My Evening Commute

[Greenbelt]

sunset from the Paint Branch trail
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[wheelswings]

I’ve ranted before about Ninja Cars — but driving Ninja-style while texting?? I yelled at the car but the windows were shut tight and the lady was too absorbed in her texts and her music to notice me. I intersected with a second Ninja Car just a few minutes ago, and I yelled at that one even louder, to no avail …though the pedestrians watched with interest…
Does anyone have any tricks for getting Ninja drivers’ attention? My batting average is not so good.

[ShawnoftheDread]

My 1000 Lumen flashlight on strobe pointed at the driver’s face usually does the trick.

[dkel]

@ShawnoftheDread 101755 wrote:

My 1000 Lumen flashlight on strobe pointed at the driver’s face usually does the trick.

After reading probably hundreds of witty posts from you, ShawnoftheDread, it suddenly occurred to me that I may have been misinterpreting all of them, and you’ve been totally serious all this time. :p

[jabberwocky]

@wheels&wings 101754 wrote:

Does anyone have any tricks for getting Ninja drivers’ attention? My batting average is not so good.

Its not very Dirt-like, but I find a few good kicks to the passenger door gets their attention pretty effectively. And it gives them something to remember you by, especially if you can connect with a cleat!

[Steve O]

@wheels&wings 101754 wrote:

Does anyone have any tricks for getting Ninja drivers’ attention? My batting average is not so good.

My friend, HF, has a small battery-powered bicycle horn. It’s pretty loud. Does anyone on the forum have experience with these?

[worktheweb]

I can highly recommend the AirZound from Delta. It puts out a 115 db blast that commands attention. It also is refilled by your pump and will last for several blasts on an inflation. It is louder than most car horns and never fails to get noticed. Pretty inexpensive, too.

[jrenaut]

Powered horns on bikes are illegal in the District, I believe. Not saying don’t do it, just saying be aware.

[DCAKen]

My normal ride home from work takes me through Rock Creek Park as I head from Silver Spring to Dupont Circle. I always turn off at the Ranger Station, going up Ross Drive to Glover Road as a hillier and quieter alternative to Beach Drive.

Last night at about 6:00 pm, as I turned onto Ross Drive, I passed a tow truck standing in the lane with the gates closed. I was wondering if there was a tree down or maybe a crash on the road ahead. Since no one said anything as I passed the truck, I happily climbed the hills, knowing the road would be all mine. It was clear sailing almost all the way to the intersection of Broad Branch Road and Glover Road, where the gates were also closed with another truck sitting there with its flashers on. As I passed that, I also noticed another truck standing on the connector trail with two park employees on the road. As I waited for cars to pass the intersection, one of the workers called me back, asking how I got on the road and if anyone stopped me.

It turns out this was one of the nights they closed down the roads for “deer management“. I suggested that they make it obvious that the road is closed by positioning the trucks in front of the gap between the gates. Whenever there is ice or snow on the road, the gates are closed, but cyclists are able to ride this segment when it is closed for cars. I was assuming this was the case…not knowing that hunters were on the loose.

I’m not against thinning the deer population, especially with a few close calls I’ve had with them, but I wonder why they’re closing the roads at 5:00 pm, instead of later in the evening, after normal commuting hours.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dkel 101757 wrote:

After reading probably hundreds of witty posts from you, ShawnoftheDread, it suddenly occurred to me that I may have been misinterpreting all of them, and you’ve been totally serious all this time. :p

Well, you were clearly misinterpreting if you found them witty.

[mstone]

@DCAKen 101847 wrote:

It turns out this was one of the nights they closed down the roads for “deer management“. I suggested that they make it obvious that the road is closed by positioning the trucks in front of the gap between the gates. Whenever there is ice or snow on the road, the gates are closed, but cyclists are able to ride this segment when it is closed for cars. I was assuming this was the case…not knowing that hunters were on the loose.[/quote]

Or, maybe a sign with the words “warning” or “danger”?

[cyclingfool]

The phrase “deer management” sounds like something from a Far Side cartoon. I’m picturing a board room full of bucks. The CEO is the one with the most points on his rack. There is also, appropriately, some sort of illustration of does running into a glass ceiling.

[Terpfan]

Ugh. Last night was going so well until Old Town where suddenly stupid became the norm. From people passing within inches to the dude driving at me with high beams on on Royal St to whacking the tree branch I couldn’t see (but you’re all welcome as I went back, broke the branch, and it will now no longer whack any riders). Couple that all with the woman stopping in front of me blocking the MVT at the condo light… except she was turning INTO the complex and there was no reason to block it save her deer-in-the-headlights look. On the plus side, I didn’t fall or crash despite plenty of opportunities! .

[KWL]

It was a little lonely out on the MVT this evening. Where was everyone? It was a glorious, post-rain, misty, low cloud cover ride home.

[CPTJohnC]

I was really hoping this evening’s ride would be good preparation for #BAFS2015 but alas, the temps were pretty warm, and the mist was merely dampening. I know the secret to avoiding seriously crappy weather now: bring a rain cape.

[Author]

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