Maiden Voyage Commuting into work, Fort Washington to Fort belvoir

[Justin Antos]

Congratulations! That is not an easy commute, especially to start in the winter – well done! You should DEFinitely treat yourself. And with more sunlight and eventually warmer temperatures in the spring, it only gets easier from here!

Just in case, as a fallback (bad weather, tired out, etc), the bike racks on Metrobus can be an option – the REX line runs from Ft. Belvoir up to Old Town Alexandria.

But in any case, congrats again on a impressive commute!

[ejwillis62]

tomorrow I am only doing the ride home. Hubby will drive me in and drop me off. Trying to take it slow, new seat is not the same as my old seat.
will take some getting used to. But bike is awesome.

[acc]

I read every word with a smile.
Hell if you’re not brave.
Or tough.
You did great. Be proud.

You made my entire week.

Keep posting. I know we’ll meet and when we do, first drink is on me.

😎

[Bilsko]

17 miles each way is fantastic– I wish my commute were that long! As it is I have to ride 15 miles out of my way down the MVT, 4MiRun, W&OD, and Custis trails just to get a decent commute in on my way home.
Good to hear the light got squared away – bike saddles can be difficult to get right. If you notice, after a few rides, that you’re getting sore or that the saddle just doesn’t seem to be right, you might consider going to a shop and doing a fitting session. I have yet to do one myself, but its pretty high on my list of things to do. (<--- says the guy who's been bike commuting daily for the better part of 6 years and never bothered to spend the money on a proper fitting session.)

[KelOnWheels]

@ejwillis62 38110 wrote:

tomorrow I am only doing the ride home. Hubby will drive me in and drop me off. Trying to take it slow, new seat is not the same as my old seat.
will take some getting used to. But bike is awesome.

YOU are awesome!

[Tim Kelley]

@Justin Antos 38108 wrote:

Just in case, as a fallback (bad weather, tired out, etc), the bike racks on Metrobus can be an option – the REX line runs from Ft. Belvoir up to Old Town Alexandria.

Video!

[ejwillis62]

Does every bus have a bike rack on the front or do I have to worry about one showing up without one. This is an interesting idea…

[DismalScientist]

@ejwillis62 38194 wrote:

Does every bus have a bike rack on the front or do I have to worry about one showing up without one. This is an interesting idea…

Every MetroBus and ART bus does. I don’t know about other jurisdictions.

[ejwillis62]

Rode home today really wasn’t cold but her is my question
my glasses fog up when I put my mouth piece up over my nose.
How do I prevent this. Made it home in 1 hour and 50 minutes so I am getting faster. I am ready for the freezing saddles challenge. Hope to brave the commute many days.

[Riley Casey]

I breath in thru the nose and out thru the mouth, that along with some judicious and repeated adjustment of my face mask ( a re-purposed ear band ) does the job.

[mstone]

@ejwillis62 39168 wrote:

Rode home today really wasn’t cold but her is my question
my glasses fog up when I put my mouth piece up over my nose.
How do I prevent this. Made it home in 1 hour and 50 minutes so I am getting faster. I am ready for the freezing saddles challenge. Hope to brave the commute many days.

Only way I know is to either get rid of the glasses or wear goggles.

[acc]

I’ve had this problem and wear glasses so it’s something that worries me.
1. I’ve tried contacts and they work fine on the bike. I’ll forego wearing sunglasses in that case.
2. I’ve stretched the opening so that it rests just under my lower lip. A bit colder true, but no fogging.
3. I’ve tried repositioning the material, usually without success.

You have a long ride, look around for some places to bailout in case you need to warm up.

And invest in good equipment for riding in this weather. In the summer, you can get away with wearing practically nothing. But good weather-appropriate gear matters when it gets cold.

And by the way, you doing great!

[ejwillis62]

I was totally warm . I keep looking at other biker’s to see if it is one of you but I would never recognize the bikes
So it is up to you all. If you see someone with a purple bike and a lot of . Purple clothes it is probably me. Especially if it is o n the mount Vernon
Trail. After 4 -that is probably me. Say hi.

[acc]

You will recognize me by my sparkly helmet. I always wear it if I’m on the trails.
But better yet, come to a Forum Happy Hour so you can put names and faces to the people here posting.
I’m sure there will be one soon. If no one organizes one, I’ll put something together towards the end of January.

Be safe, enjoy the ride. The worst day on a bike is still better than one commuting by car. Except if there’s a hurricane. Or lightning. Or ice. But otherwise, the random tornado or two, temperatures above 90, wind gusts or pouring rain — it’s fun.

Happy New Year.

[Arlingtonrider]

My glasses fog up in cooler weather when I first start out and then whenever I stop for more than a few secs. If I slide them down my nose a little for a half minute or so (can see out over the top of them), they clear right up. Once I’m moving again, I slide them back into place and and they stay clear until I have to stop again.

[Author]

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