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Every time I think to myself, “Hills are fun, they make me strong!” I end up riding something that’s horrible like Wilson Blvd. And curse the entire way. Mostly because it’s a hell of a way farther past Arlington to get home.

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Using Metro to get into DC on the weekends makes sense. I was able to get down to Federal Triangle this morning and then rode up to Eastern Market for brunch. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2104[/ATTACH]

Sometimes, due to a limited ability to think, I forget that biking isn’t all or nothing. I used Metro to get into town and then took my time riding home. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2105[/ATTACH]

And I remembered what a great a town we live in.

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On a day like this I needed to wear my second ugliest shoes, hiking boots, but I stayed warm. Oh, and Wilson Blvd has a way of making me sweat.

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I just remembered ~ I want a pony for Christmas. A live one though.

#usecommonsense

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Here are some familiar folks discussing winter commuting.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/bike-commuters-power-though-the-winter-cold/2012/11/23/f3f1153e-2e82-11e2-beb2-4b4cf5087636_story.html

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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank you eminva for adding the wreaths.

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Consularrider! 1,000 posts! That is amazing! Congratulations! Thank you for making this forum a friendly place for everyone!

Tim, you cretin. I think the “white powder” is simply a flash. This very special keepsake is not on my computer. Someday I am going to have business cards made up that say, Gator Wrestler, is my profession.

Thanks again Dave. I appreciate your help. Now I can focus on Dinosaur World, Pirate Cruises, and Hong Kong Willie.

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I’m sorry, you were saying something about toothless hicks and gator wrestling? *cough*
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Thank you! That is helpful. Rambo will have to come along with me for some of this but I’ll get some time out on the road alone too.

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Ah Consularrider, you live the life I want.

My destination is Tampa with Rambo (age 11). I need to swing down to Sarasota for some research but will be based out of Tampa. As much as Rambo would luv to go bar hopping I need diversions that are mostly tacky, extra credit for adventures with explosions, fire, or weapons.

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Many, many lights and vests and reflective straps were distributed.
And someone Rambo ate a lot of gummi bears after Dirt demonstrated the proper technique for consuming an entire pack in one mouthful.

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And on the ride home Rambo only dropped his chain once.

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I’ve spent a lot of time on the ground looking up. Usually the bike is on top of me. Once I stop panicking, I’ve been able to wrestle the bike off of me enough to unclip.

If I am dragging work gear and clothes I prefer flat pedals. I’m just not very good at sudden stops and starts with extra stuff in back. I’m talking about extra stuff in my panniers, just to clarify.

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Thanks Dirt, Rambo liked your idea about the longboard so much he just launched into a chorus of, “I’m gonna bring my skateboard, skateboard, skateboard!”

Rambo. Loaded up on ice cream and gummi bears. On his skateboard. In the dark. On the W&OD. What could go wrong?

Liz, does jollying him along involve rope or bungee cord? I’ll bring extra.

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The cycling attire for women is abysmal. It is too ugly for words.

And what is considered fashionable is boring, neutral toned, and “sensible.”

Luckily, along comes Pedal Chic. http://www.pedalchic.com/

Eventually something like this will come to the DC area.

If the attire is masculine it acts as a big sign that says, “femininity is not welcome.” It makes a difference. Sure, I wish it was safer for me to ride but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

I invent my own biking fashion because there isn’t much out there that appeals to me. And in a large way that sends me the message that all in all, I’m tolerated but not welcome.

So I wear a blinged-out helmet and lace on my socks. I ride. I race. But I’m still a woman. And the market hasn’t caught up to me.

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Have batteries. Will travel.[ATTACH=CONFIG]2053[/ATTACH]

And if Rambo (son) doesn’t have too much homework, he’ll be riding out with me. The amount of ice cream and treats required to bribe this child is stunning. He must have an agent.[ATTACH=CONFIG]2054[/ATTACH]

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That is my childhood neighborhood. Perhaps kids took the bike and abandoned it rather than take it home and explain where it came from.

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This is highly accessible for everyone who has an interest in cycling. It is about promoting day-to-day cycling in cities as a form of transportation. It’s straight forward and easy to follow.

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