Missed connection

[ShawnoftheDread]

@KLizotte 24805 wrote:

Anyone notice the large uptick in horseflies? I think that’s what they are. They are really, really big. Often seen near the communal gardens on the WO&D in Arlington near Phoenix Bikes.

The ones that bite? I had the pleasure of meeting them during each of my two tire changes Saturday morning.

[txgoonie]

I’m one whose SOP is to ride with glasses. But lately with the steamy conditions and my tendency to fog up glasses whenever I stop, I have been riding with them less. I’m somewhat amazed that certain species of bugs survive when they clearly have no self-preservation instincts. I have had more large flying things bounce off my eyes and set them to watering than I feel rightfully should. The unlucky ones find themselves in a bath of hydrochloric acid. Really, bug? You didn’t see that coming?

[chris_s]

To the bearded guy in a straw hat riding a CaBi up Columbia Pike this morning: I salute you dude.

[GuyContinental]

You: shambling trail zombie with a broken piece of pipe and over ear headphones on the WO&D heading towards Hunter Mill- first, good for you for getting out postmortem, dragging leg, loose jaw and all but brandishing your crazy pipe at passing riders isn’t a way to make friends.

[mstone]

Is that a euphemism?

[txgoonie]

Me – doing my laps at Hains Point
You – father with 2 little girls and wife with a ridiculously cute dog on a fully extended retractable leash that darted across the road in front of me
Me – jammed the brakes to avoid the dog and as I passed, exclaimed, “jeez!”
You – setting a good example for your children gasped sarcastically and said, “oh my god, it’s the worst thing ever!”

Sir, actually, no, my seeing you and your family and having my hands on the brakes ready for what might happen as I passed was in fact not the worst thing ever. The worst thing ever may have been if it were about 1 minute hence as a peloton of about 40 guys going 25mph (maybe faster) with really no expectations of slowing down and your dog darted in from of THEM. Your children would have had the pleasure of seeing your dog run over and quite possibly a horrific crash involving who knows how many riders. But as it was, it was just me, so no harm done, but I appreciate your apology for creating the dangerous situation. Oh wait, there wasn’t one.

[OneEighth]

You know, every time I read this thread, I’m thankful that it has been quite a long while since I’ve had any issue that required me to do more than put it quickly behind me (literally).

[baiskeli]

@KLizotte 24805 wrote:

Anyone notice the large uptick in horseflies? I think that’s what they are. They are really, really big. Often seen near the communal gardens on the WO&D in Arlington near Phoenix Bikes.

I remember seeing hornets hanging out around the sand playground there.

Hornets are really really big – up to 2 inches long. I’ve seen a few recently; I think they’re out.

[lordofthemark]

You – the 20 or so people, adults and kids of various ages, all on bikes, together on the sidewalk south of Independence east of the Lincoln Memorial today. I know its only a sidewalk (albeit wide) and only suitable for very slow riding with all the pedestrians, but when TWENTY of you need to stop to determine where you are going, it would be very nice, to both other slow riders and to pedestrians, if you could move OFF the sidewalk, because you were actually blocking the entire sidewalk.

[KLizotte]

@lordofthemark 25281 wrote:

You – the 20 or so people, adults and kids of various ages, all on bikes, together on the sidewalk south of Independence east of the Lincoln Memorial today. I know its only a sidewalk (albeit wide) and only suitable for very slow riding with all the pedestrians, but when TWENTY of you need to stop to determine where you are going, it would be very nice, to both other slow riders and to pedestrians, if you could move OFF the sidewalk, because you were actually blocking the entire sidewalk.

Hahaha. Spoken like an old hand commuter already. We get relief from the tourist pedestrians for about six months of the year; the rest of the time we seek out ped unfriendly routes to the extent possible.

There is a way to avoid the horror of the Lincoln Memorial pedestrian plaza and the “trails” (glorified sidewalks) along Independence to get to the George Mason Bridge (usually referred to as the 14th St bridge) if you are heading south from the Rock Creek Parkway. It’s hard to describe but I’ll try.

Pass under the Roosevelt (rte 66) bridge, continue on the trail around the defunct roundabout, at the point where you would normally take a second 90 degree turn to continue heading towards Memorial Bridge along Rock Creek, stop. Use the crosswalk across Rock Creek to enter the trail that cuts through the volleyball sand pits. Follow this trail south. It will take you under Memorial Bridge all the way along Ohio Drive to the intersection that allows you to choose between cutting across to pick up the trail that leads to the entrance to the George Mason Bridge, or going right to continue on to Hain’s Pt.

This route allows you to bypass a lot of pedestrian traffic and lights. When you get to West Potomac Park it is generally best to move into the road and get off the sidewalk; traffic moves pretty slow and is generally looking for a parking space. Just make sure you stay far enough away from the parked cars to avoid being doored.

If you decide to return this way, be sure to cross over the street on Ohio Drive by the large round-about to pick up the trail heading north since you can’t pass under Memorial Bridge on the right side of the road.

This sounds more complicated than it is. Once you find the trail in the volleyball courts it is pretty much idiot-proof so long as you are somewhat familiar with the area.

[dasgeh]

@KLizotte 25284 wrote:

Pass under the Memorial Bridge, continue on the trail around the defunct roundabout, at the point where you would normally take a second 90 degree turn to continue heading towards Memorial Bridge along Rock Creek, stop. Use the crosswalk across Rock Creek to enter the trail that cuts through the volleyball sand pits. Follow this trail south.

I think you mean pass under the TEDDY ROOSEVELT (aka 66) bridge, and continue around what has now become a pedestrian drop off/stop the car and take pictures area. Then cross the on/off ramps that are technically the last bit of Rock Creek Parkway (according to google maps), but feel like the ramps to get on to Memorial Bridge / from the Lincoln to RCP. That trail wraps around the volleyball courts and goes under both those ramps and the Memorial Bridge and on to Potomac Park.

Yes, tourists suck. Tourist around the Lincoln suck a lot. And they’re there for basically 9 months of the year. But their absence is a silver lining to the depths of winter.

[Terpfan]

I got passed five times this morning (yes, I must have been going to slow as the pass to get-passed ratio was barely +1) and not a single call. I’ve started calling out, “Yep, I was on your right.” I usually brushed it off, but one pass this morning almost took both of us down right against GWP a north end of airport on MVT. Cyclist one passed me as I was rapidly approaching a fairly slow leisure rider, I got ready to pass myself and checked behind myself to see another non-call cyclist immediately to my back left. Moral of the story: call passes, especially those where it’s obvious the person in front may also be facing an obstacle/pass.

[KLizotte]

@dasgeh 25311 wrote:

I think you mean pass under the TEDDY ROOSEVELT (aka 66) bridge, and continue around what has now become a pedestrian drop off/stop the car and take pictures area.

You’re right. Good catch.

I wish the authorities would fix that defunct roundabout. The two sharp turns required to traverse it are horrid, esp since one of them has a curb cut ramp taking up half the sidewalk.

[dasgeh]

@Terpfan 25494 wrote:

I got passed five times this morning (yes, I must have been going to slow as the pass to get-passed ratio was barely +1) and not a single call. I’ve started calling out, “Yep, I was on your right.” I usually brushed it off, but one pass this morning almost took both of us down right against GWP a north end of airport on MVT. Cyclist one passed me as I was rapidly approaching a fairly slow leisure rider, I got ready to pass myself and checked behind myself to see another non-call cyclist immediately to my back left. Moral of the story: call passes, especially those where it’s obvious the person in front may also be facing an obstacle/pass.

This morning seemed to be especially bad. I was passed by a no-call speedster. Shortly thereafter, I approached a pedestrian. I slowed, looked back, and seeing no one, started to pull over. Luckily, I looked one more time. A guy was FLYING up to me (on the Custis, on the top of the Rosslyn hill, before the downhill). As I pulled back behind the ped, SLAMMING on my brakes, he says (as he’s even with me) “Oh, yeah, on your left”. Didn’t break his pedal-stride. Thanks, jerk.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Me: Serenely pedaling along Pennsylvania Ave in front of Blair House this morning, not too fast, not too slow.

You: U.S. Secret Service uniform officer sitting in your parked prowler. I’m sure it was something of vital national security interests that required you to suddenly attempt a u-turn from a standstill just as I was about two feet off your port side, but if so you should have used lights, siren, or some sort of indicator that you were going to start moving. At least one of us pays attention to what’s going on around us.

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