My Evening Commute

[AFHokie]

Passing through Judiciary Square on 3rd St I experienced my first legitimate flat due to a piece of glass. For a first time fixing a flat, swapping out the tube was not as difficult as I’d feared. I’d hoped the current set of tires would’ve lasted to October/November, but it looks like the tire will need replaced as well.

The woman passerby who though someone had disassembled my bike gave me a chuckle, however the dude who walked up and asked if I had a slim jim…no I do not and no I am not ‘helping’ you break into ‘your’ car.

[S. Arlington Observer]

Hi all,

I just realized that I recently passed the one year mark as a bicycle commuter. On August 1 of 2014, after plotting a route via the Capital Bikeshare webpage, I took a Capital Bikeshare bike from Ballston Metro home to Shirlington via the Bluemont Junction and W&OD trails. Over time I expanded my range by riding all the way home from Courthouse (still via Ballson) and then adding a partial morning commute as well (from Shirlington to Crystal City, where I use a bus for the remainder of the trip.) Most days I now use my own bike (saving CaBi for days when the trip is likely to be one way due to my schedule or weather.) Now morning and evening commutes, that used to be “wasted” time on the bus, are adventures and cardio opportunities. I particularly like noting the tidal changes in lower Four Mile Run in the morning.

I was happy to learn that I could bike after dark in the winter with a helmet light on the W&OD. (When I started I feared I’d have to give up the ride for the winter as it is dark by 5.) But I also learned not to tangle with ice and to Really, Really appreciate the road and trail conditions posts on this forum. As I head into year two, my only concern is finding a way to keep my hands warmer. My body core never gets cold, but even with the best gloves I’ve found, I can’t keep them warm when the temperature is below about 30 degrees in the late afternoon. (Which, thankfully, even in the winter, is fairly rare in DC.)

I’ll never be the kind of expert biker that many here are. But I after a year it is a very comfortable way to get around (to the gym and grocery in addition to work). Having a knowledgeable community to offer news and advice is invaluable. Thank You!

[ShawnoftheDread]

If using your own bike in the winter, invest in a pair of Barr Mitts or Moose Mitts. Better than any winter gloves you’ll find.

[Crickey7]

I make do with lobster gloves and glove liners, though it does get a wee bit cold when you drop into the teens. A good set of lobster gloves will run you at least $50, on deep sale.

[Anonymous]

@ShawnoftheDread 121863 wrote:

If using your own bike in the winter, invest in a pair of Barr Mitts or Moose Mitts. Better than any winter gloves you’ll find.

I recently went looking for Moose Mitts to prepare for next winter and the website http://www.trails-edge.com/ appears to no longer be in existence. If anyone has current information if they are still available, it would be appreciated. They seem to me superior to Bar Mitts in allowing for use of (and braking from) drops.

I was playing tourist with some out of town guests this weekend and visited the Crime Museum. Near the end of the museum they have a night-vision camera that lets you see what you look like with heat detecting visuals. On camera, I had a black hole where my nose would be (like a skull) and my hands were dark fading to black nothingness at the fingertips. That seemed reasonable to me but then I stepped away and someone else stepped up and had hands and nose just as solid white as the rest of his body. So I made everyone I was with all go stand there too. They all had warm (white) hands and noses. Mine stayed nicely black. No wonder I can’t keep my hands warm during freezing saddles; I can’t even keep them warm in a moderately air-conditioned museum. :rolleyes: (I didn’t think to try and see my feet on camera, but I am thinking they are no better).

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Crickey7 121865 wrote:

I make do with lobster gloves and glove liners, though it does get a wee bit cold when you drop into the teens. A good set of lobster gloves will run you at least $50, on deep sale.

I will be looking into the Barr and Moose mitts. But glove liners seem interesting as well. Where does one get those?

[dbb]

I got an email from them (Trail’s Edge) about ten days ago that said they were reworking their website. I cut the phone number out of that email 734-420-1200

I have no other information other than moose mitts are wonderful

[Crickey7]

You can usually find glove liners in the running section of sporting goods stores (though they may not be called that) or in the skiing section. They have to be thin to work right.

[Steve O]

@S. Arlington Observer 121861 wrote:

Having a knowledgeable community to offer news and advice is invaluable.

And we’re fun! Come to a morning coffee club; join this Friday’s Midnight Saddles ride; sign up for Freezing Saddles this fall; come to Third Thursday Happy Hour… We want to meet you.

[Starduster]

@TwoWheelsDC 121489 wrote:

I don’t generally wish harm on anyone, especially fellow riders of bikes, but sometimes I find myself hoping karma will catch up with people…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfohl74FgSg&feature=youtu.be

Do we or do we not have an *education opportunity*?

[mstone]

@Starduster 121893 wrote:

Do we or do we not have an *education opportunity*?

Indeed–someone grab the “board of education” (aka, “the lart” or “the clue-by-four”)

[AFHokie]

Hit a bat on my way home last night. Glanced off my helmet; if not for my cat-like (sh*t that’s a bat!) ninja reflexes, it would’ve hit me right between the eyes.

Really glad I decided to swap in clear lenses instead of riding home without eye pro…almost decided not to mess with it.

[dplasters]

Two other riders doing vehicular riding on Lee Highway out in Fairfax with me yesterday. This Wednesday, Thursday and Friday has to be one of the best three day stretches of riding weather in a very long time.

[GovernorSilver]

I’ve gotten better at checking for silent cyclists before passing someone else on the MVT, but wouldn’t you know it – the one time I neglect to check, I nearly collide with a cyclist trying to pass both me and the other person I was about to pass. He did call his pass, but he waited until at the exact moment I shifted to the left lane to frantically call “On your left! Your left!”. I apologized and let him go on.

Later on Potomac Ave Trail, a cyclist who had just passed me found herself blocked by a motorist who decided to park the car right in front of her instead of before the crosswalk, to wait to cross Potomac Ave. to get to the movie theater. I saw her throw up her hand in disgust. Then at the very next intersection, two cars started to move on her while she was still crossing the intersection – in California, we’d call what they did a “California roll”. I hope she got home safely – seems like she had a string of bad luck going there.

Other than that, it was a pleasant ride home for me. The completed protected bike lanes on First NE in the Union Station area was a treat to ride on. On the MVT I was passed by a guy on an electric scooter – this type:

Then I saw someone riding an electric unicycle in the opposite direction – kind of looked like this:

[IMG]http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODAwWDU2NQ==/z/NMwAAOSwyQtVn9xF/$_57.JPG[/IMG]

[KLizotte]

@GovernorSilver 122072 wrote:

I’ve gotten better at checking for silent cyclists before passing someone else on the MVT, but wouldn’t you know it – the one time I neglect to check, I nearly collide with a cyclist trying to pass both me and the other person I was about to pass.

I highly, highly recommend getting a helmet mounted mirror. I have one and always use it to check behind me before pulling out; makes life a lot safer on the MUPs and the roads. It is so easy to check every 30 seconds or so what is going on behind you if you have one.

[Author]

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