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@ShawnoftheDread 70045 wrote:

Are either of you offering to help me out, it just rubbing it in?

I could do a pick-up if you needed one. We’ll be passing through Raleigh-proper late Saturday afternoon (will be passing through too late on the way down to be of any use).

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@dasgeh 70027 wrote:

Wait, I do. And I will be there next week!

Same here. Plenty of room in the back of the car too!

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@cephas 14588 wrote:

I’ve oiled my lock before with great success.

I’ll second the oil idea. My Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit seized up after years of abuse, but hosing down the shackle with degreaser and then dripping in some Phil Wood oil have it working like new again.

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@DismalScientist 69599 wrote:

Use a reflective vest.
(I hope that is not considered specialized equipment:rolleyes:)

When commuting or running errands I just ride around in a black long wool coat. But if I can get motivated to get my camera out, I think I can CRUSH the “Show Us Your Lights” competition!

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@kcb203 69556 wrote:

You: Pulling to the curb at the next light where I was stopped, and getting out of your car, walking toward me, and yelling at me.

I’m sorry that happened and am glad you’re okay. Stories like this, the MBT attacks, and a scare I had on the Hill are why I keep this little guy Velcro’ed to my stem.

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@jrenaut 69170 wrote:

I think Subby is talking about people coming off the 14th St Bridge then getting on Ohio Drive and turning onto 15th.

That’s where I assumed everyone was coming from. I didn’t even know you could still ride on the Ellipse’s road portions. I got turned around by security there a few years ago and haven’t been back on a bike. Even walking gets you into a maze of barriers around E street that always seems to be evolving.

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@Subby 69151 wrote:

I don’t know why folks take the sidewalk there.

Beyond the northbound cyclists, I’m always surprised by the number of southbound cyclists I see head up onto those sidewalks. As you say, they’re really crowded, and the southbound bike traffic has the option of merging onto 15th. Your method for navigating the transition sounds eminently sensible. That’s what I’ll try if I’m ever headed that way.

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Something for VA commuters to note:
You: Two cyclists coming from the 15th street/Ellipse sidewalk (I assume having come from the MVT) into the 15th street cycletrack.
Me: Turning–with the light–onto the 15th street cycletrack from the Penn Ave lanes.

There’s a lot going on at that intersection. I’m looking for drivers who try to turn left from Penn on the cyclists’ light. I’m looking for southbound drivers on 15th who overshoot the stop line. It’s a tight turn around the bollards and I’m looking for southbound cyclists in the cycletrack cutting their turn onto Penn short. What I’m not looking for–or at least haven’t been until now–are northbound cyclists running their lights (both pedestrian and road signals are there).

That was really close and I’m not at all sorry for losing my Dirt™ with you.

Earlier in the day:
You: Truck taking an illegal right on red from 3rd, across the Penn Ave lanes and into the weird strip of parking in the middle of Penn by the West Gallery.
Me: A paragon of Dirt™ zen.

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@dasgeh 69079 wrote:

If you’re not a member, use this link and I’ll buy you a beer:

I think I owe you the beer… I just finished my Christmas shopping!

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I’ve gotten very good service from the City Bikes weekend manager (whose name escapes me at the moment) on some oddball issues that really showed he knows his stuff. The rest of the wrench staff has been quite helpful finding parts to address other issues.

For bike shops on the Hill, I also really like (and if I’m not looking for sportier parts, typically prefer) the guys and gals at the Daily Rider on H Street. They’ve got a much more transportation focused inventory and the couple who own it seem to really take the time to help folks.

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@dasgeh 69063 wrote:

My new icebreaker layers worked perfectly (seriously, those things keep me warm on the down hills in the beginning, without being crazy hot on the uphills at the end AND don’t stink).

Icebreaker wool, while a bit pricey, is the absolute best! It holds up much better than SmartWool’s stuff. My wife loves it so much that I may as well buy their stock.

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I’m sorry that happened to you and hope you (and your bike) are back out soon. I’ve generally found the Hill to be very bike friendly and am sad to hear a neighbor would react to almost killing you so casually.

FWIW, I’ve found that stretch of 6th street to be less friendly than other routes in the neighborhood. There’s so much traffic coming off of the highway and heading north along 6th and drivers aren’t as patient as they should be. That’s especially true where northbound cars are trying to make the E St. light. Also a problem is where cars are turning onto 6th from C St SE and 6th St drivers are trying to position to turn right on North Carolina.

I’ve taken to using 8th St. instead. Barracks row may have a fair number of drivers pulling illegal parking/standing shenanigans, but everyone is at least on alert for pedestrians and bike because it’s such a high-traffic strip.

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I know others have lamented the difficulty of finding good children’s bikes. This mountain bike build Nao Tomii (builder/owner of Tomii Cycles) did for his son is pretty cool. Fully adjustable from 20″ to 26″ wheels! I’m sure it costs an arm and a leg unless you own your own jig and welding setup, but if you’re kid can ride grow with it for more than 5 years it’s a little less insane.

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To the guy in a wheelchair with no lights or reflectors going down the middle of the Penn Ave lane last night. Due to the high contrast from all the oncoming headlights and the chair being really low, I couldn’t see you until I was right on top of you. I was so tempted to say something horribly offensive, but maintained my Dirt.

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1 from the public sidewalk to our walk then 10 steps up to the front door. It’s annoying enough that I want to find a way to put a carport under a deck out back. Since it would get both of my bikes out of the living room, I think I’ve got my wife on board!

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