My Morning Commute

[hozn]

The banjo bros waterproof bags (and presumably panniers) are very light. The waterproof liner probably adds a couple ounces, but that is more than worth it for me to not have to ever worry about things getting wet.

[KLizotte]

@Powerful Pete 91010 wrote:

Pressed for time this AM. Commuted across Key Bridge, then on to M and then Penn.

Honestly was very pleasantly surprised – 10 km (~6 miles) without real troublesome traffic.

Another good option. The lack of sun and obscene humidity levels also helped.:cool:

Thank you Forum Wise Ones for your advice on routes.

If you are using the PA Ave bike lanes just be really, really careful to look out for drivers doing illegal u-turns thru the bike lanes. It has been a real problem (barriers protecting the bike lanes are supposed to be erected in our lifetime). If you ride so that you can slow down/stop quickly you should be fine.

[Powerful Pete]

Yes thanks, I had read that thread here. I kept an eye out for the U-turners.

It was not too bad this morning, once through the mess that is Washington Circle the traffic on Penn was very manageable and hardly a cab to be seen… I realise it was just dumb luck at that particular moment in time.

[americancyclo]

@Powerful Pete 91052 wrote:

It was not too bad this morning, once through the mess that is Washington Circle the traffic on Penn was very manageable and hardly a cab to be seen… I realise it was just dumb luck at that particular moment in time.

The section of Penn between M St and 17th just before the whitehouse is one of my favorite parts of the commute. relatively stress free, timed lights and little traffic. If you ride before 8am, that is.

I regularly take the Custis through Rosslyn and over the Key Bridge, M St, then Penn all the way to the Capitol. Quickest way I’ve found to head east in DC, at the time I need to go.

[dasgeh]

@KLizotte 91045 wrote:

If you are using the PA Ave bike lanes just be really, really careful to look out for drivers doing illegal u-turns thru the bike lanes. It has been a real problem (barriers protecting the bike lanes are supposed to be erected in our lifetime). If you ride so that you can slow down/stop quickly you should be fine.

I ride the PA cycletrack daily, and I see approx. 2 u-turns per week. I’ve never had a close call. It seems like this was a huge problem, there was a big advocacy push to make it better, and it got better. Thanks to everyone who was involved in that push!

You still have to be alert of, e.g., pedestrians standing in the cycletrack, or cars turns when / where they shouldn’t, but I’d say it’s just like most places.

[Powerful Pete]

@americancyclo 91054 wrote:

The section of Penn between M St and 17th just before the whitehouse is one of my favorite parts of the commute. relatively stress free, timed lights and little traffic. If you ride before 8am, that is.

I regularly take the Custis through Rosslyn and over the Key Bridge, M St, then Penn all the way to the Capitol. Quickest way I’ve found to head east in DC, at the time I need to go.

That is the bit of Penn that I am riding – my office is before the White House.

On my commute in the evenings I like to ride on 15th on the bike path to get towards the 14th Street Bridge. That is a bit more hectic after 17:00 but not too bad in the scheme of things.

[Emm]

@Arlingtonrider 91019 wrote:

I don’t like the additional weight of waterproof biking backpacks and panniers, so I’ve opted to just put my things in plastic bags inside my pannier or backpack. I often carry a couple of extra kitchen trash bags in case of afternoon storms, and have also found that by cutting slits on the top and sides, I can make a very effective and comfortable last minute rain vest.

Ohh good idea. Just added a trash bag and a kitchen bag to my backpack.

[vern]

So my legs feel terrible and I have to get up in 6 hrs and 40 minutes to ride to work, and I’m preparing for that by sitting here drinking beer and eating potato chips. I think that’s a good plan.

[Powerful Pete]

@vern, drinking beer (aka liquid carboloading) is always a good recuperation and nutrition technique!

[Phatboing]

My morning commute was wondiferous, except for the part where I had to get off the bike and go indoors to work.

[dasgeh]

+1,000

I feel really sorry for anyone who’s commute didn’t involve biking and/or a long walk.

[ronwalf]

Tried my first commute into work since my new job (20+ miles). I got off to a late start, and then a mile in, I noticed

1. I forgot my rear light
2. I forgot my badge
3. My chain was skipping

So I go back home, accidentally dropped my bike (scratching my saddle and bar tape), and then noticed this:

[bobco85]

@ronwalf 91129 wrote:

Tried my first commute into work since my new job (20+ miles). I got off to a late start, and then a mile in, I noticed

1. I forgot my rear light
2. I forgot my badge
3. My chain was skipping

So I go back home, accidentally dropped my bike (scratching my saddle and bar tape), and then noticed this:

Good thing you remembered in the first mile and not the last!

Looking at the chain, the master link is damaged. It seems like an easy fix (replace the master link), at least.

[Dickie]

For some strange reason I was completely unable to make left turns today…my work exit at Gallows was not happening…. must be something with my headset. So I rode towards Reston before I could find enough room for a sweeping right hand U-turn to then head back to Gallows. I was able to turn right and eventually found my way back to work, luckily my boss understood.

[ronwalf]

@bobco85 91136 wrote:

Looking at the chain, the master link is damaged. It seems like an easy fix (replace the master link), at least.

I just went ahead and replaced it. I abused this chain by letting it run low on lube and then leaving it in the shed for month. When I took it out, it was nearly frozen with rust. Before the link broke, it was mostly better, but I still had to keep it well oiled or the links would stiffen up again.

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