My Morning Commute

[mstone]

@Crickey7 90205 wrote:

Faster rider coming up on the trail behind me this a.m. called to pass me and another rider right as I rang my bell and moved over to pass the frontmost rider. He seemed to feel I should have yielded to him. I thought I had the right of way, since (a) he signalled pretty late–essentially right as he came up, (b) a rider coming up on two riders should anticipate one may be about to pass the other, (c) if both signal at the same time, rearmost rider yields to riders in front, rather than slower rider yields to faster. And get a flipping bell–calls are next to useless.

agree

[americancyclo]

@Crickey7 90205 wrote:

Faster rider coming up on the trail behind me this a.m. called to pass me and another rider right as I rang my bell and moved over to pass the frontmost rider. He seemed to feel I should have yielded to him. I thought I had the right of way, since (a) he signalled pretty late–essentially right as he came up, (b) a rider coming up on two riders should anticipate one may be about to pass the other, (c) if both signal at the same time, rearmost rider yields to riders in front, rather than slower rider yields to faster. And get a flipping bell–calls are next to useless.

I tend to think of the rules similar to skiing or snowboarding. If you’re coming down the mountain, you can see ahead of you and have responsibility. Also, as a more experienced or faster user, you have more responsibility. Yield to those less experienced, and pass with care when it is safe.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@americancyclo 90208 wrote:

I tend to think of the rules similar to skiing or snowboarding. If you’re coming down the mountain, you can see ahead of you and have responsibility. Also, as a more experienced or faster user, you have more responsibility. Yield to those less experienced, and pass with care when it is safe.

I always thought it was the exact opposite: downhill yields to uphill, slower yields to faster? at least, that’s what a snowboarding instructer told me 15 years ago…

[Terpfan]

@Crickey7 90205 wrote:

Faster rider coming up on the trail behind me this a.m. called to pass me and another rider right as I rang my bell and moved over to pass the frontmost rider. He seemed to feel I should have yielded to him. I thought I had the right of way, since (a) he signalled pretty late–essentially right as he came up, (b) a rider coming up on two riders should anticipate one may be about to pass the other, (c) if both signal at the same time, rearmost rider yields to riders in front, rather than slower rider yields to faster. And get a flipping bell–calls are next to useless.

In this case, I think it’s the guy at the rear who needs to yield, even if he or she is faster. The exception would be if the number 2 (or whatever position back from the front) is not actively trying to make a pass in a clear area to do so–in which case then I think it’s fine to make the double/triple/etc pass. I think citing the exception is important because the number 3 rider in this situation should not presume the number 2 rider is slow, they should presume he or she didn’t feel it was safe to pass and that they intend to make a pass (ie, defensive and courteous cycling by rider 3).

While that would seem logical to me, I can’t count the number of times idiots come flying up behind me and try to execute a double or triple pass around a blind curve only to come sliding right next to me because low and behold someone was coming. I know it sucks trading down a bunch of speed, but in the interest of safety, I err on the side of the worst happening.

Anyway, 3 should yield to 2 there unless 2 isn’t making any obvious moves, imo.

[americancyclo]

@Harry Meatmotor 90209 wrote:

I always thought it was the exact opposite: downhill yields to uphill, slower yields to faster? at least, that’s what a snowboarding instructer told me 15 years ago…

Here’s the ‘code’ from Squaw

1. Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
5. Always use devices to help prevent run away equipment.
6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride, and unload safely.
8. If you are involved in a collision or are a witness, do not leave the scene until the Ski Patrol has talked to you.

I was thinking of rule #2, but I could see how you remember rule#4.

[TwoWheelsDC]

As as I was rolling through the light at Kirby/Westmoreland, a delivery truck pulled out in front of me…no big deal, but he ended up creating a pretty massive and unexpected slipstream for me on the downhill, and I hit about 38mph descending into Pimmit Run. I wouldn’t really consider that speed noteworthy otherwise, but this morning I was on my fixed gear, so 38mph translates to a cadence of about 170rpm. I thought my legs were going to fly off.

[dkel]

Now into week two (the final week) of my gravel commute, and I’m realizing that this kind of mileage on gravel, day after day, is pretty punishing on the body. Maybe this is why I never see any other commuters on the Cross County Trail…

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dkel 90267 wrote:

Now into week two (the final week) of my gravel commute, and I’m realizing that this kind of mileage on gravel, day after day, is pretty punishing on the body. Maybe this is why I never see any other commuters on the Cross County Trail…

Also, it doesn’t really go many places one might commute to.

[Dickie]

@TwoWheelsDC 90263 wrote:

As as I was rolling through the light at Kirby/Westmoreland, a delivery truck pulled out in front of me…no big deal, but he ended up creating a pretty massive and unexpected slipstream for me on the downhill, and I hit about 38mph descending into Pimmit Run. I wouldn’t really consider that speed noteworthy otherwise, but this morning I was on my fixed gear, so 38mph translates to a cadence of about 170rpm. I thought my legs were going to fly off.

Please tell me it was a Cinzano truck.

[americancyclo]

After the morning advocacy at Bob and Edith’s I wasn’t really sure which way to head in to DC. of course, dasgeh suggested to go to 2nd street and then follow The Best Commute in DC. Alas, I followed my garmin instead, and took the Worst Commute in DC. Boo on me. and really no excuse as to why i couldn’t stop two minutes and look it up.

[dasgeh]

@americancyclo 90284 wrote:

After the morning advocacy at Bob and Edith’s I wasn’t really sure which way to head in to DC. of course, dasgeh suggested to go to 2nd street and then follow The Best Commute in DC. Alas, I followed my garmin instead, and took the Worst Commute in DC. Boo on me. and really no excuse as to why i couldn’t stop two minutes and look it up.

Oh no! That’s a lesson to everyone: always listen to me!

*too much time with my toddlers*

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dasgeh 90286 wrote:

Oh no! That’s a lesson to everyone: always listen to me!

*too much time with my toddlers*

I thought the lesson was that there is only one thing about which you need to listen to dasgeh.

[dkel]

@ShawnoftheDread 90277 wrote:

Also, it doesn’t really go many places one might commute to.

True. But it does get me from various kid-related, summer activities to roads that connect to the W&OD, which connects me to work. One of my coworkers is a cyclist who hardly ever rides (we all know the type) and I’ve been egging her on to ride to work; just so happens she lives a couple miles from Lake Accotink, so because I’m going that way anyway, she agreed to ride with me tomorrow. That’s a win! (And it’s someone who would commute that way routinely, though I doubt she will become a regular.)

[Terpfan]

So this morning, the light at Wisconsin Ave and Newark (I think it was Newark, one of those in that little area) was solid green and solid red simultaneously. This is the second time I have encountered this cycling in the last three months. The last time was in OT Alexandria going down Columbia. What exactly is the protocol? Treat it like a blinking red? I’m really not sure even for driving. And it appeared other drivers didn’t understand either so of course they defaulted to assuming it was green. The light wasn’t running through it’s normal cycle either as I slowed thinking maybe it would change. Thoughts?

[Arlingtonrider]

Signal somehow to show what you’re planning to do, proceed carefully after someone offers to let you through, then contact DDOT about the light asap.

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