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What made all the difference for me was having the audacity to ask some poor unsuspecting cyclists to drag me around and teach me basic road safety and how to lock up my bike. In a perfect world we would ask novices to ride with us down to the corner for ice cream or coffee.

I can read about things all day long but until I get out there and ride in traffic or cross bridges, ford streams, or fly down hills, I don’t truly understand. So thanks to the folks who took the time and had the patience to teach me. I will try to return the favor.

ann

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And to think I had pulled out my tube top and skort for nothing….

There are stretches along the Potomac that get your attention too, and I don’t mean the boardwalk. Cuts down on monument gawking, and I mean across the river.

ann

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Most Venerated Demi-God Dirt:

There is another option for women, the combo sports bra/spaghetti strap top, very helpful on days like this. The downside is if I hit another sandbar, I’ll get more torn up. But I’m willing to live with that. I’ve seen women wear just a sports bra too, there’s another option. The only time I’ll wear a skort is on a day like this because it lets me get away with wearing a very short bike shorts while creating at least plausible deniability.

White shoes, much cooler, less ugly.

And just the ability to say, enough is enough.

ann

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Oohh, oooh, pick me, pick me — oh wait. Now I get it.

Nevermind.

ann

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Community service rendered by cyclist.

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I just saw them recently in Kmart of all places.

ann

PS – I am on my second saddle and still not entirely happy. Part of my dilemma is I “feel” the road through the information I’m getting via the saddle. I don’t want to do anything to screw that up. Yes, I get feedback from my handlebars, obviously, but the saddle comes into play too. And granted I can shift my weight into several different positions depending on how fast I’m going and whether I want to spare portions of my legs. For what Kmart is charging, it may be worth a try but for me I think I may head back to the shop at the end of the summer and try something different. The nice thing is there are a lot of choices out there. And hey, by the end of the summer I may just be tougher.

ann

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Dirt is amazing. I learn so much (even when I understand about half of what he’s saying) and laugh so much at the way he says things.

Mr Kelley, you keep us informed with clear useful and accurate information. You always have a quick response – thank you.

Mr CCrew, you have experienced everything that could possibly happen on a bike and tell the stories with style.

Mr Blacknell, you are an excellent Social Secretary. I just wonder if you can make coffee.

This is a good place to be,
ann

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I don’t mean to be blunt. Well, yes I do but it’s early and I am undercaffeinated and upset that a cyclist is hurt. I have a simple approach.

I don’t want to die on a bike.

That means I ride within my limits.

I use my own judgment at an intersection no matter how many times I hear “clear.”

I am always ready to stop at an intersection. And yes, this slows me down a lot — tough.

I will lay my bike down if I have the slightest doubt about whether a car is coming up on me too fast and what looked clear a moment ago suddenly looks iffy.

I don’t tangle with things bigger than I am.

(Hooking up the caffeine bolus now)
Please watch yourselves.

ann

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I am SO there. All my favorite things in one place.

Do you need more volunteers, Tim?

ann

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I watch when I can wrestle the remote away from my children.
I noticed this morning they were booking along around 32 mph with a tailwind. I thought to myself I’d need hurricane force winds to achieve that speed on a flat.

I don’t have words to describe the admiration I feel for the riders. Day after day they subject themselves to pure punishment. Watching them climb makes my chest hurt, watching them descend makes me bite my lips hoping they don’t fly off the mountain. And in general I want to feed them. Really skinny dudes. Remarkable human beings though, I’ve enjoyed watching them.

ann

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Yes!!!! There are so many food competition categories my head spins. Please enter. But check the requirements.
I would be so happy if you came on Saturday!!

Free Willy is my new MTB, he has no manners whatsoever. He may be imprisoned in solitary for a long time with only an hour a day of sunlight.

ann
Prison Matron

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What a great post! I am so happy you had a good ride on one of my favorite trails. You are exactly right Sir, there are stretches where you can just plain flat-out ride and not worry about running over anyone or hitting anything. All the way to Ashburn, that was one fantastic ride. Ok, well almost. Half a point deduction for artistic expression by failing to stop @ Carolina Brothers. Next time notice how close Reston Town Center is to the trail. The Bike Lane is out there for bike stuff, but Jackson’s is terrific for a drink and to people watch.

Thanks for posting, what great news to start Sunday! Now back to the TDF, please pass some carnage. (Is that the worst tag line ever or what?)

ann

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No, I have a strict containment policy with the bikes to prevent just such a coup.

Spartacus (my road bike) is special, I’d park him in the living room if I could get away with it. He has a place of honor in the basement at the bottom of the steps.

Free Willy (my incorrigible MTB) is in quarantine in the utility room until he understands who is boss.

Louisa (a freak of nature, heavy and slow with the biggest saddle north of the Carolina border) is kept in the shed, out of sight, out of mind

Aphrodite (17 year old son’s hybrid bike he only uses to lure young women on outings) keeps Louisa company.

Aren’t you glad you don’t hear the voices I hear?

ann

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Have no fear CCrew, the Hollywood Hogs All-Star Racing Team are scheduled to make an appearance. The web site promises all the traditional fair-tivities – rides, food, movie night, etc. Seriously, there seems to be enough jollification for the urban masses.

On a completely unrelated note, I may reconsider carrying a basic first aid kit when I’m out and about. A nice young lady borrowed my ill-mannered, bad-tempered ladies bike named Louisa to ride with my son on the Custis Trail today. About seven miles from home, Louisa saw her opportunity and threw the nice young lady off into the curb. She sustained a nasty gash but was a real trooper and biked back to my house. By the time she arrived, there was a fair amount of blood running down her leg and she was alarmed. I patched her up and she’s fine but a few baby wipes and a big adhesive bandage would have solved the problem on the spot. I sort of doubt if my son will get a second date with this young woman. Oh well.

Pigmageddon is just weeks away at the Arlington Fair (where Bike Arlington will have a booth, so ya’ll stop by),
ann

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Wait. You mean there won’t be any pig racing at the Arlington Fair? Demolition Derby? Funnel Cake? Poorly maintained carnival rides? This is like what, educational?

Dreaming of funnel cake coated with powdered sugar,
ann

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