[vvill]

Since one of the original points of this thread was to be able to recognize others on the trail, here’s my road bike/nice-enough weather commuter:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2023[/ATTACH]
Most distinctive thing is the “tailpipe” mounted pump which gets a few questions/comments.

And what will probably become my main commuter:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2022[/ATTACH]
Still dialing in this one. Wouldn’t mind if I could shave just 3-4 lbs off the weight.

[vvill]

Thanks! If it can handle 0-40F that’s a great range of temps.

[vvill]

@RESTONTODC 35274 wrote:

I wear only the Gore Men’s Phantom Jacket. It’s water resistant. The GoreWindstopper is in the front and the back mesh gives good ventilation. It prevents overheating. Here is the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Gore-Phantom-Jacket-Lemon-X-Large/dp/B0028NDTA0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352233731&sr=8-1&keywords=gore+winter+jacket

Hmmm… this might be what I “need” for 30-50F. What is the fit/cut like?

[vvill]

I don’t really have anything I like for ~30F+. For less than that I recently got a TwinSix thermal jersey, which is plenty warm.

[vvill]

@dcv 35181 wrote:

folding bikes always intrigue me, is it set up with same reach and saddle/bar drop as your road bike? if you close your eyes does it ride just like a road bike? the little wheels must spin supersonic, need discs. nice.

Roughly the same stack/reach, yes, but the wheelbase is longer. It doesn’t quite feel like a road bike though, and I can’t ride it no handed (unlike CX/road bike) – that could be because of the short stem though. On turns and if you climb/sprint out of the saddle it feels considerably different because of the small wheels (and I assume different center of gravity?) – can’t lean over quite as much (or at least I don’t dare to), and you end up using your arms less. Also, small wheels = bumps feel harsher. Doesn’t mean you can’t go fast though.

I would imagine folding bikes all handle differently though depending on which model you have.

[vvill]

…I’m having problems scrolling past the LeMond. Niiice.

I don’t have pictures of all my bikes yet. This is probably the only interesting one anyway:

Swift Folder, 1×9 Tiagra shifter with Capreo hub/cassette giving a Bill Killing 36-103 gear inches (though it’s 26lbs). Could use a chain retention device.

This is the one I first started commuting regularly on in London and DC. Frame’s bit big for me though.

I still like the stuff this company puts out. http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/

This is the first nice bike I ever owned. Commuted on it a fair bit when I lived in Brisbane, and did the odd off-road excursion in Sydney:

It currently lives in a basement in Australia gathering dust. It may be too big for me.

The first non-Kmart/garage sale/etc bike I owned (until stolen) was a black Diamondback Outlook (early 90s, rigid, and I think steel) bought from a LBS. I loved it, and I wish I still had it: it’d make a nice beater-commuter! I saw one on Craigslist once and was tempted. Not my bike, but I think this was the model.

My other bikes are a GT GTR Series 1, Kona Jake and a rusty GT Avalanche 3.0. They’re mostly stock. I just noticed all my bikes are aluminum. I guess I need a nice steel SS/FG.

[vvill]

Gravel grindin’ is good for your soul!

Dirt has said he’s hoping to make it a regular ride through the winter.

[vvill]

Not quite profoundly annoying, but I do usually make sure my sunglasses are UNDER my helmet straps. I like to take off my helmet while being able to keep my sunglasses on. I also don’t usually remove my valve nut/cap on my tubes. I’ve read the rules before but a lot of them don’t match my riding priorities, e.g. I wear MTB gear on commutes on my road bike all the time.

[vvill]

@Certifried 35072 wrote:

One option in Strava is to use different equipment. So if you really wanted to calculate commuting miles, you could have 2 of the same bikes listed, just name one “commute”, then you can look at how many miles on that piece of equipment. It’s easy to edit rides to change which bike was used.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, but Strava could simply total up commute-tagged rides for you! I like the separate bikes because not only can you track mileage per bike, you can add gear and easily track how many miles it’s been since you swapped out a chain or even mounted a different set of tires.

[vvill]

I thought the forecasting was excellent for this hurricane, and I was surprised at the number of dead given how serious the warnings were (but that may just be my ignorance). I guess maybe they should’ve had forced evacuations but that opens up several other cans of worms.

I do think you have to wait until closer to the event to get a more accurate local forecast. The only potential “issue” with relying on CWG is that they are weather geeks as well as forecasters so they don’t just disseminate local weather forecast information and you may have to sift more for a summary. For me, that’s a good thing though as I find it interesting and feel like I’m learning when I read their posts.

[vvill]

I’m gonna pass on this. Needs a little too much commitment over the year for me. Maybe I’ll do 31 laps at Hains Pt on the day instead. Have fun all!

@ronwalf 35044 wrote:

The Euro is predicting a nor’easter hurri-quake-maggedon.

Tim, I think you need to do a randonneur ride. You might look a little out of place on the Felt with aero helmet though.

[vvill]

I can do the 15th if you still need volunteers. And even have a beer nearby afterwards.

[vvill]

A commuting colleague (that I got into bike commuting!) and I went to grab some lights, and as we were checking them out, essigmw rolled up.

@PotomacCyclist 34999 wrote:

Anyone else wonder why NPS doesn’t just go ahead and pave that dirt path from the MVT to the Crystal City connector? They keep trying to plant grass and protect that strip with green netting. But cyclists and pedestrians continue to ride straight from the north to the off-ramp.

There would be no great loss to paving that small stretch of dirt. The grass will never grow there, while the new section of asphalt will make it more convenient for those turning off the MVT toward Crystal City.

My assumption is that people would turn on/off the CC connector carrying too much speed.

[vvill]

Hmm, two more days of early registration to decide if I wanna attempt this. I guess given that this year’s was the day after the derecho and 100F+, next year’s conditions should be relatively easy unless something freaky happens.

[vvill]

@thecyclingeconomist 34982 wrote:

Ah, well, that makes it even worse. The reality for me on these fall days: two completely separate kits. One for the ride in, and one for the ride out.

Does commuting really have to be that complicated?

Anyway yeah I guess I can’t have my cake and eat it too. I was thinking also perhaps I need to start ventilating (using the zippers) much earlier.

[Author]

Replies