[AFHokie]

I found the NBC page handy to quickly look at my monthly mileage totals, but it looks like the National Bike Challenge lost their primary sponsor and for the most part shut down their page. I found the summer contest enjoyable, so I do hope they find another sponsor.

National Bike Challenge Facebook Page

“Due to the financial impact from the loss of our major founding sponsor, the National Bike Challenge had to make a difficult decision to shut down the site and install a static page at the end of November. This resulted from a lack of funds to pay ongoing costs including hosting fees. We have faithfully served the Challenge community for the past five years at no cost to our riders. Although we are presently encountering some turbulence, our volunteers are working hard to develop plans to address the reality of the current situation and deliver you a robust and improved challenge in 2017. We ask for your patience during this time.
Thank you,
The National Bike Challenge”

[AFHokie]

@bobco85 149448 wrote:

Before I head off to bike to my family turkey gathering (lots of Hokies in the family, apparently also cannibals )

Turkey legs served at home games are delicious, but be prepared to wait in a lengthy line.

[AFHokie]

@scoot 149030 wrote:

Well, the two locations published do imply that motorist enforcement is the focus. Lee and N Edison is an unsignalized crosswalk, while Columbia Pike and S Frederick is that new flashing beacon crosswalk. Neither location likely sees much bicycle traffic.

I live on the Pike in sight of the Columbia Pike & S Fredrick intersection. I wouldn’t say there’s a significant amount of bike traffic, but probably a couple dozen a day at least. That said, the Pike is not a road I ride on unless there’s absolutely no other choice. For some perspective, I’m fairly tolerant of riding in traffic & do so daily commuting in/out of the city, but I can count on one hand how many times I’ve ridden on the Pike.

If metro into the city, I get off at the bus stop there an have to cross Columbia Pike at that crosswalk to get to my building’s side of the street. In my experience, drivers rarely stop for the flashing crosswalk lights at that intersection. Between the significant amount of vehicles turning on/off S Fredrick and the number of pedestrians trying to cross there, that intersection really, really, really, needs a four way stop light.

About two years ago a woman in my building was struck by a car while trying to cross (while the lights were flashing) and from what I recall; word around my building was that the county decided a light should be installed, but that it would take 18-24 months. Again, my memory is fuzzy…it may have been they would do a study and decide in 18-24 months whether or not they should install one. I’ll believe it when they install it.

[AFHokie]

I have Lake boots and they’re plenty warm, but I’ve found them nowhere near as waterproof as advertised.

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[AFHokie]

Yep, me yelling F-you too! wasn’t a necessary response to you honking as you passed me with less than 3ft on S Columbus St, but stopping to tell me you’ll kick my ass? Fortunately for both of us, as I get older I’ve become a teeny bit wiser and realized it was time to deescalate. I only have one thing to say: video cameras are everywhere including my handlebar. I have your plate # and unsafe pass/honking at me on video. Lucky for you the mic didn’t pick up your comment.

Not my best day

[AFHokie]

@JonRobot 149028 wrote:

if it’s for heat it definitely shouldn’t be allowed. it’s “freezing saddles”, not “heated-to-a-dangerous-degree-using-rocket-fuel saddles”

I guess there is a third possible option…snow removal

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[AFHokie]

@cvcalhoun 148851 wrote:

So, is this bike allowed in Freezing Saddles? I’m sure we should be debating a new rule covering it!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12725[/ATTACH]

Depends…is it for warmth or propulsion?

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[AFHokie]

@bobco85 148930 wrote:

My evening commute became a multi-modal (biking and walking) when I somehow disabled my hybrid commuter bike.

As far as I can explain, I was riding westbound on Walter Reed Dr about to start climbing up the short hill to the King St intersection. I geared down to my lowest gear, but as I started pedaling hard, I felt the chain fall off the inside of the chainring. What followed was the chain going all the way to the axle, the derailleur pulley getting pulled into the rear wheel spokes, the bending of my front chainring, and my nearly immediate slowdown to a halt. Luckily, I did not crash, especially since I was where the right lane splits into the straight and right turn lanes, and I’m sure even with all my lights/reflective gear/size some driver would still probably not see me in time. I pulled onto the sidewalk just where the Lucky Run Trail ends (north side of Walter Reed Dr) to inspect it, and the damage had certainly been done.

I SWEAR, I DON’T KNOW HOW I DO THESE THINGS SOMETIMES

I had to pull the chain out and put the bike into a higher speed just to get the rear derailleur pulley out of the spokes so I could then walk the bike home. I was only 1.8 miles from home, and I like walking anyways, so I went on foot to get home. Tomorrow I will take a trip to the bike shop, as I had only ridden ~400 miles on this after having replaced the crankset, chain, and rear cassette.

Pics of the damage:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]12754[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12755[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12756[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12757[/ATTACH]

After seeing that, I’m starting to wonder if your screen name should change to “strong like bob85”

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[AFHokie]

I wouldn’t expect them to go “have a chat” with the driver, but definitely report it. Enough reports of issues at an intersection & they should step up presence (and ideally enforcement) at the location.

Still, don’t expect much; earlier this year at the intersection of Shirlington RD & S Four Mile Run Drive I had a very near miss with a silver minivan that never slowed down making a right on red onto Four Mile Run Dr while I had right of way (to include a lit cross now light) right in front of an ACPD cop sitting in his cruiser (who I’m guessing was there to catch red light runners & speeders) didn’t do squat.

[AFHokie]

@Steve O 147988 wrote:

Please take very clear notes on the author of this comment.
The clearest, uninterrupted stretch–from Hunter Mill to Vienna segment–shows fewer than 8% of all PRs are at 20 mph or higher (the other direction is easier, but that’s on your way home). Those are people’s PRs!–drafting, on their speedy crabon tri-bikes, tailwinds, etc. No doubt Sir Hozn does this all the time, but regular mortals do not. Throw in that you will be carrying at least some clothes or lunch or something and claiming it’s “not a big effort” is a lie, lie, lie.

You need to look at average speeds, not PR’s. Additionally, you need to look at averages of people who ride it daily. I’m not on a carbon bike and would classify myself squarely in the middle of the mere mortal category. However, my average through that segment is over 18mph, but I’m typically more rested/energetic as those aren’t daily commute rides.

For context, on my hybrid with a pannier filled with work clothes, lunch, etc, over the past four weeks I averaged a little over 13mph on my 10 mile commute route (which does not include that segment) according to Strava.

I think an e-bike is reasonable on a commute that length. The big time saver is normalizing your overall average speed. I don’t think having the ability to climb a hill at 15+mph is outrageous when people often descend the same hill at 20+ on the power of their legs alone.

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[AFHokie]

My bells arrived earlier this month. I like them, but I do feel the striker spring is a little weak

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[AFHokie]

I’m right handed, but do most everything else lefty. I’m a left foot down rider and I find tight turns to the right more difficult than to the left.

In fact, unclipping and coming to a stop on my right foot feels very unnatural.

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[AFHokie]

Auction of Robin William’s Bike collection: https://paddle8.com/auction/robin-williams/

From the page: Beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams was an ardent cyclist and fierce advocate for people with disabilities. This auction honors his passions. Bid on a selection of favorites from Williams’s personal bicycle collection, donated by his children, in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

The auction runs through October 25th, 1pm ET

[AFHokie]

@Steve O 147282 wrote:

Bad behavior is reflective on the individual who commits it, not on the class of people, nor the mode of transport, with whom that person is associated.

Remember, this is the US Army we’re talking about. An organization where careers are made by enacting blanket policies that affect the many to address issues caused by the few.

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[AFHokie]

Route maps were updated today. Looks like all have changes, so if you already downloaded cue sheets/gpx files you may want double check that you have the most current

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