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536 Posts
Props to all of you out there that commute in the snow and really cold stuff, I want to be that guy some day but am not there yet. I'll blame the equipment for now, my only ride is a fragile steel thing that wouldn't take to well to the slush and such. X bike planned for this fall, but in any case...
For me, the first nice day to start to commute to work was yesterday here in New England. Drove in with the bike on the roof intent to ride home then back today. The ride was beautiful, cool but refreshing as I began the 12 mile trip. Passed Lake Manchaug and snapped a photo with my brandy-new stylus 400 that had arrived via UPS the day before, thanks to those who helped me with that here last week. There is a reason the photos are not posted...
About 500 m from my house these two dogs start barking and running along with me to my left in a yard on the other side of a rock wall. I'm going about 21 mph and I think: "I run and ride all the time and have never noticed dogs on that side of the road, but there are two dogs just like those usually tied up on the right hand side..." WHAM! One of the fockers cuts dead across my path and goes directly under my wheel. Superman onto the pot-hole filled pavement where I clank my helmet off the ground and glide to a stop after about 20'. I rise and see the mutt still barking at me (as if crashing me out wasn't enough) in his own yard now. I fired my waterbottle at him, missed, and start yelling at the house demanding that the owners come out side. The dog is gone around back and the homeowners (whom I've never met) come out and apologize. I swore at them for quite some time I think.
Final damage: One 20 hour old olympus stylus 400 digital camera, one Garneau thermozone jacket in my team colors, one Bell Furio helmet, one pair of trek lobster style over mitts, and road rash to the left hip, elbow, and knee. A little stiff neck as well. With no fractures I know it could have been much worse, the layers of clothing helped reduce the injuries significantly. And thank god for modern helmets, I'd have been killed.
I've heard that you'll crash every 1000 miles or so, I'm hoping that this one takes care of the next few months.
For me, the first nice day to start to commute to work was yesterday here in New England. Drove in with the bike on the roof intent to ride home then back today. The ride was beautiful, cool but refreshing as I began the 12 mile trip. Passed Lake Manchaug and snapped a photo with my brandy-new stylus 400 that had arrived via UPS the day before, thanks to those who helped me with that here last week. There is a reason the photos are not posted...
About 500 m from my house these two dogs start barking and running along with me to my left in a yard on the other side of a rock wall. I'm going about 21 mph and I think: "I run and ride all the time and have never noticed dogs on that side of the road, but there are two dogs just like those usually tied up on the right hand side..." WHAM! One of the fockers cuts dead across my path and goes directly under my wheel. Superman onto the pot-hole filled pavement where I clank my helmet off the ground and glide to a stop after about 20'. I rise and see the mutt still barking at me (as if crashing me out wasn't enough) in his own yard now. I fired my waterbottle at him, missed, and start yelling at the house demanding that the owners come out side. The dog is gone around back and the homeowners (whom I've never met) come out and apologize. I swore at them for quite some time I think.
Final damage: One 20 hour old olympus stylus 400 digital camera, one Garneau thermozone jacket in my team colors, one Bell Furio helmet, one pair of trek lobster style over mitts, and road rash to the left hip, elbow, and knee. A little stiff neck as well. With no fractures I know it could have been much worse, the layers of clothing helped reduce the injuries significantly. And thank god for modern helmets, I'd have been killed.
I've heard that you'll crash every 1000 miles or so, I'm hoping that this one takes care of the next few months.