My Morning Commute

[ShawnoftheDread]

@hozn 95186 wrote:

Yeah, it does seem a little silly to consider someone hardcore because they are under-dressed (or we’ll just say “differently dressed”) while they’re out on a bike ride. If they don’t own and can’t afford any clothes or non-bicycle transportation and it’s raining in the 30s, then I guess it might be hardcore. But I find it very hard to attribute the adjective “hardcore” to a discretionary activity like riding one’s bicycle to work.

Woah, did you see how much caviar and champagne that guy consumed? That’s hardcore!

Hans has clearly never been to a kegger.

[cyclingfool]

@mstone 95181 wrote:

I’d be sweaty riding naked in January. It’s basically a question of being cold and sweaty or warm and sweaty.

This may be, but there’s a difference between a light sweat that evaporates in the breeze you generate for yourself as you pedal and boiling yourself like a lobster inside a heavy coat when it’s 55 degrees out.

@mstone 95181 wrote:

If I see someone riding around in short sleeves in sub-40 weather my first thought isn’t, “that’s hardcore”, it’s, “that guy’s like me, just a little crazier”.

ftfy

[KWL]

@Dickie 95104 wrote:

If only there was a stand selling coffee and pumpkin scones right on the MVT this morning ….

You have created a lust in my heart.

[skins_brew]

FML…I could see my breath this morning. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

[eminva]

Had some law enforcement action at the Intersection of Doom this morning. Saw a cop motioning a car over for failing to yield to . . . me!

Then rode behind a beautiful godzilla most of the way along my route in DC. It was such a breathtaking experience witnessing her cross all five lanes of Pennsylvania Avenue for the turn onto L, without regard to automotive traffic whizzing past. I wished I had my camera handy. I would say I hope she and her dozen yoga mats made it safely whereever they were going, but I’m sure they did.

Liz

[Terpfan]

@eminva 95255 wrote:

Had some law enforcement action at the Intersection of Doom this morning. Saw a cop motioning a car over for failing to yield to . . . me!

Then rode behind a beautiful godzilla most of the way along my route in DC. It was such a breathtaking experience witnessing her cross all five lanes of Pennsylvania Avenue for the turn onto L, without regard to automotive traffic whizzing past. I wished I had my camera handy. I would say I hope she and her dozen yoga mats made it safely whereever they were going, but I’m sure they did.

Liz

I was wondering if they were pulling people over for those infractions or something else. Second time in two weeks they have been out there. Definitely nice to see them. When I rolled through around 8:15, they had two cars pulled over.

[dplasters]

Haven’t had that much fun on a bike in a long time.

My Golf(cific) gore-tex jackets aren’t long enough in the back so I end up with a wet butt despite my gore-tex pants. But other than that.. the new Timbuk2 came through in flying colors despite riding in a pretty steady downpour the whole 30 minutes. Greatness.

Friendly reminder
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[OneEighth]

…was made awesome because I got a chance to talk to the young woman powering her wheelchair cross-country-skiing style along the MVT. Not only is she clearly an incredible athlete, she’s also a super friendly and positive person.

[dasgeh]

@dplasters 95318 wrote:

Friendly reminder
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My favorite golf event

[Mikey]

I got to get some extra miles in today!

My car needs a new windshield so I took it in to Safelite in Arlington, but put my bike on the back of the car. The rain had almost stopped by the time I left (near W&L HS) and rode down into the city. It’s nice to have the trail to myself, reminds me of January but not as cold. I was #116 across the intersection of doom this morning! See you out there.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Mikey 95336 wrote:

I got to get some extra miles in today!

My car needs a new windshield so I took it in to Safelite in Arlington, but put my bike on the back of the car. The rain had almost stopped by the time I left (near W&L HS) and rode down into the city. It’s nice to have the trail to myself, reminds me of January but not as cold. I was #116 across the intersection of doom this morning! See you out there.

Then we barely missed each other. I think I was 111.

[baiskeli]

@eminva 95255 wrote:

Had some law enforcement action at the Intersection of Doom this morning. Saw a cop motioning a car over for failing to yield to . . . me!

You’re living the dream!

[Emm]

Lovely morning, and a very empty trail. If it was one of you who kindly said hello and waved, I apologize for my confused look. I’m on the only white bike with hot pink handlebars I’ve seen recently so I’m guessing it’s recognizable enough, but I’m in a “generally confused state” in the morning until I get my coffee at work. I appreciate all friendliness on the trail in the AM though, it makes me cheerful!

During the section of my commute in DC I saw something that made me less cheerful though. A female cyclist did not even slow down before crossing all 5 lanes of traffic against the signal on 14th st this morning by the national mall. I assume she looked both ways while approaching the intersection, but she clearly didn’t look closely as she made at least 3 cars slow down to let her by. She then did this AGAIN at 7th street, blowing right through the red light. I kept passing her since she was biking somewhat slow. AGAIN she came up behind me at 4th and C, blew through a red almost getting hit by a car, and nearly hit 2 VERY pissed off pedestrians who had the right of way. All without acknowledge what she was doing. She turned into the garage next to mine–had she worked in my building I would have said something since this was ridiculously bad cycling and she could have gotten alot of people hurt.

[Supermau]

Made my best time today..about one hour and five minutes for my 14.4 miles in. I didn’t take my usual second pit stop at the Jefferson so I think that made the difference. I usually stop at the top of Diagonal in Old Town for a swig then again at the Jefferson.

I officially dislike Gravelly Point. It’s official now. No question. Doesn’t matter what time of day it is. Just like last Saturday I rounded that last little bend heading into GP but this time I run into a herd of cyclist on a big group ride…Stopped and blocking.

To the herd…when you stop…GET THE #$@! OFF THE TRAIL!!!!!! You are NOT the only ones out there in the darkness of 5:30AM and you blocked the entire path! You should know better. And more of you need lights. The joggers ALL had lights!

Now I got around just fine even with everyone’s seeming obliviousness to my presence (lights blazing, bell ringing, audibles) and I’m more annoyed than pissed off, but come on. Do you stop your cars blocking both lanes of traffic too?

Rant over. Thanks, and cheers!

[bobco85]

@Supermau 95485 wrote:

Made my best time today..about one hour and five minutes for my 14.4 miles in. I didn’t take my usual second pit stop at the Jefferson so I think that made the difference. I usually stop at the top of Diagonal in Old Town for a swig then again at the Jefferson.

I officially dislike Gravelly Point. It’s official now. No question. Doesn’t matter what time of day it is. Just like last Saturday I rounded that last little bend heading into GP but this time I run into a herd of cyclist on a big group ride…Stopped and blocking.

To the herd…when you stop…GET THE #$@! OFF THE TRAIL!!!!!! You are NOT the only ones out there in the darkness of 5:30AM and you blocked the entire path! You should know better. And more of you need lights. The joggers ALL had lights!

Now I got around just fine even with everyone’s seeming obliviousness to my presence (lights blazing, bell ringing, audibles) and I’m more annoyed than pissed off, but come on.

From my experience, the group probably has no idea that they’re blocking the trail. The reason they’re probably on the trail like that is that they’re in a ready-to-move position. Usually when I come upon such a group, I’ll say “Excuse me” until I get a response; then, I’ll say “Thank you”. Once people realize I’m standing there and that they’re (now) obviously blocking the trail, they usually make their way off the trail and the group leader(s) then start telling them to move off the trail. It’s one of those things that a group leader should be cognizant of whenever stopping for a break.

@Supermau 95485 wrote:

Do you stop your cars blocking both lanes of traffic too?

Haha, I’ve actually seen this happen on Clarendon Blvd (2 lane road with a buffered bike lane) in Clarendon when 2 cars side-by-side decided to stop to drop people off (left car opened its rear left door, right car opened its right doors)! I was amused at this sight and relieved that the right car didn’t move into the bike lane (for once).

[Author]

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