My Evening Commute

[DrP]

Good commute home.
On Four Mile Run between Walter Reed and George Mason, there were three Arlington Police cars (well, two cars and one SUV) on the trail. All moved to the side well in advance of me to let me pass, but I have no idea why they were even there. That is not really a shortcut to anywhere. Hopefully nothing bad had happened.

[consularrider]

@DrP 125326 wrote:

Good commute home.
On Four Mile Run between Walter Reed and George Mason, there were three Arlington Police cars (well, two cars and one SUV) on the trail. All moved to the side well in advance of me to let me pass, but I have no idea why they were even there. That is not really a shortcut to anywhere. Hopefully nothing bad had happened.

Usually associated with “suspicious activity.”

[Crickey7]

@consularrider 125334 wrote:

Usually associated with “suspicious activity.”

What strange power do police officers have that the minute you see one, you feel guilty even when you are doing absolutely nothing wrong?

[baiskeli]

@Crickey7 125335 wrote:

What strange power do police officers have that the minute you see one, you feel guilty even when you are doing absolutely nothing wrong?

It goes back to your childhood when an adult would see you and you were always doing something wrong.

[wheelswings]

I may have to say bye to my beloved bicycle of 20 years. I stopped by Phoenix this afternoon ‘cause I’ve been having trouble braking, especially during last week’s storms when I’d speed down hills despite my tightest squeezing of the brakes. Turns out the rear brake is literally frozen in place (and useless) ‘cause it’s so corroded. Edoardo tried for an hour to remove it, but it won’t budge. He’s soaking it in lubricants overnight. The trouble is, the piece that attaches the brake to the seatstay is bending and ready to snap off. Edoardo will try again to remove the brake tomorrow –- Paul is bringing a torch to literally flame it off. Meanwhile I’m trying to brace myself that my trusty bicycle may end up in the scrap heap. I know that Bike Snob teaches us not to become attached to our bikes, but I am very attached.

[DismalScientist]

Wouldn’t a hack saw be less invasive?

[peterw_diy]

Wait, the rear is busted?

Disc brake up front and practice shifting your weight to make Sheldon smile on you from above?

[Steve O]

@peterw_diy 125663 wrote:

Wait, the rear is busted?

Disc brake up front and practice shifting your weight to make Sheldon smile on you from above?

No front braking on snow and ice, so that will make Freezing Saddles difficult.

[consularrider]

@wheels&wings 125661 wrote:

I may have to say bye to my beloved bicycle of 20 years. I stopped by Phoenix this afternoon ‘cause I’ve been having trouble braking, especially during last week’s storms when I’d speed down hills despite my tightest squeezing of the brakes. Turns out the rear brake is literally frozen in place (and useless) ‘cause it’s so corroded. Edoardo tried for an hour to remove it, but it won’t budge. He’s soaking it in lubricants overnight. The trouble is, the piece that attaches the brake to the seatstay is bending and ready to snap off. Edoardo will try again to remove the brake tomorrow –- Paul is bringing a torch to literally flame it off. Meanwhile I’m trying to brace myself that my trusty bicycle may end up in the scrap heap. I know that Bike Snob teaches us not to become attached to our bikes, but I am very attached.

Do we have the same bike? When I unboxed my 21 year old Raleigh M60 in July, I discovered the right arm of the rear cantilever brake was seized up. I did finally manage to get it off, lubed it and put it back on. Still wouldn’t move freely and now I can’t get it off again. I have ordered a new brake set and will be vicious in banging off the old one soon. I had the same thing happen to the front brakes about six years ago and Big Wheel at Lyon Village did a quick replacement for me at the time.

[wheelswings]

Same vintage! Mine is a Mountain Trek 820 from 1994. A spectacular ride, very responsive – aside from the brakes. I have been totally spoiled, thanks to Phoenix. It’s like driving a Subaru, whereas the loaner is like a Nissan or a Dodge…does the job, but that’s about it.

[dasgeh]

Not my commute, but a friend’s: did any of you happen to be on the Custis tonight around 5:45pm when someone on a CaBi headed uphill passed some folks and crashed head on to my Jason?

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10206239865528015&id=1006526672

From Facebook

Quote:

**Arlington Commuters – I need your help** At 5:45pm today a guy riding a bikeshare uphill on the Custis Trail (West) just before N. Scott Street, came out from behind a long line of cyclists and began passing them. He ran into me head-on as I was headed down hill. I did not fair too well, he was fine. A number of people stopped and helped keep me from getting hit by cars as I was laying in the road (thank you!). I am mostly ok but banged up. Just need to speak to anyone who was there. PLEASE share this or reach out to anyone who rides up the hill at that time of day. Thank You!

Contact info through the link.

[Vicegrip]

@wheels&wings 125661 wrote:

I may have to say bye to my beloved bicycle of 20 years. I stopped by Phoenix this afternoon ‘cause I’ve been having trouble braking, especially during last week’s storms when I’d speed down hills despite my tightest squeezing of the brakes. Turns out the rear brake is literally frozen in place (and useless) ‘cause it’s so corroded. Edoardo tried for an hour to remove it, but it won’t budge. He’s soaking it in lubricants overnight. The trouble is, the piece that attaches the brake to the seatstay is bending and ready to snap off. Edoardo will try again to remove the brake tomorrow –- Paul is bringing a torch to literally flame it off. Meanwhile I’m trying to brace myself that my trusty bicycle may end up in the scrap heap. I know that Bike Snob teaches us not to become attached to our bikes, but I am very attached.

Don’t scrap it! If they can’t fix it and or/break the brake all is not lost. I know a bike riding guy in falls church that can repair or replace the post and has the equipment to do so. He also has induction heating equipment that is very good at targeted heating for jammed up parts. Save the bike and all parts broken or not.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Vicegrip 125747 wrote:

Don’t scrap it! If they can’t fix it and or/break the brake all is not lost. I know a bike riding guy in falls church that can repair or replace the post and has the equipment to do so. He also has induction heating equipment that is very good at targeted heating for jammed up parts. Save the bike and all parts broken or not.

Or perhaps weld on disc mounts?

[Crickey7]

Wear shoes with extra thick soles?

[wheelswings]

Thanks Vicegrip. Let’s talk sometime… Phoenix successfully burned off the old brake (left rear) with the torch, but they say that part is now really weak from all the torque. They’re still working on it. Maybe there’s some way to make it stronger with a bit of extra metal. The good thing is I’m on the light side so it shouldn’t collapse right away. They also gave me new tires ‘cause I had no tread left – apparently I was riding on the liners. Oops. Over a year ago I was urged to replace my tires “within a week,” but I guess I managed to milk them for a few thousand miles extra.

[Author]

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