My Evening Commute

[Dickie]

Was not my finest. It started OK as I stopped off at Bikenetic to see Dirt and talk new cross/commuter tires as mine are completely shot and flatting all the time. Dirt was not around but Jan was glad to help out. I left informed but without new rubber for now. Back on the WOD and being careful to elude the dreaded FCPD I slowed at the Grove St. crossing only to be passed by a dude with absolutely no regard for the stop sign. He flew through the intersection just as I was getting clipped in without even a look. He then pulled the ultimate DB move, passing (and nearly clipping) two woman with strollers as they crossed paths with a gentleman walking towards them… yep, four abreast with him at speed. The gentleman yelled and put his hands out for protection and the ladies screamed. I slowed, apologized for his behavior and chased the scum down. As I got next to him (and gestured for him to remove his headphones) I became possessed by a sudden calmness (weird). I decided to politely explain what I had just witnessed and suggested better methods for future situations… he tolerated my intrusion and then I flatted. DANG IT! Luckily it was directly in front of the “Free Air” station on the WOD so I rolled my bike to the station, leaned my steed against the air machine (you can see where this is going), started taking off my back pack when I watched my bike slowly roll forward and fall against the pole…. result:

Needless to say, wasn’t a great ride home.

Topic

[baiskeli]

Did anyone find my hidden link?

[Terpfan]

@baiskeli 97045 wrote:

Well, he is a Terp fan.

Yet.

That’s right, Go Terps!

Making matters more amusing. I decided since it was dry to drive up to Bethesda Bagels for lunch. All was fine until a minute before I parked. That 20′ run into my office with an umbrella was an adventure almost requiring swimming.

I don’t care if it’s pouring tomorrow morning. Not going to sit in traffic again this week. Then off to the sunny west coast for work where I may even get to squeeze in a day of riding.

[dplasters]

No Tornado – check
No Hail – check
All my co-workers think I’m crazy – check

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6820[/ATTACH]

[rcannon100]

Wicked Sunset over Arlington
[ATTACH=CONFIG]6821[/ATTACH]

[KWL]

@Terpfan 97064 wrote:

I don’t care if it’s pouring tomorrow morning. Not going to sit in traffic again this week. Then off to the sunny west coast for work where I may even get to squeeze in a day of riding.

It really wasn’t bad today during normal commute times. No rain until some light sprinkles after 7:30am. Warm showers after 4:30pm when I was followed down the MVT by a guy in shorts and a t-shirt. He seemed fine. I did need to spend some time in the garage with a bourbon wiping down and lubing my rain bike, but that is one of the joys of riding in the rain. Never decide to not ride.

[dkel]

Well, it’s official: I’ve had my first completely solitary commute home since last winter. Only me and the bunnies all the way from Vienna to Falls Church on the W&OD. So nice!

[baiskeli]

@Terpfan 97064 wrote:

That’s right, Go Terps!

You walked right past my hidden link.

[Terpfan]

@baiskeli 97134 wrote:

You walked right past my hidden link.

Indeed I did haha. Drama button.

Speaking of drama… Iowa this weekend.

[cephas]

Last night I was already to ride back after work. First sign something was wrong I realized I’d forgotten to charge my headlight. Ok, no big deal. I could be extra alert, maybe take less traveled roads (Yeah right. I’m a creature of habit.) I got down to the garage, helmeted up, unlocked my bike, and realized the bike next to mine had locked onto mine, besides being locked onto the railing. The *)(#%&)@*#%&^@#)& IDIOT!!!!!!! Has this ever happened to anyone?? What have you done? I’ve imagined it could happen, but had never seen it. I spoke with garage attendant, building security, and police… so far, all to no avail. Useless! Who does that??? I’ve still fuming.

[bobco85]

@cephas 97591 wrote:

Last night I was already to ride back after work. First sign something was wrong I realized I’d forgotten to charge my headlight. Ok, no big deal. I could be extra alert, maybe take less traveled roads (Yeah right. I’m a creature of habit.) I got down to the garage, helmeted up, unlocked my bike, and realized the bike next to mine had locked onto mine, besides being locked onto the railing. The *)(#%&)@*#%&^@#)& IDIOT!!!!!!! Has this ever happened to anyone?? What have you done? I’ve imagined it could happen, but had never seen it. I spoke with garage attendant, building security, and police… so far, all to no avail. Useless! Who does that??? I’ve still fuming.

I remember someone else on this forum had this same situation, but I cannot find the related thread/post. I do know, however, that the following is how this person resolved the issue: he locked his bike to the offender’s bike AND the bike rack, then left a note with his phone number and a message saying something like, “Hi, you locked your bike to mine and the rack so I was unable to get my bike. Call me when you read this message.” The technique seems to have worked, as the offender called him and they both eventually were able to ride off (I’m going to add “into the sunset” to show it was a happy ending).

It’s not an ideal solution as you still have to find another way home, but at least you know that you’ll be able to get your bike back in the long run.

[dbb]

On the ride home this evening, I encountered a gent riding a vintage Dunelt bicycle with an Arlington County bike license of almost similar vintage.

To his credit, he did have a current Arlington bike registration sticker on the seat tube

[dbb]

View from the 14th Street Bridge last night.

[Supermau]

I rarely commute during the week due to preventive circumstances but yesterday I got away with it. Left work at 7:20pm for a pathlete-free ride home in the dark. It was excellent.

Sadly though I found out that bike theft does indeed occur at my building downtown. I work at Voice Of America. Bike racks everywhere, people everywhere, security everywhere. I thought it was safe. As I unlocked and geared up the rider next to me was fuming. At some point during the evening somebody ripped off his saddlebag and his headlight, but failed to take the power supply for the light. They just cut, or ripped the wires leaving the light essentially useless. On top of that the dudes chain was snapped.

He told me that this sort of thing happens there regularly which had me wondering why he left his valuable equipment attached to the bike in the first place. I strip my bike of easy to steal accoutrements and it only takes a moment.

The rack is only 30 yards or so from the entrance, but hidden from cameras. Brazen thieves. Another lesson learned. Nowhere is safe.

[rcannon100]

@dbb 98325 wrote:

View from the 14th Street Bridge last night.

I came across late ~ and knew I had missed a spectacular sunset.

[cyclingfool]

@dbb 98325 wrote:

View from the 14th Street Bridge last night.

Photobucket’s blocked at work, but if that picture is anything like what I saw going home, it was marvelous. Brilliant orange sun eked out a few minutes of shining between the departure of the clouds and the end of the day.

My ride home last night was made better by the fact that, unlike the night before, I hadn’t forgotten my glasses-mounted Take a Look mirror. I can ride w/o it, of course, but there’s something comforting about being able to see behind me with one quick glance, even on the trail.

[Author]

Replies