My Morning Commute

[lordofthemark]

@GovernorSilver 124250 wrote:

By the time I was riding on Maine Dr. I was in full regret mode. I think there might have been a bike lane but it was obliterated by construction. Fair amount of traffic, but no worse than N. Capitol St.

There is no bike lane on Maine. From 9th to 7th there is, I guess, an area behind some cones that is technically the pedestrian alternative (since there is now no sidewalk on that side of Maine at that location) and some people on bikes use it. I take the lane there. Traffic was not too bad this AM. If one is especially cautious, one can get onto Maine by making a right from the Fish Market parking lot exit, and time it so that traffic on Maine following you is stuck at the red light.

[lordofthemark]

Beautiful day.

Between riding at the same time that kids and crossing guards were doing their thing at Abingdon Elementary, and lots of people crossing the street on 31st to get to the bus stops, there was more pedestrian activity than usual on the first leg of my commute. The ride on 4MRT and MVT was uneventful, and it seems like the fair weather commuters are already dropping out, which is odd. On the ride on Eye Street a young woman was doing perfect model Idaho stops at the lights – complete foot down stop, then cautiously starting out just before the light was about to change – though I do not Idaho reds myself, I was glad to see someone doing Idahos correctly.

So all was well, as I approached the office, when I reached to the back of my jersey (where I sometimes keep my PIV card) and remembered I had my PIV in my backpack today – so what is that in the back pocket? Its the bike room key! I called to let the building know, and they don’t seem upset – this time the lack of fellow bike commuters there is an advantage.

[Anonymous]

@Terpfan 124124 wrote:

This morning was fun. VDOT has totally torn up Beacon Hill Rd so I decided

The downhill lane is paved from Rt1 to Fort Hunt (uphill only between Quander and Rt 1 so far). It was still dark when I rode it this morning and a bit of scattered gravel from the paving work, so I didn’t take 100% full advantage yet of the lovely smooth pavement going down the hill, but it is going to be AWESOME! Make sure your brakes are working in case of red light at the bottom!

[Terpfan]

@Amalitza 124530 wrote:

The downhill lane is paved from Rt1 to Fort Hunt (uphill only between Quander and Rt 1 so far). It was still dark when I rode it this morning and a bit of scattered gravel from the paving work, so I didn’t take 100% full advantage yet of the lovely smooth pavement going down the hill, but it is going to be AWESOME! Make sure your brakes are working in case of red light at the bottom!

Thanks, how was the dust? Good on downhill though so I will reuse it again on Monday. I hate that light so bad. My suggestion to VDOT when they do the bike lane is to make some sort of blink sign that tells people when it’s going to change to red or is red. Anyway, I’m definitely tired of riding on Rt 1–it feels kind of like playing roulette (I’m only doing stretch from around the McDonalds down to where the MUP starts) when people pass me at fast paces despite me going 30-40mph.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@ShawnoftheDread 121100 wrote:

Involved an angry driver waving a large knife at me, followed by a roadside talk with Arlington’s finest. Good times.

I just got a call on this from ACPD, asking me for my statement. Two months later. Things must be busy in Arlington.

[Steve O]

@GovernorSilver 124250 wrote:

By the time I was riding on Maine Dr. I was in full regret mode. I think there might have been a bike lane but it was obliterated by construction. Fair amount of traffic, but no worse than N. Capitol St.

After taking the Case Bridge, at the bottom of the road at 9th, jog straight across onto G and take that eastbound rather than turning right to Maine. It is far more pleasant.

[Steve O]

@Oldtowner 124393 wrote:

There must be a reason why people go around East Basin, but I just go straight after the 14th Bridge and then turn right on Ohio Drive and then head towards Hains Pt. Then I take the sidewalk at the Case Bridge right up and over. It has to be faster then going around the long way.

Hey, that’s a great tip! I didn’t realize there was a connection from that side. Easy to miss when you travel under the bridge. (street view)

[scoot]

@Steve O 124567 wrote:

Hey, that’s a great tip! I didn’t realize there was a connection from that side. Easy to miss when you travel under the bridge. (street view)

How do you turn right onto Ohio Drive there? Do you pass the intersection on the sidewalk, and then turn around and merge left through the outbound traffic? I guess you could do so at the crosswalk?

[TwoWheelsDC]

I sort of caught up to another rider at Kirby while going north Westmorland this morning. He was very content to coast down the hill into Pimmit Run, but I was on my fixed gear and really had to backpedal to stay behind him (I chose not to pass at this section so as not to impede drivers who may have wanted to pass us). When we finally reached the bottom of the hill and road widened, I was able to get past him and gain speed to carry into the next hill. By doing this, however, I think he thought I was showing off or Cat 6’ing him or something, since he made what seemed to be a very concerted effort (or maybe not) to catch up to and pass me (on the right, for some reason) on the flat section after the hill.

So just FYI everyone, if a fixed gear rider passes you on a downhill or at the bottom of an uphill section, they probably aren’t racing you, but just trying to maintain momentum.

[Tania]

While looking for bike tools in the back of the closet this weekend, I found a brand new pair of nashbar 26″ commuter slicks and said “ha-ha, I should put these on my Titus while I’m in between road bikes.”

I didn’t do it.

And this am it took me 2 hours to get to work on metro.

Thanks Obama.

[americancyclo]

@TwoWheelsDC 124663 wrote:

So just FYI everyone, if a fixed gear rider passes you on a downhill or at the bottom of an uphill section, they probably aren’t racing you, but just trying to maintain momentum.

I like to yell “Keeping the cadence up!” or some such thing.

[OneEighth]

@TwoWheelsDC 124663 wrote:

So just FYI everyone, if a fixed gear rider passes you, you are slow.

Fixed that for you.
But seriously, most of the time, a fixie rider really is just riding their own ride. Has nothing to do with anyone else and everything to do with riding a bike with one gear and no ability to coast.

[GovernorSilver]

@lordofthemark 124441 wrote:

There is no bike lane on Maine. From 9th to 7th there is, I guess, an area behind some cones that is technically the pedestrian alternative (since there is now no sidewalk on that side of Maine at that location) and some people on bikes use it. I take the lane there. Traffic was not too bad this AM. If one is especially cautious, one can get onto Maine by making a right from the Fish Market parking lot exit, and time it so that traffic on Maine following you is stuck at the red light.

To get to Maine Dr, I will probably just take this crosswalk to cross Ohio Dr to get onto the northbound side – I first noticed that other cyclists were using it, and started to wonder where they were going:

https://goo.gl/maps/RcTuKaU5fp62

Once I’m on the northbound side, it should be easier to turn onto Maine Ave SW, then hopefully be able to make that left turn onto 9th St. to access G St. SW

[dcv]

@OneEighth 124675 wrote:

Fixed that for you.
But seriously, most of the time, a fixie rider really is just riding their own ride. Has nothing to do with anyone else and everything to do with riding a bike with one gear and no ability to coast.

unless you’re cat 6 racing

[OneEighth]

@dcv 124706 wrote:

unless you’re cat 6 racing

I only Cat 6 you.

[Author]

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