My Morning Commute

[bobco85]

@KLizotte 159253 wrote:

A Trump inspired wall along the GW Parkway would be a fantastic idea. Heck, I’ll contribute the first dollar.

You’ve got one major obstacle to building a wall, and it’s the following 2 words: Capitol. Viewshed.

I would favor pikes along the edge of the GWMP. That way, when someone goes off the road, their vehicle will get stuck in the pikes, and we can leave the vehicle there to serve as a reminder to drivers not to go off the road. Just an idea

[consularrider]

@Steve O 159196 wrote:

Get a bell. You can still do all the patter you want, too. Some people will react more to one than the other. Still would have been a pain, but a bell would have gotten you through a little quicker, IMO.

People on the Katy Trail and the Fairfield Loop Trail were totally oblivious to a bell.

[Crickey7]

So, what DOES one call a clump of rugged individualists?

[anomad]

Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts.

@Crickey7 159300 wrote:

So, what DOES one call a clump of rugged individualists?

[mstone]

@Crickey7 159300 wrote:

So, what DOES one call a clump of rugged individualists?

an “archaism” of individualists. there’s a more colorful version utilizing the same collective noun with better alliteration, but this is a family channel.

[TwoWheelsDC]

The one benefit of riding into a massive headwind is that it makes for some fun ride data comparisons if you have a power meter. Comparing today’s ride with the same route from last week, the difference made by the wind is pretty clear…to maintain the same average speed over the same distance, I had to average an additional 27 watts, totaling an extra 99kJ (essentially 100 calories) of work for the ride. So the extra effort required by the wind was roughly equivalent to walking about a mile.

April 27

Distance: 13.4 miles
Avg. Speed: 12.7mph
Avg. Power: 142 watts
Total work: 544kJ

May 3

Distance: 13.4 miles
Avg. Speed: 12.7mph (at least I’m consistent…)
Avg. Power: 169 watts
Total work: 643kJ

[Crickey7]

The West End is totally chaotic starting this week, because of the closure of westbound Pennsylvania Ave. at the Rock Creek bridge. Be careful.

[Steve O]

@TwoWheelsDC 159455 wrote:

So the extra effort required by the wind was roughly equivalent to walking about a mile.

Or eating a couple of Oreos

[KWL]

Watch out for youngsters on the MVT.

[GovernorSilver]

Ride began pleasantly enough.

About the time I made my first left turn, I heard something snap as I pedaled, and then make a noise in time with my front wheel. Didn’t appear to be a brake or shifter cable but since I was so close to home, I couldn’t resist the temptation to just ride back home and catch the Metro.

The frame attachments securing my brake cable had been coming off one by one, the rear light (dyno hub-powered) no longer works, the brakes squeak intermittently, nd the tires are getting closer to bald, but not quite there yet. So I guess its time to bring the bike in to my neighborhood Spokes Etc. and have it looked at. I’ll probably have them replace the tires w/ Specialized Crossroads. Would have gone for Schwalbe Marathons but the Crossroads appears to be in stock and I want to be back in the saddle for Bike to Work Week. The stock tires are 1.75 – the Crossroads is 1.9 – hoping it’ll fit w/ the current fenders.

[scoot]

@GovernorSilver 159851 wrote:

I couldn’t resist the temptation to just ride back home and catch the Metro.

Not the word I would have chosen

[GovernorSilver]

@GovernorSilver 159851 wrote:

Ride began pleasantly enough.

About the time I made my first left turn, I heard something snap as I pedaled, and then make a noise in time with my front wheel. Didn’t appear to be a brake or shifter cable but since I was so close to home, I couldn’t resist the temptation to just ride back home and catch the Metro.

The frame attachments securing my brake cable had been coming off one by one, the rear light (dyno hub-powered) no longer works, the brakes squeak intermittently, nd the tires are getting closer to bald, but not quite there yet. So I guess its time to bring the bike in to my neighborhood Spokes Etc. and have it looked at. I’ll probably have them replace the tires w/ Specialized Crossroads. Would have gone for Schwalbe Marathons but the Crossroads appears to be in stock and I want to be back in the saddle for Bike to Work Week. The stock tires are 1.75 – the Crossroads is 1.9 – hoping it’ll fit w/ the current fenders.

Spokes Etc. re-secured the brake cable, reconnected the tail light so it works again, and figured out the noise was caused by a pannier strap caught in the wheel (and untangled it); and advised to stick with the stock tires until autumn.

All this at no charge.

[semperiden]

Rain shoes? Rain boots? Rain shoe covers? I commuted on my rubber sandals this morning. I hope I don’t get athlete’s foot.

[Tania]

I was a passenger in a car looking at all the people on bikes and wondering why we didn’t ride.

[gibby]

@semperiden 159931 wrote:

Rain shoes? Rain boots? Rain shoe covers? I commuted on my rubber sandals this morning. I hope I don’t get athlete’s foot.

I may have to invest in some sandals for the rainy summer days, tho it seemed a bit chilly yesterday. Do you have a toe warmer at work?
My biggest issue is that both my pairs of bike shoes get quite stinky for a few days after getting soaked like that. At least I can switch out shoes so I don’t scare away everyone at work today. 😮

[Author]

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