod, Phone, etc. I was worried about my lights though, so a LBS wrench suggested carrying condoms to cover them and still be lit up. Married monkeys should prolly explain this to their spouse before stock up however.

:thumb:

All my stuff was in my Chrome bag, and stayed dry as a bone. :monkeydance:

[Heidi]

So I'm really tired today and was just kind of cruising to work, not trying all that hard and I see some guy furiously pedaling to catch up to me. He does so at the roundabout and continues to hammer by my without a word. He pulls off to take a short cut and that's when I kick it in only I take the longer way around. I'm now ahead of him when he rejoins the main road and he tries to take another shortcut. Two streets down he connects back up with my road only I'm still ahead of him. He sprints up and says, "You must know some shortcut I don't". I reply, "Nope, I'm just faster than you."

SLAM!

[KavuRider]

So I'm really tired today and was just kind of cruising to work, not trying all that hard and I see some guy furiously pedaling to catch up to me. He does so at the roundabout and continues to hammer by my without a word. He pulls off to take a short cut and that's when I kick it in only I take the longer way around. I'm now ahead of him when he rejoins the main road and he tries to take another shortcut. Two streets down he connects back up with my road only I'm still ahead of him. He sprints up and says, "You must know some shortcut I don't". I reply, "Nope, I'm just faster than you."

SLAM!

Haha, awesome! :thumb:

[SilentJ]

Frost has started here in the mornings. Lots of spazzy riders out in full effect.

Bike is making gawdawful creaking noises that I've never heard before. I predict JRA frame snappage to full on carnage before the year is out.

Since this morning's ride in I've had 3 cups of coffee and 5 pints of beer. If I don't post again, its because I rode into the river and drown....or my frame snapped and I'm in a coma.

[metalchef87]

One time I road in and thought I was going to work through a big storm. By midnight it should have easily passed through. Well, my plan didn't work and I couldn't justify having the wife drive with the baby to pick me up that late.

SO I sucked it up and road home in a July thundershower. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Like being baptised by warm rain under fire works skies. It was my fastest average this year 21.3mph. I'll never forget it.

Sounds AMAZING!!!

[metalchef87]

I am looking to get a commuter, especially for winter, but in general. Currently I just ride my mountain bike, with road tires. That is fine while it is dry, but soon enough winter will be here and I will be in trouble. I only have about a 4 mile each way commute...sometimes less sometimes more. Does anyone have any cheap suggestions? My LBS doesn't have any used right now, doesn't think they will get any soon either...what should i do?

[$tinkle]

get proper tread & use the mtb.
that's both the cheapest & most storage efficient solution (if you're a minimalist, that is)

[metalchef87]

I just found out that the college that I attend part time has a bike shop that is set up to get older bikes: giants, gary fishers, specailizeds, etc. and restore them back to good use. Then they rent the bikes out to the students for 10 bucks a month. The best part is that if you volunteer to work in the shop for 10 hours you get to build your own bike for free! You can only use a range of specific items in their stock to do this, but hey it is a chance to build a good commuter for a hell of a lot less than buying one would be.

Question though...should I build a single speed, or a geared bike? My commute has a few hills, one fairly steep but short one, or I can take the long but gradual incline. My commute is around 4 miles one way.

However I will more than likely use the bike to commute to and from the store and things of that nature, so more hills might become available. I am in pretty good shape though...I think. I run around 4 miles twice a week and bike pretty much everywhere, bout 15-20 miles on the average day.

[$tinkle]

Question though...should I build a single speed, or a geared bike? one of each, of course.
i contend having anything less than 2 whips is for pretenders

[metalchef87]

Okay. In that case since my specialized(mtb) is geared I should build a ss? That is what I am leaning toward. I am convinced it is easier to maintain, I just don't know if I am committed. But I am leaning that way...

[Heidi]

I am looking to get a commuter, especially for winter, but in general. Currently I just ride my mountain bike, with road tires. That is fine while it is dry, but soon enough winter will be here and I will be in trouble. I only have about a 4 mile each way commute...sometimes less sometimes more. Does anyone have any cheap suggestions? My LBS doesn't have any used right now, doesn't think they will get any soon either...what should i do?


Cheap suggestions? Just use your mountain bike.:lighten:

[Heidi]

Brrrrr, down right cold this morning. 30 degrees when I rolled out of the garage. White frosty rooftops against blue sky, frozen flowers, the sound of ice scrapers on windshields, and me all bundled up in my thermal winter riding jacket.

Ride on.

[-dustin]

Any of y'all use fancy lights for commuting? Considering picking up either a NR MyNewt or TriNewt.

[Heidi]

Any of y'all use fancy lights for commuting? Considering picking up either a NR MyNewt or TriNewt.

I don't use anything fancy, but then I can keep it to mostly offroad or rarely driven roads.

[Squeak]

I just picked up a NR Sol (I think its the new mininewt ?)

It works great for the commute and its got about 4 hours runtime.

On sale at performance, and I couldn't pass it up.

[Stray_cat]

This still needs cleaned up and painted, but this is the first round on a new commuter frame I'm working on. Most likley a Nexus 8 will find it's way on it, along with a fully equiped kit.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/Turbanik/DSC00583.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/Turbanik/DSC00588.jpg

I'd be more than happy to hear your thoughts.

[Secret Squirrel]

You need to come up with a bad ass headbadge and name/logo...

My thoughts for a name:

"Hot Glue"

or

"Verisimilitude"

Cool bikey. Kit that bad boy out!!

[Stray_cat]

You need to come up with a bad ass headbadge and name/logo...

My thoughts for a name:

"Hot Glue"

or

"Verisimilitude"

Cool bikey. Kit that bad boy out!!


Haha, solid names! Aluminum headbadge is planned.

[Toshi]

i've been rocking a Nexus 7 since about May on my commuter bike. it's kind of a pain in the ass to adjust but once set it's very clean and quiet. i'd get it again given the chance.

[Secret Squirrel]

Well... a peek at my parts/mileage/expenditure chart reveals that I've ridden 3,000 miles since May 1st on just my roadie....

w0w.

That means the frame has almost (very roughly) 10k on it....I've owned cars that haven't lasted that long...

My butt hurts just thinking about that.

[Stray_cat]

i've been rocking a Nexus 7 since about May on my commuter bike. it's kind of a pain in the ass to adjust but once set it's very clean and quiet. i'd get it again given the chance.

Really? I know some of the first Gens had some shifting issues, but i've been dealing with the 7 and 8 for a few years now, and have had a good experiance. The new iMotion by SRAM is a really clean system as well.

[Toshi]

it's just the mechanism for adjusting it which is a pain: no barrel adjuster at the hub, having to release the housing each time to easily lift the adjuster-nut out of its perch, an adjuster-nut in the first place instead of an allen bolt...

[Stray_cat]

it's just the mechanism for adjusting it which is a pain: no barrel adjuster at the hub, having to release the housing each time to easily lift the adjuster-nut out of its perch, an adjuster-nut in the first place instead of an allen bolt...

I've always been able to do the small adjustments with the barrel adjuster on shifter in decent fashion. I'll definitly agree that the pinch-nut/hook mech isn't very graceful. I think you'd really dig on the iMotion. The CJP is integrated and there's no nut goofiness. It is a bit heavier though.

[Toshi]

i can't complain about the price of the Nexus 7 at least: came as OEM on a $515 (on sale) Novara Transfer, with that price also including a generator hub, front light, rear flasher, rear rack, and full fenders. aftermarket the nexus/wheel setup alone would have run a goodly portion of the whole bike's price...

[Squeak]

You just know something is going to happen when you screw up....

So I had to take the truck in for an oil change, so I had my bike in the back and dropped it off in the morning and rode to work. When I go to pick it up at the end of the day, I get all the way there and realize that I left my wallet sitting in the server room where I keep my bike and change clothes. UGHH.

The ride there was uneventful, but its in the Tech Center here in Denver and I HATE riding on the roads anywhere near rush hour. It is just plain not fun as it seems like none of the drivers pay attention or look for bikes at all.

So now the ride back to work and back to the shop for the truck...cut off once, locked brakes for yahoo making a left in front of me, and the kicker...BMW boy giving me the I am so cool I am going to buzz the bike and force them into the gutter. I am glad I did not have a U lock handy because I was pretty pissed and was ready to smash some BMW. Of course he booked it and I got stuck at a light.

Side note, over 1000 miles commuting since may, which is pretty darn cool. :)

[Secret Squirrel]

Bought some rain gear last Friday at REI's sale (w00t for savings!!).

Well...I have to say that my Sugoi shoe covers rule.

My feet used to get cold (but not necessarily wet...) sometimes on the ride in, but now they're warm. And dry.

Also my rain pants (and jacket) have yet to be thoroughly tested...but they're comfy and warm. Time will tell.

Might need a second, more powerful headlight depending on how dark certain sections of the trail are as the sun rises later...

[Heidi]

Side note, over 1000 miles commuting since may, which is pretty darn cool. :)


NIce job! You know what will really freak people out...periodically dismount your bike, pick it up and hop over invisible barriers cyclyclocross style and then remount and ride off.

[Heidi]

29 degrees outside and steam is rising from the river.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/derekfaller/ba318fa7.jpg

Snow showers possible for my ride home.

[Squeak]

Think it was 40 here this morn?

I lost a brake pad this morning??? Never had that happen. Have to go buy some at lunch and fix it.

[Toshi]

i bought new goretex gloves today. yay REI 20% one item sale. boo 45 degree weather making my hands cold.

in other news all us bike commuters should be eligible for a $20/month federal tax break come january 2009 thanks to a piece of pork stuck into (and passed with) the revised bailout legislation. fitting that it comes from a portland, oregon congressman.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/us/10bike.html?ref=us

[$tinkle]

didn't use it last year b/c i didn't have receipts. and the irs is all about spending a dollar to get a dime

[Toshi]

didn't use it last year b/c i didn't have receipts. and the irs is all about spending a dollar to get a dime

this sounds like a program that'll be handled by corporate HR people. peons will merely have to go to the desk to get $20 more (rather, less that amount in tax deducted) per month on their paycheck.

$20/month is coincidentally within a few pennies of how much my pre-tax deduction is for my regional bus pass, so i'd take that money gladly.

[Heidi]

Yah, that was on the front page of our paper last week...being in Oregon and all. BRING IT,

[j2d013]

I just got finished building my 1st commuter. I mostly ride trail and dh, but have been on a friend's commuter a few times and loved it. Plus this will really help my cardio and a great way to get to work. I was given a 1992 Trek 1200, today we made it a single speed, new tires, new tubes, rear brake, and bull horn bars. I only went for a few short spins tonight but so far so good. Here in the SE/ Greenville, SC we have a great bike community. The commuter and fixied gear have really taken off recently and off course the MTB is very strong. I will post pics ASAP. I'm totally pumped and ready to click on the miles!!!!!!:banana:

[Secret Squirrel]

^^ Awesome. Welcome to the best (and most socially acceptable) way to start dressing in spandex.

:banana:

[j2d013]

I will never wear spandex...... F#$k a skin suit. Oh I did my 1st decent ride today on the commuter, fast and smooth.

[Squeak]

Ok it is that time of year...

I have to leave in the morning by 7 ish, and its frickin dark and cold right now. :(


Motivation where have you gone??

[KavuRider]

With the Tour de Fat in Tempe, I've started commuting again.
Rolling my Karpiel with Hookworms to work today. Did my grocery shopping last night by bike too. I miss my Xtracycle...

Hopefully I'll start posting more in this thread!

[Bevo Bill]

I just got finished building my 1st commuter. I mostly ride trail and dh, but have been on a friend's commuter a few times and loved it. Plus this will really help my cardio and a great way to get to work. I was given a 1992 Trek 1200, today we made it a single speed, new tires, new tubes, rear brake, and bull horn bars. I only went for a few short spins tonight but so far so good. Here in the SE/ Greenville, SC we have a great bike community. The commuter and fixied gear have really taken off recently and off course the MTB is very strong. I will post pics ASAP. I'm totally pumped and ready to click on the miles!!!!!!:banana:

:cheers:
had to join to say nice to see at least one other 92 1200 being shown some love out there
http://webpages.charter.net/bswing/Roadbike.jpg
mine recently got upgraded to a CL ultegra set

although as far as commuting goes, I typically go with the same era paramount series
http://webpages.charter.net/bswing/mtnbike.jpg

[j2d013]

Hell yeah bro that thing is sick. I really like the Black, mine is electric yellow, but I do love it. We did 13 miles on Tuesday on them, it was a lot of fun. I have already got plans to change the wheels over to Velocity, but other that that it is money. I will try and get pics this weekend of my stable.

[KavuRider]

Been riding with an injured knee the last few days.
Last night, after work, I rode the big bike down to a buddy's house to pick up a fork he rebuilt for me. It was about 40 miles total for the day. My legs feel good but my knee was jacked this morning. All ready to go, got on my bike and tried to pedal - no good. Had to fire up the truck and drive in. Sucky. Hopefully it'll heal up soon (cut it open in a crash last Saturday) and I can get back to riding all the time!

[Heidi]

Bummer about your knee - take care of it, knees are precious.

Brilliant sunrise this morning with lots of pic highlights in the high jet stream blown linear clouds. Awesomeness.

[Heidi]

SOOOOO close to hitting a deer this morning on my ride to work. They jumped out of nowhere and I had to slam on my brakes to keep from t-boning one at 25 mph. Close call.

[KavuRider]

SOOOOO close to hitting a deer this morning on my ride to work. They jumped out of nowhere and I had to slam on my brakes to keep from t-boning one at 25 mph. Close call.

Whoa! Glad you're ok!

Back on the bike, knee is feeling a LOT better. Rode in to work today. :banana:

I LOVE Hookworms!

[KavuRider]

Another great ride in today. Temps are perfect!
My "new" fork is starting to break in nicely too.

Trying to get as many miles in as I can before going to Moab next month.

[Squeak]

Well I got my first flat since I started commuting in May. Not too bad really.

It was caused by the satan of plants, the goat head. :rant:

I hate those things