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ParticipantEach time I pass this landmark I’m either not hungry or forgot to bring cash. One of these days…
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http://washingtondc.menupages.com/restaurants/weenie-beenie-food-stand/menu
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ParticipantPromise not to cry.
The tandem won it.
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ParticipantI watched the tabulation of the scores and can remember a range of numbers. I posted the results on the large pillar next to the registration desk. If you send me your final points number via private message I can give you a rough estimate of where you came out in the standings.
ann
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ParticipantForgive me for chiming in late. Due to a shortage of rhinestones— I didn’t get much sleep Thursday or Friday night. It became a caffeine popping, glue sniffing frenzy to finish the bike. There were a few glitches, a fancy adhesive that didn’t stick to anything but my fingers, the moment I knocked the bike over and lost ½ hour’s work, and the mortifying discovery that my sequined leggings (ordered online especially for the Derby) were transparent.
But being a little loopy had its advantages. When I arrived at the bar in the Derby Lounge and was asked if I wanted bourbon or vodka in my sangria, I laughed so hard I wheezed. By that point I had managed to keep the heavy shiny bike from goring anyone on a packed, lurching Metro train for 12 stops, and pedaled it in broad daylight through the streets of DC wearing four-inch platform boots, sequined tights, and a ridiculous mini-skirt that had a human eye right on the level of where my bike shorts should have been. Vodka or bourbon? Is there a wrong answer here? I think not.
I’ve lived with this bike for six weeks. It doesn’t strike me as odd anymore. Perhaps this is a side effect from all the glue I sniffed. When I emerged from the bowels of Metro and began taking pictures of the bike against the backdrop of the usual Washington sights, the Capitol, Washington Monument, homeless people sleeping on grates, it was simply another day of fun and frolic. Then I sensed people standing next to me looking over my shoulder. I stepped to the right assuming I was in the way of their camera shot. Strangely enough they began photographing the bike and me. I had a momentary feeling of what it must have been like to be Hsing-Hsing the panda at the National Zoo.
The races were fantastic to watch. I’ve never interacted with bike messengers and based on my conversations, it seems that if you keep your hands away from their mouths you are perfectly safe. They taught me about riding ghetto and ticked off the parts of their bodies that have been broken by cars. One gentleman stated he never wore a helmet because every time he did he got hurt. He looked me in the eye quite seriously and shook my hand saying, “When I die, it’s gonna be on this bike. And that’s the way I want it.”
I watched a beautiful woman professional racer glide around the course like she was on an afternoon stroll. To move as fast as she was going I’d need NOS and supplemental oxygen. She was barely sweating. It’s possible she was almost as tall as Mr. Kelley. I do believe she made Blacknell look like an Oompa Loompa.
Speaking of Blacknell, if he had listened to the rules, and dressed in something beside baggy jeans, he would have been a contender. All things considered he moved very fast (next year the training wheels come off).
To see the bike handling skills of these athletes was a gift. Being able to stand ten feet away from them and watch how they picked a line to enter a turn, braked, leaped over obstacles or jumped their bikes was worth pedaling around in 4-inch platform boots. Arlingtonrider came to the aid of one racer who planted his face on the concrete, she is that nice.
As for me, I’m working on my next concept for the bike. I’m thinking lollipops and flower petals.
Happy Diamond Dust Trails,
annacc
ParticipantTomorrow is the day! The Diamond Derby in Crystal City!
Details:http://www.crystalcity.org/do/crystal-city-diamond-derbyMy bike is finally coming together, since Mardi Gras, I’ve taken the basket off and reworked it and added approximately 50 yards of rhinestones to my bike. It is quite a sight.
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There is something for everyone and the weather should be very good.
Happy Diamond Trails.
annacc
Participant@JimF22003 15850 wrote:
If you go that route it should be “tri-way” or “three-way” since it combines three separate bike paths… So you call up your friends for a ride and say, “anyone up for a three way?”
That’s why I stayed away from the tri-lingo. I know how your minds work.
Bipedal is an adjective that means using only two legs for walking. It’s a nice play on words for cyclists too.
So it could be the Arlington Bipedal Way.
The Arlington Loop is fine as long as you know what it is. Otherwise, if I’m from out of town or new to the area I’ll probably assume it’s for cars.
ann
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ParticipantOr, The Arlington Bi-way.
It is a play on highway but because it moves people under their own power, whether it is their two feet or two wheels, it is differentiated from a road.Branding this is important.
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Participant1. The Arlington Bikeway
2. The Arlington Link
3. The Arlington Fairway
4. The Arlington ExpresswayI like the Arlington Fairway. It’s optimistic, it is not bike-exclusive, it gives you a feeling of open road.
ann
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Participant0927 is me.
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ParticipantIf Dirt becomes Chief Fluffer, I believe you would be Little Brave Fluffernutter.
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ParticipantI have two:
1. Riding the wrong way around the K Street circle (don’t ask) on my way from Metro to the Sweden House.
2. The hospitality of the Sweden House.Now, hi-ho Silver, on to the Crystal Derby.
ann
PS– Next year if you come up to me and introduce yourself, Blacknell will buy you a beer.
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ParticipantThis should become part of Bikefest. It’s quirky and fun, family friendly, significant other friendly, and it’s good public relations.
My first thought was Mr. Kelley and a skewer of donuts and me turning green after the second one. But there’s a lot to be said for this now that I think about it. Good donut shops tend to be small independent businesses, we’re happy to support them. Photographs of cyclists eating donuts counters the negative images we sometimes are associated with. And it shows we can take a joke in stride, even be part of the joke.
Happy Crumb Picking Trails,
Annacc
Participant@americancyclo 15697 wrote:
For some reason, I always pictured Mark with a big bushy beard.
Ah yes, I can see where you’d confuse him with the Unabomber, but no.
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ParticipantI’m confused. Are we talking about tourists or geese? Same rules apply. Lots of noise and give them plenty of room, they’ll probably chase you. You’ll probably be able to out pedal the tourists.
http://bicyclepoetry.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/no-cycling/
PS — It would probably be a bad idea to scoop up a little one for a souvenir. (Being pecked is bad but kidnapping charges could ruin your day.)
ann
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ParticipantOf course. Who, in their right mind, wants to be riding a bike in temps below 40F? Or rain? Or snow/ice? Because we are battle-hardened idiots we forget two important facts:
1. It takes a certain level of skill to ride a bike.
Having a sense of balance and rhythm are important. Not everyone can do this.
2. It takes courage to bike in traffic.
It takes skill and toughness to wade into several lanes of traffic and be confident.We do this everyday. It has become second nature to us and by extension, sometimes we make the leap in logic that everyone else should assume the risk we do. I believe that is unrealistic.
People who participate in Capital Bike Share have my applause. It isn’t easy.
Ann
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