Maiden Voyage Commuting into work, Fort Washington to Fort belvoir

[ejwillis62]

Wasn’t to bad, I wasn’t cold, my winter weather running gear with a few accessories worked fine. Only one problem my headlight was slipping a bit and boy it is dark when that light dropped down to point straight at the ground. Scared me half to death. It is REALLY dark out there. But it all went well. I was really good and tired by the time I got to work here this morning. Glad there is only one more day to this week. But I am sitting here feeling very proud of myself. So not bad for an old lady…

Topic

[rcannon100]

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.

[ejwillis62]

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.

[GuyContinental]

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

Congratulations!

[Tim Kelley]

@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.

[Bilsko]

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.

[ejwillis62]

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.

[creadinger]

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.

[ejwillis62]

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.

[Amalitza]

@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.

[creadinger]

@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.

[Amalitza]

@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.

[ejwillis62]

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.

[ejwillis62]

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.

[dcv]

17 miles each way is pretty hardcore, kudos.

[KLizotte]

@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!

[Author]

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