My Evening Commute

[Boomer Cycles]

@Crickey7 126320 wrote:

Too late for you (and you may not have had this option), but I’ve booted with the cardboard box the spare inner tube came in.

I’ve booted with cardboard that I’ve found on the side of the road. I also carry duct tape wrapped around my bike pump for such emergencies, too.

[hozn]

@americancyclo 126322 wrote:

yeah, my head was not in the game yesterday. I’m sure i could have improvised faster than they changed my tire.

I would just look for a trash can; chip bags would work great! . I keep a gel in my pack, since it’s nice to have an energy backup and gel wrappers are great boots.

[GovernorSilver]

@ian74 126318 wrote:

That’s the way I’ve been going! It works just fine for me. I kept screwing up cutting through the airport. Are you riding Potomac Ave all the way to Main Line Blvd? Or do you get back on 4 Mile run and get back on the MVT?

Sorry for being late here. Before the Mulch Era I used to take MVT to Four Mile Run, climb/walk the switchback to Potomac Ave Trail, then take the trail down. The dawn of the Mulch Era and seeing the cyclist lying on the street injured after being hit while riding the crosswalk in the Potomac & Glebe intersection changed all of that for me.

I discovered this evening that 29th St is actually a one-way. I salmoned on it to get to Potomac Ave. 😮

I do ride Potomac Ave southbound to at least the intersection with Glebe. At some point past it – as car traffic allows – I switch to Potomac Ave Trail and ride it all the way to Braddock, then ride the trail between Braddock and Cameron, eventually making my way to the Telegraph-Eisenhower overpass. My evening ride is all about avoiding making a left turn from Huntington Ave. to get home.

[komorebi]

Dear cyclist who was waiting by the side of the MVT near the Gravelly Point portapotties, swung onto the trail right after I passed, and proceeded to ride my wheel all the way to the Crystal City connector:

I’m short and slow, so the thought of you drafting me is flattering but not particularly believable. Next time, please consider saying something. Comment about what a nice night it is. Call your passes when going around pedestrians. Acknowledge my hand signals. Anything so that I don’t think of you as “creepy silent stalker guy who’s riding just behind me in the dark.”

Of course, if you want me to keep thinking of you as “creepy silent stalker guy,” then carry on.

[creadinger]

Goddamnit…. as I’m wearing more layers with the chilly weather I have forgotten to hang them all up so they dry while at work. Ugh… starting a chilly commute home in cold, damp clothing sucks.

[KWL]

Gnats!

[Sunyata]

@KWL 127010 wrote:

Gnats!

No kidding! I got stopped at the W&OD – Walter Reed intersection and must have been quite entertaining to the vehicles there… I probably looked like a raving lunatic swatting at the gnats around my face.

Is it Winter yet?

[ian74]

@KWL 127010 wrote:

Gnats!

Yesterday was terrible near the marine on the MVT. Since I sweat so much and am covered in ample fur I end up having gnats all stuck on me. On my face, in my beard, neck and up and down my arms. I’m a gnat collector!

[vern]

This was the first time I had to use my light on the commute home, a precursor for the norm come Monday…*sigh*

[TwoWheelsDC]

Overall, light etiquette was pretty good on the first evening commute of Standard time. Hopefully this becomes normal.

[dkel]

@TwoWheelsDC 127227 wrote:

Overall, light etiquette was pretty good on the first evening commute of Standard time. Hopefully this becomes normal.

HA HA Ha ha ha! That’s rich!

[TwoWheelsDC]

@dkel 127230 wrote:

HA HA Ha ha ha! That’s rich!

Yep, after tonight, forget I said anything…

[jpaulwhite]

@creadinger 126845 wrote:

Goddamnit…. as I’m wearing more layers with the chilly weather I have forgotten to hang them all up so they dry while at work. Ugh… starting a chilly commute home in cold, damp clothing sucks.

That’s the WORST! I keep a heater in my office to assist the drying

[wheelswings]

Due to work-related obligations yesterday and today, I had the privilege of riding my bike during office hours and waiting on deliciously sunny street corners between events. Standing there quietly with my bike, I was reminded of the power of silence (I was raised in the Quaker faith) and of finding common ground. So many people came up to me, curious to speak with a bicycling person. Their biggest concern was safety. I acknowledged that there can be scary moments, just as there are on foot, but there is a strong community of fellow bicycle riders who look out for each other and advise on the safest routes. I told them how we have committees that work to make the streets and intersections safer for everyone. And how there’s a huge network of trails and on-street lanes. And how we get through winter… And how we have reliable door-to-door service on our own schedules — and get the best parking spots. And how you can have the worst day at the office and you get on the bike and all the stress just sloughs off, leaving you positively gleeful.

I know these interactions are a drop in the bucket, a tiny swish in the waters when what we really need is a sea-change in how people think about bicycle riding. But they reminded me of the value of humanizing our two-wheeled species and making personal connections with people. I will try to find more opportunities to “hang out” with my bike, especially in such perfect weather.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Saw Dickie for the first time in ages. And yelled at someone who didn’t need yelling at. But a beautiful night overall.

[Author]

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