Beware Sandy (Monday, October 29)

[PotomacCyclist]

http://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/stories/Sandy-Could-Have-Major-Impact-on-DC-Region-175686091.html

The temperatures will drop by Sunday and the rain will move in. But the worst of the weather probably won’t arrive until Monday. The forecasters don’t know how the storm will track yet. It may not hit us directly but we should still get a lot of rain and strong wind gusts on Monday. Bike commuters, beware!

Topic

[Justin Antos]

If you normally take Metro part-way, or use Metro as a backup plan for your ride – Metro has just announced a suspension of all service, bus and rail, for Monday, due to forecasted high wind speeds and anticipated power outages. Restoration time TBD.

Be super super careful if you do ride tomorrow, especially with the high winds. Stay-to-date with the latest on Metro here: wmata.com/sandy

[KelOnWheels]

The weather folks are saying it will be unsafe to be outside after 2 PM. Be safe.

[jabberwocky]

Well, the ride in was uneventful. Almost zero wind aside from a bit of a breeze on Baron Cameron, though my commute tends to be pretty sheltered anyway. A nice soaking rain and deserted roads; it was almost nice.

Hopefully this afternoon is more entertaining.

[dbb]

This afternoon should be much more eventful. Here is the schedule, from a recent sit rep

Location Washington, DC
10/29 8:00a Start of Tropical Storm Force Winds (39mph+)
10/29 9:00p Start of Strong Tropical Storm Force Winds (57mph+)
n/a Start of Hurricane Force Winds (74mph+)
n/a End of Hurricane Force Winds (74mph+)
10/30 8:00a End of Strong Tropical Storm Force Winds (57mph+)
10/31 6:00a End of Tropical Storm Force Winds (39mph+)

I am not sure if the hurricane has been briefed on this schedule so there may be some variation

[Dirt]

Bluemont underpass on the W&OD was already 2-3′ when I went past almost an hour ago. I took the overpass.

[rcannon100]

Where R the pictures????

[Dirt]

@rcannon100 34656 wrote:

Where R the pictures????

[consularrider]

I was out from 7:30 to 11:00 am today riding the Arlington loop with an extension through Alexandria to the Wilson Bridge and back. I only saw two other cyclists during that time, so where was everyone for the promised Hains Point loops? I only did one, in part because the gates were closed, and in part because the 20+ mph headwind along the Potomac was no fun by myself and the river was starting to come over the riverwall. All of the low level crossings of the 4MRT were under deep and fast moving water. At about 10:45, the trail on the south bank under Carlin Springs was blocked off, but the north bank was open and the water was still a couple inches below the trail level. The Wilson underpass was also blocked off.

[PotomacCyclist]

Capital Bikeshare has also been shut down, until further notice.

I don’t think I’ll be doing any riding this week anyway. I’m recovering from the Marine Corps Marathon (no rain and only a couple wind gusts during the entire race). I was a bit undertrained so the last miles were ugly, and my quads are quite sore. I’m not sure if I’ll ever do another marathon, but if I do, I will have to train better. I have no desire to do another marathon in an undertrained state.

Even after the weather clears up by Tuesday evening, I probably won’t ride. I sprained a pinky finger during the marathon when I took a tumble onto the concrete. That’s the first time I’ve ever fallen on a run. It would be tricky to use brakes with the bad finger. So with the high winds, the rain, the sore quads and the injured finger, there’s little reason or incentive for me to ride this week. Hopefully my finger improves enough by next week that I can start to do some casual rides. No tough workouts for at least a few weeks. I’m now officially in my off-season break.

[Bilsko]

Alas, no riding for me today – but I did get to try on the Cadence rain riding pants to walk around a little outside. Highly recommended.

May hop on the bike tomorrow morning as things calm a bit to survey the CCT and other nearby trails roads and update folks.

[Greenbelt]

I’ve got the GoPro with me — thinking about taking a hurricane ride, we’ll see.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1926[/ATTACH]

[PotomacCyclist]

They are forecasting wind gusts up to 80 MPH this evening, after 8 pm! Everyone should stay inside tonight.

[bobco85]

@Greenbelt 34662 wrote:

I’ve got the GoPro with me — thinking about taking a hurricane ride, we’ll see.

Please don’t. Remember what happened in July of 2011: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Storm-Kills-One-On-CO-Canal-124964284.html

[Greenbelt]

@bobco85 34664 wrote:

Please don’t. Remember what happened in July of 2011: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Storm-Kills-One-On-CO-Canal-124964284.html

Yeah, you’re right I suppose. But there were some excellent KOM opportunities out there to be had with a 40mph tailwind…

[Greenbelt]

River gage shows some substantial fresh water flooding probably: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/uv?site_no=01649500

[Author]

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