Tag Archives: commute

Stormy November

02 Sunday Dec 2012

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Ferris Wheel - Seattle WaterfrontSunsetBy the WaterfrontHunqaStormy Day

Stormy November, a set on Flickr.

I always seem to bike more in November than I do in any month during the summer. This year is no different.  I did more miles than any month since June.  I think the shorter days and beautiful stormy sunsets pull me out. I am also trying to fight the fall hibernation body cycle.

These are some pictures of a recent commute along the Seattle waterfront on my favorite winter bike.

SaddleSack Pair

02 Sunday Dec 2012

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SaddleSack Small and MediumHomer and Hunqa - 42 Noodles

SaddleSack Pair, a set on Flickr.

The Rivendell Sackville line of saddle bags is the nicest bags I’ve come across. Well built, and great looking aesthetically. They also hold a tone of gear. I keep tools in both of these bags, but have room for a small iPad or laptop, a change of clothes, and in the larger Medium bag, I have hauled that plus a growler of beer with room to spare.

Election Day Ride

06 Tuesday Nov 2012

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A lot of folks rode to the polls today.  Here in Washington State, we vote by mail only.  I voted a week ago, actually.  I did ride today, however.

In the Gravel

On Tuesdays, I drop off my daughter at school, and generally ride to work from there.  As it’s on the way to work, it has usually been a short ride day.

By the Fishing Piers

I have been going the longer route along the ship canal, Magnolia, and Myrtle Edwards.  The waterfront trail is sublime and largely unused in Seattle.  It has been freshly paved in more than half of the miles I ride it, so it’s a pleasant ride.  The main reason I go this way is that it’s scenic as hell!

Commute Panda

I was expecting rain today, so the dry spell both ways was a nice bonus.  I do feel guilty peeling off the trail and putting my bike in my pickup for the short drive home, however.  I always wish I could finish the ride.

By the Wall

 

On the Ship Canal

Nitto PlatRack Attack

01 Thursday Dec 2011

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Having convinced myself that low trail is not the holy grail of front loading bicycles (i.e. I don’t have a problem with my higher trail bike), I added a Nitto Platrack (Rivbike.com) to my Hilsen.  I’ve used it now for a few weeks of bike commuting, as well as a 100k Populaire ride with the local randonneur club.

Rivendell Front Loader

Observations so far:

  1. It has the same ride feel as just having the smaller Mark’s Rack on the bike.
  2. The long stays that support near the hub don’t make a noticeable difference in the handling.
  3. There is no additional noise.
  4. I don’t have a problem with the looks – I thought the long stays would bother me, but they are very insignificant.
  5. I like having a wider base of support.
  6. I’ve found the basket to be mostly unnecessary.  Using the Acorn Boxy Rando bag worked great on the Populaire.
  7. The elastic net holds my ShopSack and other additions just great.

With Wald Basket and Cargo Net

The advantages are mainly around having a larger platform.  This makes it a lot easier to transport bulky items without needing a basket, but if you like the built in container a basket provides, it will give it that much more support when loaded.  I.E. no wobble.  It just feels solid.

Other Side

From the Cockpit

Verdict:  Solid! Recommended!  I will be running this combo for the foreseeable future.  I don’t feel it gets in the way, and adds enough versatility to make it worth keeping for commute duty, without being “in the way” for a longer distance ride.  I’m not racing, so I’m not counting grams.  That said, I don’t feel this makes me any slower on a rando.  Tires are something I feel much more when I change things out.