Lets hope the weather forecast is wrong…

[cvcalhoun]

Remember that “we” aren’t the focus of BTWD. Sure, if you already biked to work every day last winter, this is nothing. But the focus of BTWD is to encourage people who haven’t normally been commuting to work by bike to start. And if it’s your first day of bike commuting, a downpour may not be the best day for it.

@peterw_diy 85473 wrote:

Wimps. Seriously. This isn’t a hurricane, it’s just heavy rainfall.

Far too much of our MUP bike commuting infrastructure is very vulnerable to flooding. All this talk about bailing because it’s gonna rain hard just reinforces the rotten notion that bikes are fair-weather toys. HTFU, folks, and show the region we don’t retreat when it’s wet.

[ShawnoftheDread]

There was a package waiting on my doorstep when I got home — new rain gear!

[peterw_diy]

@cvcalhoun 85475 wrote:

Remember that “we” aren’t the focus of BTWD. Sure, if you already biked to work every day last winter, this is nothing. But the focus of BTWD is to encourage people who haven’t normally been commuting to work

From the perspective of something like BikeArlington that’s right. But from the anti-“anticar” perspective, bikes aren’t serious vehicles, they’re summer toys for the rich and fourth-rate compromises for the poor and those convicted of DUIs. Cagers need to see cyclists smiling through the downpour tomorrow — they’re a far larger market than the bike-curious potential first-timers. Let’s show them that rain is no big deal.

[Emm]

My friend told me he just got an email from the BTWD people saying not to show up at his pit stop in SE DC if it’s at all unsafe to bike in, and that they’d find an alternate date/time to distribute the teeshirts. I haven’t heard anything from Rosslyn, so I’m assuming its still opening as planned…

[PotomacCyclist]

@peterw_diy 85477 wrote:

From the perspective of something like BikeArlington that’s right. But from the anti-“anticar” perspective, bikes aren’t serious vehicles, they’re summer toys for the rich and fourth-rate compromises for the poor and those convicted of DUIs. Cagers need to see cyclists smiling through the downpour tomorrow — they’re a far larger market than the bike-curious potential first-timers. Let’s show them that rain is no big deal.

There’s always going to be a hardcore group of bike haters. But I think they are less representative of people as time goes on, especially in Arlington and D.C. Moderate rain isn’t a big deal, but heavy downpours can be a problem, and not just for cyclists. It’s not unusual for such storms to result in more car accidents than usual. So I don’t think it’s that bad if some people think that heavy rain is a problem for cyclists. It is for many and it’s going to be a deterrent for casual cyclists. It will also be a problem for many car drivers (partly because many of them are going to be driving too fast for the weather conditions).

As for me, on a regular day, I might bail out on riding with heavy rain. But since it’s Bike to Work Day, I’ll check out reports of flooding on the trails. If it’s not too bad, I might go ahead. But if there are serious problems on the Mt. Vernon Trail, I’m not going to risk my health and safety just for the sake of any bike detractors who might be driving on the roads. I don’t think others should do so either.

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@SarahK 85417 wrote:

Pushing my bike 8 miles in the rain? I think I’d be late to work :p

Sarah, you don’t need to push, unless your bruised up like me!

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@mstone 85423 wrote:

They added “chance of tornadoes” which may be the point at which I throw in the towel.

Toto, we’re not in Arlington any more!

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@ShawnoftheDread 85476 wrote:

There was a package waiting on my doorstep when I got home — new rain gear!

Sheeeeeiiit! It mus’ be da Rain Fairy!

[DanB]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5608[/ATTACH]
Saw this on arlnow.com today.

Is this what we should be expecting for tomorrow?

I think that guy must be 6′-6″. I’m the one standing right next to him.

It’s late, I’m going to get my SCUBA gear.

[PotomacCyclist]

Remember that during heavy rain storms, the flow from storm sewers combines with the flow from the main sewer systems. The combined flow means that a lot of untreated sewage will flow into the Potomac River, the Anacostia River, Rock Creek and various streams and creeks. This happens even if there are no sewer line breaks.

From the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority:

Avoid Contact with Combined Sewer Overflows

DC Water is committed to improving the quality of water within the District of Columbia. Discharges may be dangerous to the public, due to the high flow of water that may exit these sewer outfalls. Potentially harmful substances may also be present in these discharges. The public is advised to stay away from any sewer pipe discharge.

For small rainfalls, the effects of CSOs typically last less than 24 hours. For larger rainfalls, greater than 1″ of rain, the effects of CSO on water quality can last up to three days. Please note that the District of Columbia Department of Health has imposed a ban on swimming in all rivers and creeks in the District of Columbia and any contact with rivers and creeks immediately downstream of any sewer pipe discharge should be avoided.

http://www.dcwater.com/wastewater_collection/css/

[PotomacCyclist]

Two to three inches of rain already, in Northern Virginia. Another 2 to 3 inches on the way by morning.

[vern]

It is really nasty out there right now. I can’t ride in this. I’m going to wait it out a bit and see what happens.

[rcannon100]

I’m up. So is the storm. Apparently. Cant tell. Suns not up yet so I cant see it. 30 minute delay and then rainbows and kittens

PS Did you see that some VA School systems have closed cause of the rain?!?!?!

[Fast Friendly Guy]

I say, “Quack, quack, quack!”

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5609[/ATTACH]

C’mon, you guys should just be thankful that you CAN ride! How do you think I feel…I’ve been waiting all year for today, I can barely move my arm and shoulder and it hurts so much you’d feel it standing next to me, I’ve watched my name plummet on the NBC leaderboards, and my wife is about to kill me because I even hinted that I might try to ride (just a little from the Metro) to get my T-shirt.

So quit yer bellyaching, put on a raincoat, and go get your swag! …and don’t forget to say hi to me when you get there (Rosslyn)

[skins_brew]

@vern 85505 wrote:

It is really nasty out there right now. I can’t ride in this. I’m going to wait it out a bit and see what happens.

i got up at like 4 something and it wasn’t raining really. Showered, got bike clothes on, came downstairs, and its pourings. I have a little weather station outside and the windbird is just spinning. If I had a five mile ride, maybe, but 20…I dunno. Going to wait until like 6:15 and see it it lets up a bit before I throw the towel in.

[Author]

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