My Morning Commute

[eminva]

Due to life-happens grownup-stuff, I have not commuted by bike in more than three weeks, and only sporadically for the last two months or more. It had not been my intention to ride in this morning, but the news from Metro was not good, so I changed into riding gear and got my bike up from the basement. I was commuting on the super late shift, but was glad to be out there and see a few trail Bobs. It was a disruption in my plans, but I can’t say it was a bad one.

Oh, and I saw the same food truck stuck on I-66 at East Falls Church and then again at Spout Run. He and I were going the same pace. But I left him behind from there.

Liz

[Supermau]

Best bike lock I’ve seen in a while…

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[Supermau]

Another shot of the hapless commuter…
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[Sunyata]

Did anyone else have a magnificent commute this morning? The temperature was perfect, just chilly enough to get me motivated to fight the headwind, but not cold enough to make me miserable.

And apparently I actually dressed properly this morning, as I arrived at work warm, but not super sweaty. (I need to start writing down weather conditions, clothing options, and how I felt when I got to work…. Maybe then I can figure this winter cycling dress code out!)

[Harry Meatmotor]

@Sunyata 102325 wrote:

Did anyone else have a magnificent commute this morning? The temperature was perfect, just chilly enough to get me motivated to fight the headwind, but not cold enough to make me miserable.

And apparently I actually dressed properly this morning, as I arrived at work warm, but not super sweaty. (I need to start writing down weather conditions, clothing options, and how I felt when I got to work…. Maybe then I can figure this winter cycling dress code out!)

Not quite magnificent, but pretty damn good by all accords. More importantly, your idea to document weather/clothing is a good one. I know my clothing choices down to the 5-degree increments. As long as the weatherman isn’t lying to me, I’ve got things pretty well figured out after 5 years of year-round commuting. Not to sound too crazy, but you gotta commit to your clothing choices!

[dasgeh]

@Sunyata 102325 wrote:

And apparently I actually dressed properly this morning, as I arrived at work warm, but not super sweaty. (I need to start writing down weather conditions, clothing options, and how I felt when I got to work…. Maybe then I can figure this winter cycling dress code out!)

Last year I’d take pictures of what I wore and write the weather on it (I have a Note, so that’s easy). It took about 2 weeks to realize that, on my road bike, my wardrobe changes by adding basically one layer per 10 degrees colder.

[Terpfan]

@Sunyata 102325 wrote:

Did anyone else have a magnificent commute this morning? The temperature was perfect, just chilly enough to get me motivated to fight the headwind, but not cold enough to make me miserable.

And apparently I actually dressed properly this morning, as I arrived at work warm, but not super sweaty. (I need to start writing down weather conditions, clothing options, and how I felt when I got to work…. Maybe then I can figure this winter cycling dress code out!)

I could have gone without the constant headwind, but otherwise it was fairly pleasant. I mean only one driver was even remotely close to me on my on-road stretches; perhaps people were feeling the holiday spirit? The headwind though just blew. Ha, pun not intended, but works. I would say 80% or so of my ride is along the MVT heading northbound. Particularly the stretch from 14th St Bridge to TR Island was just constant gust against me. But damn the wind, I won.

I don’t mind these temperatures. With all my gear on, I was warm. Plus, it gives me a fairly lonely trail. You could probably measure the temperature outside simply by judging how many, if any, people pass me on my way into work. On days below 50, I’m never passed. I take pride in that fact.

[dkel]

@dasgeh 102334 wrote:

Last year I’d take pictures of what I wore and write the weather on it (I have a Note, so that’s easy). It took about 2 weeks to realize that, on my road bike, my wardrobe changes by adding basically one layer per 10 degrees colder.

I have thought about doing this, but I’m inherently too lazy! :p So I’m glad you’ve done the work for me. I was just this morning thinking that 10-degree increments is about right for each layer, and was wondering if this is more difficult for those who use Celsius, since those degrees are bigger. Maybe a layer for every 5 degrees for them?

[Rockford10]

This morning I realized I should keep my gloves in the warm house and not in the cold garage.

Other then that, it was a lovely morning. I saw some Bobs and said hello to the Bloodhound dog guy.

[ShawnoftheDread]

I brought a bottle of hooch to a neighbor. Didn’t strava it, but it was fun.

[ian74]

@ShawnoftheDread 102390 wrote:

I brought a bottle of hooch to a neighbor. Didn’t strava it, but it was fun.

Why can’t I have neighbors like you?????

My ride was decent minus the headwind, and sore legs from my other commutes earlier this week. I was sloooow. I’m glad Freezing Saddles only cares about miles and not speed. Hopefully the wind is still blowing the same direction as this morning when I leave. I wouldn’t mind a free push.

[worktheweb]

Decided to invoke Rule 5 and Rule 9 this morning to test out a new jacket I picked up for a huge discount at Performance (was essentially half off, and it no longer seems to be in stock). It kept me dry and almost too warm this morning, but made the ride an absolute pleasure.

I also had swapped my Brooks B-17 out for a Brooks Cambium C-17 that I got sale at Bicycle Space this week so I don’t have to worry about rain covers over the winter (I may swap them back and forth as desired). That Bicycle Space sale is still on since they’re moving, all accessories, including Brooks saddles 30% off. The Cambium, usually $160-$175 was $118.44 with tax, too good for me to pass up. I had tried the Cambium with a tester unit they loaned me to get home when my B-17 snapped a rail after many years of service this Fall and I had the B-17 sent off to have a new one riveted on. I was really impressed with how comfortable it was from the get-go. My new saddle is no exception and it had no issues in the rain either.

My gloves did a decent job, although water did finally get through the seams after about 40 minutes into the ride. There were some heavy sections of rain, so it is possible the water came in from the cuff and not the sleeves. Things were still pretty comfortable and the wet was mostly concentrated in the fingertips.

From the start of my commute until Gravelly Point I didn’t see another rider (a fair number of joggers and walkers though), then I saw a guy heading Southbound at the Point. Once I got into DC I saw two women riders and that was it. At a light I wished one happy holidays and we were both remarking how fun it was to ride this morning and how beautiful the fog was. When I crossed over the 14th Street Bridge, the coast was shrouded in fog so that the monuments seemed to rise from a cloud, it was a striking sight.

In the past I generally didn’t ride if it was raining heavily in the mornings, but I may have to change that rule. This morning was a lot of fun. The reasoning before was not being able to get stuff dry at the office, but the jacket may change the game.

Anyone else have fun in the rain this morning?

[lordofthemark]

@worktheweb 102749 wrote:

Anyone else have fun in the rain this morning?

I guess you could call it that. It was pretty wet (if not as bad as BTWD). Hardly any other riders (I had the 14th St bridge path all to myself, first time ever, I think.)

[PotomacCyclist]

@dkel 102340 wrote:

I have thought about doing this, but I’m inherently too lazy! :p So I’m glad you’ve done the work for me. I was just this morning thinking that 10-degree increments is about right for each layer, and was wondering if this is more difficult for those who use Celsius, since those degrees are bigger. Maybe a layer for every 5 degrees for them?

U.S. clothing is only made in Fahrenheit sizes…

[jrenaut]

Great to still have family in town to watch the kids so I could take the long way in and bike with my wife. You can tell no one is around this week because no one tried to kill me on 11th Street.

[Author]

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