My Morning Commute

[KWL]

@dbb 95872 wrote:

not only do they use spray paint but I’ve seen some of the dumbest start/end and turn locations ever.

They seem to be spray painting less these days. A few years ago I counted over 75 separate markings between National Airport and Roosevelt Island, including some blue “USAF” markings on the Trollheim bridge steel uprights. I think you can still see the remnants of those. I wonder if some higher ups received some discussion after the Parkway folks had to paint over all that mess.

[DanB]

Going down a very dark stretch of the W&OD in Vienna this morning, I noticed two small patches of reflective material about 30 feet in front of me. Then I realized the reflective patches were the eyes of a deer. I think for everyone’s safety all deer that live along the W&OD should be outfitted with one of these:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6734[/ATTACH]

[Sunyata]

@DanB 95961 wrote:

Going down a very dark stretch of the W&OD in Vienna this morning, I noticed two small patches of reflective material about 30 feet in front of me. Then I realized the reflective patches were the eyes of a deer. I think for everyone’s safety all deer that live along the W&OD should be outfitted with one of these:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6734[/ATTACH]

Can we get some for the squirrels, too?

[mstone]

I find that the deer tend to be more visible than the joggers

[DanB]

@mstone 95969 wrote:

I find that the deer tend to be more visible than the joggers

When I pass those joggers on the wooded, unlit stretches of the trail, I’ve decided to say something like “Please wear a light” or “Can’t see you at all”–preferably prefaced with a cheerful “Morning!” I’d rather they get the hint before they get hit.

I know my responsibility is to light my own way relative to my speed, but it seems reasonable that joggers should wear a light or sufficient reflective gear. (I’m probably preaching to the choir, here.)

[cyclingfool]

@mstone 95969 wrote:

I find that the deer tend to be more visible than the joggers

And they tend not to be wearing earbuds at full blast too.

[Brendan von Buckingham]

Don’t forget helmets. Think of all the jogger/pedestrian head injuries that would be eliminated if joggers wore helmets all the time.

[jrenaut]

@Brendan von Buckingham 95984 wrote:

Don’t forget helmets. Think of all the jogger/pedestrian head injuries that would be eliminated if joggers wore helmets all the time.

We live in a dangerous world. Everyone should wear helmets 24/7. THINK OF THE CHILDREN.

[Anonymous]

If I were jogging in the dark with no lights, I’d need a helmet. Also elbow and knee pads. Some kind of ankle braces to help stabilize them and maybe avoid sprains when I inevitably trip. Especially on the MVT. Do they have all the tree roots perfectly memorized or what?

That said, this morning’s joggers were well lit and cars mostly passed at respectable distances. I, on the other hand, was sluggish and slow and therefore almost late for work. And something is wrong with my right shoulder– previously known as my “good shoulder”. I don’t know what, but I do hope is it temporary.

[rcannon100]

@acl 95992 wrote:

If I were jogging in the dark with no lights, I’d need

No no no. If you are jogging after dark with no lights, you need a big black bathrobe, a machete, and some goofy mask over your eyes. Or you need to be a turtle. Whichever.

[DanB]

@acl 95992 wrote:

Do they have all the tree roots perfectly memorized or what?

No, we outlawed those in Vienna.

Actually, I think the reason is that the W&OD is on an old RR bed, and somehow the roots haven’t encroached so much as on the Custis or other trails.

[consularrider]

@DanB 95961 wrote:

Going down a very dark stretch of the W&OD in Vienna this morning, I noticed two small patches of reflective material about 30 feet in front of me. Then I realized the reflective patches were the eyes of a deer. I think for everyone’s safety all deer that live along the W&OD should be outfitted with one of these:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6734[/ATTACH]

Two deer bolted in front of the rider about 100 feet ahead of us at about mile post 13.5 this morning close to 7:45 as we were heading eastbound from Green Lizard to Java Shack. That probably got his heart rate up.

[mstone]

@DanB 96044 wrote:

No, we outlawed those in Vienna.

Actually, I think the reason is that the W&OD is on an old RR bed, and somehow the roots haven’t encroached so much as on the Custis or other trails.

1) proper roadbed, not just asphalt poured on a little gravel over dirt
2) dedicated maintenance funds
3) the trees are generally further away

[consularrider]

@mstone 96072 wrote:

1) proper roadbed, not just asphalt poured on a little gravel over dirt
2) dedicated maintenance funds
3) the trees are generally further away

And lots of it west of Vienna was recently repaved.

[Kolohe]

And the power company hates trees.

[Author]

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