The I rode to work today never ending thread.

[Bob E.]

Sounds good Bob. I order mine from a gerbings dealer out of Fl. who had everything in stock and got it with in a week. Don't know if he does the coupons but you can ask. Just another source for ya. Here is his link http://www.shangorider.com/HomePage/Level2Index.html

A Gerbings dealer in FL...huh...I wouldn't think there would be much of a need for Gerbings in FL. 

Thanks for the link. 

[Big IV]

We've been snowed in for the past few days. We had to drag my wife's Volvo to the top of the hill with a tractor  and park it at Mom and Dads. Our driveway and her light rear wheel drive station wagon didn't play nicely.

This morning is both of our return to work after the snow started canceling classes last week.
My wife left before I did, trudging up to Mom and Dad's to scrape the ice from her windshield. It was foggy, and had been raining at near freezing temps, but school was on schedule. She called in a panic because after scraping her windshield and warming her car the seat belt was stuck. I jogged slipping up to the house and helped her get it unstuck. Must have been twisted funny. I managed to get it out. Dad stepped out to help, but I had it under control.

After my wife left Dad asked me if I was going to work. Sure. He told me I needed a dependable second vehicle so that I wouldn't have to ride the bike in the snow like this.  I just shrugged.
Getting the bike cranked was easy. It was ready to ride. I had to gently turn it around under the shed and cross a sheet of slush to reach the driveway. I slowly walked it down a run of slush following the Volvo's left track to the bottom of the hill. After easing out on the road the rest of the commute was fine.

It was still foggy.

I took the longer way to avoid back roads that may still have shady icy spots.

I didn't rush or speed.

I had a great ride in.

It is nice to ride in a nice warm fog looking at snow covered banks as long as the roads are clear in front of me.

When I arrived at work early and safely I did call my wife and let her know I was okay.   I didn't even say I told you so.  Not a bad start to the day.

I have an odd day ahead but it should be great.

[Big IV]

I am usually early to work. I don't like being on time because that feels late. This morning, I was actually late which felt even worse than being late.

I walked up to my Dad's shop this morning before I left to discuss a few things about the upcoming day. Timed that perfectly. Walked out to the shed where I keep my bike. The only ice in site was the sheet of 12'x10' ice running outside the shed (where I needed to back the bike). This morning the ice was as thick as it was yesterday but slicker. Dang shade.

I backed up the first time and couldn't go any further, so I pulled back into the open shed and tried to re-aim the bike.

The second aim wasn't any better. The bike backed squarely out onto the ice and there we stopped. I scrambled to push back with my feet but they just slipped back and forth without catching anything. Eventually I was able to get the bike moved just enough back that I could go forward out across the slushy yard and come back around to the driveway.

That cost me 10 minutes. But nothing was hurt. So my well planned morning then ran long. So I was late to work, but I did have  a nice ride in.

Commute to ride, ride to commute!

[Bob E.]

WOW...2 days in a row I got to ride to work.  Yesterday kinda sucked though.  When I left in the morning at 7:00, the weather guys said it would be upper 30s with a few flurries in the morning and clearing out for the afternoon.  So I took the bike.  Well, it snowed all day and I doubt it got much above freezing.  I actually had to brush the snow off my seat...at least it wasn't sticking to the roads.  Unfortunately, the roads were a little wet, so my bike is even more trashed than it already was from the road spray.  I really need to get it cleaned off because there is a good bit of sale in there. 

Today, they are again calling for upper 30's and sunshine, so I rode the Valk in.  I hope they are a little closer than yesterday.  After today, though, it looks like it will be a while until the bike sees daylight.  They are calling for 3"-6" of snow tomorrow afternoon into Saturday morning.  On the radio, they were actually calling for "at least" 6" of snow.  Oh well...at least I have my new Gerbings on the way for when the roads are clear and dry again.

[Big Rig]

Rode today, sunny 70° warm breezes and took the long way to work, passing palm tree after palm tree, bikini clad women walking along sun showered beaches, waving as I passed.

Huh, what is that noise??? cursed alarm clock!!!! How do you get back to a dream???

I did ride this morning, put my girl a little further back in the garage to get the the snow blower out...

[Black Pearl's Captain]

News Flash!! Raymond rode to work!! Fog and 34. Right above the cusp of evilness. 

[cutter]

I see your fog and raise the temp to 46! 

[Big IV]

Today's inclimate weather was buckets of rain with patches of clouds squatting on top of the road.

The temp was hovering around 37 degrees, so while wet and moving down the road that felt grreeaat! sure it did.

We've had a lot of rain, sleet, and melting snow so the ground has soaked up about all that it can soak up. We're in danger of flooding in most of the riding area.

But I made it to work (slightly damp) and I've made it to the next stop on my commute. So the rest of the day should be walking around in the rain until I go to a friend's birthday party tonight. I'm hoping to meet my wife for drinks at the Irish pub in Gastonia tonight. That should make for a nice evening, but for a long wet ride home.

Overall...it has been worse.

Commute to ride, ride to commute.

[hubcapsc]

We've had a lot of rain, sleet, and melting snow so the ground has soaked up about all that it can soak up.

I think our septic field is saturated. I've never had any trouble with it yet, but my fingers are crossed...

-Mike "our plumber was a rookie... and he didn't ride to work today"

[Big IV]

I think our septic field is saturated. I've never had any trouble with it yet, but my fingers are crossed...

-Mike "our plumber was a rookie... and he didn't ride to work today"

It is on days like today that I wonder how that creative drainage field we had to run is going to hold up. Our property was almost to much rock to run a tank at all. I think they managed to find a spot big enough to squeeze the tank, and then ran the field lines out around the rocks as best they could (only slightly up hill).

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Magic mirror tell me true, who's out there riding thier Valk to work today? Cutter, Karen, Bob, BigIV? Not me here. This is the first time I've ever seen snow stack up 2" high on a barb wire fence (REALLY!).

It was a sloppy mess here this morning. The snow came straight down and it's like a winter postcard scene all over.

Raymond

[Bob E.]

It will be awhile for me...





And they are calling for another 6"+ tomorrow night.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

You better start shoveling if you want any U.S. mail soon! Nice pictures Bob.

That is just how the barbed wire fences look around here except we only got two inches on them.

Raymond

[hubcapsc]

I rode in this morning... Intellicast sez it is 32 degrees... I wore my same old gloves
that I wear all the time summer/winter, with a pair of silk liners. Fingers got a
little cold/numb, I'd choose to wear the heated gloves at this temp if I was actually
going anywhere... I remember leaving for the FCR wearing a t-shirt under a liner-less
Joe Rocket mesh and showing up in Robbinsville shivering cold (even though I zipped
in the liner halfway there - I was stopped, zipping in the liner, when the lift adapter unceremoniously
clanked to the ground at my feet)...

-Mike "I mean, it fell off my friend's bike at his feet"

[Big IV]

Since the record low (1918 or something like that) is 1 degree, today's about average 34 degrees should have felt warm and refreshing.

I didn't ride all weekend. I spent Saturday and Sunday running down wheels and basic supplies for the project truck. My wife thought it was to cold both days. I didn't feel like arguing.

Today I had to head back to work. I am feeling a bit apethetic about actually doing my work, but I was looking forward to the ride in. It's a monday.

I forgot to take my good heavy gloves down to the house, so they had sat in a cold saddle bag all weekend. I decided running the pocket warmed gloves would be preferable.  I did a little finger aerobics to keep the blood flowing, but the gloves were just barely enough.

So I made it to work this morning on a particuarly unremarkable ride. Commute to ride, ride to commute. Here starts another week.

[Bob E.]

You better start shoveling if you want any U.S. mail soon! Nice pictures Bob.

That is just how the barbed wire fences look around here except we only got two inches on them.

Raymond

We're all dug out now.  That pic was taken about 8am or so Saturday morning...and it was still snowing pretty hard.  I'll have to snap some pics of the dug-out snow when I get home from work.  It's piled high...the skid loader makes it alot easier.  Bad news is we are supposed to get another 6"+ tomorrow night. 

[Big IV]

Compared to Bob E and most of DC the local weather here is great. 32 degrees with a chance of rain this afternoon.
Back into work I go.

[cutter]

yeah I rode yesterday...... Dry coming in but hit that nothern head on going home.  Haven't had to ride in rain like that in quite awhile....... Dry this morning with a nice tail wind heading in  Now they are talking possible sleet thursday... hmmm   at least I don't have to shovel or own a snowblower!    y'all be safe out there.

[Big Rig]

Maybe us northerns should change from I rode my valk to i rode my snow blower...in for another 12-24 inches tonight and tomorrow...I love when the nail the amounts down....I can't ride so who cares how much we get...sledding with the kids tomorrow....Woooo Hooo...

You all stay warm and dry...

[RP#62]

I rode in today, it was beautiful.  About 44° on the way in and 68° on the way home.
-RP

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I rode in today, it was beautiful.  About 44° on the way in and 68° on the way home.
-RP

68? As in 68 degrees Fahrenheit ABOVE zero?

You're tearing us up you know, of course you know. 

Enjoy the rides.

Raymond

[Bob E.]

I rode in today, it was beautiful.  About 44° on the way in and 68° on the way home.
-RP

You know you miss this southwestern PA weather!

[Big IV]

28 degrees here, clear blue skies which is nice after the yesterday afternoon rain fall.
I woke up with a headache so I slept in a little. That left me getting up late and trying not to rush on the possible patches of black ice. The roads were mostly clear. I did hit a few patches that I had to slow down for. Luckily for me the sun was glistening on them so I could see them.

I'm trudging through the day. I don't want to be here in the lights having to speak, but I trudge on.

Commute to ride, ride to commute.


_______________________________________
I'm walking around at lunch feeling the stiff breeze of a wind that is expected to gust in excess of 40mph today.  I hope it quits before three o'clock when I do, otherwise the ride to dinner is going to be a long slanted one.

[Big IV]

Another day at work. Today I broke down and wore jeans because I didn't need to be wearing slacks today. It is 21 degrees outside and I'm working a half day today.  When I made it up to my bike I remembered that my zipper pull is broke, so I had to improvise with a paperclip to get my jacket closed.
A fun start to a day.

Commute to ride, ride to commute.

[Karen]

She's Baaaack! The cable guy left, and we now have a real internet connection. I'm riding to work to celebrate today. Right around freezing, may be warmer when I come home. Spring is coming!

[Big IV]

Just an odd 28 degrre morning. The news expect we'll get a light 1-3"es of snow. When did 1" of snow become light for us here in NC? Most years that would rival our largest snow fall!  Luckily they think it will hit after I get home (most likely) if it hits at all. It might not.

I was running behind this morning, only to remember my bike was reserve. Didn't have time to buy gas, but I had to, so I did. I arrived at work late. Blast!

Oh well. My day finally started. So far it has been pretty good. I was able to discuss Sappho today. That is always fun. I did find a few minutes to complete two job applications and put those in the courier so they're under way. We'll see how that turns out.

And I'm sitting here pondering lunch. I wonder if I should ride out to McDs today? I don't know. Can't decide. Might just grab something here. Might skip it all together. We'll see.

So far not a bad day. Should be interesting at least.

Commute to ride, ride to commute. (I do wish it would warm up. I doubt sping is coming soon).

[Big IV]

Just another Monday. I got up early to take care of some paperwork from home (things that were supposed to be finished Sunday night).
About 8:00am I walked up to the bike and hit the road. 33 degrees and raining slightly. Visibility was good. I didn't run into any black ice.
So that is good.
Otherwise just another Monday.  My evening ride to dinner (McD) and back to work again was nice. Maybe the rain has left us alone for a day or two. We'll see.
Commute to ride, ride to commute.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I almost forgot to post today. It was a cold cold ride. 24 with a 25 mph northwest wind that just wouldn't quit coming around the side of the windscreen.

I felt colder today than when I rode in the single digits. I had one surprise. I knew since the wind was high I would have some pushing around on the overpass areas. One thing I did not expect was after I got off the thruway I was between a 4 story hotel and a vertical wall of a overpass. The wind must have funneled terribly through there as it pushed me sideways about 2 feet in just an instance. That sucked but no harm.

I'm trying to convince myself winter shutdown is over for me and get back to riding everyday. I hope that's true.

See you all in this thread soon.

Raymond

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Another cold windy day but I'm here and alive. Does it get any better then that? Nope.

Raymond

[Big IV]

I was riding to work thinking this morning. I know it has been the snowiest winter I can remember around here, but when the snow isn't piling up, the riding has been fairly mild. I've felt chillier weeks. Most days are chilly but comfortable.
I was thinking that I rode past the thermometer that read 20 degrees. I guess you get used to it over the winter.
Not a bad ride in.
Commute to ride, ride to commute.

[cutter]

Rain is gone and the sunshine feels great but..... 28-30 in the morning and upper 40s to lower 50s for the ride home....... I'll take it!  thank you very much.......

[Black Pearl's Captain]

19 on my ride in, come on real spring. This positive attitude is not warming me much.

Raymond

[Big IV]

Wed I made the first two gigs of the three gig day. Didn't make it to the last. Other than that the weather wasn't bad.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

It was a regular heat wave today at 34. And the Kansas BlackDuck has his Valk parked out by my bike!

Hell has thawed out.

Raymond

[Blackduck KS]

I don`t know about hell but it was so nice out even went to lunch and didn`t have to wear my suit pants. WOO HOO Spring is getting closer I can feel it right now ,tonight may be a differant story but a good day to ride today.


Blackduck

[cutter]

Got another week covered on 2.   

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Got another week covered on 2.   

Good on you cutter. Rain and maybe snow here today so it was a cage for me. 

Raymond

[hubcapsc]

I rode today... it's rill nice here, it will probably be around 60 the next three days... too bad
I'm on call, can't really go anywhere...

My oncallness required me to go to campus before heading out to the research park
where I normally work, had to go to the bowels of the old computer center and mash
the reset button on a netware box... It is usually a mad house trying to park on campus...
unless you're on a motorcycle...

-Mike

[Karen]

Rode Monday, drove Tues & Wed, rode Thurs & Friday. Not bad for Feb!

[grey ghost]

Finally got the new battery in, charged and installed, got to put two days on her this week, ready for spring....