WAPO article on bike commuting

[GuyContinental]

@creadinger 21578 wrote:

And how is it that it’s virtually impossible to go from the MVT to the CC trail without getting off your bike and walking it up/down stairs or across a dangerous highway? That’s just dumb.

This one (combined with the lack of connection between Chain bridge and the CC) blows my mind too- what is the most popular linkage on both? When I did a daily commute to Silver Spring I would:

On Chain bridge- ride the C&O to the CC bridge and hike up the side
At Key Bridge- walk the ped bridge and then the short stairs and onto Water St

This weekend I was confronted with the trail linkage at Key while towing a WeeHoo iGo kid trailer- I didn’t want to ride M st to Wisconsin with the little dude in weekend traffic and forgot about the sidewalk to tunnel route. I ended up walking the ped bridge and then riding the C&O to the CC ramp… both were interesting (walking) with the trailer- the kid loved it, I thought that the onlookers were going to report me to the ASPCA… errr Child protective Services.

[jrenaut]

Towing a trailer makes things much more complicated. The bollards around the White House, for example, are just barelywider than a Burley 2 seater. And there are many trails I just can’t take because they have sections that are too narrow for the trailer and even oncoming traffic, not to mention if I might want to pass or someone might want to pass me.

[GuyContinental]

@jrenaut 21586 wrote:

Towing a trailer makes things much more complicated. The bollards around the White House, for example, are just barelywider than a Burley 2 seater. And there are many trails I just can’t take because they have sections that are too narrow for the trailer and even oncoming traffic, not to mention if I might want to pass or someone might want to pass me.

That’s why I went with the iGo- the single wheel design is great and highly maneuverable. I also built a single wheel kid-hauler out of a Bob Ibyx + Burley frame + Co-pilot kid carrier + lots of time with a sewing machine and fabrication tools. That one has now passed to the younger one…

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1167[/ATTACH]

The few times that I rode with a 2-wheel trailer they freaked me out, too wide and too prone to getting discombobulated on curbs and such.

[pfunkallstar]

@GuyContinental 21588 wrote:

That’s why I went with the iGo- the single wheel design is great and highly maneuverable. I also built a single wheel kid-hauler out of a Bob Ibyx + Burley frame + Co-pilot kid carrier + lots of time with a sewing machine and fabrication tools. That one has now passed to the younger one…

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1167[/ATTACH]

The few times that I rode with a 2-wheel trailer they freaked me out, too wide and too prone to getting discombobulated on curbs and such.

The White House is bad, the underpass under Memorial Bridge is just terrible. It is exactly wide enough to pin an inattentive Georgetown student against the guardrail with a Bob Yak trailer.

[Tim Kelley]

Here’s the follow up to the story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/dont-mess-with-dc-bike-commuters/2012/06/11/gJQAwvmIXV_story.html

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Tim Kelley 21979 wrote:

Here’s the follow up to the story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/dont-mess-with-dc-bike-commuters/2012/06/11/gJQAwvmIXV_story.html

Wow. You’d think I had stuck a bike pump in the guy’s spokes, like that Italian cyclist did to poor Dave Stoller in “Breaking Away.”

Psh, what a n00b, the correct term for this is a “Cinzano”.

Okay, just kidding…I agree that many of the comments were overly harsh, probably because he was journalizing (totally not a word). If a friend of any of us had relayed the same experience, I’m sure we’d all have been much more helpful…but I think we cyclists, and particularly those of us who also think of ourselves as a sort of community of advocates, get really paranoid whenever the press starts talking about bike commuting (See: Dr. Gridlock, comments section on WTOP, etc…).

[Greenbelt]

I like this guy’s article and follow up. I made a lot of the same mistakes and had a lot of the same misconceptions before I started bike commuting longer distances. It’s good to get this kind of discussion out there — my impression is that many, many people would consider bike commuting if they only thought it was possible (safe enough, pleasant enough, practical enough). But I certainly didn’t think it was possible 2 years ago. I hope others with longer commutes catch the bike commuting bug — once you try, it’s the only way to get to work!

[creadinger]

Wow, that’s great. I’m very happy to read that he has continued bike commuting and as some of us suggested would cruise up the learning curve quickly, and stop making rookie mistakes after just a few days. Thanks to all the folks who provided constructive advice to him. I’m glad that MOST of the commenters were helpful, and encouraging at least.

It sounds to me like it he had a very successful/productive bike to work day, given his progress so far.

[bernsteinl]

Hi, all:

Please see my follow up column in the Post. You’re right, I’ve learned a whole lot since those first two rides. I’m riding most days and testing all kinds of advice I received in the comments of that first column and in emails. Thanks for reading.

Here’s the follow-up:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/dont-mess-with-dc-bike-commuters/2012/06/11/gJQAwvmIXV_story.html

Lenny

[SilverSpring]

Lenny,

I enjoyed both articles. You touched on a lot of the things that bedeviled me when I started bike commuting a few years back (albeit I have a much shorter commute). Just like Greenbelt noted, I think you’ll get hooked on the addictive (but in a good way) nature of cycling to work.

[dbb]

Lenny,

Welcome to the forum! I’m sure you will discover a wealth of experience and commitment with the riders on the forum. I think we have all learned from one another.

Dana

[bernsteinl]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I’ll follow up in another column toward the end of the summer and let you all know how it went.

Yesterday I tried the round trip for the first time (17 miles each way). Three words: Not. Ready. Yet.

Tomorrow I’m going to drive somewhere, probably the CCT, and round trip a shorter commute.

I’m sure this all old hat to you folks who have put in thousands of miles, but I’m having a good time.

Lenny

[Dirt]

Welcome!

I’ve got a few friends that do a similar commute… Drive closer in to the tow path or CCT and ride the last section in and out. It works well for them and gets them in the daily swing of riding.

Rock on!

Pete

[TwoWheelsDC]

@bernsteinl 22043 wrote:

Thanks for the warm welcome. I’ll follow up in another column toward the end of the summer and let you all know how it went.

Yesterday I tried the round trip for the first time (17 miles each way). Three words: Not. Ready. Yet.

Tomorrow I’m going to drive somewhere, probably the CCT, and round trip a shorter commute.

I’m sure this all old hat to you folks who have put in thousands of miles, but I’m having a good time.

Lenny

On most the days that I bike commute, I ride the towpath north-to-south in the mornings, so I’ll keep a look out for you. Wave if you see a very tired looking guy (I’m not a morning person and that’s the main barrier between me and a 5 day-a-week bike commute) on a cream-colored Bianchi with a bright yellow pannier. Also, I feel like I should plug #fridaycoffeeclub even though I’m a not-so-regular attendee. A bunch of us bike commuters meet at Swings (17th/G) for coffee and friendly bike conversation every Friday morning from 7ish to 9ish. All are welcome!

[ShawnoftheDread]

@bernsteinl 22043 wrote:

Thanks for the warm welcome. I’ll follow up in another column toward the end of the summer and let you all know how it went.

Yesterday I tried the round trip for the first time (17 miles each way). Three words: Not. Ready. Yet.

Tomorrow I’m going to drive somewhere, probably the CCT, and round trip a shorter commute.

I’m sure this all old hat to you folks who have put in thousands of miles, but I’m having a good time.

Lenny

I do a half-commute, too. For both fitness and family reasons, I can’t do 18 miles each way from/to home, so I drive about halfway to take my daughter to school, and bike the rest. I’ve come from apprehension about the bike time, to mild enjoyment, to eager anticipation each day, in just six months.

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