My Morning Commute

[Dickie]

@Terpfan 93974 wrote:

My morning commute sucked–I had to drive in today. Boo.

Slowly getting into the grove of clipless and road bike. Previously I had been hybrid-based. It’s quite the difference and I’m still trying to figure out the optimal cleat positioning. That and I moved my saddle up from what the bike store had it at. Felt way too low. So the saddle height feels right, but now it’s getting the damn cleats adjusted right to avoid a little bit of pain in the middle right side of my foot. Any suggestions from the knowledgeable group here? They’re spl cannondale for whatever difference it makes along with canondale shoes.

I’ve always used Steve Hogg’s advice for fitting. Although this article is pretty long and detailed, I followed it and no more knee pain.

[skins_brew]

@dbb 93999 wrote:

Alas, my morning commute was not a missed connection.

Coming up the ramp from the MVT to the 14th Street Bridge, I felt my rear tire go soft.

Not wanting to do bike maintenance on the bridge, I did the walk of shame to the benches by the snack bar at the Jefferson.

The tire’s failure was a small piece of wire that was a bear to get out.

It was likely my time as I’ve not flatted in about a year, validating my investment in Gatorskins.

A number of cyclists checked to see if I needed help. Thanks to all for checking on me.

Why don’t you flip your bike over so it is upside down, or at least on the side. Resting it on your the rear derailleur like that is asking for serious trouble.

[DismalScientist]

Are you advocating a violation of Rule # 49?

[Emm]

This morning was my first day back on my bike after a 3 week hiatus. A nasty case of vertigo hit me 3 weeks ago which kept me off the bike for 2 weeks, and then I had to move which took a week (and still isn’t done. ugh).

Not gonna lie–this morning hurt…but was worth it. I just need to sort my new route out. I only moved about 4 blocks in Del Ray, but it looks like Potomac Ave is now the better option to get to the MVT (vs commonwealth). I just hate those switchbacks with a passion…

[dbb]

@skins_brew 94043 wrote:

Why don’t you flip your bike over so it is upside down, or at least on the side. Resting it on your the rear derailleur like that is asking for serious trouble.

Good call. Brain cramp caused by the walk across the bridge!

[cyclingfool]

@Emm 94048 wrote:

This morning was my first day back on my bike after a 3 week hiatus. A nasty case of vertigo hit me 3 weeks ago which kept me off the bike for 2 weeks, and then I had to move which took a week (and still isn’t done. ugh).

Not gonna lie–this morning hurt…but was worth it. I just need to sort my new route out. I only moved about 4 blocks in Del Ray, but it looks like Potomac Ave is now the better option to get to the MVT (vs commonwealth). I just hate those switchbacks with a passion…

Sorry about the vertigo, Hope you’re feeling better. And hope the moving craziness dies down sooner rather than later.

As far as route is concerned, you can always go through Crystal City and take the Crystal City Connector to get over to the MVT, like in this Strava track of mine. If you don’t want to be dealing so much with the traffic and the lights along Crystal Dr., you can take the the Service Rd that starts across from 26th St and goes by the railroad tracks behind the office buildings there for a few blocks. A lot of cyclists go back that way. Going trough CC allows you to totally skip the switchbacks.

[mstone]

@skins_brew 94043 wrote:

Why don’t you flip your bike over so it is upside down, or at least on the side. Resting it on your the rear derailleur like that is asking for serious trouble.

Another reason why my two-legged kickstand is cool, not a dorky boat anchor!

[hozn]

Awesome morning commute, took the 5-mile detour through Lake Fairfax and Tamarack park. Nothing better than getting dirty on the way to work.

[Phatboing]

Going westbound on the WOD, being all it’s-late-I’ll-be-forgiven-for-being-erratic, I found myself being tailed. Instead of continuing my silliness that could get us all injured, I ditched the pursuer by going off onto the adjoining gravel path before the Shreve intersection (go go Fargo!).

“That looks like Dickie”, I thought, when I got a good look, “I should catch up and say hi and verify if it’s really Dickie.”

I didn’t catch up.

[lordofthemark]

Nice quick ride to HDCC, nice HDCC, and then a good ride in lovely weather, despite being passed (in a polite and friendly way) by Arlingtonrider and Dismal Scientist Airport hills feel like the are getting easier. The nasty cable protector is gone from Water Street, and the sidewalk on the south side of Maine is open. Mellow in the Eye Street lane, except this one rider (appeared to be a casual helmetless newb?) who kept swerving from the bike lane into the parking lane whenever possible. I should have just passed him, but I was tired and slower by this point.

I am not sure when I left HDCC exactly. Either 8:05 or maybe 8:06 (or even 8:07?). I got to NJ and M at 8:55, so I think I broke 50 minutes from Shirlington, which is pretty good for me.

[Xarici]

Nice ride in marred by Councilmember Jack Evans pulling a U-turn on Penn to get a prime parking spot in front of the Wilson Building. Sigh.

[jrenaut]

@Xarici 94117 wrote:

Nice ride in marred by Councilmember Jack Evans pulling a U-turn on Penn to get a prime parking spot in front of the Wilson Building. Sigh.

Are you sure it was Evans? If so he’s going to hear about this.

[Xarici]

Positive. His car, council plates, and saw him get out and open the trunk.

[jrenaut]

@Xarici 94123 wrote:

Positive. His car, council plates, and saw him get out and open the trunk.

I would have stopped and yelled at him.

[Xarici]

I did let him know that it wasn’t legal and he ignored me. If I weren’t enjoying the commute and also needing to be in the office I would’ve stopped for longer.

[Author]

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