My Morning Commute

[ian74]

@GovernorSilver 139188 wrote:

First morning commute for me since November!

I’m still getting used to riding a road bike with conventional derailleurs, so i took it slow and easy. Plus I had my Freezing Saddles “Lowest average MPH” award for inspiration!

It did look for a while that this ride wasn’t going to happen on the Renegade because the valve on the rear tire kept hissing every time I tried to put the cap back on. Then I realized the Presta valve adapter for my pump had loosened a couple of screw-like things in the valve. Whew!

It was overcast with mist/light rain constantly in my face but it was so great to be out there again.

Welcome back GovernerSilver! Glad to see you back out there! I’m actually quite surprised we haven’t run into each other on the MVT yet, but I’ll keep my eye out for your Renegade.

[GovernorSilver]

@ian74 139197 wrote:

Welcome back GovernerSilver! Glad to see you back out there! I’m actually quite surprised we haven’t run into each other on the MVT yet, but I’ll keep my eye out for your Renegade.

Thanks!

If the Renegade is being ridden fast, that’s Powerful Pete.

If it’s being ridden slowly, with happy zen/anime stickers, that’s me.

Alternatively, if you see a Breezer with bright pink tape on a trekking bar, that’s also me.

[Crickey7]

I’m continuing my trail education programme by gently reminding all passers who fail to audibly signal their pass of the trail rules.

It’s not my fault no one passes me.

[huskerdont]

My morning commute was good because I did not wipe out in Washington Circle today.

My morning commute was bad because I’m sore all over from wiping out in Washington Circle yesterday.

Had to use a bike with gears on a rainy day b/c the single speed would have sucked. And I only have myself to blame.

[ursus]

@bobco85 138911 wrote:

This morning’s rain gave me an opportunity to try out my new helmet cover (bought it last Friday), and I wish I had bought one years ago.

Normally when riding in rain, I reach a point where my skull cap under my helmet gets so soaked that the water (mixed with my sweat) starts running down my head and getting in my eyes. I then have to stop, take my helmet off, take my skull cap off, wring out my skull cap, take my cycling glasses (clear lenses) off, and rub my now-stinging eyes before putting everything back on to continue my ride.

This time I did not have to do that

The one I got is here (I got a neon yellow one): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HVBZH0Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@ursus 138934 wrote:

That sounds like a great idea just for the reason which you mentioned. Any idea if it works when you have a helmet-mounted mirror and a visor?

I finally ordered this a few days ago. When it arrives the rains will stop and won’t return until I misplace it.

[Steve O]

@ursus 139375 wrote:

When it arrives the rains will stop …

Not working.

[bobco85]

This morning, when I arrived at the bike rack at work I noticed a coworker working on their bike. It was GB! Then, after talking with him a bit, he left to go inside. As I turn back to my bike to lock it up, yet another coworker (Guus) arrived! The light rain did not discourage our biking commutes today.

It’s always nice to see a few familiar faces (rarely happens for me) on a morning commute.

[GovernorSilver]

I wanted to test my new Adidas Climacool Boat Lace water shoes a bit on the Renegade, and in rain, so I got my wish this morning. Not heavy enough rain to test those drain holes but I’m not complaining! Pedaling in them feels great, as well as walking.

Wanted to explore an alternate route to Case Bridge from the National Mall area on evening commutes, as well as refresh my memory on the Park Police lot<->Case Bridge shortcut, so I rode the reverse of that potential route this morning. The main problem with the evening route (7th St -> Capitol Square Pl -> 9th St -> Case Bridge) is the steady stream of car traffic heading south on 9th St. Well for me it’s a problem because I lack the ability of a Tim Kelley or other forum stud to accelerate from 0-35 mph in 5 sec.

L’Enfant Plaza SW (the “street”) looks promising as an alternative. I’d probably have to pull over on Independence Ave and hit a beg light to get to it in the evening, but it’s a minor inconvenience compared to the 9th St. gamble.

[vvill]

@Steve O 139376 wrote:

Not working.

I’m guessing it hasn’t arrived yet.

I own one very similar helmet rain cover. Work great on long rides in the wet, and good for high visibility I imagine (if you’re into that kind of thing).

[komorebi]

@GovernorSilver 139388 wrote:

L’Enfant Plaza SW (the “street”) looks promising as an alternative. I’d probably have to pull over on Independence Ave and hit a beg light to get to it in the evening, but it’s a minor inconvenience compared to the 9th St. gamble.

That’s one of the routes I use to avoid the cherry-blossom madness by the Tidal Basin: along the sidewalk on Independence Ave, beg button to cross Independence Ave directly south of the Smithsonian Castle, then L’Enfant Plaza SW to the Case Bridge. Just be aware that the pavers on L’Enfant Plaza SW make for a bumpy ride. Not as bad as cobblestones, but not all that comfortable on a road bike. The pavers on the sidewalk are smoother, but the sidewalk north of D St. SW is technically in the “no bikes allowed” part of the Central Business District.

[GovernorSilver]

@komorebi 139394 wrote:

That’s one of the routes I use to avoid the cherry-blossom madness by the Tidal Basin: along the sidewalk on Independence Ave, beg button to cross Independence Ave directly south of the Smithsonian Castle, then L’Enfant Plaza SW to the Case Bridge. Just be aware that the pavers on L’Enfant Plaza SW make for a bumpy ride. Not as bad as cobblestones, but not all that comfortable on a road bike. The pavers on the sidewalk are smoother, but the sidewalk north of D St. SW is technically in the “no bikes allowed” part of the Central Business District.

Oh cool, I figured I wasn’t the only one who thought of this. The ride on L’Enfant Plaza SW this morning was indeed a bit on the bumpy side, but if the ride on the southbound side is the same I’d be ok with that. Sometimes the Renegade feels like a plushier (that a word?) ride than the Uptown 8 on some surfaces. 😎

[dbb]

@komorebi 139394 wrote:

Just be aware that the pavers on L’Enfant Plaza SW make for a bumpy ride. Not as bad as cobblestones

Think of them as Washington’s very own Roubaix

[consularrider]

@dbb 139396 wrote:

Think of them as Washington’s very own Roubaix

I thought that was P St NW in Georgetown complete with trolley tracks.

[dbb]

Here is the route I use occasionally

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1949-Getting-to-the-Case-Bridge-(SW-Freeway)-over-the-Fish-Market&highlight=cherry+blossom

[GovernorSilver]

@dbb 139399 wrote:

Here is the route I use occasionally

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1949-Getting-to-the-Case-Bridge-(SW-Freeway)-over-the-Fish-Market&highlight=cherry+blossom

Thanks! I’ll try it tonight – at least the option to continue down 7th to D and use the L’Enfant/Banneker Circle ramp.

[Author]

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