Found Connection

[lordofthemark]

Me: cyclist in yellow jacket on hybrid, coming down from 14th Street bridge into DC
You: cyclist wearing pink jacket, I think, following me toward the end of the bridge

You called “passing” I saw the nasty lamp post ahead, and then a couple of cyclists headed uphill on the narrow trail, so I called “not yet”
You continued following me till I had turned onto the sidepath that goes around the Jefferson. You then called “on the left, now” and I responded “good, thanks”

THAT is how a pass is supposed to happen. You were a PAL. You appropriately called, enabling a verbal negotiation of the conditions, during rush hour bike congestion, and then you passed at the first safe spot, with another call.

In striking contrast to some of the behavior I saw on the W&OD on Sunday.

[notinthe18]

@lordofthemark 159062 wrote:

Me: cyclist in yellow jacket on hybrid, coming down from 14th Street bridge into DC
You: cyclist wearing pink jacket, I think, following me toward the end of the bridge

You called “passing” I saw the nasty lamp post ahead, and then a couple of cyclists headed uphill on the narrow trail, so I called “not yet”
You continued following me till I had turned onto the sidepath that goes around the Jefferson. You then called “on the left, now” and I responded “good, thanks”

THAT is how a pass is supposed to happen. You were a PAL. You appropriately called, enabling a verbal negotiation of the conditions, during rush hour bike congestion, and then you passed at the first safe spot, with another call.

In striking contrast to some of the behavior I saw on the W&OD on Sunday.

This is the good stuff!!

[Tania]

Me: riding east on the W&OD approaching Shreve which can be a tricky intersection
You: Bus driver in the near lane who saw me approaching and stopped to put his lights on for me so that I could cross safely.

You rock.

[AFHokie]

You: chipmunk scampering back and forth on 4MR where it meets the MVT
Me: cruising to work
You: confusing my front wheel for an exercise wheel
Me: shocked & surprised as you somersaulted past my knee instead of winding up tangled & mangled in my front wheel/fork
You: sticking the landing in stride as you scurried into the bushes off the far side of the trail
Me: I hope you’re ok!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[Judd]

Thanks dude who was picking up trash on the Mt. Vernon Trail this morning by the airport!

[creadinger]

From late afternoon Aug 31. I was waiting at the light on Commonwealth Ave and Mt. Vernon Ave. You pulled up about 2 seconds before green and noticed my Millersville U jersey and said your father was a math professor there and you grew up there and stuff.

Sorry I was a bit out of it. I was tired, and you gave me a lot to think about all the sudden (I only remember having Dr. Smith, but I know he didn’t teach everything and being a Meteorology major I took a lot of math classes). Otherwise I would have been happy to chat for a bit. Anyway, if you frequent any of the local coffee clubs let me know and we can actually catch up. I always enjoy going back up to the area to visit or ride.

[lordofthemark]

You: The MPD cop, riding a bike eastbound on Eye just east of 7th Street SW. Who stopped behind the moving truck parked in the EB bike lane.

I presume you were waiting for the driver to come out, in order to give him at least a good talking to, or even a ticket.

If so, I am very pleased – seeing this added to my morning. If not, what exactly WERE you doing?

[lordofthemark]

Me: Headed SB on the MVT, near Gravelly Point, nervous about the MVT in the November dark.

You: Rider heading NB, who called out “dark walker ahead.

Thanks, I slowed even more, looked carefully, and all was safe. One of the most useful calls on the trail.

[mstone]

@lordofthemark 167858 wrote:

Me: Headed SB on the MVT, near Gravelly Point, nervous about the MVT in the November dark.

You: Rider heading NB, who called out “dark walker ahead.

Thanks, I slowed even more, looked carefully, and all was safe. One of the most useful calls on the trail.

definitely good to know about possible zombies ahead

[DrP]

Me: Cyclist riding on the Custis, heading down the Rosslyn hill
You: Pedestrian walking down the Custis, heading down the Rosslyn hill, on the right side of the path
Me: Ding! Ding! as I head to the left to pass.
You: changing lanes, at the same time I am
Me: Ack! As I grab the brakes.
You: “Sorry” as you stop and we avoid a collision.
Me: “I ring the bell to let you know I am coming so that you can stay where you are. You were fine to stay there.”
You: “okay” but looking confused.

I am not sure she understood or if she will change her behavior in future, but she confirmed my suspicion that many pedestrians do not understand that the bell means “I am going to pass you, please do not make any sudden moves and, if possible be single file on the right.” (and sometimes also, “please keep your kids and pets under control, or at least attempt to, while I attempt to pass”) I think they take it like a car horn, “Get out of my way!” May also explain why I see more and more on the left side of the trails.

[VA2DC]

First flat of 2018, a 1/16″x5/8″ piece of thin, flat metal straight through my back tire and into the tube. Thank you to the 2 kind cyclists who asked whether I needed anything as I was changing a flat at Arlington Blvd & Ft Myer Dr by the Virginian Suites. Thanks also to the forum poster who suggested keeping a pair of latex gloves in your emergency kit for this type of situation. Kept my hands clean and reasonably warm this chilly morning. After replacing the tube, I was on my way and at work less than 20 minutes later than expected.

[sjclaeys]

To the young woman who passed me on the WOD, thanks for calling your pass but you really didn’t need to add “sir” at the end!

[consularrider]

@sjclaeys 175188 wrote:

To the young woman who passed me on the WOD, thanks for calling your pass but you really didn’t need to add “sir” at the end!

Better than when they call me “gramps.”

[ChampionTier]

This morning at the intersection of Mill Rd & Telegraph on-ramp. The one person I spoke to during my hour long commute in the dark, cold wind….
Me: Stopped at stop sign waiting for turning car to proceed
You: Guy in white car rolling down your window
Me: Hearing your window come down, quietly marshal defenses for what will undoubtedly be a terse verbal exchange about me and my bike slowing you down and just “who the hell do you think you are?”
You: Safe ride! Nice Bike! [gives thumbs up]
Me:…..Thanks!

[lordofthemark]

To the SWBID employees driving the golf cart on the Maine Avenue “PBL” this morning. Thank you for signalling your right turn the way a cyclist would.

[Author]

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