My Morning Commute

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Subby 39551 wrote:

I went that way this morning – around 7:30. That is my absolute favorite part of the route…but it also scares me to death. A lot of times you can just see the oil slick sitting there, waiting to take you down.

Glad you made it out alive…bet the ol’ adrenal gland was working overtime.

I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning, so I didn’t roll through until about 8:40ish. I’m curious to see what my HRM recorded when the lockup happened…probably a pretty good jump.

[Dirt]

The MVT Boardwalks of Certain Death are really lovely. The painted parts really attract a lot more frost than the unpainted sections. You can actually see the frost trailing off your tires as you ride from the painted to non-painted sections. I had two people doing their best “Bowling For Dollars” impression coming toward me this morning. It was fabulous!

[consularrider]

And I was hoping for the video on the link.

[Dirt]

@consularrider 39560 wrote:

And I was hoping for the video on the link.

Yeah…. shooting video would have taken me down too. Which would have been even more awesome!!!

[consularrider]

@Dirt 39562 wrote:

Yeah…. shooting video would have taken me down too. Which would have been even more awesome!!!

A video from the fallee’s perspective would indeed be awesome!

[DaveK]

@TwoWheelsDC 39547 wrote:

I just about ate it on Glebe on the steep hill heading down to Chain Bridge..doing about 35mph, I hit the brakes and the rear locked up immediately due to residual slickness on the road. It’s shaded through there, so the road never quite dried out from this morning’s frost. Needless to say, fishtailing at 35mph, with oncoming cars on one side and a guardrail+ditch on the other is slightly unsettling.

One of the intrepid Bill Killers last year ate it there. No real harm done but it’s a terrible spot. I’d avoid it if I could. And I can. So I do.

[Tim Kelley]

@DaveK 39569 wrote:

One of the intrepid Bill Killers last year ate it there. No real harm done but it’s a terrible spot. I’d avoid it if I could. And I can. So I do.

Was that Ricky?

[Dirt]

@Tim Kelley 39570 wrote:

Was that Ricky?

Yup. He also won the final sprint on the last hill too. I caught and passed Sean and was reeling him in, but didn’t have the power nor the speed to catch or pass him.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@TwoWheelsDC 39553 wrote:

I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning, so I didn’t roll through until about 8:40ish. I’m curious to see what my HRM recorded when the lockup happened…probably a pretty good jump.

Yup, jumped about 5bpm, on a downhill coast…

[eminva]

I went in to work early on Christmas Eve. Due to frantic work activity, I didn’t post the pictures I took on the morning commute at the time. Enjoy our lovely city!

Liz

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2254[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2253[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2252[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2251[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2255[/ATTACH]

[KelOnWheels]

RULE 9!

38 degrees? Raining? HECK YEAH!

Today’s gear:

Wool beanie (a rather spiffy handknit)
Ibex Woolies 150 long sleeve base layer
short sleeve jersey
Patagonia Synchilla fleece vest (yeah, it’s for hiking. I has no thermal layers.)
Novara softshell jacket
PI full gloves
PI shorts
ELITE PANTS! (PI AmFib tights)
Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Micro socks
Cheap toe covers from Performance

I had my rain jacket with me (PI ELITE! Barrier WxB) but I didn’t bother to put it on. Would have been a tight fit over all the other stuff I had on.

Failure point: gloves. Got soaked & my hands got cold.

The rest of me stayed nice and toasty – my legs got damp but they stayed warm.

The ride was a blast! I saw a few other intrepid souls out on the trail.

I now have wet cycling gear draped all over my cube. I think I’ll go to IKEA this weekend and get a little drying rack that I can put under my desk.

Ordered fenders last night, they should arrive tomorrow

[TwoWheelsDC]

Woe to ye who ride not with eye protection on misty days.

[jnva]

Can’t remember who I got the idea from here, but plastic bags over your shoes actually works great. Kept my feet dry.

[vvill]

@KelOnWheels 40585 wrote:

RULE 9!

38 degrees? Raining? HECK YEAH!

Today’s gear:

Nice! I went with

bib shorts
leg warmers
North Face merino wool t-shirt
arm warmers (Sugoi)
light but baggy wind shell (not waterproof)
2x Buffs (one for ears/head, one for neck/lower face)
merino wool socks
Shimano MTB/commuter shoes with PI toe covers
Nashbar “waterproof” gloves (they are windproof however)
untinted glasses

The gloves and socks are still damp but everything else is dry already.
I like arm/leg warmers because I find they take in less water than baggier options, dry fast, are generally compatible with whatever else you’re wearing, and are cheap enough to easily keep spares. Oh, and they’re aero.

Definitely some spray debris on my shoes, leg warmers and backpack since I only have basic fenders on my single speed right now.

[DismalScientist]

@KelOnWheels 40585 wrote:

RULE 9!

38 degrees? Raining? HECK YEAH!

Today’s gear:

Knit acrylic hat from 7-11
Fleece gloves from 7-11
Button down dress shirt
Cotton Sweater
Windbreaker from Target
Reflective vest
Khaki pants
Cotton dress socks
Walking shoes from Target

The socks are on top of the heating vent in the office.:p

Had to bag my glasses on the way in. I couldn’t see with the water buildup.

[Author]

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