The Random Turn – The Book of Ninja Styles

[OneEighth]

Driving up the Custis?

[Dirt]

@OneEighth 10196 wrote:

Driving up the Custis?

I’m sometimes mistaken for a truck.

[OneEighth]

Well yeah with those tires on that thing.

[americancyclo]

looked like a truck took out a section of the jersey barrier on Lee Hwy as I rode past this morning. Anyone else notice that?

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=arlington,+va&hl=en&ll=38.896641,-77.084795&spn=0.000558,0.000862&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.915634,56.513672&vpsrc=6&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia&t=h&z=20

[OneEighth]

I went through there around 9 this morning and didn’t notice. Sure hope I wasn’t so totally on auto-pilot that I missed something obvious.

[Dirt]

@americancyclo 10204 wrote:

looked like a truck took out a section of the jersey barrier on Lee Hwy as I rode past this morning. Anyone else notice that?

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=arlington,+va&hl=en&ll=38.896641,-77.084795&spn=0.000558,0.000862&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.915634,56.513672&vpsrc=6&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia&t=h&z=20

That happened last weekend. It was there on Monday when I went shopping on my way home from work. A cyclist dude was stopped and photographing or I would have done the same. I’ll get it on my way home tonight. With luck I’ll be heading home at a reasonable hour today.

[americancyclo]

It was slightly up the hill from the bridge. Not entirely noticeable if you were in focused ‘get to work’ mode, which i often am.

[Dirt]

@americancyclo 10208 wrote:

It was slightly up the hill from the bridge. Not entirely noticeable if you were in focused ‘get to work’ mode, which i often am.

Yarp. I often ride the street side of the wall and the 2 sections which were almost completely destroyed were pretty hard to miss. I’d hate to think what the vehicle looked like after hitting the wall. “Oh yeah… that’s gonna buff right out.”

[DismalScientist]

@americancyclo 10204 wrote:

looked like a truck took out a section of the jersey barrier on Lee Hwy as I rode past this morning. Anyone else notice that?

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=arlington,+va&hl=en&ll=38.896641,-77.084795&spn=0.000558,0.000862&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.915634,56.513672&vpsrc=6&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia&t=h&z=20

It happened a few days ago, maybe Monday. Half of a Jersey barrier was laying on the sidewalk on the way up to Courthouse. Would have been nasty if encountered at night. Fortunately, that was removed the next day.

[eminva]

Was driving (a CAR) in the neighborhood at about 8:30 last night and a kid, looked to be about 12, was riding his bike toward me on the opposite side of the street. He abruptly cut in front of me and then proceeded to salmon along the opposite curb.

No helmet, no lights, dark clothing — was tempted to double back, follow him home, and have an educational discussion with him and his parents.

Liz

[JeffC]

Around dusk in the afternoon, I tend to get what I call in my mind the “I cannot pass a sobriety test” joggers, usually female for whatever reason. They’ll start on one side of the lane and veer back and forth. I can just imagine them putting in 4+ miles daily jogging, at the end of their run and for whatever reason cannot countenance running in a straight line. The more serious joggers tend to wear some type of reflective clothing and are more disciplined at keeping right than Rick Perry. The morning joggers are more amped on caffeine and alert.

So a couple nights ago around 6:30 pm at dusk I’m headed home westbound on the Custis just near where it ends and hits the W&OD. There is a long straight away next to 66 with good visibility and sure enough a ninja female jogger ahead of me who I am sure was wearing headphones so I know I have to be loud. It was not totally dark at the time and it is well lit in that area with lights but still in my mind running at dusk one should not be a ninja. She started off in the middle of the lane and about 20 yards away lurched typsy like to and fro before setting a course straight in the middle of the path. Figuring it was my duty to avoid an accident and impart a lesson, I yelled “Passing” with the gusto of a Prussian Drill Sergeant. The jogger suddenly and emphatically lurched right and quickly looked over her left shoulder. I think I got my point across.

[pfunkallstar]

I’ve definitely noticed the “Drunken Master” style joggers, but usually farther up the Custis on I-66. I’m not sure what the mechanism is behind it, maybe a phantom dog pulling said phantom leash, or, alternately they are actually hammered. Personally, I think it is the fact that they are usually listening to their music just a little too loud, thus throwing off their balance and causing the stagger. Who knows… yet another MYSTERY OF THE TRAIL!

[GuyContinental]

New ninja species spotted last night:
Ninjus Cyclus Bancheeus
This rare ninja rides in complete darkness until confronted with an oncoming cyclist or runner who has crossed the center line while overtaking. While remaining virtually invisible, this ninja will let loose a barrage of piercing blasts on a hand whistle in order to unsettle and perhaps disable the oncoming cyclist. This species should be considered rude and extremely dangerous and their whistle should be forcibly removed if sighted/heard.

[GuyContinental]

Another new one this morning- I’m on a taxonomic roll!
Ninjus Scootus Smallus
Frequently accompanied by Ninjus runnerus babystrollerus this agile, scooter-equipped ninja glides silently and (of course) invisibly at knee level and has been known to make random changes in direction ranging from 90 to a full 180 degrees (See Ninjus Runnerus Crazy Ivanus). Most likely of Ninja sub-species to take reflective handouts if offered.

[5555624]

At 3:00 a.m. this morning…
Ninjus Chromus Domus
This rare ninja is encountered running on the trails in rain and fog. Naturally dressed in black to remain close to invisible, this ninja can be identified by the large bald spot reflecting oncoming light.

[Author]

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