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Another fun game to play is, how low can I get my heart rate to go? There are several heart rate apps for phones. I can waste 30 minutes playing that.

I’m an admitted heart rate monitor monkey. And I’m not proud. But it was the way I was trained as a kid and old habits die hard.

After awhile you’ll know what your heart rate is doing without looking at the monitor.

Another fun game to play is to look at the data on your heart rate from a race. I can spend the better part of a Saturday night doing that.

In all seriousness, if you feel bad, lightheaded, sick, nauseated or experience chest tightening or pain —- stop.

I don’t want my hobby to kill me. Oh wait, it almost did. Let me rephrase that. I don’t want to experience a cardiac incident on dry land, especially if it’s because I was stupid. I think I’ve worked out the drowning thing, I’m not likely to expire during an open body swim now.

Data is fun.

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Um, would a heavy-duty traffic cone parked dead square in the middle of the space help?
I certainly would leave a polite note asking the driver to choose another space because it’s hard to get my bike in and out without scratching his vehicle.
Or markings on the space, a giant X, to indicate it is not a parking space.

In the larger scheme of things, this isn’t worth going to war over. Save that for when the driver bumps your back tire or pushes you off the shoulder.

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I don’t have enough time to do the century this year. Silly students have unrealistic expectations that I can grade 52 papers in three days. I will ride hard for 50 and go home. It kills me to bail. But I owe it to the kids…if anyone wants to go hard for 50, I’m in.

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Officially, the W&OD is closed after dark. One of my friends out in that direction gave up bike commuting because the police stopped him for being on the trail just after 9:00 pm in June. It was hardly dark. When Herndon lights the W&OD, makes it easier to justify being out on the trail after dark.

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Terrible news. I am glad you weren’t injured more seriously. Doesn’t sound like there is anything you could have done better, you were well lit, riding within the law, and luckily you noticed he was headed in your direction. Hope you recover quickly. And by the way, welcome to the Forum.
ann

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Tim! Fantastic costume! Love everything about it!

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Donating blood is a life affirming act. But yeah, the aftereffects can hit hard. And size matters. Smaller people, seem to be affected more. Probably has to do with volume capacity. I can be short of breath and a little on the tachycardic side for several days afterwards.

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I’m happy to help.
ann

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At low speeds in a residential neighborhood or on a college campus, I’m probably not going to bother with a helmet. It’s one more piece of gear to drag around, I love the feeling of the breeze in my hair, I’m going to be on the bike a max of ten minutes.

In traffic, on busy streets, or when speed is a factor, I’ll wear the helmet. It’s not going to save me. Car + human being on a bike = disaster. But if I’m distracted and hit a pothole, or go down in some gravel, it might keep me from getting a concussion.

Like most things in life, it’s not a black and white issue. It’s fifty shades of gray.

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A good reason to use places like Fort Hunt, Bull Run, and Hains Point for training are the sight lines. Being able to see 200 yards ahead and having an entire lane to yourself makes it easier and safer to work on speed. The trails are tough to get traction on, there are people and strollers, pets and assorted wildlife entering and exiting the paths. Maybe if you get way past Herndon on the W&OD there are long stretches where the trail is mostly empty.

ann

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WWDD… Contemplating that takes care of about 80% of my trail/road angst.

If I’m doing something stupid out there I appreciate being told. I like it better when yelling is not involved. But I don’t want to hurt anyone or put anyone at risk, including myself.

But when a cyclist gets hurt or buzzed by a car, even if I don’t know them personally, then it’s time to put a blindfold on Dirt and stuff him in an isolation booth so I can react like a pissed off human being.

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I’m sorry to hear about your knee. I hope you heal quickly and can get back on the bike to enjoy the fall. That’s the season, not the action.
Ann

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I’m not in good enough shape to tackle today’s local tri so I went down to Williamsburg and muddled through a shorter triathlon. I’m thrilled to say I cut more than five minutes off my bike/run time compared to last July so it was a great outing for me. But more importantly I’d like to thank everyone who comes out and volunteers.

I was greeted by teenagers in the parking lot directing traffic at 5:45 am this morning. Thank you. I have a teenager, he does not function before noon. There was a squadron of people armed with Sharpies to do the body markings at 6:00 am. Thank you. Thank you so much for taking me literally when I said, mark my age in really BIG numbers. Ugh. To the folks manning the water station offering to splash us down a la Flashdance with ice cold water — uh, yeah. I’ll pass. To the 25 rescue personnel strategically placed along the river — God Bless You.

I’m thanking you now because during a race there’s no opportunity. I notice you but am preoccupied with stuff like thinking about how I don’t want to drown.

ann

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When I first read the report I said sotto voce that the cause of the medical emergency was being hit by a car. I sincerely hope the driver comes forward.

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That’s okay, I am just back from Michael’s. It’s amazing the variety of spiders they sell. How can I pass up a chance to play Black Widow?

Easy bike decoration? Find a wire basket and some floral wire. Attach an assortment of whatever you like. I like spiders. And face cards from a deck of playing cards. Finish it off with a giant bow. You’re done. Bow not required.

Bonus: It’s a great excuse to buy a pair of shoes to go with your decorated bike.

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