I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by EssFresh on May 15, 2014 at 2:36am

Rode it, not the worst day this year by any stretch. Only saw two other cyclists out enjoying the break from this opppressive heat. :D

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on May 15, 2014 at 2:40am

Would have been a great ride in this morning, if only I was heading south. That was a brutal headwind.

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Permalink Reply by grayn8 on May 15, 2014 at 2:51am

Actually, a nice if bit breezy rainy ride west. I was sup'd to run with folks on the LFP. They cancelled so I started at Roose and State. Met a guy riding west with a porter rack ride. Opted to avoid the cluster that Roose is for a short stretch by taking canal to Taylor. Big mistake this am. The cars were driving as if no lanes existed prolly avoiding Roose too. Rest of the ride to Lawndale was smooth sailing.

TL/dr - Taylor over Roose cray this am

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on May 15, 2014 at 3:03am

I managed to make it OK thanks to the tailwind heading south. I refused to wear a winter coat (it's the middle of May) and only had to stop once to dry/warm my hands (McDonalds at Lincoln and Fullerton). left Lincoln Square at 6:15am - by the time I got downtown - it was WET and WINDY. thank god for a nice hot shower and warm dry clothes

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Permalink Reply by John Wilson 6.0 on May 15, 2014 at 3:08am

With a 20+ mph tailwind, you bet I did.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on May 15, 2014 at 3:24am

You have showers at work? Good for you. I am envious.

dan brown said: thank god for a nice hot shower and warm dry clothes

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Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on May 15, 2014 at 3:31am

I have to thank all of you -for riding on cold, rainy, windy days. I read it and get inspired, it finally pushed me over the edge and I rode today (albeit I was Southbound, if I lived in Hyde Park instead of Lincoln Square I probably wouldn't have).

Actually, it was completely comfortable..I remember getting good advice decades ago, with the right tool you can do any job. It fits for biking and has been worth the investment for rain gear, wool gloves, and goggles. I was wet and a bit sandy, and actually surprised more bikers passed me northbound than southbound (you all always pass me).

Riding in this is exhilarating.

it helped that our office building (625 N Michigan) just put in a free fitness center with showers for all tenants. I have the whole place to myself at 8am and it's lovely.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on May 15, 2014 at 3:43am

Heat-haters score big this morning. I almost put on balaclava, but didn't. full rain gear on. towards end of commute it was no rain, just impercieveable (?) misting. But DAG headwind! you had perfect aim this morning. like a sniper in the clouds you shot me down with bullets of wind. after I locked up bike I realized that something had happened. Pretty little white blossoms on a tree that I used to look at through the window across from my cubicle, had been blown clean off by this mornings wind and rain. Thousands of dainty white petals scattered on the street and sidewalk below. The final scene of a romance film, were they've lost each other forever, strings come in, credits roll.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on May 15, 2014 at 3:51am

This morning no other bikes on the rack where I lock up. its only empty like this a few times a year.

EssFresh said:

Rode it, not the worst day this year by any stretch. Only saw two other cyclists out enjoying the break from this opppressive heat. :D

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on May 15, 2014 at 3:58am

Mmmmmmm.... that sounds like the most wonderful place in the world. Well, at least I have a stall with a clean toilet. usually clean.

Ann Sch 9.3 said:

it helped that our office building (625 N Michigan) just put in a free fitness center with showers for all tenants. I have the whole place to myself at 8am and it's lovely.

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Permalink Reply by JMinHP on May 15, 2014 at 4:11am

Everything came together to make this a great morning commute. The cold temps, heavy drizzle, and gusting winds meant "normal" commuters were shivering, huddled under bus shelters and awnings, and fighting inside-out umbrellas. Meanwhile, I had a gusting tailwind pushing me the whole way; I felt nice and warm; and I had a huge grin the whole was as I passed miserable-looking people waiting for the CTA buses.