October 2018 – Road & Trail Conditions

[bentbike33]

I did not use them, but as I passed by on Ohio Drive this evening, it looked like the 14th St Bridge stairs runnel project was complete. No cones to be seen.

[drew870mitchell]

@dbb 182119 wrote:

A shot from yesterday morning. Note the editorial amendments to the sign.

snipped pictures

Apparently the NPS took offense, as shown in this shot from yesterday afternoon.

I thought the “SHAME ON NPS” was asinine, but the rest of it was a chuckle. Can confirm the temporary runnels as of today are usable and look like they’re complete.

[lordofthemark]

Used them last night, uphill. As expected more useful uphill than downhill. This AM downhill I just carried my bike.

[Emm]

@lordofthemark 182190 wrote:

Used them last night, uphill. As expected more useful uphill than downhill. This AM downhill I just carried my bike.

Agreed. I pushed my bike up the runnels last night. It’s a bit annoying where the runnels shift over a few feet since the landing doesn’t have enough space to steer and straighten your bike for the new set of runnels (so you’ll need to pick your bike up and straighten it that way), but it’s definitely better than nothing. It made it so I could push my bike with a heavy pannier up the runnel last night, vs taking off the pannier, throwing that over one shoulder, and carrying my bike up using my other arm. Not sure I saved much time, but it was overall easier. I don’t plan to use them down the stairs since I’m not as good at controlling my bike going down.

I was actually thinking that I needed to start going to the gym and working on my upper body strength, but I’m happy to say that this detour has fulfilled that need for the time being…

[bentbike33]

@Emm 182191 wrote:

I don’t plan to use them down the stairs since I’m not as good at controlling my bike going down.

The key to going down the runnel (or the stringer) is to grab both brakes and keep them dragging on the inclines. Probably easier said than done with drop bars.

[mstone]

@bentbike33 182192 wrote:

The key to going down the runnel (or the stringer) is to grab both brakes and keep them dragging on the inclines.

+1

[Emm]

@bentbike33 182192 wrote:

The key to going down the runnel (or the stringer) is to grab both brakes and keep them dragging on the inclines. Probably easier said than done with drop bars.

I tried that Monday and it wasn’t easy on the runnels there. On a hill, or walking down a rutted path that’s what I do, but a fully loaded commuter with panniers + steep disconnected runnels did not lead to that being easy. I think with my carbon road bike or a lighter bike it’d be a cinch. I saw multiple people with heavy bikes start on the runnels, and then get off them after they struggled.

[bentbike33]

@Emm 182204 wrote:

I tried that Monday and it wasn’t easy on the runnels there. On a hill, or walking down a rutted path that’s what I do, but a fully loaded commuter with panniers + steep disconnected runnels did not lead to that being easy. I think with my carbon road bike or a lighter bike it’d be a cinch. I saw multiple people with heavy bikes start on the runnels, and then get off them after they struggled.

I went up the runnels today and they are not well aligned (even before the big leftward shift) causing the rear wheel to catch before you get it out. When I went down, I used the concrete stringer which is straight and continuous. I imagine the down runnel is no better aligned, but at least it does not prevent use of the stringer.

[Author]

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