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Joe, it’s not just sadistic saddles. This is a sport where Power Bars pass as food, the average BMI of a serious cyclist seems to be approximately 6, the jerseys make us into human NASCAR displays, we eat bugs and laugh about it, I won’t even get into the leg shaving discussion, and we dodge traffic for diversion. Oh yes, we are a well adjusted lot. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Happy trails,
ann

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@baiskeli 3912 wrote:

It’s a little-known fact, but Power Bars are actually 83 percent bug guts. So it’s about the same.

Which leaves me wondering about the other 17%, industrial waste?

Bug crunching best,
ann

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Thank you for posting the link, I have been concerned about the cyclist and am greatly relieved to know his injuries are not life threatening.

I am grateful WABA, FABB, and the League of American Bicyclists exist. Through them I found bike safety classes and took them. I would have gotten into a lot more trouble without those classes. The instructors were professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. You cannot ask a stupid question in their classes, trust me, I’ve tried. I showed up at the first one without a clue about fitting a helmet, inflating a tire, or understanding hand signals. They were very patient and gave intelligent explanations without making me feel stupid. I appreciated that.

The other aspect of riding that helped me stay safe has been riding with other people through the Potomac Pedalers. They have a new website and are easy to find online. There is a ride for everyone regardless of skill level or experience. I was very nervous about riding with them the first time. I did not think they would be very accepting of a middle-aged woman who hadn’t ridden a bike in 30 years. They were great, taught me so many things about biking and are terrific people to get to know.

Keep riding, be safe, have fun.
ann

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I admit, there are moments when I’ve overestimated my endurance and I’m ten miles from home and I see one of those rigs and wish I could climb in and tow Spartacus behind me. I’m pretty sure I could fit. So far, I’ve never resorted to using my “cab money” dutifully taped to my phone, mostly because those kids of mine who used to ride in strollers would never let me live it down. But I’ve been tempted.

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Because I remember being terrified of the bike people when I pushed a stroller on the trails, when I see a mom pushing one I always slow way down, peer into the stroller’s contents, and yell, “Squeee! Congratulations! and Good Luck!” It is a small gesture of goodwill. And when I see young kids on bikes with parents I treat them like a fellow rider and say, “Have a good ride and give them a thumbs up sign.” They usually grin. Hey, they may grow up to be a fabulous cyclist, who knows?

But I do this knowing with a fair degree of accuracy where the crowds will thin out and I can get down to business.

Happy trails,
ann

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Gasp! I was too mortified to say anything but I accidentally ate not one, but two bugs out near Sterling on Monday while on the W&O. One was crunchy. Tasted worse than power bars.

Ann

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It’s not the heels that are giving me trouble, it’s the way the damn sundress keeps riding up. I will be there, promptly at six. We will discuss the drink order shortly thereafter. A fight over the Electoral College? Only in DC.

Best wishes,
Ann

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@Dirt- god awful bike shoes are the instrument of the devil.

Since Mr. Blacknell is buying, any day except Tuesday is good for me.

Best wishes,
Ann

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Oh what a great site, love the pirates! (@ CCrew)

Another piece of clothing I should mention are bandannas worn under helmets. I didn’t catch on to this at first. And once again, along with the god awful shoes, not exactly the most attractive look. But they help keep the sweat from dripping down into my eyes. Another little feminine tip I figured out was to wear waterproof mascara. I see no point in taking off makeup in the afternoon before I ride, it just adds one more step to the process.

Best wishes,

Ann

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Welcome, great questions and observations. I was wondering the same thing about a year ago.

The last thing I wanted to do was pull on skintight Lycra shorts and wear jerseys that made me look like a human NASCAR. But my sit bones complained so I caved about the shorts. The padding is a huge help and there is no chaffing or rubbing, a good thing when you make the same motion several thousand times over the course of a ride. Buy black, like a bathing suit the color hides a multitude of sins. And like a bathing suit you don’t wear anything underneath the shorts — yes, I gasped too when I heard that. If you ride around long enough you will see men wearing other colors besides black and their shorts invariably become transparent when they sweat, I always feel uncomfortable when I notice that and avert my eyes. Honest.

The great advantage of bike jerseys is visibility. The loud colors make you visible to drivers and other cyclists. If you are like me, you’re saying to yourself, “But I ride mostly on the trails.” Yes, I felt that way until I was hit by a car in a crosswalk. Now neon yellow and green are my favorite colors of all time. The other big advantage are the pockets in the back. I could carry around the entire contents of my purse if I wanted to. I carry my phone with my driver’s license and a $20 in one pocket, a bag of peanut M&Ms in another, and my bike tool and keys in the third. I can even roll up my windbreaker and stuff that in one of my pockets if necessary.

I sweat like a small barnyard animal and my bike clothes keep me comfortable. If you look for end-of-season sales, you will find affordable clothing. But until then, a good pair of bike shorts and one or two jerseys should be enough. Have fun.

Best wishes,
Ann

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Wow! It is so super awesome of you to buy the first round! I don’t have to wear those god awful bike shoes, right? Frankly, I don’t think I can ride in heels so I may leave Spartacus at home.

Best wishes,
Ann

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The Vienna Community Center is a great place to launch in either direction on the W&O or through the residential neighborhoods. It has plenty of parking, water fountains with cold water, and real bathrooms. There are vending machines down a short flight of stairs to the right of the entrance. There is shade and benches and a gazebo, the scenery isn’t bad.

Spokes is right down the street and so is Whole Foods. The Vienna Inn, source of cheap hot dogs and beer is very close. Or so I’ve heard.

That being said, the trail right next to the building is tricky. To be safe, it is necessary to practically crawl through the area. I don’t want to knock a kid down. At least not one unrelated to me by DNA. I hate scrubbing the asphalt stains out of my jersey and the blood off my knees. Someone told me all the scratches and dings on Spartacus give him character. I think he was just being nice, thanks Dirt. So yes, it is important to note that area and protect yourself and folks who are completely unaware of our presence. They are focused on entering and exiting the building and not on the path.

Best wishes,
Ann

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Please, a little more information. This is my neighborhood, the Vienna Community Center and I wish I understood your post better. I agree, that section of the path along the building can be tricky. The intersection at Park can be deceiving too.

Best wishes,
Ann

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Woot, he’d look great on a bike!
Ann

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I swam for years but prefer biking. I like looking at scenery, the black line on the bottom of the pool gets old. It is easier to put on bike clothes than a bathing suit. I have to drive to the pool. I have to remember the schedule. I have to share a lane. I spend a lot of time getting changed into and out of my bathing suit. Sometimes the pool is closed unexpectedly for “accidents.” The roads are not closed because someone has um, relieved themselves. The water temperature is slightly warmer than the North Atlantic during the winter.

I believe that either activity is great, it depends on your personal preference. I can ride for several hours, but become bored in a pool after 45 minutes. As long as I am on the bike I am not eating. And usually I am too tired to care much about food afterwards. But I agree about combining these activities with lifting. The weightroom has made my riding fun because I have power to get up hills and upper body strength to control my bike. There are about 40-50% women lifting in the Fairfax County Rec Centers so there is no reason to feel awkward in a weightroom.

The most important thing is to do the sports you enjoy, then it feels like fun and not work.

Best wishes,
Ann

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