Happy Car-Free Day!

[Arlingtonrider]

Today is Car Free Day, and all who signed the pledge before yesterday should have gotten in their email yesterday a coupon for two free slices of pizza and a beverage at Flippin Pizza, good until 4 p.m.today.

I think I’ll use that as an excuse to head out on the W&OD to Falls Church this afternoon to visit their location at 800 W. Broad Street in Falls Church, easily accessible from the WO&D trail via Oak Street. If anyone else got the coupon and would like to ride out and join me, I plan to get there around 3:15 p.m. or so.

Last minute, I know.

K.

Topic

[acc]

I lack the skill and balancing ability to carry two six-packs home on a bike. So I will keep my car for now. :p

[eminva]

@acc 31930 wrote:

I lack the skill and balancing ability to carry two six-packs home on a bike. So I will keep my car for now. :p

Aww, man, how did you miss learning that essential skill?!

In all seriousness, I got a “teachable moment” today. I had hoped to be car-lite. My son had a concert this afternoon in Chantilly — not exactly bike friendly territory. However, I saw an opportunity. My husband and son were leaving directly from the concert to go elsewhere. I actually mapped out a route so that I could put my bike on the car and ride back home myself. At the last minute, I realized the plan would be impossible because I would need to bring the electric bass home. I can suffer with that thing on my back for five blocks, but not 15 miles. So I had to drive separately. While out there, I reconnoitered my planned route and it appears it would have been even less bike friendly than I had imagined, and I had imagined it to be really bad.

Lesson learned: while I’m lucky that bicycling for transportation is feasible for me five days a week, the other two will be really tough. Suburban and exurban infrastructure has a looooong way to go. While my husband and I never set out to construct a car based life for our son (we only have one car, after all), you’d almost have to forego all extracurricular activities to make that work.

So I guess it is just as well that I never got the pizza coupon, as I didn’t really succeed at this!

Liz

[acc]

Keep that up and I’ll start drafting your eulogy. Chantilly?!

We have a long way to go outside the Beltway. Our subdivisions and roads never envisioned bikes.

On Thursday afternoon I saw three bikes on Rout 123 in the Tysons area between International Drive and McLean. I have nothing but admiration for them. But there’s no way I’m getting out there during rush hour and take on the genus Washingtonian Commuter Australopithecus Rex-creational Vehicle.

[jrenaut]

Car-lite doesn’t mean carrying unmanageable objects through unfriendly bike routes. It means doing exactly what you did – evaluating your travel and thinking bike first, car second (or third or fourth or whatever).

[Megabeth]

@acc 31933 wrote:

Washingtonian Commuter Australopithecus Rex-creational Vehicle.

*snort* Will not see one of those again without thinking that!

[Arlingtonrider]

I’m going to feel almost guilty telling you how much fun I had exploring on my bike today after the pizza, but part of it involved finding out how to get to Westover Beer Garden and a really cool and easy to bike to hardware/general store. I bought some Simple Green for my chain, and there might have been a beer involved too. (I had to have something to drink while I consulted the bike map.) Had to leave the patio just as the band was setting up, though. I’d like to get some friends together and stay for some music sometime, now that I know how to get there. I love exploring by bike, but I have to use a car sometimes too. It’s more and more a last resort though. Thank you, Arlington.

[Amalitza]

@acc 31930 wrote:

I lack the skill and balancing ability to carry two six-packs home on a bike. So I will keep my car for now. :p

I did ride my bike to the 7-11 to buy some soda and beer. (for one thing, I had to try out my new/old/ebay panniers that arrived yesterday– verdict-not quite as much carrying capacity as my rear basket, but much less effect on riding balance, and can carry into the store with me. I think i will like.).

I did *not* ride the bike to Lowe’s to buy the 12ft long 2×6.

[Certifried]

I have nothing to add. I just saw all the women posting and, like a douchey guy, had to add nothing of value (like all good men do)

[Arlingtonrider]

Didn’t you do the 50 states ride today?? You have lots to add. Did you guys have fun? I’ve heard that its a tough ride. (I wonder if Jopamora still wants to try it on a CaBi next year.)

And BTW, you have male company on this thread.

[Certifried]

@Arlingtonrider 31941 wrote:

Didn’t you do the 50 states ride today?? You have lots to add. Did you guys have fun? I’ve heard that its a tough ride. (I wonder if Jopamora still wants to try it on a CaBi next year.)

And BTW, you have male company on this thread.

yes, but mostly females. All the lovely ones too, I got overwhelmed and had to jump in. I used to wear disco clothes.

68 miles total today, Rod Smith pushed me too hard, my chest hurts. I smell. I’m too tired to shower and might collapse in my bed full kitted and unclean. I’ll deal with it tomorrow, just wake up next to myself and blame it on alcohol. No morning after pill needed.

[jopamora]

@Arlingtonrider 31941 wrote:

Didn’t you do the 50 states ride today?? You have lots to add. Did you guys have fun? I’ve heard that its a tough ride. (I wonder if Jopamora still wants to try it on a CaBi next year.)

And BTW, you have male company on this thread.

It was a fun ride, but do not want CaBi next time. I feel sorry for the guy I saw on a fixie.

[Rod Smith]

@acc 31930 wrote:

I lack the skill and balancing ability to carry two six-packs home on a bike. So I will keep my car for now. :p

Haha, yeah, that’s quite a load! You really should have an SUV for big stuff like that.

[Rod Smith]

@acl 31938 wrote:

I did ride my bike to the 7-11 to buy some soda and beer. (for one thing, I had to try out my new/old/ebay panniers that arrived yesterday– verdict-not quite as much carrying capacity as my rear basket, but much less effect on riding balance, and can carry into the store with me. I think i will like.)…

Thats more like it! The 2×6 would require special equipment. I’d recommend a long trailer or a truck. Did you carry that in a car? I’m impressed!

[Rod Smith]

@Certifried 31943 wrote:

yes, but mostly females. All the lovely ones too, I got overwhelmed and had to jump in. I used to wear disco clothes.

68 miles total today, Rod Smith pushed me too hard, my chest hurts. I smell. I’m too tired to shower and might collapse in my bed full kitted and unclean. I’ll deal with it tomorrow, just wake up next to myself and blame it on alcohol. No morning after pill needed.

Sorry about that. I know you were hurting but you kept catching people and dropping them…

[Rod Smith]

Oops, I’ve confused acc with acl. Apologies all around!

[Author]

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