I rode into work this morning without checking to see how bad the weather would be on the way home. I've got colder weather gear AND rain gear with me. However... NWS is calling for "strong thunderstorms" and possibly a tornado. :eek:
I could call Dad and as him to come pick me up from work. I could bundle up and ride through the storm (provided there's no nasty funnel clouds).

What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.

If I end up riding home in this crap, any suggestions, tips you've got for horrible, nasty weather?

If I end up riding home in this crap, any suggestions, tips you've got for horrible, nasty weather?

I just pretend I enjoy it. :)

I rode into work this morning without checking to see how bad the weather would be on the way home. I've got colder weather gear AND rain gear with me. However... NWS is calling for "strong thunderstorms" and possibly a tornado. :eek:
I could call Dad and as him to come pick me up from work. I could bundle up and ride through the storm (provided there's no nasty funnel clouds).

What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.

If I end up riding home in this crap, any suggestions, tips you've got for horrible, nasty weather?

Before leaving work we log on to weather.com and check out the local weather. If storms are blowing through we wait them out. The point of commuting by bicycle is to do it safely every day, safely being the key word.

Gotta be flexible timewise when you ride a bike to and from work.

I rode into work this morning without checking to see how bad the weather would be on the way home. I've got colder weather gear AND rain gear with me. However... NWS is calling for "strong thunderstorms" and possibly a tornado. :eek:
I could call Dad and as him to come pick me up from work. I could bundle up and ride through the storm (provided there's no nasty funnel clouds).

What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.

If I end up riding home in this crap, any suggestions, tips you've got for horrible, nasty weather?

How far is the commute? One major tip..If you think drivers can't see you in good weather, you are really invisible when it's storming...

[QUOTE=simoriah]What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.QUOTE]

I actually drove in for the very reasons you mentioned (I go from Garden City to Dearborn). But, since you are there, I would try to mooch a ride from a co-worker if I could, and if that doesn't work, I'd give the ride home a try. If it gets too bad outside, you could resort to the call to your dad or whatever. Just think of the bragging rights you'll have tomorrow if you do ride home.

But yeah, if it gets too bad, get a ride. Maybe I'm not as hardcore as some of the commuters here, but I also believe in enjoying my ride home and, of course, getting home, and Detroit drivers suck on a warm sunny day, let alone in crappy weather.

Hope it helps, and good luck.

If storms are blowing through we wait them out.

Gotta be flexible timewise when you ride a bike to and from work.
This is prob the best advice if you insist on riding. I have stayed late even though I had nothing to do at work just to wait out a storm. If the storm shows no signs of slowing at least wait until after the evening rush is over. Wet weather keeps people at home. I always found the roads to be strangely quite after the PM rush if it was raining.

I rode into work this morning without checking to see how bad the weather would be on the way home. I've got colder weather gear AND rain gear with me. However... NWS is calling for "strong thunderstorms" and possibly a tornado. :eek:
I could call Dad and as him to come pick me up from work. I could bundle up and ride through the storm (provided there's no nasty funnel clouds).

What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.

If I end up riding home in this crap, any suggestions, tips you've got for horrible, nasty weather?

Like, sometimes the Southern California weather TOTALLY bums me out. Like, sometimes it'll get way, gnarly cold, like in the fifties! And, like, sometimes it even RAINS! So, like, when stuff like that happens, sometimes I actually need to put on a jacket. It's totally BOGUS!

I rode into work this morning without checking to see how bad the weather would be on the way home. I've got colder weather gear AND rain gear with me. However... NWS is calling for "strong thunderstorms" and possibly a tornado. :eek:
I could call Dad and as him to come pick me up from work. I could bundle up and ride through the storm (provided there's no nasty funnel clouds).

What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.

If I end up riding home in this crap, any suggestions, tips you've got for horrible, nasty weather?

I ride in all weather but we don't get any serious weather here in London - it rains alot, is cold but not too cold, sometimes snow and ice - if I had to ride in a proper thunderstorm I'd wait it out if possible - I second D Hickey's comment about driver's seeing less in bad weather!

Sometimes it's nice to have a "Over night at the girlfriends kit". Then you could stay in a nearby hotel. Maybe it's not great, but it might be cheaper then a cab, and I dont like to ask my parents for help, even at the age of 32....

Good luck, and let us know what you do...

[QUOTE=simoriah]What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.QUOTE]

I actually drove in for the very reasons you mentioned (I go from Garden City to Dearborn). But, since you are there, I would try to mooch a ride from a co-worker if I could, and if that doesn't work, I'd give the ride home a try. If it gets too bad outside, you could resort to the call to your dad or whatever. Just think of the bragging rights you'll have tomorrow if you do ride home.

But yeah, if it gets too bad, get a ride. Maybe I'm not as hardcore as some of the commuters here, but I also believe in enjoying my ride home and, of course, getting home, and Detroit drivers suck on a warm sunny day, let alone in crappy weather.

Hope it helps, and good luck.

14 miles home... I work in Auburn Hills at the HQ for a certain Big3 auto maker and live in Sterling Heights.

Checked weather.com, wunderground.com, and NWS... no one said anything about nasty winds, tornados. Just a few thunder storms. And nothing nasty was incoming when it was time to leave... so I grabbed my bike and headed home. It was raining steadily when I left. It was raining pretty hard by half-way home. I was smiling the whole way... Some freak on his bike in a downpour passing all the cars going slowly cause of the rain. Imagine what they were thinking "Look at that idiot out on his bike! What a fool!"' ... And I enjoyed the whole ride. I think I LITERALLY had a smile on my face the entire time. I got home with VERY wet hands (i think my gloves are still trying to dry), a wet head (so much for the helmet cover). Everthing else was dry. Thank god for rain gear. hehehhe.

I can't wait for the next big rain. God, that was fun! I've always loved riding in a downpour!

I rode into work this morning without checking to see how bad the weather would be on the way home. I've got colder weather gear AND rain gear with me. However... NWS is calling for "strong thunderstorms" and possibly a tornado. :eek:
I could call Dad and as him to come pick me up from work. I could bundle up and ride through the storm (provided there's no nasty funnel clouds).

What do you guys do in this kind of a situation? cabs, buses, public transportation are NOT an option. I live in the northern Detroit suburbs. Only public transportation around here are big yellow buses.

If I end up riding home in this crap, any suggestions, tips you've got for horrible, nasty weather?

Here's our local program that helps in these kinds of circumstances:

Commuter Programs
Guaranteed Ride Home


The Guaranteed Ride Home Program is easy to use and it's free!
According to commuters, concerns about immediate transportation in the event of an emergency or
schedule conflict hinder them from using an alternative to driving alone. That's why we developed the
Guaranteed Ride Home Program (GRH).

HOW IT WORKS
All commuters who ride the bus, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk at least three days a week to work or
school are eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home Program. Simply fill out a Guaranteed Ride Home
Registration form or fax the form to Metro Commuter Services (MCS) at 651.602.1200.

When commuters register a car or vanpool with MCS, they will automatically be enrolled in the GRH Program.


Registered commuters will receive two coupons every six months valued up to $25.00 each. The coupons are valid on
any regular workday for a bus or cab ride in the event of an emergency or schedule conflict. To use the coupons on
the bus, simply put a GRH coupon in the fare box. To use coupons toward a cab fare, obtain a signed and dated
receipt for the cab ride. Then send the original receipt, along with the GRH coupon(s), within 10 days of the cab ride
to Metro Commuter Services for reimbursement. You may use both coupons together if the ride costs more than
$25.00. Lost or stolen coupons will not be replaced.

With GRH, you won't have to worry about being stuck at work without a ride home when an emergency
happens or you unexpectedly have to work later hours.

I see your post that you had a grand ride home. Glad to hear it.

Scot

Hey! Sorry about my flippant comments yesterday. I heard about the horrible storms in the Midwest yesterday on the radio. People died. Please post a note when you can to let us know you are okay.

Thanks.

Forbes

Sometimes it's nice to have a "Over night at the girlfriends kit". Then you could stay in a nearby hotel. Maybe it's not great, but it might be cheaper then a cab, and I dont like to ask my parents for help, even at the age of 32....

Good luck, and let us know what you do...


I'm a single parent. my 5 year0old wouldn't much like being home all night. He might get hungry, lonely, and scared. Heh!

Hey! Sorry about my flippant comments yesterday. I heard about the horrible storms in the Midwest yesterday on the radio. People died. Please post a note when you can to let us know you are okay.

Thanks.

Forbes

With the forums being down for maintenance, I didn't see your comments till this morning. The ride home was LOTS of fun! LOTS of rain. Didn't see any lightning till I was about to turn onto the street I live on (a whole 1/8 mile from home). Didn't ride in today because of the 25mph sustained winds (headwind on the way to work).

Don't sweat the comments... I got LOTS worse from other people on other threads yesterday. Seems as though when I venture away from the touring/commuting forums, I get an ugly taste of the elitist roadie mentality that plagues the pasttime. *sigh*

I get an ugly taste of the elitist roadie mentality that plagues the pasttime. *sigh*

It's funny. I just got vehement protests on another thread when I suggested that it might be more practical to commute on 28mm tires rather than 23s. But, I guess that is what works for those guys. I must work hard not to lump people into the "elities roadie" category just because they disagree with me. On the other hand, I know exactly what you mean when you talk about it.

I'm glad you are okay.

- Forbes

14 miles home... I work in Auburn Hills at the HQ for a certain Big3 auto maker and live in Sterling Heights.

Checked weather.com, wunderground.com, and NWS... no one said anything about nasty winds, tornados. Just a few thunder storms. And nothing nasty was incoming when it was time to leave... so I grabbed my bike and headed home. It was raining steadily when I left. It was raining pretty hard by half-way home. I was smiling the whole way... Some freak on his bike in a downpour passing all the cars going slowly cause of the rain. Imagine what they were thinking "Look at that idiot out on his bike! What a fool!"' ... And I enjoyed the whole ride. I think I LITERALLY had a smile on my face the entire time. I got home with VERY wet hands (i think my gloves are still trying to dry), a wet head (so much for the helmet cover). Everthing else was dry. Thank god for rain gear. hehehhe.

I can't wait for the next big rain. God, that was fun! I've always loved riding in a downpour!

Interesting. I work in Dearborn at the HQ of a certain big 3 automaker... Glad to hear that you enjoyed the ride. Sometimes those rain rides are great, sometimes they suck...

Interesting. I work in Dearborn at the HQ of a certain big 3 automaker... Glad to hear that you enjoyed the ride. Sometimes those rain rides are great, sometimes they suck...

Ever get strange looks when standing in the HQ of a major automaker and say something like "I hate driving!" ?

My other favorite is "You spent how much on a bike?!" (it's an $800 bike. big deal)... my response is "you spent HOW MUCH on your <insert vehicle here>?!"

Ah, well... I enjoy my rides. These people I work with don't know what they're missing!

Ever get strange looks when standing in the HQ of a major automaker and say something like "I hate driving!" ?

My other favorite is "You spent how much on a bike?!" (it's an $800 bike. big deal)... my response is "you spent HOW MUCH on your <insert vehicle here>?!"

Ah, well... I enjoy my rides. These people I work with don't know what they're missing!

I don't get that so much as I get a lot of people that are utterly astonished that I ride 10 miles to work (rather than drive a huge gas-guzzling SUV, which is our specialty). And, walking through the main corridor of the building as I'm on my way downstairs to the shower attracts some attention, as well.

All in all, though, the attention I get around here is very positive.

I don't get that so much as I get a lot of people that are utterly astonished that I ride 10 miles to work (rather than drive a huge gas-guzzling SUV, which is our specialty). And, walking through the main corridor of the building as I'm on my way downstairs to the shower attracts some attention, as well.

All in all, though, the attention I get around here is very positive.

I remember seeing some bicycles tucked into a corner of one of the GM buildings in Troy. It was the building that housed GMATV (electric vehicle development, etc.), so maybe there were some folks there "thinking outside the box."

- Forbes

I don't get that so much as I get a lot of people that are utterly astonished that I ride 10 miles to work (rather than drive a huge gas-guzzling SUV, which is our specialty). And, walking through the main corridor of the building as I'm on my way downstairs to the shower attracts some attention, as well.

All in all, though, the attention I get around here is very positive.

Walking through a mega office building in a hi-viz yellow jerzey and black tights sure does make people stare, eh? ;)

MOST of what I get around here is pretty positive. People are equally astonished when I tell 'em I ride 14 miles one way... then I tell 'em that I do 60-70 mile rides on saturday or sunday pulling my kid in a trailer or that I've done a century and plan on doing more... That just amazes people. I find it's a great way to get people talking about somethign I love. It's also proven to inspire some folks around here to pull bikes out of storage and start riding around a bit. I even inspired one of the guys in the suite, here, to commute by bike.... all 5 miles RT. If I don't ask him if he rode in, he asks me.

And you don't need to talk to me about gas-guzzlers...

--From the building that brought you "Yeah, it's got a <engine-type-here>"

Ever get strange looks when standing in the HQ of a major automaker and say something like "I hate driving!" ?

My other favorite is "You spent how much on a bike?!" (it's an $800 bike. big deal)... my response is "you spent HOW MUCH on your <insert vehicle here>?!"

Ah, well... I enjoy my rides. These people I work with don't know what they're missing!

I'm in Toledo and work for a auto parts maker,parts for all Big3.
My co-workers look at me when I speak about driving and the price of a bike without a motor. My co-workers will spend nearly as much on a car as I did on my home.
I'm married and have 4 children and they would rather pedal then ride in the car.