[Arlingtonrider]

I think that would have been me. . I added a photo to a post above.

I think Alexandria Spokeswomen plans to post some group photos to their FB page. If they do, I’ll try to see if I can add one in this thread.

[Arlingtonrider]

Welcome! If you ride at least somewhat frequently in winter, please help us crush whatever team Shawn is on! (Stated differently, even if you consider yourself somewhat of a slacker in comparison some of the more awesome people on the forum, joining a non-slacker team will help the game and be much more fun and a better way to get to know everyone.)

[Arlingtonrider]

I just finished decorating the bike for the ride tonight. I am so lit! :p.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7185[/ATTACH]

I forgot that this photo doesn’t show the spoke lights, handlebar lights or helmet lights, but it gives a general idea. That’s my backpack with the lights, sleighbells and stocking.

The ride was very pretty and lots of fun. I would guess that we had about 30 people on bikes and around 20 of us got together afterwards for dinner and drinks at Tio Pepe’s. We saw some amazing and very artistic displays of decorations and lights on homes around Del Rey and it was a kick to see some families and people at parties enjoying the scene and calling out holiday wishes as we rode by. Many thanks to Alexandria Spokeswomen for organizing another awesome event!

[Arlingtonrider]

I have little in the way of tools or skills, but I almost always give a shout out and slow down if it looks like someone might need some help, even if it’s just an extra hand to hold the bike up. Usually they say they’re ok. (Sometimes when I have stopped, I’ve learned about things that I’ve later looked up and learned more about.) I also always carry grease-removing handwipes. Those have often been much appreciated, even by people who know what they’re doing.

Oh, and I’m never ever offended by offers of assistance, just so ya’ll know. .

[Arlingtonrider]

My technical scuba diving training results in my always carrying a primary and two spares. Overkill most likely, but I’m ok with it.

[Arlingtonrider]

@Birdstrike 101631 wrote:

I don’t know Dickie, no disrespect meant, but anyone making the comment, “…so as not to slow me down…” referring to their usage of a multi-use trail might indicate a problem in our thinking is all I’m saying.

We should be willing to be ‘slowed down’ and to slow down when peds are sharing the trail with us. It’s easy to get into that “I don’t want to have to slow down for anyone” mode and, while we may not think it’s a problem, I guarantee you it’s a problem as far as walkers’ perspectives who share the trails with us. They are constantly concerned about being plowed into by a cyclist who is trying to avoid slowing down when doing so would clearly be in the best interests of safety. It’s no fun seeing a mass of steel, arms, and legs bearing down on you when you have as much right to be on the trail as the biker does.

Step back, take a breath and think about it. “Not to slow me down” is going to get somebody hurt some day. We should all slow down when we’re around peds on these narrow DC metro trails.

Dickie too.

You’re preaching to the choir. None of us would disagree about being careful and considerate toward pedestrians. Keep in mind that the forum includes only a very small percentage of the riders out there, and I’ll venture many of the much more considerate ones.
Let’s move on now. Any good news or nice events to share on this special thread? I had a pedestrian actually thank me today for always calling my pass.
Oh, and welcome to the forum. We have a great group of people here.

[Arlingtonrider]

I just walked outside. Much warmer today!

[Arlingtonrider]

@Steve O 101591 wrote:

Actually, rain and 34 degrees is about as bad as it gets, IMO. Depending on what time people rode, some of the rain was pretty hard and steady. Late morning it had let up quite a bit, so it wasn’t so bad, but I’m glad I didn’t venture out at 7:30 when it was raining hard where I live.

Sleet stings, but it bounces off and doesn’t soak in (and sometimes it gently rings your bell!). Rain is just miserable. Snow and 25 is better. Or even snow and 15.

Lol – tomorrow we’ll be saying “wind” and 34 degrees is about as bad as it gets (especially for those of us heading north in 22-23 mph head and cross winds). Just have to get on with it. . We can fortify ourselves with warmth and good company at coffee club.

[Arlingtonrider]

@Birdstrike 101576 wrote:

That’s why peds hate us.

Peds do not hate Dickie. He is as considerate a cyclist as anyone can be, not one of the people you are thinking of.

Added later: If you knew Dickie at all, you would be very embarrassed by that post. He is one of the best, and was trying to say something nice, but you totally missed the point. Knowing that you don’t know him at all, or the vast majority of us, i’ll try not to judge. We all know about the type of folks you were talking about. The people who are active on this forum are not that group of people. Also, not all peds hate us. If we weren’t out there with our watchful eyes, they could be a lot less safe. Cyclists are often the first ones to offer help when someone has a problem.

[Arlingtonrider]

Bar Mitts, hands down!

[Arlingtonrider]

I went for the morning and saw tons of our forum folks. My favorite place to watch was at the bottom of the chute, where the riders come down a hill (with stairs going up) on a switchback and then have to negotiate a very muddy path with some turns. Lots of action there. . It was especially fun watching that with Culimerc, who provided encouragement to the riders and helpful commentary (for them and me), and who seemed to know practically every adult rider in the competition. The whole event was loads of fun and had a great mix of people of all ages and genders participating. Some of the munchkins, tweens and teenagers (including a lot of girls in all age groups) were amazingly good on the course. Another big highlight was seeing Sean C. right after his awesome podium finish in big field of riders. Congrats Sean! It was great day at the races. I wish I could have stayed longer. (Also spotted Bobco85 at Trader Joe’s later in the day, who was shopping by bike. )

Also, there’s a Bikenetics cyclocross race coming up next weekend at Occoquan. That might be the last local one of the season.

[Arlingtonrider]

I saw lots of kids having a blast on Redlines at the Capital Classic yesterday. It seemed like about a third of the kids were riding them (extremely unscientific). They were clearly a very popular bike. I loved watching all the kids and teenagers enjoying cyclocross so much. They were good at it too!

[Arlingtonrider]

Thanks Will! I think I was just seeing the who is registered part.

[Arlingtonrider]

I’ve been looking all over and can’t find the race schedule, only the registrations page. Does anyone know where the schedule is posted?

[Arlingtonrider]

I’m driving, but will see ya’ll there tomorrow morning. This is such a fun event to watch with lots of great folks to cheer on. I’m bringing my “good” cowbell for this one.

In case anyone wants to check it out and needs last minute info, it’s at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston and the first race starts at 8:15 a.m.

[Author]

Replies