My Morning Commute

[KLizotte]

I’ve seen a muscular guy biking around Hain’s Pt with a prosthetic limb below the knee. Best I could tell the bottom of the limb had a clipless attachment instead of a “foot”. He blew past me without difficulty. Seriously badass.

[Hancockbs]

Why is it that 75% of the people who say “thanks” when I cover my bike’s headlight, don’t bother to cover their own? I guess I should be thankful they at least say thanks. I’m getting really used to closing one eye to keep a little night vision going.

[pfunkallstar]

@Hancockbs 67098 wrote:

Why is it that 75% of the people who say “thanks” when I cover my bike’s headlight, don’t bother to cover their own? I guess I should be thankful they at least say thanks. I’m getting really used to closing one eye to keep a little night vision going.

Agreed! These also tend to be the same people that have their light angled just right to blind you from about 100 feet out. I don’t tend to wear sunglasses at night, despite that song, but maybe I should take it up.

[Jason B]

Was it just me, or was the Columbia Pike/WOD light ridiculously long tonight? There was a line of cars on Four Mile that looked like it went down to Weenie Beenie. In fact, a cop car was waiting and he pulled out of line and hit his lights to make a turn. I was the first bike at the light and by the time it turned, there were at least ten bikes waiting. Went later in the car with the wife, and waited forever for it to turn. Seems fishy, or I’m just getting antsy.

[jrenaut]

OMG is this weather awesome for bike commuting. You all with longer commutes might think it’s a little cold, but these days when it’s just warm enough to wear shorts make me fell like a million bucks when I get to work.

[consularrider]

@Jason B 67354 wrote:

Was it just me, or was the Columbia Pike/WOD light ridiculously long tonight? There was a line of cars on Four Mile that looked like it went down to Weenie Beenie. In fact, a cop car was waiting and he pulled out of line and hit his lights to make a turn. I was the first bike at the light and by the time it turned, there were at least ten bikes waiting. Went later in the car with the wife, and waited forever for it to turn. Seems fishy, or I’m just getting antsy.

I can’t speak to the Wednesday issues, but Tuesday on my way home that light skipped the 4MR Dr phase even with four cars in line. Just one more reason why a cyclist or a pedestrian should always hit the pedestrian light button there. It does seem to alliviate the missed phase issue.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@consularrider 67387 wrote:

I can’t speak to the Wednesday issues, but Tuesday on my way home that light skipped the 4MR Dr phase even with four cars in line. Just one more reason why a cyclist or a pedestrian should always hit the pedestrian light button there. It does seem to alliviate the missed phase issue.

But it makes the location of the beg button all the more frustrating!

[consularrider]

@TwoWheelsDC 67389 wrote:

But it makes the location of the beg button all the more frustrating!

Yeah, the slight rerouting of the westbound W&OD gives good access. To hit the eastbound button you have to cross off the trail and are almost in traffic. Not just at problem at 4MR Dr and the W&OD. For instance, the loop for the eastbound light on Arlington Mill Dr at Shirlington generally does not recognize bicycles no matter where you place yourself. And to make matters worse, the “beg” button is up on the traffic island between the two left turn lanes and the the right turn slip lane. That one is a real PITA. I could rant on and on about the placement of these “beg” buttons, but no one would want to read that.

[cyclingfool]

@jrenaut 67382 wrote:

OMG is this weather awesome for bike commuting. You all with longer commutes might think it’s a little cold, but these days when it’s just warm enough to wear shorts make me fell like a million bucks when I get to work.

Today’s weather was hands down the best bike commute weather since the spring. Shorts, tee shirt, fleece, and a pair of full fingered gloves, which I took off about 4 miles into the commute b/c my hands were starting to sweat. Mid-October through mid-November is my favorite time of year for commuting, so I am happy as a clam right now.

Couldn’t get the phone out in time to take a picture, but my morning commute was made complete by the spotting of a Sprinter style delivery van on the GW Parkway emblazened with a giant Shimano logo. (A Campagnolo or SRAM truck would have been equally cool; I’m not a hater).

[ShawnoftheDread]

For a variety of reasons, mostly a late start, I decided to try a rare mixed-mode commute this morning — ride to the bus stop, express bus to the Pentagon, ride from there. It saved me less than 10 minutes off my average time, about one or two minutes off my faster times. Totally not worth the $3.65.

Oh, and it was 38 degrees when I left my house, so I missed out.

[americancyclo]

In an effort to get some face time at WABA Membership Drive: TEAM PETE! this afternoon, I left at 6am and had my first all-dark commute of the season. ok, it was kinda light by the time I got to the Capitol, but it was mostly dark and the first time this season I felt I had to be extra careful. Glad to say that caution worked out well, as I crossed Rte 29 at the W&OD. I had the pedestrian light, but something told me the 20 yr old woman in the Jeep wasn’t going to slow down or look for me as she sped through her right hand turn. I was right. After that though, smooth sailing, but the Penn Ave light timing seemed weird. Does it change after 7am?

[TwoWheelsDC]

Found out that it’s still a little too warm for the Yellow Jacket of Authority (YJA). Wardrobe requires additional calibration.

[CPTJohnC]

@TwoWheelsDC 67512 wrote:

Found out that it’s still a little too warm for the Yellow Jacket of Authority (YJA). Wardrobe requires additional calibration.

I had the same experience. It was my first ride since the end of the shutdown, and my first cool weather ride. I should have left off the jacket, but the chill of the pre-ride parking lot experience convinced me that wearing it would be prudent.

Most of all, though, I was glad to be back in the saddle, and done with running (notwithstanding my best Army 10 miler yet).

[americancyclo]

Dragged out the Endura shoe covers for this morning. Had a nice quick ride in, caught all the lights and took the TR brigde to avoid the awful road conditions around Washington Circle only to find LOTS of flashing lights and cops blocking E & 18th NW. Salmoned up 19th and made the rest of the way in uneventful. Penn Ave lights seemed back to normal, or maybe it was just becuase I was running later than yesterday.

[vvill]

@americancyclo 67522 wrote:

avoid the awful road conditions around Washington Circle

CX bike! (n+1)

I have 35 front + 32 rear on my CX bike’s stock wheels right now for the wet leaf/transition season. Definitely helps on those road conditions (and with what’s going on along Westmoreland) And I recently checked and confirmed my 26″ front wheel with a studded tire also fits in my CX bike too (the rear one doesn’t).

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