Sorry if I ran anyone over on the W&OD this week… :-) [a story]

[acc]

Great story! Happy birthing!

[eminva]

Isn’t this what Bikesnob refers to as “Cat-6 racing?”

Still, I am in awe of both your streak and your speed. I can’t aspire to either, but it is still an inspiration for a more average commuter such as myself.

And I’m glad you said something about the wind tonight, because I was sure it was going to pick me up, bike and all, and drop me off in Oz.

Best wishes with the new baby! You’ll be investigating trailer cycles soon . . .

Liz

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@CCrew 2427 wrote:

Definitely! I commend you though. Those 35 degree days with it spitting rain I don’t hold high on the “pleasure” list. Nor the 40+ mph gusts today.

Today’s 40 mph gusts were definitely more enjoyable than the 11º windless mornings…

acc: Thanks man!

eminva: Been searching Craigslist already. I had a few moments where I thought that wind was going to launch me. Mother Nature is absolutely awesome.

Followup: I talked to the friend I was chasing… he hit the caboose at 602, I hit it at 603. Yet again, missed it by that much!

[Riley Casey]

A beard and long hair are major comfort additions for winter riding without a doubt!

@BigAgnes 2411 wrote:

He used to be faster when he had a pony tail, though. 😎

[roadCruiser76]

Good tale, my friend!

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@roadCruiser76 2542 wrote:

Good tale, my friend!

Howdy Mr. P.

[burnedthetoast]

For you multiple-years-straight commuters – how do you get anywhere in deep snow?? Maybe I’m just the mere mortal and you have superhuman powers… but I generally give it up in more than 6″ of snow. What’s your secret?

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@burnedthetoast 2588 wrote:

For you multiple-years-straight commuters – how do you get anywhere in deep snow?? Maybe I’m just the mere mortal and you have superhuman powers… but I generally give it up in more than 6″ of snow. What’s your secret?

Fat 26×2.1″ studded tires and a big healthy dose of sheer insanity.

[PrintError]

I said I’d stop at three… bah!

Fourth try. Headed out at 5:10 on a beautiful Friday evening, determined as hell to catch him or collapse trying. Adding in the motivation that my wife is 9 months pregnant and due “any minute now,” I had plenty of fire.

I hit the ground running out of work and shoved McLean into my mirror quickly. Lucked out on the lights and crossed Tysons WAY ahead of time. Snaked through Wolftrap and landed on the trail at 5:25, a full 20 minutes ahead of my usual, more casual commutes home. Instead of taking a short break, I just tucked down and cranked. The only thing slowing me down were road crossings (3 of which were under construction) and stop signs. (before any trolls call foul again, yes, I do stop at them) I lucked out at every major street though and traffic was calm enough for a stop and go with no wait. When on the saddle, I gave it hell. Fought off two different cramps and concentrated on my breathing and cadence. I’m not a racer, so giving it my all for an 18 mile sprint on a fat commuter bike is not something I’m accustomed to. Suffice to say I was feeling the hurt pretty good.

And for the fourth time, I came over the last bridge in Herndon to see… joggers… nothing but joggers… no friend. Arrrrrrrgh… until I looked at the clock. I was WAY ahead of schedule! Aww heck, it’s Friday. I don’t need my legs tomorrow! I decded to stay at wide open throttle. Hit the caboose at a personal-record-shattering 5:48pm, turned north, and instead of cruising the last few miles home, I kept on it. Cramps be damned and panting like a dog, I was going to crush my personal best. Even with traffic, red lights, stop signs, construction, and plenty of jogger traffic, I rolled into the garage–for the first time ever–BEFORE 6pm at 5:58!

“WOOHOO!” (literally, my wife laughed)

So, 0/4 on catching my buddy and pulling off the impossible (making up the 30 minute gap), but setting the bar one big notch higher for myself. I don’t use a fancy Garmin or anything, so I do my calculations the old fashioned way here:
Ride: 18.22 miles
Time: 48 minutes door to door (simply using the bike computer’s clock)

60 ÷ 48 min = 1.25 x 18.22 mi = 22.78 mph total average.

Beats my best ride by a landslide!

Hope you enjoyed. I’m gonna go soak these things in epsom salt for an hour now. OWWWWW!

[acc]

Great installment to your series! I look forward to the next one.
ann

[Author]

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