My Morning Commute

[CPTJohnC]

@Rogburt 56909 wrote:

2. Today, wet.. why do I ever bother with rain gear during the Virginia summer?

I bought a pretty nice rain jacket (Showers Pass) a couple of years ago, and the first time I tried to wear it, I realized the futility of rain gear in summer here. I was just as wet as if I had no jacket, but instead of rain water, it was my own sweat.

I rode home last night via the Capital Crescent and the Tow path, and let me tell you, I was filthy by the time I finished. Fenders only do so much when you are negotiating puddles on dirt trails.

I decided to metro today because I don’t like arriving at work feeling gritty and dirty, and it was raining for real when I was getting ready to leave (already dressed in cycling attire, so quick change required).

I think I’ll take a recreational ride sometime this weekend…

[dasgeh]

I wavered this morning because I have a big meeting and had to get my suit into my office (still confused why I took it home…). Decided to ride anyway, and wrapped the suit in multiple bags.

It was awesome. I hit the lights getting to the Custis in the best possible way. There weren’t many people out (though people with HUGE umbrellas who can’t control them are annoying). The rain wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked AND it stopped by the time I got to Roosevelt Island.

Plus, traffic was stopped on the GW Pkwy, so I got to zoom past stopped cars, which is always fun.

[AlexBikeCommute]

dbb – might have seen you this morning on Four Mile Run? I passed the man running with the wee-dog, too. (That dog was having a blast!!)

Saved this little guy from a near certain fate (?). He was stuck on his back and was a ways away from the water. Hopefully he’s back in the mud and didn’t become something’s breakfast!

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[dasgeh]

@AlexBikeCommute 56926 wrote:

Saved this little guy from a near certain fate (?). He was stuck on his back and was a ways away from the water. Hopefully he’s back in the mud and didn’t become something’s breakfast!

Wait, we have crawdads here?
On that note, there’s a bountiful raspberry patch on Roosevelt Island. Let me know if you want directions.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dasgeh 56928 wrote:

Wait, we have crawdads here?
On that note, there’s a bountiful raspberry patch on Roosevelt Island. Let me know if you want directions.

Yes, please.

[AlexBikeCommute]

@dasgeh 56928 wrote:

Wait, we have crawdads here?
On that note, there’s a bountiful raspberry patch on Roosevelt Island. Let me know if you want directions.

I thought it was a lobster! Dude was LARGE!

[lim]

dbb we both work near L’Enfant metro

[dasgeh]

@dasgeh 56928 wrote:

On that note, there’s a bountiful raspberry patch on Roosevelt Island. Let me know if you want directions.

So on the island (I think you’re supposed to leave you bike by the barriers), head towards the statue of TR. From there, find the wide, gravel path that extends West. About half way to the water, there are TONS of raspberries. You’d do well to go with long sleeves, long pants and gloves — there are some close enough to pick without, but you could fill tupperware with the ones that are further back.

[americancyclo]

From yesterday’s commute. It’s easy because she grew up in Amsterdam.

[KLizotte]

@dbb 56918 wrote:

Approaching elephant plaza I was able to enjoy a quartet of brass buskers. If I’d been in the aluminum tube or locked in my car I wouldn’t have heard them. They were really good!

Please don’t encourage them! I work next door and we have to listen to all manner of “musicians” all day long. Sometimes it’s impossible to carry on a phone conversation or have a meeting on that side of the building. It is quite disruptive to the offices in the area. The worst was an old trumpet player (and I use “player” loosely) who showed up every night for years and played as loudly as he could.

The police have been called on occasion but it turns out the DC ordinance against noise only kicks in at 10:00 pm. *sigh*

[bobco85]

@dasgeh 56928 wrote:

Wait, we have crawdads here?
On that note, there’s a bountiful raspberry patch on Roosevelt Island. Let me know if you want directions.

Yes, we have crawfish in Four Mile Run! I grew up near Bluemont Park and remember seeing them in the creek (Four Mile Run is the more “official” name), although I never saw them as big as the picture AlexBikeCommute posted. I’d guess that someone caught it and dropped it on their way out.

Also, I spell it “crawfish” but pronounce it “krae-fish” (like the “w” is silent), but there are multiple ways of saying/spelling it as shown:

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The image is from this page: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/06/pecan-caramel-crawfish-food-dialect-maps/276603/

[KelOnWheels]

I didn’t ride Monday or Tuesday since the weather peeps kept saying there would be thunderstorms so I finally got to get out there today!

Had a great ride in the rain, didn’t bother with my rain jacket since it was warm and I do not need to steam myself like a broccoli.

The faceful of warm sweaty water that fell out of my helmet at the end of the ride was a surprise bonus

[dbb]

@bobco85 56952 wrote:

Yes, we have crawfish in Four Mile Run! I grew up near Bluemont Park and remember seeing them in the creek (Four Mile Run is the more “official” name), although I never saw them as big as the picture AlexBikeCommute posted. I’d guess that someone caught it and dropped it on their way out.

Also, I spell it “crawfish” but pronounce it “krae-fish” (like the “w” is silent), but there are multiple ways of saying/spelling it as shown:

When you catch a mess of them, give me a call. It is a Louisiana delicacy and I’ll show you how to suck the head (sucking the head is a dining approach many have yet to embrace) as you dine on those mudbugs. Years ago we caught them while diving in Lake Tahoe.

[Steve]

@americancyclo 56936 wrote:

From yesterday’s commute. It’s easy because she grew up in Amsterdam.

I just don’t understand how it’s possible. My umbrellas seem to have massive trouble not going inside out while standing. Add in the wind associated with riding and I would just be carrying a lance within two minutes.

[Greenbelt]

@KelOnWheels 56957 wrote:

I didn’t ride Monday or Tuesday since the weather peeps kept saying there would be thunderstorms so I finally got to get out there today!

Had a great ride in the rain, didn’t bother with my rain jacket since it was warm and I do not need to steam myself like a broccoli.

The faceful of warm sweaty water that fell out of my helmet at the end of the ride was a surprise bonus

I was all smug, bragging that I managed to miss the rain last Friday and this Monday and Tuesday. This morning, of course, I got drenched.

[Author]

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