The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: jordanread on September 03, 2014, 12:41:53 PM
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After a stupid delay because I waited too long to finish this, the new sheet is up.
Fill out the form HERE (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10v8d0JU0QGo-phK6ry5h40LYvDZaomHFRgzx6Ny3wwI/viewform) and your tab and information will be added to the spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16Gbs3OtSLfz6AYKMD9IrR9nmFQ4yBP49-TvPELhUKr4/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16Gbs3OtSLfz6AYKMD9IrR9nmFQ4yBP49-TvPELhUKr4/edit?usp=sharing).
There are a few new options that you may enjoy. You can now choose to separate out your recreational rides and the rides in which you replace a car. You can also track miles driven, and you can track bike expenses.
In the form, there is a question about charts. The charts aren't fully implemented yet, but if you want them, or you want your historical data imported into your sheet, you need to click on "yes". Last but not least, if you select remember me, your tab will automatically be added each month with the options you select today.
I'm sorry the "Money Saved by not driving" thing isn't working yet, I just haven't figured out a good way to do it. I want to provide people the option of providing details about their car (mpg, maintenance/mile etc) or just use the average, and I wound up going down a rabbit hole. Hopefully next month.
On to the fun stuff. We had 49 people participate this month, and we averaged 168.7 Miles per participant. Over $1200 saved in gas (fun fact: with $1200, I could have bought my current car 3 times over), and 165,000 lbs of C02 that did not get put in the atmosphere. We didn't beat our record for most miles in a month, but this is the closest we've been since the record was set. We made 8266.51 miles this month.
Let's put it this way...if we took the entire distance we rode in just this month, pointed directly down, and went that far through the earth, we'd pretty much always come out the other side (unless you happen to be opposite a giant mountain). That's right folks!! We rode through the center of the earth (for those of you wondering, the equatorial diameter of the earth is ~ 7900 miles (http://goo.gl/0EUcyJ)). As if that's not cool enough, assuming we had the right technology, that is more miles that it would take to go all the way around the moon. Man, we are friggin' awesome. As far as our per user average of 168.7 miles, that is enough distance to get out of earth's atmosphere 3 times over. That's also longer than the Annapurna Circuit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annapurna_Circuit), a popular trek through central Nepal.
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Love the stats, Jordanread! Sweet Earth traversing relay! Also, thank you (again) for the spreadsheet wizardry. You're the best.
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Wow, fancy sheet! I'm added. :D
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Breaking from exercise to recover from a freak injury. My ankle has swollen up something fierce and it hurts to live. Ride on my compadres.
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This spreadsheet keeps getting better! Thanks for working so hard on it, JordanRead!
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I am in again... thrid month in a row, and this will be the first challenge month. The weather is starting to get col(allready) and that is going to present it own chalanges... But here we go!
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Added myself in. Happy cycling everyone!
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There is no way I'm ready for any challenge. just picked up a bike (craigslist of course!), did a quick self service and check up - all looks good. then got on it and rode for about 3 miles. That's 3 miles more than I've riden in 4 years and those years weren't kind to me.
I'm gonna be finding muscle's for a few days now.
try to get out again tomorrow..... I have a 8 mile commute. once I can sort out shower facilities (I do live in fl after all) then you know the drill. Its not even about the money - I need to be fitter..
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I'm in for the challenge this month! Hopefully the new kevlar tires will keep me from getting flats this month. =)
try to get out again tomorrow..... I have a 8 mile commute. once I can sort out shower facilities (I do live in fl after all) then you know the drill. Its not even about the money - I need to be fitter..
UnleashHell - I've got a 9 mile each way commute with no shower facilities and am in FL, too. Feel free to ask any logistics questions if you want some tips since it seems we've got a pretty similar commute.
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I'm in for the challenge this month! Hopefully the new kevlar tires will keep me from getting flats this month. =)
Feel free to ask any logistics questions if you want some tips since it seems we've got a pretty similar commute.
can you carry me?
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Awesome. Thanks for all the new hotness, Jordan!
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I'm in for the challenge this month! Hopefully the new kevlar tires will keep me from getting flats this month. =)
Feel free to ask any logistics questions if you want some tips since it seems we've got a pretty similar commute.
can you carry me?
haha, I think it's thegoblinchief that's really good at lugging additional people (does 3 kids = 1 adult?) around in a bike trailer. I don't think I could fit much more than cat in my bike basket. =)
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haha, I think it's thegoblinchief that's really good at lugging additional people (does 3 kids = 1 adult?) around in a bike trailer. I don't think I could fit much more than cat in my bike basket. =)
I've done up to 300 pounds, and that was for about 15 miles including some decent grades.
The most insane thing I did was hauling my kids (~200 pounds combined with the trailer) 58 miles last month, but it really was wearing on my body. I'm not going to do much of that at all this month.
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So apparently not biking at all in August wasn't great for my fitness. Between vacation and driving to work because driving the kids to/from summer day camp I didn't even touch my bike. I'm back in the saddle and hurting. Who knew I was using my back and abs to pedal . . .
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Hamstrings pull on the lower back when tight. I have to stretch them out every day.
Abs glue everything together, so to speak.
Good luck getting back up to shape :)
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I'm back to work for the school yer so my rising numbers should be worth posting. Short commute, but I'm getting the grocery bike back in shape after a month off due to some maintenance needs, so that ought to add to my totals.
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This is my favorite challenge to date. And what helped me get out of the clown car mindset. My co worker was astonished that I rode to work today. "you know it's certainly going to rain today" My response was simply I won't melt. I am getting much better at the ride to and from. My speed has somewhat stabilized just over 4 minute/mile give or take depending on the hills etc...
Yesterday was quite hot so I was wet from sweat and today being just as hot the rain will be a welcome cool down as long as it doesn't have the wind and or lightning.
And as of this morning just about 15 lbs off my total body weight. I have changed my diet a little as well but the biking has certainly helped.
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This is my favorite challenge to date. And what helped me get out of the clown car mindset. My co worker was astonished that I rode to work today. "you know it's certainly going to rain today" My response was simply I won't melt. I am getting much better at the ride to and from. My speed has somewhat stabilized just over 4 minute/mile give or take depending on the hills etc...
Yesterday was quite hot so I was wet from sweat and today being just as hot the rain will be a welcome cool down as long as it doesn't have the wind and or lightning.
And as of this morning just about 15 lbs off my total body weight. I have changed my diet a little as well but the biking has certainly helped.
Congrats! That's awesome!
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I'm about to make everyone look bad by keeping numbers low this month. I took quite a spill that has lead to a pretty massive shoulder injury. Thankfully it was just me and not the baby too. I think it will take about two weeks to heal, but its not broken, so I should be back in the saddle before the end of the month.
Watch out for sand (or the inability to balance on a bicycle despite riding for the last 19 years?), and happy riding everyone.
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Hope you heal up okay!
Sand or very fine gravel is almost as bad as ice if it's deep enough.
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Hope you heal up okay!
Sand or very fine gravel is almost as bad as ice if it's deep enough.
+1
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Thanks everyone, the healing is going well (actually much better than I thought it would). Tomorrow I am planning to bike to the bus stop (approx 1 mile) to see how it goes.
Interesting thoughts on the sand/gravel being as slippery as ice. I will know to be a lot more cautious when I bike by the super sandy/dusty construction sites.
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Oh no! I hope you heal fast. Take it easy in the meantime so you don't re-injure the shoulder. Massage is also good for helping unlock any whiplash damage. Ask me how I know . . .
Yes, sand, gravel or pretty much anything on the road other than dry pavement is super slippery. Slow down everyone and don't lean into the corners.
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Ouch! Heal up quick, Hannah! Everyone take care out there this month (and every other month, too).
In other news, I finally decided to stop just being prying eyes, and throw my hat into the ring. Bring it, September!
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Ouch! Heal up quick, Hannah! Everyone take care out there this month (and every other month, too).
In other news, I finally decided to stop just being prying eyes, and throw my hat into the ring. Bring it, September!
Glad to have you here!
We might have a few more people (don't know if you are one) joining in this month as I had a few conversations about it at MMMs meetup on Saturday. I did get my SPDs dialed in yesterday, so I officially own my first pair of non-vibram shoes. They are nice though. We'll see how my miles do this month (lots of travel for work unfortunately). Also, going to put the Power Grips on the SOs bike, and if she likes them, I foresee a lot more rec rides this month too.
Stay awesome everyone!!
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Hoping to Break 200 miles this month. Not sure if it will happen our 2nd baby was due yesterday but has yet to arrive. So depending when and how fast, and how my wife's recovery goes I may or may not break the 200 mile mark. I am still a newbie but this newbie welcomes any newbies. This has been a great challenge for me.
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Hoping to Break 200 miles this month. Not sure if it will happen our 2nd baby was due yesterday but has yet to arrive. So depending when and how fast, and how my wife's recovery goes I may or may not break the 200 mile mark. I am still a newbie but this newbie welcomes any newbies. This has been a great challenge for me.
And we're glad to have you. I must say, when you explained a baby was coming, and that it would effect your miles, I completely pictured your SO in a bike trailer with labor pains, yelling that you did this to her, and you pedaling your ass off to get her to the hospital. :) My first thought was to ask how far away the hospital was. :-)
Congrats on the (soon-to-be) new arrival!!
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Hospital is totally within bike range about 4 miles but my wife is having the baby at home so no extra miles for that. My co worker has been surprised that I have continued to ride my bike to work. If I get the call I have to ride my bike home. Normally only takes an extra 10 or 15 minutes compared to the clown car commute. 21 red lights in a 7 mile stretch. I imagine with my wife in labor I might actually get my best time riding home yet.
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ugh - I have bailed from my commute this week, I am as of yet unprepared for the winter, and we had several cm of snow yesterday with another 10-15 expected today... I was expecting to have a few more weeks to adjust to riding in the dark and research what I needed to try bike commuting into the winter. As of yet I have 700x32 tires on, and they look pretty slick. On the bright side snow this early can't last long, and I should get out when the weather warms up next week. Although from reading the local bike commuter forum there was minimal ice and snow buildup on the roads and paths - the actual hazard was fallen and/or droopy branches from the heavy wet snow on trees with leaves still on them! There goes our fall colours - I'll be surprised if any leaves survive the next few days.
I hope winter holds out much longer for the rest of you!
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Anyone have any advice on how to not break your chain? This seems to be an annual occurrence for me and DH is not happy when I call him to come get me en route. It wasn't stretched out (or at least only barely) and I know it needs to be kept clean. Yesterday's break seemed to come out of nowhere. Although I was pedaling hard up a steep hill.
On related note, I learned that my fancy pants road bike will actually coast uphill for quite a ways before I have to get off and walk . . .
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Anyone have any advice on how to not break your chain? This seems to be an annual occurrence for me and DH is not happy when I call him to come get me en route. It wasn't stretched out (or at least only barely) and I know it needs to be kept clean. Yesterday's break seemed to come out of nowhere. Although I was pedaling hard up a steep hill.
On related note, I learned that my fancy pants road bike will actually coast uphill for quite a ways before I have to get off and walk . . .
I've only had this happen under two different occasions. The first is if I didn't take care of it and it starts rusting out. The second is if I screw up my gearing and shift under pressure. Does it just happen when riding, or are you pushing hard?
Also, there was some stuff about chain lubrication towards the end of last months thread that might be helpful.
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Keep a chain link tool in your kit just in case. I've broken one chain, I just removed the remainder of the link to get two matching ends and reattached. Reattachment via link pin takes a bit of getting used to, so it may be easier to additionally carry a spare master link.
These add negligible weight and volume.
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Good job on the spreadsheet, and pretty cool idea! There is also a National Bike Challenge each year https://nationalbikechallenge.org/
It's a little late to start this year, as it only goes until the end of September, but is also pretty motivating as you can join a team based on your geographic location or workplace. I find the team challenge to be motivating, as I don't want to be 'dead weight' on my team, and typically make it a goal to be 'in the top ten' of my team, so not only do we compete as a team, but many of us compete with each other (our own teammates) as well.
I have come to enjoy bicycle-commuting and even running errands locally on the bicycle ...especially when there's traffic and I just cruise on by. While it typically takes me ~15min longer each way to commute by bicycle vs car or motorcycle, I found that some of the local errands are quicker by bicycle due to traffic/parking/trails/shortcuts/etc.
BTW, The other day I heard some people talking about 22 Sept being "car-free day," so thought I'd throw that out there, even though I'm likely 'preaching to the choir' in this forum.
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So excited to be able to join you all this month! I just moved states, so I deliberately found an apartment I could bike to work from. Downside is that I have to walk down the stairs with my fully loaded bike, on road shoes. One of these days I'm going to take the fast way down, I can tell. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the challenge & spreadsheet, 'cause it really does help with motivation. Not enough to get me to bike today (flash flooding!) but on normal morning, definitely.
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So excited to be able to join you all this month! I just moved states, so I deliberately found an apartment I could bike to work from. Downside is that I have to walk down the stairs with my fully loaded bike, on road shoes. One of these days I'm going to take the fast way down, I can tell. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the challenge & spreadsheet, 'cause it really does help with motivation. Not enough to get me to bike today (flash flooding!) but on normal morning, definitely.
Well then, I'll obviously have to make it even more motivating if a little flash flooding will stop you. :P
Just kidding. Glad to have you on board. As far as the fast way down, who knows, it might be awesome (assuming you mean just riding down, and not falling). Next month, I'm thinking about having people take a picture of their most badass moment of the month now that winter is coming. That should be some good motivation!!
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I didn't ride today for 3 reasons.
80 % chance of Thunder storms. I have no problem riding in the rain. Not really wanting to ride with lightning etc...
Need to put a better seat on my new used bike. The current seat is like riding on a metal bar.
I have to admit I slept in a little this morning and wouldn't have had enough time to be on time.
I guess I should have just sucked it up but I almost walked a portion yesterday because of the seat. I stayed on the bike but I really debated walking.
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Keep a chain link tool in your kit just in case. I've broken one chain, I just removed the remainder of the link to get two matching ends and reattached. Reattachment via link pin takes a bit of getting used to, so it may be easier to additionally carry a spare master link.
These add negligible weight and volume.
Carrying a spare master link is an excellent idea! Thanks.
I'm back in the saddle today, after accidentally buying a 9-speed replacement chain for my 10-speed rear cassette. Needed an extra day to exchange for the correct chain type.
Additionally I learned that the price difference between 9-speed cassettes and chains and 10-speeds is huge. When the current cassette wears out I will not replace it with another 10-speed but will switch it for a 9 or 8-speed.
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I didn't ride today for 3 reasons.
80 % chance of Thunder storms. I have no problem riding in the rain. Not really wanting to ride with lightning etc...
Need to put a better seat on my new used bike. The current seat is like riding on a metal bar.
I have to admit I slept in a little this morning and wouldn't have had enough time to be on time.
I guess I should have just sucked it up but I almost walked a portion yesterday because of the seat. I stayed on the bike but I really debated walking.
Yeah, I didn't ride in today, either. I am really looking forward to taking the new SPDs out for a much longer ride, but the travel up to Denver with the bike stuffed into the back seat really messed up...well, everything. I have to adjust the brakes, retrue the wheels, etc. I'm going to try to get it done this afternoon, so I can ride in tomorrow. Let's hope.
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So excited to be able to join you all this month! I just moved states, so I deliberately found an apartment I could bike to work from. Downside is that I have to walk down the stairs with my fully loaded bike, on road shoes. One of these days I'm going to take the fast way down, I can tell. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the challenge & spreadsheet, 'cause it really does help with motivation. Not enough to get me to bike today (flash flooding!) but on normal morning, definitely.
I fell down the stairs once for this exact reason (well, really slipped and then slid all the way down on my butt).
What I started doing is going down the stairs barefoot and put socks and shoes on at the bottom.
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So excited to be able to join you all this month! I just moved states, so I deliberately found an apartment I could bike to work from. Downside is that I have to walk down the stairs with my fully loaded bike, on road shoes. One of these days I'm going to take the fast way down, I can tell. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the challenge & spreadsheet, 'cause it really does help with motivation. Not enough to get me to bike today (flash flooding!) but on normal morning, definitely.
I fell down the stairs once for this exact reason (well, really slipped and then slid all the way down on my butt).
What I started doing is going down the stairs barefoot and put socks and shoes on at the bottom.
It's only about 5-6 steps, but the thing is, the landings are not big enough to put the bike on in order to open either my apartment door or the building door. Inevitably, I'm perched someplace awkward, balancing the bike (with rack & bags) on the stairs, which trying to either unlock a door or keep the door from closing on my rear wheel. If riding to work wasn't so awesome, it'd be enough to make me think twice.
I like the suggestion about getting down the stairs without the shoes on. I'll have to think about if that would work for me.
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Can you prop the doors open, carry bike down, then go back and lock up?
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Can you prop the doors open, carry bike down, then go back and lock up?
No, I have 2 cats that would make a break for it, and the building door has a rather powerful door closer, with no way to prop it open. (It would have been much appreciated while moving, for sure.)
It's not as bad as it sounds, I guess, since I'm still willing to do it.
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Well, so far here in MN we have gone from about 90 degrees F and super-humid-sweat-gushing to something a bit above 40 degrees F at 6:00am this morning. For the first time in a while I was actually a bit cold! In a few months though, I know 40 will feel balmy if the temp even gets that high. Looking forward to re-acclimating to the cold. Not looking forward to snow & ice on the roads and the resulting longer commute times.
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Well, so far here in MN we have gone from about 90 degrees F and super-humid-sweat-gushing to something a bit above 40 degrees F at 6:00am this morning. For the first time in a while I was actually a bit cold! In a few months though, I know 40 will feel balmy if the temp even gets that high. Looking forward to re-acclimating to the cold. Not looking forward to snow & ice on the roads and the resulting longer commute times.
Yeah, we went from 80 to 45 overnight the previous night. The kids actually adjusted pretty well! We've biked 10 miles the past two days. Last year we biked down to about 20F. Already starting to research balaclavas for them for this season :)
But it does take some remembering to plan out layers. And I broke out my shell for wind, not rain for once.
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Well, so far here in MN we have gone from about 90 degrees F and super-humid-sweat-gushing to something a bit above 40 degrees F at 6:00am this morning. For the first time in a while I was actually a bit cold! In a few months though, I know 40 will feel balmy if the temp even gets that high. Looking forward to re-acclimating to the cold. Not looking forward to snow & ice on the roads and the resulting longer commute times.
Yeah, we went from 80 to 45 overnight the previous night. The kids actually adjusted pretty well! We've biked 10 miles the past two days. Last year we biked down to about 20F. Already starting to research balaclavas for them for this season :)
But it does take some remembering to plan out layers. And I broke out my shell for wind, not rain for once.
Oh yeah. Snow on the foothills this morning. Next week is going to be awesome.
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Oh yeah. Specialized, one of my favorite bike companies, now has a wind tunnel. They accidentally ran a test regarding leg hair and aerodynamics...and found out that everything they thought they knew was wrong.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/the-curious-case-of-the-cyclists-unshaved-legs/article20370814/ (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/the-curious-case-of-the-cyclists-unshaved-legs/article20370814/)
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Well, so far here in MN we have gone from about 90 degrees F and super-humid-sweat-gushing to something a bit above 40 degrees F at 6:00am this morning. For the first time in a while I was actually a bit cold! In a few months though, I know 40 will feel balmy if the temp even gets that high. Looking forward to re-acclimating to the cold. Not looking forward to snow & ice on the roads and the resulting longer commute times.
Yeah, we went from 80 to 45 overnight the previous night. The kids actually adjusted pretty well! We've biked 10 miles the past two days. Last year we biked down to about 20F. Already starting to research balaclavas for them for this season :)
But it does take some remembering to plan out layers. And I broke out my shell for wind, not rain for once.
Yea, last year we did about down until 20F as well. We had a little circular scrunchie-style scarf lying around, and that + hat/gloves/coat/snowpants/boots did it. My little one starts complaining if it's anything below 70F though. It was 50F and he was demanding his scarf (already wearing hat/mittens/jacket). Those pesky little goblins... :)
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Ha, we're getting a better autumn than we had a summer. (For reference, it was the rainiest summer on record up here.) It's finally gorgeous and sunny. It's been in the 60's during the day, so tank top and shorts weather for us.
For motivation, or whatever, here's what it looked like yesterday and why I decided to go for a 15 mile ride just for fun. I hope you all get such lovely weather as well! Happy autumn.
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Love the pic SisterX!! It's those kinds of things that one misses while driving.
I had a fun biking related experience yesterday/today. So I was getting my bike ready (since I broke it shoving it into the back of my tiny car), and my GF wanted to try the PowerGrips, so I started switching about parts, since she has cruiser pedals, which don't have the mount points I needed. So I grabbed the wal-mart bike my GF had originally, switched out the pedals, and got them mounted. All well and good. Then I looked at the shot walmart bike, and had an idea. I stripped off the wheels, since they were in good shape, and was left with a fully functional full-suspension heavy-as-hell frame. I knew we weren't going to ever use it again. I vaguely remembered this completely off his rock nuts guy who used to run a bike charity thing, and I got a bike from him when I was 15 (14 years ago!!!!). I knew that place was gone, so I Googled about, and found something similar. I called to arrange a drop off, and guess what? This guys partner was the same crazy guy I knew before. How awesome is that? Circle of life kind of thing. It just made me feel good, and thought I'd share.
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Awesome, Jordanread! Glad to hear the guy is still fixing up bikes for charitable purposes. That totally rocks. Maybe someday that'll be you!
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That's awesome Jordan. Since I have gotten involved with the Bike co-op kids in my neighborhood now see me when I am out and about and know who I am. It's pretty cool to get to know our neighbors through this organization.
Tonight I have the bike co-op to look forward too.
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I found a new route to work that cut my commute from an awkward 5 miles where I get off the bike 2-3 times to 4 miles where I only get off the bike once. (Suburb to suburb commute, some workarounds are necessary).
Good news, I'm leaning even harder towards selling my car. Bad news, my mileage for the year may drop. Hopefully the shorter, simpler route will get me to *actually* bike every day to work, rather than just theoretically bike every day. I can be a wuss about weather and sometimes opt for sleeping in rather than dressing appropriately, loading my pannier, and having to change once at work, but clearly I need to harden up!
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Oh yeah. Specialized, one of my favorite bike companies, now has a wind tunnel. They accidentally ran a test regarding leg hair and aerodynamics...and found out that everything they thought they knew was wrong.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/the-curious-case-of-the-cyclists-unshaved-legs/article20370814/ (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/the-curious-case-of-the-cyclists-unshaved-legs/article20370814/)
oh for fuck's sake. if you're gonna drop a couple hundred G's on a wind tunnel, at least make sure you have someone who knows how to use it
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Oh yeah. Specialized, one of my favorite bike companies, now has a wind tunnel. They accidentally ran a test regarding leg hair and aerodynamics...and found out that everything they thought they knew was wrong.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/the-curious-case-of-the-cyclists-unshaved-legs/article20370814/ (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/the-curious-case-of-the-cyclists-unshaved-legs/article20370814/)
oh for fuck's sake. if you're gonna drop a couple hundred G's on a wind tunnel, at least make sure you have someone who knows how to use it
I don't quite get what you are saying. I just thought it was funny.
Oh, holy shit. Rode in on the new SPDs today...3.7MPH faster average time, after not biking since the 1st. Also, got a new chain, and some new chain sprockets up front, and got my wheels trued up. Not sure what caused the increase, but I'm happy with it. I've been sucking this month.
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I finally moved into my new place and have my bike back, after over 2 weeks without it! Gotta get back in the habit of tracking the miles.
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First day back biking after scraping my hands and knees up pretty bad last week. Felt good to be back on the bike - never realized how much I manage to touch the heel of my hand to the handlebars, though! Ouch!
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Had to snap at a photo of this bike. He parked in a parking space ate lunch and then left. Not sure what he was hauling but thought it was pretty cool.
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Had to snap at a photo of this bike. He parked in a parking space ate lunch and then left. Not sure what he was hauling but thought it was pretty cool.
That is cool. Look at the tiny wheels on the trailer!
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Went 32 miles today. Good way to start off the day before work!
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It's been an unusually high month for driving, so I just found out that with my car trip over the weekend I've done almost as much driving as biking (50 miles vs. 69 miles, so far). Ewwww. Going to see if I can make it the rest of the month without driving, which I should easily be able to unless it snows, which it might.
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So my ride to work (10 miles roundtrip) is somewhat involuntary. The shipping company used by the DoD has had my car for 10 weeks now (4 weeks overdue) and no end in sight. The good news is I enjoy the ride, especially in the morning. The bad news is....well, I guess there really isn't any bad news. I suspect my car will have very few miles added to it when I finally get it back into my clutches.
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So my ride to work (10 miles roundtrip) is somewhat involuntary. The shipping company used by the DoD has had my car for 10 weeks now (4 weeks overdue) and no end in sight. The good news is I enjoy the ride, especially in the morning. The bad news is....well, I guess there really isn't any bad news. I suspect my car will have very few miles added to it when I finally get it back into my clutches.
That is awesome! Talk about turning what some think is negative into something great.
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The construction on my route almost done and I hope to be on the bike tomorrow. Finally. It's been almost two months.
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So, just started a new job and the commute is actually largely the same but a couple miles shorter (15 miles roundtrip home-office-home; 23 miles roundtrip home-daycare-office-daycare-home). I am enjoying the extra time in my day as a result.
Downside is that I used to have indoor bike parking, showers, locker at work. Now just a bike rack outside. There is a gym next door ($35/mo if annual membership; $40/mo if going month-to-month). No lockers there, just little cubbies that I don't think I can leave things in permanently/overnight. Would you:
A) Shower at home, change in bathroom stall, leave sweaty bike clothes crumpled in bag all day (my bike clothes will be sweaty as long as the temp is above freezing...), save $$$
B) Pay $40/mo for May-Sept or something like that ($240/yr) to shower after biking, change in a nice clean private room
C) Pay year membership ($420), maybe stash winter biking clothes in gym's cubby
Works out to something like $2-3 per shower (bike commute 90%+ of the time). I am doing a free trial membership at the moment. If there were lockers for me to hang my sweaty clothes that would seal the deal for me, but as is I am on the fence.
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I'm assuming just a cube, no office at the new job?
Are you sure the gym just has cubbies, no lockers? Most gyms I've been have cubbies out on the floor, but lockers in the changing room. Pretty much anywhere will cut the locks at the end of the night.
I don't think a shower is worth $2 a day (seeing as I've gone a year w/out a shower bike commute), but somewhere to hang the clothes is important, either asking around at work for a closet out of the way, or exploring the gym more.
Good luck!
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I shower at home before my ride in, and I currently have a closet for my clothes at work. However, I have gone the sweaty clothes in a bag route, which doesn't bother me since I'm going home so I don't mind if I smell. Also my own sweat doesn't gross me out. I can see not wanting to wear damp clothes during cold weather. For that I would seek out some closet or random place to hang your clothes during the day. So I wouldn't pay for a shower, but do what makes you happy.
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I will throw down my experience. I have no shower at the office just a sink. I basically leave a towel at the office, with just two of us here we have some extra space that I can store it. But I try to arrive no less then 15 minutes early. It gives me 15 minutes to finish sweating. Once that is up I wipe down rinse off and apply deoderant that I keep at the office. I bring my work clothes in my back pack for the day. Just a note on rainy days bag them to keep dry. I haven't had any issues with the simple wipe down that I am doing. I do not use baby wipes. 14 months in a desert with baby wipe showers was more then enough for me. The shower part kept me from riding sooner but once someone suggested the wipe down it's worked great. Today is my 4th day this week riding to work. And my first month over 200 miles. Sweet.
I hang my shirt on my bike in one of the spare rooms at our office. My pants are usually dry, and I hang the socks as well.
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Thanks for the feedback. I may just adapt stoically to the situation and shower at home.
The gym really does not have lockers. It's very small and part of a large apartment complex, so they don't even have a bathroom in the gym itself, only 2 small private showers with space to change. I agree it is sort of silly.
I showered at home then biked a couple days this week and it worked OK. I just ate my breakfast as I cooled down.
My office unfortunately is pretty packed and only has one main coat closet that I would feel uncomfortable using for my stinky bike clothes. At my old office I would hang clothes from my bike during the day, but now the bike rack is out front along a pretty busy, pedestrian-heavy street so that feels weird too. Maybe I will try and take over some space in the basement. And yes, I will need to bag my clothes on rainy days now too, good reminder!
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No shower at work here - I do the shower at home, wipe down at work thing.
But an idea for storing your clothes if you like to dry them a bit: I have a computer tower and tallish battery-backup underneath my desk and they throw off a decent amount of heat. In the mornings after changing, I toss my slightly damp riding clothes over those two for an hour or so to dry them off before folding them and putting them in another drawer for the remainder of the day. The heat speeds up the process more than just tossing them over the chair on the other side of my desk - plus it keeps them hidden as they dry as someone would have to come around my desk and then intentionally look down to see them.
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My goblins ended the month with 99 miles, just a touch under the average for the adults on here. We could have broken 100 today but I felt like taking a walk with them instead of riding to the library. At 4.5 miles we still got plenty of exercise!
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My goblins ended the month with 99 miles, just a touch under the average for the adults on here. We could have broken 100 today but I felt like taking a walk with them instead of riding to the library. At 4.5 miles we still got plenty of exercise!
Out freaking standing!!!! The goblins are truly living up to their names!
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Baby girl ended my riding for the end of the month. Go back to work Thursday and planning to ride.
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Baby girl ended my riding for the end of the month. Go back to work Thursday and planning to ride.
Congratulations by the way. That is a pretty good excuse for not riding.
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Baby girl ended my riding for the end of the month. Go back to work Thursday and planning to ride.
I hope everyone is happy and healthy!
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Congratulations usmarine1975!
I just squeaked by 200km for the month :) and with 15km with my DD - not bad with the snowtember/treemaggedon week we had at the begining of the month.
And as an aside, my blood pressure is down too :)
I have ordered new bike lights and am ready for another monthly challenge in the dark!
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I just got a new (to me) used bike and rode it home 11.5 km AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! It is a traditional Chinese "cruiser" style with more upright handlebars, which is what I have been wanting. Amazing how much better it feels to ride a bike that fits. Faster, too, even though it is only a one speed. Covered 11.5km in 45 minutes, would have been less but I hit a ton of stop lights that probably slowed me down 5-10 minutes. Bike is basically brand new, only ridden twice by the previous owner's wife (who is someone I know so I know he isn't bullshitting me). Has a basket and a rack, so I won't have to wear my backpack while riding anymore (another thing that was giving me back pain).
It also doesn't look as fancy as my other bike (a high end Trek mountain bike) so will be less of a theft risk.
I am so stoked!
Ha ha!! Awesome. I'll have the new sheet up soon.
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The new gauntlet has been thrown!! Join in with instructions at
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/october-cycling-challenge-2014/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/october-cycling-challenge-2014/)
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Jordanread, I realize it's too late for the October sheet, and I'm not sure how much time this would add to your (awesome) production of these sheets each month, but perhaps you could add a "walking" category? I know there are tons of people on these forums who walk at least part of the year and it would be neat to see how that adds up as well.
I'm done biking for the winter, I think. Too icy.
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Jordanread, I realize it's too late for the October sheet, and I'm not sure how much time this would add to your (awesome) production of these sheets each month, but perhaps you could add a "walking" category? I know there are tons of people on these forums who walk at least part of the year and it would be neat to see how that adds up as well.
I'm done biking for the winter, I think. Too icy.
I'll look into adding an additional option in the form. I don't know if it will be implemented in November, but we'll see. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Jordanread, I realize it's too late for the October sheet, and I'm not sure how much time this would add to your (awesome) production of these sheets each month, but perhaps you could add a "walking" category? I know there are tons of people on these forums who walk at least part of the year and it would be neat to see how that adds up as well.
I'm done biking for the winter, I think. Too icy.
I'll look into adding an additional option in the form. I don't know if it will be implemented in November, but we'll see. Thanks for the suggestion.
Wonderful! Thank you so much! I really appreciate that you keep this up for everyone. It's so motivational to see how even my short commute adds up.