Maiden Voyage Commuting into work, Fort Washington to Fort belvoir

This topic has 30 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 4 months ago by Arlingtonrider.

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December 13, 2012 at 1:13 pm #957530

rcannon100
Participant

Assuming the light is clamped to the handlebar, one solution is to wrap the handlebar with duck tape – the light will clamp onto the duck tape better – slip less.

December 13, 2012 at 1:17 pm #957531

ejwillis62
Participant

Thanks I am having someone at work fix it today before I head home. I was a fun trip though. I like the peace and quiet of the ride. Although all my huffing and puffing was kind of out of place. Probably scared a couple of squirrells half to death. I will get better though, I hope to be able to ride in in about an hour and a half when I get stronger.

December 13, 2012 at 1:19 pm #957533

GuyContinental
Participant

The MVT commute along the river at dawn really is pretty special and makes you appreciate where we live!

Congratulations!

December 13, 2012 at 1:48 pm #957542

Tim Kelley
Participant

@rcannon100 37997 wrote:

Assuming the light is clamped to the handlebar, one solution is to wrap the handlebar with duck tape – the light will clamp onto the duck tape better – slip less.

A piece of old inner tube, trimmed to the clamp width, is also a less sticky option.

December 13, 2012 at 1:59 pm #957545

Bilsko
Participant

Glad to hear the ride went well – Just wait till this afternoon, when you can actually see the landscape whiz by as you make your way back up the MVT! (Assuming you’re able to ride home before it gets too dark again)

I’ve had the light-slipping issue too. Many bike shops will have a spare shim lying around in a drawer and will be happy to help you out. Duct tape and old tubes are also good fixes.

December 13, 2012 at 2:13 pm #957546

ejwillis62
Participant

I have ridden home during the summer but was usually a whimp and had my husband drive me in. Now I am riding both to and from work. I love how beautiful the path is. Love watching the sun come up. Makes me almost… glad to be up and out. I am not a morning person or a cold weather person but I am learning.

December 13, 2012 at 2:18 pm #957549

creadinger
Participant

Is that Fort Washington, MD? How did you get up to the Wilson Bridge? Congrats on your first commute! You have earned yourself a nice lunch or two.

As others said, I use pieces of old inner tube for getting lights to hold onto the bar better.

December 13, 2012 at 2:34 pm #957551

ejwillis62
Participant

I drove my truck to the park and ride at the top of National Harbor. I didn’t want to navigate Oxon hill road in the dark. Seems like people on that road are not real tolerant of bikes so i thought it better to avoid them. then tonight after i kill myself going up the National Harbor hill I only have to limp to the truck and can drive the rest of the way home. It is only about a mile and a half I live off of Fort Foote Road.

December 13, 2012 at 3:04 pm #957556

Amalitza
Guest

@Tim Kelley 38009 wrote:

A piece of old inner tube, trimmed to the clamp width, is also a less sticky option.

A piece of thicker, compressible fabric (piece of an old towel or washclosh) also works well, imo.

December 13, 2012 at 3:13 pm #957558

creadinger
Participant

@ejwillis62 38019 wrote:

I drove my truck to the park and ride at the top of National Harbor. I didn’t want to navigate Oxon hill road in the dark. Seems like people on that road are not real tolerant of bikes so i thought it better to avoid them. then tonight after i kill myself going up the National Harbor hill I only have to limp to the truck and can drive the rest of the way home. It is only about a mile and a half I live off of Fort Foote Road.

Oh that’s a good starting point. I get the same feeling about Oxon Hill Rd. especially the narrow section just south of the Wilson Bridge. The rest of it has a decent shoulder at least, but in the dark is an added level of uncertainty.

It’s a shame that even though there’s nice cycling areas south and east of Waldorf, there’s no good way to ride there from DC. Livingston is terrible. It’s amazing that a main road like that can be so bloody narrow.

December 13, 2012 at 3:24 pm #957562

Amalitza
Guest

@creadinger 38027 wrote:

Oh that’s a good starting point. I get the same feeling about Oxon Hill Rd. especially the narrow section just south of the Wilson Bridge. The rest of it has a decent shoulder at least, but in the dark is an added level of uncertainty.

It’s a shame that even though there’s nice cycling areas south and east of Waldorf, there’s no good way to ride there from DC. Livingston is terrible. It’s amazing that a main road like that can be so bloody narrow.

….AAANND… this is what is so far holding me up as an (at least occasional) bike commuter, and why I refuse to even try it until I can do it all in daylight. And might not stick with it even then.

So I also fully understand why you wouldn’t want to ride that section, as a new commuter, in the dark. I won’t do it either.

December 13, 2012 at 3:32 pm #957564

ejwillis62
Participant

Parking at the park and ride worked perfectly. It is free and then I get right onto the trail and stay Mount Vernon trail until almost to Fort Belvoir. I would like to ride everyday as a way to maintain my weight loss and keep in shape but we shall see how the body and legs hold up. Of course I will drive if there is any snow or ice. i am not that brave.

December 14, 2012 at 12:03 am #957625

ejwillis62
Participant

Made it home safely tonight. light behaved much better, It was colder tonight than this morning. My legs and other parts of my body were complaining a bit but I did it. Tomorrow I have to drop off one of the bikes I sold so going to have my husband drive me in and then I will ride home. It is a little over 17 miles each way. i used my strava on my phone. Neat to see my trip like that and to be able to keep a record.

December 14, 2012 at 12:08 am #957628

dcv
Participant

17 miles each way is pretty hardcore, kudos.

December 14, 2012 at 12:16 am #957629

KLizotte
Participant

@dcv 38102 wrote:

17 miles each way is pretty hardcore, kudos.

I second that, esp if you are starting out at this time of the year.

Take it real slow over the boardwalks; they are surprisingly slippery under most conditions, esp if there is any moisture or leaves. And *not* riding when there is snow or ice is smart!
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