[acc]

So sorry to hear about this. Earlier in the week I encountered trimming and mowing along with the ongoing construction. That is one of my favorite little hills but there are many things going on in that stretch right now.

Agreed, I will try to behave better coming through there.

ann

[acc]

I believe there are several people who flex into work early. I hope another event this summer can accommodate alternative schedules, *cough cough attention Mr. Blacknell*

[acc]

I believe there are several people who flex into work early. I hope another event this summer can accommodate alternative schedules, *cough cough attention Mr. Blacknell*

[acc]

I’d ride for any sort of pork product prepared in the Southern tradition especially when accompanied by cole slaw, hush puppies, greens, or Mac & Cheese. I would not however, ride to Atlanta.

[acc]

I’d ride for any sort of pork product prepared in the Southern tradition especially when accompanied by cole slaw, hush puppies, greens, or Mac & Cheese. I would not however, ride to Atlanta.

[acc]

One of the nice things about this forum is its inclusivity. I hope that everyone feels welcome at tomorrow’s event, whether you post often, seldom, or never. I lurked here for several months without saying a word, simply reading and learning. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the opportunity to talk about bikes, places to ride, more importantly places to eat after riding and meeting people who enjoy the same sport I do. Plus, I think swag will be raining down upon us.

ann

[acc]

Re: Mac & Cheese — Temptation, your name is Tim Kelley.

[acc]

You will acclimate. Wear light colored jerseys. I’ve noticed the color of helmets makes a big difference with my sons and their skateboard helmets. White works best for them during the summer. Bring plenty of ice in your water bottles if possible. Cut your speed. It’s true, the herds will be thinned and it will be easier to ride. On the other hand, don’t make yourself miserable. There’s no rule that says you must ride your bike.

ann

[acc]

Like I’m going to share my bugs. I caught them fair and square. The crunchy ones are quite tasty.

[acc]

@Mark Blacknell 4265 wrote:

Yes, it definitely is. And acc is definitely buying.

I’ll post a reminder tomorrow and again on Wed.

That’s exactly right!
And just to be sure you recognize me; I’m a tall Caucasian man with sandy colored hair who loves karaoke and answers to the name Mark.

[acc]

LOL. Seriously, I know exactly what you mean. Seems like the testosterone fueled stupidity runs high on the weekends.

Heh, heh, heh.

I like using the multi-use trails because the odds are in my favor. I feel certain that even if everything goes wrong, I will survive the incident and live to ride another day. I don’t have the same soft fuzzy feeling out riding with short-fused, anger-prone drivers of multi-ton vehicles. Even if I play nice, obey all the traffic laws, and deck myself out in every neon color never found in nature, if bad things happen, I’m going to get hurt worse than the car every time.

On days like today, I can go long stretches on the W&O without seeing a single soul. Lots of baby ducks though.

ann

[acc]

Last New Year’s Eve I crashed and immediately two cyclists came to my aid. The guy that caused the crash, not so much. One man helped me up, the other patched Spartacus together enough for me to limp him back home. They were genuinely concerned and helpful, one even followed me for awhile to make sure I was steady enough to make it.

In the last two weeks I’ve stopped twice to help other riders, once to adjust a saddle that slipped out of position and once to offer my tool to fix a pedal. As I was working on the saddle, at least five people asked if we were ok and finally a young man stopped, identified himself as a bike mechanic and finished the job.

I notice the trail has a different personality on weekends. Every time I’ve ever had a problem with iffy behavior it’s been on a weekend and generally not from the guys in the matching outfits 😮 To me the scariest rider is the person who rides once a week, they have a tendency to cut me off, fail to yield, ride close to the yellow line, and push to the front of a line of people waiting to get across a busy intersection.

ann

[acc]

@SteveTheTech 4232 wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYkBHGurj-I
Time 2:14

That is amazing. It is huge and loud enough to scare old and young. Not even a language barrier could misinterpret. This would come in real handy on the W&OD east of Vienna. I feel like I may meet my maker by way of one of those suv strollers and it’s ipod wearing pilot.

If I heard one of those go off I’d assume it was the signal of the start of the apocalypse.

ann

[acc]

I think the only time I don’t call out is when I’m tracking more bogeys than Maverick in Top Gun. When I’ve got a monster stroller in front of me and a two ladies on a social ride side-by-side coming at me and a dude hopped up on EPO threading the needle between us– I’m just trying to survive. The other time I may not be loud enough to be heard is on a hill, I sound something like Jessica Rabbit.

I assume the others don’t call out because they figure they’ll be gone so fast it’s not worth the effort. But I hate being startled like that. I couldn’t care less if they zoom past me, but a warning is helpful.

Happy Trails,
ann

[acc]

This was just one of those bizarre moments where you swear you’ve entered an alternate universe. I was huffing and puffing my way back to Vienna, punishing myself more than riding. It was hot, the sun was setting and I simply could not make it all the way back without stopping. I won’t tell you how far I was riding a year ago, it’s too humiliating. I typically do not stop where there are several men, I want to drink my water and be left in peace but I was beyond my level of endurance. Besides, they were off their bikes and smoking, so how scary could they be? I get off Spartacus and grab my water (I could not stay upright and drink water simultaneously at that time). I looked at the dudes and decided to take an assertive stance and said, “Dudes, cigarettes — seriously?” Without missing a beat Dude #1 offers me his cigarette, I declined. “Another time perhaps.” I replied. Dude #2 says, “Same time next week? We’ll bring the vodka.” I said the only thing I could think of as I was jumping on Spartacus, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

[Author]

Replies