My Morning Commute

[lordofthemark]

Riding was pretty civilized on the busy MVT this AM. Four riders showed up at the entrance to the DOT garage at about the same time, the most I have ever seen there at once.

[mstone]

@consularrider 142449 wrote:

They seem to respond better to you honking at them than to the sound of a bike bell (or an “on your left” call). Get a bugle klaxon type horn.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12038[/ATTACH]

Come on, people–if you’re having a problem with gaggles of geese, you need to ask yourself, “what does the fox say”? Instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE

[Crickey7]

Well, after an occasionally rough morning this spring, I have to say riders these last few weeks have been terrific on the CCT. Numbers still seem to be up over last year, but everyone seems to be behaving perfectly fine.

[Judd]

My entire goal this morning was to leave early enough to ride down the Four Mile Run to find Ian on his way to coffee club so that I could get the infamous Fingerman Low Five and then immediately turn around and go to coffee club. Just fifteen seconds before crossing paths, I flatted on a curve and nearly wiped out. Ian and Komorebi and Fast Friendly Guy all were kind enough to stop. One more week until the next low five attempt.

[GovernorSilver]

First commute during Safetrack Surge #3 (Yellow Line segment shutdown). I found myself waiting at the Ft. Hunt-Rt 1 stoplight with an unprecedented 3 other cyclists. Wondering if one of them is a forum member.

I’ll take a look at some point if what the rise in numbers might be on the MVT due to Surge #3, though that Arlington bike count website has been a bit buggy.

[KWL]

…was made so much better by a Fast Friendly Guy flyby and “pulling” Ian74 and his peloton for a few hundred meters.

[lordofthemark]

I swear, on the 4MRT I saw someone riding a bike (2 wheels, and human powered, I think) with an awning. Made me laugh.

On the MVT we had both people very carefully calling passes and signalling, and some people making questionable passes.

Maine Avenue was even more interesting than usual, with cement mixers backing up, etc.

[JanaeBixby]

Yesterday afternoon, saw a guy riding a capital bikeshare bike, cradling his lunch Tupperware in his left arm awkwardly, using his right arm to try and steer his bike, wearing no helmet, and sweating in his work attire and dress shoes. It was interesting and a little scary to watch. I was sure he probably wasn’t going far, but he ended up crossing the 14th street bridge and then connecting with the MVT towards DCA. All using only 1 hand!!

[GovernorSilver]

“That’s a red light you dumbass!”

– Woman driving a car w/ Oklahoma plates. She also yelled something about “you cyclists are all dumb.” I replied “Not all of us. Have a good day!”

Another cyclist and I were pulling up to the side of Oklahoma car at the intersection of Jefferson and 3rd in National Mall when we heard her yell that at the cyclist who blew the red light in front of us. After we all turned left on 3rd, me and the other cyclist pulled up behind Oklahoma car. I admitted to the other cyclist I usually run through those two red lights that exist only to let pedestrians cross 3rd, but I thought I’d humor Oklahoma woman. She replied “Yeah i don’t want to be yelled at either”.

I still enjoyed my morning ride even if the heat was starting to drain me a bit.

[JanaeBixby]

@GovernorSilver 142784 wrote:

“That’s a red light you dumbass!”

I still enjoyed my morning ride even if the heat was starting to drain me a bit.

The heat, or the negativity flying through the airspace?!? Sometimes I go out of my way to make a good impression on a really mean driver too We don’t want them to hate us all!

[americancyclo]

Wednesday morning I passed a guy in basketball shorts and a t shirt on a felt TT bike with aero seatpost, A530 pedals, running sneakers, and an iphone 6s Plus mounted in between his aero bars.
:confused:

[ShawnoftheDread]

@americancyclo 142793 wrote:

Wednesday morning I passed a guy in basketball shorts and a t shirt on a felt TT bike with aero seatpost, A530 pedals, running sneakers, and an iphone 6s Plus mounted in between his aero bars.
:confused:

I think that species is known as a Tri-Bro.

[bentbike33]

@JanaeBixby 142790 wrote:

The heat, or the negativity flying through the airspace?!?

Something. Lots of bad behavior today. Driver cuts in front of me from the ending right turn lane, other driver leans on horn before passing in perfectly empty left lane (on 4-lane road), dog walkers on W&OD slowly and seemingly reluctantly pulling their dogs away from what would have been a fight in the middle of the trail holding up the bikers and joggers.

Was happy to make it to work unscathed.

[Anonymous]

@lordofthemark 142771 wrote:

I swear, on the 4MRT I saw someone riding a bike (2 wheels, and human powered, I think) with an awning. Made me laugh.

I saw that guy a week or two ago! Passed him on the connection from the end of commonwealth up to the rt.1 sidewalk. I confirm that he exists. And yes, i also believe it was 2-wheeled and human powered.

[GovernorSilver]

@JanaeBixby 142790 wrote:

The heat, or the negativity flying through the airspace?!? Sometimes I go out of my way to make a good impression on a really mean driver too We don’t want them to hate us all!

No, just the temperature/humidity.

I saw the driver looking at the two of us lined up behind her car, in her rearview mirror. I’m sure she didn’t appreciate us smiling, chatting and chuckling – despite my “Have a nice day!” to her, but otherwise we both knew it was best to not further engage a driver who had just called all cyclists “dumbasses” – give her some time to cool off or be enraged by another of the many things that aggravates drivers in this city. You’re a long way from Oklahoma, ma’am.

I’ve read before that heat makes motorists irritable. I believe it was in a newspaper article published after a rash of road rage shootings and other incidents.

[Author]

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