My Morning Commute

[chris_s]

@lordofthemark 95758 wrote:

Nice to see how well attended HDCC is on a day like this.

Seriously. Wish I’d taken a picture – we pretty much filled Best Buns outdoor seating.

[cyclingfool]

@Emm 95747 wrote:

Police officers were approaching all the cyclists at Braddock Road metro’s bike racks today. Not sure what they were doing, but it looked like they were asking for IDs, and then bringing some crazy huge U-lock they took out of a box. Maybe giving away free locks? Or doing an example of how to properly lock your bike? I was kinda confused, and in such a rush I didn’t stay to look long. I’m not aware of a big bike theft problem there, but I’m sure it happens. Those racks are PACKED by 8am, and bikes aren’t always secured very well.

There have been problems there. It’s among the top stations in reported bike thefts system wide for 2014. And APD is apparently warning the community of a bike theft ring that is apparently active of late, at least according to this that I just saw.

The ride in this morning was delightful. I reveled in the light drizzle and clouds. Not enough rain to warrant any special gear, even if it had been colder. Just a nice, light drizzle. Felt nice as I rode along. As I crossed the Mall, there was a break in the clouds broke in the east, and the sun shone through momentarily. With rain still falling I looked around hoping to spot a rainbow, but to no avail. That would have really capped off an otherwise enjoyable commute.

Happy October everyone!

[KWL]

Thanks to emm & cyclingfool. I’m giving a heads up to my son, who rides to Braddock to Metro into work. (I keep telling him it isn’t that much further to ride the whole way in, but nooo, does he listen to me?)

[lordofthemark]

First time doing the whole ten mile commute more than once in one week. I probably will not be able to ride home tonight or tomorrow night (not sure how I feel about a pre-fast ride (whether fast or slow) anyway.) But I can now say I am up to commuting 1.5 times per week – a step toward 2x per week.

And btw, there was an ARMY of runners on the MVT this morning.

[Crickey7]

This morning, as I pulled onto the biggest road I ride on, I saw car after car try to beat traffic by veering onto the shoulder to drive the roughly quarter mile to the nearest cross street (so far you can’t actually see it over the curve of the hill). I silently cursed them until I crested the hill and . . . saw police pulling over every one of the malefactors.

[cyclingfool]

@lordofthemark 95829 wrote:

And btw, there was an ARMY of runners on the MVT this morning.

Those fitness tests or whatever the H-E-double hockey sticks they take over the MVT for are often a PITA on my commute when they’re taking place. Today’s group was small and well behaved enough, but I still wish they’d pick a better time to do it than morning rush hour. I feel it’s the MUP equivalent of one of those Army/National Guard convoys of humvees and personnel trucks using 395 or 66 at peak rush hour, i.e., it wouldn’t happen on the highway, so why should they foul up trail traffic? Like I said, today’s group was pretty well behaved ITO trail etiquette and common sense, so I didn’t care than mcuh, but this is often not the case.

[Emm]

@cyclingfool 95841 wrote:

Those fitness tests or whatever the H-E-double hockey sticks they take over the MVT for are often a PITA on my commute when they’re taking place. Today’s group was small and well behaved enough, but I still wish they’d pick a better time to do it than morning rush hour. I feel it’s the MUP equivalent of one of those Army/National Guard convoys of humvees and personnel trucks using 395 or 66 at peak rush hour, i.e., it wouldn’t happen on the highway, so why should they foul up trail traffic? Like I said, today’s group was pretty well behaved ITO trail etiquette and common sense, so I didn’t care than mcuh, but this is often not the case.

When I used biked around Iwo Jima in the AM I love seeing the army guys. They were always very polite about moving over when I was biking by. Seriously–in biking 4x a week by them during their morning runs, not ONCE did they block the trail over a 3 month span. The ones by Gravely point were well behaved today, but it probably helped that the cyclist in front of me was furiously ringing his bell the entire time.

I much prefer to see a group of Army people than a regular fitness group. Regular fitness groups I have had block the trail entire trail while staring right at me. Army people are always super polite about moving over once they know I’m coming.

[Subby]

I have zero problem with the military folks using the trail for fitness. The group this morning (as well as the ones I pass sometimes on the Key Bridge) are really conscientious about moving over. Notice they don’t wear earbuds.

[Subby]

Contrast that with the rich idiots that the black SUV-for-hire was dumping off into the 15th street cycle track this morning near the white house. Heads up, guys. HEADS UP! HEADS UP! WATCH OUT!!!!!!!!1

[gswim18]

Was no fun – on the METRO!!! Get to ride home, all will be better!

[dbb]

@Emm 95856 wrote:

Army people are always super polite about moving over once they know I’m coming.

I’d hazard a guess the fact they operate with adult leadership contributes to that. The fact that I used to be in the role of “adult leadership” should give pause to us all!

My objection to the military on the trail is when they give the fitness tests – not only do they use spray paint but I’ve seen some of the dumbest start/end and turn locations ever. The blind corner at the bottom of the northern MVT bridge at DCA, turn points at the ramp up to the 14th St Bridge and best of all, a turn point at the south end of the MVT tunnel under the Memorial Bridge. Opportunities for conflict abound!

[Dickie]

As a whole I’ve had no issues with the Army/Navy runners snd usually find them polite and focused. However a few weeks back I was waiting for another cyclists to exit the Memorial bridge MVT tunnel before I entered when two different Army runners squeezed past me and entered the tunnel. They nearly knocked the poor girl off her bike, who had to brace herself against the wall. When I passed them both I gave them a few choice words…. one told me to eff off, while the other pointed to his wrist and yelled “Im being time A-Hole”… two lovely gentleman who’s “best time” far exceeded the safety of other trail users. Just goes to show, asshats are everywhere.

[cyclingfool]

@Emm 95856 wrote:

I much prefer to see a group of Army people than a regular fitness group. Regular fitness groups I have had block the trail entire trail while staring right at me. Army people are always super polite about moving over once they know I’m coming.

@Subby 95868 wrote:

I have zero problem with the military folks using the trail for fitness. The group this morning (as well as the ones I pass sometimes on the Key Bridge) are really conscientious about moving over. Notice they don’t wear earbuds.

I’ve had a couple instances where the guy with the stopwatch in his camo fatigues stands out in the trail and won’t move even when they’ve looked right at me and known I was coming. Couple that with someone finishing their run coming his direction in the opposite lane, and I’ve literally been brought to a stop a few times. Plus not all of those running have always been as conscientious about sharing the trail. I suppose it’s a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but a ridiculously avoidable one, and since it’s an organized event/outing by people that thrive on discipline and rules, you’d think they’d be as courteous as possible. So, maybe I tend to overstate my disdain for their presence… but there is some disdain

[KLizotte]

@cyclingfool 95892 wrote:

I’ve had a couple instances where the guy with the stopwatch in his camo fatigues stands out in the trail and won’t move even when they’ve looked right at me and known I was coming. Couple that with someone finishing their run coming his direction in the opposite lane, and I’ve literally been brought to a stop a few times. Plus not all of those running have always been as conscientious about sharing the trail. I suppose it’s a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but a ridiculously avoidable one, and since it’s an organized event/outing by people that thrive on discipline and rules, you’d think they’d be as courteous as possible. So, I tend to overstate my disdain for their presence…

I wonder why they simply don’t use one of the Pentagon’s parking lots or one of the road’s on the reservation. With a 20 mph and lots of police, running in the road poses little danger.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Dickie 95885 wrote:

As a whole I’ve had no issues with the Army/Navy runners snd usually find them polite and focused. However a few weeks back I was waiting for another cyclists to exit the Memorial bridge MVT tunnel before I entered when two different Army runners squeezed past me and entered the tunnel. They nearly knocked the poor girl off her bike, who had to brace herself against the wall. When I passed them both I gave them a few choice words…. one told me to eff off, while the other pointed to his wrist and yelled “Im being time A-Hole”… two lovely gentleman who’s “best time” far exceeded the safety of other trail users. Just goes to show, asshats are everywhere.

It might have gone better had you not been wearing a red jacket and talking funny.

[Author]

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