I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 21, 2013 at 8:43pm

I rode to work, and locked up at my super secret, semi-secure, sheltered from the elements parking area. When I approached my bike after work, I could immediately tell that my rear tire was flat.

Well, there's your problem. Maybe that spot's not as secure as I thought.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 21, 2013 at 9:06pm

I don't think so. The rear U-lock was still on the back tire and frame. I just assumed it was some fancy delivery truck driving. Bummer indeed.

John Durham said:

What the what? Somebody tried to jack your rear wheel and just ended up breaking the rim?

Bummer.

Kevin C 4.1 mi said:

I rode to work, locked up at my super secret, semi-secure, sheltered from the elements parking area. When I approached my bike after work, I could immediately tell that my rear tire was flat.

[snip]

Well, there's your problem. Maybe that spot's not as secure as I thought.

[snip]

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 21, 2013 at 9:26pm

Sorry about your wheel! Is there room to lock the bike up parallel to the rack, on the building side?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 21, 2013 at 10:37pm

I've actually seen some messengers do that, but always viewed it as kind of a dick move because it takes up 3-4 spots with a single bike. While that may be true, it is apparently also the smart move. I've parked at this rack (not my building-actually a couple blocks away) for a couple of years in the winter without incident.

h' 1.0 said:

Sorry about your wheel! Is there room to lock the bike up parallel to the rack, on the building side?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 21, 2013 at 10:40pm

My building doesn't have a garage or on-site parking. This is actually a building a couple blocks away from my office which I use winter-only. The loading dock to the left of the racks is unused and the bay which a delivery truck would use is narrowed by the rack and a concrete pylon-nobody backs in or out of that space. I was probably the victim of a 3 or 4 point turn. I envy your secure underground parking.

Morgan 6 mi said:

That is a crappy place to put a bike rack. Just look at the lack of buffer space between the rack and the loading dock. Sorry to see your bike crunched like that. Our building has secure (?) underground parking and the valet parker guys sure like to make it so you can't get the bikes out from the bike racks. No effed up bike though.

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on January 22, 2013 at 7:36am

Yep. -1.0 when I left the house at Montrose/Sheridan.

Gear worked fine; I'm not sure I could go another 5 degrees colder with this set-up, though.

Frozen eyelashes, but no complaints.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 22, 2013 at 8:27am

Yes! Wind died down and not gusting, so here I am with bike.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on January 22, 2013 at 8:40am

that stinks kevin. sorry to see this. especially in this weather. hopefully you can get a good replacement rear-wheel setup rolling soon.

DB

Kevin C 4.1 mi said:

I rode to work, and locked up at my super secret, semi-secure, sheltered from the elements parking area. When I approached my bike after work, I could immediately tell that my rear tire was flat.

Well, there's your problem. Maybe that spot's not as secure as I thought.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 22, 2013 at 9:33am

For more bike commute photos from today, click here.

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Permalink Reply by prof.gfr on January 22, 2013 at 9:50am

I rode in the neighborhood doing errands yesterday and today. 5+ miles yesterday total, probably the same today. Both days, wool base layer, jeans, wool sweaters, down sweater, wind breaker, glove liners, ski gloves, wool neck gaiter. All those body parts were fine.

Yesterday's mistake: regular bike helmet with wool bike cap beneath and no goggles. My head was freezing, especially my forehead (major sinus headache from windy cold air hitting my head). Also, my breath kept fogging my glasses (dangerously) at intersections.

Today's correction: snowboarding helmet with ear protectors, closed vents, and goggles. Perfection!

Best part: the thumbs up between me and every other cyclist I saw.

BTW, kudos to those of you who did longer commutes! I'd have to warm up in a coffee shop if I went longer than 3 miles. Stay safe!