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I’d go ahead and take the REI class. It will give you insight and strategies for coping with traffic right now when you ‘re most likely to ride. God knows I’m a slow learner but I’ve taken three rounds of bike safety classes over two years. Each time I go I learn something new or come up with a better idea about how to move through intersections or up hills. Any money you invest in instruction is worth it in terms of information you get out of it.

And I’m still learning how to move through my gears efficiently. I am embarrassed to admit this but for the first year I had my road bike I stayed in the second ring (I had three at the time) 95% of the time just because I did not have the confidence to shift. Only the fun and games of the group ride out at Wakefield Park broke me of the habit.

The Potomac Pedalers group rides taught me an encyclopedia about bike etiquette. And they were nice about. Definitely give them a try.

Look at bike safety classes as a yearly physical with your primary care physician. It doesn’t hurt and is worth saving your hide.

Enjoy your bike, enjoy the ride.
ann

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But…did you ride around Times Square?

Thanks for sharing. Great information to have.

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Chats with my “coach”, Marquis de Sade, go something like this:

“I need to hold 20 mph on the bike. How do I build to that?”

“Just get out there and do it.”

“This isn’t exactly the wise and sage coaching advice I was hoping for.”

“Why are you still here? Get out there and do it. Hold it until you can’t.”

And so that’s what I did this weekend. Loop after loop on a 3.5 mile course. Lap after lap for three days straight. I finished out the last set yesterday at two o’clock and decided what the hell, as long as I’m here, might as well go for a four mile run.

I swear I heard voices and spoke to my spirit animal, Lester The Guinea Pig.

I have no idea if this will work. I spent most of today staring into space randomly twitching.

It was a great weekend!

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Kathy, that was the best one yet! Thank you, had a great evening.
ann

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I bought something for the event too.
Shoes.
Sadly, so sadly, not pro.

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The southern end of the CCT has a lot more time when you’re out in the sun. That was extremely evident yesterday when it was over 100 degrees. The part from Jermantown Road north, is mostly in the woods and quite cool.

One of the big differences between being on the CCT and the W&OD or any of the other more urban trails is the need to carry water — a lot of it — a Camelbak is your friend. http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/AntidoteLanding/Main.aspx

I admit, the first time I saw someone sucking on the end of the little rubber tube I howled with laughter. They look ridiculous. But five miles down a trail in the summer heat and suddenly it became the most beautiful little contraption I’d ever seen.

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And that’s how it starts. The mtb plus the road bike then the commuting bike… welcome.

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@TwoWheelsDC 24537 wrote:

Well, I just got married this last weekend and I’m on my honeymoon cruise in Alaska, but that hasn’t stopped me from putting some miles in. Yesterday my wife and I rented some bikes in Juneau with another couple and rode about 25 miles up to a glacier and back. Maybe the pics will help you think cold thoughts during the heat wave.

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Congratulations! Happy Marriage! My hopes are you live long enough to celebrate 50 years!

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*cough* It would reflect badly on me to admit a friend and I recently closed the place down. So instead I’ll talk about how great One, Two Kangaroo – the toy store is and how I found a great tin tea set and a pink umbrella for Tour De Fat.

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The way I look at it, today is for doing the chores I avoid and the errands I detest. Once the sun gets low enough I’ll do something but honestly, a swim looks more promising than a ride. Arlingtonrider, if you feel guilty enough you can come over and we can mop floors together.

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I know you!
You kept me distracted through about 20 miles somewhere around mile 60.
Thank you!

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So that means you signed up for both, right? 😎

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Consularrider, I am forever indebted to you for getting me back to the starting point of the Mardi Gras Parade last February. But for your help I’d still be circling Arlington looking for my car. I realize you know the depth of my directional ineptitude. But I’m pretty sure I can find this and I’ll bring extra lights.

ann

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Thank you. I appreciate all the effort that took. Especially in this heat.

I’ll still get lost. Just wait. :rolleyes:

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Riley, someone has hacked into your account. They are accusing you of being a Master Clydesdale.

Driving on Saturday was dicey. I figured out a way to get onto 495 that involved almost all right turns because I knew any intersection with dead lights was going to be a kill zone.

Bikes v. Cars: I’ve become a better driver because of riding bikes. But I’ve also become less tolerant of sitting in traffic.

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