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No shorts? Really? Please tell me where you ride. And when.
ann

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I was in a restaurant with my 9 year-old son and the building shook like a snow globe. I told him to stand with me against what appeared to be a load carrying beam and watched people run outside into an area with power lines, traffic, and the potential for flying glass. Once I realized my house was just a messy as before the quake and everything seemed to be more or less ok, I drove into Arlington for a ride. Heck, I survived so might as well get on with life. I saw a lot of very unhappy looking people packed in like sardines on the Metro as I drove up I-66. Traffic was almost gridlocked out in Vienna around 5:30. That got me to thinking, if I ever needed to make a run for it, a bike is the only way to get out of town. I’d never make it with my kids in a car. With backpacks and a fairly decent knowledge of where water and supplies are likely to be, we could get as far as P’ville and find shelter for the night. I am glad everyone seems to be ok.

Survive. Breathe. Keep riding.
ann

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Granted, I am directionally challenged but a few signs at places where the trail branches. I once ended up riding up to the Kennedy Center without meaning to and why yes, I was completely sober.

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I still don’t understand, could you come over and demonstrate? I have a washer and plenty of dirty laundry.

ann

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I think residents take their parking seriously. If parking spaces are going to be ripped out in favor of bike lanes on my street I want to know beforehand and maybe argue for permit controlled parking. I’m all skippy happy about bike lanes but not without notice if my parking situation is going to be adversely affected.

ann

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Sigh. I’ll take a stab at this.
(Like any of *them* are gonna come clean on the subject.)
Swimmers do shave it all.
Does it matter? Dunno. Probably not under most circumstances.
But it certainly feels faster.
And it looks, well, very touchable.
And yes, it cleans up faster and if you are into lotions and what not I’m sure it goes on more evenly.
I’m guessing the same reasoning applies here.
But it also completes the look, all that sleek Lycra demands sleek legs.
Is it hot in here?

ann

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What? There are men who don’t shave their legs? Sorry, I must not notice them.

ann

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The fair is going on this weekend and the Bike Arlington booth has maps and stickers and other useful information so please stop by. There is even a Capital Bike Share bike you can actually touch. I realize this may be just too thrilling but come out anyway.

ann

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I too have started using the blinking light on my rear (of the bike frame just to be clear) with the prayer, hope, and dream that it makes me more visible.

Take the lane,

ann

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Congratulations! In all those miles what is the best/worst adventure you’ve had?

ann

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You are absolutely right. Taking the lane feels a lot safer even if I don’t like it. I hate inspecting paint jobs on cars that glide around me unaware of their mirrors or exactly where the side of their car extends to in space. And like you, I’m sick of being concerned about inconveniencing them.Glad you are ok, thank you for posting what I’ve been thinking.

Take the lane.

ann

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I witnessed Mr. Kelley sprinting last night at a ride in Arlington. One moment he was there and the next, he was just a speck on the horizon. My guess is he rolls at 10-12 mph just coasting without applying much effort to his pedals. And because I have absolutely no pride at all I will also report that as I was breathlessly huffing and puffing my way up some horrible hill in god knows where in Arlington I could hear Mr. Kelley and Mr. Blacknell behind me calmly yakking about something or other, I think it had to do with crochet. We had to be going around 16 mph. Whatever they say in public, understand these two are accomplished cyclists and it pains me to no end to say that. [banging head against keyboard]

Happy hurtful Arlington hills,
ann

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Yes, I completely agree.

Oh Tim, is there someone to contact about this?

ann

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*cough* Dad was a mechanic. I just fixed my shower myself, swapped out the valve and mixer.
Growing up I spent Saturday nights with Dad at either Hechinger’s or Sears in the tool section.

Ann on a MTB, now there’s another story. When I’m not screaming my head off in fright over rickety bridges or scary downhill switchbacks, slipping off the pedals, or jiggling my brains on the rocks, it’s fun. Just wish the bruises inside the bruises would fade enough so that my friends would stop sarcastically asking me if I was bitten by a shark. Free Willy, my MTB, is beast.

ann

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thank you so much. I’ll be seeing you.

ann

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