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What a terrific event! Last night I learned so much about night time illumination and strategies for getting around in the dark. I also had an opportunity to meet people from the forum whose advice and insight I admire. It was particularly fun to see so many other women cyclists.

Thanks Tim Kelley and *cough* Mark Blacknell for organizing the event.

Ann

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Good Luck, you’ll be amazed, astounded, and stupefied when you see it. I’m sure it will all make sense after a few drinks though.

best wishes, and please be safe,
ann

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The Accotink Trail is well marked and easy to follow but not lighted so good luck in the dark unless you are well lit. It will take you right to the back boundary of Wakefield Park. And the great advantages of Wakefield Park are the flushing bathroom facilities, cold water, drink/snack machines, and enormous hot tub. Oh yeah, there are a bunch of trails back there too in deep woods where I routinely get lost. And perhaps fall off in the mud, that may have happened once or twice or a dozen times. Or the time when I looked over the side of a steep hill and made the mental calculation that the nearest hospital is INOVA Fairfax, just a few miles down the road.

Have a great time,
ann

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It’s my vague recollection that Blacknell is taking drink orders. I’ll place mine now, just so you’ll have it ready for me when I arrive. A Pinot Grigio, please.

ann

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I may cheat and drive. Ok, I will cheat and drive. Who am I kidding?
ann

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They exist. I almost destroyed one. Over the weekend I rode the Back Roads Century. Around mile 78 I lost my sense of humor. Around mile 81 I encountered a man on a bike playing his calypso music very, very loud. So loud. And I was too tired to pull around him. On we rode, me and Mr. Calypso. Around mile 85, just as I was losing my will to live, the course ran through a few “rolling hills.” There is no such thing as rolling hills when you’re into more than 80 miles of a ride. Fortunately, somewhere along those hills I lost him and his calypso music. Otherwise I might be in jail charged with capital murder. Bottom line: They not only exist, they are very loud.

ann

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No, I believe they were drunk 30-somethings. At least that’s what I heard. Wish there were pictures.

ann

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Terribly sorry you were sniffing paint this morning. Glad you are still above ground.
ann

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I have a size small and it fits perfectly.

ann

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I’d put up pics but don’t know how. I’m doing well to figure out how to work a heart rate monitor and turn the Garmin system on…
Gee CCrew, that ride sounds like so much fun, I’d love to try it but I’m afraid I’d run out of water and die.

I finished off the weekend with a nice calm ride up to Ashburn and back on Spartacus my road bike. I love him because unlike my rotten mountain bike, Free Willy, he doesn’t bite me or throw me. And unlike Schnitzel, I don’t wind up rolling around in the grass attached to almost 20 pounds of metal. I can ride Spartacus all day and not end up black and blue. I love my road bike. I was so wrong for straying. And riding in a torrential downpour was challenging but still beats going to work.

Happy trails,
ann

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I’ve been playing with my new cross-bike, Schnitzel. Had a great break-in ride on Saturday doing a loop from Vienna, down to the National Airport and back through Arlington. It was great because I did not fall off. Today I spent a lot of time eating grass and rolling around in the grass tangled in the wreckage as I learned to dismount while moving fairly fast, then running alongside Schnitzel followed by hoisting him and jump/hop/running. Ended the session by picking the grass out of my shoes. But looking on the bright side, at least I was not picking the grass out of my teeth or picking my teeth up out of the grass. On the downside, playing these games by myself in a public park was a little conspicuous.

Happy cyclocross trails,
ann

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Nicely done, Sir.

Although I was a bit nervous to scroll down on the picture….

ann

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Yesterday I went to the dealership for a “Well-Car Checkup.” I didn’t have the patience to hang around the service lobby reading old editions of Your Volkswagen and You or watch ESPN. The courtesy shuttle was going to be a huge hassle and I live a little too far to walk home. Fortunately I had Spartacus in the back of the car so I pulled him out, grabbed my Bike Arlington bag and took off. Ha, ha dealership — I’m no longer your prisoner.

ann

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You were very kind. He was trying to solve a difficult problem. Nevertheless, you were very kind.
ann

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The name that pops out immediately when I see that bike is Vixen.

She is beautiful.

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